For many athletes, the journey to the Olympic podium begins decades before the opening ceremonies. In some cases, countries will spend millions to scout, select, and develop future medalists. Others are found by happenstance, as was the case for Greek weightlifter Pyrros Dimas.

By Olympic pedigree, Dimas is widely regarded as the most accomplished Olympic lifter in history, having won three consecutive gold medals plus one bronze in weightlifting between 1992 and 2004. But as Dimas tells it, he wasn’t called to greatness or abducted by a bureaucracy — he was just really, really strong for his age.

[Related: Best Weightlifting Shoes for Beginners]

In a Jul. 22, 2024 interview with strongman Martins Licis, Dimas, 52, recounted his origins in weightlifting and the “moment” he recognized his life would change forever.

Pyrros Dimas: From Burglary to Barbells

“I was picking fruit from a house near my school,” Dimas says as he describes his childhood in Tirana, Albania. “A coach saw me there. I was worried he was the owner of the house.”

The man was a weightlifting coach who pitched then-7-year-old Dimas on trying out for the sport. The coach, not mentioned by name, met with Dimas’ parents for their blessing to introduce him to the barbell after school. He took to it quickly.

200-Pound Squats at Age 7

In countries with robust, nationwide youth athlete development systems, prospects are allocated to different Olympic sports based on their aptitude in basic fitness tests like sprinting, jumping, and bodyweight exercises.

Dimas, who had no inclination toward Olympic lifting, displayed extraordinary muscular strength on his very first day of instruction.

“I remember doing 90-kilogram (198.4-pound) squats on my first day,” Dimas recalls. “Everyone was confused. ‘What is this?’ They asked.”

[Related: Best Weightlifting Belts for Squats]

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the average 8-year-old boy weighs between 46 and 78 pounds — Dimas, without any strength training experience, squatted roughly 2.5 times his own weight. If that’s not a north star for a would-be weightlifting athlete, what is?

Is Weightlifting Safe for Children?

Dimas credited his uncommon levels of strength at a young age to having a very active childhood. “I was chosen because the coach noticed my legs. I walked all day and played soccer,” he explains.

A high daily step count and team sports are hallmarks of a healthy routine for a child, but what about lifting weights? Contrary to popular belief, weightlifting — and even testing a 1-rep max — is not dangerous for children:

One scientific review from 2009 concluded, “Participation in almost any type of sport or recreational activity carries a risk of injury … A well-supervised strength training program has no greater inherent risk than any other youth sport or activity.” (1)

A 1993 study of junior Olympic weightlifters recorded that the muscular strength gained from proper strength training can improve bone mineral density and physical resilience. (2)

[Related: Best Pre-Workout Supplements for Weightlifting]

“Physical resilience” certainly helped propel Dimas, a Greek national, from the streets of Albania into the history books. Dimas famously won three gold medals at the ’92, ’96, and ’00 Olympic Games, plus a bronze-medal finish in ’04 in front of a home crowd in Athens, Greece.

Dimas recalls placing his lifting shoes on the platform — a traditional gesture for weightlifters — to signal his retirement from competitive weightlifting. He received a “13-minute” standing ovation: “The people gave me the real gold medal.”

Since 2017, Dimas has served as the Technical Director for USA Weightlifting and will coach the five American weightlifters performing at the 2024 Olympics in Paris between Aug. 7 and 11. He continues to perform squats.

More Weightlifting News

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Editor’s Note: BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting. The two organizations maintain editorial independence unless otherwise noted on specific content projects. 

Featured Image: @pyrrospyrros / Instagram

The post 200LB Squats at 7 Years Old: How 3X Olympic Champion Pyrros Dimas Was Chosen for Weightlifting appeared first on BarBend.

The 2024 U105 America’s Strongest Man (ASM) contest occurred on July 27, 2024, in Round Rock, TX. Thirteen of the country’s top strongmen under 105 kilograms body weight competed through five events: Max Log Lift, Deadlift, Medley, Arm-Over-Arm Pull, and Sandbag Toss

Zack McCarley stood atop the podium after securing 48.5 of a possible 65 points, including an event win in the Sandbag Toss. He improved upon his runner-up finish from the 2023 edition of this contest.

