A Nordic bench or even a Nordic mini bench may not qualify as essential home gym equipment for every athlete — but it’s sure nice to have one if training your lower back, glutes, or hamstrings is a ... Continue Reading
The Best Powerlifting Barbells of 2024, Tested by CPTs
Sure, a barbell is a barbell. But also…is it? Yes, you can use any of the best barbells out there to do your basic powerlifting moves — that’s squatting, benching, and deadlifting, of course — but to ... Continue Reading
Best Balance Boards (2024): Tried and Tested by Strength and Sport Athletes
You’ve furnished your apartment with the best home gym essentials — some dumbbells or resistance bands for upper-body days and a squat rack to help target your gams, but are you making sure your ... Continue Reading
The Best Pre-Workouts for CrossFit of 2024, Expert-Tested and Reviewed
CrossFit training involves a slurry of high-intensity exercises from high-volume strength training to running, plyometric agility training, and more. With so much on their plate, CrossFit athletes need ... Continue Reading
The 10 Best Budget Barbells of 2024: Our Team of CPTs Tested Dozens to Find the Best
Barbells, generally speaking, are not cheap. In fact, some premium barbells cost upward of $800. And we get it — barbells are absurdly important pieces of equipment. They’ve got to support a lot of weight, ... Continue Reading
The 8 Best Resistance Bands for Seniors, Chosen by CPTs
No matter your age, the best resistance bands can be a huge asset to your fitness routine. You might use them primarily for stretching and warming up, or you might mostly use them for your strength ... Continue Reading
Best Home Exercise Equipment for Beginners, Put to the Test by Our Experts
If you’re just starting a fitness journey, you might be hesitant to spend your hard-earned cash on workout gear. But investing in some of the best home gym equipment can help you double down on your ... Continue Reading
The Best Pre-Workout for Focus of 2024, According to Nutrition Experts
When you think about pre-workout supplements, is your first association a massive energy boost? That is undoubtedly part of it, but besides feeling amped up, pre-workouts can also enhance mental focus. ... Continue Reading
Best Pre-Workouts Without Creatine of 2024, Tested and Trialed by Our Experts
Creatine is one of the most popular pre-workout supplements, but it may not be for everyone. (1) If you’re unhappy with creatine’s side effects (like water retention when trying to lose weight) or ... Continue Reading
Echelon Treadmills Review (2024): Tried and Tested by Our Experts
The four models in Echelon’s lineup are all among the best treadmills we’ve tried and tested, but all for different reasons. From the technology-rich Stride-8s to the back-to-basics Stride-6, their ... Continue Reading
The 6 Best Paleo Protein Powders of 2024: RDs Examine the Top Formulas
Full stop: Paleo protein powder may or may not exist depending on your definition of paleo. Indeed, “whether or not protein powder can be considered paleo sort of depends on how much of a ‘purist’ you are ... Continue Reading
Best Protein Powders Without Artificial Sweeteners (2024): An RD’s Review
According to Harvard University, the average American (adults, teenagers, and children) in the United States consumes around 17 teaspoons of added sugar per day (68 grams of sugar). (1) That’s nearly 90% ... Continue Reading
Best Protein Powders for Pregnancy (2024): 6 Expert Picks to Nourish You and Your Baby
Protein is crucial for our bodies and becomes even more vital when growing a tiny human (or two or more!). Getting enough protein supports both parent and baby during pregnancy, but hurdles like food ... Continue Reading
The Best Protein Cookies of 2024, Evaluated by a Dietitian
Who doesn’t love cookies, especially when they supply extra protein to fuel our gains? At BarBend, we worked with our expert testers and registered dietitians to evaluate the best protein cookies. Whether ... Continue Reading
The Best Protein Powder for Runners of 2024, Tested and Reviewed by Nutrition Pros
Want help building muscle mass (AKA hypertrophy)? Dietary protein is essential. It’ll also help with increasing strength. Plus, decades upon decades of research tell us that protein powder is a useful tool ... Continue Reading
The 5 Best Egg White Protein Powders of 2024, Reviewed by an RD and Personally Tested
Not getting enough protein? You might feel it in more ways than one. Protein helps make you feel full, helps build lean muscle (bodybuilders rely on protein for muscle hypertrophy), and can help you ... Continue Reading
Best Smart Treadmills of 2024, Tested By Our Experts
Many of the best treadmills we’ve tested are “smart” treadmills. “Smart” is a pretty vague term, but when it comes to treadmills, it typically means the machine will offer high-tech features like device ... Continue Reading
The Best Lactose-Free Protein Powders of 2024: Expert-Tested and RD-Reviewed
Lactose intolerance can be a pain at times, especially when trying to optimize your protein intake to build muscle, lose body fat, manage your blood sugar, or strike a healthy balance between hunger and ... Continue Reading
The Best BCAAs for Women (2024): Expert Picks for Simplicity, Versatility, and Affordability
The three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) — leucine, isoleucine, and valine — are among the nine essential amino acids you need to obtain from high-protein foods or supplements. (1) Except in specific ... Continue Reading
Best Keto Protein Powders (2024): Insights from RDs and a CPT
Wondering what the keto diet is and whether you should try it? The keto diet is a popular choice among athletes, given its potential to help you lose weight while staying lean. It’s even shown ... Continue Reading
Best Walking Apps (2024), Expert-Tested and Stroll-Ready
Fitness often gets overcomplicated. You don’t need the best home gym equipment or any elaborate routines to get the benefits of moving your body. Walking — just walking — can do major things for ... Continue Reading
The Best Pea Protein Powders of 2024, According to an RD and a Nutrition Coach
If you're looking for a plant-based protein that’s packed with protein and is also planet-friendly, pea protein powder might just be your new best friend. For those with a dairy-free or plant-based ... Continue Reading
The Best Clear Protein Drinks of 2024, Personally Tested and Expert Reviewed
When it comes to choosing the best protein powder, there’s a wide range of categories depending on what you’re looking for. Whey protein isolate is a top choice when you want something high-quality that ... Continue Reading
Best Vegan Protein Bars (2024): Expert-Curated Picks to Unwrap Your Plant Power Potential
While vegan diets might skip out on animal products — often seen as prime protein sources — that doesn't mean recreational fitness enthusiasts and elite athletes can't hit their daily protein targets. With ... Continue Reading