Trinidad & Tobago heavyweight powerlifter Joseph McDonald has been flying under the radar. Still, he shot into prominence after his brilliant performance at the 2024 North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) North American Championships (NAC) in Scottsdale, AZ.

NAPF is a regional affiliate of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) and covers all the countries on the North American continent, including the island nations. McDonald used this IPF sanction to break the Junior (ages 19-23) total world record.

McDonald competed in the 120KG class in the Junior category on Aug. 9, 2024. he dominated, finishing over 150 kilograms ahead of his nearest rival with an IPF Junior World Record total of 926.5 kilograms

McDonald’s second squat of 320 kilograms looked easy. The depth was undeniable, and the speed of the ascent encouraged him to add another 20 kilograms for his final attempt.

Unfortunately, while McDonald stood the weight up, he lost his balance, swaying back into the spotters. He recovered well but received red lights from all three referees due to a slight downward movement of the bar.

McDonald already held the NAPF Junior bench press record with 216 kilograms set at the 2023 NAC in the Cayman Islands. He obliterated the record with his opening bench and added another 22.5 kilograms to it by the time his third bench press came around. This is only 13 kilograms shy of the Junior world record currently held by Germany’s Jonah Wiendick.

McDonald’s second pull set the NAPF Junior deadlift record. He jumped to 366.5 kilograms to secure the Junior total world record. He used a conventional stance, and after pulling the slack from the barbell, it came off the platform quickly. The lockout was tough, but he was patient and ultimately successful.

Although he competed in the Junior division, McDonald’s total exceeded the Open class winner’s total by half a kilogram.

2024 NAPF North American Powerlifting Championships Results — Joseph McDonald, 120KG

Squat

300 kilograms

320 kilograms

340 kilograms

Bench Press

217.5 kilograms — NAPF Junior North American Record

230 kilograms — NAPF Junior North American Record

240 kilograms — NAPF Junior North American Record

Deadlift

325 kilograms

344 kilograms — NAPF Junior North American Record

366.5 kilograms — NAPF Junior North American Record

Total — 926.5 kilograms — IPF Junior World Record

McDonald is not on the roster for the upcoming 2024 IPF Junior World Championships in Malta, so it’s unclear where he will compete next. However, as he will still be a Junior in 2026, he will have plenty of opportunities to break Junior world records.

Featured image: @kingjosephtv on Instagram

The post Joseph McDonald (120KG) Breaks IPF Junior Total World Record at the 2024 NAPF North American Powerlifting Championships appeared first on BarBend.

If you’re trying to develop the coveted “X-frame” look, spamming leg extensions might not be doing you any favors. At least, according to a new scientific study.

A Jul. 2024 paper examined how different lower-body exercises create “regional muscle development” in the legs — including and especially the part of the quadriceps that creates the so-called “quad sweep.”

We’ll unpack this paper’s findings, limitations, and give you some actionable advice to improve your quad sweep during your next bodybuilding leg workout.

The Best Exercise for Developing Your Quad Sweep

The paper in question was published on Jul. 12 by authors Burke et al. (1) Titled “Exercise Selection Differentially Influences Lower Body Regional Muscle Development,” their work aimed to:

“…compare the effects of multi-joint vs. single-joint lower body exercise on regional muscular development of the quadriceps, and…”

“…compare the effects of exercises performed at different knee-joint angles on hypertrophy of the triceps surae.”

(If you don’t wear a lab coat to work every day, your triceps surae are your calf muscles.) Burke and colleagues focused heavily on two specific parts of the quads; the largest part, the rectus femoris, and the vastus lateralis — the part that creates the quad sweep during bodybuilding poses.

Findings & Limitations

No beating around the bush: The authors alleged that the leg press created more regional hypertrophy in the outer part of the quadriceps in just two months than the leg extension. Here’s what Burke & Co. did:

30 subjects with strength training experience performed two different pairs of quad and calf exercises on each leg, separately, twice per week for two months.

Credit: YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV / Shutterstock

Findings: The vastus lateralis, or the outer region of the quadriceps, responded better to compound exercises like the leg press.

Findings, Cont.: The rectus femoris muscle, which is also part of your quads, grew more during the leg extension.

Extra Credit: Participants’ calves grew more from doing straight-legged calf raises than seated calf raises. This finding has been repeated in other studies as well.

Limitations: While this study was mostly well-designed, 30 participants is still a relatively low number to draw broad conclusions from.

The authors also didn’t include other compound leg exercises like back, front, or hack squats to see if their findings were unique to the leg press — we’d wager they aren’t.

How To Build a Quad Sweep: Your Next Move

BarBend Expert and PhD bodybuilder Dr. Eric Helms discussed this paper on a recent episode of the Iron Culture podcast. Helms offered that the unique anatomy of the quadriceps partly explains why leg presses build your quad sweep, while leg extensions don’t.

“There’s probably greater range of motion at the knee during leg presses or squats compared to leg extensions,” said Helms.

[Related: Best Pre-Workout Supplements for Leg Day]

But there’s more to it, according to Helms. Of your four quadriceps muscles (“quad”-riceps), only the rectus femoris is biarticular; it crosses both the knee and hip joints.

When your hip is flexed, like during a leg press, Helms theorized that the rectus femoris isn’t stretched to the same degree as the other parts of the quads that only affect the knee joint. Ergo, your vastus lateralis is tagged in to pick up the slack.

If you want to prioritize your quad sweep by applying the knowledge from this study, you might structure a quad-focused leg workout something like this:

Warm-Up: 5-10 minutes on the treadmill, stair stepper, or bike

Leg Press: 5 x 8-10

Hack Squat: 3 x 12

Leg Extension: 2 x 15

Standing Calf Raise: 3 x 15

More Research Content

Are Today’s Children Weaker Than Previous Generations?

