5 "Dangerous" exercises worth doing?

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Here’s what’s in store for you today:

• Dana Linn-Bailey tests out these “dangerous” exercises

• Comparing the barbell and Smith machine squats

• Reviewing a Sunny new rowing machine

Exercise Selection

Enter the Danger Zone

Some exercises just seem to always make the teacher’s naughty list. No matter how many times they appear in magazines or show up as examples of an “underused movement,” some lifts just can’t shake the stigma that they are straight-up dangerous.

Dana Linn-Bailey, the 2013 Women’s Physique Olympia champ, is taking the challenge of these five dangerous exercises head-on and sharing her results with you, the viewing public.

Who among us has not heard old wives’ tales about avoiding the behind-the-neck-press? The guillotine press just sounds like something that would only be used to incite a series of bloody revolutions, but could it also revolutionize your pressing workouts? 

Enter the danger zone hand-in-hand with DLB as she takes on these five forbidden lifts and gives her advice on whether or not you should have them in your rotation.

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Training

To Smith, or Not to Smith?

The Smith machine was under attack for many years, but the cyclical nature of fitness knowledge brings all ideas, old and new, back home again. Dr. Mike Israetel investigates the relative merits of the Smith machine squat compared to the standard barbell squat in a recent video, which we dissect below.

Just like your stock interview answer when asked about your biggest weaknesses, the Smith machine’s major drawbacks are also its greatest assets. Its fixed range of motion may either inflame your joints or target your muscles more directly. Since the eccentric phase can be so important for your DOMS-induced muscle growth, having a plane of motion decided by a mechanical device can be a net positive. 

Your muscles deserve the best squatting technology has to offer — find out which lift is best for you. 

Reviews

Rowing on a Budget

Rowers have been a big hit with the at-home and fitness studio training crowd for decades. Unfortunately, hefty price tags can keep people away from this dually low-impact, high-intensity machine.

This is the bug in the system Sunny Health and Fitness is trying to do away with by bringing their new magnetic rower to the market. At a price point well below the established leaders, can it keep pace with the demands of users? BarBend’s rigorous review aims to answer all your questions about this new budget rowing machine.

Big Lifts

Check out this 140-kilo/308-pound 14-second pause back squat. Seriously, all of @seok_tory’s content goes hard (even though it gives us the sweats 😅).

Do you want us to share your next big lift? Just use the hashtag #BarBendLifts on Instagram to be featured on our page!

Quick Hits

💪 Watch This: Reacher star (and all-around humungous human) Alan Ritchson talks about the diet and training he utilizes to build his Amazon Prime-worthy physique.

🍫 Eat This? Has anyone else been seeing all those ads for David protein bars? If you’ve ever tried one, reply to this email with your thoughts.

📕 Read This: Fitness influencer Sam Sulek made the leap into the flesh-and-blood world of real bodybuilding by earning his IFBB Pro card at the recent 2025 Arnold Amateur competition in Columbus, OH.

🏋️‍♀️ Trouble Ahead: We knew the 2025 CrossFit Open registrations were trending down, but we’re finally getting a clearer picture. It looks like the totals will be around 32% lower from 2024 once the dust settles. Find out how that affects the CrossFit Games prize purse.

🚨🚨 Do you know about a big lift, cool video, fitness study, or other piece of news we should know about? Reply to this email and give us a heads-up!

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