“Mark is 100% correct.
I’m a doctor and I can assure anyone who might be concerned:
Acquired diabetes (as opposed to being born with Type 1 diabetes), does NOT happen secretly or suddenly like cancer might. (Cancer of the pancreas – the insulin producing organ, might suddenly cause diabetes, but that is cancer).
Acquired type 2 diabetes is very definitely something one can look at day by day and know if one is heading towards it or away from it.
Weight loss, lowered blood sugar levels, lower triglycerides, better exercise tolerance and fitness, are all easy, everyday indications that one is reducing the chances of diabetes, not increasing it.
A glucometer purchased cheaply at a drugstore can give great everyday data re our blood sugar response to food and meals, if it’s a real concern. (Just be sure to read about the normals and parameters so the results can be interpreted correctly).
If one is heading towards diabetes, as evidenced by higher blood sugars, significant weight gain, higher triglycerides, etc, then stopping all red meat is NOT going to help that situation.
Increasing exercise, eliminating all sweeteners and simple carbs, and decreasing caloric intake, WILL improve one’s situation and reverse the trend. It really is that simple for acquired type 2 diabetes.
It is a travesty the way the “survey” studies are taken and discussed the same as real, original, double blind experiments with actual measurements and data.
The problem is the average person doesn’t know the difference and can’t really be expected to sit down and learn that while raising a family and working two jobs.
I would expect more of journalists though, because it’s their job and responsibility to report accurately.
It’s so irresponsible what they are doing here.
And I suspect the vegan mega-industries know that and are taking full advantage. I wouldn’t put it past them to even be paying journalists to report the way they do.
These corporations can’t wait to eliminate real meat and take the markets and profits from substituting fake, manufactured, chemical-filled, proteins.
Grrrrr :^{.”
Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss
Ritual Vitamins stand apart from most other vitamins available today for their traceable ingredients, simple formulations, and delayed-release capsules. You might think that vitamins packed with megadoses of micronutrients are the best way to go, but Ritual knows better. Unlike their competitors, Ritual only includes micronutrients commonly lacking in Western diets, so your body is more likely to use them. Furthermore, their vitamins are free from common allergens, synthetic fillers, and colorants.
Our Breaking Muscle team of qualified experts, including certified personal trainers, CrossFitters, strength and conditioning coaches, powerlifters/powerlifting coaches, and nutrition experts, have put our heads together to provide you with a comprehensive Ritual vitamins review. We have hands-on experience testing Ritual Essential vitamins designed for both men and women and are eager to share our candid insights regarding taste, aroma, ease of consumption, cost, and effectiveness. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I’ll provide insights into the ingredients and formulations, ensuring you gain the whole picture.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.
Key Takeaways
Ritual vitamins consist of vegan-friendly traceable ingredients, so you know the source, supplier, and manufacturing location.
Ritual crafts minimalist, gluten-free formulas, focusing on essential nutrients and avoiding unnecessary additives, artificial ingredients, or common allergens.
Ritual vitamins are tailored to different age groups, genders, and life stages. This ensures that individuals can find supplements that align with their unique health and nutrient needs.
Traceable ingredients so you always know the source, supplier, and final place of manufacturing
Doesn’t include unnecessary ingredients or megadoses of micronutrients you likely already get enough of through food
Delayed-release capsules designed for nutrients to reach the most absorptive part of your gut
Ritual Vitamins Cons
More expensive than other vitamins that cost less than $1 per serving
Some customers complain of a fishy smell and taste
Some users experience indigestion
Ritual Vitamins Rating
We rated Ritual vitamins based on Breaking Muscle product tester feedback, customer reviews, verified certifications, and comparison to other similar products.
Factor
Rating (out of 5)
Ingredients and formulation
4.5
Number of servings
3
Price per serving
3
Storage requirements
4
Taste and smell
3.5
Swallowability
4
Potential side effects
3.5
Third-party certifications
4.5
How Does Ritual Work?
Ritual vitamins are dietary supplements that can help fill nutritional gaps in your diet and support overall health. Ritual offers a range of vitamins tailored to specific age groups and life stages. Each product contains a thoughtfully selected set of nutrients backed by scientific research.
