Nick Walker brought his most impressive physique yet to the stage during the 2026 Mr. Olympia final, earning his first Sandow trophy and proving that hard work really does pay off. And, in a recent Instagram post, the man they call “The Mutant” shared one of the reasons for his success, explaining that he utilizes an angled stance on the leg press to build his outer sweep. Here’s why.
“This is my bread and butter,” said Walker, explaining the importance of the leg press in his overall lower body strategy. “This is what I believe has put the majority of my new leg size on, and I know I get a lot of criticism for the way I do it. Feet wide, angled out. That works better for me, because when I go wide, toes angled out more than usual, I know we get a lot more knee flexion, and I’m able to contract the outer sweep of my legs.”
In the video, posted for his two-million-plus Instagram followers, “The Mutant” can be seen sans shoes in order to make a better connection with the platform. His toes are pointed outwards, like the hands on a clock showing ten to two. This serves to flare his legs out, but his legs are actually no wider apart than his hips.
How Does Nick Walker Set Up His Leg Press for Outer Quad Sweep?
Walker explained that hitting the outer sweep of his legs was an important part of his Olympia puzzle, and he feels that this technique served him well. While experts often suggest that a narrow stance works better for targeting the outer thigh muscles, “The Mutant” says that this just does not work for him. So, if you are finding it difficult to add mass to your sweep with a narrow stance, the champ’s variation might work for you.
Walker makes sure to go as deep as he can during the negative portion of the press. “I like to pause right in the stretch for a hot second,” said The Mutant. “Explode up, low negatives … I believe that has helped me tremendously.”
But what about those naysayers who comment that the Mr. Olympia winner is pressing the wrong way? “Yes, there will be some hamstring involvement,” said Walker. “Yes, there will be some adductor involvement, but that’s okay. Because I am getting what I need out of it, which is to target the outer sweep. If another couple of muscles are involved… not the end of the world.”
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