I, like many others, was both impressed and confused with the release of Game Changers late last year. For those unaware, this James Cameron-produced, Arnold Schwarzenegger-starring documentary shook the ... Continue Reading
Ultimate Squat Warm Up | Seven Moves to Prep for Big Squats
Warm ups are interesting, especially for things like squats and deadlifts. In theory, warm ups are simple, right? Do whatever helps prep you for your workout best, but that statement right there — while ... Continue Reading
3 Back Squat Alternatives for Cranky Shoulders
It is difficult to understate the benefits of back squats for strength athletes. They help build up the glutes, quads, hips, and require a stable core. Squat strength is essential for Olympic lifting, ... Continue Reading
Do You Really Need a 30-Minute Warm-Up?
We have been told there’s no such thing as too much warm-up. That your warm-up should even be longer than your actual workout. Case in point: I remember having a conversation with the world famous ... Continue Reading
5 Great Ways to Use a Wall (Yes, a Wall) for a Better Workout
When you’re in the gym, you’re surrounded by machines, bands, barbells, squat racks, kettlebells and various other tools that help make you stronger. But there’s one tool, one that you’re overlooking, ... Continue Reading
4 Warm Up Exercises You’re Not Doing (But Should Be)
Let’s face it, most of you don’t like warming up. You’d rather skip the warm up entirely so you and the barbell can get busy. And when you haven’t got all the time in the world to train, you’re more ... Continue Reading
How to Use “Muscle Irradiation” to Create Tension for Stronger Lifts
What if I told you there’s a method that makes you stronger while also improving your technique and preventing injury. Would you believe me? Let me introduce you to the concept of muscle ... Continue Reading
Are Rack Pulls Really Worth It? How to Do Them Correctly
Rack pulls are one of those highly-controversial movements in the lifting world. You have those who claim they are good for nothing more than stroking one’s ego – and those who claim they are ... Continue Reading
4 Farmer’s Carry Workouts for Fat Loss
Farmer’s carries have been around since the dawn of time but have increased in popularity thanks to strength coach Dan John. He says doing carries for three straight weeks will change your life. And ... Continue Reading
9 Mistakes to Avoid in the Powerlifting Gym
Editor’s note: This article is an op-ed. The views expressed herein and in the video are the author’s and don’t necessarily reflect the views of BarBend. Claims, assertions, opinions, and quotes have been ... Continue Reading
15 Kettlebell Moves To Improve Your Grip Strength And Stability
It doesn’t matter if you’re a serious lifter or just serious about carrying every single grocery bag (at once) into the house: you probably want spectacular grip strength. Because having a powerful grip is ... Continue Reading
5 Ways to Effectively Train Through Injuries
Any athlete that has worked to push their performance to the next level has experienced the occasional tweak that creates some soreness with exercise. But what do you do when a more significant injury ... Continue Reading
7 Tips to Avoid Burnout As a Personal Trainer
No matter how extroverted you are, coaching and bringing energy to people all day can be exhausting. And it’s one of the reasons being a personal trainer and burning out often go hand-in-hand. In 10 ... Continue Reading
Is Remote Coaching Right for You?
No matter how brilliant a coach is at designing a training program, creating a generic program for a group of clients with various skill sets, injury histories and experience levels, simply will never be ... Continue Reading
5 “Chaos” Band Exercises to Add Instability to Your Workout
When you hear the word "chaos," it usually means all hell has broken loose. It has a negative connotation. But way back in 2005 James Smith of Diesel Strength & Conditioning came up with the Chaos ... Continue Reading
Navigating Bodybuilding and Muscle Dysmorphia, What Researchers Suggest
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, ... Continue Reading
5 Ways to Make Social Media Improve Your Training
Hi, I’m Emily Beers and I’m a phone addict. I always knew this about myself, but (confession) there was no hiding it this past year, as my phone started letting me know how many times I picked it up and ... Continue Reading
6 Fantastic Kettlebell Workouts for Burning Fat
Kettlebells were used in Russia in the 1800’s as a weight to measure grains and other goods. But then Russian vendors started swinging and lifting these kettlebells to show their strength and quickly ... Continue Reading
5 Things You Probably Won’t Learn in a CrossFit Intro Group Class
Group classes are like dessert: They’re something to look forward to, and they joyously bring people together. But they aren’t always what’s best for your health. And if all you ate were pastries, brownies ... Continue Reading
5 Methods to Improve Your Focus and Workout Mindset
I’ve written a lot about the benefits of mindfulness before – not just for strength training, but for everyday life. That said, I recognize that mindfulness can be really difficult to practice, especially ... Continue Reading
4 Reasons Not to Run a Short-Term Fitness Challenge
Fifty new clients is music to a small gym owner’s ears. And it’s the reason so many gyms advertise short-term, cheap challenges, like the popular 6-week challenges making their way through gyms around ... Continue Reading
New Year’s Resolutions for Strength Athletes
As we look back on the close of another year (and decade), many of us chose to set resolutions for ourselves to make positive life changes for the future. While many people pick one that will attempt to ... Continue Reading
5 Big Offenses to Avoid When Visiting a New CrossFit Gym
One of the great perks of being into CrossFit® is how universal the community has become. For those of us who enjoy traveling—and working out while on the road—it gives us a chance to visit gyms ... Continue Reading
3 Great Ways to Improve Your Shoulder Mobility (Not Stability)
Fitness pros have often debated which quality is more important to train in the weight room: stability or mobility. Stability is the ability to maintain or control joint movement or position. It's ... Continue Reading