Men's Journal's Blog, page 50

The Inuit Survival Exercise That Keeps Bodies Strong in Brutal Cold

For centuries, the Inuit or indigenous peoples of Arctic regions like Greenland, Canada, and Alaska, relied on sleds, often pulled by dogs like huskies, to haul heavy loads across vast, frozen terrain. But when dogs weren’t available, they pulled the sleds themselves. That meant dragging hunting gear, supplies, and fresh game like seal or caribou across brutally cold, unforgiving landscapes. That kind of full-body strength, endurance, and mental toughness is hard to match.

And while most of us aren’t trekking through the Arctic anytime soon, sled pulls remain one of the most effective, no-frills exercises out there—lighting up your legs, core, back, shoulders, and grip in one go.

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Sled Pull Variations for Full-Body Strength 

The basic sled pull is already a killer move for your core, legs, back, and shoulders, but mixing in a few key variations can help build a more well-rounded physique and target muscles you might otherwise miss. Below, we break down our favorite variations for building overall strength. 

Side Pull Side Pull

Men's Journal

How to Do ItHold straps that are attached to a sled, standing to the right of the machine, so left elbow is bent and back, and right arm reaching across torso, both fists near left hip. With soft knees, walk to the right, right leg extending, left leg crossing over right. Go slow, focusing on form. When you reach the other side, switch to the left; 40 seconds equals 1 set.Sled Pull and Push Sled Pull and Push

James Michelfelder

How to Do ItFacing the sled, pull the straps taut with straight arms. Slightly bend your knees as you pull the straps in a row movement toward you. Then lean toward the sled, holding onto the poles with your arms straight. Drive it forward using slow, controlled steps. If the sled doesn't have poles, you can use the straps to drag it instead of push it.Pull and push the sled for 20 yards; that's 1 set. 

Related: Trainer Reveals the Muscle Activation Trick That Instantly Makes Every Exercise More Effective

Bear Crawl Pull  Bear Crawl Pull

Men's Journal

How to Do ItPlace a harness clipped to the prowler around waist. Start on all fours, facing away from the prowler, and lift knees off floor. Move your left foot and right hand to take a "step" forward, followed by your right foot and left hand; bear crawling for 30 seconds equals 1 set.Sled Pulls Muscles Worked 

Personal trainer and RobbinsAthletics.com founder Richard Robbins says sled pulls are one of the most powerful tools for building real-world strength.

"They engage nearly every major muscle group: quads, glutes, calves, hamstrings, core, and even grip and upper body, depending on the variation," he says. "Unlike traditional lifts like squats or deadlifts that load the spine, sled pulls provide concentric-only resistance, minimizing joint stress while still delivering strength gains."

Related: Simple Hack Used By Experts Can Be Game Changer For Runners

Benefits of Sled Pulls

The benefits of sled pulls go way beyond building strength and stamina in the gym—they’re one of the rare exercises that actually mimic the demands of real life. Whether you’re hauling a moose out of the woods on a hunting trip or dragging your kids in their sleds through the snow, sled pulls and their variations are raw and practical.

"From a conditioning standpoint, low-load sled pulls done for sustained periods (five minutes or more) become a powerful aerobic tool," Robbins adds. "We often use empty sleds or very light weights with our athletes to keep them moving non-stop. It’s cardio that builds—not burns—muscle, and it doesn’t leave the knees or back vulnerable like high-impact running might." 

'Superman' Star David Corenswet Just Revealed His Mind-Blowing James Bond Theory

The newest cinematic Superman, David Corenswet, is a man who thinks deeply about movies he loves. If you're someone who has strong opinions about the order of Star Wars films, Corenswet feels like the kind of guy you could hang out with, literally, any day of the week, for as long as possible. And, in a recent appearance on Brittany Broski’s Royal Court, Corenswet went into great detail about his love for the opening scene of the 2006 James Bond movie, Casino Royale. And, in detailing his admiration for this scene, Corenswet also floated a theory that might make you see the movie in a totally different light.

