Edition #96 | Wtf is "velvet" beef?

Plus: Your skin deserves some post-gym attention. Here's how to care for it.

February 25, 2025

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Welcome to The Weekly Rep, the official newsletter of fitness brought to you by the same team behind The Lift Box. Shoutout to the new readers this week! We now have 120,578 readers.

In today’s edition:

  • This is what you should be doing for your skin post-workout

  • A 20-minute killer ab & core workout perfect for all fitness levels

  • How to velvet your beef — please, just scroll. It’ll make sense.

  • Don’t forget to check out the “Deals of the Month” at the bottom!

Let’s dive in 💥

IN THE NEWS 
WEEKLY WORKOUT

20-minute killer abs & core

Hey, you! Yes, you reading this. STOP SKIPPING CORE! This 20-minute workout is designed for you to follow along with and offers ab exercises for all fitness levels. Commenters say sticking to this routine consistently has helped them develop a stronger, more defined core, so what are you waiting for?

While you make gains in the gym, Medalist helps you make gains for your skin

Fun fact: you're supposed to wash your face within 10 minutes of working out. The sweat, dirt, and grime that build up on your face in the gym might be what's standing between you and clear skin.


Athletes and gym goers have special skin care needs that most brands don't think about. That's why former D1 athlete Ann Ragan teamed up with elite athletes and Olympians across the country to make Medalist Skincare, a dermatologist-approved, athlete-tested skincare brand with no-fuss, high-quality, effective solutions for active people everywhere.


Medalist products are clean, cruelty-free, and free from synthetic dyes, fragrances, phthalates, parabens, and sulfates. Shop below and use code HEADLINES at checkout to get 10% off top-rated skincare solutions by and for athletes.

THINGS TO…
…DO 💪

Lift like Arnold

Sometimes you can’t beat the classics. Turn back time and give your workout an old-school twist with these tips from one of, if not the best, bodybuilder of all time, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

…KNOW 🧠

Should you do cardio before or after weights?

There are only so many hours in the day, so chances are you’re typically combining cardio and weights into one session. If that’s the case, you might find yourself wondering: which one should I do first?

…EAT 🥩

Velvet beef

If you read that headline and thought “wtf,” don’t worry, we’ll explain: velveting beef is a technique used to tenderize beef, making it softer and so much more delicious when you eat it for the 82nd time this week. So if you’re ready to add a little flavor to that beef and rice, take 30 seconds to watch the tutorial below.

BRAIN GAINS

Worried about cognitive decline? Here’s how to prevent it

You probably do everything you can to avoid losing your gains when it comes to your biceps, quads, and core, but what about when it comes to keeping your brain strong? To prevent cognitive decline, neurologist Dale Bredesen suggests doing this one thing (hint: it’s surprisingly easy and cheap).

FITNESS FACTS

  • Fitness Fact of the Week — By age 50, your heart has already begun to stiffen and shrink, making it work significantly harder to pump blood. But research confirms that committing to 4-5 days of exercise per week can preserve its structure and function — keep it as resilient and efficient as that of someone decades younger.

GYM LAUGHS
DEALS OF THE MONTH

Don’t miss out on the latest deals! Every month, we receive exclusive discounts for our subscribers from incredible fitness + wellness brands. Just by reading our newsletter (or being a subscriber of The Lift Box), you’ll receive every deal we have. New deals go live towards the end of every month.

Check them out!