Strength Training Works Just as Well as Stretching for Flexibility

Overhead Triceps Extensions Build Significantly More Muscle Than Pressdowns

References

Burke, R., Piñero, A., Mohan, A.E. et al. Exercise Selection Differentially Influences Lower Body Regional Muscle Development. J. of SCI. IN SPORT AND EXERCISE (2024).

Featured Image: NassornSnitwong / Shutterstock

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The 2024 Teenage CrossFit Games, to be held over Labor Day weekend in Three Rivers, MI, serves as a beacon of family and community when many of us need it most. Hosted by the Pit Fitness Ranch, The Teenage CrossFit Games will welcome 120 athletes this year, ages 14-17, in four different divisions: Girls 14-15, Boys 14-15, Girls 16-17, and Boys 16-17.

By the end of a challenging three-day weekend, four athletes will be crowned the Fittest Teens on Earth. 

The details: This year, the Pit Fitness Ranch will host three separate events for young athletes. 

Besides the Teenage CrossFit Games, the original Pit Teen Throwdown will also take place, as well as the Pit Collegiate Throwdown. 

In total, 220 athletes from 29 countries will compete throughout the three events. 

In addition to completing workouts at the Ranch, teens will also compete a short drive away at Wings Event Center, home to a 17,000-square-foot arena with ample space for the athletes to not only compete but also relax and recover.

At the Wings Center, athletes can access a VIP lounge, vendor and media space, a large field of play, and a livestream. 

Who to Watch

Boys Divisions

Leonardo Cruz — As a 14-year-old last year, Cruz took fifth in his first Games appearance. 

This year, he returns to the same division a year older and wiser.

The boys who finished ahead of him last year have either aged up into the 16-17 division or are not competing. 

We’ll watch to see if Cruz can reach the top of the podium. 

Subiono brothers — In 2023, Kūlani Subiono took fourth in the 14-15 division, while his brother Ka’eo took ninth in the 16-17 division. 

This year, both compete in the 16-17 division. With another year of experience and a reshuffling of last year’s leaderboard, the Subionos are definitely two to watch. 

RJ Mestre — Mestre took third place in 2023 to champion Ty Jenkins and second-place finisher Hugo Jansson. 

Both Jenkins and Jansson have aged out of the teen category, and Mestre looks to take his place at the top of the podium. 

This is Mestre’s fourth trip to the Games. He has never placed lower than fifth. In 2022, he won the 14-15 division. 

Girls Division

Maria Granizo — The 14-15 girls’ champion in 2023, Ganizo has aged up and is now competing against 16- and 17-year-olds. 

She took third place in the 16-17 Semifinals and will be a fierce competitor in her new age group. 

Bergos Bjornsdottir — Another Icelandic phenom, Bjornsdottir took third place last year in the 16-17 division as a 16-year-old. 

She competed as an individual at this year’s Europe Semifinal and took first place in the Age Group Semifinals. 

Reese Littlewood — Littlewood also competed as an Individual in the Semifinals this year at the North America East by Syndicate Crown. 

She took fourth place in 2023 at the CrossFit Games in the 16-17 division behind Bjornsdottir, Lucy McGonigle, and Trista Smith, who has aged out of the division. 

Lucy McGonigle — McGonigle is coming off two CrossFit Games wins, first in the 14-15 division, then last year in the 16-17 division. 

Additionally, she has competed for the last two years as an individual at the Europe Semifinal, taking 19th place in 2024. 

McGonigle is the favorite to top the podium for her third time. 

What’s Different this Year?

Besides the addition of the Pit Collegiate Throwdown, there’s another new component this year: Pit Teen Throwdown’s partnership with the PFAA in the form of a mentorship program.

Games athletes like Pat Vellner, Arielle Loewen, Alex Gazan, Griffin Roelle, Tim Paulson, and more have volunteered their time to participate.

Over the last few months, the elites have communicated with their young counterparts, sharing tips and advice, calming nerves, and answering questions. 

There have been scheduled Google meet-ups and group workouts. 

The mentors are encouraged to attend the Teenage CrossFit Games to support the young athletes.

The Bottom Line

The competition in the Teen divisions is fierce. We expect to see some shuffling on the podium compared to last year. 

With athletes changing divisions and some moving on from age group competition entirely, we are guaranteed to be cheering on some fresh faces throughout Labor Day weekend.

Featured image credit: Pit Teen Throwdown

The post The 2024 Teenage CrossFit Games By Pit Teen Throwdown Preview appeared first on BarBend.

The Kingsmith WalkingPad P1 Foldable Walking Treadmill delivers on its promise to provide you with a compact folding treadmill that can be a calorie-burning, heart-healthy complement to your home office. Like other treadmills in its class, this WalkingPad can be called upon if you need a training option that fits under your standing desk during work, or as an inconspicuous tool that you can use to stay active while watching TV. 

We think this product is one of the best under-desk treadmills we’ve tested, but for your sake, we wanted to see just how well it stacks up in comparison to its competition. Our team of fitness experts and certified personal trainers utilized the BarBend Equipment Testing Methodology for this WalkingPad review, and, despite a few minor tech issues (which we’ll discuss), we feel it’s one of the more accommodating walking treadmills on the market, with a belt that’s longer than many other options we’ve tested. Read on for our full review. 

Main Takeaways

At just over 47 inches in length, the walking surface extends further than many portable treadmills. 

The P1 model weighs just 62 pounds and folds down to a compact size, making it eminently portable and storable. 

With a max speed of 3.75 miles per hour, it’s not designed for anything but brisk walking. 

WalkingPad Specs

Assuming that you’re in the market for a walking pad that will help you sneak in a workout and then quickly disappear once you’re finished, you should certainly give the WalkingPad P1 some attention. With a walking surface that’s nearly 4 feet long and more than 16 inches wide, it offers you a much longer belt length than several of its competitors, making it a solid option for those in search of the best treadmills for beginners. 

