If you think that running and strength training are opposites, we’re going to change your tune. Endurance training doesn’t mean neglecting your muscles. In fact, quite the opposite. If you want to go the ... Continue Reading
The 9 Best Exercises for Weight Loss, Chosen By Our Experts
If you have a goal of weight loss, you'll want to proceed with caution. If you lose too much too quickly, you’ll end up fatigued and having burned your muscle mass. Move too slowly, and you may become ... Continue Reading
The 10 Best Agility Training Exercises for Strength Athletes
Quick, accurate, dynamic movements aren’t only useful to improve team sports performance. Adding agility exercises to your strength training program can take all your skills to the next level. Improving ... Continue Reading
The 9 Best Quad Stretches (And Why You Need Them)
If you want to build muscle, you need to target specific muscle groups. Chasing those teardrop quads? Yes, you need to do your lunges and get in those lower body exercises galore. But you’ve also got to ... Continue Reading
The 7 Best Shin Splint Stretches to Relieve Running Pain
Have you ever felt a dull or stabbing pain in the front of your lower leg after running? (Or worse, in the middle of that 5K training?) Perhaps you’ve been running a particularly long run or maybe your run ... Continue Reading
The 12 Best Cardiovascular Exercises, Plus Cardio Workouts From a CPT
You’re all set with your strength training program — you know how to build muscle, lift weights, and get stronger. But have you saved time in your exercise program for a cardio workout? Here, ... Continue Reading
What Is Muscular Endurance? (Plus the 10 Best Muscular Endurance Exercises)
Anyone who gets into the gym and picks up weights is typically concerned with two things: Lifting heavier weights for more reps. Progressive overload — doing more than you did last time, session ... Continue Reading
The 12 Best Mobility Exercises, PT-Approved
If strength training is the meat and potatoes of your exercise routine, mobility exercises are your “micronutrients”. The right mobility work can help preserve bodily function, stave off injury, and also ... Continue Reading
15 Best Lower Back Exercises for Strength and Reduced Pain
Lower back pain can range from a minor annoyance to a life-altering condition. In fact, the World Health Organization reports that 619 million people globally deal with lower back pain. If you’re an ... Continue Reading
The 7 Best Post-Run Stretches for Your Cool-Down (+ A Stretch Routine From a Personal Trainer)
When you’ve been bitten by the running bug, even a busy schedule won’t stop you from getting those miles in. Still, you may be tempted to shave time off the beginning and end by skipping a warm-up or ... Continue Reading
The 15 Best Bodyweight Exercises, + Workouts and Tips From a CPT
Don’t worry, we get it — you love lifting weights, and the idea of parting with your favorite barbell or dumbbell exercises might make your skin crawl. But a good bodyweight workout can come in handy in ... Continue Reading
Best Dumbbell Exercises for Muscle Gain, Plus 3 Workouts
At BarBend, we review a lot of exercise equipment. Weekly we ask ourselves, what’s the best barbell out there? What are the best kettlebells for beginners? Is there a best treadmill, and if so, ... Continue Reading
The Best 8 Stretches to Do Before a Run, According to a CPT
The sun is shining, you’re lacing up your running shoes, and you’re ready to head out and clear your mind on a run. Before you go, taking a few minutes to do a dynamic warm-up can help you prepare your ... Continue Reading
The 11 Best Triceps Exercises and Workouts, Recommended by a CPT
The biceps get too much credit. Don’t get us wrong; training your biceps is a must for bigger and stronger arms. But your triceps make up two-thirds of your upper arm mass and cover the entirety of the ... Continue Reading
The 5 Best Triceps Stretches to Push Your Presses to the Next Level
For lovers of barbells and dumbbells, stretching might be at the bottom of your list of priorities when you’re crushing a good workout. A sweet pump and rewarding burn may well take center stage — less ... Continue Reading
The Best Chest Exercises and Workouts for Building Muscle
At BarBend, we're suckers for a good chest workout. Our staff of industry experts and accredited training professionals come from a wide variety of different backgrounds, but there's one thing we all have ... Continue Reading
The 9 Best Cool-Down Exercises to Optimize Your Recovery
After an intense workout, it’s tempting to hit the showers and move on with your busy day. But taking a few minutes to stretch, breathe, and relax gives your body a chance to (literally) cool down. ... Continue Reading
The 12 Best Partner Exercises to Try With Your Gym Buddy, Plus Workouts
Some days, hitting the gym is all about much-needed me-time. You just want to pop on your headphones and dial in. On other days, you may want the extra motivation of your workout buddy sweating it out with ... Continue Reading
The 11 Best Pull Exercises to Forge a Bigger, Stronger Back
You know what to do on leg day. And push days are known to bring on the bench press and overhead press. But pull day is looming in your push-pull-legs workout split, and you’re unsure which moves to ... Continue Reading
The 10 Best Arm Exercises to Add to Your Routine, Plus 5 Full Workouts
If you’ve landed on this page, the jig is up: You want bigger (or stronger) arms. We understand — at BarBend, we’re just as devoted to building up our arms as you are. Training your arms with weights can ... Continue Reading
The 8 Best Kettlebell Back Exercises to Build Your Back Without a Barbell
Training your back isn’t just a one-exercise-and-done situation. That’s because the back contains an intricate system of muscles that support pretty much every movement in your body. If you’re bending, ... Continue Reading
The 8 Best Wrist Mobility Exercises to Help You Lift Heavier Barbells
Every joint plays an important role in your ability to make gains. Healthy joints help keep you in the safest positions possible with free weights while providing the most muscle-building potential. As you ... Continue Reading
The 8 Best Leg Extension Alternatives to Build Huge Quads
Leg extensions are the accessory glue that holds leg day together. Be it a capstone to a squat challenge or a warm-up for the seasoned lifter, it’s hard to escape the inevitable burn as the leg extension ... Continue Reading
13 Best In-Chair Exercises to Do at Home (Or in the Office)
How much of your time do you spend on your screens each day? Sitting at work, whether in a formal office or at home? Even if you’re into two-a-day workouts, you might be inactive for a lot longer each day ... Continue Reading