Bodybuilder Martin Fitzwater, known as ‘The Martian,’ recently revealed the carb-loading strategy that propelled him to an impressive fourth-place finish at his Mr. Olympia debut.
In a YouTube video on October 24, 2024, Martin Fitzwater discussed his approach to filling out his physique for the competition, including his bold 4,000-carb regimen.
His outstanding performance in 2024 has set him on a trajectory to be a serious contender in the bodybuilding world, and his results speak to the effectiveness of his approach.
The Road to Mr. Olympia: Fitzwater’s Rise in the Men’s Open
Martin Fitzwater has been steadily making a name for himself, consistently climbing the ranks of Men’s Open bodybuilding.
He first caught the attention of fans in 2022, competing against well-established athletes like Andrew Jacked at both the Texas Pro and Arnold Classic UK, where he achieved second and fourth places, respectively.
These early contests helped him gain valuable experience and confidence, pushing him to refine his training and nutritional strategies for greater success.
In 2024, Martin Fitzwater‘s hard work and dedication began to pay off. He secured a first-place win at the 2024 Detroit Pro, showcasing improved conditioning and muscle fullness that set him apart from his peers.
His next challenge came at the New York Pro, where he narrowly missed first place to Nick Walker, finishing second.
Undeterred, Martin Fitzwater used his New York Pro experience as motivation, setting his sights on the ultimate bodybuilding stage—Mr. Olympia.
Related: Martin Fitzwater Shares How to Grow a Massive Chest Weeks from 2024, Mr. Olympia
Fitzwater’s 3-Day 4,000-Carb-Up Plan for Olympia
When it came time to prepare for Mr. Olympia, Martin Fitzwater knew he had to bring his best-ever conditioning and fullness to the stage. He took a calculated risk by implementing a three-day carb-loading strategy that included a staggering 4,000 carbs over the course of 72 hours.
This approach, according to Martin Fitzwater, was critical to his fourth-place finish.
“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,” Fitzwater explained. For this aggressive carb-up, he relied on clean, high-carb foods such as rice, cream of rice, and rice cakes. “All clean food, a lot of food volume, but those are the necessary things I had to do to make myself look the way I needed to look to get fourth in the world,” he shared.
The clean carb sources allowed him to maintain muscle fullness without sacrificing his conditioning.
This strategy paid off handsomely, as Martin Fitzwater’s physique struck a perfect balance between size and symmetry, helping him hold his own against top contenders like Samson Dauda, Hadi Choopan, and Derek Lunsford.
Related: Martin Fitzwater Bio, Age, Weight, Height, Bodybuilding Career, Diet Plan, and Workout Routine
What’s Next for ‘The Martian’?
While Martin Fitzwater’s fourth-place finish is an impressive start, he knows that maintaining his spot at the Olympia will require continuous improvement.
Unlike the top three athletes who automatically qualify, Martin Fitzwater will need to secure a win at a Pro show to re-qualify for the 2025 Mr. Olympia.
He has already set his sights on the upcoming EVLS Prague Pro in November 2024, an event that reigning Mr. Olympia champion Samson Dauda won last year.
A victory in Prague would guarantee Martin Fitzwater a spot on the Olympia stage for a second year in a row.
Related: Bodybuilder Martin Fitzwater Diet Plan for 2024 Mr. Olympia
Looking Ahead: Fitzwater’s Promising Future in Bodybuilding
Landing fourth at Mr. Olympia in his debut year signals great potential for Martin Fitzwater.
The bodybuilding world has seen other legends make a strong impact early in their careers, such as Phil Heath, who placed third in his first Mr. Olympia.
Martin Fitzwater’s combination of innovative strategies, dedication, and determination to improve suggests he has the tools to climb even higher in future competitions.
Fans are eager to see how Martin Fitzwater will perform at the EVLS Prague Pro on November 16-17, 2024, in Prague, Czech Republic.
His fourth-place finish at the Mr. Olympia has set high expectations, and his recent success suggests that he is just getting started.
In the world of professional bodybuilding, where each detail can make the difference between winning and losing, Martin Fitzwater‘s meticulous approach to diet and preparation has proven effective.
With his sights set on even greater achievements, ‘The Martian’ is poised to become a significant force in the Men’s Open division for years to come.