The Right Ways to Load and Unload a Barbell
Loading a bar is easy, right? You just put the plates on; and at the end of the workout, you take the plates off. But if you’ve ever stood befuddled…
The Best Home Gym Equipment for Under $100
I recently shared the best cheap purchases for your gym bag. Now it’s time to cover the best home workout gear that costs under $100. These are things you can…
Gym Chalk Is Your Secret Weapon for Lifting More Weight
If you’ve ever seen someone chalk up before a big deadlift, maybe clapping a big cloud of the stuff into the air, you might wonder if it’s actually even doing…
How Long You Should Rest Between Sets
A typical strength- or muscle-building workout happens in sets. You lift the weight a certain number of times (“reps”), then you put it down for a quick rest before going…
How to Choose the Best Weightlifting Straps
Lifting straps are an essential gym bag item if you do any serious amount of deadlifting or pulling exercises. (And no, straps aren’t cheating if you know when to use…
All the Different Bars at the Gym, Explained
The first step in lifting a barbell is loading weight plates onto the bar. At some gyms, there’s only one type of bar, and it weighs 45 pounds, and that’s…
No, Light Weights and Heavy Weights Can’t Give You the Same Workout
In the world of exercise, variety abounds. You can lift light weights, or heavy weights, or no weights at all. You can run fast, or run slow, or strap on…
The Best Prime Day Deals on Fitness Equipment
Image: Amazon Prime Day is a great time to fill out the gaps in your home gym or grab a few nice things for your gym bag. Here are some…
What to Do With a Trap Bar in the Gym
Dumbbells and regular barbells are great, but if you’ve been ignoring that large hexagonal thing in the corner, it’s now time to make its acquaintance. The “hex bar” or “trap…
You Should Be Paying Attention to Those Smooth Rings on the Barbell
Look closely at your barbell the next time you’re in a gym. Much of the surface is roughed up with a diamond pattern. This is called the knurling, and it…