2024 U105 America’s Strongest Man Results

Zack McCarley — 48.5 points

John Alimo — 44 points

Justin Loy — 42 points

James Deffinbaugh — 39 points

Kevin Candito — 37.5 points

Aidan Howell — 35 points

Garrett Payne — 33 points

Philip Brinkman — 32.5 points

Mike O’Connor — 32.5 points

Christopher Otero — 32 points

Edwin Young — 29 points

Shane Darrow — 25.5 points

Damon Curtis — 24.5 points

[Related: 2024 North America’s Strongest Results]

[Related: Hafthor Björnsson Bench Presses 265-Pound Dumbbells During 2024 Shaw Classic Prep]

2024 U105 America’s Strongest Man Event Results

Below are the results for each of the five contested events in Round Rock:

Max Log Lift

Aidan Howell — 175 kilograms

Edwin Young — 172 kilograms

Garrett Payne — 168 kilograms

John Alimo — 163 kilograms

Justin Loy — 159 kilograms

Zack McCarley — 154 kilograms

Kevin Candito — 150 kilograms (T-seventh)

Mike O’Connor — 150 kilograms (T-seventh)

Shane Darrow — 150 kilograms (T-seventh)

Christopher Otero — 141 kilograms

Philip Brinkman — 136 kilograms (T-11th)

Damon Curtis — 136 kilograms (T-11th)

James Deffinbaugh — 127 kilograms

Deadlift

Christopher Otero — 10 reps

James Deffinbaugh — Nine reps

Kevin Candito — Eight reps (T-third)

Shane Darrow — Eight reps (T-third)

John Alimo — Seven reps (T-fifth)

Damon Curtis — Seven reps (T-fifth)

Garrett Payne — Seven reps (T-fifth)

Justin Loy — Six reps

Zack McCarley — Five reps (T-ninth)

Mike O’Connor — Five reps (T-ninth)

Aidan Howell — Four reps

Edwin Young — Three reps

Philip Brinkman — Two reps

Medley

The Medley comprised a 147-kilogram farmer’s carry and a 147-kilogram sandbag carry for 15 meters each in the fastest possible time.

James Deffinbaugh — 22.25 seconds

Zack McCarley — 22.87 seconds

Kevin Candito — 23.37 seconds

Christopher Otero — 24.03 seconds

Justin Loy — 24.69 seconds

Damon Curtis — 26.93 seconds

Philip Brinkman — 27 seconds

Mike O’Connor — 27.63 seconds

John Alimo — 15.77 meters

Edwin Young — 15.24 meters

Shane Darrow — 10.83 meters

Aidan Howell — 9.35 meters

Garrett Payne — 7.24 meters

Arm-Over-Arm Pull

Athletes had to pull the weight 15 meters in the fastest time possible.

Justin Loy — 15.29 seconds

Philip Brinkman — 15.75 seconds

Zack McCarley — 17.19 seconds

John Alimo — 17.22 seconds

Kevin Candito — 17.25 seconds

Mike O’Connor — 18.25 seconds

James Deffinbaugh — 18.44 seconds

Garrett Payne — 18.62 seconds

Aidan Howell — 18.69 seconds

Shane Darrow — 19.25 seconds

Damon Curtis — 20.5 seconds

Edwin Young — 25.56 seconds

Christopher Otero — 40.44 seconds

Sandbag Toss

Each strongman attempted to toss the four implements weighing 18 to 25 kilograms over the 4.57-meter bar within the 60-second time cap.

Zack McCarley — Four in 12.08 seconds

Aidan Howell — Four in 12.52 seconds

John Alimo — Four in 13.02 seconds

Philip Brinkman — Four in 15.36 seconds

Edwin Young — Four in 15.84 seconds

Mike O’Connor — Four in 16.27 seconds

Garrett Payne — Four in 16.93 seconds

James Deffinbaugh — Four in 18.02 seconds

Justin Loy — Four in 18.18 seconds

Christopher Otero — Three in 12.93 seconds

Damon Curtis — Three in 20.20 seconds

Kevin Candito — Three in 35.83 seconds

Shane Darrow — Three in 37.56 seconds

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Featured image: @zackmccarley on Instagram

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The 2024 America’s Strongest competitions occurred on July 27-28, 2024, in Victoriaville, Canada. The two-day competition featured strongman and strongwomen contests.

