If you scroll through fitness themed social media, you’re likely to see posts of people with six packs performing exercises that “crush your core”. Some posts even claim these exercises will give you a ... Continue Reading
How to Watch the SouthFit CrossFit Challenge, Plus Full Event Details
It's an action packed weekend for CrossFit fans with two Sanctionals competitions taking place. As we speak, the second official CrossFit Sanctionals competition deemed the SouthFit CrossFit Challenge is ... Continue Reading
How to Watch the 2019 USAW American Open Finals, Plus Full Platform Schedules
The 2019 USA Weightlifting American Open Finals are officially underway in Salt Lake City, Utah. The event kicked off yesterday, however, the first athletes set to take the platform start this morning and ... Continue Reading
James FitzGerald: 1st Men’s CrossFit Games Champ Talks Optimal Performance
James FitzGerald was the first-ever men's CrossFit Games Champion, winning the inaugural competition in 2007. He's also the founder of OPEX and one of the world's most in-demand experts on coaching mindset ... Continue Reading
Rethinking the Squat Cue “Chest Up”, Where It Can Go Wrong
There are a ton of different ways to coach the squat, so before reading any further I want to be completely transparent — this article is not intended to serve as an end all be all for certain ... Continue Reading
5 Best Soy Protein Powders
The humble soybean provides an extremely high quality protein and while anybody can pick up tofu or tempeh from the supermarket, many find it cheaper and more convenient to seek out soy protein powder. But ... Continue Reading
Court of Arbitration for Sport Stand By Decision to Suspend Egyptian Weightlifting Federation
Yesterday, it was announced at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that the decision made by the Independent Member Federations Sanctioning Panel (IMFSP) to ban the Egyptian Weightlifting ... Continue Reading
4 Kettlebell Circuits That’ll Make You Stronger
So you’ve hit a plateau with your lifts. Maybe the plateau is physical: your numbers have stopped rising, or weights that normally go up easily are now grinding when they shouldn’t be. Or your ... Continue Reading
How Arthur Jones’ Nautilus Machines Transformed the Fitness Industry
Go to the gym long enough, and you’ll undoubtedly come across the name Arthur Jones. Famed for his work with High Intensity Training and Nautilus machines, Jones helped effect a change in gym cultures ... Continue Reading
3 Essential Cues for Bracing in Heavy Lifts
If you’re a serious lifter, you probably work hard to make sure you’re doing enough accessory exercises and get enough sleep to improve your big three (or hopefully, your big four — the overhead press is ... Continue Reading
Watch Chinese Weightlifter Lu Xiaojun Train Tibetan Stone Lifters
Lu Xiaojun of China is a legend in the world of weightlifting. His dominance since his competitive debut at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Junior World Championships in 2004 where he ... Continue Reading
The Ultimate Cross Training and Lifting Shoe Size Guide
One of the most daunting parts of purchasing new cross training and lifting shoes is how they're going to fit. Unlike a pair of generic, normal training shoes that you try on at any major retail store, a ... Continue Reading
2020 IFBB Pro League Schedule Announced: Competitions and Bodybuilders to Watch
2019 was a memorable year in the sport of bodybuilding. We saw new Olympia champions crowned in five of the eight professional divisions highlighted by Brandon Curry becoming the 15th man to earn the title ... Continue Reading
7 Team USA Weightlifters Share Their Favorite Accessory Exercises
While BarBend was down in Lima reporting on the IWF Grand Prix, we managed to find some time with six athletes and Team USA's Technical Director, Mr. Pyrros Dimas, to ask them one of the most common ... Continue Reading
Best Seated Row Bars
Seated row bars are usually metal cable attachments with a handle for each hand. When used properly, they enable exercises that can fill out and strengthen the traps, rhomboids, and lats. Although ... Continue Reading
Weightlifter Katherine Nye Named to Forbes 30 Under 30
Kate Nye's last two years have been nothing short of extraordinary. In this past year alone, she claimed gold at the 2019 IWF World Championships (the youngest American woman to ever win the title), the ... Continue Reading
Best Smart Scales
The biggest advantage to a WiFi or Bluetooth enabled smart scale is that your weigh-ins are automatically recorded via a phone app. For those with weight management goals, this long term information may be ... Continue Reading
4 Bench Press Variations When You Have Shoulder Discomfort
The bench press is a rite of passage for most gym goers. Even the newbies who know next to nothing about lifting always seem to know two exercises: the bench press and biceps curls. And ... Continue Reading
Best Core Sliders
Core sliders may be an affordable and effective way to switch up your exercise routine. Designed to be placed underneath feet or hands, these simple tools add a layer of difficulty to your existing ... Continue Reading
Watch 19 Year Old Powerlifter Enahoro Asein Deadlift 716lbs
Powerlifter Enahoro "Rocket Man" Asein of Nigeria is making a name for himself with some extremely impressive lifts despite only being 19 years old. He recently shared a massive pull of 325kg (716lbs) ... Continue Reading
The Female Cycle and Strength Training: When to Push and When to Hold Back
(Men, feel free to sit this one out): The cramps are crippling. You feel bloated, and you keep running to the bathroom between sets of squats. You’re not sure if it’s the coffee or just period poo, but ... Continue Reading
CrossFit HQ Dishes Out Multiple Penalties for Open Workout 20.5
The final round of penalties have been announced for the 2020 CrossFit Open. Over the weekend, CrossFit HQ disclosed that 15 athletes have received penalties for their Open Workout 20.5 video ... Continue Reading
Best Power Cages
Power cages — also referred to as power racks — are a home gym staple. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a great home gym that doesn’t have a well-equipped power cage in it. At BarBend, we like to ... Continue Reading
Kate Nye Jerks 142kg In Prep for Olympic Qualifying Event
No, it's not an all-time PR for American weightlifter (and reigning Pan American, Junior, and World Champion) Kate Nye. But if this 142kg rack jerk is any indication, training is going well leading up to ... Continue Reading