In partnership with

Welcome to The BarBend Newsletter! Here’s what’s going on in today’s edition:

• The best way to get a V-taper

• 6 ways to keep indoor rowing exciting

• BarBend reviews the hottest at-home sauna

Training

V Isn’t for Vendetta Anymore

No matter how far the world advances technologically, we’ve never been able to create a more visually pleasing frame than the iconic V-taper. As Johnny Cash says about John Henry, “kinda broad at the shoulders and narrow at the hips,” the ideal male form really hasn’t changed a lot.

So why aren’t you spending more time crafting the ultimate aesthetic silhouette? The workouts we’ve put together in the article below solve that problem, and maybe with the V-taper of your dreams, everything else will seem like small potatoes in comparison.

The combination of wide and narrow gives this look its lasting appeal. Thus, the program focuses on flaring out your lats to give the top portion the necessary girth. That being said, you’ll need to dial in your diet to make the changeover from lats to waist as dramatic as possible. Do the taper right, and life will be all sunsets and roses from now on.

A Message From Huel

You’re doing breakfast wrong

Let’s face it—most breakfast options just don’t cut it.

Toast? Too light. Cereal? Mostly sugar. Skipping it altogether? Not ideal.

If you want real fuel to power your day, it’s time to upgrade to Huel Black Edition. This ready-in-seconds shake is packed with 40g of plant-based protein, 27 essential vitamins & minerals, and 0 artificial sweeteners—just science-backed nutrition to support your muscles, digestion, and more.

Oh, and did we mention? It’s delicious.

Right now, first-time customers get 15% off, plus a free t-shirt and shaker with code HUELSPRING, for orders over $75.

Find your fuel

Cardio

Row Away Your Boredom

ERGing is straight up hard, but what can be even harder is staring at a blank concrete wall while oozing effort out of every pore in your body. Instead of trying desperately not to look at the clock, knowing full well you’ve been moving for far closer to 20 seconds than 20 minutes, try out these interesting rowing machine workouts to keep you engaged.

If you’re not mentally dreading a monotonous workout, odds are you’ll miss fewer training sessions and be able to put more oomph into each session. Mixing up classroom and CrossFit-inspired training vibes, these sessions will both put the fear of God into you and keep you coming back to church for the free wine and crackers.

Forget dull days or rowing. Break through into your new and exciting world of…rowing.

Recovery

Break a Sweat

Infrared saunas are all the rage, and with the home gym movement, a natural progression of thought should lead you to the idea of getting an ultimate home recovery unit.

While not a budget option, the Sun Home Luminair certainly meets the description. You can sweat for free during hot summer climbs or make the most of your water heater, but nothing quite compares to the true sauna experience. Is it worth the (considerable) up-front investment? Our experts think so and give you a piece of their hot, sticky mind on the subject in this review.

Big Lifts

Check out this 507-pound behind-the-neck press from Tom Stoltman (@tomstoltmanofficial). The three-time World’s Strongest Man winner never fails to impress.

Are you hyped for the 2025 World’s Strongest Man next week? Remember, we’ll have all of the results live from Sacramento on May 15-18. Just stay tuned to BarBend.com and keep opening up the newsletter for the latest.

Quick Hits

💪 Carry This: Weighted carries don’t get half the attention they deserve. Just as important as the other lifts in your routine (and maybe even more valuable), moving dynamically while bearing a load can be a game-changer. Pick things up and move them around by learning all about these weighted carries.

🏋️ Squat This: For all his might and barbell knowledge, you might still be forgiven for not immediately associating Jay Cutler with squat technique. Absolve yourself of this mistake by letting Jay fix your favorite leg exercise with his three most important tips.

⚡️ Bemoan This: You might want to sit down for this if you’re a fan of Ghost pre-workout: The brand has officially discontinued its Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish flavors. You might want to head to your closest 7-Eleven and stock up on the remaining cans.

Sign Up