A bottle of Ritual Multivitamin 18+ for Women at the Breaking Muscle testing facility
One of Ritual’s key principles is label transparency. The company provides detailed information about the sources of their ingredients and the scientific rationale behind including each nutrient in their products. This transparency helps give customers peace of mind by allowing them to know exactly what they’re consuming.
Ritual vitamins come in the form of delayed-release capsules. The capsule is intended to stay intact until it reaches your intestines, where it can be better absorbed. The idea behind this is that your body will actually absorb the micronutrients and put them to work. Certain micronutrients won’t absorb as well if released in the stomach.
Ritual offers a monthly subscription service for consistent customers. This ensures that you consistently take your vitamins, and it’s a convenient way to maintain your nutrient intake while saving a few bucks. You cannot make a one-time purchase without subscribing on the company website. However, Ritual vitamins are also available for sale at Target and on Amazon.
Multivitamins Offered by Ritual
Product
Key Nutrients
Ritual Essential for Women 18+
Folate, omega-3 DHA, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, vitamin E, vitamin K2, boron, vitamin E, magnesium
Vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, folate, vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, boron, omega-3 DHA, vitamin K2
Ritual Essential for Men 50+
Vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, folate, vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, boron, omega-3 DHA, vitamin K2
Ritual Essential for Teens Multivitamin for Her
Omega-3 DHA, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, vitamin B12, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin K2
Ritual Essential for Teens Multivitamin for Him
Omega-3 DHA, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, vitamin B12, magnesium, zinc, vitamin K2
Ritual Vitamins In-Depth Review
We have compiled a well-rounded overview of Ritual vitamins by leveraging customer reviews, assessments conducted by our trustworthy Breaking Muscle testers, and my experience as a registered dietitian. In this review, we’ll break down the ingredients, cost, taste, and potential side effects, so you have a better understanding of Ritual vitamins.
Ingredients and Formulation
Ritual vitamins can provide essential nutrients tailored to different age groups, genders, and life stages. They’re free from additives, artificial ingredients, and questionable fillers, and don’t contain mega doses of nutrients you probably get enough of already. For these reasons, we rated formulation a 4.5 out of 5.
For expecting mothers, Ritual’s prenatal multivitamin includes key nutrients like folate to support the healthy development of the baby’s neural tube and prevent birth defects. It also includes iron. Iron is vital for oxygen delivery in the body and to the growing baby, as pregnant women are prone to deficiency due to increased blood volume. Additionally, the prenatal multivitamin includes Omega-3 DHA to help foster the baby’s eye and brain development.
As we age, we become more susceptible to fragile bones, making vitamin D, magnesium, boron, and vitamin K especially important for men and women over 50. Omega-3s, also included in the multivitamins for older adults, support brain health, help reduce inflammation associated with chronic disease, and may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. (1)
While many multivitamins exclude iron due to its potential dangers in excess, Ritual recognizes the higher risk of iron deficiency in women due to menstruation and includes it in their teen girls and women’s multivitamin 18+. However, Ritual omits iron from the multivitamin for women 50+ as postmenopausal women are less likely to experience low iron levels.
Ritual’s multivitamin for men 18+ contains omega-3 DHA, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 to fill common dietary gaps, as individuals may not consume these nutrients in sufficient quantities through diet alone. Vitamin D, in particular, holds significance for male athletes who endure increased bone stress from high-impact activities. Vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell formation, nerve function, and energy metabolism.
Many teenagers fall short of essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin D in their diets, which may lack variety during this life stage. Ritual’s teen multivitamins for both boys and girls include these nutrients to bolster immune function, support vision, and enhance bone health.
A bottle of Ritual Essential for Teens Multivitamin for Him at the Breaking Muscle testing facility
You may notice that Ritual doesn’t include certain nutrients, like calcium, vitamin C, selenium, or copper in their vitamins. This is because you are likely already getting plenty of these nutrients through the foods you eat. Ritual enforces the idea that consumers should only use vitamins to fill nutrient gaps, not to replace a healthy diet.
Number of Servings
Every bottle of Ritual vitamins provides a 30-serving supply, with each serving consisting of 2 vegan capsules. We consider this fairly standard, so we rated the number of servings per bottle a 3 out of 5. In comparison, Legion and Transparent Labs vitamins offer the same quantity per bottle, while OLLY offers 45 servings, and Utzy Naturals supplies only 20 servings.
