You’ve probably seen the thumbails. A grainy photo of an 80s legend next to a modern-day mass monster, or maybe a quick update on Nick Walker’s hamstrings. If you follow bodybuilding, Nick’s Strength and Power is essentially the morning paper. It’s the "ESPN of bodybuilding," but run by one guy who started out just filming his own workouts in a basement.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how Nick Miller—the face behind the channel—became one of the most powerful voices in a sport where he doesn't even compete at the pro level. People love to hate on "fitness influencers," but Nick is different. He isn't selling you a six-week shred program every five minutes. He's documenting the history and the daily drama of the IFBB Pro League.
Why Nick’s Strength and Power is actually the biggest news source in the sport
Most bodybuilding media used to be gatekept by magazines like Muscular Development or Flex. You had to wait a month to see photos of a show. Now? If a pro bodybuilder so much as sneezes on Instagram, Nick has a video up within four hours.
His rise wasn't an accident. He started the channel back in 2012, and for the first few years, he was basically making nothing. Like, maybe a hundred bucks a year. But he found this niche: bodybuilding history. While everyone else was trying to be the next big "fitspo" model, Nick was talking about what happened to Scott Steiner’s chest or the "bubble gut" epidemic of the 2010s.
That’s where the real value is. He’s a historian first. He knows the difference between the 1975 Mr. Olympia and the 1980 controversy. This depth of knowledge is why legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger and 7-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath have actually sat down with him or mentioned him.
💡 You might also like: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
The Phil Heath "Drama" and the Shift to News
It wasn't always smooth sailing. There was a time when the top pros didn't like an "outsider" critiquing them. Phil Heath famously had a bit of a back-and-forth with Nick. The old guard felt that if you haven't stood on that stage under the hot lights, you don't have the right to judge.
But here’s the thing: Nick isn’t judging as a coach. He’s reporting as a fan who has a massive platform. Eventually, the industry realized they needed him more than he needed them. Today, the relationship is totally different. You'll see Nick backstage at the Olympia with a media pass, getting the first interview with the winner.
The "Nick's Strength and Power" Formula
Have you ever noticed his voice? It’s distinct. Calm, steady, almost clinical. It’s the perfect tone for a news report. But it’s the consistency that really wins.
- Daily Updates: Bodybuilding moves fast. Between the Arnold Classic, the Olympia, and the various Pro Shows in Europe or Japan, there is always something happening. Nick covers it all.
- Context: He doesn't just show a photo; he compares it to the athlete’s previous show. He mentions who their coach is (like Hany Rambod or Matt Jansen) and how that might change their peaking process.
- The "Non-Drama" Drama: He reports on the beefs between athletes (like the Nick Walker vs. Blessing Awodibu rivalry) without being a "drama channel." He keeps it centered on the sport.
Is he actually a bodybuilder?
This is a huge point of contention in the comments sections of his videos. Yes, Nick Miller has competed. He’s done natural bodybuilding shows and has documented his 10-year natural journey. He doesn't claim to be a 300-pound beast. He’s a regular guy who loves the iron.
📖 Related: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
This "regular guy" energy is actually why he’s so successful. He represents the 99% of fans who watch the sport but aren't planning on taking five grams of gear. When he talks about the health risks in modern bodybuilding—something he’s been very vocal about—it carries weight because he isn't part of the "system."
Navigating the 2026 Bodybuilding Season
As we look at the current landscape, the sport is changing. The Olympia has moved back to September for 2026, and the schedule is more packed than ever. Nick’s Strength and Power has become the primary way fans track the "points" and qualifications for these shows.
If you’re trying to keep up with the sport, you don't need a subscription to a fancy magazine. You basically just need to watch Nick’s daily uploads. He covers:
- Guest Posings: These are often the first look we get at a pro's "offseason" progress.
- Contract Updates: Who is signing with which supplement brand (Redcon1, Hosstile, etc.).
- Injury Reports: Bodybuilding is a sport of attrition. When a guy like Chris Bumstead or Ramon Dino has a setback, Nick is the first to analyze what it means for the rankings.
Actionable ways to follow the sport like an expert
If you want to move beyond being a casual fan and actually understand what Nick is talking about, you should do a few things. First, familiarize yourself with the criteria for different divisions. Classic Physique is judged differently than Men's Open. Nick often explains this, but knowing the "V-taper" requirements versus "mass at all costs" helps a lot.
👉 See also: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
Second, pay attention to the coaches. The "coach-pro" relationship is the most underrated part of the sport. If a pro switches to a coach like Chris Aceto, expect their conditioning to change. Nick mentions these shifts constantly because they usually predict who is going to win.
Finally, check out his "History of Bodybuilding" playlist. It’s arguably his best work. It gives you the foundation to understand why current champions are compared to the greats of the 90s. It’s not just about who has the biggest biceps today; it’s about how the sport evolved from the aesthetic 70s to the "mass monster" era and back toward the Classic look we see today.
To get the most out of the current season, start tracking the 2026 Arnold Classic Ohio lineups through his updates. This is usually the "litmus test" for how the rest of the year will go. Pay close attention to the "First Callouts" in his prejudging recaps; that's where the real judging happens, and Nick’s commentary on those side-by-side comparisons is where you'll learn the most about the nuances of the sport.