West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has placed a rather unusual restriction on winger Adama Traoré, banning him from lifting weights in the club’s gym at their Rush Green training ground. The decision stems from Traoré’s already extraordinary muscular physique, which Nuno described as “incredible” and attributed entirely to genetics rather than heavy resistance training.
The 30-year-old Spanish international, who rejoined Nuno after their successful time together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and moved to West Ham from Fulham in the January transfer window, has long insisted that his famously imposing build comes naturally without any weightlifting involved.
That claim gained fresh scrutiny recently when teammate Crysencio Summerville shared a social media video showing Traoré in the gym, appearing to bench-press a significant load—reportedly around 145kg—sparking plenty of discussion among fans and observers.
During a press conference ahead of West Ham’s Premier League clash with Fulham, Nuno made it clear he wants Traoré to steer clear of adding any more muscle mass.
He explained that the player already carries enough weight for his explosive style of play on the wing, emphasizing that excessive bulking could hinder his agility, speed, or overall performance. Instead, Traoré is permitted in the gym only for preventive and recovery work—such as mobility, core stability, or injury prevention exercises—but strictly no heavy lifting sessions.
The move highlights Nuno’s tailored approach to managing Traoré’s unique physical profile, ensuring the winger remains a dynamic threat rather than risking overdevelopment that might compromise his renowned pace and power balance.
While the ban has raised eyebrows and generated humorous reactions online, it reflects the coach’s belief that Traoré’s natural attributes are already more than sufficient for top-level demands. Traoré, with over 260 Premier League appearances to his name, is yet to start a league match for West Ham this season but continues to be an important squad option.