It’s worth noting that some competitors may include more pills per bottle, but it’s essential to factor in the serving size. With Ritual, a daily intake consists of just 2 capsules, while Transparent Labs requires 4 capsules per serving.
Price Per Serving
Ritual vitamins run between $1.10 to $1.30 per serving on the company website, which is mid-range compared to other vitamins. For this reason, we rated the price per serving a solid 3 out of 3. Some multivitamins, like OLLY Multi’s, only cost $0.31, but other more expensive options, like Athletic Green AG1, cost a whopping $2.63 per serving.
Unlike some other vitamin brands, you can find Ritual vitamins on Amazon for a slightly better deal. At the time of writing, the Ritual Essential for Multivitamin 18+ is available for $1.05 per serving.
Storage Requirements
Ritual recommends keeping their vitamins in the container in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Many vitamins degrade faster and lose effectiveness when exposed to too much heat, light, oxygen, or humidity.
Consider keeping them on the counter, in a cabinet, or in your gym bag. Leaving them in a place where you will see them daily could help you take them more consistently.
Taste and Smell
Ritual capsules are mint essenced to make taking a vitamin more enjoyable. Our Breaking Muscle expert tester who tried the Ritual Essential for Women 18+ vitamin found the taste pleasant and prefers the minty freshness over the typical unflavored pill. Another team member tried the Ritual Essential for Men 50+ and found the mint essence to be a bit much when taking them first thing in the morning.
Most customer reviews on the Ritual website approve of the taste. However, some feel the capsules smell and taste fishy. While Ritual uses a vegan source of omega-3 DHA, some customers taste the algal oil (oil from marine algae) after taking the vitamins.
Customers on the company website say Ritual capsules are “easy to take.” Our team members liked that each serving is only two pills per day and that they can take the pills separately or at the same time. Our tester who tried the Ritual Essential for Women 18+ found the pills to be mid-sized and had no trouble swallowing them.
A bottle of Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin 18+ at the Breaking Muscle testing facility
Potential Side Effects
Some customers who take Ritual vitamins complain of indigestion and fishy burps, which may indicate that the capsule has started to break open and release its contents. The “fishy” taste associated with these burps comes from the omega-3 oils, and while they’re certainly not pleasant, there are ways to reduce them. Try taking them before bed on an empty stomach to experience fewer fish burps.
Our Breaking Muscle testers didn’t notice any uncomfortable side effects after taking Ritual vitamins. Ritual intentionally chooses forms of nutrients that are gentle on the stomach and can be taken without food. One customer review on the Ritual website says, “I take these without food and have not even the slightest queasiness.” Even so, some customers could be sensitive to certain ingredients, like iron, that can lead to stomach pain and discomfort.
Ritual vitamins are USP verified, which means they have undergone rigorous testing and verification processes to ensure they meet specific quality and purity standards. You can rest assured Ritual vitamins contain the ingredients listed on the label and are free from harmful levels of contaminants, such as heavy metals.
These products are also non-GMO verified, meaning they don’t contain genetically modified organisms whose genetic material has been altered.
Lastly, Ritual vitamins are Certified Carbon-Free. The products have undergone an assessment to calculate their carbon footprint. Then, that footprint has been reduced and offset wherever possible. These sustainability efforts show that Ritual makes choices that positively impact the planet.
Factors To Consider Before Buying Ritual Vitamins
There’s a lot to take into consideration when choosing the best multivitamin for men or women. You’ll want a high-quality product made with essential nutrients but won’t want to neglect other important considerations like cost and personal health concerns.
Cost
It’s essential to be mindful of your budget, but when it comes to Ritual, price points are consistent across all adult vitamins. Whether you need a prenatal or a men’s vitamin, all cost $39 per bottle on the Ritual website. Teen vitamins are slightly less at $33 per bottle.
As mentioned before, you can find less costly (and more costly) options. Keep in mind that cheaper vitamins may not always provide quality, highly bioavailable micronutrients. On the flip side, more expensive vitamins may be charging you for an excess of micronutrients your body already gets enough of through diet.
Nutrient Needs
Consider your current life stage when choosing a Ritual vitamin. There are certain nutrients that become more important during specific times of life, and you want to pick a product that fits your needs. For instance, postmenopausal women are at an increased risk for osteoporosis and heart disease. Taking the Ritual Essential for Women 50+ with vitamin D, vitamin K, boron, and omega-3s may help support bone and heart health.
