What you do in the kitchen and what you do in the gym are intrinsically linked. Nutrition for athletes is the physical fuel behind everything from bodybuilding workouts to finally cracking the strength ... Continue Reading
The Murph CrossFit Workout, Explained and Scaled for Every Experience Level
Every Memorial Day, CrossFitters emerge from their boxes ready to rumble. Totaling a two-mile journey — plus 600 bodyweight reps while wearing a weighted vest — the Murph CrossFit workout will challenge ... Continue Reading
Dr. Layne Norton Explains: Is Ice Cream Healthy?
In the May 2023 issue of The Atlantic, an article written by David Merritt Johns titled "Nutrition Science's Most Preposterous Result" made waves through the fitness world. The most noteworthy part ... Continue Reading
Do the Hex Press for Next-Level Chest Gains
If you train your chest seriously, you’ve probably done plenty of barbell bench pressing. And dumbbell bench pressing. Oh, and you can’t forget the incline press for those upper pecs, of course. And then ... Continue Reading
The Best Pre-Workout Meal for Bodybuilding Based on Your Goals
You don’t just head to the weight room to work out. You go to the gym with a mission. You’re on a quest to build the most muscle possible. Maybe that means you’re entering your first bodybuilding show. Or ... Continue Reading
These Are the Best Biceps Cable Workouts You Can Do
Everyone loves training arms. Biceps workouts can be a standalone session during which you attack a weakness in your physique, or the carrot-on-a-stick to finish your upper-body day. In any case, cables ... Continue Reading
Do You Have the Work Capacity for Powerlifting?
It sounds silly at first, sure: When you think of work capacity, your mind calls forth images of sweat pouring down your face, your heart pounding in your chest, and the ominous, authoritative beeping of a ... Continue Reading
The 12 Best Upper Body Exercises and 5 Workouts
At BarBend, upper-body workouts are our bread and butter (but don't get it twisted; we love a good leg day). From bench presses to barbell rows and everything in-between, our editorial staff is packed to ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Muscle Snatch for Better Weightlifting Performance
If you’re on the hunt for a new way to improve your weightlifting game, the muscle snatch is an absolute game-changer. The muscle snatch can help you build explosive leg power, teach you how to be a ... Continue Reading
How to Build Muscle and Strength With Calisthenics Training
Calisthenics is a timeless style of exercise. It comes from the ancient Greek words kállos and sthenos, meaning beauty and strength. The beauty of strength training throughout history is that it’s always ... Continue Reading
The CrossFit Nancy Workout, Explained and Scaled for Every Skill Level
You didn’t sign up for your local CrossFit gym just so you could go running. CrossFit is about a diverse array of training styles and techniques, not just pounding the pavement. But just because this sport ... Continue Reading
The Best Nitric Oxide Foods to Increase Blood Flow and Boost Performance
When you’re at the gym with your music playing and your blood flowing, nitric oxide is at work in your body. It helps to widen your blood vessels, and in turn can boost your training, improve recovery, and ... Continue Reading
How to Train Powerlifting Once Per Week (And Make it Count)
If you’re a competitive powerlifter, you know firsthand how demanding this sport can be on time, energy, and resources. And even if you don’t compete, the rigors of loyally training the squat, bench press, ... Continue Reading
16 Best Quad Exercises and Quad Workouts for Muscle Gain
Quads are all the rage nowadays — we blame the rise of shorter shorts, but hey, we aren't complaining. If you're here for quad-focused exercises, the best quad workouts, or the best movements for quad ... Continue Reading
How Much Protein Do You Need for Bodybuilding?
Protein is the lifeblood of bodybuilding. An entire industry is built around the idea that bodybuilders need a lot of protein all the time; particularly before, during, and after their workouts. And in the ... Continue Reading
When to Take Pre-Workout — What’s the Best Time to Drink Your Pre-Workout Mix?
According to your training schedule, today’s the day to get after it. You’ve been ramping up and progressively overloading just like your program says to. You want to go as hard as your regimen calls for, ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Clean for Explosive Power, Muscle Growth, and Much More
The first time you ever saw someone doing a clean probably blew your mind. Most free-weight exercises are slow and controlled; take a bar (or pair of dumbbells) from here to there with a nice, consistent ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Heels-Elevated Goblet Squat for Superior Quad Gains
The movements you select on leg day make all the difference when it comes to making gains. You’re probably already doing the back squat and/or front squat. If you’re in the mood to switch things up, one ... Continue Reading
How to Do the Reverse-Grip Bent-Over Row for Bigger Lats and Beefier Biceps
You might not realize it, but the moment you step into the gym, you’re racing against the clock. Whether that’s a literal time limit, or a perceived point of exhaustion, the truth is you only have so much ... Continue Reading
The 8 Best Biceps Stretches to Support Long-Term Arm Thickness and Strength
Picture this — you crush your biceps curls and pull-ups at the gym, and the next day you feel that sweet pain of not being able to straighten your arms. Your biceps muscles flex and supinate your forearms. ... Continue Reading
How to Lubricate a Treadmill
We all want to add the best equipment possible to our home gyms, but with any expensive purchase comes one very crucial responsibility — taking care of it. If you’ve bought a treadmill, ... Continue Reading
The CrossFit Karen Workout, Explained and Scaled for Every Skill Level
You can’t talk about powerlifting workouts without mentioning the deadlift. And what are strongman competitions without some type of stone event? In CrossFit, the name of the game is unpredictability — but ... Continue Reading
9 Best Upper Chest Exercises for Stronger Pecs
There’s a reason Mondays are colloquially known as “International Chest Day.” An impressive set of pecs can change your whole physique. Beyond helping you look good at the beach or pool this summer, we ... Continue Reading
Our Favorite Forearm Workouts, + the 11 Best Forearm Exercises
At BarBend, we’re big believers in getting a grip, both literally and figuratively. Your forearm muscles are essential for holding onto heavy objects — how else would you perform a deadlift otherwise? — ... Continue Reading