The Chinese weightlifting team — the world’s most dominant contingent in the sport — has abandoned one of its two remaining 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualification opportunities by withdrawing from the upcoming 2024 Asian Weightlifting Championships (AWC).

The 2024 AWC will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from Feb. 3 to 10. It is one of the final remaining International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) competitions athletes can attend to qualify for Paris.

[Related: The Weightlifting Qualification Process for the Paris 2024 Olympics]

While China certainly retains enough high-performing athletes to send a stronger team to Paris than any other nation, forfeiting an appearance at a continental championships may affect their placings across the IWF’s leaderboards and, consequently, which athletes will be selected to travel to Paris this summer. 

What It Means

The Chinese weightlifting team was on the list of preliminary entries for Tashkent but has indicated that they will instead focus on the final Olympic qualifying event, the 2024 IWF World Cup. The Cup occurs from March 31 to April 11, 2024, in Phuket, Thailand. 

At the 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championships, China won more overall gold medals than any other country (including seven more than the second-placed host nation, South Korea). They have been the top performer in weightlifting at every Olympic Games in the 21st century.

The Chinese weightlifting team’s absence from Tashkent will allow other countries to excel. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or PRK), which withdrew from IWF-sanctioned events in 2019 only to return in force in 2023, is likely to fill the gaps on the podium left by Team China.

[Related: The 10 Best Weightlifters of 2023]

Team DPRK finished ahead of China (by overall medal count) at the 2023 Asian Games in October and at the 2023 IWF Grand Prix II in December. However, due to their aforementioned absence, Team DPRK is ineligible to attend Paris. 

Beyond North Korea, athletes from the Asian region will have one of their final chances to climb the IWF’s top-10 leaderboard, the primary metric that determines selection for the upcoming Olympics. Currently, China leads all five women’s Games weight classes and three men’s.

Who Benefits? 

Despite their absence, it is unlikely that the events of the upcoming AWC will alter China’s plans significantly, at least regarding their female athletes. Chinese women collectively lead their nearest challengers by 74 kilograms altogether. There is not the same certainty for the men.

China may only send three male weightlifters (and three women) to compete in Paris. Presently, 61-kilogram Li Fabin and 102-kilogram Liu Huanhua are their strongest contenders. 89-kilogram duo Li Dayin and Tian Tao are likely to battle for the final slot, but they face stiff competition from:

Karlos Nasar (BUL) | world record holder in the clean & jerk

Yeison Lopez (COL) | multi Youth & Junior World Champion

Keydomar Vallenilla-Sanchez (VEN) | Tokyo 2020 silver medalist

Antonino Pizzolato (ITA) | multi-European Champion & former world record holder

All of these lifters have opportunities to reach the top of the 89-kilo leaderboard in the coming months. 

73-kilogram two-time Olympic Champion Shi Zhiyong also faces an uphill battle. An ongoing back injury had sidelined Zhiyong from competition for 862 days. His performance at the Grand Prix II last month was 24 kilograms below his best, and he declined his last two clean & jerks because he was in pain.

Not only does Zhiyong have to show gold-medal potential in the final qualifier, but he must also persuade the Team China selectors that he is a better final option for Paris than either 89-kilogram athlete.

What About Team USA? 

The events of the 2024 AWC may affect the Americans’ placings in the overall leaderboard. Overtaking Chinese athletes is a big ask, but lifters like Hampton Morris (61 kilograms), Olivia Reeves (71 kilograms), and Mary Theisen-Lappen (+87 kilograms) may inadvertently benefit from China’s absence in Tashkent. 

Team USA will partake in the upcoming European Weightlifting Championships (EWC) in Sofia, Bulgaria, rather than attend this year’s Pan American Championships due to safety concerns.

Morris is 22 kilograms behind 61-kilo leader Li Fabin of China but will compete before Fabin at Europeans in February and may make it up into the top four in that class.

