From the BarBend Podcast Classic archives: Jen Widerstrom rose to the national spotlight as a star on "American Gladiators," but after the show was canceled, a career in the fitness industry didn't ... Continue Reading
Build a Vice Grip With the Axle Deadlift
The deadlift is one of the most effective strength and muscle-producing movements in all of sport. And fortunately for you, the ways to train your deadlift are just as varied and numerous as the benefits ... Continue Reading
Why Iris Kyle is Undoubtedly in the Bodybuilding G.O.A.T Conversation
Iris Kyle is arguably the greatest bodybuilder the sport has ever seen. That's a big claim, sure, but a claim that can be backed up. Case and point: Kyle is the only bodybuilder in any division — man or ... Continue Reading
The 10 Best Posers in Men’s Bodybuilding History
The sport of bodybuilding isn’t just about moving weight — it’s about artfully displaying muscular size, shape, and proportion. To earn high marks from the judges and roaring applause from the fans, ... Continue Reading
Blast Your Abs With the 10 Best Kettlebell Core Exercises
Kettlebells are used across most strength, power and functional fitness sports to increase mobility, address asymmetries, and offer athletes a way to develop a stronger core without sacrificing training ... Continue Reading
Here’s How the 2022 Mr. Olympia Qualification System Works
Every year, the IFBB Pro League releases the Olympia Qualification System (OSQ) rules, which serve as the process to determine how the bodybuilding and physique competitors can qualify or earn a position ... Continue Reading
Get Your Hands Dirty With the 10 Best Grip Exercises
You need to train your grip. If you can’t hold onto your barbell in the first place, how can you expect to make gains in the gym long-term? A strong grip will help you pull better on rows, cycle faster in ... Continue Reading
Kick Your Own Ass With the 10 Best Bodyweight Glute Exercises
A steel-forged booty looks good on everyone. What's more, smart glute training is a key component of any solid exercise program. Without focusing on your glutes, you might not be able to really maximize ... Continue Reading
Kaged Muscle C-HCl Creatine Hydrochloride Review — Quality Control?
Creatine has hundreds of studies backing its effectiveness when it comes to athletic performance and body composition. Creatine can help increase your ability to improve power output in the gym, in turn, ... Continue Reading
The 5 Best Quad Workouts for Forging Bigger and More Explosive Legs
The legs are the pillars of performance in the gym. From sled pushes to sprints, box jumps to bench pressing, everything you do in training demands strong legs in some way. Therefore, training your quads ... Continue Reading
The Secret to Strength Commentary (w/Big Loz)
Today I’m talking to legendary strongman competitor Laurence Shahlaei, better known in the strength community as Big Loz. Loz has a storied strongman career, having competed in more than 10 World’s ... Continue Reading
Six Benefits of Inverted Rows That’ll Turn Your Workout Upside Down
Pulling movements are important for building your back, biceps, and forearms while increasing your overall upper body strength. Although sometimes neglected because the more popular pressing movements like ... Continue Reading
The 8 Best Bench Press Variations to Try on Your Next Chest Day
The bench press may be one of the most popular exercises in the gym. It may also be the exercise that gym-goers plateau on the most. Progress starts quickly as one learns the basic technique, but many a ... Continue Reading
Why You Need Self-Doubt in Training (and How to Use It)
As a mindset coach many athletes come to me with the question, “How do I get rid of self-doubt?” Athletes asking this question are usually under the assumption that self-doubt is negative, when self-doubt ... Continue Reading
10 Competitors With Some of the Best Arms in Bodybuilding
In the world of competitive bodybuilding, specific competitors have been made famous for arm development that challenges one's perception of what's achievable. Of course, every elite competitor who steps ... Continue Reading
The Front Rack Split Squat is the Best Leg Accessory You’ve Never Done
One of the primary goals of strength training is to build strong legs. While you may feel you have thousands of squats to go before achieving remarkable strength, there might be a way to achieve maximum ... Continue Reading
What You Need to Know About How to Get Abs
Everyone’s got abs. No matter how experienced you are with training or what weight class you compete in, you have a six pack. It just might not be visible yet — but if you’d like it to be, there are ... Continue Reading
The Best Pull-Up Variations for All Experience Levels
If there’s one upper body exercise every strength athlete should include in their training program, it’s the pull-up. Think of pull-ups as squats for the upper body — arguably, no other upper body exercise ... Continue Reading
Bodybuilding for Beginners — Your Ultimate Guide for Getting Started in the Gym
A good physique is awe-inspiring. Everyone has their own reasons for picking up their first barbell, but the goals are mostly universal. Whether you want to look good, feel better, or lift the heaviest ... Continue Reading
7 Dumbbell Deadlift Benefits That’ll Convince You to Pull Without a Barbell
One of the most popular exercises in the fitness community is the barbell deadlift. It’s performed in both powerlifting competitions and at the CrossFit games. Chances are you see them almost every day in ... Continue Reading
Mohamed Makkawy is the Most Aesthetic Bodybuilder You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of
The year is 1982, and everyone is ablaze about the Mr. Olympia. After two controversial contests in a row, it finally seems that bodybuilding is returning to some form of normality. To the dismay and ... Continue Reading
2021 Mr. Olympia Results — Complete Official Scorecards
Editor's Note: The 2022 Olympia competition is underway, taking place from Dec. 16-17 in Las Vegas, NV. You can check out this year's action on BarBend's results page. The 2021 Olympia weekend ... Continue Reading
The Best Dumbbell Chest Workouts for Beginners, Strength, and More
Gym rats the world over are constantly on the hunt for the best ways to build an impressive set of pecs. Dumbbell exercises are a staple for many muscle groups — and luckily, the chest is no different. ... Continue Reading
Can Britain’s Strongest Man Repeat? (w/ Adam Bishop)
Today I’m talking to strongman Adam Bishop, the reigning Britain’s Strongest Man (as of this podcast’s publication). After playing rugby at a high level, Adam became a strength and conditioning coach for ... Continue Reading