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💪 The Truth About “Toning” vs. “Building Muscle”

PLUS: Don’t Train to Shrink—Train to Shape

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Michael Pender & Ryan Engel
June 11, 2025

Welcome to your modern fitness daily news report! Every weekday, we break down the trending fitness news, tips, and insider scoops to keep you informed. Each read will be under 3 minutes so that you can stay shredded and thumb through no-nonsense fit-quips. Thanks for reading!

TODAY’S LEVEL UP:

  • Coach’s Corner: The Truth About “Toning” vs. “Building Muscle”

  • Mindset Shift: Don’t train to shrink—train to shape

  • Question from Our Readers: Why do I look leaner even when my weight hasn’t changed?

  • Fit Trivia: Which 2000s action movie icon transformed his physique with months of Navy SEAL-style training before playing a CIA operative?

The Truth About “Toning” vs. “Building Muscle”

Let’s clear this up: “Toning” is just building muscle with less body fat.

There’s no magical “tone” setting.

What most guys actually want is:

  • Visible muscle definition (which comes from lifting and losing fat)

  • Less jiggle, more structure

  • An athletic look, not just being skinny

And that’s only achieved by:

  1. Lifting weights consistently

  2. Eating enough protein

  3. Staying in a slight calorie deficit (if fat loss is the goal)

Don’t train to get smaller—train to get stronger, leaner, and more capable.

FROM RYAN’S DESK

Your feelings aren’t facts. You said you’d show up—so show up. Don’t ask yourself if you “feel like it.” That’s how weak men think. Strong men follow through. Every time you do what you said you would, you sharpen the blade. Stay sharp.

Mindset Shift:

Don’t Train to Shrink—Train to Shape

You’re not here to fade away.

You’re here to:

  • Build a frame you’re proud of

  • Increase strength, not just drop pounds

  • Move better, feel younger, and stay sharp

Forget shrinking. Shape your body through effort. That’s where confidence is built.

Question from Our Readers:

“Why do I look leaner even when my weight hasn’t changed?”

– Steve, 46, from Las Vegas

This is one of the BEST signs of progress.

  • You’re building muscle and losing fat at the same time—a body recomposition win.

  • Muscle is denser than fat, so you shrink in size even when the scale stays put.

  • This is common when you improve nutrition and lift weights consistently.

Take photos, track strength, and watch how your clothes fit. The mirror tells the truth—the scale doesn’t always.

Fit Trivia: Which 2000s action movie icon transformed his physique with months of Navy SEAL-style training before portraying a CIA operative on screen?

Answer: Matt Damon! To play Jason Bourne, Damon went through grueling SEAL-style workouts, hand-to-hand combat training, and endurance drills. His shredded, athletic build became the gold standard for the modern, functional-action hero.

Ryan Engel, Intl. Fat Loss Coach

Ryan is a leading fitness coach and one of the most known professionals in the space.

He specializes in Body Recomposition and visual body aesthetics and has reached millions worldwide with his powerful messaging. He brings a unique, non-nonsense, yet sophisticated approach to body change.

EXCLUSIVE DEALS FOR OUR READERS

Our Partners:

3M Coaching: Offering Free Consultations for Limited Time Only

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Publisher: Ryan Engel

Editor: Michael Pender

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