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…
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…
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…
RFK Jr.’s Bench Press Isn’t Actually That Impressive
In videos released this weekend, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.—a man who has compared childhood vaccines to the holocaust and is also running for president for some reason—lifts weights on a…
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…
You’re Probably Lifting Half As Much As You Should
It won’t be news to longtime Lifehacker readers, but a recent study confirms that a lot of us are likely training with weights that are too light. Coach and author…
10 of the Most Common Pieces of Lifting Gear (and When to Use Them)
Years into being a gym rat, I have curated quite the collection of straps, wraps, sleeves, belts, and other items I can attach to my body when I’m lifting weights.…
What Are Stabilizer Muscles (and Do You Really Need to Train Them)?
Photo: Maridav (Shutterstock) You may have heard dumbbell exercises are better than barbell ones because they work more of your “stabilizers,” or that free weights are better than machines for…
Is a $10 Gym Membership Ever Really Worth It?
Photo: Kzenon (Shutterstock) There are lots of ways to begin an exercise routine, and as we pointed out here, it’s not always worth sweating the details. But does it matter…