Reeves is up 17 kilograms in the Total compared to 2022. That momentum may help her inch closer to the top slot held by China’s Liao Guifang.

Theisen-Lappen has overtaken teammate Sarah Robles, who will not lift at the EWC. Theisen-Lappen currently sits in fourth place overall in the women’s super-heavyweights. 

Editor’s Note: Brian Oliver is an independent correspondent for BarBend. The views and opinions expressed on this site do not necessarily reflect his own. Oliver is not directly affiliated with any of BarBend’s existing media partnerships.

Featured Image: William Johnson / @barbellstories

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When people think of the biggest names in bodybuilding in terms of competition, the most popular athletes to come up tend to be five-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead and 2023 Mr. Olympia winner Derek Lunsford.

But there could be a whole different conversation when it comes to bodybuilding away from the stage — and the first name that comes to mind in that case may well be Sam Sulek. The young influencer and athlete has made quite a name for himself in a short period.

[Read More: Cydney Gillon — Early Life, Career, Training, and More]

But people who are new to him may wonder where he came from, how he’s so successful today, and whether he will actually make the next step by competing onstage in a bodybuilding show. We can’t answer the last question, but we did find out more about him.

Background

Sulek stands at 5’11” and weighs around 240 pounds, according to Generation Iron. The Ohio native took his education beyond high school by going to Miami University (Ohio). It’s unknown where he is in terms of pursuing a degree.

He first got into bodybuilding as a teenager, and he’s put in several years of training already, attaining a physique that has been appreciated by fans of all ages. Despite being so young, fans regularly ask him questions on his various social media outlets about how he developed the physique he has.

[Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Building Muscle in College]

Sam Sulek’s Upper Back Workout

Following his videos, a devotee can ascertain that Sulek alternates periods of trying to add size with phases of getting ripped.

In January 2024, he shifted his focus to what he termed a “winter bulk” and shared his workouts with his subscribers. One of these winter bulk workouts was this back session that he published to his YouTube channel on January 12.

[Read More: How to Bulk — The Ultimate Guide to Gaining Size]

He goes by feel when he’s in the gym, but his overall philosophy appears to lean more towards high intensity than higher volume, incorporating partial reps when he approaches failure. A sample workout from the video he shared is below.

Neutral-Grip Lat Pulldown: 2 x 8-12

Single-Arm Lat Pulldown: 2 x 8-12

Seated Row: 1x 8-12

Seated Cable Row: 1 x 8-12

Single-Arm Cable Pullover: 2 x 8-12

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown + Seated Cable Row: 1 set each to failure

*Sulek performs partial reps at the end of each working set.

[Read More: 10 Best Bodybuilding Supplements of 2024 for Muscle Growth]

Social Media

The vast majority of fan awareness of Sulek comes from social media. As of January 2024, his YouTube channel has 2.86 million subscribers, and he’s posted over 320 videos since creating his account in 2016. His views get well into six figures, and some (especially when he focuses the content on his diet) get into the millions.

His @sam_sulek Instagram page has over 4.5 million followers, in spite of him only having 12 posts on that account. His last post on that page came in November 2023. He also has 2.3 million followers on his TikTok page.

Business

Beyond his own social media, Sulek is active with Hosstile, his supplement brand sponsor. He does videos for them as well as takes part in chats on CEO Fouad Abiad’s various podcasts such as Bro Chat. The video below, where Sulek talks about his “go-to breakfasts for building muscle,” has amassed more than 2.1 million views from the Hosstile account in four months.

He also provides a discount code, which athletes can earn money for, on his Instagram page. Other income may come from his social media channels.

When Will Sam Sulek Compete in Bodybuilding?

There is no official word on when or even if Sulek will compete in an actual bodybuilding show. Even if he does, what division would he be the best fit in? He has the mass for traditional bodybuilding, but he may also hold his own in Classic Physique.

