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Football Insider

Adama Traore and His Unique Physique: The NFL Comparison and Weightlifting Ban at West Ham

Adama Traore's physical transformation has thrust him into the spotlight as he adjusts to life at West Ham and a ban on heavy weightlifting. Assistant coach Paco Jemez's striking comments likening him to a 'mini bodybuilder' have sparked discussions about the balance between raw power and technical skill in football.

Adama Traore and His Unique Physique: The NFL Comparison and Weightlifting Ban at West Ham

Paco Jemez has made a striking assessment of Adama Traore's physique, claiming that the West Ham winger resembles an NFL player rather than a footballer. Jemez described the Spaniard as a "bodybuilder in miniature," emphasising the unique physical challenges that have necessitated a rigorous training regimen. The Hammers' coaching staff, led by manager Nuno Espirito Santo, have now famously banned the explosive attacker from lifting heavy weights.Traore's physical evolution has been a longstanding topic in European football, but his recent transfer to West Ham has intensified the conversation. While most elite athletes utilise resistance training to build the power necessary for the English top flight, Traore’s natural hypertrophy is so pronounced that further gym work is considered a hindrance. This has led to a formal "weightlifting ban" intended to preserve the winger's agility and ensure his significant muscle mass does not compromise his record-breaking acceleration and top-end speed.Jemez, currently serving as Nuno Espirito Santo's assistant at West Ham, offered a vivid description of the Spaniard’s atypical frame, noting that he stands out even in a league full of high-level athletes. "He has a physique that's not typical of a football player. He's more like an NFL player; he looks like a bodybuilder in miniature," Jemez said to Cadena SER. While acknowledging the sheer power of the winger, Jemez stressed the importance of technical skill over raw strength: "Physical ability is important, but what's important is the ball. Give me players who know how to play football. When physical ability becomes important, you still have to be good with the ball. I think players have to play football, and everything else is a bonus."West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo's strict protocols support the technical observations from Jemez. Having managed Traore previously at Wolves, Nuno is well aware that the 30-year-old’s genetics defy standard sports science. "It's incredible; it's genetics," Nuno explained when confirming the ban. "I've already told him he can't go [to the gym]. It's something he needs to realise: that he's already lifting too many weights. He carries enough weight. He'll do preventative work at the gym, but he won't be lifting heavy."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingTraore must adapt his unique physical skills to Nuno's tactical system to start regularly. Despite his "beast-like" reputation, the winger has mostly played as an impact substitute, struggling to replace Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville in the starting XI. Traore must show that his "no-weights" regime has prepared him for West Ham's busy schedule, where they prepare to face Manchester City and Aston Villa in the Premier League before the international break.

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Adama Traore: More Than Just a Footballer

Paco Jemez's comparison of Adama Traore to an NFL player rather than a typical footballer has shed light on the unique challenges the winger faces at West Ham. Describing him as a 'bodybuilder in miniature,' Jemez emphasizes the need for a tailored training regimen to harness Traore's exceptional physical attributes without compromising his on-field performance.

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The Weightlifting Ban: Balancing Power and Agility

While resistance training is a staple for most elite athletes, Traore's natural hypertrophy presents a different scenario. The decision by West Ham's coaching staff to ban heavy weightlifting is a strategic move to maintain his agility and ensure that his remarkable muscle mass does not impede his explosiveness and speed on the pitch.

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Technical Skill Over Raw Strength

Despite Traore's imposing physique, assistant coach Jemez and manager Nuno Espirito Santo emphasize the primacy of technical ability in football. Jemez underscores the importance of players who understand the game, suggesting that while physical prowess is beneficial, skill with the ball remains paramount.

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Nuno Espirito Santo's Strict Protocols

Having previously worked with Traore at Wolves, Nuno is well-versed in the winger's genetic predisposition towards muscle mass. The ban on heavy weightlifting is a testament to Nuno's strategic approach to optimize Traore's performance within the team's tactical framework, ensuring that his physical attributes complement, rather than overshadow, his footballing skills.

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Traore's Adaptation and Future Prospects

For Traore to secure a regular spot in West Ham's starting lineup, he must demonstrate how his modified training regime has prepared him for the demands of top-flight football. As he aims to make an impact against formidable opponents like Manchester City and Aston Villa, Traore's ability to integrate his unique physicality with Nuno's tactical plan will be crucial for his success at the club.

Published on Mar 13, 2026