Our expert reviewer, certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto, suggests under-desk treadmills like the WalkingPad P1 as a useful option for increasing your daily step count in almost any indoor environment, including the workplace. “This nifty type of equipment makes it easy to add more movement into your day without interrupting work or study time,” says Capritto. “If you find that your days are mostly sedentary due to lots of desk time, an under-desk treadmill is worth considering.”

A BarBend tester trying out the WalkingPad at home.

As long as your cardio goals can be accomplished by walking, the WalkingPad P1 is capable of meeting your expectations. It tops out at 3.75 miles per hour, encompassing a speed range that research suggests can support fat loss and calories burned when walking. (1) On top of that, its low weight of 62 pounds makes it easy to roll it out of the way once you’ve concluded your daily walking session.

The 47-inch treadmill belt is consistent across the product line, whether you purchase this model, the WalkingPad C2, or the WalkingPad A1 Pro. This generous belt length — between 3 and 13 inches longer than other under-desk treadmills we’ve tested — can allow for a comfortable stride and the security to walk without a handrail. 

At $499, the WalkingPad P1, is pricey relative to its product class, and its low weight capacity of 220 pounds may also be an obstacle for some athletes. The matter of pricing is a bit of a non-issue, as there are ways to instantly reduce that price tag by 20 percent or more. The weight capacity is another matter entirely, but if that’s a sticking point, the WalkingPad product line has some other options that might be more suitable for you.

Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use the WalkingPad P1

Just because the WalkingPad P1 is an impressive piece of storable, foldable cardio-training technology doesn’t mean it’s going to be everyone’s cup of tea. As our expert reviewer Amanda Capritto points out, “The ideal buyer for an under-desk treadmill is someone who wants to increase their daily exercise, but doesn’t have a lot of time to commit to working out.”

Recommended for:

Busy working professionals who need to squeeze in a serviceable cardio workout while at the office

Space-conscious people who need a compact treadmill to squeeze into small spaces when not in use

People with limited mobility looking for a low-impact form of exercise

Not Recommended for:

Seasoned runners looking to spike their heart rate during HIIT workouts

Large-bodied athletes who exceed the 220-pound weight limit of the WalkingPad

Those who have difficulty remaining on a moving surface without a handrail 

Our Experience Training With the WalkingPad

To make sure you receive reliable insight into what it would truly be like to bring home the WalkingPad P1, we had one of our expert testers — a certified personal trainer — take it for a test drive. They’ve been using the WalkingPad P1 for roughly a year and a half, often for roughly 10 to 15 minutes per day. They shared the many positives and the few negatives of training with the WalkingPad P1, scoring factors such as footprint, durability, and construction on a scale of 1 (boo) to 5 (yay!). Read more about our experience below.

Portability

If there’s one area where the WalkingPad P1 should overachieve, it’s in the portability department. Mission accomplished. “It folds completely in half, and with the attached transport wheels it was pretty easy to move it around when I wasn’t using it,” our tester notes. “I’m also giving high marks for setup because right out of the box it was ready to go — all I had to do was plug it in.” Footprint and portability scored a 4.5 out of 5. 

The WalkingPad P1 folded in half.

We also love that this foldable treadmill weighs just 62 pounds, a light enough weight that many users would have little problem moving it around even if it didn’t have wheels. What’s more, even after a year of constant unfolding, refolding, and rolling, its wheels remain fully functional.

[Related: Best Portable Treadmills]

Workout Experience

Our tester found the WalkingPad P1 to be excellent at fulfilling its purpose as a low-maintenance walking device, scoring their overall workout experience a 4 out of 5. The unit was reliable and easy to get moving, and also very responsive with respect to speed control whenever it was time to make a pace adjustment. 

“That said,” says our tester, “it can take a minute to boot up and the remote can be a bit frustrating. Once the belt is going, though, adjusting the speed was a breeze.” 

Although the tester was wary of customer reviews mentioning the belt’s failure to calibrate, they experienced no such problem. They also noted that the unit arrived with its own Allen wrench, presumably for the purpose of fixing this very issue.

The WalkingPad P1, our product tester’s home treadmill, under their desk.

The connectivity of the device was given a truly practical test when its remote control broke after just over a year of testing. “You can control the speed using the WalkingPad app, though. It connects to your phone or tablet via Bluetooth,” says our tester, scoring the pad’s tech capabilities a 3 out of 5. “And honestly, I think I prefer that to the remote.”

All told, though, the treadmill itself works just as well after a year and a half as it did on the day it arrived. 

Construction and Durability

Durability may not be the area where the WalkingPad P1 shines the brightest, but its maximum speed of 3.75 miles per hour prevents it from being pounded by a user’s heels during runs, so it won’t endure the same punishment as one of the best treadmills for running. 

Its 220-pound weight capacity, meanwhile, is intended to ward off users that might strain its frame. Certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto, our expert reviewer, notes that it’s common for “under-desk treadmills to have lower weight capacities that may not support individuals with higher body weights.”

Our tester, who weighs well under the weight ceiling of the WalkingPad P1, has seen no issues when it comes to durability after using it daily for a year and a half. “I’m pretty surprised at how well it has held up,” they say. They did, however, note that it seemed to move a bit slower when their husband, who weighs around 200 pounds, hopped on.

The one piece of the product that did break down was its remote control, but our tester found that they could operate the device through the app, so no replacement of the remote was necessary. Durability scored a 3 out of 5 and construction scored a 3.5 out of 5. 

What to Consider Before Buying the WalkingPad

The WalkingPad P1 was clearly designed with three main considerations in mind — walkability, storability, and portability. As long as you don’t demand that it provide much beyond these three considerations, you’re going to get along with it just fine. Here are some factors to consider before buying the WalkingPad P1. 

Power and Speed: The WalkingPad P1 is a low-speed, low-power device that tops out at 3.75 miles per hour, which means you might be able to get a very slow jog out of it. If that’s all you’re looking for, you should like this machine. If you’re looking for something you can run on, you’re better off browsing our list of the best treadmills. 

