The 2024 HYROX Katowice race occurred on Feb. 24, 2024, in Katowice, Poland. The HYROX Pro and HYROX Pro Doubles divisions were featured for the sport’s standard race comprised of eight functional fitness stations intertwined with eight one-kilometer runs.

Lucy Procter of the UK and Eugenio Bianchi of Italy were the first athletes to cross the finish line for the Individual Women’s and Individual Men’s races, respectively. Bianchi and runner-up Krystian Poremba of the UK were the only Individual athletes to score sub-60-minute race times.

In the Doubles Pro division, Dominika Gnaś and Natalia Wesołowska, and Timo Van Der Meer and Frederic Legatzki stood atop the podiums for the women’s and men’s divisions, respectively.

[Related: 2024 HYROX Icheon Results — Heck, Cheung Win]

[Related: 2024 HYROX Dubai Results — Mrabet, Skillen Crowned Champions]

2024 HYROX Katowice Results

Below are the full results for all four pro divisions contested in Poland:

HYROX Pro Women

Lucy Procter — 1:06:43

Daniela Couto — 1:10:40

Steph Buckley — 1:14:12

Ewa Kopczak-Chudzio — 1:17:29

Catherine Rae — 1:19:18

Kirsty Keating — 1:19:28

Oline K Skarsbakk — 1:20:15

Agnieszka Maciejewska — 1:20:34

Viktorija Jefimova — 1:21:08

Caroline Opitz —1:21:42

HYROX Pro Men

Eugenio Bianchi — 59:21

Krystian Poremba — 59:54

Sigurjon Sturluson — 1:02:19

Ciaran Parkinson — 1:02:43

Domen Dornik — 1:04:06

Pawel Gramacki — 1:06:51

Jaafar Moumen — 1:07:15

Anthony Towler — 1:08:36

Jan Erben — 1:09:03

Reynaldo Latinne — 1:09:14

HYROX Pro Doubles Women

Dominika Gnaś, Natalia Wesołowska — 1:08:25

Cat Fahey, Sarah Ladbrooke — 1:19:45

Dobroslawa Jaworska, Elżbieta Rydzewska — 1:20:44

Aneta Stempka, Olga Limanowska — 1:21:14

Litumba Hundertmarck, Alicja Jankowiak — 1:22:30

Ieva Norytė, Monika Miliauskaite — 1:24:33

Dominika Podsiadlo, Isabell Petzold — 1:30:37

Adrianna Badran, Katarzyna Wyrobek — 1:31:14

Sabina Labuz, Katarzyna Urbanska-Kulon — 1:46:03

HYROX Pro Doubles Men

Timo Van Der Meer, Frederic Legatzki — 55:57

Maciej Wegorzewski, Pawel Kozak — 56:17

Loris Kotte, Nico Thomas — 59:58

Bartosz Jarzembowski, Mateusz Kosmalski — 1:01:38

Przemysław Bieliński, Szymon Kiwała — 1:04:02

Stephen Walker, Khalil Griffin — 1:04:58

Przemyslaw Tarka, Radoslaw Ociepka — 1:05:06

Bartek Lipka, Amadeusz Bobrowicz — 1:05:42

Robert Kolera, Dominik Kolera — 1:08

Patryk Kwaśny, Tomasz Michalski — 1:08:26

On the same day as the 2024 HYROX Katowice race, the 2024 HYROX Fort Lauderdale race also occurred. In addition to the Pro and Pro Doubles races, HYROX Fort Lauderdale also featured GORUCK divisions for Individuals and Doubles.

[Related: HYROX to Expand to Canada in October 2024]

More HYROX Results

2024 HYROX Bilbao Results — Poremba, Obank Triumphant

2024 HYROX European Championships Results — Roncevic, Weeks Go Back-To-Back

2024 HYROX Turin Results

Featured image: @_lucyprocter on Instagram

The post 2024 HYROX Katowice Results — Procter, Bianchi Victorious appeared first on BarBend.

Jen Dant was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2022. She’s just 32. Her cancer has since progressed to stage 4, which has expedited her treatment and overall everyday needs. 

CrossFit Equity, a gym owned by Dant’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law, plans to host a virtual and in-person 5K event to raise money for Dant’s treatment and care. While she isn’t local to the Elkton, MD, area, where CrossFit Equity is located, members of the gym and the local community have come together for the cause. 

[Read: Meet Dylan Gibbs: The First U.S. Male Collegiate Functional Fitness National Champion]

Krista Bryan, co-owner of CrossFit Equity and sister-in-law to Dant, shared Dant’s emotional story and all that she’s endured since her diagnosis. 

“Jen will be 33 in May. She’s very young to be diagnosed with cervical cancer,” Bryan tells the Morning Chalk Up. “[Jen and her husband Nate] currently live out in Wyoming, but between seasonal jobs, they’d come and live back [in Maryland]. And before she got sicker, she was doing some CrossFit at our gym and a gym in Wyoming.” 

“But she’s at a point where her body can’t tolerate that much anymore.” 

Dant announced her updated diagnosis to the family this past January. When they heard the news, “some other friends from the gym who are around different states said they wanted to organize a 5K, and we kind of just collaborated.” 

