Walking is often overshadowed by running and other high-intensity exercise — it’s slower and less intense, after all. But this form of cardio is definitely worth implementing into your fitness regimen. It ... Continue Reading
How to Do Cross-Training For Marathons, With a Strength Workout Plan for Runners
A marathon is a grueling event. They last for hours and take a strong mental and physical toll. The repeated impacts from your strides inevitably add up and the next day you’ll be sore like nothing else. ... Continue Reading
Are Exercise Bikes Good For Weight Loss? (+ Workout From a Personal Trainer)
Body composition is often top of mind for new gymgoers and weight room veterans alike. One of the most encouraging parts of starting (or continuing) a training program is the slow reveal of new muscle. In ... Continue Reading
Do Your Supplements Have the Right Stuff? 9 Ingredients You Need to Look For
Even when you eat enough, sleep plenty of hours, and recover well, sometimes you still need an extra boost to perform your best at the gym. You may find yourself in the supplement aisle looking for a ... Continue Reading
Can You Train for a Marathon On a Treadmill? An Expert Running Coach Teaches You How
Almost by its very definition, a marathon is an exhibition of outdoor running endurance. The very first marathon — run by Pheidippides — was a 26-mile jaunt across the hilly Grecian terrain from Marathon ... Continue Reading
The Best Oblique Workouts for Every Experience Level (+ Personal Trainer Tips on Ab Exercises)
Building a strong core goes beyond your six-pack — you’ve got to train your side abs, too. To sculpt and strengthen your oblique muscles, you’ll want to incorporate the best oblique exercises that teach ... Continue Reading
Learn How to Make a Homemade Electrolyte Drink from a Certified Nutrition Coach
There’s a lot to remember when it comes to eating and drinking enough to support your training. You’re counting macros, calories, ounces of water, tubs of creatine, and scoops of protein powder. Do you ... Continue Reading
Is Walking Good Cardio? Certified Personal Trainers Explain
Walking is an underappreciated form of cardio exercise, often overshadowed by the ooh-ahh of high-intensity interval training, running, and other snazzy exercise routines. If you’re wondering, “Is walking ... Continue Reading
What Muscles Does An Elliptical Work? Plus Muscle-Building Elliptical Tips from a Personal Trainer
Elliptical training is one of the best sources of cardiovascular exercise around. It uses a rhythmic, low-impact motion that jacks up your heart rate while preventing undue soreness from all that banging ... Continue Reading
The Best HIIT Rowing Workout, Customized to Your Experience Level
While some prefer rowing on an open lake on a beautiful day, the best rowing machines can get you that rush without hitting the water. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an efficient way to get ... Continue Reading
Treadmill Workouts for Beginners: 4 Options + Training Tips
Treadmills are touted as a beginner-friendly piece of exercise equipment. While that’s more true than false, it’s perfectly normal to feel a little intimidated by the treadmill, especially if you aren’t ... Continue Reading
Does Creatine Help You Build Muscle? A Certified Nutrition Coach Weighs In
When you’re serious about building muscle, you likely stay on top of the latest information on what else you can do to aid all the lifting, eating, and sleeping. Creatine is a tried and true supplement ... Continue Reading
The Stomach Vacuum: What It Is, Benefits, & More From Bodybuilding Experts
In 1979, bodybuilder Frank Zane made physique sports history when he struck a now-iconic pose on stage at that year’s Mr. Olympia (history buffs will recall that Zane won that competition), captured at the ... Continue Reading
Check Out These 5 Expert Tips for Running on the Beach Safely (& Benefits)
This week’s leg day left you limping. After one final, excruciating set of calf raises, you grab your water bottle, skip over the treadmill, and decide to head off to the beach in search of a more scenic ... 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 6 Benefits of Exercise Bikes (Plus Workouts From a Personal Trainer)
Exercise bikes have a simplicity to them that is very attractive. They’re easy on your joints and convenient, all the while providing tons of training benefits. Beyond their availability and relatively low ... 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
How Much Cardio Is Too Much? Running Coaches Weigh In
If you’ve been consistent with your strength training and want to show off your might in an athletic setting, cardio can condition you to dominate in any sport — yes, including powerlifting and ... Continue Reading
How to Achieve Proper Running Form, Explained By Running Coaches
No matter where you do your running workouts — indoors or outdoors — you’ll certainly notice that not everyone is running the way you do. If you compare yourself with the three runners closest to you in ... Continue Reading
How to Do Heel Touches — Proper Form, Benefits, Variations, and More
The heel touch exercise is simple, but it ain’t always easy. It targets your oblique muscles, builds core strength and stability, requires no barbells or other equipment, and is scalable for all fitness ... Continue Reading
What To Eat Before a Workout: These Foods Will Help You Perform Better
Fuel is everything. After all, you wouldn’t stop at the gas station and fill the tank of your Prius up with unleaded diesel. Your body works the same way; working out on an empty stomach isn’t always ... Continue Reading
How To Program CrossFit Open Workout 24.1 for Kids
With the entire CrossFit world taking on 24.1 this weekend, we want to make sure anyone and everyone can have a go at it. This workout is perfect for a CrossFit kids class and can be modified ... Continue Reading
CrossFit Open Workout 24.1 Affiliate Class Plan
The 2024 CrossFit Open kicked off with a whole lot of burpees and dumbbell snatches in workout 24.1. The beauty is in the simplicity. Today, we’re providing you a lesson plan to run 24.1 at your ... Continue Reading
The Best Full-Body Kettlebell Circuit Workout (And How to Customize It)
Both competitive athletes and everyday athletes often search for ways to build muscle and get strong, whether at the gym or at home. But when the gym is packed and no racks are available, the most ... Continue Reading