Only time will tell, but based on his look, following, and the success he’s already achieved combined with his young age, he has plenty of time to make that decision. Sulek’s future in the sport appears to be bright regardless of whether he competes or not.

Featured Image: @sam_sulek / Instagram 

The post Sam Sulek — Workouts, Biography, Height, and More appeared first on BarBend.

Fergus Crawley has been carrying the banner for “hybrid” mixed-modality training for years now. For those unaware, hybrid training has gained momentum recently for its well-rounded, diverse approach to athleticism — think several strength training workouts each week alongside several sessions of conditioning or cardio.

All that hard work takes a toll, though. On Jan. 15, 2024, Crawley took to his YouTube channel to discuss six of his daily habits for managing recovery as a hybrid athlete. Below are Crawley’s science-based tips for preparing for anything your workouts throw your way: 

[Related: Everything You Need To Know About Refeed Days] 

Editor’s Note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. When starting a new training regimen and/or diet, it is always a good idea to consult with a trusted medical professional. We are not a medical resource. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. They are not substitutes for consulting a qualified medical professional.

1. Prioritize Sleep Hygiene

“Sleep is paramount to recovery and is the bottom of the pyramid of considerations,” Crawley says. (Remember, in the pyramid analogy, the bottom is the most important part). “Ultimately, we should try to get as much [sleep] as we can.”

While getting more sleep certainly isn’t groundbreaking, Crawley furthers this notion with actionable advice for a more consistent sleep schedule.

Keep your phone or alarm clock out of the bedroom.

Use multiple alarms to set consistent bed and wake times.

For example, Crawley has two alarms set on his phone. One rings at 9:00 p.m. to remind him it’s time to get ready for bed. The second wakes him up at around 5 a.m.

Once your schedule is dialed in, consider optimizing sleep hygiene by cooling the temperature in the room, reducing ambient light via blackout curtains, or trying a holistic sleep supplement like magnesium or zinc. Studies repeatedly show that these behaviors can positively influence the quality and regularity of your sleep. (1)

2. Manage Your MRV

If unsure, MRV stands for “maximum recoverable volume,” a term coined by exercise science experts like Dr. Mike Israetel to denote work capacity. Crawley remarks that “MRV is entirely specific to the individual. Mine is high because I’ve been training for 15 years, but a newcomer’s MRV would be much lower.” To that end, Crawley suggests the following:

Set specific training goals first and work backward from there to design a workout routine.

Limit “randomization” in hybrid training and continue to rely on specificity. 

“More isn’t always better, especially across disciplines,” Crawley says of the demands of different styles of physical training. He’s right — scientific studies document what’s called the “interference effect,” where too much cardio training can dampen the efficacy of resistance training workouts, even though they don’t challenge the same parts of your body. (2) 

3. Limit Regular Alcohol Intake

“There’s a rugby player within me that just won’t die,” Crawley jokes, acknowledging that it’s perfectly normal for an active social lifestyle to occasionally call for a few drinks from time to time. However, he stresses that it shouldn’t become the norm: “My approach is generally ‘minimize; don’t demonize.’”

Try to limit alcohol consumption to occasional social gatherings rather a part of your daily or weekly routine.

Crawley believes that regular drinking has a “huge cumulative effect” on your ability to adapt to hybrid training, which is true. One study had participants drink a mixed vodka beverage after a lifting session and found that “even moderate amounts of alcohol magnify the observed losses in strength.” (3)

4. View Food as Fuel

“One of the biggest mistakes I see hybrid athletes make with their nutrition is inadvertently putting themselves into a calorie deficit,” Crawley says, taking a quantitative approach to nutrition. Hybrid athletes often incrementally increase their overall workload — and thus their energy expenditure — without bumping their caloric intake accordingly. 

Crawley mentions food quality, stating, “To perform well…look at your green vegetable consumption and the overall quality of food.” To that end, hit these two benchmarks:

Identify your caloric maintenance level and ensure that hybrid workouts don’t accidentally put you into a caloric deficit.

