Competitive bodybuilding demands unwavering dedication. Athletes meticulously curate and refine their daily routines to achieve peak physical conditioning, especially in the lead-up to a competition. Establishing a solid morning routine lays the foundation for the rest of the day. 

On Aug. 14, 2024, American Men’s Open division bodybuilder Martin Fitzwater pulled back the curtain on his morning routine 10 weeks out of the 2024 Olympia, scheduled for Oct. 10-13 in Las Vegas, NV.

Fitzwater starts his morning smoking a joint and drinking coffee, a ritual he claims helps him focus and establish a positive mindset for the day ahead. He then ingests gut health supplements, including digestive enzymes, apple cider vinegar, and PepZin GI, alongside additional pills to support liver, kidney, and thyroid health.

Following this, Fitzwater takes progress pictures for his coach, Stefan Kienzl, to ensure his progress is on track. Having a strong support system for mental well-being is critical.

“One of my feedbacks from the 2024 New York Pro was that they wanted to see a different side triceps [pose] and for my front lat spread pose to be more open,” Fitzwater said. 

Ab Workout & Stretching

Fitzwater then hit the gym for an ab workout. Here is a snapshot of the workout:

Machine ab crunch

Cable crunch

Captain’s chair leg raise

Fitzwater performs a light stretching routine to promote blood flow, eliminate metabolic byproducts, and expedite recovery. He practices the eight mandatory poses and the vacuum pose. Fitzwater pays extra attention to his posing during prep.

Breakfast

Ground chicken — 150 grams

Rice cakes — Seven pieces

Strawberries — 100 grams

Almond butter — 10 grams

Fitzwater prefers ground chicken over chicken breast due to its superior digestibility and ability to absorb condiment flavors. He grinds chicken breast in a food processor, avoiding store-bought ground chicken, which often contains additives or has a higher fat content.

Fitzwater adds a packet and a half of Splenda to the strawberries, enhancing their sweetness.

Road To 2024 Olympia

Per NPC News Online, Fitzwater earned his pro card by winning the 2020 NPC North American Championships. Since then, he has competed in six IFBB Pro shows. His best performance was winning gold at the 2024 Detroit Pro, qualifying for the 2024 Mr. Olympia.

Featured image: @martfitzh2o on Instagram

The post Here’s What a Morning Routine for a Men’s Open Bodybuilder Looks Like appeared first on BarBend.