Bevel’s health and fitness tracker encourages users to become the CEO of their health, but promises to go beyond a mere fitness app

Bevel, a health tech startup, has finally pulled back the curtain to reveal its holistic health and fitness tracker that provides metrics and daily targeted ranges for strain, recovery, training, sleep and stress.

The New York-based Bevel has been quietly working on its app for the past year.  

“We’re excited to introduce Bevel to the public,” Bevel CEO and co-founder Grey Nguyen. “The current healthcare system is designed to cure your illnesses, not to help you stay healthy. With Bevel, we want to bring back the notion that you are in control of your own health.”

After downloading the app, Bevel connects to Apple Health and asks a few basic questions. Users can select from an annual Bevel Pro subscription ($49.99 per year) or monthly ($5.99), for the ability to unlock historical data, view advanced health metrics, track and improve biomarkers such as VO2, RHR, HRV, weight, body fat and lean body mass, log entries in the daily health journal and take advantage of the Strength Builder, which offers workout plans. It’s recommended that Bevel users wear their Apple Watch to enable continuous data recording. 

“Through continuous monitoring and personalized recommendations, Bevel equips users with tools to make better daily decisions,” Nguyen said.

Bevel’s leadership team includes co-founder and CTO Ben Yang, former Dropbox CTO Aditya Agarwal, and an advisory board of scientists and athletes, including Eric Verdin, CEO and president of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Scott Delp, professor at Stanford and director of the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance and Olympic gold medalist (decathlon) Ashton Eaton. 

“I’m excited about Bevel because, as a professional athlete and Olympian, I learned that an important factor in advancing human performance is gathering and synthesizing a holistic set of objective information about your body and lifestyle,” said Eaton. “I think this technology has the capability to do this and take us to the next level.”

While Bevel has officially gone public with its launch, the startup has developed an active community on Reddit, with Nguyen a frequent poster, sharing details of Bevel’s transformation and vision along the way.

“Personally, I didn’t want to use five different apps to track my exercise, sleep, and stress,” he explained in one post outlining the intention of Bevel. “I felt that the Apple ecosystem lacked an app that could fully utilize Apple Health and match the level of engineering that was put into the hardware of the Apple Watch.”

He wasn’t alone in his thinking, quickly amassing a waitlist of users eager to try something new and improved. But Nguyen is clear: Bevel’s goal isn’t to build another fitness app, but a system to improve longevity. The startup has been engaging users and transparent in its upcoming features, offering a view into its roadmap and encouraging users to leave feedback and suggestions.   

In time, Yang said Bevel plans to go beyond providing users with comprehensive insights. 

“We’re building a comprehensive health ecosystem that empowers users to be the CEO of their own health, with doctors and technology as advisors, not managers,” he said, adding that users’ data won’t leave devices without permission.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

The post Bevel Launches Health Companion appeared first on Athletech News.

Running is simple, in theory: It’s just one foot in front of the other. But if you’ve ever actually gone on a run, you know having the right running gear isn’t optional, but necessary. With a pair of the best running shoes, you’re in good shape. But you’ll probably also need a running app to track your stats and keep you from getting lost, and maybe some tunes to keep you energized. That means you’ll need your phone, including somewhere to put it — which means you could really use a running belt. (It’s all very If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.)

The good news is that shopping for a running belt isn’t too complicated or expensive. To help fast-track your search, we’ve tested nearly 20 of the best options on the market and scored our picks based on fit, durability, and more. The result is this list of the best running belts out there, all expert-approved.

The Best Running Belts of 2024

Best Overall Running Belt: Inov-8 Race Elite Waist

Best Budget Running Belt: New Balance Running Stretch Belt

Best Reflective Running Belt: SPIBelt Reflective

Best Running Belt With Storage: Ultimate Direction Mountain Belt

Best Running Belt for Hydration: Nathan Sports TrailMix Plus 3.0

Best Running Belt for All Body Types: Salomon Pulse

How We Tested and Chose the Best Running Belts

The BarBend team is full of athletes, certified trainers, and CrossFit coaches who’ve tested a lot of gear while logging miles. That includes sneakers, treadmills, running headphones, and — yep — running belts. Take our expert reviewer, certified personal trainer Kate Meier, for example: “I’ve been using running belts for about two decades. They have been invaluable, especially in my marathon days when I had a lot to carry with me on runs.” We’ve tried nearly 20 different running belts over the years, scoring them on a scale 1 (woof) to 5 (yay!) to arrive at these six picks. Knowing what distinguishes a good running belt from a crappy one, we kept a close eye on these key factors when compiling this list.

For more on how we test products, check out the BarBend Equipment Testing methodology.

Materials: A running belt made with low-quality materials (or simply the wrong ones for the job) will likely jostle while you run, crumble under the elements, and allow sweat or rain to seep inside. We looked for belts made from materials that are resistant to water and sweat, breathable, and stretchy. We also considered the quality of the zippers and ripstop mesh when making our picks. 

Adjustability: Not only do you need a running belt that fits, but you also need to be able to adjust it when you’re wearing different clothing underneath or strapping in for different types of workouts. “A belt that doesn’t fit well is so annoying,” Meier says. “The constant jostling and movement of the belt is a distraction and can sometimes cause friction burns depending on where you wear it.” 

Storage: “My belt serves one main purpose: Hold my stuff,” Meier says. A running belt should have a secure pocket for your phone and keys, and for longer runs, additional space for nutrition, hydration, and extra layers may be necessary.

Hydration Capabilities: When running a half marathon, marathon, or ultramarathon, the ability to carry hydration on a running belt is key. When making our picks, we tested belts with built-in hydration capabilities and pockets for water bottles. 

Best Overall Running Belt: Inov-8 Race Elite Waist

This waist belt from Inov-8 seems to have it all, including (literal) bells and whistles you probably didn’t know you needed. And somehow, it’s still one of the cheaper options on this list, coming in at just $30. This features-for-dollar ratio is exactly what makes it our pick for the best running belt overall.

Let’s start with the basics: The zippered main compartment offers a whopping 3 liters’ worth of space, including a separate pocket for a 500-milliliter soft flask. There are loops for poles and stretchy outer mesh pockets for easy-grab items, plus bungee compression straps that can be tightened when you’re not carrying much (which helps eliminate bounce) or used to secure extra layers without taking up pocket space. 

