Sitting all day can leave the body in less than optimal postures, especially for the strength athlete. Tight hips, internally rotated shoulders, weak glutes, and many other factors can be impacted by the ... Continue Reading
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard BCAA Review — Does Rhodiola Help?
Optimum Nutrition is a large sports nutrition company that's best known for their whey protein powder, Gold Standard Whey. But they sell a huge variety of workout products and while we recently tried out ... 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
BPI Sports Best BCAA Review — What Are Peptide-Bonded BCAAs?
BPI Sports is a sports nutrition company based out in Hollywood, Florida, and they’re pretty well-known for their inexpensive protein powder and protein bars. But they’ve got a very large variety of ... 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
Programming for the Bulgarian Split Squat – Rep Ranges and Recommendations
The Bulgarian split squat is a great exercise for athletes and lifters of all levels who are looking to increase leg strength, muscular development, address muscular and movement asymmetries, and increase ... 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
Best Foam Roller Exercises for the Glutes
The glutes can be a stubborn muscle group to warm up and stimulate pre-workout. As we sit down all day, or neglect this area of the body for prolonged periods of time, then we often hear something along ... 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
The Dumbbell Goblet Squat – Technique and Benefits
In an earlier article we discussed the kettlebell goblet squat and its unique benefits to promote enhanced squat mechanics, strength, and more. While similar in exercise execution, the dumbbell goblet ... 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
Assess Your Conventional Deadlift Form With These Three Easy Tests
The conventional deadlift is a staple in a lot of strength athlete's training programs. And whether you're an athlete, coach, or beginner, nailing and teaching proper deadlift mechanics for this lift ... 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
Best Foam Roller Exercises for Runners
An athlete getting ready for a run, or a running focused athlete, will utilize a foam roller differently than a strength-focused athlete. Their body and muscles are being used in a different manner ... 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 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
Single Kettlebell Thruster – Exercise Guide, Benefits, and Muscles Worked
In earlier pieces we discussed both the dumbbell thruster and double kettlebell thruster, each offering athletes and coaches unique yet similar training outcomes for increased movement, strength, and ... Continue Reading
Double Kettlebell Thruster – Exercise Guide and Benefits
In an earlier article we discussed the powerful impact the thruster movement (squat into overhead push press) can have on leg and upper body strength, core stabilization, metabolic conditioning training, ... Continue Reading
Kinesiology Taping for Lower Back Pain and Stability
As a nation that sits for a majority of our work days, it's not uncommon to see issues in the gym with the lower back. The back is made up of three segmented areas, which include the cervical, thoracic, ... Continue Reading
Dumbbell Thrusters – Exercise Guide and Benefits
Moving an object from a squatted position to overhead is one of the most challenging and exhausting movements we can do. The thruster is a movement popularized by competitive fitness sports, however it has ... Continue Reading
Toes To Bar Modifications and Alternatives for Beginners
When learning any movement, a series of steps must be taken to properly progress oneself to the full version. In doing so, proper technique and foundational strength can be developed to ensure proper ... Continue Reading
Sports Acupuncture – Can It Benefit Strength Athletes?
"Every needle I put in, I have a reason for it. It's not just a concept, but a reason with scientific backing," states Peter D'Aquino. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that ... Continue Reading