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American strongman Evan Singleton is one of the competitors preparing for the 2023 Shaw Classic, slated for Aug. 19-20, 2023 at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, CO, and based on the looks of his training, he’s prepared and confident in his chances.

On Aug. 11, 2023, Singleton posted a training video on his YouTube channel, which featured him performing a standing overhead press with 204 kilograms (450 pounds). You can see the entire video below, with the big lift coming at the 3:49 mark.

Singleton removed the barbell from the rack and took three small steps to prepare himself. He pushed the bar up, but it came back down quickly after rising only halfway. He immediately regrouped and pushed again, and the second time it went up all the way to lockout. He lowered the weight to shoulder level and re-racked the bar. He wore wrist wraps, elbow sleeves, and a weightlifting belt for the lift.

In the moments after, Singleton said that he may have rushed the first attempt because his entire body wasn’t tight. Once he regrouped and set himself, the bar went up, and he expressed confidence about his chances at the contest.

“Going into the Shaw Classic with a 450 (pounds) out of the rack, I’m happy, confident, and yeah, and ending out of the rack on a really good note.”

He then finished the workout with seated machine presses, reverse pec-deck flyes, single-arm cable lateral raises, and triceps pushdowns. Full sets and reps weren’t shown of those exercises.

Singleton goes into the 2023 Shaw Classic with a lot of momentum thanks to his victory at the 2023 Giants Live Strongman Classic on July 8. He advanced to the 2023 World’s Strongest Man final before that, finishing that contest in a career-best fifth place. He competed in the 2022 and 2021 editions of the Shaw Classic as well. He was eighth out of 15 men in the 2022 Shaw Classic and fifth out of 16 in 2021. Trey Mitchell won both contests. 

The 2023 Shaw Classic has a lot of history riding on it. Aside from promoter Brian Shaw reporting it to be his final contest as an athlete, the contest winner will now earn the title of “Strongest Man on Earth” thanks to Shaw purchasing the rights from original owner and Fortissimus strongman contest promoter Paul Ohl. 

Featured Image: Evan “T-Rex” Singleton / YouTube

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On August 6, 2023, Hildeborg Juvet Hugdal recorded a 235.5-kilogram (519.1-pound) equipped bench press during the 2023 European Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Equipped Bench Press Championships in Bordeaux, France. The milestone helped Hugdal to first place and is a World Record in the +84-kilogram weight class. It is also the single heaviest equipped lift by a Women’s powerlifter in the history of the IPF’s jurisdiction.

Hugdal wore wrist wraps, a lifting belt, and a single-ply bench press shirt for stability during her record-breaking bench press. The athlete’s new World Record in the +84-kilogram class is an extension of her own mark from the 2022 IPF Equipped World Championships, surpassing it by 5.5 kilograms (12.1 pounds). The IPF distinguishes between single lifts and full-competition lifts in its official record database. Hugdal has her name written under both descriptors. With Hugdal having turned 40 recently, the press is also a Masters 1 (ages 40-49) World Record. A video of the competitor’s monumental strength feat is featured below via the official Instagram page of the IPF.

In the context of her overall bench-pressing performance, Hugdal actually matched her previous World Record on her second attempt. She then vied for the new milestone and locked it out with ease, if the video of her accomplishment is any indication.

Here’s an overview of Hugdal’s bench press performance at the 2023 EPF Equipped Bench Press Championships:

Hildeborg Hugdal (+84KG) | 2023 EPF Equipped Bench Press Championships Performance Rundown

• First attempt: 222.5 kilograms (491 pounds)
• Second attempt: 230 kilograms (507 pounds) 
• Third attempt: 235.5 kilograms (519 pounds) — IPF Equipped World Record

Hugdal is used to astonishing achievements on sanctioned lifting platforms. The Norwegian athlete has over 20 years of competitive powerlifting experience with a variety of Norwegian, Danish, European, and World titles to her name. In a competitive career with over 90 appearances dating back to January 1998, the prolific Hugdal has lost on just 26 occasions.

Hugdal is the defending +84-kilogram IPF Equipped World champion. The veteran athlete will likely defend her title at the 2023 iteration, which will take place on November 13-18, 2023, in Druskininkai, Lithuania.

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A 5K run was one of the central workouts at the 2023 CrossFit Games, testing the speed and cardio endurance of both fields of Individual athletes. However, before the competition started in early August 2023, hybrid athlete Fergus Crawley — who has a world-class baseline of versatility — broke down ways people can run an even faster 5K.

On July 31, 2023, Crawley posted a video to his YouTube channel where he shared five tips on running a faster 5K. The athlete himself is in the midst of training to improve his mile time and has previously notched achievements like successfully lifting the famous Dinnie Stones. Suffice it to say: Crawley knows where he’s coming from with a staple run.

Here are Crawley’s five essential tips for running an improved 5K:

1. Manage Expectations

Crawley suggested setting reasonable goals and expectations for what an ideal 5K should look like. Everyone’s limits and needs are different based on their personal fitness, life, and overall background, and it’s important not to compare one’s self to others. When in doubt, short-term goals supersede a long-term vision for running.

“[Running] is a skill,” Crawley said. “It’s something we need to develop and be mindful of. It’s important not to compare ourselves with arbitrary numbers or what other people are doing.”

2. Spend Energy Wisely

In order to get the most out of running, Crawley urged creating a diligent plan and tracking it meticulously over the course of a single training week. He explained that the Pareto principle — where 80 percent of the training is easy and 20 percent is moderate or challenging — should be applied. Crawley advised implementing three kinds of running workouts during a single week: Long slows for aerobic capacity, high-intensity sessions for top-level performance, and moderate sessions for 5K endurance. To Crawley, “easy” is an athlete pushing themselves to 70-80 percent of their maximum heart rate. Anything challenging is relatively beyond that threshold.

3. Strength Training

Crawley explained that general strength training can help runners understand how their body works while also improving their running gait. It should be a welcome accompaniment to well-rounded fitness. Crawley’s strength recommendation for enhanced running performance was heavy back squats, trap bar deadlifts, and any single-leg movements.

4. Commit to a Plan

The more structure an athlete has for their running goals, the more likely they will be able to fit it into their daily lifestyle. It also makes achieving occasional milestones easier with a better focus.

“Commit to that race, join that run club, the athletics club, or sign-up to your local park run community,” Crawley said. “These will give you a goal and a deadline and make you more accountable.”

5. Turn Training Into a Social Opportunity

Crawley’s final bit of advice was that a runner shouldn’t isolate themselves from other people while training. Making friends and socializing can make achieving any running goals that much more gratifying. Crawley explained that he spent much of the past two years training by himself and that it took a toll. In 2023, he’s trained with more people, in turn adding more joy to his process.

Featured image: @ferguscrawley on Instagram

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In the realm of fitness, few training methodologies have ignited as much debate, and enthusiasm, as CrossFit. CrossFit is characterized by its emphasis on constantly varied functional movements performed at a high intensity.

CrossFit workouts typically blend elements from Olympic weightlifting, endurance sports, and gymnastics. Yet, despite drawing from largely niche sports that require relatively high levels of skill, CrossFit has infiltrated mainstream fitness and promotes itself as an accessible form of training that anyone can do.

