🏋️ 10-time crossfit champion's retirement

That monstrous growl you hear from the mysterious lagoon in town isn't some spooky beast. It's actually us craving the chance to share the latest fitness news with you.

Today's BarBend Newsletter is presented by lululemon Studio, an all-in-one fitness destination offering more than 10,000 workout classes at your fingertips. Right now, use the code LLSTUDIO700 to save $700 on the lululemon Mirror, a home workout device that brings all of lululemon Studio’s offerings to life to help you reach your fitness goals.

Eddie Hall is a strongman great, but how would he fare in the NFL? "The Beast" recently tried his hand at a mock-up of the NFL Scouting Combine to find out.

Another all-timer in his respective field, CrossFit icon Rich Froning Jr. announced his retirement from the CrossFit Games Teams division.

You might not pay much attention to your positioning while in the gym. But some research shows you should change up your workout angles if you want bigger gains.

Football

Eddie Hall Tests His Gridiron Mettle

Eddie Hall has little left to prove in the world of strength sports — he won the World's Strongest Man contest in 2017 and is a former deadlift world record holder. Truthfully, Hall has nothing to prove as a football athlete, either, but he decided to test his skill set anyway.

The strongman legend recently did a short mock-up of the NFL's annual Scouting Combine for his YouTube channel. The event is meant to be a predictive assessment of a player's physical fitness and aptitude for football. And at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Hall stepped out of his comfort zone.

Between work on the shuttle run, broad jump, and the famous (or infamous?) 40-yard dash, the typically mighty Hall ran through the wringer of speed and agility moves. And boy, we've gotta admit: It was fun to watch an elite athlete challenge himself like this.

CrossFit

Rich Froning Jr. Starts to Write His Next Chapter

Between his four Individual and six Team CrossFit Games titles, Rich Froning Jr. is the most decorated CrossFit athlete of all time. But moving forward, he plans to stop stacking trophies on top of trophies. (Also, that doesn't seem safe?)

The prolific competitor officially announced his retirement from the Teams division this week. It's the capper to a career that saw Froning Jr. lead Team Mayhem Freedom to six consecutive titles. In fact, Froning Jr. has stood on the podium in some fashion at every CrossFit Games since 2010, so it's truly the end of an era.

Froning Jr. didn't rule out a return to Masters competition in the future. But, for now, the 35-year-old simply wants to spend more time with his loved ones. He's certainly earned that right.

From Our Sponsor

An All-in-One Fitness Experience

If you want more variety from your fitness program, lululemon Studio has everything you need to be your best. When you become a member, you’ll get access to an array of classes taught by expert trainers, along with special deals on products and studio workout sessions. There’s a lot to break down, so let’s look at just a few of the benefits you’ll receive as a member:

• Instant access to more than 10,000 classes from some of the world’s best trainers.

• The ability to tune in for new live classes every week through the lululemon Studio App.

• 10% off every lululemon product purchase, including sale items and limited releases.

• 20% off in-person classes at partner studios like ​​DOGPOUND, Pure Barre, Rumble, Yoga Six, and more at participating U.S. locations.

• Early access to new lululemon gear.

The centerpiece of the lululemon Studio experience is, of course, The Mirror. This sleek workout device allows you to see your reflection alongside your trainer on a full HD display, so you can make sure your form is correct throughout the workout. The Mirror also tracks metrics, like your heart rate, estimated calories burned, and more, while connecting you with others taking the class around the world.

If all that sounds like the upgrade your fitness journey needs, you can save $700 on The Mirror and get free shipping by using the code LLSTUDIO700.

$700 off full price last offered 10/4/2022. lululemon Studio content, features and member benefits subject to change. 20% at partner studios is valid at participating U.S. partner studio locations only. Partners and offer subject to change.

Training Tips

A Better Angle for a Better Lift

There are so many small details to consider when lifting weights: Your technique, the requisite reps, the kind of equipment you want to use. And yet, there's still a smaller, perhaps even overlooked, aspect that might help you progress better than ever.

We're talking about the angles of your exercises, of course.

While it's not an exact science, some research shows that how you position yourself and what movement your angle comes from can dramatically improve your lifts. Yes, it matters. (We were kind of surprised, too, admittedly.) It's a fascinating way of looking at how we can recalibrate our training or, shall we say, find a new angle for it.

Everything Else

All Eyes on the CrossFit Rogue Invitational

• The 2022 CrossFit Rogue Invitational is underway and will run through the weekend. We're keeping tabs on the spectacle the entire way.

• Breon Ansley is on one final hunt for a Classic Physique Olympia title. Here's how he's crushing his leg workouts for bigger mass.

• Hammer your back with some hammer strength rows.