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Here’s what’s in this edition:

• Gold medalist Olivia Reeves’ next plans

• Leg exercises for hypertrophy

• BarBend’s guide to gym accessibility

2024 Olympics

What’s Next?

Fresh off of her remarkable gold medal performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, weightlifter Olivia Reeves isn’t quite ready to commit to spending four more years training for a repeat performance at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. (Though she’s also not completely ruling it out.)

Instead, Reeves’ sights are set on a new goal, which has eluded all American weightlifters for 30-plus years: a world record. For that, she would need to exceed the current combined total of 273 kilograms in the snatch and clean & jerk in the 71-kilogram category. (She’s already come close before by combining for 271 kilograms during USA Weightlifting’s Senior National Championships.)

Becoming one of the greatest lifters in the United States is certainly a goal BarBend can get behind. Check out our full interview with Reeves below.

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Exercise Selection

Build Your Legs

Long leg days got you down in the dumps? Want to shake things up, smash the ever-loving heck out of your legs, and head home to recover without waiting for the power rack to free up for long enough to get your work in?

Dr. Eric Helms has you covered.

Pro bodybuilder Dr. Helms thinks you can train the front and back of your legs with these two simple exercises and get all the work your body can handle.

Since life as a human being has gifted you with the terrible scourge of rational thought, you know there’s a catch to this: the movements are going to feel really, really hard. (We promise it’s worth it, though.)

If you want big enough legs to endure basically anything, or if you’re light on equipment and time, these two muscle-busting movements will do plenty to light up your lower body.

Gym Culture

Creating a barrier-free workout

One out of every four Americans is classified as living with a disability, potentially making it harder for them to get to, get into, or get constructive work done at a physical fitness center.

Since the benefits of physical activity don’t disappear because of these disabilities, this guide gives gym owners, trainers, and staff, who need to be fully aware of the best ways their work can serve a full 25% of the population looking to get healthy, a starting place to work from.

Shifts in attitudes can be just as vital as compliance with ADA regulations concerning the structure and layout of a fitness center. Likewise, professional development courses can help give trainers and instructors the tools they need to work within the framework of their clientele’s needs. Read all about the holistic approaches to creating barrier-free workout spaces and how you can fit into them.

Everything Else

Low-Cal, Big Flavor

•  Low-calorie protein bars are a classic way to satiate cravings while helping build some extra muscle. These expert-reviewed bars are the very best the diet-food market has to offer.

• The 2024 CrossFit Games will forever be linked with the tragic death of Lazar Đukić. However, in the midst of heartache, we did find some moments to smile about.

• If your elbows flare up during triceps extensions, make these fixes immediately to leave the gym feeling better than when you walk in.