Crossword Genius

Magistrates and newspapers in strenuous exercise (5,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bench press

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'strenuous exercise' is the definition.
'bench press' can be an answer for 'exercise' (bench press is a kind of exercise). I am unsure of the 'strenuous' bit.

'magistrates and newspapers' is the wordplay.
'magistrates' becomes 'bench' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'newspapers' becomes 'press' (I've seen this before).
'bench'+'press'='BENCH PRESS'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bench press that I've seen before include "Weighty exercise" , "lift" , "Show of strength" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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