“I like the combination of snaps, zipper, and Velcro to keep different sections closed. It makes it much more secure and gives me one less thing to worry about,” says Alex Polish, a BarBend editorial member and certified personal trainer who put this running belt to the test, scoring it 4 out of 5 overall.

Speaking of bounce, there shouldn’t be much of that. This is thanks to the unique dual-strap design with adjustable length and plastic buckle closure. Adjusting the straps can be a little tricky to figure out at first, but once you get the hang of it, the fit is great, Polish says, giving it a 4.5 out of 5 for comfort. “The only pain point is that my wife doesn’t really recommend it for sprinting. It’s much better for steady-state running workouts (it flops around a little too much with faster sprints).”

Polish gave the belt a solid 4 out of 5 for durability, too. The outer fabric is water resistant and the inner side is made of a breathable stretch mesh to allow for airflow. This running belt even comes with lifetime warranties on the waterproof GORE-TEX membrane and HYDRAPAK construction, plus a 12-month warranty from INOV-8. Finally, about that whistle: This running belt comes with an emergency whistle in case of emergency. 

Best Budget Running Belt: New Balance Running Stretch Belt

If you’re just getting started with running or aren’t sold on the whole belt concept yet, it can make sense to try a budget running belt first. This New Balance model is a great minimalist option; it has a single, stretchy main compartment that can fit your must-haves and costs the same as a month of Amazon Prime at $14.99.

Our tester, BarBend editorial member Matt Cummings, rated it a 3.5 out of 5 overall. The highlights? For one, this running belt is just so darn affordable — it’s probably cheaper than any other item you’ll wear to head out on a run. Also, “it’s incredibly light and small,” Cummings says, so it could be a good low-profile pick if you don’t want to feel weighed down while doing a sprint workout, but need a place to stash your keys or a credit card.

Since it’s so small, however, you can’t fit a lot inside. Cummings said he was able to fit his iPhone SE, but not much more. “I was able to squeeze my phone and keys in it, but that was about maximum capacity for this belt,” he says, giving it a 2 out of 5 for pocket size and a 3 out of 5 for functionality. 

He also found that the belt can slide up while you’re running. “During my run, the strap kept riding up too far above my hips. I had to continually slide it back down to a comfortable position,” he says. Truthfully, whether or not a running belt stays put is highly personal — for example, a reviewer on the New Balance site reports no issues with it moving around. This is all to say that it can take some trial and error to see which type is most comfortable for you.

“Overall, this running belt worked fine, but it was a bit uncomfortable and the pocket is very small,” Cummings said. At such an affordable price point, it’s a worthwhile buy for beginner runners or those trying a belt for the first time.

Best Reflective Running Belt: SPIBelt Reflective

Wearing reflective clothing can help you be visible while running in the morning or at night. A reflective running belt like the SPIBelt can help. (Alone, though, it likely isn’t enough; research shows that pedestrians are better perceived by drivers when they’re wearing reflective clothing on moving joints, which helps convey that it’s a human moving.) (1) Still, if you’re in the market for a running belt, it makes sense to get one that’ll keep you visible no matter what time you head out. 

Certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial member Kate Meier has worn the SPIBelt Reflective for more than 20 hours of interval running workouts and gives it a 4.5 out of 5 both overall and for its functionality. “This is a fantastic belt,” she says. “I love the material, I love how snugly it fits, and it truly doesn’t move when you run.” 

She scored it a 4.5 out of 5 for adjustability based on the fact that it fits waists from 25 to 38 inches — which doesn’t cover all runners, but fits many, including both her and her partner. “We have different-sized waists but we can both wear it because it’s so adjustable… he also had no issues with the belt moving or sliding, even when he ran shirtless and the belt was on his skin,” she said, scoring it a 5 out of 5 for comfort. 

She adds, “The pouch itself is a soft material that feels good on your skin. The clasp is very secure, and the elastic belt is a softer material that doesn’t create unnecessary friction.” Meier also gave it a 5 out of 5 for durability, and I have to agree: I’m a fellow SPIBelt user, and my model (black, non-reflective) has lasted about eight years.

The few downsides are that it’s not water-resistant and limited in size. The SPIBelt has a single main compartment with a zipper closure, and while it’s stretchy, Meier can’t fit much more than her iPhone 15 with a case on. “So I’d recommend this only if you need to keep a phone and a key in there and nothing else,” she says.

Best Running Belt With Storage: Ultimate Direction Mountain Belt

If you tend to go trail running in the mountains or train in fickle spring or fall weather, you know the importance of having an extra layer or a place to put one if you heat up. This Ultimate Direction Mountain Belt is one of the most spacious running belts we’ve seen, with plenty of storage space for whatever you need, including a light jacket, hiking poles, hydration, snacks, and more. 

In addition to a large main compartment, this running belt has a dedicated pocket for the included Flexform II 500-milliliter water bottle, a front-facing key pocket, and an external bungee cord in case you need to secure anything else. Because it can hold so much, this running belt can also be a great backpack alternative for longer walks or day hikes.

Our tester, BarBend editorial member Lauren Keary, scored it a 5 out of 5 for functionality, comfort, and durability. “It held my phone, keys, and water with ease. It’s a high-quality product and there’s no fraying or visible issues that would lead me to believe it won’t last,” she says. The belt’s main compartment is made with a woven ripstop mesh to prevent any tears from spreading, and to make sure it’s breathable when sitting on your skin. 

The downside there is that the mesh isn’t sweatproof, so during really hot workouts, whatever’s in the pouch may get damp. The outside, however, is water-resistant, which can help protect your phone or cash if you get caught in the rain. 

The belt even has a stretchy loop to secure the best sports water bottle in your collection. Keary, though, said it can be tricky to undo while you’re on the move. “Since the water bottle sits behind you, you have to know where to feel for the loop to undo it,” she says. “Otherwise, the belt stays in place well with a secure Velcro strap, and I didn’t even experience any bouncing with the water.” 

If you’re looking for a running belt that can hold plenty and doesn’t budge, this Ultimate Direction Mountain Belt could do the trick.

