You're less likely to find Ultimate Nutrition in the local supplement store than bigger name brands, but they've got a loyal following online, particularly among bodybuilders — they currently sponsor ... Continue Reading
Is Taurine a Good Workout Supplement?
As the ingredient that gives “Red Bull” its name, there are a lot of myths surrounding taurine, the main ones being that it’s a caffeine-like energy supplement (it’s not) and that it’s made from bull sperm ... Continue Reading
Steve Cotter Talks Kettlebell Training for Weightlifters and Powerlifters
Steve Cotter is one of the best known kettlebell experts on Earth, though "kettlebell missionary" might be a more apt term. He spends the bulk of the year traveling the globe promoting kettlebells and ... Continue Reading
Meet the CrossFitter Who Did “Murph” 10 Times in a Row
"Murph" is one of functional fitness' most famous — or infamous — workouts, consisting of a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, and another one-mile run. And ideally, it's ... Continue Reading
Reverse Lunge vs Split Squat – Differences and Muscles Worked
The reverse lunge and split squat are two common and highly effective unilateral movements for coaches and athletes to implement into training programs to improve balance, coordination, muscular symmetry, ... Continue Reading
The Ultimate Guide to Heart Rate Variability and Strength Training
There are a lot of things that can affect your strength levels, which makes it super difficult to know whether or not your workout is going to be awesome or terrible on any given day. This is where heart ... Continue Reading
Why Do Football Players Use Straps When They Olympic Lift?
It's common to see football coaches (often those lacking a strength coach) employ lifting straps for Olympic, or power based movements, but why? A recent video shared by the extremely strong Pittsburgh ... Continue Reading
Are These the First Pics of Adidas’ 2018 Lifting Shoes? (Leistung, Powerlift, and More)
Out of all the companies that make lifting shoes, it seems like Adidas is the brand that's constantly updating their models, releasing new color schemes, and tweaking shoes based off of user ... Continue Reading
Why People Get Hooked on Weightlifting
A few days ago, the father of one of my teammates gave me a call to talk to about my performance at the National Championships as well as a few other ideas he had. He also happens to be a coach for a high ... Continue Reading
12 Things All Morning Exercisers Do (But Won’t Admit To)
It takes a special type of person to wake up at the crack of dawn for a sweat session, so it's no surprise we have our own special (and little known) routines and habits. If you’ve been known to rise and ... Continue Reading
Bulgarian Split Squat vs Lunge vs Step Up – What’s the Difference?
Unilateral leg training is key for symmetrical muscular development, balance and coordination, and sound movement patterning. Lack of proper ankle, knee, and hip mechanics in a unilateral setting can spell ... Continue Reading
10 Undeniable Benefits of the Clean & Jerk
Sometimes, people are confused as to how Olympic weightlifting is just two exercises: the snatch and the clean & jerk. (And formerly the clean & press, which was part of the sport in the ... Continue Reading
How Long Does It Take to Get Good at Strength Sports? A Newbie’s Guide
"You just haven't been training long enough, don't sweat it," My boyfriend Mark said this me once when I was somewhat tearfully lamenting what I perceived as a stall in my overall progress. For a ... Continue Reading
Is Breakfast a Must for Strength, Muscle Growth, and Fat Loss?
When it comes to breakfast, it's not uncommon to hear things like, "It gets your day started right," and "It's the most important meal of the day," but is it? With the growing popularity of diets like ... Continue Reading
Bulgarian Split Squat vs Lunge vs Back Squat – Differences and Benefits
The back squat, Bulgarian split squat, and the lunge are three lower body movements that are fundamental to nearly every strength, power, fitness, and sport athlete. Neglecting both/either bilateral (back ... Continue Reading
5 Famous People Who Tackled “Murph” on Memorial Day
Memorial Day might be the most solemn of American holidays, being less about celebration and more about remembering the sacrifices the military has made for the country. The military and law enforcement ... Continue Reading
How Strongman Has Changed in the Past Year (and What’s on the Horizon)
As this month draws to a close, we celebrate my one year anniversary writing for BarBend! It’s exciting for me, and I hope in some way I have helped you become a better strongman through my (almost) weekly ... Continue Reading
Adidas Powerlift 3.1 Weightlifting Shoes Review
The Adidas Powerlift shoes are currently in their third generation and have steadily grown in popularity since their initial release. This shoe could be described as one of Adidas's most well-known ... Continue Reading
Ray Williams Matches World Record, 1,052-Pound Squat in Training
"Let's do this sh*t!" says Ray Williams, somehow managing to speak coherently, stand for more than ten seconds, and then squat 1,052 pounds (477.18kg). Over the weekend, Williams was getting ... Continue Reading
Dorian Yates Then and Now: “Inside the Shadow” Film Review
YouTube channel London Real has produced a free, authorized documentary-feature about six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates. Its contents may surprise you! [We've embedded Part 1 of the documentary at the ... Continue Reading
The Stiff Leg Deadlift – Exercises, Benefits, and Muscles Worked
Strengthening the posterior chain is a necessity for strength, power, and sport athletes. The ability to integrate fluid knee and hip flexion and and extension is at the root of force production for most ... Continue Reading
USA Weightlifting President Ursula Garza-Papandrea Elected First Female IWF Vice President
Earlier today, USA Weightlifting President Ursula Garza-Papandrea was elected the first-ever female Vice President for the International Weightlifting Federation. IWF elections are being held in Bangkok, ... Continue Reading
Deadlift vs. Leg Press – Which Is Best for Mass and Strength?
Two common movements seen in training programs and gyms for muscle hypertrophy and strength are the deadlift and the leg press. In this article I will briefly discuss both movements, and then dive ... Continue Reading
2017 CrossFit Games California Regional: Upsets & an Invite Declined
For one Games veteran, it was the end of an era. For another, the beginning of a new family. After nine consecutive years competing at the CrossFit Games, Rebecca Voigt came up short in qualifying, ... Continue Reading