The 2022 Mr. Olympia People’s Champion, Nick Walker, is training relentlessly to return to the bodybuilding stage. After suffering a hamstring tear days before the 2023 Mr. Olympia, the prime contender’s career came to an abrupt halt. However, Walker wasn’t ready to give up and has been training his legs frequently since recovering.

In a recent post, The Mutant named one leg exercise that also happens to be one of his favorites. However, the exercise he named is infamous among the lifting community because of its difficulty. The Bulgarian split squat has become the subject of numerous memes. However, there is good reason behind its reputation, and even The Mutant respects it.

“Bulgarians are prob one of my favorite movements for quads. If you know how to do these properly it’s not easy at all. They will take the wind out of you,” wrote Nick Walker. The Bulgarian split squat is a variation of the standard barbell squat. While it may look like a modified lunge, it is far more difficult than a standard lung in every aspect.

While the lunge focuses on the lead leg, the one behind compensates a lot. However, the Bulgarian split squat eliminates the compensation. Putting the assisting limb on a bench makes it harder to balance. The lead leg’s range of motion also increases to a great degree. These adjustments isolate the quad’s futures, engage the stabilizer muscles, and increase the difficulty.

Doing the movement with a dumbbell like Nick Walker for added weight makes it even more difficult. This is why many people avoid the Bulgarian split squat. However, bodybuilders like walkers who regularly perform the exercise tout its benefits. However, The Mutant has been focusing on leg days a lot in the past few months.

Read More | After a Horrifying Hamstring Injury Shattered His Mr. Olympia Dream, Nick Walker Engages in an Insane Leg Workout After Months

Nick Walker’s kryptonite?

While Nick Walker bounced back from his injury and returned to training, his leg gains had taken a hit. So the bodybuilder focused on getting his legs, especially his quads, to how they were before the injury. However, the Arnold Classic winner’s fans have critiqued his quads for lack of muscle mass and separation.

Even before the injury, his quads were one of his weaker body parts at the 2023 Arnold Classic stage. Although people praised his conditioning, many thought the 2023 Arnodl Classic champion Samson Dauda had better quads than Walker. Maybe this is why the Mr. Olympia bronze medalist has been legs extra hard before stepping on the New York pro stage.

Read More | Fans Await Massive Comeback as 276 Lbs Bodybuilder Returns Post Hamstring Tear: “This Year Is Yours”

While Nick Walker does multiple exercises for his quads, the Bulgarian split squat might be the secret weapon that helps him turn a potential weakness into a strength.