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Stop Doing These 3 Things If Your Protein Shake Feels Like a Gut Bomb
Plus, Nick Walker is planning to beat everyone at the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro, and Big Ramy might rejoin the Olympia party this year.
If sipping your post-workout shake makes you feel like a balloon animal, you’re not alone. A veteran coach lays out three common culprits—like chugging too fast, poor ingredient quality, and mixing dairy-based proteins with a lactose intolerance you’d rather ignore. It turns out your blender isn’t the enemy; your habits might be. Making a few tweaks could mean keeping the gains and ditching the bloat. [Don’t Shake It Off—Fix It Instead]
Walker’s back, and he’s not exactly shy about it. The reigning king of intensity declared he’s “doing everything damn-near possible” to dominate the Pittsburgh Pro, calling out his competition with a bold “I can beat everyone.” After injuries sidelined him last year, Walker’s hungry and hypertrophied—fueled by clean eating, nonstop training, and a mission to reclaim his momentum. Confidence isn’t lacking, and with his current focus, neither is the muscle. [The Mutant’s Mission is Clear]
Six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates dropped a knowledge bomb on shoulder day, and it might just save your joints. He advises locking your shoulder blades against the bench and keeping the dumbbells in front of your head—not out wide like you’re trying to take flight. This tweak minimizes strain and maximizes delt engagement, according to the bodybuilding legend. Shoulders up, egos down. [Level Up Your Press Game]
Most people slow down at 55. Dexter Jackson is not most people. The 2008 Mr. Olympia was caught on camera casually pushing around heavy dumbbells in a way that would make a twenty-something sweat. His consistency and lean, hulking physique continue to inspire—and slightly intimidate—fans who wonder if he’s aging backward. [Dexter Doesn’t Do Dad Strength]
In a recent interview, Big Ramy revealed he’s strongly considering a return to the Olympia stage—and by “strongly,” he gave it an 80% probability. The two-time champ has been off the radar but says his passion for the sport and fan love might bring him back to bodybuilding’s biggest night. The main hurdle? Healing fully before jumping into prep. If the stars (and quads) align, we could witness one legendary comeback. [Ramy Might Have One More Run]
Eat with the sunrise, stop when it sets—that’s the premise behind the so-called Circadian Diet. The approach taps into the body’s natural clock to optimize fat loss, insulin sensitivity, and even sleep. While it may sound like diet folklore, early research and metabolic experts suggest this light-aligned eating window could help people lose weight without counting every bite. Sun’s out, forks down. [Time Your Meals Like a Metabolic Wizard]
Strongman champ Mitchell Hooper just peeled back the curtain on his peptide use, explaining the what, why, and how behind his enhanced recovery strategy. He broke down compounds like BPC-157 and TB-500, which he says support joint healing and muscle repair between brutal training sessions. Hooper emphasizes smart use, bloodwork, and physician guidance—making it clear he’s not winging it with Google and a credit card. [The Strongest Man Gets Scientific]
Instead of banging out 100 push-ups a day like a TikTok bro with something to prove, Jeff Cavaliere recommends a more strategic approach. He breaks down push-up volume across different intensities and movement variations to better target muscle growth, joint health, and long-term gains. His point? Quality trumps quantity, especially when your joints aren’t 18 anymore. [Push Smarter, Not Harder]
Krizo is deep into prep for the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro, and he just dropped his top exercises for chest and back day. Expect heavy machine rows, incline presses, and plenty of laser-focused reps to carve out his dense upper body. The IFBB Pro says he’s chasing balance, symmetry, and undeniable stage presence in his latest training cycle. If the workout doesn’t leave you breathless, the pump will. [Krizo’s Mass-Building Blueprint]
The roadmap to the 2025 World’s Strongest Man is set, with qualifying events promising epic battles of brute strength. Competitors will face grueling challenges to earn a spot in the ultimate showdown. Fans can expect jaw-dropping feats as the world’s toughest vie for glory. Mark your calendars for the chaos. [Strength Showdowns Incoming!]
Are you an ectomorph, mesomorph, or endomorph? This old-school body type classification is making a comeback with a fresh twist: a quiz that helps you train smarter based on your natural physique. While it’s not a perfect science, understanding your somatotype can offer insight into why your friend gains muscle overnight while you gain…water weight. [Find Your Fit Frame]
Advanced Training Tip of the Day: 1½ Reps
Want to make a lightweight feel like a PR? Try 1½ reps. You perform a full rep, drop halfway back down, then push through again to complete the set. It doubles your time under tension and lights up stubborn muscles like a Christmas tree. Best used on exercises like squats, curls, and presses—where control matters more than ego. Just don’t be surprised when your warm-up weight suddenly feels like it’s made of dark matter.
The Strength Bulletin
Tamera Malone clinched her first Olympia qualification with a standout win at the 2025 Battle of the Bodies Pro in Tulsa. [See who dominated the stage.]
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