With its surge in popularity, CrossFit has also faced criticism about the foundational principles upon which it was formulated, along with outright skepticism about its ability to be implemented in an effective, safe, and sustainable fashion. Critics raise concerns about the potential injury risk of performing complex movements while under fatigue, the efficacy of trying to improve all aspects of fitness simultaneously, and the seemingly random nature of the workouts.

However, those who regularly participate in CrossFit do see impressive physical benefits in multiple areas. And the feats accomplished at the CrossFit Games each year continue to be astonishing. So, does a training style that produces these results really deserve such a bad rap?

Let’s review some of the strengths and weaknesses of CrossFit as a training regimen for developing overall fitness. While doing so, we might be able to answer the question of whether or not CrossFit is “bad” or if it holds up to the claims of accessibility and appropriateness for everyone.

A Review of CrossFit Training

• Strengths of CrossFit Training
• Weaknesses of CrossFit Training
• How to Make the Most of CrossFit Training

Strengths of CrossFit Training

Having been an established force in the fitness world for more than two decades, and still steadily growing in popularity, CrossFit brings several clear benefits to the table. While these same benefits could sometimes be found with other training methodologies, they are inherently “built-in” to CrossFit training, delivering greater overall results.

Building Cardiovascular Fitness

Let’s face it, most people in the gym probably need to do more aerobic work, aka “cardio.” Even if you are primarily interested in building strength or muscle, it would likely benefit you to not only add cardiovascular training, but to do it via different methods, modalities, and intensities. (1) CrossFit excels at this.

More often than not, a CrossFit workout will require you to row, bike, run, or jump rope. Even workouts that don’t have these specific elements will develop some aspect of aerobic fitness or endurance due to their structure, often by incorporating circuit-style training.

But if your primary goals are developing strength and increasing muscle, won’t this hurt your progress or even cause you to lose your gains? Probably not. In fact, there’s a good chance it will help your long-term progress.

The common fear that aerobic exercise will hurt strength, power, and muscle gain is rooted in what’s known as the interference effect. This is the notion that, if multiple physical qualities are developed simultaneously, none of them are developed very well because they interfere with each other on a physiological level. It’s a “jack of all trades, master of none” situation.

The effect is most pronounced if the qualities require vastly different physiological adaptations, which is the case with strength/power and aerobic adaptations. However, if there is one thing CrossFit has shown us, it’s that the interference effect is not an issue for most trainees. Even fairly advanced trainees can experience significant gains in strength, power, and muscle while simultaneously improving aerobic fitness. (2)

So if aerobic work isn’t hurting these gains, how is it helping them? Improving aerobic fitness will help you recover faster between sets, which can allow you to do more overall work (i.e. volume) in your sessions. This will have benefits regardless of your training style or specific goal. It can allow you to get more reps if your goal is hypertrophy and decrease the amount of rest needed between heavy sets if your goal is strength. The outcome in both scenarios is more high-quality work which can result in a novel stimulus for new gains.

Sure, if you are already at a high level and want to be elite in a specific strength sport such as bodybuilding, powerlifting, or Olympic weightlifting, your training should be specific toward those goals most of the time. But if you’re training for general fitness or to be bigger, stronger, or leaner than most people, improving your aerobic fitness is going to be beneficial.

Emphasis on Bodyweight Movements

Another area that tends to get neglected in many peoples’ training is the use of bodyweight exercises. Now, it’s not like you’re going to build the same levels of muscle or one-rep max strength using bodyweight movements compared to utilizing external load. But your skill and ability in movements using external loads, like free weights, have little carryover to bodyweight-only movements and methods.

Not convinced? Try getting through the bodyweight exercise portion of the popular CrossFit workout “Murph” — complete a total of 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 unweighted squats. The full workout bookends those 600 reps with a one-mile run before and after, and it’s typically performed wearing a weighted vest. But, for an eye-opener, try the exercises on their own.

Murph doesn’t care how much you bench or what your muscular endurance is like with heavy, high-rep squats. It will become apparent, very quickly, that those things don’t help you much. If you truly want to develop holistic fitness that helps you look good, feel good, and perform well under a variety of circumstances, you should regularly include some bodyweight exercises in your regimen. (3)

Again, this is one area where CrossFit excels. It’s all but guaranteed that you will be doing some form of unweighted squat, push-up, or pull-up every week. But it’s not just the fitness and work capacity aspect of this that’s beneficial. Many of the bodyweight movements require a degree of skill and total-body control that are unique to them, and this is part of the reason why barbell-based movements don’t transfer well.

This is particularly true of gymnastic-type movements like handstand work and many pull-up variations including chest-to-bar pull-ups, muscle-ups, and even kipping pull-ups. Yep, you read that right: kipping, or incorporating lower body momentum and total-body involvement into a pull-up, is an overall positive attribute. Most often, people’s disdain or outright hate for kipping is simply based on a misunderstanding of what it is.

Many people think that kipping is basically a type of poor technique or a form of “cheating,” and that CrossFitters are just flopping around on the pull-up bar. To be fair, that may sometimes be the case, but it’s not the rule. In reality, kipping is borrowed straight from the gymnastics world. If you’ve ever watched a gymnast perform on the uneven bars, you’ve seen kipping. It’s how they get themselves onto the bars and pick up speed for various movements in their routine.

CrossFit has taken this and applied it to pull-up variations as well as other movements. When done correctly, these movements involve skill, coordination, and body control. And when incorporated as part of a workout, they require aspects of cardiovascular and muscular endurance that’s hard to replicate with other movements.

Weaknesses of CrossFit Training

For as many benefits as Crossfit training can deliver, it is also lacking in some arenas. No single training methodology can really be all-encompassing and general CrossFit training, like many other types of training, has a few holes in its game. Here are some gaps to be aware of before stepping into a Crossfit box.

Only One Gear

CrossFit workouts have two primary formats. One is “As Many Rounds as Possible” (AMRAP), where you attempt to complete a series of exercises for as many rounds as possible in a given amount of time. The other is “rounds for time” where you aim to complete a set amount of rounds as fast as possible.

In each of these formats, training density is the goal — how much work you can accomplish per unit of time. This isn’t necessarily bad. In fact, in many training programs, density is often an overlooked area for progression. But just like any training variable, always chasing the same quality or outcome is a recipe for stagnation or, potentially, mental and physical burnout.

To be clear, this is not necessarily specific to CrossFit. This would be analogous to powerlifters always maxing out or bodybuilders always taking sets to failure. You can get away with doing those things for a relatively short time, but you eventually have to back off or switch gears to make maximum progress.

While there are certainly cases of trainees in those disciplines overdoing it, it’s generally accepted that a well-designed training system rotates through periods of relatively higher, more moderate, and lower workout intensities.

Not only that, but there are endless training methods and formats to accomplish those fluctuations in intensity. You simply can’t train at the highest gear all the time. AMRAPs and rounds for time are very intense, high-gear formats. Even the “easy” days aren’t all that easy when you’re racing the clock to hit a PR performance.