Best Running Belt for Hydration: Nathan Sports TrailMix Plus 3.0

Complete with two 10-ounce water bottles and built-in holsters, this Nathan hydration belt allows you to easily carry 600-milliliters of water (or one of the best electrolyte drinks) with you on a run. That might sound like a lot of liquid to strap onto a belt, but our tester, BarBend editorial member Matt Cummings, had only great things to say, scoring it 5 out of 5 overall.

“This was an incredibly comfortable and useful running belt,” he says. “The TrailMix Plus 3.0 was way more secure and stable than I expected. Even with both water bottles full, the strap remained snug just above my hips. There is, of course, a little movement, but as far as running belts go, this is the best one I’ve ever tried.” 

If anything, the bottles were a little too secure, making them slightly difficult to remove while running. “This is nitpicking because I thought the holsters were well-designed, but reaching back with one hand did require me to slow my pace a touch… It was fine taking these bottles out, but there was a little too much resistance and fiddling around for a perfect score,” he says, giving the belt a 4.5 out of 5 for functionality.

Meanwhile, it earned a perfect 5 out of 5 for both comfort and adjustability based on the storage options and great fit. “The strap is wide and there are two toggles to adjust the length, plus a band to prevent any slipping during a run. With the belt secured just above my hips, I also didn’t experience much bouncing,” he says. 

In addition to the bottle holsters, there’s a zippered main compartment (large enough to fit a smartphone) with an internal divider, an outside mesh pocket, and spots to secure the best energy gels or other small items using pinch-toggle bungee cords. 

One of the few downsides of this belt is that, if you’re heading out on a shorter run and don’t need two bottles’ worth of water, you can’t remove the plastic holsters and run with just the pouch.

Best Running Belt for All Body Types: Salomon Pulse

Most running belts come in one size and offer an adjustable band to help you personalize the fit. This means more plastic bits that could dig in, chafe uncomfortably, or fail to hold the straps in place — but that’s not the case with the Salomon Pulse running belt. This model comes in five different sizes that accommodate waists between 25 and 41 inches, making it accessible for runners of all sizes. Unique by design, the belt is constructed as a wide, solid tube of fabric with pockets stitched inside.

That said, since this belt isn’t adjustable, it’s important that you peep Salomon’s size chart so you buy the right size. “This belt slid up my waist as I was running and walking,” says Lauren Keary, our tester and a BarBend editorial member. She scored the belt a 4 out of 5 overall, and a 3 out of 5 for comfort. 

“I’d prefer a belt that I don’t have to constantly tug on during my workout. That said, I could have just not had the right size,” she says.

This Salomon belt has two horizontal pockets: one with a zipper to secure valuables, and an open-mouth easy-access pocket for things you might want to grab on the go, like gels or an sports drink. They’re large enough enough to hold a smartphone, for example, or a 500-milliliter soft hydration flask (sold separately). 

The Pulse belt also has reflective details for added safety, and two diagonal elastic straps with silicone grip for securing extra clothes or poles. “It kept all of my belongings in their respective pockets, but it did move up on my waist while I was running. If you’re looking for a snug fit, I’ve tested more secure belts. However, this gets the job done,” Keary says. 

As mentioned, the fit of running belts is super personal, so it’s worth noting that there are customers on Amazon who report zero movement with their belt.

Benefits of Running Belts

If you’ve done plenty of long runs, you already know how important it is to have the proper running fuel and hydration to get you through hours of pounding pavement. One of the key benefits of running belts is a place to store that grub. “I like a belt for really long runs when you know you’ll need mid-run energy boosts and hydration,” says Kate Meier, certified personal trainer and our expert reviewer. “When I was marathon training, I’d store a few running gels in my belt, which also could hold several small water bottles.” If you’re unacquainted, however, we’ll break down some of the key perks running with a belt can offer. 

Convenient Storage: Running belts allow you to bring your phone (for safety and entertainment purposes), house keys, wallet, and anything else you might need on your run. Unlike a backpack or other type of bag, a running belt is designed to fit tightly onto your body, so you don’t feel it while you run. 

Simplified Hydration: How much you should drink during a run is highly personal, but it’s essential to hydrate adequately before, during, and after runs to prevent dehydration. (2) Because running belts allow you to carry water or electrolytes with you, you can say goodbye to plotting routes around public water fountains or loops that go continuously past your car or house. 

Fewer Distractions: Many people find running belts to be the most comfortable way to hold onto their valuables while running, especially compared to the alternatives: stuffing things in pockets (where objects can jiggle or slip out), holding them in your hand, or sticking them in your sweaty sports bra (we know you’ve done it).

How Much Do Running Belts Cost?

Luckily, running belts aren’t pricey — they range from about $15 to $60. The cheaper options typically have a simpler, single-pouch design, and more expensive ones come with more storage and built-in hydration systems.

What to Consider Before Buying Running Belts

What do you really need in a running belt? “First thing I always think of is function,” says Kate Meier, certified personal trainer and our expert reviewer. “Is the belt big enough to fit what you need (phone, running gels, car key, etc.). And on top of that, is it secure enough?” Give these factors below some consideration; they’ll dictate which model might be best for you.

Fit

Most running belts are one-size-fits-most, but you’ll want to double check your own waist circumferences and compare it to the product details. Keep in mind: “Typically you wear a belt over your clothing, so the friction shouldn’t be an issue, but the sizing and adjustability is important,” Meier says. “Does it come in your size, and does it allow for micro-adjustments? I wouldn’t buy a belt that isn’t fully adjustable. First of all, on any given day, my waist size could vary due to bloating, food babies, etc. Second of all, some days you need a tight fit (maybe on speed work days when you don’t want a lot of jostling), and some days you’re fine with going a little looser.”

What Will You Be Carrying?

Do you just need a place to stash your keys? Will you bring your phone, and if so, how big is your current model? Do you hope to hold snacks or gels, water bottles or pouches, or an extra layer? Will you need an easy-to-reach compartment for poo bags or treats, if your dog tags along? Understanding your storage needs will greatly influence which type of running belt is right for you — and maybe even make you realize that one of the best running vests or arm bands would be better.

Safety

Running belts can also serve a safety purpose. “Many of them have reflective strips on them, which make you more visible in high-traffic areas,” Meier says. That’s an important feature to look for if you run early in the morning, late at night, or on busy roads or trails. “And of course, if they hold your phone, you have a way to call for  emergency help,” Meier says.

