No discussion of these two entities is complete without a deep dive into the woman who ties them together.

The magazine feature, often associated with the "Gym Heat" theme, is a signature series created by professional bodybuilder Denise Masino

Denise Masino’s rise began in the gym, which she initially used as a refuge from a tough Brooklyn neighborhood. Standing at 5'2", she quickly became a powerhouse in the lightweight class, winning her pro card at the 1995 NPC Nationals

: Denise Masino , the "reigning queen of hardbody nudes," who often serves as the magazine's main model and executive producer.

>