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5 Pull-Up Alternatives to Build Upper-Body Strength and Fix Weaknesses

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Pull-ups remain the upper-body gold standard. They improve strength, give you wings, and help build bulging biceps to go along with increasing pulling power. But for many lifters, pull-ups have continued being a no-go in their programs. Maybe they find it difficult to get a single rep, or their shoulders or elbows start barking after a few reps. Sound familiar? Pull-ups are great, but if they’re a struggle , let’s take a step back before moving forward. Instead of grinding out half reps and hoping for the best, let’s build the strength, control, and technique that pull-ups demand . That’s where these five moves come in. Don’t think of these five exercises as just alternatives—think of them targeted solutions to a weak point in your training. Each one fixes a specific issue that’s limiting your pull-up potential, so you can build a stronger back now and earn more powerful reps later. Workout Tips 10 Steps To Nailing Your First Pullup The king of bodyweight movements is also on...
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CM Punk’s and Bayley’s Brutal WrestleMania Leg Workout Will Destroy Your Legs

The road to WrestleMania is a journey that motivates WWE Superstars to get into peak shape as they prepare to punish their opponents at the biggest pro wrestling event of the year. So, when World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk, and four-time WWE world champion, Bayley, got a chance to make some gains with the renowned coach, Jay Ferruggia, they tagged in straight away. Who Is Jay Ferruggia? Jay Ferruggia is the go-to guy for getting the best out of elite athletes. He has shared his knowledge with those in the NFL, MLB, and UFC, and is also a regular adviser to a host of grapplers in WWE. But no matter the discipline, Ferruggia says that high-end performers all have one thing in common. “Even those on top of their profession always want to get better,” he wrote alongside an Instagram post detailing their fun but functional workout. Here’s how you can try it for yourself. View this post on Instagram CM Punk & Bayley WrestleMania Workout Desi...
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Andrew Jacked Is Taking Over Bodybuilding with His 2026 Olympia All-Star Tour

Bodybuilders may appear larger-than-life on stage, but standing next to a man-mountain like Chinedu “Andrew Jacked” Obiekea really puts into perspective just how much work and dedication goes into becoming a true Olympia icon. That’s why fans have been flocking to see the 2026 Arnold U.S. and Arnold U.K. champion in the flesh. View this post on Instagram Andrew Jacked is certainly the man of the moment. After earning a career-high third place at the 2025 Mr. Olympia event , and picking up $100,000 in the process, the Nigerian has made 2026 an even more successful year. In March, AJ picked up bodybuilding’s biggest ever single payday of $750,000 at the Arnold U.S., only to follow up with another victory, and a further $250,000 at the Arnold U.K. “After his two huge wins, Andrew could be at home with his feet up, chilling, watching TV,” wrote Olympia All-Star Tours promoter, Giles Thomas , in a recent Instagram post, adding that the popular iron pu...
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Why Eating the Same Foods Every Day Might Be the Key to Fat Loss Success

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A new study by the American Psychological Association has found that repeating the same meals and calorie counts could help people to lose more body fat. The research suggests that individuals who stuck to a set routine, like eating the same meals, and keeping calories intake consistent over time, displayed more weight loss after 12 weeks than those who consumed different dishes. Healthy Eating The 4-Week Cutting Meal Plan Use this ultimate cutting meal plan to lean down in four weeks or less. Read article How The Study Was Conducted? Scientists observed 112 overweight or obese adults over the course of 12-weeks, and asked them to track everything that they ate via a mobile app. Participants also recorded daily weigh-ins and during the trial, the experts analyzed how “routinized” each diet appeared, by noting caloric stability and observing how daily intake varied day-to-day, and at weekends. The study also focused on the element of repetition, looking at those who ate the ...
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Sumo Deadlift vs Conventional: Is It Cheating or a Smarter Way to Lift Heavier?

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The sumo deadlift catches a lot of flak. Some lifters argue it’s cheating because the wide stance decreases the range of motion compared to the conventional deadlift . On the other side, powerlifters, coaches, and seasoned lifters say the opposite: It’s not cheating, but rather a variation that suits certain bodies better and allows them to lift without pain. The sumo deadlift is not just a social media argument about what’s a legit deadlift. It’s also a question of biomechanics, body structure, training goals, and the trade-off between risk and reward. So, before dismissing it as a fake deadlift, it’s worth asking a better question: Is the sumo deadlift cheating, or is it one of the most misunderstood strength builders in the gym? Let’s dive in. Is the Sumo Deadlift Cheating? The Truth Explained The main reason it gets criticized is that it doesn’t resemble a traditional competition deadlift that most lifters grew up respecting. Conventional pulling has the visual appeal of brute...
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3 Proven Hypertrophy Tips From Coach McKenna Henrie