Sixteen strongmen took to the competition floor to clash through eight events: Max Log Lift, Sandbag Toss, Truck Pull, Atlas Stones, Deadlift, Dumbbell Press, Wheelbarrow Carry, and a Medley. Eleven strongwomen competed in six events: Dumbbell Press, Wheelbarrow Carry, Sandbag Toss, Atlas Stones, Max Log Lift, and Squat Lift.

Maxime Boudreault representing the host country achieved the America’s Strongest Man (ASM) title with 105.5 of a possible 128 points. USA’s Inez Carrasquillo secured 62 of a possible 66 points to claim the America’s Strongest Woman (ASW) title.

2024 America’s Strongest Results

Below are the results for both contests:

America’s Strongest Man

Maxime Boudreault (CAN) — 105.5 points

Lucas Hatton (USA) — 90.5 points

Tristain Hoath (CAN) — 88.5 points

Bryce Johnson (USA) — 80.5 points

Wesley Derwinsky (CAN) — 79 points

Marcus Crowder (USA) — 77.5 points

Frédérick Rhéaume (CAN) — 72.5 points

Nick Wortham (USA) — 68 points

Kevin Faires (USA) — 67 points

Spenser Remick (USA) — 67 points

James Jeffers (CAN) — 64 points

Joey Lavallée (CAN) — 54 points

Jasper Haney (USA) — 51 points

Colten Sloan (CAN) — 50.5 points

Zach Price (USA) — 43.5 points

Simon Pratte (CAN) — 15 points (withdrew)

[Related: 2024 Strongman Champions League Estonia Results]

[Related: 2024 Scotland’s Strongest Man Results]

America’s Strongest Woman

Inez Carrasquillo (USA) —

Samantha Belliveau (CAN) —

Gabi Dixson (USA) —

Morgan Irons (USA) —

Jackie Osczevski (CAN) —

Josée De Lachevrotière (CAN) —

Rebekah Strong (USA) —

Sarah-Jeanne Voyer (CAN) —

Stephanie Bisignano (CAN) —

Monica Quarles (USA) —

Bailey Deschene (CAN) —

[Related: 2024 Wales Strongest Man Results]

[Related: Strongwoman Sandra Bradley Becomes First Woman to Lift the 154-Kilogram Fullsterkur Stone]

2024 America’s Strongest Man Event Results

Below are the results for the eight events contests in the 2024 ASM:

Max Log Lift

Lucas Hatton — 211 kilograms

Maxime Boudreault — 206 kilograms (T-second)

Zach Price — 206 kilograms (T-second)

Marcus Crowder — 202 kilograms (T-fourth)

Spenser Remick — 202 kilograms (T-fourth)

Bryce Johnson — 193 kilograms

Tristain Hoath — 184 kilograms (T-seventh)

Kevin Faires — 184 kilograms (T-seventh)

Colten Sloan — 184 kilograms (T-seventh)

Wesley Derwinsky — 166 kilograms (T-10th)

Frédérick Rhéaume — 166 kilograms (T-10th)

Nick Wortham — 166 kilograms (T-10th)

James Jeffers — 166 kilograms (T-10th)

Simon Pratte — 166 kilograms (T-10th)