Running Belts FAQs

References

Wood, J. M. (2023). Improving the conspicuity and safety of pedestrians and cyclists on night-time roads. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 106(3), 227–237. 

Roy, Brad A. Ph.D., FACSM, FACHE. (2013). Exercise and Fluid Replacement: Brought to you by the American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, 17(4):p 3.

The post Best Running Belts of 2024, Worn and Tested By Our Experts appeared first on BarBend.

Whether you’re a fan of weightlifting (the sport), or you just like lifting weights (the hobby), you’ve probably seen Italian weightlifters on your Explore feed once or twice.

Over the past few years, Team Italy’s strongest men and women have captured the hearts and minds of millions online. But at the 2024 Olympics, Europe’s most popular weightlifting roster dropped the ball — or, rather, the bar — and hard. 

Three Italian weightlifters competed at the Olympics in Paris this summer. 

Antonino Pizzolato came away with a controversial bronze medal.

Lucrezia Magistris finished 11th out of 12 in her class.

Sergio Massidda, a podium candidate, bombed out and didn’t finish. 

Meanwhile, two of their biggest thumb-stoppers on social media failed to even qualify. Team Italy’s fame and legions of followers didn’t materialize into success on the weightlifting stage, which begs the question: What the hell happened?

Italian Weightlifters, Explained

At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Italian weightlifters won more medals than any other European team. Their success in an Olympic event largely dominated by Asian countries, plus a few of their rising stars catching the current on social media, put Team Italy toward the forefront of weightlifting dialogue.

Italy’s weightlifters live up to their country’s reputation — they’re fierce, open-hearted competitors who are not afraid to make their emotions plain on the competition stage, win or lose. By contrast, weightlifters from other countries where the sport thrives, such as China, are often more restrained. 

After Tokyo, Team Italy came out swinging when their 81-kilogram bronze medalist Pizzolato set the inaugural clean & jerk world record in the heavier 89-kilogram category at the 2022 European Championships. Pizzolato would be the only Italian weightlifter from Tokyo to make it to Paris.

Of the other Tokyo veterans, only Zanni made a real run at Paris. The 26-year-old ranked 12th at the end of the qualification period.

The bulk of Team Italy’s social media fame is scaffolded by “the Giulias”. Giulia Imperio (49KG) has nearly 800,000 followers on Instagram and is the ‘22 European Champion. Giulia Miserendino (71KG) has a little over 250,000 and is the 2021 Junior World Championships runner-up.

Double-bronzer Pizzolato is Team Italy’s most successful men’s weightlifter of the past five years. “Nino” has a following of 110,000 on the ‘Gram, the primary hub for weightlifting content on social media. 

Despite their popularity, neither Imperio nor Miserendino made the cut for Paris. The former failed to keep pace with the other lightweight women in her class; the latter was injured trying. The three Italian weightlifters who appeared on stage in the South Paris Arena struggled in a similar fashion.

Italian Weightlifters at the 2024 Olympics

None of the three Italian weightlifters who lifted in Paris — 61KG Massidda, 59KG Magistris, and 89KG medalist Pizzolato — successfully lifted even half of all their competition attempts. Magistris and Pizzolato were successful 33% of the time. Massidda? An extremely uncharacteristic 0%. 

How many lifts you “make” or “miss” doesn’t necessarily matter, but a “6-for-6” performance generally indicates technical mastery, on-stage confidence, and smart coaching choices.

Sergio Massidda (61KG)

“Of all the Italians, Massidda is the one I’d put money on for a medal,” said Weightlifting House commentators Seb Ostrowicz and Max Aita in a Jun. 21 predictions podcast. BarBend had predicted Massidda to win silver before the Games.

Heading into the first weightlifting event of the 2024 Olympics, the youngest Italian weightlifter in Paris ranked third behind Team USA’s Hampton Morris and gold-medal favorite Li Fabin of China.

Massidda, regarded as having some of the smoothest technique in his category, had performed well in recent competitions prior:

2024 IWF World Cup (67KG): 317KG, 66% successful attempts

2024 European Championships (67KG): 303KG, 50% successful attempts

2023 World Championships (61KG): 302KG, 66% successful attempts

But Massidda missed all three of his snatches at 132, 134, and 134 kilograms at the Olympics. Across his 22 international appearances since 2017, he’d never bombed out — a happy anomaly for Italian weightlifters. 

In fairness, Massidda wasn’t the only one to fumble the bag. Five of the dozen 61KG competitors did not post Totals on Aug. 7.

Lucrezia Magistris (59KG)

For better or worse, Magistris didn’t perform unexpectedly in Paris. The 25-year-old had only made it into the top 20 at her last few World Championships once. While trying to qualify for Paris, Magistris succeeded at a meager 21.4% of her 42 competition attempts across seven events.

Initially, Magistris wasn’t in the 59KG weightlifting top 10 and thus didn’t have a Paris ticket. Stronger athletes from other countries would opt out of the category and allowed Magistris to squeeze into the final slot with her 217-kilogram Total. 

Magistris entered the 2024 Olympics at the tail end of the pack and finished there as well. She made her second snatch (96 kilograms) and her final clean & jerk (112) only, and Totaled 208; 22 kilograms away from the bronze medalist. 

Antonino Pizzolato (89KG)

Pizzolato’s bronze medal in Tokyo was a big deal. Prior to 2021, Italy hadn’t won a medal in weightlifting since 1984 (though they have a couple golds in the interim from the Youth Olympics). Helping to end that drought and then snagging a Senior world record was a good omen per gli Italiani.

Pizzolato planted Italy’s flag in the newly-announced-for-Paris 89KG division with a career-best Total of 392 at the 2022 European Championships. However, while attempting to qualify for the 2024 Olympics Pizzolato could not seem to break past 380: 

2023 IWF Grand Prix II (Dec. ‘23): 380

2024 European Championships (Feb. ‘24): 380

2024 IWF World Cup (Apr. ‘24): 380

Pizzolato even hit the exact same weights, 170 kilograms in the snatch and 210 in the clean & jerk, thrice in a row at these events before qualification for Paris ended.

Nino displayed a flash of brilliance at ‘24 Europeans in February when he cleaned 222 kilograms in a desperate bid to outdo longtime rival (and 2024 Olympic Champion) Karlos Nasar of Bulgaria in front of Nasar’s home crowd in Sofia. 