Adhere to the “80/20” rule; 80 percent of the time, strive to consume fresh whole foods and stay away from junk food. Twenty percent of the time, it’s okay to be lenient and indulge. 

Studies have shown that performance can suffer dramatically in cases of prolonged energy restriction. Competitive bodybuilders often undergo months-long phases of low calories as they cut weight for pro shows, which often significantly diminishes their performance, cognition, and mood. (4)

If you’re unsure of your caloric maintenance and want to avoid losing weight fast (or gaining too much), take BarBend’s own in-house calculator for a spin: 

[Related: How To Count Macros for Muscle Gain or Fat Loss]

5. Set a Caffeine Cut-Off

“You should have a caffeine curfew,” Crawley says. Caffeine is an undeniably potent stimulant with plenty of positive effects, but it can also be tremendously disruptive to recovery in some cases.

“Hybrid athletes should try to break the cycle of waking up and immediately reaching for a coffee,” Crawley continues, noting that he prefers consuming caffeine only for especially difficult workouts.

Crawley recommends stopping all caffeine intake after midday. 

While caffeine affects everyone differently, Crawley is on the mark regarding its harmful effects on sleep hygiene. Studies measuring caffeine intake at different time intervals prior to bedtime have shown that ingesting caffeine “significantly disrupts sleep” even if taken as early as six hours prior to bedtime. (5)

6. Check Your Ego

Crawley concludes his recovery prescriptions with something a bit more abstract: the harmful effects of ego as it pertains to exercise. Some athletes may feel compelled to train at all times, thinking that taking a rest day is a form of laziness or low willpower. Crawley disagrees — “If you feel uncomfortable at the thought of taking a rest day, that may indicate a dependency on training,” he says.

Crawley suggests having at least one day per week dedicated to complete rest. 

“Training should be fruitful and fulfilling, not something you punish yourself with,” Crawley concludes. The data shows that so-called “compulsive exercise behaviors” can worsen mental health, disrupt daily habits, and facilitate conditions like depression or low self-esteem. (6)

More Training Content

The Science Behind 10,000 Steps a Day

Jeff Nippard Explains How To Get Abs Before Summer

The Best Kettlebell Circuits To Build Muscle

References

Alanazi EM, Alanazi AMM, Albuhairy AH, Alanazi AAA. Sleep Hygiene Practices and Its Impact on Mental Health and Functional Performance Among Adults in Tabuk City: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus. 2023 Mar 16;15(3):e36221. doi: 10.7759/cureus.36221. PMID: 37069886; PMCID: PMC10105495.

Coffey VG, Hawley JA. Concurrent exercise training: do opposites distract? J Physiol. 2017 May 1;595(9):2883-2896. doi: 10.1113/JP272270. Epub 2016 Oct 9. PMID: 27506998; PMCID: PMC5407958.

Barnes, M. J., Mündel, T., & Stannard, S. R. (2010). Acute alcohol consumption aggravates the decline in muscle performance following strenuous eccentric exercise. Journal of science and medicine in sport, 13(1), 189–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2008.12.627

Helms ER, Aragon AA, Fitschen PJ. Evidence-based recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: nutrition and supplementation. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2014 May 12;11:20. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-11-20. PMID: 24864135; PMCID: PMC4033492.

Drake C, Roehrs T, Shambroom J, Roth T. Caffeine effects on sleep taken 0, 3, or 6 hours before going to bed. J Clin Sleep Med. 2013 Nov 15;9(11):1195-200. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.3170. PMID: 24235903; PMCID: PMC3805807.

Lichtenstein MB, Hinze CJ, Emborg B, Thomsen F, Hemmingsen SD. Compulsive exercise: links, risks and challenges faced. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2017 Mar 30;10:85-95. doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S113093. PMID: 28435339; PMCID: PMC5386595.