Joey Lavallée — no lift

Jasper Haney — no lift

Sandbag Toss

Maxime Boudreault — Eight in 31.71 seconds

Wesley Derwinsky — Seven in 28.03 seconds

Tristain Hoath — Seven in 48.10 seconds

Jasper Haney — Seven in 58.11 seconds

Marcus Crowder — Six in 21.11 seconds

James Jeffers — Six in 26.95 seconds

Spenser Remick — Six in 31.94 seconds

Simon Pratte — Five in 15.68 seconds

Frédérick Rhéaume — Five in 18.59 seconds

Nick Wortham — Five in 19.79 seconds

Kevin Faires — Five in 32.4 seconds

Lucas Hatton — Five in 33.68 seconds

Bryce Johnson — Five in 33.8 seconds

Zach Price — Five in 50.73 seconds

Colten Sloan — Four in 17.77 seconds

Joey Lavallée — Four in 24.44 seconds

Truck Pull

Maxime Boudreault — 21.8 seconds

James Jeffers — 23.51 seconds

Tristain Hoath — 23.88 seconds

Wesley Derwinsky — 24.06 seconds

Kevin Faires — 24.11 seconds

Nick Wortham — 24.55 seconds

Spenser Remick — 24.76 seconds

Marcus Crowder — 24.99 seconds

Lucas Hatton — 25.05 seconds

Colten Sloan — 25.26 seconds

Joey Lavallée — 25.34 seconds

Jasper Haney — 26.36 seconds

Bryce Johnson — 26.63 seconds

Frédérick Rhéaume — 26.71 seconds

Zach Price — 26.77 seconds

Simon Pratte — 28.83 seconds

Atlas Stones

Maxime Boudreault — Five in 58.83 seconds

Lucas Hatton — Four in 29.76 seconds

Frédérick Rhéaume — Four in 34.92 seconds

Colten Sloan — Four in 35.08 seconds

Tristain Hoath — Four in 36.78 seconds

Nick Wortham — Four in 37.01 seconds

Bryce Johnson — Four in 44.04 seconds

James Jeffers — Four in 48.8 seconds

Jasper Haney — Four in 49.67 seconds

Joey Lavallée — Four in 67.18 seconds

Spenser Remick — Four in 69.26 seconds

Marcus Crowder — Three in 24.12 seconds

Zach Price — Three in 34.04 seconds

Kevin Faires — Two in 64.94 seconds

Wesley Derwinsky — no lift

Simon Pratte — no lift

Deadlift

Tristain Hoath — 12 reps (T-first)

Frédérick Rhéaume — 12 reps (T-first)

Marcus Crowder — 11 reps

Wesley Derwinsky — 10 reps

Lucas Hatton — Nine reps (T-fifth)

Bryce Johnson — Nine reps (T-fifth)

Kevin Faires — Eight reps (T-seventh)

Joey Lavallée — Eight reps (T-seventh)

Spenser Remick — Seven reps

Nick Wortham — Six reps (T-10th)

James Jeffers — Six reps (T-10th)

Jasper Haney — Six reps (T-10th)

Maxime Boudreault — Four reps

Colten Sloan — Three reps

Zach Price — Three reps

Simon Pratte — withdrew

Dumbbell Press

Lucas Hatton — Two reps, 124 kilograms

Maxime Boudreault — One rep, 120 kilograms

Nick Wortham — Three reps, 113 kilograms

Bryce Johnson — Two reps, 113 kilograms (T-fourth)

Marcus Crowder — Two reps, 113 kilograms (T-fourth)

Frédérick Rhéaume — Two reps, 113 kilograms (T-fourth)

Kevin Faires — One rep, 113 kilograms (T-seventh)

Spenser Remick — One rep, 113 kilograms (T-seventh)

Joey Lavallée — One rep, 113 kilograms (T-seventh)

Zach Price — One rep, 113 kilograms (T-seventh)

Colten Sloan — Two reps, 102 kilograms

Jasper Haney — One rep, 102 kilograms (T-12th)

James Jeffers — One rep, 102 kilograms (T-12th)

Wesley Derwinsky — One rep, 102 kilograms (T-12th)

Tristain Hoath — no lift

Simon Pratte — withdrew

Wheelbarrow Carry

Kevin Faires — 5.03 meters, 463 kilograms

Bryce Johnson — 2.92 meters, 463 kilograms

Wesley Derwinsky — 2.79 meters, 463 kilograms

Frédérick Rhéaume — 0.05 meters, 463 kilograms

Maxime Boudreault — 4.27 meters, 440 kilograms

Joey Lavallée — 2.16 meters, 440 kilograms

Tristain Hoath — 1.17 meters, 440 kilograms

Marcus Crowder — Five meters, 417 kilograms

James Jeffers — 3.07 meters, 417 kilograms

Jasper Haney — 4.95 meters, 372 kilograms

Colten Sloan — 3.99 meters, 372 kilograms

Spenser Remick — 1.09 meters, 372 kilograms

Nick Wortham — 0.84 meters, 372 kilograms

Lucas Hatton — 0.08 meters, 372 kilograms

Zach Price — no lift

Simon Pratte — withdrew

Medley

Lucas Hatton

Wesley Derwinsky

Tristain Hoath

Bryce Johnson

Maxime Boudreault

Joey Lavallée

Nick Wortham

Zach Price

Jasper Haney

Spenser Remick

James Jeffers

Colten Sloan

Marcus Crowder

Kevin Faires

Frédérick Rhéaume

Simon Pratte — withdrew

2024 America’s Strongest Woman Event Results

Below are the results for the six events contested in the 2024 ASW:

Dumbbell Press

Samantha Belliveau — Three reps, 79 kilograms

Inez Carrasquillo — Two reps, 66 kilograms

Stephanie Bisignano — One rep, 66 kilograms

Morgan Irons — Four reps, 57 kilograms

Gabi Dixson — One rep, 57 kilograms (T-fifth)

Jackie Osczevski — One rep, 57 kilograms (T-fifth)

Josée De Lachevrotière — One rep, 57 kilograms (T-fifth)

Sarah-Jeanne Voyer — One rep, 57 kilograms (T-fifth)

Rebekah Strong — no lift

Monica Quarles — no lift

Bailey Deschene — no lift

Wheelbarrow Carry

Gabi Dixson — 5.03 meters, 336 kilograms

Monica Quarles — 2.08 meters, 336 kilograms

Inez Carrasquillo — 2.08 meters, 318 kilograms

Jackie Osczevski — 2.03 meters, 318 kilograms

Rebekah Strong — 1.04 meters, 318 kilograms

Samantha Belliveau — 1.68 meters, 299 kilograms

Stephanie Bisignano — 0.76 meters, 299 kilograms

Josée De Lachevrotière — 0.28 meters, 299 kilograms

Sarah-Jeanne Voyer — .058 meters, 281 kilograms

Morgan Irons — 4.14 meters, 263 kilogram

Bailey Deschene — 1.83 meters, 263 meters

Sandbag Toss

Inez Carrasquillo

Samantha Belliveau

Jackie Osczevski

Josée De Lachevrotière

Sarah-Jeanne Voyer

Rebekah Strong

Morgan Irons

Gabi Dixson

Stephanie Bisignano

Bailey Deschene

Monica Quarles

Atlas Stones

Inez Carrasquillo — Four in 40.49 seconds

Gabi Dixson — Four in 74.63 seconds

Samantha Belliveau — Three in 26.94 seconds

Jackie Osczevski — Three in 32.04 seconds

Rebekah Strong — Three in 37.19 seconds

Morgan Irons — Three in 53.92 seconds

Josée De Lachevrotière — Two in 32.28 seconds

Monica Quarles — Two in 41.08 seconds

Bailey Deschene — Two in 54.12 seconds

Stephanie Bisignano — One in 16.11 seconds

Sarah-Jeanne Voyer — no lift

Max Log Lift

Inez Carrasquillo — 141 kilograms

Samantha Belliveau — 118 kilograms (T-second)

Morgan Irons — 118 kilograms (T-second)

Gabi Dixson — 109 kilograms

Rebekah Strong — 100 kilograms (T-fifth)

Monica Quarles — 100 kilograms (T-fifth)

Jackie Osczevski — 91 kilograms (T-seventh)

Stephanie Bisignano — 91 kilograms (T-seventh)

Josée De Lachevrotière — no lift

Sarah-Jeanne Voyer — no lift

Bailey Deschene — no lift

Squat Lift

Gabi Dixson

Inez Carrasquillo

Sarah-Jeanne Voyer

Samantha Belliveau

Morgan Irons

Josée De Lachevrotière

Bailey Deschene

Jackie Osczevski

Rebekah Strong

Stephanie Bisignano

Monica Quarles

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Featured image: @roguefitness and @inez_prostrongwoman on Instagram

The post 2024 North America’s Strongest Results appeared first on BarBend.

JamaRR Royster recently switched to Powerlifting America (PA). Royster previously lifted with USA Powerlifting (USAPL) but joined the wave of top-level lifters who moved to America’s affiliate of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF).

Royster’s PA debut was the 2024 SBD Raleigh meet, a contest with an unusual format. For the Prime Time session, athletes were not ranked based on weight lifted within their weight class. Instead, athletes from different weight classes competed against each other and were scored on the proportion of the American total record they achieved.

