The hook grip has been around for years in weight training. While the exact creator and originator of this grip is still unknown, there are records of athletes using hook grips in the 1940’s. To perform a ... Continue Reading
Canadian Weightlifter Boady Santavy Breaks Records, Aims for Olympics
Over the last five years, I have had several opportunities to venture north of the border and attend national events that were hosted by the Canadian Weightlifting Federation. In addition to friendly ... Continue Reading
Watch Olympic Gold Medalist Aleksey Torokhtiy Make His Transition Into CrossFit
At BarBend we always love when elite athletes try out different forms of stength sports. For example, Max Lang, a 77kg German weightlifter “suffering” through a CrossFit® class and giving his thoughts ... Continue Reading
USA Weightlifting Announces Ursula Papandrea As IWF Executive Candidate
In meeting minutes released on October 14th of this year, USA Weightlifting (USAW) has confirmed they will support the endorsement of three candidates for leadership positions within the International ... Continue Reading
Nick Urankar Hits 315 Snatch, 395 Clean & Jerk. Is This the New Normal for Games Athletes?
The CrossFit Liftoff is currently underway, which means new personal records are stacking up for functional fitness enthusiasts across the globe. More women than ever are snatching above 200 pounds, and a ... Continue Reading
Allergic to Your Barbell? Why Some Bars Give Lifters Itchy Reactions
Today at BarBend HQ I was speaking with David about front rack positions. We got into the topic of lifters with an allergy to nickel and how it can cause irritation and itching with some lifts. It was at ... Continue Reading
How Triphasic Training Can Improve Your Power Production
Every lift involves a concentric, eccentric, and isometric muscle action. Triphasic training employs the concept of loading each muscle action with the purpose of creating a specific training adaptation - ... Continue Reading
USA Weightlifting Looking to Recruit from CrossFit Liftoff Participants
The 2016 CrossFit Liftoff runs from November 3rd to 7th this year, and the remote competition will test athletes across max lifts in the snatch, clean & jerk, and a to-be-released conditioning ... Continue Reading
Alec Smith (Brother of CrossFit Games Champ Ben Smith) Cleans 400 Pounds
They raise kids strong in the Smith family, that's for sure. While oldest brother Ben Smith is perhaps the most famous of the Smith brothers for winning the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games — and standing on the ... Continue Reading
Eugen Sandow Was a Groundbreaking Strength Pioneer and Father of Bodybuilding
Eugen Sandow is known as "The Father of Bodybuilding," and he acquired that title for good reason. Not only was Sandow strong, but he developed revolutionary strength training processes for his time ... Continue Reading
Ilya Ilyin Training Footage from 2012: 196kg Snatch, 240kg Clean & Jerk at 94kg Bodyweight
Instagram user Shin Yong Jin regularly posts training footage and competition archives from some of Asia's best weightlifters and weightlifting federations; his feed is equal parts hanging out with elite ... Continue Reading
How Coffee Naturally Boosts Your Workout Performance
Coffee, noun; defined as a drink made from brewed and ground bean like seeds. For myself, and a lot of others we know coffee as a verb. “Did you see me coffee that PR?” and, “I need to seriously coffee ... Continue Reading
Going Old School: Inside the Association of Oldetime Barbell & Strongman Banquet
On Saturday, October 29th, I attended the 33rd annual reunion dinner for the Association of Oldetime Barbell & Strongman (AOBS) at the Marriott Hotel on the grounds of the Newark/Liberty Airport. This ... Continue Reading
10 Lessons Learned from a College Strength Coach
When it comes to high school, collegiate, and professional level strength and conditioning, there’s always a constant goal in mind; improve athletes in the best, safest, and quickest means possible. One of ... Continue Reading
USA Weightlifting Announces Reno to Host First American Open Series Event
In an announcement posted on October 28th, USA Weightlifting (USAW) announced the inaugural event of the American Open Series will take place next March 16-19 Reno, Nevada. Earlier this month, USAW ... Continue Reading
Lifters Rejoice: Strength Training Does The Brain Good
We’re well aware of the physical benefits exercise offers us. Strength training improves our muscular base, enhances our posture, creates stronger bones, and improves joint health. Cardiovascular training ... Continue Reading
4 More London Olympic Weightlifters Ordered to Return Medals
In an October 27th announcement, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced official sanctions for eight athletes implicated in doping retests following the 2012 London Olympics. Six of the named ... Continue Reading
The 3 Most Common Types of Training Periodization (and When to Use Them)
Very rarely is anything truly new in the strength training world, especially when it comes to programming. Yes, methods change and the industry perpetually matures, but the fundamental programming pillars ... Continue Reading
Milo Steinborn Is One Reason We Squat The Way We Do Today
When you hear the word grit, who do you think about? Probably some Wild West cowboy, which might actually make sense in this scenario. We could make a pretty good case that the early days of ... Continue Reading
7 Ridicously Heavy Weighted Walks, Carries, and Pulls
If you go to school, live in a city, or frequent the gym, you’re no stranger to walking around with a bag. In fact, a lot of us are walking with extra weight all the time. And whether you're trying to ... Continue Reading
Harrison Maurus Wins Three Silver Medals at IWF Youth Weightlifting Championships
Harrison Maurus is one of America's top young weightlifters, and his performance today at the 2016 IWF Youth World Weightlifting Championships is simply further proof. The 16 year old, 77kg lifter went ... Continue Reading
CJ Cummings Sets New World Record, Wins Youth World Weightlifting Championships
USA Weightlifting's CJ Cummings has won the 2016 Youth World Weightlifting Championships in the 69kg category, snatching 135kg and clean & jerking a new Youth World Record 182kg to take gold. This ... Continue Reading
How to Watch the 2016 Youth World Weightlifting Championships
The 2016 Youth World Weightlifting Championships is currently underway in Penang, Malaysia, and action is already off to a great start. This year, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) is ... Continue Reading
Hayley Reichardt Wins First Medal for USA Weightlifting at Youth Worlds
Hayley Reichardt has secured the first medal for Team USA at the 2016 Youth World Weightlifting Championships in Penang, Malaysia. Competing in the 48KG A session, she finished with lifts of 66KG (145lb) ... Continue Reading