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Welcome to The BarBend Newsletter! Here’s what’s on tap for today:

• Chest workouts with a powerlifting focus

• Train your back with these cable exercises

• Chris Cooper’s plan to save CrossFit

Workouts

Build-a-Chest Workshop

In these times of social and political conflict, there is one constant that can unify every portion of the population: We all want to bench more.

If you’re really willing to put in the work necessary to earn that coveted strength boost, we’ve got some powerlifting chest workouts you’ll want to try. Whether you’re a hobbyist, a competitive athlete, or just want to bust through a stubborn plateau, we’ve got programs designed for your needs.

These workouts take you through a series of bench-like moves designed to strengthen the entire range of motion, from the very bottom stretch position to the very top at the lockout. Now is your chance to be part of something bigger by getting significantly bigger chest muscles and, thereby, seriously embiggening your bench press.

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Lifting

All-Inclusive Cable Package

Cable machines are great for taking some load off your spine while also providing you with near-infinite options for combining angles and ranges of motion. And while most people utilize these machines to boost their arms or abs, you’re missing out if you don’t take advantage of them on your next back day. 

With the cable machine back workouts below, you’ll learn all about the various pulldowns and rows you can use to hammer your lats, traps, delts, and rhomboids into submission.  

Why opt for cables? Most big back-builders, like deadlifts and bent-over rows, place stress over our entire body. While that can be great, it can also be what limits you from putting enough volume on the actual muscles of your back (you know, the ones you want to work). Simply put, you may not be isolating your muscles enough to get a real, focused workout. 

With these cable machine variants, you can hone in on the muscles you want to grow without fatiguing your biceps, legs, or shoulders. Log into your favorite cable provider and use the amazing power of the pulley.

News

To Save CrossFit…

It seems like CrossFit’s growing pains have been afflicting the organization for just about as long as people with tattoos have been doing box jumps. Faced with a crisis on the competitive side, coupled with the ongoing financial instability of the business model, CrossFit may be at yet another crossroads in its journey to establish itself as the premier group workout business in the world.

Chris Cooper of Two Brain Business has some insight into the problem of “saving CrossFit” now that the company is officially for sale.

The thrust of Cooper’s advice is to establish tighter business control of each box; the 20-year-long complaint about CrossFit’s membership prices hasn't gone away, and while success breeds contempt, it also brings with it mimicry. 

With more options for group training HIIT environments than ever, CrossFit’s continued existence may come down to more than just the zeal of its members. Let Cooper help you understand the business side of things and see where CrossFit turns at this most recent crossroads.

Big Lifts

Crush ‘em All

ICYMI: Check out this set of six skull crushers at 225 pounds. @huntpowerlifting is next level, ngl. With the song change mid-set and everything — what a beast!

Quick Hits

👀 Peep This: Powerlifting’s living legend John Haack keeps putting up bigger and bigger numbers. Heading into the Ghost Clash III, he benched 501 pounds as part of his training.

💪 Take These: 2025 Arnold Classic Physique champion Mike Sommerfeld knows that recovery is key to continued success. He fills you in on the secret supplement stack he used to restore his body after his epic Arnold victory.

📺 Watch This: A 992-pound squat? A 992-pound squat!

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