Royster competed in the 93KG class. He kicked off his competition by matching the IPF squat world record on his opening attempt. His second attempt of 345 kilograms moved quickly and he called for 357.5 kilograms to be added to the barbell for his final squat — 20 kilograms more than the current IPF world record. Take a look at the colossal lift below:

[Podcast: JamaRR Royster: Find Your “Why” for Endless Motivation]

Royster employed wrist wraps, knee sleeves, and a lifting belt to assist him in the squat. In IPF affiliates, knee wraps are not permitted in the raw category. Royster’s ascent was slow, but his form did not break. He was patient, kept his positioning, and was rewarded with three white lights from the referees. 

The IPF squat world record in the 93KG class has seen some action this year, having been broken four times. At the end of 2023, Anatolli Novopysmennyi’s world record squat of 331 kilograms had stood for four years, undefeated. Here is the progression since then:

Gavin Adin — 331.5 kilograms

Carlos Petterson-Grifith — 332.5 kilograms

Gavin Adin — 337 kilograms

Carlos Petterson-Grifith — 337.5 kilograms

In the IPF, world records can only be set at international events so Royster’s squat will not stand as an official record. However, squatting 20 kilograms over the record fires a warning shot at the 93KG class.

2024 SBD Raleigh Results — JamaRR Royster, 93KG

Squat

337.5 kilograms

345 kilograms

357.5 kilograms

Bench Press

190 kilograms

197.5 kilograms

200 kilograms

Deadlift

290 kilograms

305 kilograms

310 kilograms

Total — 865 kilograms

To score his 357.5-kilogram lift as an official record, Royster must replicate it at an IPF international meet. He isn’t on the roster for the upcoming 2024 North American Powerlifting Championships so his next opportunity will be at the 2025 IPF Classic World Championships in Chemnitz, Germany.

Royster’s path to that competition will not be easy. PA has a number of world class athletes in the 93KG class. Brandon Pitre, Jonathan Cayco and Gavin Adin will all challenge to become the nominee in this weight class. Royster must defeat them at the 2025 PA Raw Nationals to be selected.

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IPF Junior Bench Press World Record Flies To 225.5 Kilograms

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Featured image: @theipf on Instagram

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For all the buzz around sauna and cold plunge, eating the right foods — and abstaining from others — may still be the best way to meaningfully improve health in the long run

It’s universally known that eating healthy is beneficial for many reasons, from experiencing an increased quality of life to maintaining a well-functioning cardiovascular system. According to a new study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, an added benefit may include an increased life span of up to six to ten years, provided you’re eating the right types of foods.  

Originally published in April, the study is titled, “Life expectancy gains from dietary modifications: a comparative modeling study in 7 countries,” and was included in the AJCN’s July issue. 

The study’s researchers acknowledged that while they had done a previous similar study, it hadn’t taken subjects’ height, weight or physical activity into consideration. They adjusted this study in consideration of those factors and examined a range of participants from the United States, China, France, Germany, Norway, and the United Kingdom. 

Using publicly available data sources, the team studied individuals who had transitioned from typical country-specific dietary patterns to a “longevity-optimized” diet, a more “feasible dietary change” or an “optimized vegan” diet. 

Specifically, the team examined the intake of fifteen food groups: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, eggs, milk/dairy, refined grains, red meat, processed meat, white meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, added sugar in foods and added oils. 

What Is a ‘Longevity-Optimized’ Diet?

Unlike a typical Western diet, a longevity-optimized diet includes more whole grains, legumes, and nuts with decreased amounts of red or processed meats, sugars, and sugar-sweetened beverages, the researchers noted.

Specifically, a longevity-optimized diet incorporates seven whole grain servings, five vegetable servings, and five fruit servings per day.

Life expectancy gains, or the number of additional years added to a subject’s life, ranged among the study’s participants from 4 to 11.3 years, depending on their age and which of the three dietary change methods they undertook.

In the case of 40-year-old subjects who switched to a longevity-optimized diet, the estimated life expectancy gains ranged on average from 6.2 years to 9.7 years. For subjects of optimized vegan dietary changes, additional life expectancy ranged on average from 5.2 to 8.7 years. 

A diet change even at age 60 can increase life expectancy gains, with data showing that in the United States and the United Kingdom, a longevity-optimized diet can add up to seven years for people in older age groups. 