CrossFit, as a general system, hasn’t gotten to the point where more moderate or low-intensity formats are part of the WOD (workout of the day) repertoire. This may seemingly violate the “high-intensity” aspect of the core CrossFit philosophy, but incorporating the lower intensity work can help elevate and improve the high-intensity work without compromising results, while also allowing better overall recovery. (4)

Lack of Movement Variety

One of the key tenets of CrossFit is that it is “constantly varied.” Of course, part of this is in reference to the fact that workouts are constantly changing. But it’s also intended to reference movement variety.

From the outside looking in, CrossFit does appear to incorporate a wide variety of exercises, particularly if you’re relatively new to strength training. The majority of people have likely not considered performing Olympic lifts and their variations on a regular basis, for example. So that could be a whole new library of movements. But if you train CrossFit consistently for a while, you’ll soon find that the movement menu is actually relatively small.

When you take a look at the exercises and the movement patterns that are repeatedly performed, there are a lot of effective exercises, movement patterns, and pieces of equipment that go unutilized. Incorporation these missing elements would not only add much more variety, but would also make the training more in line with another CrossFit tenet: functionality. 

Now, to be clear, a high degree of exercise variety does not necessarily mean that a training program is beneficial or highly effective. Frequently changing exercises can present drawbacks of their own, particularly for beginners. And there are countless examples of programs with relatively little movement variety that are very effective at attaining results, whether that be for strength, muscle gain, or fat loss.

However, those programs or training styles don’t hang their hat on being the gold standard of functional training. For CrossFit to be truly functional and constantly varied, there are some missing elements that would be beneficial to include.

Missing Element 1: Lateral and Rotational Movements

Almost every movement in CrossFit is performed in what’s called the sagittal plane. These are movements that are done forward or backward, and/or primarily require flexion and extension (bending and straightening) of the joints involved. This includes CrossFit staples like front squats, deadlifts, cleans, kettlebell swings, box jumps, push-ups, burpees, wall balls… the list goes on.

Our body is designed to do a lot more than just flex and extend. If we don’t do those things, we will gradually lose our ability to do them safely and efficiently. Nevermind the fact that life is multidirectional. We need the ability to rotate, move side to side, and move diagonally, and we need to do all those things while also moving up and down or forward and backward. If we cannot move in those ways (i.e., if we don’t train it), we become less functional.

Missing Element 2: Unilateral Movements

Most of the movements utilized in CrossFit are bilateral, meaning they involve using both legs or both arms at the same time in a symmetrical fashion. But just as life is multidirectional, it’s also predominantly unilateral, especially when it comes to the lower body.

Again, if we want our training to be truly functional, it should regularly incorporate unilateral lower body and upper body movements such as split squats, step-ups, single-leg squats, single-leg deadlift variations, single-arm pressing, and other single-arm and single-leg movements. 

Missing Element 3: Horizontal Pulling

When you look at the general movement patterns utilized in CrossFit, one of the biggest omissions is horizontal pulling, or rowing movements. Yes, the rowing machine is often utilized for metabolic conditioning, but that does not provide enough resistance to truly strengthen the muscles of your upper back.

And even though pull-ups are performed on a regular basis, one disadvantage of the kip is that it decreases the involvement of your upper back muscles, particularly the rhomboids, traps, and rear delts. The result is that muscle groups which can be important for posture, shoulder health, overall performance, and having a well-rounded physique go understimulated.

Missing Element 4: More Equipment

On one hand, the fact that a CrossFit box can exist with minimal equipment is a benefit, and this is part of the reason for its growth as a training style. Any sport that requires very specialized equipment has very limited growth potential. It’s one reason why there are more soccer players around the world than there are golfers.

On the other hand, there are a lot of great pieces of exercise equipment that go underutilized or completely unutilized. These are items that would not only add variety and functionality, but would allow necessary movement progressions for people who need them, improve their performance, and potentially reduce the risk of injury.

The medicine ball is a great example. The fact that every CrossFit box has dozens of them, but almost exclusively uses them for wall balls is a bit of a travesty. Medicine balls are meant to be thrown and slammed to develop whole-body power. There are also endless variations through which to incorporate lateral, rotational, and unilateral movements that can be easy to work into metcons.

Other equipment such as trap bars, safety squat bars, physioballs, landmines, and suspension trainers could all easily have their place in CrossFit. They would not only add to the functionality aspect, but provide movement variations that might be more appropriate for some people (e.g., trap bar deadlift vs. conventional barbell deadlift, landmine squat vs front squat, etc.).

However, these items are nowhere to be seen in typical CrossFit programming or WODs and there’s no valid reason as to why. Maybe there would be logistical issues to every CrossFit affiliate having all, or most, of these items which would make affiliate programming difficult. It could also make the style of “CrossFit Training” less recognizable, which isn’t beneficial for branding.

However, it seems as though these items aren’t even considered as options, which may not be beneficial for the majority of trainees on a broad scale.  

How to Make the Most of CrossFit Training

If you want to try CrossFit, or use it as your primary form of training, here are some suggestions. Note that these could apply to any training style.

Don’t Be Afraid to Back Off Some Days

It’s OK not to go all out in every WOD. It can be tempting to always try to beat your old PRs or challenge one of your peers, but if you’re feeling run down, it’s much more effective to listen to what your body is telling you and let off the gas from time to time.

Don’t Sacrifice Technique for Rounds or Time

If you’re not a competitor, it’s just not worth it. The antithesis of functional training is consistently doing something that will harm your functionality down the road, such as using improper technique. Slow down in the WODs, or pace yourself appropriately, and take a beat to do movements correctly.

Switch Gears Periodically

Every once in a while, use a completely different training style or have only one specific training goal for a month or two. Maybe it’s just building size or strength via bodybuilding or powerlifting-style training. Or maybe you’re going to mess around using only kettlebells for a month. Or do yoga, or pilates, or hiking the nature trails in your area. These brief periods of drastic variation can be great mental and physical resets.

In Supplemental Training, Do the Opposite

If you decide to do some supplemental workouts along with your CrossFit training, do the opposite of what you typically do in a WOD. This means taking longer rest times, doing lower intensity aerobic work, and performing different movements or utilizing different pieces of equipment like mentioned earlier. Fit in some medicine ball slams, single-arm dumbbell rows, landmine presses, Russian twists, and other pieces that are missing from the classic CrossFit puzzle.

Is CrossFit a Good Fit for You?

The bottomline is that you can and will simultaneously develop multiple qualities to a relatively high level through CrossFit training. And if your goal is well-rounded fitness — becoming stronger, leaner, and generally more “in shape” than the average person — CrossFit can be a fantastic and effective way to achieve that. (5)

However, the consistent high-intensity and competitive aspects do make it unique from other training styles and they warrant consideration for how they’re approached long-term. Consider the strengths and weaknesses laid out above, consider them relative to your individual needs and goals, and then decide if it’s the right training solution for you.

