BarBend

Best Vegan Creatine (2026): Plant-Based Picks for Every Athlete

Amanda Capritto, CPT, CSNC, CPS — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:17:54 +0000

Creatine is one of the most-studied, most effective supplements for muscle growth known to mankind. (1) Created in the body from the amino acids arginine, glycine, and methionine, this sports nutrition supplement helps your body produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energetic molecule that powers short, intense muscle contractions like those used in the Olympic lifts. Our product...

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Fueling the Future Deadlift World Record: Hafthor Björnsson’s 8,000-Calorie Diet

Terry Ramos — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Strongman diets are often extremely caloric, frequently reaching five figures. 2018 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) and current deadlift record holder Hafthor Björnsson recently invited Dr. Mike Israetel to evaluate his daily meals. Björnsson’s day starts with one and a half liters of water mixed with Hydrate, an electrolyte powder, and creatine. His daily nutrition plan consists of five meals, which are organized when he wakes up...

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2026 Olympia Qualification Points System Announced

Roger Lockridge — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 17:00:00 +0000

The Olympia qualification process will evolve for the 2026 season. The IFBB Pro League announced a new points and qualification process for the biggest show in bodybuilding. The new rules can be seen below, as shared by the IFBB Pro League’s Instagram page: View this post on Instagram A post shared by IFBB Professional League (@ifbb_pro_league) Men’s Open, 212, Women’s Bodybuilding,...

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Muscle Building: Whey Protein Continues to Perform Better Than Collagen

Doug Murray — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Collagen is a popular fitness supplement, touted for its benefits for joint health, recovery, and skin. But is it all hype? The most recent research suggests collagen may not live up to the claims that permeate the fitness world. Dr. Layne Norton, Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences, doubts collagen’s value. Collagen supplementation looks like a scam. I am skeptical. —Dr. Layne...

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4x Men’s Physique Olympia Champion Jeremy Buendia’s New Commercial Gym Tour

Matt Magnante — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Four-time Olympia Men’s Physique champion Jeremy Buendia‘s decade-long dream of the commercial “Stoik Gym” was finally realized in Roseville, CA. With only eight weeks until the 2025 Olympia, which will likely be Buendia’s last, Buendia’s contest prep has been balanced with creating his physical and spiritual sanctuary. [My wife and I] would sit and talk about the perfect gym we...

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Can Ashwagandha Boost Muscle Gains?

Matt Magnante — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000

A 2025 comprehensive review of the herbal supplement ashwagandha, known for its stress-reducing properties, may boost muscle gains in ways beyond promoting relaxation. While it’s not the first proof of ashwagandha’s benefits, this new review synthesized studies examining its mechanisms and effects across multiple domains. (1) Literature Takeaways The new data shows most benefits between 300 and 900 milligrams...

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Should You Do 3-5 Reps for Size?

Matt Magnante — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:00:00 +0000

A new study reignited the debate about the lowest repetition range to maximize muscle hypertrophy. Analyzed by the House of Hypertrophy (HoH), the research reveals evidence that challenges conventional advice. One to five reps is considered the strength zone, where hypertrophy is observed. Due to mechanical tension, volume, fatigue management, and joint health, the six to 12 rep range...

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How to Build the Perfect Post-Workout Meal for Recovery

Doug Murray — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Recovering from a training session doesn’t end when you rack the weights; what you eat after can influence your progress. Physiologist Dr. Mike Israetel, co-founder of Renaissance Periodization, keeps his post-workout strategy simple. Skip overcomplicated meal plans and focus on replenishing glycogen stores quickly to recover and build more muscle. Post-Workout Nutrition: Why It’s Key Intense training sessions drain the...

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No Bench? No Problem. Try Simeon Panda’s Chest Exercise Swaps

Doug Murray — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:00:00 +0000

You’re in a crowded gym, every bench is taken, it’s chest day, and you feel like your chest pump hopes are vanquished. You don’t need a bench to build bigger, stronger pecs, though. Proper exercise swaps can get the job done. In late August 2025, bodybuilder Simeon Panda shared his favorite alternatives to presses and flyes for the upper, mid,...

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Smelling Salts For Power: Derek Lunsford’s Leg Training During 2025 Mr. Olympia Prep

Terry Ramos — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0000

2023 Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford remains the only athlete to claim Olympia titles in two divisions: Men’s Open and Men’s 212. Although Lunsford lost his title defense to Samson Dauda in 2024, he kicked off the 2025 season by beating Dauda at the 2025 Arnold Classic. Determined to reclaim the prestigious Sandow Trophy, Lunsford is focused on building his lower body. “This is the...

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