On September 25th, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) approved the creation of two new youth weight categories for women: 75KG (165lb) and 75+KG (over 165lb). Yesterday, the IWF formally ... Continue Reading
The Jump Squat: How, When, and Why Weightlifters Should Include Them In Training
The jump squat can offer performance enhancing benefits, many of which are specific to weightlifting, functional fitness, and formal athletics (running, sprinting, sports, etc). In previous articles, I ... Continue Reading
The Glute Ham Raise: Your Key to Stronger Hamstrings
There's a common denominator between strong deadlifts, squats, Olympic lifts, sprint speed, jumping, and athletic performance. This denominator is strong hamstrings. The hamstrings are composed of ... Continue Reading
2 Simple Ways to Test If Your Hamstrings Are Weak
Hamstrings are the neglected stepchildren of the well-built body. It's usually true that strength athletes are a step above the gym bros who only hone their trophy muscles, and serious lifters ... Continue Reading
What to Expect When Taking The CSCS (and How to Prep)
The Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification is considered by myself and many others to be one of the highest strength certs someone can receive. This certification is ... Continue Reading
3 Movements to Increase Hip Mobility for Weightlifting, Squats, and Functional Fitness
Most of us (weightlifters, powerlifters, functional fitness athletes, etc.) have spent a great amount of time and effort on the improvement of mobility, specifically in the hips. Mobile hips offer us ... Continue Reading
How to Keg Toss Like Thor
“It’s such a fun event because there aren't a lot of times you get to throw something under technique and control, but also as hard as humanly possible.” In a nutshell, that’s the keg toss: the rarest ... Continue Reading
Watch Dwayne Johnson Do Strongman In the New “Baywatch” Trailer
“This has nothing to do with saving people!” Today the new international trailer for the upcoming Baywatch reboot dropped, and we were pleased to see that it contains a hefty dose of strongman events – ... Continue Reading
3 Ways to Find Your 1-Rep Max (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced)
Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced lifter, having an idea of your 1-rep max (1-RM) can help support your training. Once you have an understanding of the maximal weight your body can ... Continue Reading
72-Year Old Fred Rice Deadlifts 520lbs for His 72nd Birthday
The deadlift is such a fantastic lift. It's the type of lift that shows the true grit and strength someone possesses. Whether someone's a deadlifter or not, there always seems to be a respect that ... Continue Reading
Charis Chan Receives Four Year Sanction from Weightlifting for Doping Violation
The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has announced that weightlifter and functional fitness athlete Charis Chan will receive a four year sanction after testing positive for a prohibited substance at the ... Continue Reading
3 Arm Workouts for Weightlifters and Functional Fitness Athletes
In an earlier article I made my case for the programming of arm training (specifically biceps) in strength and power athletes. In weightlifting and functional fitness programming, arm-specific exercises ... Continue Reading
Washington Nationals All-Star Bryce Harper Deadlifts and Squats Heavy in Training
Whether you compete in strength sports, love to lift, or play regular sports, there should be a celebration of strength when someone performs a heavy lift. After all, most athletes build their athletic ... Continue Reading
Could This Armband Make the Apple Watch Great for Lifting?
Wearable fitness trackers have become a common piece of technology for those who like to track their workouts. The most common trackers on the market are the Fitbit, Jawbone, and the Apple Watch. The ... Continue Reading
Why It’s So Hard to Nail the Hammer Throw
The Highland Games hold a special place in the strength athlete’s heart. They’re not the most widely covered or best-attended events on Earth but, like a Jurassic mosquito frozen in amber, they’re a ... Continue Reading
3 Reasons Why Weightlifters Can Benefit from the Behind the Neck Push Press
In the world of weightlifting, coaches and athletes have a plethora of snatch, clean, and jerk variations, each of which can be used to address specific weakness and/or faults a lifter may possess. In an ... Continue Reading
5 Awesome Benefits of Ring Chin-Ups/Pull-Ups
When it comes to upper body exercises very few compare to the pull-up and chin-up. They’re both a little different in their mechanics, but each offer great benefits. An alternative and effective movement ... Continue Reading
12 Ways To Maximize Your Rest Day
While many individuals struggle to make it TO the gym, many of us also struggle to STAY out. Rest days are critical for performance, with some sports and ability levels needing more and/or less of ... Continue Reading
The 3 Best Moments of the 2016 World’s Strongest Man Grand Final
Mateusz Kieliszkowski’s Lightning Fast 825lbs (360kg) Frame Carry Mateusz Kieliszkowski was the youngest competitor at the 2016 World’s Strongest Man. At 23-years-old, the Polish newcomer astounds in his ... Continue Reading
Watch Bradley Martyn Clean 315 Pounds for Reps
With more than 2 million Instagram followers, 2.5 million Facebook likes, and 840,000 YouTube subscribers, Bradley Martyn is one of the better known fitness celebrities on the web and to many, that’s all ... Continue Reading
The Practical Applications of Using Complex Training to Increase Power
Strength athletes require two key aspects (among others of course) for success in their lifting: Strength & Power. Unfortunately, there's often a confusion that surrounds training ... Continue Reading
USA Weightlifting Names BarBend Official Media Partner
USA Weightlifting & BarBend.com have agreed a to quadrennial-long sponsorship agreement which will see BarBend.com viewers receive some exclusive content from USA Weightlifting, and will be ... Continue Reading
When Was the “Golden Age” of Strongman?
The end of the year is a time for reflection. It’s an opportunity to look back on the last 365 days with fresh eyes and see them for what they are. With regards to strongman, this couldn’t be easier, ... Continue Reading
The Jefferson Deadlift: Why Straddling the Bar Could Get You Stronger
Sometimes, the weirdest-looking exercises can be the most useful, and the Jefferson deadlift is the perfect example. It’s weird. There’s about a one hundred percent chance you’ll attract looks in the ... Continue Reading