References

1. Patel, H., Alkhawam, H., Madanieh, R., Shah, N., Kosmas, C. E., & Vittorio, T. J. (2017). Aerobic vs anaerobic exercise training effects on the cardiovascular system. World journal of cardiology, 9(2), 134–138. https://doi.org/10.4330/wjc.v9.i2.134
2. Schumann, M., Feuerbacher, J. F., Sünkeler, M., Freitag, N., Rønnestad, B. R., Doma, K., & Lundberg, T. R. (2022). Compatibility of Concurrent Aerobic and Strength Training for Skeletal Muscle Size and Function: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 52(3), 601–612. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01587-7
3. Harrison, Jeffrey S CSCS, NSCA-CPT. Bodyweight Training: A Return To Basics. Strength and Conditioning Journal 32(2):p 52-55, April 2010. | DOI: 10.1519/SSC.0b013e3181d5575c
4. Sousa, A. C., Marinho, D. A., Gil, M. H., Izquierdo, M., Rodríguez-Rosell, D., Neiva, H. P., & Marques, M. C. (2018). Concurrent Training Followed by Detraining: Does the Resistance Training Intensity Matter?. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 32(3), 632–642. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002237
5. Claudino, J.G., Gabbett, T.J., Bourgeois, F. et al. CrossFit Overview: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Med – Open 4, 11 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-018-0124-5

Featured Image: Jacob Lund / Shutterstock

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When all is said and done, eight-time Mr. Olympia (1998-2005) Ronnie Coleman and seven-time champion (1970-1975, 1980) Arnold Schwarzenegger will be remembered as one of the two greatest bodybuilders in history. To this day, Coleman and Schwarzenegger remain iconic influences in the sport, keeping close tabs on the modern pantheon of fitness superstars whenever possible. One can only imagine what happens when these two legends get together these days.

On August 8, 2023, Schwarzenegger posted a video to his YouTube channel where he trained with Coleman at the hallowed Gold’s Gym in Venice, CA. The title of “2 Goats Walk Into a Gym” is more than fitting.

Schwarzenegger and Coleman’s training session wasn’t very long overall, but it still seemed effective and intense for their goals.

The pair began by working in some seated lateral machine raises, trading sets intermittently. Coleman would regularly push for at least another rep with each of his sets after being urged by Schwarzenegger. With each successive set, Schwarzenegger would match Coleman, praising his size and strength in the process.

The second exercise was a seated shoulder press to work the front deltoid muscles. Both Coleman and Schwarzenegger completed three successful sets each before moving on to requisite triceps training using a dips machine. It was here that Coleman remarked on the rarity of the moment featuring two Mr. Olympia greats teaming up.

“Fifteen [Mr.] Olympias [titles] in the house,” Coleman said. “This don’t ever happen.”

Coleman and Schwarzenegger closed their workout by doing machine preacher curls for their biceps muscles. Each man finished four sets each. Here is a complete overview of their workout:

Schwarzenegger and Coleman’s Gold’s Gym Workout

• Lateral Raise Machine — Three sets of 15-20 reps
• Seated Overhead Press Machine — Three sets of 15-20 reps
• Triceps Dip Machine — Three sets of 15-20 reps
• Machine Preacher Curl — Three sets of 15-20 reps

Schwarzenegger and Coleman concluded the workout by doing a signature “hand clasp” seen in some Schwarzenegger films, such as Predator.

Following the conclusion of their careers, Coleman and Schwarzenegger have followed very different paths as former legendary bodybuilders. Yet, they still found a way to intersect here. In Coleman’s own apt words: This don’t ever happen.

Featured image: Arnold Schwarzenegger on YouTube

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Rather than pursue a historic seventh straight CrossFit Games title earlier this month, the legendary Tia-Clair Toomey voluntarily vacated her reign. The Australian competitor instead wanted to focus on her first pregnancy and took the according 2023 CrossFit season off. In her place, Laura Horvath won the 2023 CrossFit Games Women’s Individual title. These days, Toomey is now preparing to regain her throne in 2024.

On July 31, 2023, Toomey and her husband and trainer, Shane Orr, posted a video to their joint YouTube channel featuring a recent full day of training for the athlete. It showcases a four-split strength and conditioning routine fit for a CrossFit legend working herself back into elite form.

Here’s an overview of Toomey’s breakfast and post-workout meals:

Tia-Clair Toomey’s Full Day of Treating Meal Plan

Meal 1

• Electrolyte-Infused Water
• Oats
• Burrito: scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, and cheese

Toomey aimed for optimal hydration after waking up with electrolyte-infused water. The athlete’s first meal after an overnight fast was nutrient-rich with oats and a scrambled eggs burrito.

Meal 2

• Beef Stir Fry
• Rice
• Beef Broth
• Vegetables

Toomey’s second meal was something she took with her to the gym, with a prioritization on protein and carbohydrates. Toomey typically meal preps her training meals on Mondays to help with her overall nutrition.

Full Day of Training

Toomey revealed her training intensity during her comeback has been lower than usual since her pregnancy. The athlete is steadily increasing her output as time wears on.

Split 1

Toomey kicked her workout off with four rounds of squats. The athlete increased the weight on her barbell while decreasing the number of reps each round. There was minimal rest time between rounds to maximize intensity.

Split 2

• Chest-to-Bars
• Power Cleans
• Overhead Presses
• Deadlifts
• Handstand Walks

Toomey is still capable of high-level gymnastics exercises like muscle-ups. That said, her volume isn’t at the same capacity after her pregnancy. For the time being, she is prioritizing strength.

Split 3

• Row Erg
• Bike Erg

Orr corrected Toomey after she was using her arms more for her initial rows. The correction focused on Toomey utilizing more of her hips and legs for the row’s drive.

Split 4

• Parallel Bar Dips
• Kettlebell Squats

The close of Toomey’s workout featured parallel bar dips and kettlebell squats. Toomey held the kettlebell squat’s weight between her legs with her arm extended while using a sumo stance.

Only time will tell what kind of form Toomey returns to when she competes again during the 2024 CrossFit season. Chances are, the legend will likely be in firm contention for a seventh CrossFit Games title.

Featured image: Tia-Clair Toomey & Shane Orr on YouTube

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On August 8, 2023, powerlifter Jalen Faulk shared on his Instagram profile that features the athlete successfully capturing a 355.1-kilogram (783-pound) raw deadlift during a training session. According to the 19-year-old Faulk’s caption, the pull is an unofficial 18-19 Teen record in the 100-kilogram weight class. Per the records database on Open Powerlifting, the official mark still belongs to Josiah Richardson, who deadlifted 339.9 kilograms (749.5 pounds) at the 2022 United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Drug Tested Wisconsin State Championships.

Faulk accomplished his training pull while wearing just a lifting belt in terms of assistive equipment. He deadlifted from a sumo stance while utilizing a traditional grip to elevate his loaded barbell off the floor. Per Faulk’s caption, his pulling technique could’ve apparently used some work, implying he might have left some weight and strength on the table for a future date. The athlete wrote that he weighed 100 kilograms (220.4 pounds) at the time of the lift, meaning Faulk deadlifted approximately 3.5 times his body weight.

As someone who isn’t even 20 years old, this is not the first time Faulk’s monstrous lifts have made headlines. The athlete’s social media platforms, particularly his Instagram, are littered with seemingly countless mighty feats.

Aside from his deadlift, recent milestones include a 463-pound bench press single from early August 2023 and a 275-kilogram (606.2-pound) three-rep paused back squat personal record (PR) from early July 2023. In late 2022, he was recorded capturing a 300-kilogram (661-pound) squat for a new PR when he was still just 18 years old.