Featured Image: Fergus Crawley on YouTube

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“The Longevity Game with Tracy Anderson” will air weekly, featuring guests ranging from Olympic athletes to scientists

Tracy Anderson, a fitness pioneer whose brand encompasses studio locations, virtual personal training and activewear, announced the launch of new her health and wellness podcast, “The Longevity Game with Tracy Anderson.” Each week, the podcast will feature a new guest, with invitees such as Olympic athletes, scientists, artists and award-winning authors. 

Season one of “The Longevity Game” will include episodes from guests including actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, cosmetics company founder Dr. Barbara Sturm, Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler Jordan Burroughs and clinical psychologist Dr. Shefali Tsabary. 

“We live in a world that denatures us from the things we need most: freedom of movement, sense of play, real nourishment, and human connection,” Anderson said. “Through this podcast I want to have meaningful conversations with other revolutionary people making waves in their industries on the methods they use to live each day to the fullest.”

Anderson has had an impressive 2024 already, recently unveiling her first activewear line and launching HeartStone, a new take on free weights. The 12-piece Tracy Anderson Collection includes shrugs, unitards, and other two-piece sets. HeartStone features a set of limited-edition weighted energy trainers with hand-cut rose quartz for arm sequences. Every purchase of the free weights comes with access to an app featuring arm workouts curated by Anderson..

The new podcast is produced by OBB Media, founded in 2016 by Michael D. Ratner. The production company has an audience of over 2 million and creates content in TV, digital, film and podcasts, including highlights like “Justin Bieber: Seasons,” the YouTube Original, Netflix’s “Historical Roasts” and ESPN 30 for 30 “Gonzo @ The Derby.” 

The post Tracy Anderson Enters Podcast Space in Latest Wellness Move appeared first on Athletech News.

As part of a strategic partnership, EGYM and Life Fitness will collaborate to give users a more personalized, data-infused approach to cardio

Two fitness industry titans are doubling down on cardio-based fitness.

EGYM and Life Fitness announced an expansion of their strategic partnership centered around evolving the cardio workout experience with personalization tools. As part of the agreement, the sides will unveil an upcoming “Smart Cardio integration project.”

Set for a launch in the first half of 2024, the Smart Cardio project will blend EGYM’s fitness software with Life Fitness’ state-of-the art machines, including its Discover SE4 Console, to give users a more organized and data-infused approach to cardio. Users will get access to real-time workout data, performance tracking and personalized workout recommendations that cater to their specific goals.

“Our partnership with Life Fitness exemplifies the benefits of our digital ecosystem,” said Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer, co-founder and CEO of EGYM. “Thanks to our open platform, studio operators have full compatibility and members enjoy a seamless top cardio experience.”

EGYM is no stranger to innovative agreements. The fit tech brand partnered with Funxtion, a B2B digital fitness content platform, in 2023 to more accurately cater to an individual’s workout experience by adding personalized content to its member and training app. 

The Munich-based company raised $225 Million in growth capital this past summer in a financing round led by Affinity Partners, a global investment firm founded by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law and former advisor to Donald Trump. Mayfair Equity Partners and Bayern Kapital participated in the round as well. 

While strength training has been forecasted as an increasingly popular fitness option in the new year, Life Fitness and EGYM aren’t abandoning traditional cardio, with an emphasis on personalization. Life Fitness has an extensive reach global reach, with its products being distributed to over 250,000 fitness facilities in more than 160 countries.

“Life Fitness is committed to offering our customers the ability to personalize their equipment experience according to their unique needs,” said Dan Wille, chief product officer at Life Fitness. “We’re excited about advancing our partnership with EGYM and, through our open ecosystem, giving operators the flexibility to integrate EGYM software with our premium cardio equipment.”

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American Barbell will serve as ISSA’s exclusive equipment provider as well as the organization’s exclusive live seminar partner

The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) has entered into an exclusive partnership with fitness equipment manufacturer American Barbell. The agreement positions American Barbell as the exclusive provider of fitness equipment for ISSA, signaling a notable development in the realm of fitness education and equipment standards.

