If you’ve thought about building your own home gym, you’ve likely had that wallet-draining feeling that potentially scares you away from the blueprints. Yes, you can spend too much on the best home ... Continue Reading
4 Ways Stress Is Killing Your Gains
You're hitting the gym religiously, progressively overloading your lifts, and you're on top of your protein intake. But the muscle gains still aren't coming through. So what gives? While it's ... Continue Reading
Bulking vs Cutting: Are Higher or Lower Reps Better?
Sports Physiologist Dr. Mike Israetel is the go-to training expert on the Renaissance Periodization YouTube channel, often dissecting what the latest research suggests for resistance training. On Dec. 12, ... Continue Reading
Renu Stoic 2.0 Cold Tub Review
If you’ve spent some time in the fitness space, you’re probably no stranger to the benefits of cold water immersion, like reduced inflammation and decreased stress levels. (1) While you can enjoy those ... Continue Reading
What Is Barbell Knurling? Plus, Other Barbell Features to Know About
Today is the day. After weeks and months of hard training, your strength training program finally calls for a new 1-rep max in the deadlift. You’ve got the gym to yourself, your favorite song pounding in ... Continue Reading
2024 IFBB Pro League Schedule Revealed
The 2024 IFBB Pro League contest schedule was released on Dec. 18, 2024. The 2024 season is already underway — it began on Oct. 9, 2023 — with several contests having already occurred and awarded division ... Continue Reading
The BarBend Staff’s Favorite Stories of 2023
The team at BarBend produces a lot of content. Our news and editorial staff work tirelessly, week after week, to bring you the latest developments and most interesting stories in the worlds of strength and ... Continue Reading
How Samson Dauda Diets During a Post-Show Rebound
Bodybuilder Samson Dauda had a successful 2023 season, winning the Arnold Classic in March, the bronze at the Mr. Olympia, and a pair of pro competitions overseas, including ... Continue Reading
Do Cold Showers Burn Fat? Everything You Need to Know About Weight Loss and Cold Water Exposure
Your experience with fitness may well take you through some unique lifestyle changes. From dialing in your nutrition to finally locking in that eight-hour sleep window, what you do in your downtime has a ... Continue Reading
Shaun Clarida’s Back Training Leading Into His 2024 Off-Season
Two-time 212 Olympia champion Shaun Clarida relinquished the 212 Olympia throne in 2023 to Keone Pearson, who improved from his sixth-place finish in 2022. On Dec. 11, 2023, Clarida shared a video on his ... Continue Reading
Dana Linn Bailey and Kristen Nun’s Leg Day Superset Tips
On Dec. 7, 2023, the 2013 Women’s Physique Olympia champion, Dana Linn Bailey, published a video on her YouTube channel wherein she partnered with bodybuilder Kristen Nun for a lower body workout. The duo ... Continue Reading
Jesus Olivares Raw Deadlifts 10 Kilograms Over IPF World Record In Training
Elite super heavyweight powerlifter Jesus Olivares has had a good 2023. He only competed twice but made those performances count, winning the inaugural Sheffield Powerlifting Championships in March 2023 ... Continue Reading
Marcela Mattos Wins 2023 Musclecontest International Nacional Pro Wellness Show
The 2023 IFBB Pro League calendar is complete, with its final contest, the 2023 Musclecontest International Nacional Pro Wellness show, taking place on Dec. 16, 2023, in Campinas, Brazil. Fourteen Wellness ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Sumo Deadlift, According to a Personal Trainer
The sumo is the dark horse of deadlifting. The first time you saw someone split their legs in the gym and yank a bar-bending amount of weight, you were probably more than a little puzzled. It may have even ... Continue Reading
Does Protein Powder Cause Acne?
Getting to the gym and consistently crushing your workouts makes you feel good and strong; that’s why you love it. In addition to training, keeping your protein intake high can help you build muscle, lose ... Continue Reading
What Is Erythritol? Is This Zero-Calorie Sweetener Too Good to Be True?
On your muscle-building journey, you’ll need protein. And if you’re on the hunt for the best protein powders, we imagine you’ve scanned the labels in search of the perfect formulation. Somewhere in those ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Nordic Curl to Power Up Your Hamstrings Without Weights
The Nordic curl is not for the faint of heart… or hamstrings. Don’t be misled by the fact that this move is “merely” a bodyweight exercise. Once you truly dive into this move, thoughts of adding weight ... Continue Reading
2024 Arnold Classic Rosters Released
The 2024 Arnold Classic is set for the weekend of Mar. 1-3, 2024, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH. Unlike other IFBB Pro League shows on the schedule, athletes must apply and be ... Continue Reading
Hadi Choopan’s Shoulder Training Post 2023 Olympia
After a year-long reign as the Mr. Olympia champion, Iranian bodybuilder Hadi Choopan relinquished the title to a much-improved Derek Lunsford at the 2023 Olympia. Choopan is already back in the gym ... Continue Reading
2023 Musclecontest International Brazil Nacional Pro Wellness Show Preview
The 2023 IFBB Pro League calendar concludes with the Musclecontest International Brazil Nacional Pro on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Campinas, Brazil. Fourteen pro competitors will face the judges and fans ... Continue Reading
IFBB Pro League Women’s Physique Athlete Kristyn Lia Dies at Age 39
Athletes and fans of professional bodybuilding are saddened and shocked by the unexpected death of IFBB Pro League Women’s Physique competitor Kristyn Lia, who passed away at the age of 39. Her exact time ... Continue Reading
Thousands of Gym Rats Crashed a Website Trying to Buy This 20-Pound Coffee Mug
“Erick, If I were part of Eleiko’s board, I would vote to fire you,” begins one of over 700 comments on an apologetic Instagram post by Erik Blomberg, the Chief Executive Officer of Eleiko Sport. One would ... Continue Reading
Francielle Mattos — Biography, Wellness Olympia Career, and Workouts
The Wellness division has been a fan-favorite since becoming a part of the IFBB Pro League in 2020, and a big reason for its popularity is its standard-bearer, Francielle Mattos. Mattos has been the ... Continue Reading
How To Do a Barbell Row: Correct Form and Muscles Worked
You won't do much better than the barbell row when it comes to gaining back strength and size. Better yet, the strength you gain from rowing a heavy barbell in a hinged position carries over to almost ... Continue Reading