Fitness Influencer Will Tennyson Tries to Level-up During Grueling Back Day With Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford
There are levels to bodybuilding, and Will Tennyson found that out firsthand after stepping into the gym with Derek Lunsford. Tennyson, one of the fitness industry’s most popular content creators, recently spent a day with Lunsford as the reigning Mr. Olympia continued preparations for his 2026 title defense. The experience included everything from fasted cardio and carefully measured meals to a grueling back workout that eventually left Tennyson struggling to keep pace.
Lunsford is currently preparing to defend his Men’s Open crown at the 2026 Mr. Olympia, scheduled for Sept. 24-27 in Las Vegas. He reclaimed the Sandow Trophy in 2025 after finishing third the previous year and is now pursuing the third Olympia victory of his career.
Will Tennyson Attempts Derek Lunsford’s Mr. Olympia Back Workout
The day began with Lunsford performing fasted cardio before eating a breakfast consisting of oatmeal, eggs and fruit.
One of the more entertaining moments came before training when Lunsford and Tennyson stopped at Chipotle. With every gram increasingly important during contest prep, Lunsford had the restaurant employee measure his portions to ensure his meal remained within his nutritional targets.
At seven weeks out from the Mr. Olympia, Lunsford still has some flexibility in his diet compared to what the final stages of contest prep will eventually demand.
Once they entered the gym, Tennyson got an even better idea of what separates a highly trained fitness influencer from one of the best professional bodybuilders in the world.
Lunsford took Tennyson through a high-volume back session featuring:
- Lat Pulldowns
- High-to-Low Lat Pulldowns
- Two Row Variations
Interestingly, Lunsford wasn’t obsessed with counting repetitions during the session. Instead, he pushed his sets until he could no longer continue.
The exercise selection also demonstrated how Lunsford attacks his back from several different angles. The pulldown variations targeted the lats from different positions, while the rowing movements placed greater emphasis on developing the thickness that has become one of the defining characteristics of his physique.
By the latter portion of the workout, Tennyson was feeling it.
Tennyson said he had never combined that much weight with such a high number of reps and sets before.
The comparison was particularly striking considering Tennyson is hardly an average gym-goer. He has built his massive online following around fitness challenges, difficult workouts and testing himself alongside some of the biggest names in strength and bodybuilding.
Standing next to Lunsford, however, provided a very different measuring stick.
Derek Lunsford’s Back Remains A Major Weapon For 2026 Olympia
Lunsford’s back development has been one of his biggest strengths throughout his rise from 212 champion to the top of the Men’s Open division.
He won the 212 Olympia in 2021 before moving into the Open class. In 2023, Lunsford made history by becoming the first bodybuilder to win Olympia titles in two different divisions when he captured the Men’s Open championship.
After losing the title to Samson Dauda in 2024, Lunsford returned to the top in 2025 and reclaimed the Sandow Trophy.
Now, Lunsford is attempting to successfully defend his championship as he works through the final weeks of preparation for the 2026 Olympia.
The workout with Tennyson offered an interesting look at the enormous gap that can exist even among people who are considered exceptionally fit.
For most people, keeping up with Will Tennyson in the gym would already represent a serious challenge. Put him next to Derek Lunsford deep into a Mr. Olympia prep, however, and the difference between being extremely fit and being an elite professional bodybuilder becomes much easier to see.
Featured image embed via Instagram @dereklunsford_