Size and Storage: Once it’s folded, the WalkingPad P1 is only 32 inches on its longest sides, and is relatively easy to lift and store at a weight of 62 pounds. Consider whether the size and weight of this treadmill is compatible with your workspace and fitness level.

Noise: While not egregious by any means, we found the noise emitted by the WalkingPad P1 to be roughly the same as an ordinary treadmill, which is not ideal if you intend to use it as a discreet workplace fitness device. Our tester scored its noise level a 3 out of 5, so consider your workplace environment before purchasing. 

Weight Capacity: The WalkingPad P1 has a 220-pound weight capacity, which is less than the 300-pound industry standard of a full-sized treadmill. 

WalkingPad Vs. Competitors

The following chart shows you how the WalkingPad P1 compares with its competitors in some key categories. Below, see how the WalkingPad P1 stacks up against the GoPlus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill and the Egofit Walker Pro Under-Desk Treadmill, two other strong walking treadmills. 

As we noted previously, the WalkingPad P1 stands out amongst its competition for having a belt that’s up to 13 inches longer than other under-desk walking pads. This makes it more accommodating for taller users, and allows for a more comfortable stride overall. It is, however, pricier than many of its competitors, including the EgoFit Walker Pro, a comparable model with a smaller belt and no folding abilities. 

The GoPlus 2-in-1 Treadmill is worth highlighting, though, as its unique design — including an optional handrail and a max speed of 7.5 miles per hour — allows it to be used as either a walking or jogging treadmill. It also has a higher weight capacity than the WalkingPad P1. 

Ordering and Assembling the WalkingPad P1

Cardio devices don’t get any simpler to assemble than the WalkingPad P1, and that’s because there’s essentially zero assembly required. During unboxing, the device slid right out of the large box it arrived in, and was ready to use as soon as its power cord was plugged into an electrical outlet.

Places to Buy the WalkingPad

The WalkingPad P1 is available on Amazon.com, and can also be purchased straight from the source at WalkingPad.com. 

Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews

Beijing KingSmith Technology Co., Ltd. — the company behind WalkingPad — was founded in 2015. It invented the original WalkingPad model in 2018, and began selling its portable walking pads shortly thereafter. They’re responsible for some of the best walking treadmills we’ve tested. 

If you need to reach the KingSmith customer support team, you can call them at 1-(888)-292-4009 or email them at contact@walkingpad.com. Our tester reached out to the customer support team with an inquiry about the WalkingPad’s remote control, and found them to be very helpful.

Warranties

The WalkingPad P1 arrives with 1-year warranty, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Additional warranties extending to a maximum of four years in length are available for prices ranging from $44.99 to $64.99, and cover all parts and repairs.

Final Thoughts on the WalkingPad

The WalkingPad P1 is an eminently portable under-the-desk treadmill with just enough horsepower to fulfill the walking needs of most people. Walking is the operative word, because this self-governing device simply can’t rotate its belt fast enough for you to start running on it. The WalkingPad P1 won’t be very useful for hill-running workouts or marathon training, but it certainly does enough to help you work up a sweat.

So if you weigh less than 220 pounds, and a work-from-home walking device is all you need to shed some calories in the middle of your workday, the WalkingPad P1 lives up to the hype and checks all of the essential boxes. Just make sure you familiarize yourself with the WalkingPad app early on just in case the remote decides to konk out on you, because the WalkingPad showed us that it is designed to have a longer lifespan than some of its accessories.

WalkingPad FAQs

References

La New JM, Borer KT. (2022). Effects of Walking Speed on Total and Regional Body Fat in Healthy Postmenopausal Women. Nutrients, 14(3):627.

The post WalkingPad Treadmill Review (2024): An Under-Desk Tread With a Deck Longer Than the Rest appeared first on BarBend.

Fans across the country flocked to the new location of the 2024 CrossFit Games: Soon after arriving in Fort Worth, TX, many say they were faced with the decision of whether or not to leave the event entirely after tragedy struck during the first event of the weekend. 

Spectators we spoke with felt a collective sense of sadness and confusion as to what to do when it was announced that Lazar Đukić died on Thursday during the swim event. 

Some were in the air, some had just landed or decided to catch up on the first event via the live stream at their respective locations. No matter where they were, they all faced the same painstaking decision: whether to stay for the rest of the weekend or go home. 

For Elly Trickett and Rudy Chang, long-time fans of the sport, they chose to stick it out. 

“Through all of this, there was no talking directly to the people who have been there, the people who attend the CrossFit Games…the people who spend a lot of money to be there, they spent time out to be there, and there was no communication directly to us,” said Trickett in an interview with Morning Chalk Up. 

Trickett and Chang are both CrossFit coaches at CrossFit 203 in Danbury, CT. This was their fourth year attending the Games, and it is an event they look forward to each year. 

Image credit: Carlos Fleury

As big fans, they weren’t quite sure what to do about the competition after Thursday but ultimately chose to stay to support the community and to stay around others who were also grieving. 

“I remember thinking that I’m still here, and the reason I’m here is because I don’t know how not to be,” said Trickett.

Separately, Chang recalls that Friday was a “heavy day,” but by Saturday, it felt like Thursday hadn’t happened. 

“The way Saturday was run felt like a regular Saturday at any other year,” Rudy said in an interview with Morning Chalk Up. 

Remind me: CrossFit HQ canceled all Thursday events but announced (very late Thursday evening) that the weekend would continue and that athletes had a choice to either stay and compete or withdraw from the competition. 

The details of what happened leading up to that decision have come to light, and Morning Chalk Up has laid a timeline for the day here.

The ultimate decision was made after a select few athletes met, and a survey with a series of questions about what they wanted to do moving forward was sent to all athletes. 

