Can the rising star build off his early success?
Last updated on October 30th, 2024
Keto dieters will cringe when they digest the fact that Martin Fitzwater plowed through as many carbohydrates in three days as they would in nearly three months.
Then again, when you’re competing for the coveted Mr. Olympia crown, you have to be willing to go to what some would consider extreme measures to bring out every striation in your chiseled frame.
Fortunately for Fitzwater, his fueling strategy paid off in his first appearance on bodybuilding’s biggest stage. Coming off an impressive fourth-place finish at the 2024 Olympia, “The Martian” revealed how he got his body in peak condition with the help of perhaps the most controversial macro in a video for Hosstile Supplements posted on Oct. 26.
Martin Fitzwater Made His Mark at the 2024 Olympia
Despite being the youngest competitor in the Men’s Open division, Fitzwater made good on Jay Cutler’s “sleeper” pick by earning a fourth-place finish in his Olympia debut.
How did the 27-year-old manage to outshine veterans with vastly more experience?
I ate 4,000 carbs in three days to carb up for my show, and this is why I got fourth in the world in bodybuilding.
At just over 1,300 grams per day, that’s quite a feat of eating, even for someone whose livelihood depends on consuming copious amounts of food to build and maintain as much muscle as possible.
- Unlike those who use “carb-loading” as an excuse to pound Pop-Tarts and pizza, Fitzwater stuck to three healthy carb sources: rice, cream of rice, and rice cakes.
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Although “The Martian” just missed out on a bronze medal, he left Las Vegas as one of the winners of the Olympia weekend. As he made clear on camera, sticking to clean carb sources in that three-day period certainly played a pivotal role in making his physique pop on stage.
The Science Behind Carbing Up
Let’s not pretend that Fitzwater reinvented the wheel. Bodybuilders and other performance-based athletes typically utilize carb cycling strategies to manipulate their weight in preparation for a contest or competitive endeavor.
After months of strict dieting and intense training, it may seem a bit counterintuitive to consume thousands of grams of carbs. However, anecdotally and scientifically, this fueling strategy can make a major difference on stage.
- According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, “Carbohydrate loading was associated with an increase in muscle thickness, circumferences and photo silhouette scores in bodybuilders.” (1)
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That same study noted there was a “high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation and diarrhea” in athletes that were on the carb-loading protocol. Still, the tangible difference between a pre- and post-loading physique means there is a method to the madness.
So, even though Fitzwater and his fellow competitors may encounter digestion and even mood issues with such drastic dietary changes, it’s a price worth paying when you’re vying for the ultimate prize in your sport.
What’s Next for Fitzwater?
Four thousand carbs and one fourth-place finish later, Fitzwater’s future has never looked brighter. Considered the rising star in a Men’s Open division that hasn’t had a repeat champion since Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay captured back-to-back titles in 2020-21, it will be fascinating to see how far he can climb over the next year.
Fitzwater faces his first post-Olympia test in a few weeks at the 2024 EVLS Prague Pro. Scheduled for Nov. 16-17, the contest will feature a familiar face in an unfamiliar setting, as six-time Classic Physique champion Chris Bumstead will compete in the Men’s Open division.
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Luckily for Fitzwater, the legendary “CBum” doesn’t pose much of a threat to his chances of leaving the Czech Republic with a victory. And if “The Martian” plays his carb cards right again, his trip to Prague should conclude with a gold medal and a spot in the 2025 Mr. Olympia contest.
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References
- de Moraes WMAM, de Almeida FN, Dos Santos LEA, Cavalcante KDG, Santos HO, Navalta JW, Prestes J. Carbohydrate Loading Practice in Bodybuilders: Effects on Muscle Thickness, Photo Silhouette Scores, Mood States and Gastrointestinal Symptoms. J Sports Sci Med. 2019 Nov 19;18(4):772-779. PMID: 31827362; PMCID: PMC6873117.
Featured image: @martfitzh20 / Instagram