As Corenswet reminds Broski (and all of us), Casino Royale begins with Bond about to execute a crooked MI6 official. But this scene is intercut with an earlier moment in which Bond has killed another man, the "contact" connected to the crooked MI6 guy that he's about to take out. What Corenswet is interested in is not just the coolness of the scene and the way it plays with time, but also, psychologically, what Bond might have considered to be his actual, second kill.

"My hot take is that everybody thinks that the second kill is when Bond kills the main bad guy," Corenswet says. "What actually happened, experientially, is Bond already had his second kill, because he drowned the guy and then had to shoot him."

The opening to Casino Royale is even better than you think… https://t.co/lr1Jk04RPs

— David Corenswet (@corenswet) July 16, 2025

Basically, Corenswet is saying that from Bond's point of view, drowning that dude in the bathroom sink felt like a moment in which he took him out. But, because that guy later struggled back to life, and Bond shot him, the other conversation later, about how the second kill is easier, is perhaps a bit meta. Bond taking out the crooked MI6 guy is, from Bond's perspective, his third kill. 

It's a pretty great theory, and shows that Corenswet is clearly a big Bond fan, to the point where he's even getting into the psychology of the character. (Ian Fleming would approve!)

Corenswet recently retweeted this portion of the interview he had with Broski and added the comment: "The opening to Casino Royale is even better than you think…"

Look, we know this guy is already a great Superman. And we know the last Superman, Henry Cavill, was already in the running for James Bond. But gosh, maybe David Corenswet would make a perfect 007? Seems like he already knows what makes Bond tick.

Superman is in theaters now. You can rent Casino Royale on Amazon Prime, iTunes, and elsewhere.

Related: Who Sings 'Punkrocker?' That 'Superman' Ending Song, Explained

Alan Ritchson Says 'Reacher' Season 4 is 'High Octane' and 'We’re Ticking All the Boxes'

We don't have a release date for Reacher Season 4, but we do know that the entire season will be based on the 2009 book, Gone Tomorrow. And thanks to a new Instagram post from Alan Ritchson, Reacher himself, we've got a better idea of what this season will be like. And it sounds crazy.

In the new video, Ritchson reveals his green room, behind-the-scenes of Reacher Season 4. But, outside of this, look at his downtime, the new post is most revealing because of what Ritchson put in the caption. 

"We want every year to be familiar but a little different and always fraught with peril, mystery, action, and a little of that sardonic Reacher humor, of course," Ritchson wrote. "We’re ticking all the boxes."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alan Ritchson (@alanritchson)

Ritchson also revealed that the action in this season will be perhaps the fastest-paced the show has ever been. This might be a bit of a change from the slow-burn of Season 3, which was based on the book Persuader, and definitely had a more methodical mystery feeling to it. But with Season 4, Ritchson says the action is cranked way up.

"If the story was any more high octane, we’d have to check people’s heart health before watching," Ritchson says. "Things get crazy this season in the best way."

Reacher Season 4 is expected sometime in early 2026. The spinoff series, Neagley, is expected later this year.

Related: How to Read the Jack Reacher Books in the Correct Order (Hint: It's Not What You Think)

‘Ted Lasso’ Stars Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt Join Popular Las Vegas Band on Stage

If you happened to be in Las Vegas on Saturday night, July 12, here’s to hoping you swung by The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails at The Cosmopolitan. For those who were in attendance, it likely felt as though they'd landed in the middle of a Ted Lasso episode.

Jason Sudeikis and his Ted Lasso co-star and friend, Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard, joined the venue's house band, RadioXx, on stage to sing a rendition of The Killers' hit song "Mr. Brightside" and Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love."

As seen in the clips below, Hunt joined the band on vocals while Sudeikis played the tambourine for "Mr. Brightside."

Brendan Hunt and Jason Sudeikis sing “Mr. Brightside” at The Barbershop in Las Vegas (0:57)

Here's another look at the scene at The Barbershop of Las Vegas from a different angle:

Brendan Hunt and Jason Sudeikis sing Mr. Brightside with Radio Xx at The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails in Las Vegas (0:14)

The appearance made by Sudeikis and Beard is far from the first stop-in by a high-profile celebrity. Bruno Mars, Dave Matthews, Machine Gun Kelly, Zac Brown, Sir Rod Stewart and Sammy Hagar are just a few of the names who have surprised fans with performances at The Barbershop of Las Vegas.

