Derek Lunsford won’t lose his Mr. Olympia title this September for a lack of effort. In an August 24 video, he joined Ramon Dino for a brutal chest workout less than seven weeks out from competing in Las Vegas.
In 2025, Lunsford made it clear he is one of this generation’s best bodybuilders. He swept last season, securing consecutive victories at the Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, and Mr. Olympia. Aside from Jay Cutler, Lunsford is the only athlete to win back the Open Mr. Olympia title after losing it onstage.
The reigning two-time champ’s confidence has never been higher. In an Olympia Battle workout with Arnold Classic champ Andrew Jacked (Chinedu Andrew Obiekea), Lunsford was outspoken. He declared that Jacked would never win the Olympia title as long as he was around. Soon, the two, alongside a crop of the world’s best Open stars, will wage war at the biggest show of the year.
Derek Lunsford, Ramon Dino Forge Massive Chests With Brutal Workout Ahead of 2026 Olympia
Find their exercises from the video below:
- Machine Chest Fly
- Plate-Loaded Incline Press
- Machine Chest Press
- Plate-Loaded Decline Press
- Cable Fly (High to Low)
- Lateral Raise Machine
- Kneeling Cable Rope Pressdowns
- Ab Crunch Machine
Machine Chest Fly
Lunsford worked his way up in weight on the machine chest fly.
“The three plates added with the gym pin… didn’t feel great, I’ll be honest. I was like, man, I don’t think I’m warmed up. But after I did that set, 11 or 12 reps, then I did the three and a quarter, and that one surprisingly felt way better,” said Derek Lunsford.
Plate-Loaded Incline Press
The Open star mentioned that once he warmed up, the heavier weight felt better overall:
“I actually do better my second set than my first set usually. Most of the time, because I feel warmed up.”
Machine Chest Press + Plate-Loaded Decline Press
He carried on with more reps on the machine chest press and then incorporated a different angle when decline pressing.
“Once I start doing decline, everything got better in my chest.”
Cable Fly (High to Low) + Lateral Raise Machine
After hitting harder sets on the cable fly, Lunsford opted for controlled, slower repetitions on the lateral raise machine.
Kneeling Cable Rope Pressdowns + Ab Crunch Machine
He finished off training with triceps work and abs before calling it a day.
“I’m ready, best condition, 100%.”
Though Lunsford appears headstrong heading into the event, some bodybuilding veterans think he’ll face turbulence. King Kamali recently predicted that Nick Walker could beat Lunsford and Hadi Choopan thanks to his strong back poses.
Lunsford and Dino currently preside over the Men’s Open and Classic Physique as reigning Olympia titleholders. Time will tell if their championship status remains after the 2026 Mr. Olympia, set for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