In the study, subjects who made the more “feasible” dietary changes ate a diet considered around halfway between a typical Western and a longevity-optimized diet. Even making these smaller changes affected life expectancy gains, adding up to five years for subjects at age 40. 

Overall, the study made one thing clear: increasing the intake of whole grains and legumes and decreasing the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages is beneficial to life expectancy. Some individuals might even add an extra decade to their lives if such changes are sustained.

The post Longevity Rules: The Right Diet Can Boost Lifespan by 10 Years, Study Finds appeared first on Athletech News.

The HVLP operator acquired 42 McFit clubs in Spain, which will be rebranded to Basic-Fit by the beginning of September

Basic-Fit, one of Europe’s fastest-growing high-value, low-price (HVLP) gym chains, reported a 17% increase in revenue to €585 million ($633 million) and membership growth of 13% to 4.1 million in the first half of 2024, reflecting the energy of the European fitness market.

The Netherlands-based fitness chain also announced record net club growth of 135 to 1,537 clubs and the completed acquisition of 47 RSG Group Spain, five of which have been sold, leaving 42 McFit Clubs that will become part Basic-Fit.

For its 2024 outlook, Basic-Fit expects to grow its club network to around 1,575 clubs and projects revenue between €1.20 billion and €1.25 billion, with average revenue per member per month increasing to at least €24.50. 

Rene Moos, Basic-Fit CEO, said the fitness chain is making inroads in converting the 42 McFit clubs acquired in Spain to the Basic-Fit brand and expects the rebrand to be completed by the start of September. 

Although the RSG Spain acquisition and a high number of club openings weighed on cash flow and profitability in the first half of the year, Moos says the remainder of 2024 will be fruitful.

“This trend will reverse in the second half of the year, during which we will open a limited number of clubs, and the clubs opened in the first half of the year will start contributing to the bottom line,” he said. “Despite the impact of the large number of club openings in the first half of the year, we were able to achieve an increase in the underlying EBITDA less rent of 26% to €139 million.”

Moving forward, Moos says Basic-Fit will only look to open new clubs “if we expect to achieve a return on invested capital (ROIC) of at least 30% at maturity.”

Breaking Down the European Gym Landscape

The European fitness market as a whole has seen an increase in revenue and memberships, which have surpassed pre-pandemic levels. There are projected to be 100 million European gym members by 2030, according to a recent joint report from EuropeActive and Deloitte. 

Among European health and fitness leaders, the report listed Basic-Fit in the top spot in terms of memberships (then 3.8 million) followed by RSG Group, owner of Gold’s Gym and McFit, (2.0 million) and PureGym (1.9 million). 

Basic-Fit also took the number one place in revenue (€1.05 billion), followed by David Lloyd (€854 million) and PureGym (€621 million). 

Planet Fitness will soon join the list of European HVLP operators, as the big box fitness franchise plans to open 300 locations in Spain, with its first gym expected to open in Q3 in Sabadell. Planet is exploring other European markets as well.

It’s not just gym operators that are tapping into the fitness enthusiasm — boutique fitness is also starting to surge in Europe. 

Boutique Brands Start To Grow

Club Pilates, the world’s largest Pilates brand with over 1,000 locations, is set to grow in Germany, with four studios expected to open this summer, as well as in the Netherlands and Austria. 

BodyBase, a Pilates reformer brand based in the Netherlands, is expanding its studio presence with a new franchise model.

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Canadian chef and FX’s “The Bear” star Matty Matheson is serving drool-worthy recipes in his YouTube series Cookin’ Somethin’. On July 21, 2024, Matheson traded his usual (very) high-calorie, fast-food-inspired creations for his favorite healthy salmon and rice power bowl. He incorporates this meal three times per week post-workout. 

The 41-year-old restaurateur boasted a recent 40-pound weight loss by eating healthier meals like the one he shared and training. Check out the detailed salmon bowl recipe below.

Note: Matheson did not provide the calories or macros for the salmon bowl. 

Healthy Salmon Bowl Recipe

Matheson prepares a marinade sauce by mixing the following ingredients in a large bowl. 

