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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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Arnold Schwarzenegger Honored with Doctorate After Arnold Classic UK

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After rounding out a successful Arnold Sports Festival UK in Birmingham, England, Arnold Schwarzenegger visited an old stomping ground and picked up an honorary doctorate at Ulster University’s campus in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The award, made on March 31, 2026, was given to the “Austrian Oak” in recognition of the icon’s remarkable contributions to public service, environmental advocacy, and the arts. Arnold continues to break the bodybuilding “meathead” stereotype , and in addition to his seven Mr Olympia trophies, worked feverishly to learn the English language, making the Hollywood A-list, and even serving as the 38th Governor of California, becoming active in a variety of life-enhancing causes such as being more active to promote longevity. Belfast also has special significance to the “Commando”, and “Predator” star, since it is one of his old stomping grounds. Pro Tips Arnold's 12 Secrets to Success Schwarzenegger shares the life lessons he's learned throughout...
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Are Hip Thrusts Overrated? The Truth About This Glute-Building Staple

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Walk into most gyms, and you’ll see it—benches lined up, barbells padded, and someone hip thrusting their way to “better glutes.” We’ve shifted from squats to hip thrusts as the top booty builder. Social media crowned them the king of glute training, and influencers swear by them. The message is loud and clear: “If you want strong, sculpted glutes, you need hip thrusts.” But here’s the question not many are asking: Are hip thrusts truly that effective—or are they just overrated? Here, we’ll through the noise by exploring what hip thrusts do, where they shine, where they fall short, and whether they deserve their top spot as a glute-building staple. How Did Hip Thrusts Become Popular A big reason for the hip thrust explosion is Bret Contreras—aka “The Glute Guy.” He didn’t just introduce the movement; he built a case for it. Through EMG research and years of coaching, Contreras highlighted that hip thrusts produce high levels of glute activation, especially at full lockout. That w...
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Rory McIlroy Reveals His Mental Toughness Secrets for Conquering the Masters

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Spending time around Rory McIlroy, what stands out isn’t just the talent—it’s how much he’s willing to sit with the hard parts. The missed shots. The questions that don’t have easy answers. The kind of moments most athletes try to move past as quickly as possible, he leans into. That’s what struck Drea Cooper most while working on the new Prime Video documentary Rory McIlroy: The Masters Wait — not just the weight of chasing one of golf’s most elusive titles, but how long he was willing to carry it. For more than a decade, the Masters wasn’t just another tournament for McIlroy—it was the one that wouldn’t cooperate. After his collapse in 2011, the narrative followed him every year he returned to Augusta. And yet, instead of avoiding it, he kept showing up. What Cooper saw up close wasn’t just resilience in the traditional sense, but something more nuanced: a willingness to reflect, to adjust, and ultimately, to let go. And in that process, there are lessons that extend well beyond gol...
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2026 Arnold Classic UK Results: Andrew Jacked Dominates Again—Is Mr. Olympia Next?

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The best bodybuilders from all over the globe descended on Birmingham, England for the 2026 Arnold Classic UK between March 27 and 29, leading to a highly important weekend for the industry, as the road to the 2026 Mr. Olympia event began to take shape. Here are the full results from each division. Of course, all eyes were on Andrew Jacked as both fans and critics alike were eager to see if the former kickboxer could repeat the achievement he made earlier this month, winning the Arnold U.S and taking home bodybuilding’s biggest ever prize of $750,000. And, in the U.K., AJ brought his A-game once again, winning first place and adding a further $250,0000 to his earnings this year. Commenting on his chances against his rivals at the 2026 Mr Olympia, Jacked said he was excited to go up against current champion Derek Lunsford , and 2025 champ, Samson Dauda. “Get ready guys, we’re gonna spice things up!” he promised. News A Breakdown of How Andrew Jacked Can Win the 2026 ... The ...
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