Strong Fitness – September-October 2026

Summary

Paul Buceta's September/October 2026 issue of Strong Fitness Magazine puts Linda Mitchell on the cover — the fitness entrepreneur shares how she built her empire from early struggles, plus a two-in-one shoulder and glutes routine on page 48. The CAD 8.99 issue runs 80 pages with 22 articles across fitness, wellness, motivation and beauty.

Mitchell's cover profile traces her path from hardship to founder of Sisterhood of Sweat, with the actionable takeaway being her delegation framework — covered by Work Strong columnist Andi O. Johnson on page 42. Beauty editor Lori Fabrizio lists six sweat-proof makeup picks in "Glow Through Every Rep." Coach Rita Catolino's "Pop Quiz!" demystifies gym terminology. "Puppy Love" by Arianne Missimer explains pet therapy science. The fitness section features a full-body kettlebell workout, an exclusive Bulgarian split squat guide, and Nikki Lewis' lower-body programme. The wellness section debuts new columnist Erin Jade on hypopressives and Niyc Pidgeon's "Mind Gym" on enjoying the win. Deirdre Slattery's "The New Hustle" argues September is the real new year. Paul Buceta publishes, Rachel Debling edits.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story

p.48 · Cover Athlete: Linda Mitchell
Mitchell on building her fitness empire from early struggles. Includes her two-in-one shoulder and glutes routine — a practical takeaway from a founder who started with nothing.

▸ Fitness

p.32 · Pop Quiz!
Coach Rita Catolino defines the gym terms that confuse new lifters. Romainian deadlift vs conventional? Superset vs circuit? A glossary for the woman who does not want to ask.

p.62 · Put the Fun in Functional
A head-to-toe kettlebell workout that builds mobility and muscle. Every movement progresses in difficulty, so one kettlebell scales for any fitness level.

p.70 · Exclusive Guide to the Bulgarian Split Squat
The love-to-hate move decoded. Set-up, common form breaks, and how to progress from bodyweight to heavy dumbbells.

▸ Wellness / Lifestyle

p.16 · Glow Through Every Rep
Beauty editor Lori Fabrizio's six sweat-proof makeup picks. Products that survive a spin class and still photograph well after.

p.42 · Learn How to Delegate
Andi O. Johnson's tools for delegating properly. The single most useful business skill for any woman running her own fitness brand.

p.45 · Puppy Love
Arianne Missimer on pet therapy science. Why having a dog lowers cortisol and improves workout consistency.

p.46 · Mind Gym
Niyc Pidgeon on actually letting yourself enjoy a win — step-by-step instructions for women who habitually move the goalposts.

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Editor's Take

Strong Fitness has found its lane: a women's fitness title that treats its readers as intelligent adults who want science-backed training advice, not weight-loss promises. The Mitchell cover story delivers real founder-story content without hagiography, and the columnists — Johnson on delegation, Missimer on pet science, Pidgeon on mindset — give the issue genuine variety. The "Pop Quiz!" glossary is a genuinely useful reference for new lifters. But the fitness section is heavy on advertorial energy — the Behind the Brand piece on Physio Performance and the We Tried It cap test are effectively paid placements. The September/October seasonal content ("Harvest Heroes" on pumpkin-to-pear recipes) feels thin compared to the training pages. Best for: women who train seriously and want a magazine that respects their intelligence.

Strengths
• Columnist lineup covers business, science and mindset
• Bulgarian split squat guide is genuinely instructional
• Mitchell profile has real founder-story substance

Weaknesses
• Several fitness features read as undisclosed advertorial
• Seasonal wellness content is thinner than the training pages

Verdict: Recommended — The most intelligent women's fitness monthly on newsstands, advertorial notwithstanding.