Additional clips and photos of various moments at the popular Las Vegas spot can be found on their Instagram account.

As for Sudeikis and Beard, the duo will be gearing up for a return to the pitch in Season 4 of the hit Apple TV+ series. Ted Lasso hit the ground running, becoming an instant hit after its premiere on August 14, 2020.

However, with the way Season 3 wrapped up, it cast doubt over the future of the series. Sudeikis ultimately put that rest in mid-March on the "New Heights" podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce, announcing that Season 4 is a go and that he'll be coaching a women's team.

Related: 'Ted Lasso' Star Hannah Waddingham Teases Season 4 With Unforgettable Analogy

What an Antarctic Ice Collapse Could Mean for the Rest of Us

One of the world’s leading polar scientists has issued a chilling warning: The ice sheets in West Antarctica may already be on an unstoppable path toward collapse, and the world isn’t ready for what comes next.

Louise Sime, a veteran researcher with the British Antarctic Survey, told The Guardian that recent data points to a potential tipping point in the region’s ice melt. 

The Cool Down reported that the West Antarctic ice sheet holds enough frozen water to raise global sea levels by several feet. If that ice starts melting faster than expected, the results could be catastrophic for millions of people worldwide.

“As a human being, I have so much trouble trying to think about the magnitude of the sea-level rise that I’m not sure I have the capacity to really think it through,” Sime said.

For over two decades, Sime has studied ancient Antarctic ice cores—frozen layers of history that reveal how the planet’s climate has shifted over millennia. 

Now, her climate models suggest West Antarctica could hit a runaway melting phase within decades, with the potential to trigger sudden jumps in sea levels.

That doesn’t mean the ice will vanish overnight. Sime believes the process could take centuries or even longer. But once it starts, the acceleration might be faster and more damaging than anything scientists have previously predicted.

The consequences go far beyond rising shorelines. 

Antarctic meltwater can disrupt global ocean circulation, leading to more extreme droughts, heavier storms, shifting agriculture zones, and soaring food prices. Coastal cities face increased flooding and storm surge damage, and saltwater intrusion threatens freshwater supplies and farmland.

Despite the grim outlook, Sime says there’s still time to prevent the worst outcomes. That means reducing carbon emissions, investing in clean energy, strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure, and protecting natural carbon sinks like forests and wetlands.

“If we stop emitting carbon tomorrow, then it’s quite likely that we would see no further decreases in Arctic sea ice,” Sime said.

The message is clear: The window to act is still open, but it’s narrowing fast.

Related: Toxic Discovery in U.S. Lake Sets Off Global Alarm

Elon Musk’s Latest Move Could Pull Tesla Deeper Into the AI Race

Elon Musk has a habit of crossing wires between his companies. Now, he’s hinting that Tesla might jump headfirst into his latest obsession: artificial intelligence.

Musk announced he’ll put it to a vote, asking Tesla shareholders whether they want the electric car giant to invest in his AI startup, xAI—the team behind the Grok chatbot. The earliest shot at that vote? This fall at Tesla’s annual meeting, Fortune reported.

“If it was up to me, Tesla would have invested in xAI long ago,” Musk posted on social media.

The idea? Bring Grok’s evolving AI tools deeper into Tesla’s world and possibly reshape how people interact with their cars, devices, and even the internet itself.

But the timing is messy. 

Just last week, Grok made headlines for all the wrong reasons, going off the rails on X with antisemitic rants that forced a public apology and led to X CEO Linda Yaccarino’s resignation. That scandal only fueled questions about Musk’s breakneck approach to AI development.

Still, Musk has a history of betting big on bold ideas, whether it’s launching rockets, selling flamethrowers, or trying to link AI into every corner of daily life. 

This latest move feels less like a business strategy and more like another chapter in Musk’s relentless push to stay ahead of the curve, even if it means asking his investors to back a risky play.

Tesla isn’t new to Musk-led curveballs. 