“It’s a virtual 5K run, so anyone can do it, and we’re doing it onsite at our gym. Her treatment will end around March, and she will need extra funds to pay for medical bills,” Bryan says. 

The details: The event, named “Live Like Jen,” is on Saturday, March 23, and those who sign up can do it as a normal 5K run/walk or can do the 5K distance on an erg machine if they’re in person. All funds raised will go directly to Dant’s medical expenses. 

The event costs $25 to sign up for in-person and virtual. Those who come in person can purchase T-shirts, participate in a silent auction, and even jump around in a moon bounce. 

“We consider our gym like a second family. Our members are always supportive of everything we do. Even friends and family that have businesses are donating items for a silent auction as well,” Bryan says. 

“Jen is super caring and supportive and is just a wonderful person to help and be with my brother. She takes care of my child like she would her own. She is very selfless and positive through it all.”  

While Dant is not doing CrossFit currently, the community rallying around her during this difficult time exemplifies the strength of the fitness community as a whole.

How You Can Help

The diagnosis has not only impacted Dant’s fitness, but she’s also unable to work, which has added another financial burden. Her friends and family launched a GoFundMe in 2022 to help with medical expenses. 

Bryan is hopeful Dant will be well enough to come to the 5K in person after her treatment is done. Sign up for the Live Like Jen 5K through the link to participate.

More CrossFit Content

Read the latest CrossFit stories from the Morning Chalk Up below:

Interview: Haley Adams on Finding the Joy In CrossFit Again After Her Year Away

How to Watch 2024 CrossFit Open Announcement 24.1

Breaking Down the Most Common CrossFit Open Movement Combinations

Featured image: Krista Bryan

The post Maryland CrossFit Affiliate Rallies to Host 5K for Owners’ Family Member in Cancer Treatment appeared first on BarBend.

Bulgarian powerlifter Emil Krastev is on his way to disrupt the 93-kilogram class in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). He has been on the podium at the last three Classic World Championships (CWC), but he wants to finally ascend to the top step and take the gold medal for himself.

Krastev’s training has been flying recently. On Feb. 25, 2024, he shared a video to his Instagram page wherein he totaled an incredible 906 kilograms — 11 kilograms over the IPF world record. Check it out below:

The training total began with a 313-kilogram squat. Krastev performed the lift using knee sleeves, a lifting belt, and wrist wraps, all permissible under the IPF’s “classic” format. It wasn’t an easy squat, but he didn’t seem to be at his absolute limit.

Krastev’s best squat in competition is the 307.5 kilogram he did at the 2022 CWC in Sun City, South Africa. He totaled 877.5 kilograms at that event, only missing first place to Chance Mitchell by 1.5 kilograms.

The video moved on to bench press, arguably Krastev’s best lift. He employed some well-timed leg drive to move the barbell and solidly locked out 245.5 kilograms. This matches the 93-kilogram world record recently set by USA’s Jonathan Cayco at the 2024 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships.

Krastev’s current best bench press in competition is 232.5 kilograms. This came in Malta at the 2023 CWC as part of the 872.5 kilogram total that won him the overall bronze medal. At that meet, he was only 2.5 kilograms behind the 2024 Sheffield winner, Gustav Hedlund.

Onto deadlift and Krastev took a good sniff of smelling salts before the lift. Many athletes find fires up before a big lift. Krastev set up in a sumo stance and gripped the barbell in a double overhand hook grip. He locked out 348 kilograms smoothly and seemed shocked at how seemingly easy it appeared.

Krastev’s best deadlift on the platform is 342.5 kilograms at the 2022 CWC. Not long after, he got injured. However, he currently appears fully fit and back in form.

Krastev’s training total was 906 kilograms. The world record total in this class belongs to Gustav Hedlund, who set it at 895 kilograms en route to victory at the 2024 Sheffield. Of course, achieving these numbers in training differs from the demands of a high-pressure competition.

When Krastev lands in Druskininkai, Lithuania, he will face the reigning world champion, Jonathan Cayco, the rapidly rising Hedlund, and a host of other elite powerlifters at the 2024 IPF CWC.

Featured image: @ekrustew on Instagram

The post Emil Krastev (93KG) Exceeds the IPF Total World Record in Training appeared first on BarBend.

Hybrid training — performing high-intensity strength training and vigorous, often sport-specific cardio — is having a moment right now, thanks in large part to coaches and content creators like Fergus Crawley and Kelly Matthews. Matthews, a powerlifter and strength & conditioning coach at Ladder, is on something of a mission to pump out as much high-quality hybrid training content as possible.

To that end, Matthews took to her newly established YouTube Channel, Strong With Kelly, on Feb. 25, 2024, for a full walkthrough (or, rather, run-through) of one of her favorite training modalities — sprinting. Alongside NFL strength & conditioning coach Tim Riley, Matthews broke down everything a beginner should know to put their best foot forward during a sprint workout. Check it out below:

[Related: The Best Treadmills for Running in 2024]

Kelly Matthews’ Sprint Workout Warm-Up

“Before you sprint, you need an extensive dynamic warm-up,” Matthews notes. She’s right — studies repeatedly show that a specific warm-up that prepares the athlete for the unique demands of the workout that follows produces better results and reduces the perception of difficulty. (1)

However, all warm-up routines should begin with a few minutes of low-intensity movement to raise the body’s core temperature and promote blood flow. Examples include five to 10 minutes of treadmill walking, a light jog, or skipping rope before advancing to sprint-specific drills.