Following the poll results on Thursday evening, athletes were told the next day’s events would begin at noon, following a tribute for Đukić, which several fans criticized as being thrown together and not meeting the magnitude of the tragedy. 

“It was too minimalist for what had happened,” said Rudy in an interview with the Morning Chalk Up. “I feel like it’s almost better if they attempted something more, but it didn’t come out that great. I think people would have understood.” 

He and Trickett acknowledged that Sunday’s closing ceremony was much better and honored Đukić more meaningfully. Ultimately, both felt a lot of guilt for deciding to stay. 

“There was just nothing to bring us, the spectators, together as a community. There was nothing to foster connection, and we as a community weren’t strong enough to do it ourselves,” said Trickett. 

Someone going through a similar dilemma was Rohit Hazra. 

He had landed from Minneapolis around 8 a.m. on Thursday and was monitoring the livestream from his phone. 

He’d later find out from his wife, who was going to join him, that Đukić had died.

“It was the worst thing that could have possibly happened,” Hazra told Morning Chalk Up in an interview. 

He ended up going to Dickies Arena, where it was “eerie and somber.” Hazra’s wife ended up canceling her flight after finding out about the death due to her own personal loss that she was dealing with, which left him with the tough choice to stay or leave. 

Like Trickett and Chang, he heard about the tribute to Đukić that would be held Friday and knew he wanted to stick around at least for that. But Hazra recalls it was a frustrating thing to witness and a disappointing tribute at best. 

Hazra has been to every Games since 2018, but he saw the athletes in a new light this year.

“Just looking at their body language, you could tell they were scared, for their family for sure, and that this could have happened to any of them,” said Hazra. “Looking at them in this setting gave me some context, some new color on how real these people that we watch on TV are and how avoidable this could have been.” 

After staying for that first event on Friday, Hazra’s wife told him she had found a flight out of Dallas, TX, that evening. 

He hadn’t considered leaving that soon, but he stepped outside the arena and booked the flight home. He stepped back through the vendor village one last time. Everything was somber and completely unrecognizable as the CrossFit Games. 

“It kind of felt like you were leaving the Games for what we know it to be,” said Hazra, who chose not to attend the other events before his flight. He packed up, returned his rental car, and left. 

Hazra added that the only support for spectators on-site came from the athletes. In their post-event interviews, many athletes thanked the fans for sticking around. But no correspondence from HQ went directly to ticketholders. 

Hazra has no regrets about his decision. While he continues to train at his local affiliate, he adds that he hasn’t rewatched any of the Games’ live streams. 

Trickett and Chang, who both began choking up during the interview, felt unsure about their decision to stay. 

“I don’t want people to think for one second that I was there to see if I could squeeze a good time out of a bad situation. In some ways, I really regret not leaving, and I will always question why,” said Trickett. 

Chang looked at the weekend more logically than emotionally, but after reflecting on it also felt guilt for sticking through to Sunday. 

Obviously, HQ directed its attention to the athletes and the community as a whole, “but for the people there collectively grieving with nowhere to direct it to, that was such a big mess,” said Trickett. 

The bottom line: It’s important to remember that even though the stadium may have been filled with spectators, each and every one of them was grieving and also had to make a difficult decision after the loss of an athlete they all expected to be cheering on the remainder of the weekend.

Featured image credit: Carlos Fleury 

The post Spectators Reflect on 2024 CrossFit Games Weekend Turmoil and the Tough Decision to Stay or Go appeared first on BarBend.

The 2024/25 HYROX season will feature races on five different continents. The “Ultimate Fitness Race” season starts in September 2024 with HYROX Cape Town in Africa.

Athletes who intend to compete in one or more HYROX races this season likely have cross trainers, water bottles, supplements, and other gear they’ll need to carry. That’s where fitness apparel company Built for Athletes (BFA) comes in, as they are the official bag partner for HYROX.

BFA has launched an exclusive collection of four pieces, specifically designed with HYROX in mind to supply the expected quarter of a million participants in HYROX races this season.

Built for Athletes HYROX Collection

35L Pro Backpack — £160/$209.46

60L Duffel Bag — £175/$229.10

Crossbody Bag — £44.99/$58.90

Keychain — £8/$10.47

The collection is now available for purchase in the UK and HYROX races throughout Europe.

Image courtesy of Built for Athletes

The season features four Major Races and a Last-Chance Qualifier that offers qualifications for the 2025 HYROX World Championships.

Major Race 1 — HYROX Amsterdam | Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024

Major Race 2 — HYROX Hong Kong | Friday, Nov. 22, 2024

Major Race 3 — HYROX Las Vegas | Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

Major Race 4 — HYROX Glasgow | Thursday, March 11, 2025

Last-Chance Qualifier — HYROX Barcelona | TBD

Each HYROX race for individuals in the Pro division comprises the following with a one-kilometer run between each station:

Ski Erg — 1,000 meters

Sled Push — 4x 12.5 meters, Women: 152 kilograms | Men: 202 kilograms

Sled Pull — 12.5 meters, Women: 103 kilograms | Men: 153 kilograms

Burpee Broad Jump — 80 meters

Row — 1,000 meters

Farmer’s Carry — 200 meters, Women: 24 kilograms | Men: 32 kilograms

Sandbag Lunge — 100 meters, Women: 20 kilograms | Men: 30 kilograms

Wall Balls — 100 reps, Women: six kilograms | Men: nine kilograms

The Elite 15 — the top 15 men’s and top 15 women’s race times throughout the season — will be featured at the 2025 HYROX World Championships.

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Once the 2024 CrossFit Games concluded, nearly all the athletes took to social media to share their challenges to compete at a high level while mourning the loss of Lazar Đukić. 

As fans watched the events, we could see that athletes weren’t performing at their peak, given the tragic event that had occurred over the weekend. 

With that in mind, there’s an argument that what happened at the 2024 Games should be taken with a grain of salt and given an asterisk for the entire weekend.