Additional Health Concerns
Before starting a new supplement, speak with your healthcare provider about your current health concerns. Some vitamins and minerals could interact with medications or medical conditions. For example, someone taking blood thinners may need to avoid taking too much vitamin K because it can counteract the medication’s intended effects.
Ritual Vitamins vs. Centrum
Ritual and Centrum are both well-known vitamin brands that aim to provide micronutrients to support overall health. Ritual ingredients are traceable and don’t include unnecessary additives or common food allergens. Centrum isn’t as transparent about ingredient sourcing, and the ingredient lists include artificial food coloring and soy (a common food allergen).
Centrum multivitamins include more vitamins and minerals than Ritual. The Centrum men’s multivitamin tablet contains 24 micronutrients, whereas Rituals men’s multivitamin includes 10. There are several different Centrum multivitamins to choose from, including gummies, tablets, minis capsules, and those with or without omega-3s. Ritual doesn’t offer as much variety and markets fewer products overall.
Ritual and Thorne both share a commitment to quality and transparency. Both offer detailed information about their vitamin’s ingredient sourcing, forms, and manufacturing practices. Ritual vitamins are designed to provide nutrients with a minimalist approach and contain fewer ingredients and products. However, Thorne offers a wider range of supplements and micronutrients targeting athletes, including specialized formulations for various health needs, which may include herbal extracts.
Customer reviews on Ritual’s website are generally very positive. Most customers like the mint flavor, find the pills easy to swallow, and don’t experience nausea or an upset stomach after taking them. One customer says,” Love the ingredients, technology, research, and concept. Vitamins are smooth. They do not upset my empty stomach. I am a fan of the mint flavor. Not too strong. Tastes and smells good. No complaints.”
Customers who don’t like the vitamins complain of indigestion, smell, and taste. A verified customer writes, “It has such a fishy smell and there doesn’t seem to be enough mint to hide this smell and taste.” Ritual representatives suggest taking the pill before bed to avoid the aftertaste.
Final Verdict: Are Ritual Vitamins Worth It?
Ritual is known for its commitment to transparency, quality sourcing, and offering a minimalist approach to vitamins. Their traceable ingredients and focus on micronutrients you may not get enough of through diet alone appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking a quality supplement. Ritual vitamins are considered a premium brand and come with a mid-range price point, but many people find their delayed capsule design, mint flavor, and quality formulations to be worth it. Consider Ritual if you’re looking for a straightforward, no-nonsense multivitamin and prioritize simple ingredients.
FAQs
Are Ritual vitamins FDA-approved?
No, Ritual vitamins are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review or approve dietary supplements for safety and efficacy before they are marketed to consumers.
How safe are Ritual vitamins?
Ritual vitamins are generally safe when used as directed. Do not take more than the recommended serving size on the product label to avoid potential health risks.
What are the side effects of Ritual vitamins?
Some customers complain of indigestion or an upset stomach after taking Ritual vitamins. As with other vitamins, these can interact with certain medications, so talk with your doctor before starting them.
What makes Ritual vitamins different?
Ritual vitamins include traceable ingredients and only the most necessary micronutrient you may be lacking in your diet. They are formulated to fill nutrient gaps and are not intended to replace a healthy diet. Their delayed-release capsule, mint flavor, and third-party testing also set them apart from other supplement companies.
How much do Ritual vitamins cost?
Ritual vitamins for adults cost $39.00 per bottle, which is $1.30 per serving. Teen vitamins are slightly less expensive, costing $33.00 per bottle and $1.10 per serving.
Research
Molfino A, Gioia G, Rossi Fanelli F, Muscaritoli M. The role for dietary omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in older adults. Nutrients. 2014;6(10):4058-4073. Published 2014 Oct 3. doi:10.3390/nu6104058
Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss
Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend kicked off in Orlando, FL with bodybuilders across multiple divisions trying to convince a set of judges that they deserve to compete at the highest level. Taking place from Nov. 1-2, 2023, the 2023 Amateur Olympia saw several athletes separate themselves from the pack and secure a coveted IFBB Pro League card in the process.