Best Warm-Up Drills for Sprinting

Matthews and Riley recommend implementing progressive overload from the beginning.

Sprinting is one of the most intense things you can do, so you need to prepare your body for those intense impacts.

Begin with slower, more deliberate movements before gradually working toward explosive plyometrics or preparatory sprints. Here’s what a breakdown of each drill looks like:

1. Walking Lunges + Reverse Lunges

Credit: Strong With Kelly on YouTube

2. Lateral Lunges

Credit: Strong With Kelly on YouTube

3. Pogo Hops

Credit: Strong With Kelly on YouTube

4. High Knees + Butt Kicks

Credit: Strong With Kelly on YouTube

5. A-Skips

Credit; Strong With Kelly on YouTube

6. Quicktimes + Primetimes

Credit: Strong With Kelly on YouTube

7. Prime Skips

Credit: Strong With Kelly on YouTube

8. Long Skips

Credit: Strong With Kelly on YouTube

After completing all eight plyometric drills, Riley moved Matthews into the final stretch of the warm-up. They performed three “primer” sprints: 80 percent max speed, 90 percent max speed, and 100 percent max speed for 10 yards each. 

You can do all of these things on a treadmill if you don’t have access to open space.

[Related: How To Run a Faster Mile, According to a Running Coach]

Is Sprinting Anabolic?

Before diving into the drills themselves, Matthews remarked that sprint training is a unique form of cardio in that it is inherently anabolic instead of catabolic. If you’ve never heard those terms before, you might wonder what they mean, and whether Matthews’ claims hold water scientifically.

What Do Anabolic and Catabolic Mean?

If you’re not a biology student, these terms might be foreign to you. Scientifically, anabolism and catabolism refer to two ongoing processes within your body — that of building or creating tissue (anabolism) or breaking tissue down (catabolism).

In exercise science, coaches generally use the two terms as stand-ins for the idea that an anabolic exercise builds or encourages muscle growth; in contrast, catabolic exercise may lead to muscular deterioration or wasting. 

[Related: Are Squats Really More “Anabolic” Than Other Exercises?]

The body carries out anabolism and catabolism at all times. Don’t think of it as a light switch you flip; it’s more akin to a current that, depending on your choices in the kitchen and weight room, flows faster in one direction than the other.

All exercise is inherently catabolic because it consumes energy, but you can still be “anabolic” overall if you eat enough protein and calories and perform high-intensity exercise. 

Does Sprinting Build Muscle?

Due to its brief but intense nature, Matthews suggests that sprinting is inherently anabolic. Does sprinting actually build muscle? Well, research on the topic is somewhat conflicting: 

Findings on sprinting and anabolism are mixed, leaning positive overall. However, elevating hormones such as testosterone or IGF-1 are just one piece of the muscle hypertrophy puzzle.

To build new muscle tissue, you need high amounts of mechanical tension, particularly during the eccentric phase of exercise (when the muscle is lengthening — think stretching your hamstrings when performing a deadlift). (6)(7)

[Related: The Best Running Shoes You Can Buy in 2024 (Personally Tested)]

Sprinting workouts may be conducive to building lean muscle mass (along with a long list of other health benefits), but don’t expect to wake up jacked the week after you start sprint training. 

More Conditioning Content

The Best Treadmill Incline Workouts You Can Do

What Is the 12-3-30 Workout? + How To Do It

The Best StairMaster Workout for Your Experience Level

References

van den Tillaar, R., Lerberg, E., & von Heimburg, E. (2019). Comparison of three types of warm-up upon sprint ability in experienced soccer players. Journal of sport and health science, 8(6), 574–578. 

Stastny P, Tufano JJ, Golas A, Petr M. Strengthening the Gluteus Medius Using Various Bodyweight and Resistance Exercises. Strength Cond J. 2016 Jun;38(3):91-101. doi: 10.1519/SSC.0000000000000221. Epub 2016 Jun 3. PMID: 27340373; PMCID: PMC4890828.

Zurek G, Danek N, Żurek A, Nowak-Kornicka J, Żelaźniewicz A, Orzechowski S, Stefaniak T, Nawrat M, Kowal M. Effects of Dominance and Sprint Interval Exercise on Testosterone and Cortisol Levels in Strength-, Endurance-, and Non-Training Men. Biology (Basel). 2022 Jun 24;11(7):961. doi: 10.3390/biology11070961. PMID: 36101342; PMCID: PMC9312330.

Meckel, Y., Nemet, D., Bar-Sela, S., Radom-Aizik, S., Cooper, D. M., Sagiv, M., & Eliakim, A. (2011). Hormonal and inflammatory responses to different types of sprint interval training. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 25(8), 2161–2169. 