On a competitive basis, Faulk’s resume to this stage is mostly sterling. According to his page on Open Powerlifting, in nine different competitive appearances, the athlete has lost on just three occasions. The most noteworthy result of his career thus far might have been a win in the 2022 USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Nebraska State Powerlifting Championships while competing raw in the Teen division.

At the time of this article’s publication, it is unclear what Faulk’s future competitive plans are. Thus far in 2023, he has appeared in just one contest, the 2023 USAPL Carolina Primetime Pro Qualifier, where he finished in 15th place. Faulk will likely be seen on a sanctioned lifting platform again soon, but he hasn’t confirmed or clarified when.

Nevertheless, in the meantime, the young dynamo is likened to continue showing off incredible jaw-dropping lifts.

Featured image: @jj.fau1k on Instagram

The post 19-Year-Old Powerlifter Jalen Faulk Deadlifts 355.1 Kilograms (783 Pounds) appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Cardio exercise is the way to go if you want to burn calories, get your heart pumping, and break a sweat. But it can feel monotonous, so finding the best cardio machine for your home gym that keeps you engaged and coming back for more is essential. Fortunately, you can choose cardio exercise equipment that lets you run, walk, bike, or stride, depending on your fitness level, injury history, and goals.

Even though lifting weights is my favorite way to train, I enjoy the sense of accomplishment I get from finishing a long endurance workout. I’ve used various cardio exercise machines in both commercial and home gym settings, so I know which ones deliver the most effective workouts. In this roundup review, I’ll share my top recommendations for cardio machines so you can find the right one for your needs.

Our Top Picks for the Best Cardio Machines

• Best Overall Cardio Machine: Concept2 SkiErg
• Best Cardio Machine for Weight Loss: Rogue Echo Bike
• Best Low-Impact Cardio Machine: Assault Fitness AssaultBike Pro X
• Best Treadmill: NordicTrack Commercial 1750
• Best Exercise Bike: Diamondback 1260sc
• Best Elliptical: Sole E25
• Best Rowing Machine: Concept2 RowErg
• Best Treadmill Under $1,000: Horizon 7.0 AT
• Best Elliptical Under $1,000: Sole E20
• Best Value Cardio Machine: ProForm City L6

Best Overall Cardio Machine: Concept2 SkiErg

Concept2 SkiErg

• Overall dimensions: 50” L x 23.5” W x 85” H on the floor stand; 16” L x 19.5” to 20” W x 85” H when mounted to a wall
• Weight: 46 pounds (81 pounds with the floor stand)
• Weight capacity: N/A
• Display: LCD monitor

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Pros

• Comes with a smartphone cradle
• Handle hooks allow you to place the handles lower if needed
• Can leave it freestanding or mount it to a wall
• Battery powered
• Sweat-proof covering on the handles

Cons

• Floor stand is sold separately

The Concept2 SkiErg may not be the first machine you think of when you imagine a cardio machine. You may not have seen or heard of it unless you’re a CrossFitter or a cross-country skier, but this machine will really get your heart rate up. It provides a full-body workout since it works the upper and lower body muscles, including the triceps, lats, abdominals, lower back, quads, glutes, hamstrings, calves, and hip flexors. I used the SkiErg a lot when I used to belong to a CrossFit box, and I hated and loved it at the same time for this reason.

In the SkiErg, you’ll also find the durability and construction quality that Concept2 is known for. It has a sturdy aluminum frame and a powder coat finish for corrosion resistance. The PM5 monitor tracks stats such as calories burned, distance, and speed, and it saves your workout data so you can monitor your progress over time.

Those with limited space will appreciate the compact footprint and the various placement options the SkiErg offers. You can leave it freestanding on a floor stand (sold separately) or mount it to a wall for enhanced stability. On the floor stand, the SkiErg is 50 inches long, 23.5 inches wide, and 85 inches high. When mounted to a wall, it’s just 16 inches deep and about 20 inches wide. It only requires two D-cell batteries, so you don’t have to place it near an outlet.

I also love that the SkiErg is accessible for wheelchair users or anyone who can’t stand for long periods. It comes with handle hooks that attach lower on the machine, allowing you to reach the handles from a seated position.

Best Cardio Machine for Weight Loss: Rogue Echo Bike

Rogue Echo Bike V3.0

• Overall dimensions: 55” L x 29.5” W x 55.25” H
• Weight: 123 pounds
• Weight capacity: 330 pounds
• Display: LCD console

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Pros

• Can also use it to train your upper body only
• Not a lot of maintenance required
• Battery-powered and Bluetooth-enabled monitor

Cons

• Expensive
• Basic monitor

The Rogue Echo Bike is another machine I loved to hate at my old CrossFit box. Whenever the coaches programmed a workout with it, I knew it would hurt. Even if you’re not a CrossFitter, it’s a good cardio machine to have in your home gym. It can burn a lot of calories in a short time, and it works nearly your entire body, making it a solid choice for those trying to lose weight.

You’ll often find people using the Echo Bike for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), but you can also use it for warm-ups and cooldowns for resistance training workouts. The foot pedals consist of metal, and there are also knurled pegs for your feet if you want to use the handlebars only for upper-body training. The 1.5-inch diameter handles have a rubber coating, so your hands won’t slip if they get sweaty. 

The Echo Bike is a beefy machine with a heavy-duty steel frame and a black powder coat finish. Aside from offering protection against corrosion, the powder coat gives the machine a sleek appearance. The bike uses a belt-drive system, which makes it quieter than other air bikes that use a chain-drive system. You’ll be less likely to disturb the people you live with during your workout. 

The LCD monitor is fairly basic, but it’s easy to read, and you can track stats like time, distance, and calories burned. You’ll need four AA batteries, but you don’t have to worry about plugging the bike into an outlet. The monitor is also Bluetooth-enabled, allowing you to create workouts in a cycling app and sync them to the machine.

RELATED: Best Adjustable Dumbbells

Best Low-Impact Cardio Machine: Assault Fitness AssaultBike Pro X

Assault Fitness AssaultBike Pro X

• Overall dimensions: 51.73” L x 24.52” W x 52.51” H
• Weight: 125 pounds
• Weight capacity: 330 pounds
• Display: High-contrast LCD screen

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Pros

• Automatically increases resistance as you increase speed
• Wide padded seat for comfort
• Powder-coated for corrosion resistance
• Bluetooth-enabled monitor
• Very little rocking

Cons

• Expensive

For low-impact, total-body training, the Assault Fitness AssaultBike Pro X is a solid choice. It works multiple muscle groups, including the quads, glutes, hamstrings, calves, triceps, shoulders, biceps, and back muscles, and delivers heart-pumping workouts, all while remaining joint-friendly.

Unlike its predecessors, the AssaultBike Classic and AssaultBike Elite, the Pro X uses a belt-drive system. The belt drive requires less maintenance and offers a quieter ride than chain-belt systems. These are significant benefits for users who want a low-maintenance machine or athletes who live with other people and train at home.

The high-contrast LCD monitor displays your workout stats clearly, and because it offers Bluetooth capabilities, you can sync it to the Assault Fitness app. The app allows you to track workouts, access specialized programs, and compete with other app users. It can be a useful tool if you train at home by yourself but like a little friendly competition to push yourself more in your workouts.

