When we last saw Jon North in early December, he was getting ready to perform barbell lifts for the first time since his late-September cardiac arrest. In an inspiring display at the Move Fast, Lift Heavy ... Continue Reading
6 Tips Every Athlete Should Read Before Starting a New Training Program
When starting any new training program — either after some time off from the gym, following a competition, or rolling into one right after finishing your last — coaches and athletes should adhere to these ... Continue Reading
The 8 Most Badass Feats of Strength from the Ancient World
Since the dawn of time, cultures from all over the world have equated strength with awesomeness. Here are some of our favorite heroes from the ancient world, men who weren’t just known for their ... Continue Reading
6 Useful Things Powerlifters Can Do Between Sets (That Aren’t Looking at Your Phone)
Powerlifters aren’t known for their incredible endurance. That’s not an insult! After all, a few well-regarded studies have shown that the greatest strength gains come from resting a good three to five ... Continue Reading
11 Undeniable Benefits of The Bench Press
In the past we've written about the undeniable benefits of squats and deadlifts, but I'm here with a pressing new issue. I'm putting it all on the bench and making a case for the king of the upper body ... Continue Reading
Catching Up With 23 Year Old Australian Powerlifting Phenom Cameron McKenzie
Cameron John McKenzie isn't your typical 23 year old. On the normal day he's a full time personal trainer who studied exercise science. What makes McKenzie anything from typical is his strength and ... Continue Reading
4 Exercises to Strengthen Your Lower Back
When we first hear people discuss their lower backs we often think of the word “pain”, rather than “astounding strength” or “superb development”. The notion of training the lower back to elicit specific ... Continue Reading
6 Fitness Resolutions You Forgot to Make
To set out to achieve any goal, they need to be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It’s not enough to say you want to do something. How will you get there? What benchmarks, ... Continue Reading
The Kettlebell Armor Complex: How, When, and Why It Should Be In Your Training
The kettlebell is a relative of the barbell, one that was used hundreds of years ago to showcase strength and physical prowess. Today, kettlebells are common among fitness athletes, strength and ... Continue Reading
2 No Equipment Workouts To Do While Traveling This Holiday Season
The holiday season can be a pitfall in one's attempts to maintain their current fitness levels. Things like mom's cooking, family meals, and delicious morsels offered around every ... Continue Reading
Arnold Schwarzenegger Opens Up About His Self Esteem
Far too often lifters and strength athletes get referenced as "narcissistic," "self-absorbed," and even "selfish." They're seen as constantly working on themselves and putting so much effort into what most ... Continue Reading
The No Feet Snatch/Clean: Why, When, and How to Do Them?
When determining if particular snatch/clean & jerk variation is a viable training exercise for you and/or your athletes, you need to make sure you understand the specific purpose before applying ... Continue Reading
Dave Spitz: California Strength’s Backbone for a Decade and Counting
In the realm of American Weightlifting, no team has provided more larger than life athletes or coaches than California Strength in San Ramon, CA. Some of the current and past team members include: Wes ... Continue Reading
2017 Reebok CrossFit Games Regional Schedule and Venues Announced
The 2017 Reebok CrossFit Games officially have a new home, and now, it appears the same can be said for some Regionals venues. In an Instagram post on December 20th, the CrossFit Games announced ... Continue Reading
What You Need to Know About Kettlebell Sport, Part 1
Kettlebell Sport has been gaining popularity in the States, but competitions involving the kettlebell snatch, press, and the clean & jerk have been around for the better part of 70 ... Continue Reading
A Ridiculous Walkout and 1,015 Pound Raw Squat for Ray Williams!
As Ray Williams likes to say, "It's Money Time." On a recent visit to Arlington Strength, the superheavyweight Williams put on a show for the gym's crowd, squatting an almost unbelievable 1,015 pounds ... Continue Reading
Balancing Strength & Technique in Weightlifting: Where Do You Fall Short?
It’s weightlifting. You just lift heavy, right? Yes and no. If you spend a little time trying the Olympic lifts, you realize that it is a little more complicated. Olympic weightlifting introduces you to a ... Continue Reading
3 Fool Proof Ways To Start Getting Stronger…TODAY
As a strength coach I continually find that lifters love to overcomplicate the act of getting strong. Consistency and knowing the body are two of the best things you can do to improve gym ... Continue Reading
Eddie Hall’s Documentary Is Currently Streaming On Netflix (Get Your Popcorn Ready)
"I was put on this planet to be a legend." - Eddie Hall Strength sports lovers and strongman fans, pop a squat and get your popcorn ready. The documentary "Eddie Strongman" is currently streaming on ... Continue Reading
Watch Camille Leblanc-Bazinet Clean & Jerk Double Bodyweight!
Camille Leblanc-Bazinet — the 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games Champion — is no stranger to the weightlifting stage, and she's competed several times at a Regional and National level in her native ... Continue Reading
How to Modify Training When Your Schedule Becomes Unpredictable
You’ve changed jobs. It’s your busy season. You have a new addition to your family. You need to take care of a loved one. You’re moving. Stress, stress, stress. Your routine, for one reason or ... Continue Reading
5 Strongman Competitors You Don’t Follow on Instagram (But Should)
Instagram might as well have been purpose built for the aspiring strongman/woman. Sixty second videos allow you to show off your max reps in a minute, while not long enough to show you desperately ... Continue Reading
The Case for Combat in Fitness Competitions
Editors note: This article is an op-ed. The views expressed herein are the authors and don’t necessarily reflect the views of BarBend. Claims, assertions, opinions, and quotes have been sourced exclusively ... Continue Reading
Is the One-Armed Push-Up Worth It?
If it weren’t for our obsession with looking cool when we exercise, a lot of physical therapists would be out of work. Many athletes consider injuries part and parcel of achieving their potential ... Continue Reading