Meckel, Y., Eliakim, A., Seraev, M., Zaldivar, F., Cooper, D. M., Sagiv, M., & Nemet, D. (2009). The effect of a brief sprint interval exercise on growth factors and inflammatory mediators. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 23(1), 225–230. 

Schoenfeld B. J. (2010). The mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy and their application to resistance training. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 24(10), 2857–2872. 

Pedrosa, G. F., Lima, F. V., Schoenfeld, B. J., Lacerda, L. T., Simões, M. G., Pereira, M. R., Diniz, R. C. R., & Chagas, M. H. (2022). Partial range of motion training elicits favorable improvements in muscular adaptations when carried out at long muscle lengths. European journal of sport science, 22(8), 1250–1260. 

Featured Image: Strong With Kelly on YouTube

The post Coaches Kelly Matthews & Tim Riley Showcase Their Favorite Sprint Warm-Up Drills appeared first on BarBend.

Dive into the world of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the epitome of fitness and discipline, as we unveil the secrets behind his legendary Terminator shape.

Discover how this icon maintains a rigorous regime that blends nutrition, workouts, and a dash of unconventional wisdom to defy age and stay atop his game. From his unique protein shake recipes to adapting workouts post-heart surgery, Arnold’s holistic approach to health is a masterclass in balance and perseverance.

Learn how you, too, can incorporate Arnold’s principles into your life, whether you’re a fitness aficionado or simply seeking inspiration to kickstart your wellness journey. 

Gym and Dietary Insights

Beyond common health foods, he shares an exclusive look at his unique protein shake recipe: almond milk, bananas, and at times, an unexpected ingredient like raw eggs, schnapps, or tequila for an extra kick of flavor.

Arnold has modified his dietary habits with age, now prioritizing foods like oatmeal and greens over meat and animal products. He believes in the nutritional power of a balanced diet and often prepares steak, a personal specialty, especially when his bodybuilder friends visit.

His open-minded approach to food has historically tagged him as the “garbage disposal,” not shying away from a vast array of meals or experimental omelettes incorporating whatever ingredients are available, an attitude reflecting his adventurous palate.

Peek Inside the Chiller

Top-Shelf Favorites

Watermelons: Especially prized during hotter seasons.

Radler: A favored German beverage, blending lemonade with beer.

Exclusive Muscle-Recovery Beverage

IngredientPurposeAmountAlmond milkBase for the mixA dashBananaImmune boost and flavor1 unitWhole eggProtein source1 unitSchnapps/TequilaOptional for additional flavorTo taste

Almond Over Cow’s Milk

Preference: Almond milk is favored over cow’s milk.

Reason: Better taste and health considerations are cited.

Eating Preferences

Present Nutritional Choices

He focuses on consuming oatmeal, greens, vegetables, and an array of healthy foods, minimizing meat and other animal products due to evolved views on health and strength.

Food Preparation

He enjoys cooking, particularly steaks, and often entertains his bodybuilding friends with hearty meals, despite their jests about achieving his physique.

Between-Meal Consumption

During the day, he opts for protein shakes mixed with almond milk or juices and occasionally energy drinks, based on his mood and energy levels.

Less Preferred Ingredients

He avoids cow’s milk, preferring almond milk, and doesn’t have a particular dislike for any foods but chooses to avoid some for health reasons.

Trendy Eating Patterns

Instead of engaging in popular diets, he emphasizes rigorous exercise and attention to diet, cutting out sugars and white bread rather than adopting specific regimented diets.

Nutritional Enhancements

While he takes supplements like multivitamins, he stresses the importance of relying on natural foods and views supplements as an addition rather than a primary source of nutrients.

Disliked FoodsPreferred AlternativesCow’s MilkAlmond MilkSugary FoodsHealth-Conscious OptionsWhite BreadOatmeal, Greens, Vegetables

Cheat Days

Arnold Schwarzenegger maintains a nutritious diet but confesses that he indulges himself occasionally. Despite his focus on good nutrition, Arnold doesn’t shy away from enjoying his favorite foods now and then. He believes in balance and advises that it’s essential to burn off the calories one consumes, to maintain health.

Workout Routine

Regarding his fitness routine, Arnold dedicates himself to daily workouts, often cycling and returning for a second round in his home gym.

He’s adapted his workout intensity after heart surgery, focusing on lighter weights and higher reps. To him, the pursuit of the “pump” remains an integral part of his training philosophy.

Frequent ActivitiesPurposeCyclingCardiovascular FitnessLight Weight TrainingMaintain Muscle ToneSocial Cooking/EatingEnjoyment & Camaraderie

His day typically starts with early morning workouts, considering both squats and deadlifts indispensable.

He regards all forms of exercise, whether CrossFit, dumbbell, or kettlebell workouts, as valuable so long as they’re approached correctly. For Arnold, a workout could take place on a treadmill or outdoors—he sees benefit and enjoyment in both.

Workout Schedule: He sustains a consistent exercise routine. Regular morning workouts from 7:00 to 7:45, plus a cycling session for about 45 minutes. His workouts also sometimes extend to night-time sessions in his home gym.

Training Intensity Adjustments: Post-heart surgery, his workouts are less strenuous, and he focuses on lighter weights with higher repetitions, as opposed to seeking maximum lifts.