The partnership extends beyond equipment supply; American Barbell’s training arm, AB Athletics, will now serve as the exclusive live seminar partner for ISSA’s educational programs. These seminars are designed to incorporate practical training with theoretical education, providing ISSA members with hands-on experience using state-of-the-art fitness equipment.

American Barbell, established in 1978, has been a key player in the fitness equipment industry, known for its innovations like the Hard Chrome Olympic Barbell, Urethane Bumper Plate and the Cerakote Olympic Barbell. The company’s products are widely used across professional gyms, universities, and military bases worldwide. The partnership is expected to leverage American Barbell’s manufacturing expertise in tandem with ISSA’s educational reach.

“We are roll-up-your-sleeves people who actually train and believe in truthful fitness,” said Doug Katona, CEO of American Barbell. “ISSA is the ideal complement to helping us give back to the industry with live education that has applications for athletes, young fitness enthusiasts, and the up-and-coming athletes over 50.”

Through the collaboration, ISSA students and partners can now explore exclusive benefits, discounts and additional offerings available through American Barbell in their dedicated student portal.

“We are thrilled to align with American Barbell, solidifying them as ISSA’s official equipment partner. At ISSA, our commitment to providing valuable education for our students is unwavering,” commented Kurt Mangum II, director of strategic and business partnerships at ISSA. “AB Athletics’ live seminars are approved for ISSA continuing education credits, offering members the opportunity for hands-on learning in the United States with industry-leading American Barbell training equipment.”

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The wellness brand already sued rival Therabody and is now filing litigation against many other companies over its massage gun tech

Hyperice has filed 16 lawsuits in federal court against Sharper Image, Homedics, Ekrin Athletics and other retailers including CVS, Costco, Walgreens and Kohl’s related to the alleged infringement of Hyperice’s percussion massage technology. The relevant intellectual property, Hyperice’s U.S. Patent No. 11,857,482, claims technology dating to 2013 that’s used in products like the Hypervolt 2 and the Hypervolt Go 2 massage guns.

The new lawsuits, filed on Tuesday, come two weeks after Hyperice sued rival Therabody for allegedly infringing the same patent.

“The actions that we have taken today are one part of a larger legal strategy to protect our intellectual property rights,” said Jon Howell, general counsel at Hyperice. “We intend to take additional actions in the coming days and weeks to ensure that our innovative line of percussion massage guns is protected.”

In the lawsuits, Hyperice claims that several of the companies’ products, including the Sharper Image Powerboost line and Ekrin massage guns, infringe on Hyperice’s intellectual property. In the coming weeks, Hyperice says it intends to file additional lawsuits, up to 100 in total, against other sellers and retailers believed to have infringed on these patents. 

Earlier this month, Hyperice alleged that several of Therabody’s products, including the Theragun Elite, Theragun Pro, Theragun Prime and Theragun Sense, infringe on the same patent. 

“At Hyperice’s core, we develop innovative products and technologies to enhance recovery, performance, and longevity for consumers worldwide,” said Hyperice CEO Jim Huether. “For any company working to lead and grow a new and emerging market in the technology sector, the inventive process is extremely important. … There are hundreds of millions of dollars of massage guns sold every year in the U.S. alone, and we believe that a vast majority of these massage guns infringe this patent.”

“We will use aggressive legal actions against all infringers to reinstill credibility of the percussion market,” Huether added.

The massage gun market is substantial, valued at $542.6 million and is likely to reach over $1 billion in the coming years, according to one estimate. Intellectual property disputes in the space are common. In late 2019 and early 2020, Therabody filed patent infringement lawsuits against Hyperice and Achedaway. These lawsuits resulted in Achedaway agreeing to a cease and desist, and Hyperice agreeing to stop selling one of its massage devices. 

The post Hyperice Sues More Brands, Retailers Over Massage Gun Patent appeared first on Athletech News.