team of bar bend Generate a lot of content. Our news and editorial staff work tirelessly every week to bring you the latest developments and most interesting stories in the world of strength and fitness. However, that doesn't mean we won't play against the favorites.
From juicy Human Relations articles months in the making, to breaking news, to truly thought-provoking articles from our amazing contributors., it's hard to choose just one favorite story of the year. So we picked a handful.
In our very humble opinion, here are some of the best works bar bend We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed bringing it to life.
1. Showmanship on the Sand: The Rise and Fall of the Original Muscle Beach
As an editor, I love bringing unknown historical stories into the spotlight.Writer (and bar bend Editor) Alex Polish succeeded with this Their retrospective at Muscle Beach.
No, we're not talking about Muscle Beach in Venice, California, made famous by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane in the '70s. We're talking about the original incarnation near Santa Monica.
In this decades-long feature, Alex tells the fascinating and unfortunate history of this iconic location in a fascinating way, and touches on the rustic charm of the early fitness industry. It also reveals the deep-seated prejudices that led to the early demise of the original Muscle Beach, and the contradictory legacy left in its wake.
— Jason Serafino, Senior Editor
2. The story behind the chaotic drug testing of the 1990 Mr. Olympia
Since its debut in 1965, the famous Mr. Olympia contest has been fraught with conflict and controversy. The 1990 one definitely trumps them all.
1990 was the year the IFBB did its best to eradicate steroid use from the sports world through strict drug testing protocols. The results were dire for fans and competitors. for us, bar bendBut it turned out to be fertile ground for one of the year's best features.
Written (and painstakingly researched) by fitness historian Dr. Conor Heffernan, Features of this roller coaster Examines the public and political outcry against steroids in the late '80s and early '90s and their impact on the year's biggest bodybuilding show. The result is a fascinating piece of sports history that dips into the behind-the-scenes drama that made the 1990 Olympia stand out for all the wrong reasons.
— J.S.
3. How strong is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson?
I'm not saying you can identify The Rock by his forearm alone, but hey, I'm trying not to lie. Whether you know him best from his days as a pro wrestler or his more recent version as an action hero with a wholesome but badass girl and his dad. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has influenced multiple generations of strength athletes.
There has never been a better writer. bar bend Contributor Ian Douglas unravels the muscles behind the myth. Can “The Rock” really bench press you and your kids at the same time? How strong is a unit that can actually shoot down a helicopter on the big screen with guts? We scour the research and tell you exactly how powerful the legend really is. Spoiler alert: It's pretty insanely strong.
— Alex Polish, editor
4. Does gut health affect weight loss?
Everyone from personal trainers to moms is interested in probiotics these days. “Helps you lose weight,” they say. “Gut health is just as important as the muscles you build in the gym,” they exclaim. Don't have time to read all the research yourself? No problem.one of bar bendOur professional writers will support you.
Certified health coach Dr. Gabriel Fundaro explains it all. She explains what all the talk about your gut is all about In a way that makes you feel like a scientist yourself. She breaks down her research into bite-sized, easily digestible pieces (dare I say it?), so you'll understand more about the bacteria living in your body than you thought possible.
And speaking of the big questions: Can probiotics and improving gut health promote weight loss? — Fundaro busts the myths and offers practical tips left and right. After reading this article, you'll have a knowledgeable and ready gut to stay on track with your weight loss goals.
— AP
5. The risks and benefits of extreme weight loss on the road to Bikini Olympia
We know abs are built in the kitchen. But if you're chasing an ideal body shape that relies on fasting (lower body fat, fewer calories, less space), you may be underserved at the dinner table. At the same time, you may be working too hard at the gym.
A sensitive and thoughtful exploration of 2023 Bikini Olympia Champion Jennifer Dolly's journey to becoming competition-ready thin. bar bend Contributor Christian “XN” Matty embodies nuance. Matty could have simply reported on Dolly's pre-Olympic preparation, but instead uses her insightful videos to help readers understand “healthy” body fat levels and has helped dispel myth after myth about what it is.
Drawing on peer-reviewed research and his own deep knowledge of bodybuilding lore, Matty explores ways to get lean enough to compete, which can take a huge toll on your body and mind. there is.
