The Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification is considered by myself and many others to be one of the highest strength certs someone can receive. This certification is ... Continue Reading
3 Movements to Increase Hip Mobility for Weightlifting, Squats, and Functional Fitness
Most of us (weightlifters, powerlifters, functional fitness athletes, etc.) have spent a great amount of time and effort on the improvement of mobility, specifically in the hips. Mobile hips offer us ... 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
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
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
3 Crockpot Recipes to Help You Save Money on Protein
It is straight up bonkers how few people are aware of the benefits of slow cookers. When I mention it to people – and I preach this sh*t like a religion – what enters most of their minds is the dusty pot ... Continue Reading
Why Weightlifters Should Do More Pull-Ups
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past 50 years, you may already know all about the power of pulls-ups. Back strength and endurance can improve your posture, muscular development, and help ... Continue Reading
The Shared Meaning of Community Fitness
Editors note: Katie Rose Hejtmanek, Ph.D. is a cultural anthropologist conducting research on the culture of strength sports in the United States. This is the fourth of an in-depth series introducing ... Continue Reading
The Jefferson Curl: Benefits and Proper Form
The spine is a segmented structure (33 bones to be exact, spanning from the vertebral column to the coccygeal region, aka, tailbone), separated by discs, fiberous tissues, fluid, and thousands of nerve ... Continue Reading
Maximize Your Split Jerk With These 4 Jerk Variations
The split jerk can be a challenging component of the clean & jerk, one that often separates the best of lifters. When training the jerk, there are numerous variations and assistance exercises ... Continue Reading
How To Decide If A Degree In Exercise Science Is Right For You
My December was filled with goodbyes and big hugs as my schooling career came to a close. I was finally saying my farewells to the professors and academic program that helped shape my career into what ... Continue Reading
Working Around Injuries: How to Stay Sane and Avoid a Training Derailment
If you compete long enough, some type of injury is almost inevitable at some point in your career. Especially in a sport like weightlifting where we are always pushing the boundaries of the human body, ... Continue Reading
What Are Jerk Dips and Should You Do Them: Additional Insight by Kendrick Farris and Cara Heads Slaughter
For anyone who has or does jerks (either power or split), you can attest to the amount of time spent perfecting the dip and drive phases, which almost entirely affect the success of the jerk. When ... Continue Reading
Strongman in Review: What 2016 Brought to the Sport (and a Personal Recap)
For the end of 2016, I reflect on the Strongman season and how rewarding it is to be part of sport that has brought confidence, strength, and happiness to so many people. To watch the women’s division ... Continue Reading
Should You Deadlift After Leg Day?
I get this question enough that I figured I would explore it some here. Deadlifting, like squats and other movements, may be performed multiple times per week (or once per week, and yes, even less ... Continue Reading
How to Determine Which Deadlift Grip Variation You Should Use
Determining which grip you should use on your deadlifts and pulls may seem like a straightforward answer, however that may not always be the case. Depending on the purpose of the pulling movement, varied ... Continue Reading
What’s Driving Nike’s Resurgence in Olympic Weightlifting?
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
10 Kettlebell Exercises Every Athlete Should Master
The kettlebell is an amazing tool for all athletes, regardless of sport. Whether you are a weightlifter, strongman, powerlifter, or fitness competitor, kettlebells should be a part of your regular training ... Continue Reading
6 Reasons Why Bodybuilding Routines Can Improve Your Weightlifting Performance
Although weightlifting produces some strong and powerful athletes, it is not what we would call a hypertrophic sport. Often, rep ranges are in the lower ranges, at moderate to high intensities, and rarely ... Continue Reading
More Protein: How Strength Athletes Can Save Time, Money, & Hassle on Nutrition
It’s a love hate relationship that anyone living the “Iron Life” is intimately familiar with. It evolves into an increasingly expensive, time consuming necessity that some never get the hang of while ... Continue Reading
The Best and Worst Fitness Tips From Old-Timey Strongmen and Strongwomen
There's just something about old-timey strongmen and strongwomen. Their combination of physicality, mystery, showmanship, and flowery, grandiose language made their sport fresh, ... Continue Reading
“Finish Your Pull”: Snatch Training Tips and Weightlifting Considerations
“Finish Your Pull!” We have all heard this shouted from coaches and athletes at meets, on the training platform, or in class WODs. Failing to “finish the pull” in the snatch can results in missed lifts ... Continue Reading
Strength Through Instability: Boost Control and Stability with These 3 Moves
When it comes to training, you have to walk a fine line. Delicately balancing the big and exciting, with the boring yet necessary. Go too far either way and watch your numbers and health drop. Take the ... Continue Reading
How Weightlifters Can Better Prepare for Competition Day
The American Open kicks of this weekend, and I’ve had a lot of athletes come tell me that this is their first big meet to enter. Most are filled with excitement, but as you would expect, some athletes get ... Continue Reading