In an earlier article we discussed the tuck jump, a plyometric bodyweight exercise that can be used to increase power output, increase caloric/energy expenditure in circuits, and increase athleticism. In ... Continue Reading
Why Do Some People Orgasm When They Work Out?
We all know that working out does a body good, but for some of us, the pleasurable feeling from working out can reach a whole new level. In a famous 2012 study published in Sexual and Relationship ... Continue Reading
How Often Should You Work Out Your Abs? Plus Tips from Celebrity Personal Trainers
If you got a bunch of aesthetically-focused gym goers in a room and asked them to rank their prized muscle groups, chances are that a six-pack will be fairly high on people’s lists. In pursuit of a ... Continue Reading
Get Into the Halloween Spirit With These 5 Costume Lifting Videos
Halloween is right around the corner, which means two things. One, it's the only time of year you get a pass for dressing up and acting ridiculous. If you do this any other time, then there's a decent ... Continue Reading
Are Pistol Squats Bad for Your Knees?
In general, NO, the pistol squat is not bad for your knees, just like squatting isn't bad for your knees. Rather, a poor pistol squat is bad for your knees… In an earlier article I discussed five ... Continue Reading
The Truth About Rhabdo: You Really Can Exercise Too Much
If there’s such a thing as the boogeyman of the fitness industry, it’s rhabdo. You could even take that statement literally, since many functional fitness gyms (and occasionally the CrossFit Journal) are ... Continue Reading
5 Benefits of Pistol Squats
In this article we will discuss one of the most challenging unilateral leg exercises out there. Regardless of sport or goal, the ability to perform pistol squats with control and integrity can lead to ... Continue Reading
Is Being Strong Low Class?
What does a big, muscular body mean? Show a photo of a broad shouldered powerlifting type to ten people, and you’re likely to get ten different answers. Note that we said “big, muscular body,” which is ... Continue Reading
Can Sex Impact Your Lifting, Sports Performance, and Gains?
"Women weaken legs." — Micky, from the original Rocky movie The above quote comes from the original Rocky movie. I was watching it last night, and it got me thinking: Is Micky right? Could sex ... Continue Reading
Improved Posture for Bigger Lifts and Better Exercise
Many people — athletes or not — spend much of their days sitting at a desk, hunched over a computer for their jobs. Sitting all day like this might pay the bills, but it often comes at an additional cost: ... Continue Reading
Kinesiology Taping the Rotator Cuff
Kinesiology tape is used by many athletes to provide themselves with the perception of extra support and to assist with acute pain in various areas on the body. Tape's main purpose is to provide the body ... Continue Reading
6 Benefits of Renegade Rows
In previous articles we discussed the power of unilateral training, the importance of a strong core, and the role of the lats and spinal erectors lifting posture and performance. When looking for a ... Continue Reading
Inverted Rows At Home/Bodyweight Options
The inverted row is a versatile and widely available bodyweight movement that can be done nearly anywhere, with very little equipment and set up. In this article we will discuss a few options to perform ... Continue Reading
Why Some Women Pee Mid-Workout (and What to Do About It)
Let’s set the scene: you just screwed your heels into the floor, your hands are chalked up, your fingers wrapped courageously around the barbell, you close your eyes, nod affirmatively to yourself, and ... Continue Reading
Kinesiology Taping for Hip Pain
Hip pain, whether chronic or acute, can be a troublesome problem for strength athletes. Lower body power and strength based movements are often heavily influenced by the hips, and their abilities to ... Continue Reading
How Finger Length and Hand Size Relate to Grip Strength & Athleticism
The body has some pretty unique ways of telling us things about ourselves. For example, there are various areas of research that have made suggestions about our motor abilities, cognitive function, and ... Continue Reading
How Muscular Athletes Can Still Find Great Fitting Clothes
Every lifter will encounter two certainties as they progress through their strength career. First, there's the certainty that one's muscles are growing, their health is improving, and a lifelong iron ... 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
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
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
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