Right or wrong, the Games continued. And with it, there are some interesting takeaways as we head into the off-season.

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Fresh Faces Emerged

The 2024 CrossFit Games podium comprised James Sprague, Dallin Pepper, and Brent Fikowski. None of them finished on the podium in 2023. Of course, Fikowski stood on the podium twice previously.

In a rapidly developing sport, the men’s field has had consistency at the top of the leaderboard in recent years. 

This was the first time since 2010 that none of the podium finishers placed on the podium the previous year. 

In the previous 13 seasons, there was at least one athlete celebrating back-to-back podiums.

Super Sunday

Austin Hatfield ended Saturday in 22nd place after “Push Pull 2.0.” By the end of Sunday, he climbed to 10th. 

On the final day of the competition, Hatfield had an eighth-place finish in the “Dickies Triplet” and won both “Final 2421” and “Final 1815.” 

Hatfield’s incredible final-day performance earned him 272 out of a possible 300 points. 

By finishing in 10th, he earned $26,000 in prize money — a nice jump from the $6,750 he would have earned by finishing 22nd. 

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Vellner Keeps Rolling

Partick Vellner won “Midline Climb,” his eighth career event win. 

This also puts him in a tie with fellow Canadian Brent Fikowski and CrossFit legend Josh Bridges for third all-time in event wins by men. 

Vellner is the only athlete to win an event in all four years of the Semifinals era.

Call It a Comeback

After a promising seventh-place finish at the 2022 CrossFit Games, Jayson Hopper had a disappointing 31st-place finish in 2023. 

By finishing fourth at the 2024 CrossFit Games, Hopper showed the world that 2023 was the outlier. 

With his bounce-back season, Hopper joins Jeff Adler (2020), Kara Saunders (2015), and Val Voboril (2010) as the only athletes to finish in the top five at the CrossFit Games after finishing 30th or worse the year before.

Young Guns

James Sprague and Dallin Pepper are both 22 years old. This is the first time two competitors, 22 years old or younger, have been on the podium in the same year. 

In 2011, Rich Froning was 23 when he topped the podium, while Ben Smith, who was 21, was in third place.

If the 2011 Games were held the same weekend as the 2012 Games, Froning would have been 22.

More recently, Sam Kwant was 25, and Justin Medeiros was 21 when they shared the podium in 2020.

The 2015 CrossFit Games was the only time when all three athletes (Ben Smith, Mat Fraser, and Björgvin Karl Guðmundsson) were 25 and younger when they stood on the podium. 

Bonus 

Ruan Potgieter took fifth place in “Run Swim” and fourth in “Push Pull 2.0.” 

It’s the first time that an athlete from Africa had two top-five finishes in a single CrossFit Games. 

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The Bottom Line

The takeaways from the 2024 Games almost have a polar opposite feel. 

On one hand, we have a new wave of men ready to take over the sport. On the other hand, the sport’s veterans continue to show us they are still in contention for the title. 

Will 2025 be the tipping point where the next generation takes the sport as their own?

Credit: Carlos Fleury

The post 5 Takeaways From the Men’s Division at the 2024 CrossFit Games appeared first on BarBend.

IFBB Classic Physique Pro bodybuilder Terrence Ruffin qualified for the 2024 Olympia, scheduled for Oct. 10-13, 2024, in Las Vegas, NV, via his victory at the 2023 IFBB Sheru Classic Pro. However, he decided to pull out of bodybuilding’s most prestigious competition due to his ongoing recovery from an elbow injury and the need to add significant muscle mass to stay competitive.

On Aug. 16, 2024, Ruffin shared his upper body workout while 17 pounds shy of the weight cap for his height in Classic Physique. He broke down every move and explained the process behind building an Olympia-caliber physique. 

Terrence Ruffin’s Upper Body Workout

Machine Chest Press

Single-Arm Machine Low-Row

Dumbbell Incline Flyes

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown

Seated Bayesian Curl

Cable Cross-Body Triceps Extension

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Most People Don’t Need To Flat Press Exercise

Ruffin favors a neutral grip on the machine press, believing it better for training the middle and inner chest. However, he generally suggests the high incline press for most lifters, as the upper chest is often a lagging muscle group for many.

The two-time Arnold Classic Classic Physique champ advises against excessively arching the lower back during the flat bench press as it shifts the emphasis toward the lower chest.

When doing flat press, you’re [likely] doing a decline press.

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Single-Arm Rows For Better Neuromuscular Connection

Ruffin alternates between antagonistic muscle groups during a multi-muscle workout. This strategy allows one muscle to recover while the other is engaged, improving workout efficiency.

Ruffin prefers performing the machine low rows standing, as it tweaks the machine’s resistance curve, making the exercise more challenging at the bottom of his range of motion (ROM).

Prioritize a Deep Stretch in the Fully Lengthened Position

Ruffin keeps his chest elevated and scapula retracted throughout the incline dumbbell flyes to load the upper chest. He maintains slight elbow flexion and prioritizes driving his elbows together for a sharp contraction at the top of his ROM. (1) Ruffin ensures a deep stretch in the bottom position by lowering his elbows below his midline.

The last few reps are the stimulating reps, the reps that make you grow.

The Alabama native recommends performing lat pulldowns with a wide grip to improve back width.

Cable Curls For Constant Tension on the Biceps

Ruffin sets the cable pulleys at mid-shin height for seated Bayesian curls, explaining that this line of pull maximizes tension on the target muscles in the fully lengthened position. He advises sticking to a new exercise setup for multiple weeks, allowing the muscles to adapt to the movement mechanics for better neuromuscular connection. 

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Reference

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. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1927199

Featured image: @ruff_diesel on Instagram

The post Build an Upper Body Like Classic Physique Bodybuilder Terrence Ruffin appeared first on BarBend.

Annie Thorisdottir, a two-time CrossFit Games champion, is no stranger to the pressure of competition. 