Rigorous Exercise Explained

Though his current exercises are less strenuous than in the past, focusing on lighter weights and higher repetitions. This shift comes from medical advice post-heart surgery, steering him away from heavy lifting and maximum effort lifts. Today’s workouts are more about staying fit and healthy rather than pushing the limits of his strength.

Sustaining Exercise Intensity

Despite the more moderate workouts, he still pursues the feeling of ‘the pump’ — a term he uses to describe the rewarding sensation of blood engorging the muscles, indicating a good workout. He enjoys seeking out this feeling, affirming that it remains an integral part of his exercise routine.

In a hypothetical scenario, he’d choose to train with Eugen Sandow, a pioneer in bodybuilding and one of his idols. The variety in Arnold’s fitness routine reflects his balanced approach to training and his commitment to staying active and healthy.

The Psychological Edge: Mindset and Motivation

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s journey across bodybuilding, Hollywood, and the political arena showcases not just a man of physical prowess but a titan of mental fortitude. His narrative is a testament to the indomitable spirit, where psychological resilience intertwines with sheer determination to chart paths previously untraveled. For those on a quest to elevate their fitness and enrich their lives, Schwarzenegger’s mental blueprint offers a treasure trove of insights.

Mental Toughness and Vision

Goal Setting: Dive into the essence of Schwarzenegger’s storied career, and a pattern of meticulous goal setting emerges as the backbone of his success. Arnold didn’t just dream; he crafted visions with precision, setting ambitious yet achievable milestones. This methodical approach to goal setting, underscored by a relentless pursuit of success, illuminates the power vested in clear, measurable objectives. Arnold’s philosophy teaches us that a well-defined vision is not just a beacon but a roadmap guiding us towards our ultimate destination.

Positive Mental Attitude: If there’s one creed that Arnold lives by, it’s the unwavering belief in the power of positivity. Schwarzenegger consistently highlights how a buoyant mindset is instrumental in navigating life’s tumultuous waters. This isn’t about ignoring challenges but facing them with a conviction that solutions exist and success is attainable. Arnold’s life illustrates that a positive attitude does more than surmount obstacles; it acts as a magnet for success, drawing opportunities and fostering an environment where health and happiness can flourish.

Discipline and Consistency: The Pillars of Success

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s storied achievements in bodybuilding, acting, and politics share a common foundation: discipline and consistency. These principles transcend the realm of fitness, offering invaluable lessons for anyone looking to excel in their endeavors.

Routine and Habit Formation

Schwarzenegger’s unparalleled success is largely due to his strict adherence to routines, effectively transforming productive actions into second nature. Arnold knew that the secret to long-term achievement wasn’t in sporadic bursts of intensity but in the unwavering consistency of his efforts. This methodical approach to fitness emphasizes the importance of establishing routines that evolve into habits. It’s not about making a monumental effort once in a while but about committing to small, daily actions that compound over time. Schwarzenegger’s philosophy teaches us that consistency is king, and by integrating fitness into our daily lives as a non-negotiable habit, we set the stage for lasting success.

Time Management

Mastering the art of time management was crucial for Schwarzenegger, as he juggled the demands of a burgeoning acting career, intense bodybuilding training, and later, political responsibilities. His ability to maintain peak physical condition amidst these commitments is a testament to his disciplined approach to scheduling and prioritization. Schwarzenegger’s routine was not about finding time but making it, demonstrating that with proper planning and commitment, it’s possible to balance personal health and fitness with professional and personal aspirations. This balance is achievable for anyone willing to make fitness a priority, proving that you don’t need to sacrifice career success or personal time to stay in shape.

Adapting Arnold’s Strategies for Different Fitness Levels and Ages

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fitness and nutrition strategies are versatile and can be tailored to fit a wide range of individuals, irrespective of their fitness level or age. His philosophy centers around discipline, consistency, and smart training, principles that are universally applicable.

Beginners: Laying the Foundation

For novices embarking on their fitness journey, Schwarzenegger’s approach underscores the value of starting with basic exercises and steadily ramping up intensity. This mirrors the principle of progressive overload, gradually increasing the challenge to your muscles to foster growth and strength. Key for beginners is prioritizing form and consistency. Heavy weights should take a backseat to mastering technique, as this ensures safety and lays a solid foundation for future gains. Small, consistent steps, much like Schwarzenegger’s own journey from a young weightlifter to a bodybuilding champion, pave the way for lasting success.

Seniors: Emphasizing Mobility and Health

As Schwarzenegger transitioned to lighter weights and more cardiovascular-focused routines in his later years, he exemplified how fitness regimens can evolve with age. For seniors, integrating exercises that promote flexibility, balance, and joint health is crucial. These activities not only aid in maintaining mobility but also significantly reduce the risk of falls and injuries. Tailoring workouts to include resistance training with lighter weights, stretching exercises, and low-impact cardio can support active aging, echoing Schwarzenegger’s adaptability to changing physical needs.

