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
Deadlift Plateau? Try One of These 13 Underrated Fixes
Few things are more frustrating than strength plateaus, especially if you’re following a well-designed program that was supposed to help you crush a new PR. If you’re lifting in an intelligent and ... 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
Nike, Reebok, Adidas: 2017 New Shoe Release Roundup
In the last two months Nike, Reebok, and Adidas have all released new cross trainers and lifting shoes. In the lead up to each shoe's release, there were multiple rumored shoe speculations, ... 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
USA Weightlifting Announces 2016 Annual Awards
On Friday, January 6th, USA Weightlifting (USAW) announced their annual award winners for 2016 that recognize coaches and athletes (of various age groups) for significant performances throughout the year. ... Continue Reading
What You Need to Know About Kettlebell Sport, Part 2: Strength and Endurance
It’s no secret that BarBend writers are obsessed with strength, but I would be lying if I said that’s all I cared about. Sure, some strength athletes still look at endurance training as a saboteur of their ... 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
USA Weightlifting American Open Series Registration Now Open
Registration for the first installment of the USA Weightlifting American Open Series is now open. The first event will be held in Reno, Nevada, between the dates of March 16-19th. To register, ... 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
Ric Flair Deadlifts Big Weight at Age 67
We've heard the term, "Old man strength," but what about, "Old man power"? 67 year old, 16-time World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair demonstrates exactly what it's like to possess true power well into your ... 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
5 Exercises Weightlifters Can Do to Improve Leg and Squat Strength
Leg strength, more specially your squatting (front and back) and pulling abilities, are key factors that affect weightlifting performance, aside from technique and power application. When progressing ... Continue Reading
9 Mesmerizing Lifting Equipment Drop Tests Worth Watching
I've now spent roughly 30-minutes of my day watching lifting equipment drop tests (don't tell my boss, but day well spent). This is all thanks to Eleiko for sharing their most recent B&R Half Rack drop ... Continue Reading
165 lb Powerlifter Sharif El-Kady Deadlifts 765 lbs
In the last two months we've seen some seriously strong pound for pound deadlifts, like Cailer Woolam pulling a 900 lb deadlift at 198 lbs, and Yury Belkin hitting 927 lbs around 227 lbs. In ... Continue Reading
How 50 Year Old Firefighter Ed Kranski Used Strength to Excel in His Career
Chances are you've seen Ed Kranski's deadlift in his full firefighting gear video on Instagram. Kranski, 50-years old, originally shared this video on December 5th to mark his retirement after a successful ... Continue Reading