Welcome to a very special episode of the BarBend Podcast, one that covers a bit more ground than normal. Today we're talking to Laith Nakli, a star of stage and screen probably best known for his roles in ... Continue Reading
Powerlifter Julius Maddox Rocks A 710-Pound Bench Press Triple
It should come as no surprise that Julius Maddox is recalibrating what is possible on the bench press. The 33-year-old powerlifter has performed mind-bogglingly heavy bench presses. The biggest highlights ... Continue Reading
Powerlifter Heather Connor Deadlifts 200 Kilograms/440 Pounds At 45.6KG Bodyweight
Back in November, two-time IPF 47 kg World Champion Heather Connor had set a goal of deadlifting 200 kg (440 pounds), which would be a never-before-matched feat among drug-tested women at her bodyweight. ... Continue Reading
5 Overhead Stability Exercises to Increase Shoulder Strength
No matter your training goal, neglecting shoulder strength and stability is many a lifter’s biggest pitfall. Maintaining healthy shoulders is the centerpiece of any lifter’s repertoire. You don’t have to ... Continue Reading
Two-Time Women’s Physique Olympia Champion Shanique Grant Announces Her Retirement
On Dec. 31, 2020, two-time Women’s Physique, Olympia Champion Shanique Grant has formally announced her retirement on her YouTube channel. The video was posted on New Year’s Eve. The formal statement from ... Continue Reading
Peter McGough, Renowned Bodybuilding Journalist, Dies At 71 After Lengthy Cancer Battle
Peter McGough, a journalist who was heralded by athletes and fans in the bodybuilding community, passed away after an eight-year-long battle with cancer on Dec. 29, 2020, at 71 years old. His work in the ... Continue Reading
Should You Retest CrossFit Open Workouts?
Competition is one of the most beautiful human endeavors. It’s through competition that we test our mettle, learn where our limits are, and learn where they could be. In CrossFit, the worldwide Open ... Continue Reading
NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill Review
Treadmills are arguably the most popular piece of cardio equipment found in a home gym due to their versatility and ease of use, and the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 is one of the best ... Continue Reading
Strongman Rauno Heinla Deadlifted 1,036 Pounds On Christmas Eve
Strongman Rauno Heinla of Estonia is an absolute monster in the discipline of the deadlift. During his second appearance on the World's Ultimate Strongman (WUS) "Feats of Strength" series, he set a ... Continue Reading
Nail the Front Squat for Leg Muscle and Power
The front squat is a uniquely challenging and highly beneficial squat movement that differs drastically from back squats and overhead squats. The front squat can help improve a weightlifter's clean, build ... Continue Reading
How Bodybuilders Cut Weight While Still Holding Onto Muscle
Bodybuilding, from an outsider’s perspective, may look easy — you eat lots of food and lift tons of weights to get as muscular as possible, right? Well, not exactly. That's the first half of the equation — ... Continue Reading
What You Don’t Know About the CrossFit Games Grind (with Amanda Barnhart)
Today we're talking to CrossFit Games athlete and Doctor of Physical Therapy, Amanda Barnhart. Amanda is one of the CrossFit world’s highest-performing athletes in the space since making her Games debut in ... Continue Reading
Why Your Gym Is Stuck At 150 Members
Lots of functional fitness gyms get stuck at the mythical 150 member mark and can't break past it. Why is this? If you've spent any time watching TED Talks or reading blog posts from thought leaders, ... Continue Reading
“I Haven’t PR’d in Two Years”: Breaking Through a Common CrossFit Story
Humans share a universal need to work toward something. When we are not stretched or reaching, we become bored, lost, uninterested. This is what brings so many of us to CrossFit: the physical and mental ... Continue Reading
Andrey Sapozhonkov Bench Presses 277kg (611 pounds) at 90kg Bodyweight Raw
On December 17th, Russian powerlifter Andrey Sapozhonkov competed in the Raw division of the 2020 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) World Championships in Moscow, Russia. He only participated in the ... Continue Reading
The History of How the Modern Day Gym Came to Be
Whether you work out in a CrossFit Box, a commercial gym, or in a home gym, there is little denying the importance of a dedicated space to train. It is a place where the body is tested, strengthened, and ... Continue Reading
The Top Strongwomen to Watch in 2021
The sport of strongwoman gets more exciting every year. It is enjoying steady growth, attracting already established female strength athletes to it, as well as cultivating a deep field of strongwomen who ... Continue Reading
The Best Foam Roller Calf Exercises for Recovery
Foam rolling is a popular myofascial release method among strength athletes and the general population to help reduce post-exercise muscle soreness and improve mobility. However, outside of just rolling ... Continue Reading
Sole F63 Treadmill Review
Whether you’re building out a home gym or adding one to your living room decor, many of the best treadmills tend to gobble up floorspace. If you’re tight on space — and on cash — the Sole F63 Treadmill ... Continue Reading
Life Fitness T3 Treadmill Review
The Life Fitness T3 treadmill is a durable and dependable product that can satisfy the needs of nearly every type of runner. For some people, the best treadmills have many modern features, like Bluetooth ... Continue Reading
Sole F65 Treadmill Review
Buying high-quality fitness equipment, such as a treadmill, doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. The Sole F65 is an affordable option that can deliver the same quality and features as its more ... Continue Reading
Sole F85 Treadmill Review
If you’re looking for a new treadmill that’s heavy on technology, you might want to consider the Sole F85. This luxury treadmill features a 4.0 HP motor, a foldable “Z-shaped” frame, and a ... Continue Reading
The Best Home Workout Programs for Any Training Goal
No matter how dedicated you might be, there are going to be times when getting to the gym might be difficult or impossible — either due to a hectic work/life schedule or a global pandemic shutting down ... Continue Reading
Sole TT8 Treadmill Review
Finding the right treadmill is a daunting task with so many models available. But if you’re looking for one with a 4.0 HP motor, a 400-pound weight capacity, and heavy-duty three-inch rollers, the ... Continue Reading