The AssaultBike Pro X is just under $900, which is high for fan bikes but cheaper than many other cardio machines. And it comes with a seven-year frame warranty and a three-year non-parts warranty, so you know you can trust its construction quality.

Best Treadmill: NordicTrack Commercial 1750

NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill

• Dimensions: 80” L x 38” W x 65” H
• 14-inch rotating HD touchscreen
• -3 percent decline and 15 percent incline
• 10-year frame warranty, two-year parts warranty, and one-year labor warranty
• Includes a 30-day trial to iFIT

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Pros

• Foldable
• Includes a 30-day free trial to iFIT
• Has a cooling fan to keep you comfortable during your workouts
• AutoAdjust technology will automatically change the intensity during classes
• Powerful 3.5 CHP motor

Cons

• Can’t be stored in a garage
• Expensive
• Needs to be placed near an outlet

Though the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 isn’t a budget-friendly piece of cardio equipment, it’s one of our favorite treadmills due to its interactive programming, incline and decline options, and stability.

Because the 1750 goes up to a 15 percent incline and down to a -3 percent decline, it simulates the feeling of road running more than most treadmills. It goes up to speeds of 12 miles per hour, and whether you’re sprinting or walking, it won’t shake or wobble.

The treadmill comes with a 30-day free trial to iFIT, through which you can find numerous running and walking workouts. iFIT also offers yoga, strength training, and HIIT programs, so you’ll likely never get bored with your training. The programs cater to everyone from beginners to advanced exercisers.

At 80 inches long and nearly 40 inches wide, the 1750 takes up a lot of space. It may not be the best option for those who need a compact piece of equipment. However, it folds for storage if you don’t want to leave it out when you’re not using it. Additionally, if the only space you have available for a treadmill is your garage, you’ll want to look at other options. The warranty becomes void if you don’t keep the NordicTrack 1750 in a temperature-controlled room.

RELATED: Best Home Gym Equipment Essentials

Best Exercise Bike: Diamondback 1260sc

Diamondback Fitness 1260Sc

• Overall dimensions: 59” L x 23” W x 50” H
• Weight: 130 pounds
• Weight capacity: 300 pounds
• Display: LCD monitor to track workout metrics

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Pros

• Magnetic resistance provides a smooth and quiet ride
• Can choose between standard or SPD clipless pedals
• No outlet required
• Rear-wheel drive prevents sweat from dripping down the wheel and causing corrosion
• Has wheels and a handle for portability

Cons

• Expensive for a stationary bike with limited technology
• Not suitable for taller or heavier individuals

If you’re looking for a spin bike to perform low-impact workouts at home, the Diamondback 1260sc Rear Wheel Studio Cycle is worth considering. This commercial-quality bike boasts a heavy-duty steel frame, an industrial powder coating, and reinforced pedals and cranks, so this quality machine should last years in a home gym setting.

It offers 16 resistance levels, which you can adjust with a lever mechanism. The four-way adjustable ergonomic seat and handlebars allow you to fit your bike to your body proportions. 

Despite weighing 130 pounds, the bike is easy to move around due to the handle on the back and the transport wheels on the front. And since you don’t need to plug it into an outlet, you can ride it indoors or outdoors.

With an original price of around $1,500, we would have liked to see built-in programming or more of a high-tech monitor, which many bikes in this price range offer. The monitor tracks metrics such as watts, distance, and calories but doesn’t offer built-in classes. There is a device holder, though, so you can stream classes from an app on a phone or tablet.

Best Elliptical: Sole E25

Sole E25 Elliptical

• Dimensions: 70” L x 24” W x 70” H
• 350-pound weight capacity
• Lifetime warranty on the frame and brake
• 20 levels of resistance and 20 inclines

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Pros

• 350-pound weight capacity
• Built-in cooling fan
• Extra wide pedals for comfort
• 20 incline and resistance levels
• Backlit monitor with easy-to-read workout stats

Cons

• Has a large footprint
• May wobble a bit during use
• Assembly can be difficult

An elliptical machine like the Sole E25 is a fantastic choice for burning calories at home because it works both the upper and lower body, is low-impact, and isn’t as loud as rowers or treadmills can be. 

Sole worked with a physical therapist to develop the pedals, which slope in by two degrees to help reduce ankle and knee stress. The machine offers 20 incline and resistance levels, and control buttons on the monitor and handlebars allow for easy adjustments. 

The 7.5-inch LCD monitor only displays workout stats, such as calories burned, pace, and pulse. There are some pre-programmed options, including HIIT, fat-burning, and hill modes, and a device holder on the console lets you watch entertainment or stream classes from your phone or tablet.

This elliptical weighs 209 pounds, but it has a handle and wheels to make it easier to move around if needed. And because it uses magnetic resistance, it won’t make too much noise, allowing you to complete your workout without disturbing your family members or roommates.

Best Rowing Machine: Concept2 RowErg

Concept2 RowErg

• Frame is made of heavy-duty aluminum
• Ergonomic handlebar and seat
• PM5 monitor comes with Bluetooth capabilities
• Accomodates users up to 6’6 and 500 pounds
• Comes with a limited five-year warranty

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Pros

• Breaks down into two pieces for easy storage
• Bluetooth-enabled monitor
• Assembly takes less than 30 minutes
• Smooth, fluid chain
• The seat glides effortlessly over the monorail

Cons

• Not a lot of built-in workouts

There’s a reason the Concept2 RowErg frequently tops lists of the best rowing machines. It’s durable and offers superb performance. Plus, for a rower of its caliber, its price is reasonable at just under $1,000.

I was introduced to Concept2 rowers when I started CrossFit in 2015, and I have one in my garage gym now. It has a hefty aluminum frame that can withstand heavy use and even some minor abuse — I’ve accidentally rolled a loaded barbell into it and banged it against my squat rack, but there are no signs of damage.

The RowErg isn’t like a Peloton rower that offers dozens of classes on its monitor. Instead, the PM5 monitor simply displays data like meters, time, calories, and watts and has a handful of pre-programmed workouts. But it is Bluetooth-enabled, and you can create custom workouts in the ErgData app and sync them to the machine. I use the app at least once a week to keep track of interval workouts I do on the rower.

The RowErg is long and takes up a lot of space when fully assembled, but the rail detaches from the flywheel piece for easier storage. I find it easy to break down, though I often struggle to reassemble it due to the distribution of the weight on the flywheel piece. Still, it only takes a few seconds, and being able to break it down comes in handy for me often since my garage is a bit cramped.

Best Treadmill Under $1,000: Horizon 7.0 AT

Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT Treadmill

• Overall dimensions: 76” L x 35” W x 66” H
• Weight: 325 pounds
• Weight capacity: 277 pounds
• Display: LCD and LED screens

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Pros

• Lifetime frame and motor warranty
• Hydraulic folding capability for easy storage
• Can support users up to 325 pounds
• Long 60-inch running area
• Dials on the right and left handlebars for fast incline and speed adjustments

Cons

• Can be noisy
• Belt isn’t as cushioned as other treadmills

The Horizon 7.0 AT is a solid treadmill for those who want a no-frills, reasonably-priced treadmill. It costs just under $1,000, and while you won’t find the high-tech features you’d get in more expensive treadmills, it’s still worth considering due to its sturdy build.

