The alternating dumbbell curl should be one of the first things that pops into your mind when constructing the perfect workout. Arnold Schwarzenegger, effortlessly curling old school metal dumbbells in a ... Continue Reading
How to Use the Leg Extension Machine for Quad Growth & Strength
The first time you walk into a new gym you probably notice a collection of machines. You may never glance their way again or they may be of interest to you depending on your goal and level of experience. ... Continue Reading
Try These 6 Unique Bodybuilding Arm Exercises to Spark New Muscle Growth
Bodybuilding can be a chore, there’s no doubt about it. Hitting the iron day in, day out, and sticking to a program (not to mention following a meal plan or specific diet) is as much of a test of willpower ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Plate Raise
The unassuming plate raise requires minimal loading and no learning curve to be effective. You grab a weight plate by either end, brace your core, and raise it to your face level for stronger and more ... Continue Reading
How to Do the 90/90 Stretch to Squat Heavier and Move Better
Squatting to depth is the envy of many a strength athlete. If you’re a competitive powerlifter, it’s a must to avoid any red lights and missed lifts during your competition. And for weekend warriors ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Chest-Supported Row for a Bigger and Stronger Back
You walk into a crowded gym on your upper-body or pulling day and you’re ready to do your rows, but you find that all of the barbells are taken. Here’s what you should do: spot an open weight bench near ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Plank Jack for Killer Abs and Better Conditioning
No exercise can do it all: Planks are a tried-and-true core-builder, but they don’t burn many calories. The jumping jack — a gym-class classic — will get your heart rate up and your blood pumping, but it ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Single-Arm Lat Pulldown for Spectacular Back Development
You’ve probably heard that the best way to build your back is with rows, pull-ups, deadlifts, and so on. And, for the most part, that’s sound advice: Large and heavy compound exercises are phenomenal for ... Continue Reading
The Best Chest and Triceps Workout, Scaled for Every Experience Level
When you think of organizing yourself a body part split, your chest and triceps seem to just…fit. They’re so inseparable that many of the most popular splits will inevitably have you train them ... Continue Reading
Do the Hex Press for Next-Level Chest Gains
If you train your chest seriously, you’ve probably done plenty of barbell bench pressing. And dumbbell bench pressing. Oh, and you can’t forget the incline press for those upper pecs, of course. And then ... Continue Reading
The Best Pre-Workout Meal for Bodybuilding Based on Your Goals
You don’t just head to the weight room to work out. You go to the gym with a mission. You’re on a quest to build the most muscle possible. Maybe that means you’re entering your first bodybuilding show. Or ... Continue Reading
These Are the Best Biceps Cable Workouts You Can Do
Everyone loves training arms. Biceps workouts can be a standalone session during which you attack a weakness in your physique, or the carrot-on-a-stick to finish your upper-body day. In any case, cables ... Continue Reading
The 12 Best Upper Body Exercises and 5 Workouts
At BarBend, upper-body workouts are our bread and butter (but don't get it twisted; we love a good leg day). From bench presses to barbell rows and everything in-between, our editorial staff is packed to ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Muscle Snatch for Better Weightlifting Performance
If you’re on the hunt for a new way to improve your weightlifting game, the muscle snatch is an absolute game-changer. The muscle snatch can help you build explosive leg power, teach you how to be a ... Continue Reading
How to Train Powerlifting Once Per Week (And Make it Count)
If you’re a competitive powerlifter, you know firsthand how demanding this sport can be on time, energy, and resources. And even if you don’t compete, the rigors of loyally training the squat, bench press, ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Clean for Explosive Power, Muscle Growth, and Much More
The first time you ever saw someone doing a clean probably blew your mind. Most free-weight exercises are slow and controlled; take a bar (or pair of dumbbells) from here to there with a nice, consistent ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Heels-Elevated Goblet Squat for Superior Quad Gains
The movements you select on leg day make all the difference when it comes to making gains. You’re probably already doing the back squat and/or front squat. If you’re in the mood to switch things up, one ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Reverse-Grip Bent-Over Row for Bigger Lats and Beefier Biceps
You might not realize it, but the moment you step into the gym, you’re racing against the clock. Whether that’s a literal time limit, or a perceived point of exhaustion, the truth is you only have so much ... Continue Reading
The 8 Best Biceps Stretches to Support Long-Term Arm Thickness and Strength
Picture this — you crush your biceps curls and pull-ups at the gym, and the next day you feel that sweet pain of not being able to straighten your arms. Your biceps muscles flex and supinate your forearms. ... Continue Reading
9 Best Upper Chest Exercises for Stronger Pecs
There’s a reason Mondays are colloquially known as “International Chest Day.” An impressive set of pecs can change your whole physique. Beyond helping you look good at the beach or pool this summer, we ... Continue Reading
Our Favorite Forearm Workouts, + the 11 Best Forearm Exercises
At BarBend, we’re big believers in getting a grip, both literally and figuratively. Your forearm muscles are essential for holding onto heavy objects — how else would you perform a deadlift otherwise? — ... Continue Reading
The Best Powerlifting Workouts for Beginners to Break Into the Sport
The squat, bench, and deadlift are staples in the strength training realm no matter your sport. But when you put these three lifts together, you get the sport of powerlifting. If you’re a fan of the ... Continue Reading
12 Best Exercises for Abs, From a CPT
We’ve got a bone to pick with ab exercises: They’re usually boring. Unfortunately, exercising your abs is a bit like eating your vegetables. It’s tedious, but necessary — this goes for both appearances and ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Cable Biceps Curl for the Best Arm Pump You’ve Ever Had
Think back to your very first days in the weight room. Unless you somehow found yourself wandering over to the squat rack, you probably bee-lined to the dumbbells and started banging out some ... Continue Reading