There are individuals who simply know how to make people better. They turn good into great. Stars into Legends.  When it comes to elite athletic performance, one of the masters of the craft is South Florida based performance trainer Nick Soto. “Just trying to help other guys make it where I couldn’t,” Soto shared while describing what he does. He explained that he got into coaching as a self-described “failed athlete.” Soto played college football and he qualified for the Olympics in Tae Kwon Do, but was unable to compete due to a knee injury. He had numerous injuries, ten knee surgeries ..read more

The gym industry has long been a place where passion comes together, but business strategy often falls short. In order to succeed as a gym owner, it requires more than an understanding of sets, reps and equipment, it requires a far deeper understanding of how to engage members, while delivering value. In an effort to unite the gym community, a new event called GymCon has been created, and excitement is already building. GymCon 2023 is a three-day event that will gather fitness insiders, business experts, celebrites, and gym owners from all over with the intent on sharing key success strategies ..read more

This is sponsored content. M&F is not endorsing the websites or products listed in this article. Creatine supplements are one of the most popular and effective supplements for men looking to build muscle mass, increase energy, and improve overall fitness. It is a naturally occurring compound that helps to produce energy in the body, particularly during high-intensity exercises. Some reliable sources state that even if you have a restrictive diet like veganism, you can enjoy a creatine supplement designed for your needs. However, with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to k ..read more

The pullup is one of the most coveted exercises. There’s something massively empowering about successfully lifting your chin over the pullup bar from a dead hang position. And of course, this hard-to-master move doesn’t come easy – especially for women. According to Angela Gargano, a fitness coach and four-time American Ninja Warrior contestant, there are two main reasons women struggle more than men with it comes to mastering this milestone move: Less muscular development in the back area compared to males and being told from a young age that pullups aren’t for girls. “As women, we’ve basical ..read more

Every sport has its mountain top, its highest achievement. Baseball has the World Series. In football it’s the Super Bowl, hockey has its Stanley Cup—and in bodybuilding it’s the Olympia, the title that changes lives, builds legacies, and allows someone to call himself the BEST in the WORLD. More than just an event, the Olympia sits atop a year-round qualification system that connects more than 300 sanctioned contests held in cities around the world.  From New York to Dubai to Columbus to Los Angeles, and places in between – the road to the Olympia is where you’ll find the biggest stories ..read more

With the 2023 Major League Baseball season about to get underway, Lawrence V. Gulotta, M.D., will be busier than ever as the head team orthopedic surgeon for the New York Mets. And, as he’s also a serving member of the School for Special Surgery (H.S.S.), it isn’t just pro athletes that he works with. Alas, spring is a time when the weather begins to turn a little milder and the number of daylight hours increase, and with this great news comes the motivation to go all in on outdoor sports—or even just workout a little more. But, as Gulotta is all too aware, getting back into game shape is some ..read more

Nowadays you don’t have to visit a CrossFit gym to see battle rope exercises in use. What used to be reserved for specific fitness niches and professional athletes is now utilized in home gyms, outdoor workouts, and boot camps. The simplicity of battle rope exercises are what makes them a popular choice for overall body conditioning; all you need is two ropes and you’ll be shedding fat, building lung power, and gaining strength and stamina. This head-to-toe training method is perfect for people of all fitness levels and ages. “The battle ropes are even great to use for senior citizens, and the ..read more

When Natalia Abraham Coelho burst onto the Women’s Physique scene, many expected her to eventually win the Women’s Physique Olympia title. However, several years went by and she had yet to claim the title. She would come close but fall short to rivals such as Shanique Grant and Sarah Villegas, both of whom won two titles each. Then, the conversation shifted to Coelho perhaps being one of the “best to never win the big one.” Coelho finally reached the summit of her division by winning the title of Ms. Physique Olympia at the 2022 Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. The champion was the guest ..read more

Ken Rideout is living life as the best version of himself. After struggling with an opioid addiction, the “hobby jogger” from Boston began training with a purpose in 2010, and he hasn’t looked back since.   Running has brought the 51-year-old a wealth of medals in as far-flung places as Tokyo, where he came first with a time of just under 2½ hours in the 50-54 category. In fact, in a 17-month period, Rideout competed in London, New York, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and the aforementioned Tokyo without ever placing less than second place.   M&F sat down with Ken Rideout&nbs ..read more

Workout consistency often feels unattainable in our busy lives. For many people faced with handling multiple family and professional responsibilities, it oftentimes feels easier to believe we can’t find the time instead of working to make the time to get in a good sweat. Some of us would rather lean on a whole bunch of justifications and rationalizations, which in reality are just polite code words for excuses. At the same time, they place their fitness goals—and the time needed to achieve these goals—at the bottom of the priority scale and instead accept the increased risk of long-term health ..read more