🏋️ 15 essential CrossFit exercises for a stronger base

With his third Clerks movie heading to theaters, actor/director Kevin Smith recently said that he'll never stop making installments in his cult-favorite comedy series. Somewhat similarly to Smith, we'll never stop feeding you the must-know in strength sports. 

After announcing recently that he would stop using steroids, powerlifter Larry Wheels provided a training update on his new normal. 

In early August, Tia-Clair Toomey became the winningest individual athlete in the history of the CrossFit Games. Find out why her record-breaking victory almost didn't happen. 

Speaking of CrossFit, if you want to dip your toes into this functional fitness lifestyle, we broke down a cornucopia of exercises to help you get started. 

Editor’s Note: BarBend does not intend to make a moral or ethical statement regarding an athlete’s actions. This newsletter reports on the information laid out by the athlete(s). BarBend is not a medical resource and does not endorse the recreational use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Powerlifting 

Larry Wheels Tests His Mettle

Powerlifter Larry Wheels recently announced that he stopped taking steroids in part to see what he could accomplish in the gym without them. But since his body can longer produce testosterone naturally, he's now undergoing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). The goal is to bring his hormone levels to what he says are on "the higher side of being a natural, healthy male in his prime."

Earlier this week, Wheels hit the squat rack and bench while just on TRT to test his strength. And for now, he seems optimistic about the results. Wheels managed to squat 269.9 kilograms (595.1 pounds) for five reps, which he says is a "reasonable" place to be. And on his last set on the bench, he hit five paused reps at 224 kilograms (494 pounds). 

Though Wheels was happy with the lifts, this is just the beginning of a new chapter in his career.

CrossFit

Tia-Clair Toomey Opens Up About Her Recent Back Injury

When she decides to stop doing muscle-ups competitively, Tia-Clair Toomey has a solid argument as CrossFit's greatest of all time. (Or should we say G.O.A.T.? We'll say G.O.A.T.) As she starts to prep for the 2022 Down Under Championships in Australia this November, the six-time CrossFit Games champion revealed her latest title almost didn't happen. 

In a video on her YouTube channel, Toomey said she suffered an unfortunate back injury just before the Games that had her considering withdrawing from the contest. Of course, we all know she powered through and rewrote the history books in the process.

We don't know about you, but if a champion like Toomey can still beat the field with a bad back, she's probably invincible. Or built differently. (Or both?)

Training

Build a Better CrossFit Base

CrossFit training is an excellent tool for building functional strength and endurance, but to truly get the most out of it, you've got to master a handful of essential moves first. To make sure you've perfected these fundamentals, we're breaking down 15 CrossFit exercises that will give you a solid foundation moving forward. 

From bodyweight basics to an introduction to Olympic-style lifts, this guide lays the groundwork for WODs to come.

Everything Else

A Historical Olympia Controversy

• Arnold Schwarzenegger may be the patron saint of bodybuilding today, but there’s one part of his legacy that continues to divide fans: His controversial 1980 Mr. Olympia title. Find out why fellow bodybuilding legend Samir Bannout said the Austrian Oak didn't deserve the crown that year.

• To reach your health goals, you'll need nutrition to match. During a recent interview between bodybuilder Mike O'Hearn and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, they talked about why proteins might be the key to a long life.

• Kettlebells are easy to use and can give you a serious full-body workout with minimal equipment. Here are a few simple kettlebell circuits to get you feeling the burn.