It doesn’t have a touchscreen monitor from which you can stream classes, but it does come with a device holder, enabling you to take classes from the app of your choice via a tablet or phone. You can sign up for a Peloton or Zwift membership, for example, to get access to running and walking workouts, though it will cost you between $13 and $15 per month. The treadmill’s Bluetooth capabilities make it easy for your workout data to sync to whichever app you use.

Unlike some treadmills that force you to push buttons to change the incline and speed, the Horizon 7.0 AT has dials on the handlebars. You simply swipe your hand forward or back to change the incline and speed (the incline dial is on the left, and the speed dial is on the right), so you don’t have to break your concentration during fast running intervals.

The Horizon 7.0 AT has a maximum weight capacity of 325 pounds, more than the 250 to 300 pounds other treadmills offer. The 60-inch long belt is also beneficial for tall runners who have a long stride. However, at just 1.6 millimeters thick, the belt doesn’t offer much cushioning. Those who suffer from joint pain may want to look at treadmills with at least an eight-millimeter-thick belt.

Best Elliptical Under $1,000: Sole E20

Sole E20

• Overall dimensions: 72” L x 24” W; 60” H
• Weight: 325 pounds
• Weight capacity: 300 pounds
• Display: 5.5-inch LED

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Pros

• Comes with a lifetime frame warranty
• 20 resistance levels
• Magnetic resistance is less noisy
• Oversized foot pedals with an inward slope to reduce pressure on the joints

Cons

• Only has three incline levels
• Not easy to move

Buyers who need a simple, basic elliptical to keep up with their cardio at home will appreciate the Sole E20. Priced at under $600 as of this writing, it’s a decent machine for low-impact at-home workouts.

It offers 20 resistance levels, and because the resistance is magnetic, this elliptical is quieter than several others. However, there are only three incline options, and you can’t adjust them while using the machine — you have to step off and change the setting manually.

Like other ellipticals in Sole’s lineup, the E20 features oversized foot pedals, giving you plenty of space to naturally move your feet as you stride. The pedals slope inward by two degrees to help keep your knees and ankles comfortable during your workout.

As expected for an elliptical in this price range, the Sole E20 doesn’t have many advanced tech features. The small, 5.5-inch LED monitor only offers a handful of pre-programmed workouts. However, the elliptical is Bluetooth-enabled and has a device holder, so you can follow along with workouts on a tablet or smartphone. 

The Sole E20 weighs about 175 pounds and is around six feet long and two feet wide, so it’s hefty and not easy to move around. There are transport wheels at the front, but there is no handle on the back that would make wheeling it around easier.

Best Value Cardio Machine: ProForm City L6

ProForm City L6

• Overall dimensions: 70.25” L x 29” W x 44.5” H
• Weight: 125 pounds
• Weight capacity: 250 pounds
• Display: LED display for workout stats

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Pros

• Folds away for storage
• ProShox Cushioning to reduce stress on the joints
• Ideal for small spaces

Cons

• 1.6 CHP motor may not be powerful enough for serious runners
• No incline options

If you have a very tight budget, you can still get in shape at home with the affordable ProForm City L6. As of this writing, it clocks in at just under $600.

The ProForm City L6 uses ProShox Cushioning with patented shock absorbers to reduce impact on your joints. Whether you use the treadmill for jogging or brisk walks, you should experience fewer aches and pains in your knees, hips, and ankles.

This treadmill only goes up to a speed of eight miles per hour, which is equivalent to a 7:30-mile pace. For beginners or casual runners, this may be fast enough. But for advanced runners or those who enjoy sprints, the ProForm City L6 may not reach high enough speeds for an effective workout.

The running surface is also on the short side, at about 45 inches long, compared to other treadmill decks that are at least 55 inches long. The benefit of the machine being shorter, though, is that it fits into small spaces better. The frame also folds down, and there are wheels on the front for easy maneuvering.

With the ProForm City L6, you get a 30-day free trial to iFIT. An iFIT membership grants you access to thousands of workout programs. Scenic runs, studio classes, interval training programs, and cross-training workouts are also available through iFIT. However, the treadmill doesn’t come with a monitor, so you’ll need to play the classes on a smartphone or tablet.

How We Chose the Best Cardio Machines

We used a combination of personal experience and extensive research to determine the best cardio machines. To ensure there were options for various budgets and fitness goals, as well as products that are suitable for those with joint issues, we included machines you can use for running, rowing, indoor cycling, or striding. 

As fitness experts who train in both commercial and home gyms, we also know which brands produce the highest-quality equipment. We only included cardio machines from the companies we know we can trust.

Why Should You Buy a Cardio Machine?

Adding a cardio machine to your home gym is a great way to keep up with your fitness when you can’t make it to the gym or the weather is bad. You can get your cardio workout done at any time, and you don’t have to wait for anyone else to finish using the machine you want to use. Cardio machines offer a lot of versatility since you can use them for HIIT workouts or steady-state cardio and change inclines or resistance levels to make your workouts more or less challenging.

Additionally, you can buy a cardio machine that will allow you to work around pre-existing injuries. If you have bad knees and running outside isn’t an option, for example, a low-impact cardio machine like the elliptical will allow you to continue exercising without putting extra stress on your joints. In fact, low-impact cardio exercise may help loosen stiff and achy joints. (1)

Aside from the convenience and flexibility owning a cardio machine can provide, cardio exercise has several health benefits. It can help you manage your body weight, improve your mood, and sleep better at night. (2)(3)(4) Research shows that cardio exercise may even help lower blood pressure and boost your immune system. (5)(6)

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Cardio Machine

Goals

Any cardio machine can potentially help with goals such as weight loss or strengthening your heart. But if you have specific goals, like running a 5k, you’ll want to buy a machine that will support that type of training.

Training Preferences

It’s important to consider your preferences when choosing a cardio machine. Buying the best treadmill on the market won’t do you much good if you hate running. Pick a machine that you know you’ll enjoy using so you can get your money’s worth out of it.

Size

Most cardio machines are large and bulky, so measuring your space before you buy one is a must. The Concept2 SkiErg can be a fantastic choice for those with limited space due to its small footprint of 50 inches by 23 inches when it’s on the floor stand. Similarly, an easily storable option like the ProForm City L6 Foldable Treadmill is a good option for anyone who doesn’t want to leave their cardio machines out all the time.

Budget

Cardio machines range in price from less than $600 to over $2,000. Evaluate the price of the machine you want and the features it comes with to ensure you’re getting good value. If your desired machine includes programming you have to subscribe to, you’ll need to factor in that price, too. A subscription to a service like iFIT can cost close to $40 monthly.

Companies like Horizon and NordicTrack also offer financing options, which may make buying an expensive machine more feasible.

Technology

Cardio machines are equipped with varying types of technology. The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill, for example, boasts a touchscreen monitor through which you can stream various workouts via the iFIT app. On the other hand, the Concept2 Rower and SkiErg have simpler monitors that only track workout metrics like pace, calories burned, and distance (though they do also offer a few pre-programmed workouts and the ability to perform custom workouts).