In 2016, he led the charge for Tesla to buy SolarCity—a decision that sparked legal fights and plenty of investor pushback. Now, the AI push feels even more personal, with Musk framing it as part of Tesla’s future, whether the world is ready or not.

It’s a move that could pull Tesla even deeper into the AI arms race, and Musk, as usual, is banking on people believing in his vision of what’s next.

Related: Elon Musk Makes Unbelievable Prediction About Grok

Mariners Praise Kid Who Robbed Junior Caminero in Home Run Derby

Pretty much everything went just right for MLB’s home run leader, Cal Raleigh, on Monday night in the 2025 Home Run Derby.

After the Seattle Mariners catcher advanced to the semifinals over Brent Rooker by less than an inch, he took full advantage of the opportunity. With Raleigh and Rooker each hitting 17 home runs in the first round, they were tied for fourth among the eight hitters.

There were no swing-offs in the opening round, meaning the determining factor was the player's longest home run, and as MLB.com detailed, Raleigh had the edge by literally less than a single inch.

Raleigh's home run had traveled 470.62 feet, while Rooker's checked in at 470.54 feet, a shockingly brutal result for the latter.

However, that was just the start of it for Raleigh, who went on to defeat Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero 18-15, a battle that included Caminero being robbed of a home run by a fan in the outfield.

A ROBBED HR IN THE DERBY pic.twitter.com/OQK7mqyVZL

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) July 15, 2025

This kid robbed Junior Caminero of a HR 😳😅 pic.twitter.com/bM9jd3jhMg

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 15, 2025

Social media erupted over the robbed home run, something virtually never seen at the home run derby. While fans of Caminero were in disbelief, Raleigh's team had his back on social media, as the Mariners praised the outfielder with a perfect short message.

team player 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/w0jAuUtJwr

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 15, 2025

Fortunately, Raleigh, who's hit 38 home runs this season, didn't end up needing the assist from the fan, but it's hard not to appreciate the effort, regardless.

Raleigh finished the night with 54 home runs and became the first catcher in MLB history to win the home run derby.

Related: Girl Dads Live Longer, According to New Research. Here's How Much Longer

Julia Garner Schools Critics of Silver Surfer Role With 1 Simple Fact About Character

Julia Garner isn’t here for the fake outrage, and she’s handling it with more class than most would.

Ahead of the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps, the Ozark star addressed the so-called backlash over her playing the Silver Surfer. 

Some fans took issue with the idea of a female version of the character, claiming it was another Hollywood gender-swap move. Garner’s response? Check your source material.

In a red-carpet interview at the film’s London premiere, Garner made it clear her role isn’t a rewrite—it’s canon. “I’m just going to still do my job,” she said. “Also, it’s Shalla-Bal, so it’s different.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BBC News UK (@bbcnewsuk)

And that’s all it took.

Shalla-Bal isn’t some rebooted version of the Silver Surfer. She’s a character straight out of Marvel Comics, first introduced in Silver Surfer No. 1 back in 1968 by Stan Lee and John Buscema. In the comics, Shalla-Bal isn’t just a love interest for Norrin Radd (the original Silver Surfer)—she’s a powerful leader and eventual empress of her home planet, Zenn-La.

While she’s often been a background figure in the Surfer’s story, the comics have explored arcs where she’s taken on significant roles in galactic affairs, and yes, even been tied to the cosmic power of the Silver Surfer.

So no, this isn’t a “genderswap.” It’s a deep cut from Marvel lore.

Garner didn’t go on a rant, didn’t call out fans by name, and didn’t throw social media shade. She simply dropped a fact most casual critics overlooked. 

When asked how she felt about the mixed reactions turning positive after the trailer dropped, her answer was just as gracious. “I was just happy that it was resonating with people,” she said. “I’m just grateful to be at this stand.”

Fantastic Four: First Steps hits U.S. theaters on July 24. And with Garner handling both the role and the noise with that much confidence, it’s clear who’s actually in control of this narrative.

Related: 'Superman' Plot Twist Leaves Fans Questioning Everything

Jessica Alba Video Sparks Dating Rumors With 'Top Gun' Star

Jessica Alba is not wasting any time diving back into the dating pool.