— AP
6. How an unexpected phone call brought 36-year-old weightlifter Kane Wilkes back to the Olympics
full disclosure: Team USA weightlifter Kane Wilkes is a staff writer at Garage Gym Reviews. bar bend, owned by Pillar4 Media. The weightlifter-turned-author has garnered attention for detailing his incredible journey from the 2023 Pan American Games to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships, and now he's in his second Olympic Games. We are in a position to potentially participate in (2024).
bar bend senior writer Jake Dixon writes captivating and thought-provoking reads. It's a celebration of Wilkes' perseverance and passion, but also an ode to the underdog around the world. Throughout his 20-year career, Wilkes has won more than 20 international medals in weightlifting, competed in the IWF World Championships eight times, and has earned the respect of all of his USAW colleagues on his team. . Wilkes' pursuit is one of pure passion.
— Andrew Gutman, Head of Content
7. How much does it cost to compete in Mr. Olympia?
Most great stories start with a question. As Mr. Olympia in 2023, bar bend As the news team approached, the question that came to one staff member's mind was: how long does it actually take How to compete in the bodybuilding Super Bowl?
Writer Ian Douglas dug into two of the sport's top contenders to create an in-depth read that outlines all the ingredients it takes to become a champion bodybuilder. The seeds of a curious mind have germinated, resulting in an informative, entertaining, and educational read for bodybuilding fans and casual readers alike.
— A.G.
8. What happens to the connection between the mind and muscles?
bar bend This is a site by lifters, for lifters. So when we write an article about an obscure but popular search term like “mind-muscle relationship,” our team creates thoroughly researched, practical content that truly benefits our readers. We take great care in providing articles.
Editor Alex Polish left no stone unturned. Delving deeper into the concept of the mind-muscle connection. This is one of those books that can trip up beginners when they hear their training partners or fellow gym-goers mention this term. And for us, that's all there is to it. One article at a time, he is breaking down the walls of discomfort someone might encounter while going to the gym.
— A.G.
9. Bodybuilding is an art, so it's hard to treat it like a sport.
There are some debates that seem to go on forever, both inside and outside of the fitness industry. “Are egg yolks bad or bad for you?” Is meal timing important? Barbell or dumbbell? Rabbit season, duck season. Is bodybuilding a “real” sport or just a glamorous sport??
Contributor Christian “XN” Matty peeled back the onion on this question and got to the heart of the matter. There is artistry in most sports, and there is no doubt that the competitive environment in bodybuilding really heats up when Olympia is held.
But Matty's theory is undoubtedly persuasive. The statuesque bodies that bodybuilders bring to the stage are meant to be admired and aroused. Emotional responses are the point, not points recorded on a scorecard.
— Jake Dixon, Senior Writer
10. The true story of the 1975 Mr. Olympia is pumping iron What has been painted so far
The legend of bodybuilding is deep. That's deep. And in many ways, what happens behind the curtain on a show like the Mr. Olympia contest, the submerged part of the iceberg, is more interesting than the first or second call.
bodybuilding historian, bar bend Expert Dr. Conor Heffernan has written a fascinating story One of the most controversial and action-packed Mr. “O”s in history. The contest was the main focus of a seminal 1977 documentary. pumping iron, but what the camera caught wasn't the most interesting. Heffernan deftly unravels the intrigue behind one of the most influential events in his sport's history.
— J.D.
11. Aesthetics and Appearance: What makes a bodybuilder?
What do fans and judges actually respect in the bodybuilding world? Size, symmetry, conditioning, flow, what else? All contribute to an athlete's aesthetics. Aesthetics is the opinion that appearance depends on how it is presented.
Matty breaks down in tears. What we're really looking at when we admire the statuesque physiques of elite bodybuilders, and how to understand it more deeply.
— Phil Breckman, Senior Editor
Learn more in '24
2023 is proving to be a year that is equal parts challenging and rewarding for the world. bar bend team. Still, we are already planning to outdo ourselves even more next year, especially with events such as World's Strongest Man, Olympia, CrossFit Games, and the Paris Olympics scheduled. You can bet on your backside. bar bend The team will bring you even more from the world of strength in 2024 and beyond.
Featured image: @dereklunsford_Instagram / Wikimedia (abby stockton)/ @rockInstagram / Wikimedia (arnold schwarzenegger)
