Nuno Espirito Santo has revealed that West Ham have had to ban Adama Traore from lifting weights at the club's training ground. 

Traore, who joined West Ham from Fulham in January, was told by Nuno that although his physique was "incredible", that he already "carried enough weight."

The 30-year-old had previously claimed that he did not lift any weights, but team-mate Crysencio Summerville posted a video to social media of him bench pressing 145kg. 

Traore has made just five appearances for the Hammers in all competitions, one of which came from the start, and is yet to register a goal involvement. 

"It's incredible [his physique], it's genetics. [But] his genetics has been like this for some time now, and he should avoid the gym," Nuno told reporters.

"I've told him to stay out of the gym. It's one of the things that I think he needs to realise. It's enough weight that he carries.

"He'll do prevention work [in the gym], but he's not there lifting weights.

"For example, [Under-21s defender] Airidas Golambeckis, spends hours in the gym – we have to get weight on him. He's the one that needs muscle, it's the other way around."

Traore faces an almost immediate return to former club Fulham on Wednesday, with West Ham still two points adrift of safety at the wrong end of the Premier League. 

The Spaniard made 20 appearances for Fulham in 2025-26, and 79 overall since joining from Wolves in 2023, and registered 15 goal involvements in all competitions. 

Traore is a player well known to Nuno, with the winger making 136 appearances for him in all competitions, with only eight players making more during his managerial career.

And though he has not been a regular figure for West Ham yet, Nuno believes that he will have an important role in the club's fight for survival. 

"Traore's unique. There are not many players in world football with his ability, pace and skills in one-on-one situations," Nuno added.

"He's a talent that we have to take advantage of, but it will take time. He has to adapt and understand the dynamic of the team.

"But he's proven in England and in the Spain squad not long ago, so we're talking about a high-level player."