In Paris, Pizzolato fared slightly better, Totaling 384 and scraping bronze despite making only two of six attempts; his second snatch (172) and final clean & jerk (212). Pizzolato collapsed on stage after receiving the “down” signal on his final try, seemingly distraught at the prospect of having bombed out on the Olympic stage.

Controversy bubbled in the South Paris Arena when the competition jury decided to grant Pizzolato his final clean & jerk after it was initially declared invalid by the judges. He had failed to keep his arms straight and rigid with the bar held over his head, which constitutes a “no-lift” at weightlifting meets. 

Moldovan athlete Marin Robu was bumped to 4th as a result of this call. Afterward, Robu took to social media to repeatedly call for “justice” to be done.

Going for Broke

You can’t look at all the red on Team Italy’s scoreboard in a vacuum. It’s a consequence of two years of going for broke at weightlifting meets.

The qualification procedure for Paris hopefuls was brutally straightforward. The TL;DR is, to make it into one of Paris’ five Men’s or Women’s weightlifting events, you had to be among the top 10 strongest people in those categories by the end of April 2024. 

Many countries based their strategy around gaming this simplistic qualification system — none more pointedly than Italy. 

“The Italians open too heavy,” said House founder Ostrowicz in Jan. 2023. “They load what they need to break into the top 10, try to lift those numbers, rinse, and repeat.”

[Opinion: Why Weightlifting Sucks to Watch in 2024]

Ostrowicz is on the money. At the 2024 European Championships, Magistris declared a 225-kilogram preliminary entry Total. Her best Total ever, from Europeans ‘24, is 217. The Italian weightlifters’ all-or-nothing approach contributed to a heartbreaking finish for 49-kilogram Imperio and for 71-kilogram Miserendino, an injury. 

Imperio fought hard for a 49-kilogram slot in Paris, but the 22-year-old reached further than her grasp. She bombed out at the last two qualifying events. 

In February, at Europeans, she failed thrice trying to snatch 83 kilograms — a weight she had matched or exceeded five times in the past.

In April during the World Cup, she bombed clean & jerks at 104, three kilograms heavier than she’d ever done.

Miserendino had fared comparably in the 71s. Early in the qualification cycle, she showed some light with a top-10 finish at Worlds ‘22, including an impressive 110-kilogram snatch. 

Miserendino couldn’t match the pace of the other 71-kilo women. At the last-chance qualifier, she withdrew after injuring her hip on her second snatch attempt.

Italian weightlifters as a collective were successful 22% of the time on stage at the 2024 Olympics. Their bold but unrefined strategy to the Paris qualification system culminated in a pile of missed lifts and one medal with an asterisk attached. 

No one besides the athletes themselves and their coaches really know what went on for Team Italy in Paris. If weightlifting success was based solely on social media engagement, Italian weightlifters would run the board at every event they attended. 

Between competitions, Team Italy’s weightlifting operation is anything but haphazard. Italian weightlifters have access to technologies ranging from red light therapy to on-staff massage therapists and rely heavily on technical analysis and replays in training. 

During an interview published on Aug. 8, head coach Sebastiano Corbu remarked on the system he had developed for Team Italy: “We did our best to prepare [for the Olympics],” Corbu said. “We prefer a small number of athletes that can guarantee a result.” 

No system is perfect. 

More Weightlifting From the 2024 Olympics

Is Mihaela Cambei Weightlifting’s Next Superstar?

Lasha Talakhadze Speaks on Retirement After Winning Third Olympic Gold

Solfrid Koanda Went From Electrician to Olympic Champion in 3 Years

Featured Image: @yks.media / Instagram

The post Italian Weightlifters Are Social Media Stars, but They Blew It at the 2024 Olympics appeared first on BarBend.

Retired IFBB Pro Men’s Open bodybuilder Eugene Mishin, also known as Evgeny Mishin, has died. He was 48 years old. Dave Palumbo of RxMuscle broke the news on his Instagram page, confirming Mishin’s passing on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.

According to Palumbo, Mishin stopped breathing, and paramedics tried reviving him for 45 minutes. Mishin’s death was unexpected as he was active on his Instagram account less than 24 hours before his passing. No cause of death is confirmed at the time of this article’s publication.

Mishin’s pro bodybuilding career began in 2002 after he won the IFBB European Championships. He competed from 2003 until 2011. Mishin did not win a pro show, but he competed on the Mr. Olympia stage in 2010 and 2011 thanks to his top three placings in the Orlando Pro in those seasons — a top-three finish in any show garnered an Olympia qualification at the time.

Eugene Mishin’s Pro Bodybuilding Career

As documented by Muscle Memory, Mishin’s nine-year and 18-show contest history is below:

2003

Night of Champions — Did not place

2006

Colorado Pro Championships –- Did not place

Ironman Pro Invitational — Did not place

New York Pro Championships — Did not place

San Francisco Pro — Did not place

2007

Atlantic City Pro –- Did not place

Europa Supershow — Open, Sixth place

2008

Europa Supershow –- Did not place

Houston Pro Championships –- 10th place

New York Pro Championships –- 15th place

Tampa Pro Championships — Did not place

2009

Ironman Pro Invitational –- Did not place

New York Pro Championships –- Eighth place

2010

New York Pro Championships –- Sixth place

Orlando Show of Champions — Third place

Olympia –- 17th place

2011

Orlando Show of Champions — Third place

Olympia –- Did not place

Mishin never competed again after the 2011 Mr. Olympia contest in Las Vegas, NV, won by Phil Heath. Away from the stage, Mishin was known for his work as an actor in various commercials, such as the one below for DirecTV:

In recent years, Mishin has been active as a coach for other bodybuilders. Funeral arrangements were not publicly available at the time this article was published.

Mishin’s passing is the latest of several deaths that have affected the bodybuilding world, including other pros such as Figure competitors Daniela Schulz and Cintia Goldani, Men’s Open athletes Kristoffer Berner, Doug Fruchey, Kevin Gebhardt, and NPC competitor Daniel Broadhurst.

Featured Image: @ifbbpro_eugenemishin on Instagram

The post Former Pro Bodybuilder Eugene Mishin Passed Away at 48 Years Old appeared first on BarBend.