Fans have been obsessing over photos from Alba's frequent vacations since she filed for divorce from her longtime partner, Cash Warren, in February.

Alba, 44, was spotted kissing a mystery male companion while she was in London in May. It turned out to be more than a one-time thing, as the pair was again spotted together on their way back to Los Angeles from Cancun on Sunday.

TMZ was eventually able to figure out the man's identity shortly after. The unknown individual was revealed to be Top Gun: Maverick star Danny Ramirez.

Jessica Alba and Danny Ramirez spark dating rumors after being spotted boarding a flight to Cancun together. (via TMZ) pic.twitter.com/TBwefA0udk

— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) July 14, 2025

Ramirez's star has been on the rise of late. Aside from his Top Gun credit, the 32-year-old actor recently played the role of Falcon in Captain America: Brave New World.

The video obtained by TMZ showed both Alba and Ramirez trying to keep a low profile. The two celebrities hid behind baseball caps and avoided any PDA as they made their way through the airport.

Looks like #JessicaAlba’s love life is taking off again -- 'cause she was caught jet setting with a mystery man amid her divorce from #CashWarren! 🏄‍♂️🍹☀️#Exclusive story at the 🔗 HERE: https://t.co/r19kVEEfrT pic.twitter.com/7kUL1WSk4U

— TMZ (@TMZ) July 14, 2025

They had a similar M.O. during their London trip. While the two were visibly sweet toward one another, they made sure not to draw that much attention with their appearance.

Jessica Alba's London stroll took a romantic turn with a mystery man.
"From Fantastic Four to mysterious fifth wheels." 🕵️‍♂️💋
London's fog isn't the only thing keeping things hazy. pic.twitter.com/K0qI64RnZ0

— Bigfdn (@Bigfdn) June 1, 2025

However, Alba reportedly isn't planning to officially couple up with Ramirez (or anyone, for that matter) anytime soon. According to People's Sharareh Drury, the Fantastic Four star is "not dating anyone seriously" and is simply "enjoying being single again."

The Sin City star filed for divorce from Warren after 17 years of marriage. The two share three children. While the couple remains civil toward one another, Alba seems to be moving on rather comfortably.

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Sports Scientist Reveals the One Thing Most Guys Get Wrong About Bulking

Whenever they're making decisions about nutrition and muscle gain, powerlifters and hardcore lifters have to ask themselves: What's the best way to bulk? Gaining weight might seem pretty straightforward—just eat more than you burn, right? Turns out, how you go about it makes all the difference. 

Take the “dirty bulk,” for example. The term was born in the powerlifting world and refers to a muscle-gaining strategy where you eat way more calories than you burn, without caring too much about food quality. The goal? Pack on muscle and strength as fast as possible. And yes, it works, but not without consequences. 

"Slow, smooth, and steady is 100 percent the rule with bulking," Mike Israetel, Ph.D., exercise scientist and co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, said in a recent video. "Gaining weight too fast is just not a good thing."

Related: The Weird Pre-Exercise Trick Trainers Use to Kickstart a Workout

A dirty bulk is all about calories, and lots of them. That often means loading up on fast food, sugary snacks, and highly-processed comfort meals that make it easy to blow past your daily intake. The upside? Dirty bulking practically guarantees size and strength gains, which can be a blessing for hardgainers who’ve been stuck in neutral. But it’s a slippery slope.

Compared to a cleaner, more structured bulk, this approach can leave you with a lot more fat to cut later. As Isratel puts it, there’s a right way to bulk, and there’s a way that’ll leave you with more belly than biceps.

"If you gain weight really, really fast, you bloat up so quickly that your cardio goes to shit," Israetel says. "Your lower back and calves start to get too pumped, and your cardiovascular [system] starts limiting your lifting. So sets of 15 on the leg press start to turn into no more than five RIR [reps in reverse], no fewer than five RIR to the muscle. Your muscle is just like way, way, way away from failure because your lungs and breathing go, because your gut's so big."

He goes on to explain that packing on weight too quickly, like you would with a dirty bulk, not only tanks your cardio, but throws off your body mechanics, too. In other words, if you’re looking to bulk the smart way, "slow and steady" wins the muscle-building race.