“It’s such a fun event because there aren't a lot of times you get to throw something under technique and control, but also as hard as humanly possible.” In a nutshell, that’s the keg toss: the rarest ... Continue Reading
5 Awesome Benefits of Ring Chin-Ups/Pull-Ups
When it comes to upper body exercises very few compare to the pull-up and chin-up. They’re both a little different in their mechanics, but each offer great benefits. An alternative and effective movement ... Continue Reading
What You Need to Know About Kettlebell Sport, Part 2: Strength and Endurance
It’s no secret that BarBend writers are obsessed with strength, but I would be lying if I said that’s all I cared about. Sure, some strength athletes still look at endurance training as a saboteur of their ... Continue Reading
7 Strongman Lifts for Beginners (and Nearly Every Athlete)
Strongman training is not for the faint of heart. Often, strongmen (and strongwomen) need to showcase unparalleled strength, muscular endurance, and anaerobic capacities while pushing, pulling, dragging, ... Continue Reading
Mat Fraser Announces Nike Metcon 3 Release Date
Nike Metcon fans rejoice; the Metcon 3 has a release date, and it’s very soon. Perfectly timed too, with the Christmas season in full swing, Metcon fans can start off their new year with a new pair of ... Continue Reading
8 Things You Should Do the Week Before a Powerlifting Meet
Peaking, cutting, sodium manipulation, carb loading, electrolyte replenishment — and we haven't even mentioned the mental game. The week before a powerlifting meet contains a ton of variables and ... Continue Reading
6 Reasons Strength Athletes Should Do Rope Climbs (Plus How To Master Them)
My first encounter with rope climbing, contrary to popular belief, wasn’t a positive one. In fact, it took me nearly 15 years to rediscover my long lost love for climbing. If only I had known at the time ... Continue Reading
Warm Up Your Wrists, Arms, and Shoulders With This Push-Up Routine
Wrists are an often overlooked part of warming up — and ironically, they are one of the most susceptible areas to damage in most strength sports and functional fitness. This gets amplified tremendously ... Continue Reading
Woodchopping Is the Best Strength Workout You’ve Never Tried
Swinging a bladed weapon in a fatigued state isn’t what most people would call a healthful activity, but those people don’t know the truth about woodchopping. It’s an astoundingly effective combination of ... Continue Reading
10 Simple Plank Variations for a Stronger Core
Too many people go about core strength the wrong way. They sit at a computer all day, hunched over in flexion, then head to the gym to put themselves in more flexion through ... Continue Reading
2 Exercises That’ll Get You a One-Armed Chin-Up
There are elite circles of the strength world where even the ability to squat triple your bodyweight won't get you through the door. We’re talking about the peaks ... Continue Reading
The 6 Craziest Muscle-Ups We’ve Ever Seen
California-based powerlifter and rings training guru Anna Culbertson has taken the muscle-up to a place we never thought we'd see. She demonstrated some seriously superhuman muscle control in ... Continue Reading
The Ultimate Guide to Performing a Planche
A sound foundation of bodyweight strength is an asset to anybody that lifts weights, and we’re not just talking about pull-ups. (Though pull-ups are awesome.) It’s no secret that many of the world’s ... Continue Reading
The Surprising Benefits of Club Training for Strength
It’s not often that an exercise is as cool-looking as it is effective, but club training is changing the game. Clubs, of course, are traditionally mêlée weapons (read: used for bashing heads in), and ... Continue Reading
3 Simple Exercises Strength Athletes Should Do for Stronger, Healthier Feet
Imagine wearing gloves for the entire day, from the moment you leave your house until you return again late in the evening. Do you think your hands will be affected, especially if you choose stiff gloves ... Continue Reading
The Lifter’s Guide to Magnesium: What This Nutrient Does for Strength
Ask the average strength athlete to list the supplements they can’t live or lift without, and the list will probably stop at protein powder and creatine. Folks with a higher budget might add fish oil, ... Continue Reading
Check Out Dave Castro in These Navy SEAL Workout Videos from 2008
The United States Navy has a pretty fantastic YouTube page featuring everything from instructional videos on Navy Life Skills to candid interviews with personnel in a variety of key roles. ... Continue Reading
Fight Bad Driving Posture with This Car Mobility Routine
Disclaimer: Always prioritize the safety of the road and follow all local laws related to driving. These exercises are intended to be performed prior to driving as well as at the conclusion of a trip, ... Continue Reading
Mobilize at Your Desk in Just One Minute Per Hour
Disclaimer from the author: If you are experiencing even slight discomfort, I highly recommend consulting with a practitioner well versed in helping prevent or heal orthopedic injuries. Even if you have no ... Continue Reading
7 Corrective Exercises to Strengthen Your Shoulders From Injury
Weightlifters, powerlifters, and functional fitness athletes are all at risk for injury. Weightlifters spend much of their training day in an overhead position performing snatches, jerks, and overhead ... Continue Reading
Salty, Crispy, Protein-Packed Salami Chips Will Change Your Snack Game Forever
You're following Paleo(ish), trying to cook your own food, and you can't eat chips. I know, it's a big problem because you want chips. You want that salty, crunchy, crispy texture without the white ... Continue Reading
4 Grip Strengthening Exercises Borrowed From Rock Climbers
Whether you're a powerlifter, weightlifter, CrossFitter, strongman athlete, or just trying to open a jar of pickles, you'll never progress if you can't hold onto the bar (or kettlebell, or log, or ... Continue Reading
3 Minute Morning Mobility: How to Prepare Your Body for the Day Ahead
I am not a morning person (at all). So when I get out of bed, I need all the help I can get. I try to keep my coffee intake to no more than two cups in the first hour or so of waking up. That's ... Continue Reading
4 Resistance Band Exercises to Get You Strong Without Using Big Weights
Trying to get strong or maintain your strength on the road? Maybe you're injured and avoiding weights? Or perhaps you're just bored and looking to mix up your training? Grab one of those giant rubber ... Continue Reading