It all started in 2019. 

A man in his 50s with Parkinson’s disease showed up at Lourdez Schwab’s gym, and she couldn’t say no.

“He had been traveling a couple hours to another gym with a program for people with Parkinson’s, and he didn’t want to travel so far,” Schwab, the nine-year owner of Bar Path CrossFit in Willmar, MN, said.

That opened the floodgates, as pretty soon, the man brought in others with Parkinson’s, a degenerative nervous system disease that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements.

“We weren’t even sure how to begin a program for people with Parkinson’s,” Schwab explained.

She was determined to figure it out, so she and her husband Jason started visiting the gym two hours away to learn from their Rock Steady Boxing program for those with Parkinson’s.

One thing led to another, and before she knew it, she had designed a program that combined Rock Steady Boxing with CrossFit and was training 40 men in their 70s, 80s, and 90s at different stages of the disease. 

Credit: Lourdez Schwab

[Related: Best Pre-Workout Supplements]

“We didn’t have the capacity, but they just kept coming to us and so we opened our hearts to it. And we started making them stronger,” she said. “Their wives would drop off their husbands and go to coffee together and talk about their stresses, so the gym became a thing for them, too. And for the members with Parkinson’s, their class became their community.”

She added: “We’d have men who could barely make it in the door without assistance, and now [they’re] playing kickball and jumping up and tapping [their] toes.”

A Bump in the Road

Needless to say, the program was thriving, and the progress the men were seeing was remarkable.

That is until COVID-19 hit. By the fall of 2020, the program had all but collapsed, as many were scared to come to the gym. Schwab thought maybe her time coaching this demographic had come to an end.

Then, earlier in 2024, a good friend of hers was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and Schwab couldn’t help herself. 

She invited him into the gym and so it began again.

[Read: Best Greens Powders]

Today, Schwab is rebuilding the program, although this time, she’s training people in a one-on-one setting instead of a group. She has also expanded to working with other older adults with various diseases, including her 77-year-old mother, who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney disease.

So far, so good. 

Her mother, who also has Type 2 diabetes, has already improved her A1C (average blood glucose) levels and has significantly reduced her insulin dose since training with Schwab.

“This demographic needs to be taken care of, and even more so as they get stronger. They always want to do more, and they do. We just make sure they do it safely,” she said.

The Big Picture

For Schwab, working with older and elderly adults with Parkinson’s and other diseases has become her purpose as a coach. Nothing is more rewarding, and it “brings life back to you,” she explained. 

“Seeing them on day one, feeling depressed and hopeless and dragging their feet, to skipping, yes skipping across the gym, is just priceless,” Schwab said.

She added: “They show up. They never give up. They work hard. This demographic is a great example of some of the most coachable people we come across. And it allows us coaches to see the real results of how exercise and nutrition can be learned at any age and humans can make progress no matter how progressive the disease is.”

Featured image: Lourdez Schwab

The post Bar Path CrossFit Helps Dozens of Elderly Men With Parkinson’s Disease appeared first on BarBend.

In a recent YouTube video, 2023 World’s Strongest Man, Mitchell Hooper, breaks down the eight worst exercises for building strength. 

While any resistance training has its benefits, some moves are simply holding you back—or worse, putting you at risk. 

Ready to find out which popular exercises might be sabotaging your gains and learn smarter alternatives? Keep reading to discover how to train like a champion and maximize your strength.

1. Dumbbell Bench Press: Instability Limits Strength Gains

Why It’s Ineffective: The dumbbell bench press might seem like a staple in any strength routine, but its instability can actually hold you back. 

As you increase in strength, the challenge of getting heavy dumbbells into position and maintaining balance throughout the movement becomes a logistical nightmare. 

This instability not only limits the amount of weight you can press but also puts unnecessary stress on your joints.

Better Alternative: Barbell Bench Press
Switch to the barbell bench press for a more stable and effective strength-building exercise. The barbell allows you to lift heavier weights with greater control, reducing the risk of injury and maximizing your strength gains. 

Plus, it’s easier to set up and spot, making it a safer option for pushing your limits.

2. Bamboo Bar Exercises: Instability Overload

Why It’s Ineffective: Bamboo bars and similar tools that emphasize instability might look cool, but they’re not doing your strength any favors. 

These bars wobble and bend, forcing your stabilizer muscles to work overtime. 

However, this focus on stability over raw power means you’re lifting significantly less weight than you could with a regular bar, which stunts your strength progress.

Better Alternative: Axle Bar or Stiff Bar Lifts
For true strength gains, opt for a stiff or axle bar. These tools provide a stable platform, allowing you to focus on lifting heavy and building raw power. 

You’ll develop more strength in the primary muscles involved without the unnecessary distraction of excessive instability.

3. Bicep Curls: Isolation Over Integration

Why It’s Ineffective: While bicep curls are a gym favorite, they fall short when it comes to building overall strength. 

As an isolation exercise, they only work one muscle group, which doesn’t translate well to functional strength or compound lifts. 

Moreover, excessive focus on bicep curls can lead to muscle imbalances and even hinder your performance in more critical lifts like squats and deadlifts.

Better Alternative: Underhand Barbell Rows
Replace bicep curls with underhand barbell rows. 

This compound movement not only targets your biceps but also engages your back, shoulders, and core, making it a far more effective exercise for building total body strength. 

You’ll also improve your pulling power, which is crucial for exercises like deadlifts and rows.

4. Deadlifting Without Straps: Grip Limits Potential

Why It’s Ineffective: Deadlifting without straps might seem like a way to build grip strength, but it often limits your ability to lift heavier weights. 

Your grip is likely to give out before your back and legs do, which means you’re not fully tapping into your strength potential during deadlifts.

Better Alternative: Deadlifting with Straps
Using straps allows you to lift more weight without worrying about your grip giving out. 

This way, you can focus on training your larger muscle groups and truly maximizing your deadlift strength. If you want to train your grip, do so separately with dedicated grip-strengthening exercises.

5. Loaded Spanish Squats: Unsafe Shear Stress on Knees

Why It’s Ineffective: Loaded Spanish squats put your knees in a precarious position by introducing high shear forces. 

While these squats might seem like a good way to isolate the quads, they can easily lead to knee injuries, especially when you start adding weight.

