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- Avoid These Bulking Mistakes That Turn Muscle Gains into Fat
Avoid These Bulking Mistakes That Turn Muscle Gains into Fat
Gold’s Gym is downsizing its SoCal footprint, offloading 23 clubs to EōS and leaving Venice Beach as its lone flagship.
Bulking season should mean adding plates on the bar, not inches on the waistline. This guide zeroes in on common pitfalls, like piling on junk calories or skimping on protein, that turn muscle-building phases into fat-gain marathons. It urges lifters to track macros, aim for roughly 30 % of calories from healthy fats, and avoid refined oils and trans fats. You’ll learn how to monitor waist and arm measurements to ensure you’re gaining where it counts and how to adjust calories when progress stalls. Come away with a smarter bulk plan that fuels growth without sacrificing your six-pack. [Master Clean Bulking]
Should you flood your system with creatine or take the slow-and-steady approach? This breakdown compares loading (20 g per day for a week) with daily micro-dosing, highlighting the pros, cons, and who benefits most. Loading can deliver fast strength gains—ideal for athletes with imminent competitions—but may cause temporary bloating. Recreational lifters are reminded that a maintenance dose eventually yields the same results without GI distress. By the end, you’ll know whether to sprint or stroll toward saturated muscle cells and how to time your intake around training. [Choose Your Creatine Path]
It’s the end of an era as Gold’s Gym unloaded 23 Southern California locations to EōS Fitness, leaving its iconic Venice outpost as the brand’s sole West Coast stronghold. The deal, effective October 29, 2025, bolsters EōS’s regional footprint while sparking nostalgia among bodybuilders who’ve logged iron sessions in those storied halls. Members at affected gyms will transition to EōS clubs, while the Venice site remains a pilgrimage spot for pros and tourists alike. The sale reflects consolidation in the gym industry post-pandemic, with larger chains swallowing regional stalwarts to expand market share. Fitness fans have one more excuse to visit Venice Beach—this time to experience the last Gold’s Gym standing. [Read the Full Sale Breakdown]
Bodybuilding legend Samir Bannout weighed in on Nick Walker’s surprise split from his coach and the elephant in the room: his midsection. In a recent video, Bannout argued that Walker’s waist issue is “fixable” and chalked up the rift to differences in strategy. He urged the rising star to dial in nutrition and posing to restore his X‑frame ahead of the 2026 season. Bannout also defended Walker’s decision to seek new guidance, noting that elite athletes sometimes need fresh eyes to break through plateaus. For fans who love a redemption arc, Walker’s next chapter could be his most compelling yet. [Watch Bannout’s Take]
Why clutter your home gym when two dumbbells can sculpt a classic V-taper? Coach Jeff Cavaliere distilled lat training down to a pair of moves: a heavy unilateral row to build thickness and a lighter pull-over variation to stretch and shape. He demonstrates how varying grip and tempo can maximize lat recruitment and create that coveted shoulder-to-waist ratio. The program emphasizes perfect form over weight and includes progressive overload to keep gains coming. Minimalists and busy lifters alike will appreciate a back routine that fits in a carry-on yet delivers wide‑winged results. [Build Your V‑Taper Now]
The 2025 Rogue Invitational Strongman & Strongwoman contests served up circus barbells, yoke carries, and heavy deadlifts, but Mitchell Hooper and Inez Carrasquillo made it look easy. Carrasquillo snagged an early event win with eight reps on the massive Circus Barbell, seizing the overall lead. Hooper, fresh off a string of podium finishes, pulled ahead in the final events to secure his title and cement his status as the sport’s reigning force. Their victories underscore the growing depth of talent in strongman and strongwoman fields and hint at exciting showdowns to come. If you enjoy feats of superhuman strength, this recap is your ticket. [Relive the Rogue Showdown]
Aberdeen, Scotland, hosted 20 men and 20 women who battled through nine brutal tests over three days in pursuit of Rogue Invitational glory. When the chalk dust settled, CrossFit Games champs Jeffrey Adler and Laura Horvath topped the leaderboard. The duo’s return to the podium highlighted their consistency under pressure and earned them a combined prize purse north of $230,000. The event showcased heavy lifts, high‑skill gymnastics, and endurance grinders that tested every athlete’s engine. For fans following the run‑up to the Games, the Rogue results signal that Adler and Horvath remain the athletes to beat in 2026. [See the Event Breakdown]
Chronological age is just a number—your body’s true age might tell a different story. Fitness Age calculators compare your resting heart rate, activity level, and other metrics against age‑specific norms to reveal whether your physiology is younger or older than your birth certificate suggests. This tool offers insight into cardiovascular health and can motivate lifestyle changes that lower your “fitness age.” It’s validated by exercise science and provides a personalized benchmark you can improve over time. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a couch‑to‑5K beginner, knowing your fitness age can guide smarter training and wellness choices. [Calculate Yours Today]
Jose Manuel Muñoz flashes razor‑sharp lines and granite abs in his latest check‑in, signaling he’s dialed in for the 2025 Romania Muscle Fest Pro📹💪
Recovery Tip of the Day: 20‑Minute Pre‑Bed Parasympathetic Drills
Wind down like a pro with a pre‑sleep ritual designed to shift your body into rest‑and‑digest mode. Spend 20 minutes on deep diaphragmatic breathing, gentle neck and hip mobility flows, and light foam rolling to coax your nervous system from fight-or-flight into parasympathetic calm. Pair the drills with dim lighting and screen-free time to cue melatonin release. The result? A slower heart rate, lower cortisol, and smoother transition into deep sleep. Make it a nightly habit and watch your recovery metrics climb while stress and soreness fade.
The Strength Bulletin
Francisco Martinez’s razor-sharp conditioning earned him the Men’s Physique crown while Maria Acosta captured the Bikini title, both punching tickets to the 2026 Olympia. [View Full Placings]
Classic Physique standout Shuai Ren, Bikini champ Wu Bi, and Wellness winner Kristina Zdorikova swept the Almaty stage, showcasing balanced physiques and earning early Olympia bids. [See the Winners]
Bimat Thi Mai dazzled judges in Ho Chi Minh City to secure the Wellness title and her spot on the 2026 Olympia roster. [Get the Highlights]
Orlando’s stage belonged to Valquiria Lopes, whose trademark glute development and stage presence dominated the Wellness lineup. [Check the Results]
Kate Carroll out‑posed a deep Bikini field to bring the title home, earning her Olympia debut in 2026. [See How She Won]
Italy’s Andrea Presti unleashed density and balance to win the Men’s Open in Warsaw, punching his ticket to the 2026 Olympia. [Full Scorecard Soon]
In Spain, Joaquim Camps Angel ruled Classic Physique while Jasmine Gonzalez triumphed in Bikini, both securing early Olympia qualifications. [Explore the Cup Recap]
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