Olympic weightlifting and calisthenics: at a glance, they may seem like disciplines on complete opposite sides of the strength training spectrum. One involves lifting an external object through space, and ... Continue Reading
How Finger Length and Hand Size Relate to Grip Strength & Athleticism
The body has some pretty unique ways of telling us things about ourselves. For example, there are various areas of research that have made suggestions about our motor abilities, cognitive function, and ... Continue Reading
Prowler Push Alternatives
The simple act of pushing loads across the floor using the legs, core, and upper body as one that demands the utmost strength, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular fitness, no matter who you are. In ... Continue Reading
Who Are the Strongest Women in Strongman?
The sport of strongwoman is one that is slowly garnering more attention. It isn’t on the same level of visibility as the men’s version, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t any less competitive. The athletes ... Continue Reading
Sled Push Alternatives
Let’s suppose you find yourself eager to get started with sled pushes, yet find yourself without a sled. While this can easily be avoided by investing in any of the sleds for a few bucks, sometimes you ... Continue Reading
How Muscular Athletes Can Still Find Great Fitting Clothes
Every lifter will encounter two certainties as they progress through their strength career. First, there's the certainty that one's muscles are growing, their health is improving, and a lifelong iron ... Continue Reading
How Using Atlas Stones Can Benefit Almost Every Type of Athlete
The Atlas Stones are often regarded as one of the signature events in the World's Strongest Man contest. They’re typically the final event of strongman competitions, and this event often determines the ... Continue Reading
Kinesiology Taping for Posture
Strength athletes generally understand that kinesiology tape serves its main purpose in the gym and for recovery, but where else can kinesiology tape help? What about at the office and throughout your day? ... Continue Reading
Chains & Bands Are the Secret to Stronger Front Squats
The front squat is a popular squat variation to develop leg and overall strength. For some athletes, the front squat is a slightly more challenging squat variation, and with the usage of band/chains, then ... Continue Reading
How to Stop Your Knees Caving In When You Squat
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
Why Saunas Can Build Muscle, Boost Endurance, and Increase Strength
Why do so many people purposely seek out the discomfort of saunas? Think about it. The climate in a sauna is repulsively hot, often over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 100 percent humidity. Sweat immediately ... Continue Reading
The Jerk Dip – Exercise Guide and Benefits
When we think about the jerk, we envision driving the barbell overhead, but this is only half of the equation. A successful jerk is dependent upon a stable and efficient dip: one where the lifter maintains ... Continue Reading
Medicine Ball Slam Alternatives
Core strength is key to nearly everything we do as humans. Whether running, jumping, lifting, or twisting, a strong and stable core is key. For athletics (and those looking for a leaner midsection), ... Continue Reading
Glenn Pendlay Explains the History Behind the Pendlay Row
The Pendlay Row is one of the most popular barbell rowing variations for strength athletes. It's a variation of the bent over row, but with a double overhand grip, and a stricter alignment of the hips and ... Continue Reading
Wall Ball Exercise Alternatives
Wall balls are a popular movement seen in functional fitness competitions, WODs, and everyday fitness. Squat patterning and increased work capacity are two benefits of performing such an exercise (less ... Continue Reading
The Hyperextension: How To Target Your Glutes And Hamstrings
The hyperextension is an appropriate assistance movement to aid in building posterior chain strength for the squat and deadlift. The hyperextension can be used in virtually any program that has a focus on ... Continue Reading
Ring Dips Alternatives and Scaling Options
The ring dip requires joint stability, proprioception, and strength; all of which are not something many beginners walk into the gym possessing. While ring dips may be at the top of a beginning athlete’s ... Continue Reading
6 Things I Learned from 6 Months of Hip Thrusts
“Your butt is weak.” It’s not what I was expecting to hear when I visited a physical therapist for my excruciating knee pain, but that was the situation: I had a poverty posterior. Weak or inactive ... Continue Reading
Kinesiology Taping for Knee Pain and Stability
Kinesiology taping the knee is useful for the athlete who's lacking full joint stability and proper movement patterning. Will tape compensate for a serious knee injury? No, but for an athlete who has ... Continue Reading
4 Benefits of Ring Dips
Our Ring Dip Guide is a helpful resource to help improve upper body muscle mass, strength, and shoulder integrity in the ring dip, specifically: proper progressions, benefits, and exercise demos ... Continue Reading
6 Tips to Make Counting Your Macros Way Easier
Editors note: This article is an op-ed. The views expressed herein and in the video are the authors and don’t necessarily reflect the views of BarBend. Claims, assertions, opinions, and quotes have been ... Continue Reading
How to Grow Strongman in the United States
In 2017, strongman Eddie "The Beast" Hall stepped from the backstage shadows to a roaring capacity crowd at the Doncaster Dome in England. The event is on YouTube in amateur and professionally edited ... Continue Reading
6 Benefits of Kettlebell Thrusters
The single kettlebell thruster and double kettlebell thruster offer techniques that can help stave off injury across multiple sports and various athletics. Additionally, there are a series of benefits that ... Continue Reading
Kinesiology Taping for Tennis Elbow
A common area to tape for athletes in both strength sports and regular sports is the elbow. Lateral Epincondylitis is a common cause of pain and discomfort at the elbow. Common symptoms of Lateral ... Continue Reading