Better Alternative: Close-Stance Leg Press
To safely target your quads, opt for the close-stance leg press. This exercise allows you to load your quads effectively without putting unnecessary stress on your knees. 

Plus, the controlled environment of the leg press machine ensures that your joints are protected while you build strength.

6. Unsupported Nordic Curls: High Injury Risk

Why It’s Ineffective: Nordic curls are often praised for their hamstring benefits, but doing them without support can be risky. 

The high eccentric load increases the risk of muscle tears, particularly if you’re not an elite athlete. This exercise can also strain your knees and lower back.

Better Alternative: Safety Bar Squat Good Mornings
For a safer and more effective way to strengthen your posterior chain, try safety bar squat good mornings. 

This exercise targets your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back while also building core stability. It’s a great way to enhance your strength without the injury risk associated with unsupported Nordic curls.

7. Partial Squats: Inefficient and Overloads the Nervous System

Why It’s Ineffective: Partial squats might allow you to lift heavier weights, but they only strengthen a limited range of motion. 

This not only fails to develop full-body strength but also places undue stress on your nervous system, leading to fatigue and potential overtraining.

Better Alternative: Full Pin Squats
For a more effective squat variation, try full pin squats. This exercise allows you to train the entire range of motion, engaging more muscle groups and building balanced strength. 

Additionally, pin squats reduce the strain on your nervous system by eliminating the stretch-shortening cycle, making them a safer option for heavy lifting.

8. Shrugs: Narrow Focus with Limited Benefits

Why It’s Ineffective: Shrugs are often done to build traps, but they offer little benefit when it comes to overall strength. 

The movement is highly isolated, focusing only on the upper traps, and doesn’t contribute much to functional strength or compound lifts.

Better Alternative: Rack Pulls
For better upper back development and overall strength, replace shrugs with rack pulls. This exercise engages your traps, lats, and lower back, making it a more comprehensive strength-building movement. 

Rack pulls also help improve your deadlift and squat by reinforcing proper posture and thoracic extension.

Conclusion

When your goal is to build serious strength, every exercise in your routine should contribute effectively to that goal. 

The exercises listed above may have their place in other fitness contexts, but if pure strength is what you’re after, they’re not worth your time. By swapping these out for the suggested alternatives, you’ll be on your way to a stronger, more powerful physique. 

Remember, the key to strength training is not just lifting heavy but doing so in a way that maximizes gains while minimizing risk.

When Colombian weightlifter Luis Javier Mosquera finished lifting at the 2024 Olympics, he celebrated his final clean & jerk with a backflip on stage. 

Mosquera didn’t win a medal in the Men’s 73KG weightlifting event in Paris on Aug. 8; he placed fifth and missed the podium for the first time (Mosquera won bronze in 2016 and silver in 2020) in his Olympic career. So what the heck was he celebrating? 

If you were asked to name some of the most acrobatic athletes at the Olympic Games, weightlifters probably wouldn’t be at the front of your mind. Yet the Olympic lifting pros who qualify for and make it to the Games have serious hops, and they aren’t afraid to show off how explosive they are.

As it turns out, the strength weightlifters need to excel in the sport makes them pretty springy, too. So we asked one of the Paris medalists why weightlifters love doing backflips so much. 

[Related: Best Weightlifting Shoes for Beginners]

Why Weightlifters Love Doing Backflips

Mosquera may not have made it to the 73-kilogram podium, but his Bulgarian competitor Bozhidar Andreev sure did. He took the stage in Paris hot off a win at the 2024 European Championships in front of a home crowd in Sofia. Andreev knows how to work a crowd and often incorporates backflips into his post-lifting celebratory routine. 

“It’s something I like to do when I perform well,” Andreev told BarBend correspondent Brian Oliver through an interpreter. “I’ve always done it.” 

Andreev’s reasoning is almost frustratingly straightforward, but it makes sense. Success on the weightlifting stage takes speed, strength, and plenty of grit. Athletes celebrate their achievements in all sorts of ways; some shout or pump their fists, others take a polite bow. Some do backflips.

Andreev would be the only 73KG weightlifter to end with a perfect, six-lift-six-make performance, a commendable standard given the fiery climate in his division. 

“Every kilogram was carefully measured,” Andreev told Bulgarian reporters shortly after accepting his medal. “Achieving six successful attempts was no accident.” 

Given his calculated, medal-winning performance, we were surprised to see Andreev depart the South Paris Arena stage by solemnly blowing kisses to the audience instead of hitting his signature backflip. Andreev has announced he won’t continue competing in weightlifting and plans to take a “significant break.” 

Andreev and Mosquera aren’t the only famous flippers seen on weightlifting’s biggest stages. Venezuela’s Julio Mayora, who also lifted in the 73KG event in Paris, famously busted the move on the Tokyo lifting platform.

Great Britain’s super-heavy women’s weightlifter, Emily Campbell, performed a cartwheel on the final day of weightlifting in Paris to celebrate her bronze medal in the Women’s +81KG.

The same world-class leg strength that enables weightlifters to catapult barbells high overhead also gives them incredible jumping skills. In fact, many medal-winning Olympic lifters, such as Tokyo 2020 Team USA silver medalist Kate Vibert, have backgrounds in gymnastics that they then apply to the barbell. 

Weightlifters are hardly muscle-bound brutes. A 2022 systematic review comparing weightlifting training to traditional weight-lifting concluded, “[weightlifting] may confer additional benefits above that of traditional resistance training, resulting in greater improvements in jumping performance.” (1)

In the moments before Mosquera attempted his last lift — a 189-kilogram clean & jerk, which would have matched bronze medalist Andreev — Mosquera hyped himself up with shouts of “Duro, duro!” He wasn’t successful. 

Yet Mosquera drew a big round of applause from the crowd when he very nonchalantly busted out a pristine backflip before descending the stage for the last time. Weightlifters bristle with explosive power, and they love showing it off. 

Mosquera was just happy to be there. 

More Weightlifting From the 2024 Olympics

Is Mihaela Cambei Weightlifting’s Next Superstar?

