Smart strongmen are doing everything they can to get ahead of their competition. The game is getting tighter and the spots at the top are getting more difficult to grab. When the bar rises this high, there ... Continue Reading
What Is Glycogen and How Does it Help Build Muscle?
The inclusion of carbohydrate supplementation post-workout and/or during strenuous training sessions has repeatedly been shown to increase muscle glycogen levels, enhance protein synthesis, and increased ... Continue Reading
Rethinking CNS Fatigue and Recovery: What’s Really Going On Post-Workout?
The term "CNS Fatigue," also known as Central Nervous System Fatigue, tends to get thrown around a lot in different strength training circles. This article is intended to introduce a new way of thinking ... Continue Reading
3 Benefits of Unilateral Exercises for Powerlifting
Have you ever noticed that one side of your body feels a little weaker than the other? One arm is stronger than the other? Or that one leg feels a little bit more stable than the other? What if I told you ... Continue Reading
5 Common Struggles That Follow Heavy Deadlift Day
Can you help us move tomorrow? Sure... Well, that's great and all, but not the day after working heavy deadlift triples. If I had to pick a real life activity that translates best to the barbell ... Continue Reading
Should You Keep a Training Journal? Their Pros and Cons
“Keep a training journal” is one of the most common pieces of advice given to beginners. And, for the most part, it’s good advice! As I’ll explain, there are plenty of benefits to keeping a training ... Continue Reading
How Any Kind of Athlete Can Incorporate Olympic Weightlifting and Powerlifting
You are an aspiring athlete in a non-strength based sport. Like most athletes who get started in the weight room, your strength and conditioning programs are dominated by the big three powerlifting ... Continue Reading
Hypertrophy Training Sets and Reps
In an earlier article we discussed the definition of hypertrophy and how strength, power, and fitness athletes can benefit from training for hypertrophy at specific phases of the annual training program. ... Continue Reading
10 CrossFit Trainers Give Their Best Murph Tips
If you’re a seasoned CrossFit® athlete, you’ve probably memorized all the Girls, Hero WODS, and evil (and brilliant) open workout creations of Dave Castro that have morphed their way into CrossFit history. ... Continue Reading
6 Adaptogens That May Help Strength Athletes
Adaptogens are the wellness trend that have caught the attention of bendy yogis and functional medicine guru’s… but now Olympians and strength athletes may be hitting up their spice racks, too. Using ... Continue Reading
5 Benefits of Sumo Deadlift High Pulls
In this article we will discuss the sumo deadlift high pull, a powerful posterior chain exercise that can increase strength and hypertrophy of the hips, hamstrings and back; and more. Below we will discuss ... Continue Reading
Sumo Deadlift High Pull Alternatives
The sumo deadlift high pull is a combination exercise that has a lifter perform a sumo deadlift into an upright row. This exercise stresses many muscles of the body, specifically the hips, legs, back, and ... Continue Reading
6 Effective Good Morning Exercise Alternatives
A stronger posterior chain — which is made up of your glutes, lower back, and hamstrings — is imperative for most exercises. These muscles drive your hips forward for kettlebell swings, help you lockout a ... Continue Reading
How to Train for Better Focus in Workouts
Everyone accepts certain facts about the mind’s role in your workout. “Mindset is critical to any sport.” OK, sure. “You need to really focus on contracting the muscle.” Sure, a lot of studies show ... Continue Reading
3 Things You Must Avoid in Strongman Training
Everyone is always asking me for tips and help with their training. I’ve been coaching the sport for over a decade and have worked with countless people that went on to compete at different levels or ... Continue Reading
How Strength Training Is Helping This Adaptive Athlete Prepare for the Ironman® World Championship
Imagine later today you’re walking around as normal, then out of nowhere you’re struck by a car and the life that you’ve become adapted to living changes in a split second. You wake up in a hospital bed ... Continue Reading
The Untold History of the Bench Press
The bench press has been called the King of the Upper Body Lifts, and given its unstoppable popularity amongst gym goers, chances are it’ll retain this title for the foreseeable future. Upon entering the ... Continue Reading
Should Strength Athletes Be Drinking Bulletproof Coffee?
Move over branched chain amino acids, citrulline, and beta alanine, there’s a new pre-workout in town: butter coffee, at least according to advocates of the Bulletproof Coffee trend. Popularized by ... Continue Reading
3 Reasons Why Strongman Athletes Can Benefit From Weightlifting
Something interesting that I’ve noticed over the past four years coaching strength athletes is the complete lack of competitive strongman athletes using the Olympic lifts. Every once in a while you'll get ... Continue Reading
Reverse Hyperextension Alternatives
In this article we will offer five reverse hyperextension alternatives for coaches and athletes who may not have access to a reverse hyperextension machine and/or are looking to diversify their glute and ... Continue Reading
Strongman Training for Combat Athletes
One of the fastest growing sports of the last 20 years has been Mixed Martial Arts. These highly specialized athletes are some of the strongest and most well conditioned people on the planet. While nearly ... Continue Reading
Barbell Row Alternatives
In this article we will discuss the barbell row and its alternatives for growing a stronger, more muscular back. In the below sections we will address the benefits of performing barbell rows and offer ... Continue Reading
Why Strength Training May Help Tackle Depression
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
Autoregulation: Can It Be Beneficial for Every Type of Strength Athlete?
It's Monday, work was long and stressful, you barely slept the night before, and you have heavy squat triples. Going into the workout your mind is elsewhere, far from the weights in front of you. You begin ... Continue Reading