New episodes drop every Tuesday @ 1PM EST/10AM PST. Listen on Apple, YouTube, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. VARIED NOT RANDOM #151: PAT & BOZ “20 CROSSFIT QUESTIONS” RECENT EPISODES VARIED… View Post

Our team consists of personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and athletes who love to eat. While we understand the convenience of supplements, we believe prioritizing whole, nutrient-dense foods is the way to go. 

With that said, we know life can get in the way, making it hard to hit your daily micro and macronutrient goals. And in those cases, we, too, like to open up the supplement cabinet. 

Here’s a little bit more about our approach to supplements, how we choose our products, and what factors we prioritize.

Our Priorities

At BarBend, we value journalistic integrity and keep this front-of-mind when we test exercise equipment or write about supplements. When it comes to our nutrition content, these are the factors we prioritize:

Expert Verification: We lean on registered dietitians and other experts to help us analyze different formulas, dose sizes, and potential side effects. This helps us ensure we’re promoting safe, effective products. 

Personal Testing: Our team has personally tried nearly every product on our supplement pages.

Nutritious Supplementation: We know some products don’t always portray the best intentions. For that reason, we do not recommend or promote any products tied to disordered eating. Please read all of the dosage recommendations for our products.

Safe Ingredients: We don’t recommend any products that are known to have dangerous ingredients. That being said, not every supplement is ideal for every athlete, so please read our articles in entirety and speak to a registered physician to ensure safe consumption.

Our Process

To create our round-up lists, we use the following process: 

Factors We Consider for Supplement Reviews

When we write our supplement reviews, there are a few priorities we consider. In order to accurately compare one product to another, we also rate each of these factors on a scale of 1 to 5. 

Formulation

When assessing a formula, we take a close look at the ingredients list. Our team searches for research-backed ingredients that have actually been shown to work. We also look at the quality of these ingredients (for instance, standard whey isolate vs. grass-fed whey).

Scooping supplement into water.

We also prioritize clinically-effective doses. Just because an ingredient may work, that doesn’t necessarily mean that one serving contains enough of that ingredient. We work with dietitians and use peer-reviewed research to assess whether a supplement contains sufficient dosage sizes.

Transparency and Third-Party Testing

The FDA doesn’t closely regulate what ingredients are in a supplement. So, we put a premium on brands that present plenty of transparency with their ingredients. The most reputable supplement brands also like to turn to third-party testing to show that their products are safe and effective. We try our best to prioritize products that are third-party tested with no artificial additives.

Personal Experience

There are many aspects our testers prioritize while trying a product and they may vary depending on the supplement category. This can include:

Taste

Solubility

Texture

Side Effects

Price

Convenience

The post BarBend Supplement Testing Methodology appeared first on BarBend.

The 2024 Strongman Champions League (SCL) season kicked off on Feb. 24, 2024, in Joensuu, Finland, via the SCL Iceman contest. Twelve athletes representing eight countries clashed across six events in the single-day contest: Frame Carry, Front Hold, Bag Over Bar, Truck Pull, Super Yoke, Conan’s Wheel, and Loading Race.

Aivars Šmaukstelis of Latvia stood atop the podium with 63 of a possible 72 points. He bested USA’s Nick Wortham by six points and bronze medalist Kane Francis of the UK by eight points.

2024 SCL Results

Aivars Šmaukstelis (LAT) — 63 points

Nick Wortham (USA) — 57 points

Kane Francis (UK) — 55 points

Colten Sloan (CAN) — 52 points

Mika Törrö (FIN) — 52 points

Ervin Toots (EST) — 45 points

George Sulaiman (NED) — 44 points

Kevin Hazeleger (NED) — 44 points

Jesse Pynnönen (FIN) — 41 points

Sami Ahola (FIN) — 39 points

Péter Juhász (HUN) — 34 points

Heikki Pohjonen (FIN) — 20 points

[Related: Martins Licis Assesses His New Training Approach in Interview With Laurence Shahlaei]

[Related: The Shaw Classic’s 2024 Strongest Man On Earth Events Announced]

2024 SCL Event Results

Below are the results for each of the six contested events in Finland.

Frame Carry

Each athlete was allotted 60 seconds to traverse a 320-kilogram frame down a 40-meter course in the fastest time possible:

Colten Sloan — 26.13 seconds

George Sulaiman — 27.56 seconds

Kane Francis — 28.03 seconds

Kevin Hazeleger — 28.78 seconds

Aivars Šmaukstelis — 29.32 seconds

Ervin Toots — 29.36 seconds

Mika Törrö — 35.05 seconds

Sami Ahola — 47.47 seconds

Péter Juhász — 57.67 seconds

Jesse Pynnönen — 36 meters

Nick Wortham — 30 meters

Heikki Pohjonen — 13 meters

Front Hold

Each strongman attempted to establish their max front hold with a 30-kilogram implement:

Nick Wortham — 52.69 seconds

Aivars Šmaukstelis — 38.88 seconds

Mika Törrö — 38.37 seconds

Heikki Pohjonen — 37.05 seconds

Colten Sloan — 36.19 seconds

Jesse Pynnönen — 35.57 seconds

George Sulaiman — 34.28 seconds

Ervin Toots — 33.34 seconds

Kevin Hazeleger — 30.09 seconds

Sami Ahola — 28.59 seconds

Péter Juhász — 28 seconds

Kane Francis — 27.92 seconds

Bag Over Bar

Athletes had 60 seconds to toss five implements, ascending in weight from 22 to 28 kilograms, over a 4.3-meter bar in the fastest time possible:

Aivars Šmaukstelis — Five in 17.9 seconds

Colten Sloan — Three in 20.56 seconds

George Sulaiman — Two in 20.60 seconds

Kevin Hazeleger — Five in 20.66 seconds

Nick Wortham — Five in 22.57 seconds

Ervin Toots — Five in 26.36 seconds

Jesse Pynnönen — Five in 28.06 seconds

Mika Törrö — Five in 29.77 seconds

Kane Francis — Five in 32.53 seconds

Péter Juhász — Five in 33.41 seconds

Sami Ahola — Four in 21.25 seconds

Heikki Pohjonen — Three in 29.96 seconds

Truck Pull

Each strongman had 90 seconds to pull a 24,000-kilogram truck six meters as quickly as possible:

Mika Törrö — 53.59 seconds

Jesse Pynnönen — 58.42 seconds

Sami Ahola — 59.13 seconds

Aivars Šmaukstelis — 74.46 seconds

Kevin Hazeleger — 5.5 meters

Nick Wortham — 5.45 meters

Kane Francis — 4.57 meters

Ervin Toots — 4.51 meters

Péter Juhász — 3.28 meters

Colten Sloan — 3.02 meters

George Sulaiman — 2.5 meters

Heikki Pohjonen — 0.6 meters

Super Yoke

With one minute on the clock, athletes raced across the 25-meter course with a 420-kilogram yoke for time:

Kane Francis — 16.07 seconds

Aivars Šmaukstelis — 18.31 seconds

Péter Juhász — 20.97 seconds

Kevin Hazeleger — 21.48 seconds

Nick Wortham — 22.08 seconds

George Sulaiman — 22.90 seconds

Colten Sloan — 24.70 seconds

Sami Ahola — 27.22 seconds

Mika Törrö — 29.39 seconds

Ervin Toots — 32.44 seconds

Jesse Pynnönen — 14 meters

Heikki Pohjonen — 2.9 meters

Conan’s Wheel

Athletes had a 60-second time cap to establish their max distance with the 270-kilogram Conan’s Wheel:

George Sulaiman — 47.9 meters

Colten Sloan — 42.55 meters

Ervin Toots — 41 meters

Sami Ahola — 36.2 meters

Kane Francis — 33.65 meters

Nick Wortham — 32.9 meters

Jesse Pynnönen — 31.3 meters

Aivars Šmaukstelis — 30.05 meters

Heikki Pohjonen — 24.7 meters

Mika Törrö — 21.5 meters

Kevin Hazeleger — 15.4 meters

Péter Juhász — 15.25 meters

Loading Race

Each strongman raced to load four implements in the fastest time possible:

Kane Francis — Four in 17.3 seconds

Nick Wortham — Four in 17.81 seconds

Mika Törrö — Four in 18.6 seconds

Colten Sloan — Four in 18.62 seconds

Péter Juhász — Four in 18.69 seconds

Aivars Šmaukstelis — Four in 19.4 seconds

Ervin Toots — Four in 19.7 seconds

George Sulaiman — Four in 21.45 seconds

Jesse Pynnönen — Four in 22.03 seconds

Sami Ahola — Four in 23.21 seconds

Heikki Pohjonen — Four in 24.31 seconds

Kevin Hazeleger — Four in 25.44 seconds

[Related: 2024 World’s Strongest Firefighter Competition Preview]

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Featured image: @aivars.smaukstelis on Instagram

The post 2024 Strongman Champions League Iceman Results — Aivars Šmaukstelis Wins appeared first on BarBend.

Since retiring from competitive strongman, 2017 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion Eddie Hall has entertained his legions of fans with his exploits. Hall has delved into bobsleigh, timber sports, motorcycle racing, bodybuilding, pro wrestling, boxing, and until recently, mixed martial arts (MMA), though his debut in the octagon against reigning WSM champion Mitchell Hooper was postponed.

The delay of Hall’s potential fight did not deter him entirely from the fight game world, though. Hall recently published a video on his YouTube channel wherein he traded diets with UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall. Aspinall typically eats approximately 3,500 calories per day, whereas Hall’s diet is close to double that.

Check out how the diet swap went in the video below:

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.

Hall and Aspinall went for a brief morning run before starting the day of eating.

Meal 1 Aspinall — 1,750 calories

200 grams smoked salmon — 500 calories

One slices of sourdough toast, buttered — 600 calories

300 grams cottage cheese — 400 calories

200 grams carrots — 100 calories

150 grams fruit — 150 calories

Meal 1 Hall — 792 calories

Four Weetabix with honey — 450 calories

One banana — 100 calories

Monster energy drink — 42 calories

Protein shake — 200 calories

It took Aspinall a long time to make his way through the entire first meal. He suggested that must spend most of his day eating, which Hall affirmed. “If you want to be an athlete and perform at the highest level, that doesn’t just include the two or three hours you spend in the gym,” said Aspinall. “It includes your whole day…sleeping, eating, and resting is a massive part of it”.