Making a brave change and joining the gym is one of the most positive lifestyle choices that you can make, but when progress is slow, or begins to plateau, people often blame poor genetics for their lack of muscle growing prowess . Fortunately, coaches like McKenna Henrie, who has been a competitive bodybuilder and knows a thing or three about packing on lean mass, explains that there’s more to muscle than the gym membership alone. Taking to Instagram, Henrie provided some essential points that must be covered in order to crush your muscle building goals. M&F breaks it all down here, so that whether you are a complete newbie, or just need a bit of a nudge in the right direction, there’s a way to build more mass. Tip One: Lift with Intention Okay, you’ve purchased the gym membership and you’re even managing to make regular visits, but if the muscles are still not growing, you might need to take stock of what you’re actually doing while you’re there. “Just because you are lifting ...
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Mike Aidala Breaks Guinness World Record With 261-pound Turkish Get-Up

Strongman and endurance athlete, Mike Aidala has gained another Guinness World Record after making a single Turkish Getup with a barbell weighing 261 pounds (118.6kg). Aidala, a former college football player who competed in Olympic style weightlifting competitions, and is now a performance coach, is once again proving to his clients that anything is possible. This is not the first time that Aidala has aced the Turkish Getup to enter the Guinness World Record gang. In 2022, he used the same move to lift the most weight in one hour, racking up 13,823 pounds (6,270kg ) by repping as many times as he could. While that record was eventually surpassed by Nicolas Stir of France, who in 2024 clocked in with 16,378 pounds (7.429kg) Aidala refused to quit his quest to be the best, and chose another punishing Turkish Getup record for his next feat. View this post on Instagram What Is a Turkish Get-Up? Full-Body Strength Explained The coordination, mobil...
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Ali Thompson Explains Why Serving the USO Serves Her as Well

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It can be real easy to see what someone is passionate about after talking with them for a few minutes. The simplest tell is if they smile and take a deep breath before they begin to explain the topic. If you ever meet Ali Thompson of the United Service Organizations (USO ), you will see her light up if the conversation shifts to fitness and how to bring people together for that purpose. “I really love to teach, and I really love to see the accomplishment on people’s faces and then, just to have people have fun.” Thompson does a lot while stationed at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, the only physical and staffed USO center in Africa, including logistics coordinating and getting program supplies to them, and then going out and hosting in-person programming for morale. Her work is not easy but having been a service member herself in the past, being in a role that supports the military today is worth the effort. “I can 100 percent say with all honesty that this is my dream job.” Ali Thompso...
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Nicholas Galitzine’s He-Man Transformation Revealed: ‘Masters of the Universe’ Trailer Shows Insane Muscle Gains

It’s been a long wait for the official He-Man (2026) movie trailer. Taking up the role, Nicholas Galitzine had shared a small teaser of his transformation back in June of 2025, only revealing a glimpse of his shoulder development , but in that image, he was mostly obscured behind the superheroes Power Sword.  Now fans can take a look at the British actor and model’s total transformation, as they ready for the movie’s impending release. For those of us that are retro enough to remember, there were fewer crazes bigger than He-Man in the 8’0s. A 1987 movie starring Dolph Lundgren was a critical flop at the time but has gone on to reach cult status since. Sadly, however, aside from the comic books, Eternia had gone pretty quiet in recent years. So, news that Prince Adam was putting the band back together for another clash with Skeletor and the gang lead to the kind of warm glow that only nostalgia can bring. Fortunately, Nicholas Galitzine, who will take up the mantle as the muscular...
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How to Master the Barbell Strict Press: Adam Collard’s 3 Step Fix

When Adam Collard isn’t appearing in shows like Love Island or Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins, the super fit coach and gym owner invests his time into improving the form and fitness of those who want to become the best version of themselves. And, in a recent Instagram post, the avid HYROX competitor showed how to get the most out of the barbell strict press, sharing his 3 top tips. Operating two gyms and an online training resource , all under the “Sculpt” brand, Collard see’s the trials and tribulations of his clients first hand. “Upper body and the barbell can both be scary things,” explained Collard of strength training. “Fix these and it’ll help you loads on upper body.” The concept of the standing barbell strict press, where you lift the weight high above your head seems simple enough, but the execution can often cause confusion. While these presses are punishing for the shoulders and triceps, this exercise also recruits the shoulders, chest, core, glutes, and legs when performed...
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