Weightlifting Rule Leaves Super-Heavy Athletes Breathless at 2024 Olympics

Solfrid Koanda Worked as an Electrician 3 Years Before She Won the 2024 Olympics

References

Morris SJ, Oliver JL, Pedley JS, Haff GG, Lloyd RS. Comparison of Weightlifting, Traditional Resistance Training and Plyometrics on Strength, Power and Speed: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2022 Jul;52(7):1533-1554. doi: 10.1007/s40279-021-01627-2. Epub 2022 Jan 13. PMID: 35025093; PMCID: PMC9213388.

Featured Image: PanAm Sports Organization

The post Win or Lose, Weightlifters Love Doing Backflips When They Compete appeared first on BarBend.

For more than 15 years, the Affiliate Cup at the CrossFit Games has been an ode to the heart of what makes the CrossFit community so special. 

It’s a love letter to the CrossFit community as affiliates from around the world put their best athletes forward to come together and push each other to new levels of fitness. 

This year, we felt that sentiment more than ever.

On the morning of Thursday, August 8, before the start of the team competition, the individual division faced a tragedy that would cause shockwaves through the CrossFit community. 

After individual athlete Lazar Đukić drowned during Event 1, the field of athletes, including the team division, became paralyzed as they worked through the grief of what they just experienced. 

The first team event was canceled, and fans and spectators were asked to leave. 

While it was unclear if the competition would continue, CrossFit HQ announced on Thursday night that it would proceed with the Games.

[Related: Athletes Withdraw From 2024 CrossFit Games Following Death of Lazar Đukić]

While two teams, CrossFit Walleye Orka and C23 CrossFit The Progrm Motion, chose to withdraw from the competition, the remaining teams found a number of ways to honor Đukić:

At the start of the team competition in heat one, CrossFit Butchers Lab Flaek remained at their starting mats for one minute after the call of “3, 2, 1…Go.”

In heat two, all other teams followed suit except for CrossFit Mayhem, whose team captain, Angelo Dicicco, chose not to observe the moment. Instead, Dicicco chose to compete “as fiercely as [Ðukić] did” on the floor.

Later in the weekend, the teams gathered once again after Event 6 for a moment of silence to honor Đukić’s memory.

While Đukić’s memory and incredible legacy remained at the forefront of everyone’s minds throughout the weekend, the team competition continued to showcase the work and dedication the athletes put into their sport. 

Here are the top stories from the weekend.

The Affiliate Cup Heads Overseas

For the first time since the start of the team competition, the Affiliate Cup will leave the United States and journey to Raw Iron CrossFit after Kara Saunders, Khan Porter, James Newbury, and Emily de Rooy became the first Australian affiliate and the first international affiliate to stand atop the podium.

Throughout the weekend, Raw Iron CrossFit Mayhem Thunder proved that experience and teamwork were the keys to victory.

The team only finished one event outside the top five and four of seven events in the top three.

While their celebration was modest out of respect for the sentiment of the weekend, there is no doubt that this was a deserved win for the four former individual Games athletes. It was extra poignant for Saunders, a 10-time individual Games athlete who announced her retirement on the floor following her team’s win.

[Read: Best Upper Body Exercises]

“It turns out, in order to be a winner, I needed my people; I needed my community around me,” she said, fighting back tears as she reflected on her more than 10-year journey to the top of the podium. “I wasn’t supposed to do it on my own.”

Raw Iron teammate James Newbury added, “This group has embodied what it means to be a team. To stand atop the podium at the CrossFit Games is a dream that I never even dreamed, to be honest.”

Raw Iron CrossFit Mayhem Thunder wasn’t the only team from down under that found themselves on the podium this year.

Last year, CrossFit Torian finished 30th at the Games. This year, they were back for redemption with a nearly identical roster (Jack Jeffrey replaced Brandon Swan).

“We came here to put our best foot forward,” Royce Dunn said after their Friday night event win.

“The record itself doesn’t really drive us,” he continued, alluding to the fact that prior to 2024, an Australian team had never finished inside the top six.

Seeing Double (or Triple) on the Leaderboard 

If you had to do a double-take after seeing Mayhem’s name three times in the top five on the leaderboard, you weren’t the only one.

After Rich Froning retired in 2022, Mayhem took a brief hiatus from dominating the leaderboard, with only one team, CrossFit Mayhem Independence, finishing in the top 10.

This year, Mayhem returned to dominate as five teams competed under the banner.

At the end of the weekend, three Mayhem teams finished in the top five, with two of them sitting on the podium, including Raw Iron CrossFit Mayhem Thunder, who took home the affiliate cup.

Mayhem wasn’t the only team with multiple banner teams. All four Kriger banner teams finished in the top 20, with CrossFit Oslo Kriger BLST taking home seventh overall. CrossFit Invictus also placed both of their teams inside the top 10 overall.

The Earthworm Returns

Saturday afternoon brought the return (from 2023) of the Rogue Earthworn.

The worm has been a staple in the team division at the CrossFit Games, appearing in some fashion every year since its introduction in 2013.

Though the actual worm has evolved over the years, the most recent iteration, the four-person worm, has been in every Affiliate Cup competition since 2018.

In 2023, the Earthworm put a new twist on the four-person worm.

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Each section of the Earthworm is handled separately by athletes as an individual section, making it harder for teammates to pick up the slack for another teammate in the weight category.

Two of the sections weigh 100 pounds each, and the other two weigh 125 pounds each. This brings the total to 450 pounds, which is 85 pounds heavier than the original worm.

Mexico’s First CrossFit Games Team 

For the first time in CrossFit Games history, Mexico sent a team to the affiliate cup.

Despite it being their rookie year for all but one team member, the team still managed to finish 14th overall.

This team also marked Paulina Haro’s return to the Games. Between 2018 and 2021, she competed three times in the teen division, earning herself a third-place finish in her final year.

The Big Picture 

Despite the somber circumstances surrounding the event, the 2024 Affiliate Cup was a true testament to the power of the CrossFit community. 

As the athletes in the team division rallied together to support each other through a time of immense grief and heartache, we saw the essence of what makes CrossFit so special: It’s a community that stands to lift each other up, whether in moments of tragedy or triumph. 

As we look back on the weekend’s competition, we see more than just strength in fitness. We see the strength of the unbreakable bonds formed both on and off the competition floor.

Final 2024 CrossFit Games Team Leaderboard

Featured image: @rawiron / Instagram

The post 2024 CrossFit Games Recap: Team Division Dominance From Australia appeared first on BarBend.