Yet, as the question of whether she will compete again looms, she remains cautious, focusing on her love for the sport and the joy of training rather than rushing into a decision.

On the latest episode of the The Sevan Podcast, she gave hints for next year…

Navigating Post-Competition Pressure

Athletes often face immediate scrutiny after major events, with the world eager to know their next move. 

Annie is no exception. However, she draws inspiration from Simone Biles, who emphasized the need to enjoy the moment rather than being pressured into quick decisions. Annie echoes this sentiment, explaining that she never rushes to decide her future immediately after the CrossFit Games. 

Instead, she allows herself the time to relish her achievements and assess her readiness to compete again on her terms.

Considering the Possibility of Competing Again

Currently, Annie’s focus is on regaining her strength, particularly in her core. While she has not made any firm decisions about competing next year, she acknowledges the challenges of balancing motherhood with her rigorous training regimen. 

Annie’s daughter, Freya, has become a part of her fitness journey, even participating in workouts—a testament to how deeply ingrained CrossFit is in her life. Despite the added responsibilities, 

Annie is determined to get back to a place where she feels strong enough to consider competition seriously.

Setting Goals for the Future

Looking ahead, Annie has set her sights on the Rogue Invitational, where she hopes to compete in the Legends category if possible. 

Additionally, she aims to participate in Wodapalooza, using these events to gauge her progress and help decide whether a return to the CrossFit Games is in her future. 

These goals provide her with a sense of direction without the pressure of an immediate commitment.

A Love for Training and Competition

Annie’s passion for CrossFit is undeniable. Despite the physical and mental tolls of childbirth, she is eager to dive back into intense training sessions, relishing the challenge of pushing her limits. 

For Annie, it’s not just about the results; it’s about the journey—the process of getting stronger and the joy that comes with it.

The Mentality of a Champion

If Annie decides to return to the CrossFit Games, it won’t be just to participate. As a seasoned competitor, she is determined to aim for a podium finish, reflecting her relentless drive and the high standards she sets for herself. 

This mentality is not just about personal ambition but also about meeting the expectations of her supporters who have always seen her as a top contender.

Embracing the Post-Pregnancy Training Experience

The postpartum period has been both challenging and rewarding for Annie. She vividly recalls the satisfaction of getting back on the bike just weeks after her C-section, a moment that reignited her passion for training.

After months of pregnancy where pushing her physical limits was off the table, she now finds immense joy in returning to the intensity she loves. 

It’s this passion for training and the pursuit of improvement that keeps her motivated, even as she navigates the complexities of motherhood.

Conclusion

Annie Thorisdottir’s future in competitive CrossFit remains undecided, but her approach is clear: she will return only when she feels ready to give it her all. 

For now, she is content with setting smaller goals, enjoying the process of rebuilding her strength, and sharing her love for the sport with her daughter. 

Whether or not she returns to the Games, Annie’s journey is a powerful reminder that the path to greatness is as much about enjoying the ride as it is about the destination.

Professional wrestling is, notoriously, a “body business.” A performer has to be more than simply athletic to “get over” — they have to look the part, too. One way to do that is by crafting a larger-than-life physique that looks ripped straight from the pages of a comic book.

It should come as no surprise, then, that some of history’s top pro wrestlers emerged from the bodybuilding world. Also a mix of sport and spectacle, bodybuilding is a natural starting point for denizens of the squared circle. Luckily, wrestling tights are a little more forgiving than posing trunks.

With that in mind, here are 10 wrestlers who started on the bodybuilding stage.

Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka

One of the original high-flying wrestlers, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, was famed for his iconic dives from the top turnbuckle (or top of a steel cage) onto his opponents. Many credit him for innovating and popularising the risk-taking style that still dominates modern wrestling.

A WWE Hall of Famer, Snuka wrestled primarily in the territory system of the 1980s but got a second career as an aging legend in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) during the 1990s. Throughout his career, Snuka won over 30 single and tag titles across a several-decade run. 

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Less celebrated, though, is Snuka’s early bodybuilding career. As a physique competitor, he won several Mr. Hawaii titles and competed in the same bodybuilding competition as fellow wrestling legend Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat.

Snuka was first introduced to pro wrestling when he traded bodybuilding training sessions for wrestling training with some local performers. Once he got in the ring, he never looked back.

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

The aforementioned Steamboat was one of his generation’s best wrestlers, if not the best. During the 1980s, “The Dragon” wrestled Ric Flair in a series of 60-minute matches that remain heralded as some of the greatest wrestling bouts North America has ever seen. 

A consummate “babyface” (pro wrestling parlance for “good guy”), Steamboat’s body was a constant point of fascination for fans and wrestling journalists. Even at the height of his fame in the ring, Steamboat still had the itch to get onto the stage.

“[Steamboat] could bench press 450. He was just a gifted guy. We had a Mr. Charlotte bodybuilding contest; it was him against [Jimmy] Snuka,” Flair once said. “The whole territory went; it was great. Steamboat looked like Frank Zane in the old days — he’s so symmetrical.”

Sting

No pro wrestling career matches Sting’s accomplishments during his time in the business. Known as a World Championship Wrestling (WCW) stalwart in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the Stinger went on to wrestle for all the top companies since 2000, including TNA, WWE, and, most recently, AEW. In that time, he feuded against everyone from Hulk Hogan to Seth Rollins, gaining new generations of fans at every turn. 

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Despite his decades-long career, Sting did not intend to be a wrestler early on; he didn’t even know what professional wrestling was until he was 22. His goal after high school was to be a bodybuilder, and to that end, he became a co-manager of Gold’s Gym in California in 1984. 

Competing in several regional shows, Sting later recalled that he came up in the gym scene at a time when “Guys would go out into the parking lot and have a cigarette and then walk back in and squat 600 pounds.”