Machines that offer classes are ideal for those who like being told what to do, while machines with more basic technology may be better for those who like to program their own workouts.

Injury History

If you’re fortunate enough to not have pre-existing injuries, you have more flexibility in cardio machines. But if you struggle with knee, hip, or ankle pain, you may want to look at low-impact options like a rower, an exercise bike, or an elliptical.

Final Thoughts

Hopping on a piece of cardio gym equipment is an excellent way to alleviate stress, burn calories, boost your mood, and reduce joint pain. To experience these cardio benefits at home, you can choose from treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bikes, elliptical machines — even cross-country skiing machines. Regardless of which activity you enjoy most or whether you have injuries to work around, there’s a cardio machine out there for you.

Be sure to consider your budget, space, and whether or not you want high-tech features. Some cardio machines come equipped with touchscreen monitors through which you can stream classes, but they cost more than the ones with LCD screens. Cardio gym equipment tends to be large and bulky, though you can find machines that fold up or break down for easier storage. Ultimately, the best cardio machine for you will depend on several factors, so use this roundup as your guide to help simplify your shopping experience.

FAQs

Research

1. Cooney, J. K., Law, R. J., Matschke, V., Lemmey, A. B., Moore, J. P., Ahmad, Y., Jones, J. G., Maddison, P., & Thom, J. M. (2011). Benefits of exercise in rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of aging research, 2011, 681640. https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/681640
2. Donnelly, J. E., Honas, J. J., Smith, B., Mayo, M. S., Gibson, C., Sullivan, D. K., Lee, J., Herrmann, S. D., Lambourne, K., & Washburn, R. (2013). Aerobic exercise alone results in clinically significant weight loss for men and women: Midwest exercise trial 2. Obesity, 21(3), E219–E228. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.20145
3. Dimeo F, Bauer M, Varahram I, et alBenefits from aerobic exercise in patients with major depression: a pilot study. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2001;35:114-117.
4. Kline C. E. (2014). The bidirectional relationship between exercise and sleep: Implications for exercise adherence and sleep improvement. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 8(6), 375–379. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827614544437
5. Carpio-Rivera, E., Moncada-Jiménez, J., Salazar-Rojas, W., & Solera-Herrera, A. (2016). Acute Effects of Exercise on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analytic Investigation. Arquivos brasileiros de cardiologia, 106(5), 422–433. https://doi.org/10.5935/abc.20160064
6. Simpson, R. J., Campbell, J. P., Gleeson, M., Krüger, K., Nieman, D. C., Pyne, D. B., Turner, J. E., & Walsh, N. P. (2020). Can exercise affect immune function to increase susceptibility to infection?. Exercise immunology review, 26, 8–22.

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On August 8, 2023, powerlifter Phillip Herndon recorded a video of himself successfully locking out a 414.5-kilogram (914-pound) raw back squat during a recent training session. The mark is unofficially more than the current all-time raw World Record in Herndon’s usual 125-kilogram weight class. That honor still officially belongs to Reece Fullwood, who squatted 412.5 kilograms (909.4 pounds) at the 2023 GPC-GB Welsh Championships.

Herndon achieved his latest training squat while wearing knee sleeves, wrist wraps, and a lifting belt. Such an equipment set-up still constitutes as raw in a powerlifting context. He wrote in his post that he weighed 271 pounds at the time of the lift, meaning the athlete squatted approximately 3.3 times his body weight. Herndon evidently had little trouble with this squat, hitting the hole and rising up quickly without much of a struggle as his spotters on all three sides kept a close watch.

Herndon’s squat is connected to his ongoing preparation for the 2023 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) American Pro 2. That contest is currently scheduled to take place on October 27-29, 2023, in San Diego, CA. Herndon could be seeking a measure of redemption as he did not place at the 2022 iteration, having been disqualified while competing with wraps. In his squat Instagram post, the athlete wrote that he will again compete with wraps at this year’s American Pro.

Herndon has been on a competitive and training tear of late.

In March 2023, during the United States Powerlifting Coalition (USPC) Mid-Atlantic Classic & Regional Championship, the powerlifter squatted 411 kilograms (906.1 pounds) to put himself within striking distance of the 125-kilogram class World Record. Then, in late June 2023, the athlete became the lightest person ever to squat 453.9 kilograms (1,000 pounds) raw with wraps during a performance at the 2023 International Powerlifting Association (IPA) Strength Spectacular.

With months to go before his latest competitive appearance, Herndon has once again inched closer to another hallowed squat mark in the gym.

Herndon technically doesn’t “need” to add another squat record to his growing laundry list of achievements. He already stands atop the 110-kilogram class and seldom loses in full competition. Athletes like him seemingly don’t rest on their laurels, though. They have an interest in writing their name all over the record books.

Featured image: @phillip_herndon on Instagram

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On August 7, 2023, strongman Tom Stoltman shared an Instagram video of himself capturing a 500-kilogram (1,102.3-pound) 18-inch deadlift during a training session. Stoltman utilized lifting straps and a conventional stance with a traditional grip, had a lifting belt adorned, and was in his socks during the monstrous pulling feat. It did not appear to come with much of a struggle as the athlete lifted his bar off a shortened rack to a successful complete lockout.

Athletes are usually able to lift more from a higher position because it eliminates the original launch point from the floor. Other variations include the Silver Dollar deadlift, which mostly only differs in presentation. Estonian competitor Rauno Heinla broke the 18-inch deadlift World Record with a pull of 540 kilograms (1,190.5 pounds) at the 2023 Tartu Rammumees ja Rammunaine (TRJR). Stoltman, a former two-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion (2021-2022), is in the final stages of his ongoing preparation for the 2023 Shaw Classic (SC). That contest is set to take place on August 19-20, 2023, in Loveland, CO.

This is not the first instance Stoltman has seemingly been more active with training updates in 2023. That’s especially as it pertains to the 2023 SC, which will now reward the title of “The Strongest Man On Earth” to the prospective winner.

In late July 2023, Stoltman shared a clip of himself capturing an 800-kilogram (1,763.7-pound) leg press during another workout. A variation of the leg press featuring a vehicle affixed to a machine is one of the main events at the 2023 SC. (Note: The 2023 Giants Live Strongman Classic (GLSC) champion Evan Singleton also polished up his leg press around the same time.)

Moments like this come after Stoltman’s disappointing runner-up result to Mitchell Hooper at the 2023 WSM. Stoltman was in line for a legendary “three-peat” as a dynastic strongman. He would’ve been only the third strongman to ever notch that achievement but instead fell just short. When coupled with a sixth-place result at the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC), it seems Stoltman is on a mission for redemption and plans to use his tremendous leg power to dig himself out of an early hole from the competitive season.

Even with some of his recent shortcomings, Stoltman remains one of the biggest superstars in strongman, and he still hasn’t reached 30 years old. The athlete seems to understand he has plenty of time to rebound. He might put himself back on an elite map with a tentpole victory at the 2023 SC.

Featured image: @tomstoltmanofficial on Instagram

The post Tom Stoltman Completes a 500 Kilogram (1,102.3-Pound) 18-Inch Deadlift appeared first on Breaking Muscle.