The two trained right after breakfast. Hall had been training for his debut MMA bout for approximately six months, but is currently seeking an alternative option. He detailed his ideas regarding his future in the fight game in a video published on Feb. 19, 2024, that can be seen below:

Hall explained that he usually hydrates with two liters of cranberry juice and additional carbohydrates during training. The first liter contains sugar and the second liter has no added sugar. It all amounts to approximately 300 calories.

Aspinall and Hall sparred and grappled before heading back to Hall’s home for lunch, which comprised the following:

Meal 2 — Aspinall 2,600 calories 

Rib eye steak cooked in butter — 1500 calories

300 grams rice — 400 calories

200 grams vegetables cooked in butter — 300 calories

Prawns cooked in butter — 400 calories

Meal 2 — Hall 750 calories

500 grams yogurt — 450 calories

Peanut butter — 200 calories

Fruit — 100 calories

Aspinall struggled with the quantity of food and couldn’t finish. Aspinall typically eats light and often, consuming between 3,000 and 4,000 calories per day compared to Hall’s 6,500 — 7,500 daily calories.

Luckily for Aspinall, he experienced some time in Hall’s hypobaric chamber for an hour and a half, helping him process the unaccustomed volume of food before traveling back to the gym for a strength training session in Hall’s tank, a demilitarized CVR(T) Sabre.

Meal 3 — Aspinall 550 calories

Pre-workout shake — 150 calories

Cranberry juice — 200 calories

Intra-workout shake — 200 calories (taken half way through the training session)

Meal 3 — Hall 20 calories

Coffee — 20 calories

Hall shared his hot-cold therapy routine with Aspinall before embarking on a gargantuan dinner.

Meal 4 — Aspinall 1,600 calories

Half a large chicken — 900 calories

300 grams rice — 400 calories

200 grams vegetables cooked in butter — 300 calories

Meal 4 — Hall 1,000 calories

Sirloin steak — 700 calories

200 grams vegetables — 100 calories

150 grams rice — 200 calories

Aspinall managed about three quarters of his meal before tapping out.

Meal 5 — Aspinall 600 calories

500 grams yogurt – 450 calories

150 grams berries – 150 calories

Meal 5 — Hall 500 calories

Peanut butter and jelly bagel — 300 calories

Protein shake — 200 calories

Aspinall consumed over 7,000 calories — double his usual daily intake, describing it as overwhelming and exhausting. On little more than 3,000 calories, Hall professed to having been hungry all day. To learn how many calories to consume for your fitness goals, try BarBend‘s calorie calculator.

Featured image: @eddiehallwsm on Instagram

The post Strongman Eddie Hall Swaps Diets With UFC Champion Tom Aspinall appeared first on BarBend.

Samsung’s new smart ring will monitor key health metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns and respiratory rate

Samsung officially introduced the Galaxy Ring, its latest innovation in wearables, at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. The new device marks the South Korean tech giant’s first venture into the smart ring category and the emergence of a key competitor for market leaders like Oura.

The Galaxy Ring comes equipped with a variety of sensors designed to monitor key health metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns, respiratory rate and the time it takes for a user to fall asleep. The information will populate what Samsung calls “MyVitality Score,” which offers personalized health insights based on these different metrics. 

Despite the arrival of a new competitor, Oura CEO Tom Hale called Samsung’s entry into the smart ring space a positive for the industry as a whole.

“New players entering the space is validation for the category and drives us to aim higher to serve our members and community,” Hale told TechCrunch.

Although Samsung has smartphones and smartwatches, the Galaxy Ring caters to different consumer needs, noted Hon Pak, head of the digital health team at Samsung Electronics.

“Our own customers told us, I want choice. I want the ability to have other forms of wearables to measure health,” Pak told CNBC. “And some want to wear the watch, some want to wear the watch and the ring and get benefit from both. Some just want more simplicity.”

The Galaxy Ring is designed to work seamlessly with Samsung’s smartwatches, providing users with a comprehensive overview of their health when used in tandem. One of the most anticipated features of the ring is its ability to monitor noninvasive glucose levels and blood pressure, a significant advancement in health technology. Samsung is also researching how best to use artificial intelligence to give deeper insights into a person’s health. 

“Imagine (a) large language model, acting as my digital assistant, while looking at the context of my medical records, my physiological data, my engagement with a mobile device, the wearables during all of that … begins to bring greater insights and personalization opportunities,” Pak said. “A digital assistant coach is (…) absolutely needed.” 

The smart ring market could grow to $1 billion or more by the 2030s, according to industry estimates. Samsung’s entrance into the space seems to be a validation of the market’s growth potential.

Oura, the category’s leader by far, has around 100 granted patents, with almost 30 pending patents, which could suggest potential intellectual property disputes down the line between major players.

In addition to brands like Movano (Evie Ring) and RingConn looking to capture market share by offering differentiating features like a focus on women’s health and no subscription fees, there are rumors that Apple could look to enter the space with a smart ring of its own.

The post Samsung Unveils Galaxy Ring. Can the Tech Giant Challenge Oura? appeared first on Athletech News.