Eventually, he was encouraged to try professional wrestling. He was handed a lifeline when Jerry Jarrett offered him and his partner, Jim Hellwig, the chance to wrestle. Thus began a 30-year wrestling career.

Ultimate Warrior

Speaking of Sting’s partner, Jim Hellwig — you probably know him better by his ring name: The Ultimate Warrior.

Hellwig partnered with Sting early in his career as part of a team called the “Freedom Fighters.” That gimmick was short-lived, though, and Hellwig soon found himself in the WWF (now WWE) from 1987 to 1992 in his familiar Warrior garb. With his iconic entrance, flowing ‘80s hair, and garish facepaint, Hellwig embodied the larger-than-life personas that wrestling was known for at the time.

What pulled the Warrior’s whole gimmick together, though, was his unreal physique. With diced-up abs, tree-trunk legs, and pulsating biceps, Hellwig was an action figure made flesh. Unsurprisingly, Hellwig competed in several bodybuilding competitions from 1981 to 1985 before entering the business. 

Hellwig’s biggest victory was the overall at an NPC show in Georgia in 1984. Speaking to NPC News Online in 2007, he cited Robby Robinson as his inspiration for taking up bodybuilding.

Triple H

None of the bodybuilders turned pro wrestlers are as impactful as Paul Levesque, a.k.a. Triple H. This is not because of his contest history, which pales compared to others on this list, but rather because of his profile within bodybuilding. 

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Triple H has released multiple books and workout videos on bodybuilding, appeared onstage during the prize ceremony at the 2004 Mr. Olympia, and regularly appeared on the covers of fitness magazines throughout the 2000s. His interest in bodybuilding came through his love of wrestling. Speaking on his bodybuilding dedication to Muscle & Fitness, Levesque noted:

I was a huge wrestling fan growing up, and the pictures of bodybuilders I saw in magazines always impressed me. I wanted to be like that.

Showcasing some of the sport’s most impressive physique transformations over a several-decade career, Levesque spent several years training under the legendary Joe DeFranco to build a physique that could impress and last within the ring.

As a competitor, Levesque won the 1988 Mr. Teenage New Hampshire competition. Soon after, he met powerlifter turned wrestler Ted Arcidi, who prompted Levesque to try wrestling, leaving behind what could have been a promising career on the stage.

Batista

Dave Batista came to wrestling in his early 30s, having spent the preceding decade in bodybuilding, working in a gym, and bouncing. Despite his inexperience, “The Animal” became one of the best-known wrestlers of the 2000s to the extent that he managed to parlay his wrestling fame into Hollywood. I

n terms of his bodybuilding competition history, Batista appeared in contests sporadically during the ’90s but ultimately disliked the scene.

Batista’s goal was to get as big as possible; known for his size and leanness tipped the scales at over 300 pounds at his peak. Similar to Sting, Batista turned to wrestling when it became clear that bodybuilding was a “dead end.”

Entering the ring in 2002, Batista went on to win individual and tag team titles. He is on track to enter the WWE Hall of Fame shortly, which is a testament to his success within the business.

John Cena

Thirteen-time WWE Heavyweight Champion John Cena is wrestling royalty. Coming to wrestling in the early 2000s, he became the face of the WWE and helped navigate the company’s move away from edgy television to a family-friendly product. 

Preaching a message of “hustle, loyalty, and respect,” Cena often displayed remarkable feats of strength within the ring. This includes regularly lifting athletes weighing over 400 pounds and slamming them to the mat. (13) 

As a teenager, Cena hoped to break into bodybuilding. He entered a teen contest in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Scared of posing in front of strangers, his coach got him to direct traffic in his posing trunks on a Sunday morning. Cena obliged, lost his stage fright, and competed in the show.

Subsequently calling the contest a farce, it is no surprise Cena traded in his posing trunks for wrestling jorts.

Alexa Bliss

Five-time Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss has been in several high-profile feuds within the WWE. On top of that, she is arguably the most successful bodybuilder ever in wrestling. 

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That sounds like a bold claim, but before joining WWE, Bliss was an IFBB Pro in the Bikini Class under her maiden name Lexi Kaufmann. As an athlete, Bliss participated in the Arnold Classic, the 2012 Valenti Cup, and the Pittsburgh Pro. These types of high-profile contests are a rarity for the bodybuilder-turned-wrestler class.

While she held a great fondness for bodybuilding, she decided to attend a WWE tryout and see where it led her. She’s never looked back.

Bianca Belair

Bianca Belair has one of the best gimmicks in modern wrestling. She is the ‘EST,’ meaning in the biggest, strongest, and fastest. One of the most physically impressive wrestlers of the modern era, Belair’s background in athletics and CrossFit enables her to routinely pull off power moves that leave fans breathless. 

In 2022, Belair participated in the WBFF Entertainment Pro Atlantic City ProAm, placing second in the Fitness category but winning first in the Wellness division. Whether Belair will compete again is anyone’s guess, but she is not the only active wrestler to compete in a bodybuilding show. 

In 2023, TNA multi-time champion Jordynne Grace won the overall at an NPC qualifier. Now that Grace divides her time between TNA and WWE, we may soon have a bodybuilder vs. bodybuilder match.

Chyna

Joanie “Chyna” Laurer was marketed as the “9th Wonder of the World” during WWF’s “Attitude Era” of the late ‘90s. Strong and athletic, Chyna was unlike anyone else in women’s wrestling during a high point in the sport’s popularity. 

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Initially entering as a bodyguard for Triple H, she became a wrestler in her own right, winning women’s and men’s titles. Like others on this list, Chyna dedicated herself to bodybuilding as a teenager and competed at the 1995 Ms. Fitness America competition in New York. 

This was around the same time that she could reportedly squat 450 pounds a dozen times and bench multiple reps of 315 pounds. Chyna went on to leave bodybuilding for wrestling and left a legacy within the sport.

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Featured image: @theultimatewarrior / Instagram

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