4 scallions, chopped 

1-inch knob of ginger, peeled and grated 

3 garlic cloves, peeled and grated 

1 tablespoon hoisin 

2 tablespoons fish sauce 

2 tablespoons sesame oil 

2 tablespoons orange juice 

¼ cup chili crisp 

½ cup soy sauce 

1 lime, juiced 

¼ cup cilantro, chopped 

¼ cup red wine vinegar 

Cut the salmon into smaller pieces or cubes. Place them in the bowl of marinade and then into a refrigerator for a few hours or overnight to add flavor. Spoon the sauce over the fish-skin-side-up on a paper-lined baking tray for immediate cooking. 

Oven-broil the salmon for three to five minutes until the skin is crisp and brown. Cook the meat until medium to medium rare. Remove the salmon from the oven and set aside while preparing the rice.

Rice Recipe 

Here’s what’s needed for the rice in the salmon power bowl:

Olive oil

1 ½ cups day-old [already cooked] Jasmine Rice

3 garlic cloves, chopped

4 scallions, thinly sliced

1 inch ginger, chopped

Kosher salt

Heat a skillet on medium. Add oil, garlic, scallions, and ginger. Stir to combine the ingredients for two to three minutes or until soft. Add a handful-and-a-half of day-old rice into the pan. Mix the ingredients. 

Matheson flattens the rice in the pan, seasons it with salt, and lets it get lightly crisp on one side. He toasts sesame seeds in a separate pan to be used as topping later.

Salad

Construct the greens element of the dish using the following plant-based foods:

Radish, roll cut

Cucumber, roll cut

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 

½ lime juiced 

Salt and pepper 

olive oil 

Add the ingredients to a bowl and splash with a little olive oil. 

Crafting The Salmon Bowl

For serving, Matheson spoons the desired amount of rice into a bowl and tops it with salmon cubes, salad, daikon, and kimchi. He drizzles the sauce over the top and sprinkles sesame seeds to his liking.

I eat this probably three times a week. This meal is…a standard of eating better, taking care of myself.

The chef signed out with a most muscular pose, showing off his gains.

More Nutrition Content

The Best High-Protein Fast Food, Chosen By a Nutrition Coach

How Much Caffeine Is in Pre-Workout? (And How Much Is Too Much, According to a Nutrition Coach)

Your Guide to Post-Run Nutrition From a Certified Nutrition Coach

Featured image: @mattymatheson on Instagram

The post Try Chef Matty Matheson’s “Post-Workout Meal of Champions” appeared first on BarBend.

The startup is targeting a demographic that’s gone largely underserved in the booming athleisure market

Athleisure continues to rise in popularity, even years after the COVID-19 pandemic brought about the transition from office to remote work. However, a significant segment of the population, namely big and tall men, has remained underserved in this growing market. 

Big and tall men make up around 11% of the population and the segment is growing at twice the rate of the regular-size men’s apparel market.

Newton’s First, which describes itself as the world’s first big and tall men’s athleisure brand, is exclusively targeting the fast-growing market, valued at $6 billion.

The name “Newton’s First” comes from Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion, which states that an object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force. 

“In our daily lives, our bodies are constantly acted upon by the outside forces of rigid and unforgiving fabrics and poorly designed garments that restrict our natural movement,” explained Newton’s First co-founder Will Cuadros, who previously launched The Winston Box, a big and tall clothing subscription box for men. “Our mission is to produce garments using innovative comfort-first fabrics that allow the body to move naturally, preventing outside forces from slowing you down, effectively breaking the laws of physics.”

Newton’s First offers bigger sizes with fuller midsections while remaining tapered and fitted throughout for a more flattering silhouette. Tall sizes have elongated torso measurements and longer sleeves and are marketed to men 6’3” and up. 

The athleisure brand’s features align with the big and tall demographic’s needs, which are for stretchy fabrics, moisture-wicking technology, and temperature regulation.

Amit Patel, who co-founded Newton’s First along with Cuadros, emphasized the brand’s dedication to fit, fashion, and function.  

“As Big & Tall men with decades of combined experience in the industry, we understand the unique challenges plus-size men face because we’ve faced them all our lives,” Patel said. 

The launch of Newton’s First comes as GLP-1 weight-loss drugs figure to bring about more size inclusivity in fitness and wellness.

The post Newton’s First Launches To Serve Growing Market for Big & Tall Athleisure appeared first on Athletech News.

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