Accomplishing that feat automatically puts them in the mix to compete in pro shows during the 2024 bodybuilding season. And depending on how they perform over the ensuing months, newly-crowned IFBB pros like Men’s Bodybuilding Overall winner Luiz Esteves might just find themselves standing on the Olympia stage at this time next year.
Here are the full results from the 2023 Amateur Olympia:
Luiz Esteves took home the title of 2023 Amateur Olympia Men’s Bodybuilding Overall Winner. Brandon Barrow and Marcus Costa also earned their IFBB Pro League cards by finishing first in their respective divisions.
Ejike Enwereuzor Jr. emerged as the 2023 Amateur Olympia Classic Physique Overall Winner. Corey Darrah and Justin Bohannon joined the champion in earning their IFBB Pro League cards.
Amilcar Sotillo claimed the 2023 Amateur Olympia Men’s Physique Overall Winnertitle and secured his IFBB Pro League card. Plus, Mohamed Lutfalla and Jaydon Goddard earned pro cards by impressing on stage.
Martina Lopez was named the 2023 Amateur Olympia Women’s Bodybuilding Overall Winner. Fellow contestants Janesuda Akarapreecha and Cristina Driscoll joined her in becoming IFBB Pro League competitors.
Heavyweight
Janesuda Akarapreecha— Earned IFBB Pro League card
Lorraine LaFleur proved to be the 2023 Amateur Olympia Women’s Physique Overall Winner. Elena Heubner and Latoya Moody enjoyed successful showings in Orlando, leaving with IFBB pro cards of their own.
Carla Lorena Banegas was named the 2023 Amateur Olympia Wellness Overall Winner. Juliane Almeida and Carolina Surerus were awarded IFBB pro cards for their impressive physiques.
Masters 35+
Juliane Almeida— Earned IFBB Pro League card
Yurisleidy Gallardo
Bruna Santos
Leticia Mattos
Liza Liliana Vera Ramirez
Gisela Bala
Karina De Souza
Juliana Ananias
Ludimila Espanguer A Santos
Jen Vittori
Class A
Carolina Surerus — Earned IFBB Pro League card
Yurisleidy Gallardo
Carolyne McGunnigle
Christina Lopez
Josela Bottarelli
Guadalupe Guerra
Liz Ramirez
Bruna Santos
Maria Elena Pavon
Alejandra Chaves
Luisa Fernanda Perez Ortiz
Gisela Bala
Maria Barbara Alejandra Boersth Orellana
Bailey Vallot
Victoria Brindle
Jen Vittori (Tied for 16th)
Ludimila Espanguer A Santos (Tied for 16th)
Molly White (Tied for 16th)
Class B
Juliane Almeida
Andrea Chahin
Natalia Ravanhani
Hannah Calkins
Kirley Suenia Souza
Thais Grice
Vanessa Dominguez
Mikaela Campbell-Magana
Stephania Barrales
Maria Rios
Margaret Sweeney
Sandra Rossana Costa
Stephanie Nunn
Yorlenis Masis
Karina De Souza
Landon Shannahan
Class C
Cristiane Mendell
Glenda Paulina Leon Mora
Mia Paillant
Dayana Navarro
Cristina Rifo
Yessica Quintero
Leticia Mattos
Liza Liliana Vera Ramirez
Marina Kryven
Jua Nam
Allison Vogt
Class D
Carla Lorena Banegas— Earned IFBB Pro League card
Pamela Maraldi
Vanessa Uribe
Nicole Corrigan
Rafaela De Oliveira Franciosi
Paula Alejandra Suarez Pereira
Cassandra Boteler
Catherine Bourrie
Juliana Ananias
Dafiny Resende Diniz
Amanda Lai
Paulina Paz Caroca Soro
2023 Amateur Olympia Fitness Results
Maria Pro was named the 2023 Amateur Olympia Fitness Overall Winner.
Camila Lyra topped all competitors in her division by being named the 2023 Amateur Olympia Figure Overall Winner. Erika Torronen and Stefanie Roth left the Orange County Convention Center with their pro cards, too.
Sharon Ramos not only topped all Bikini division competitors but she was also named the Women’s Amateur Overall Winner for the entire contest. Melanie Anderson and Karyse Coley walked away with IFBB Pro League cards for their efforts.
Masters 35+
Nathalia Allende
Andrea Sierra Pachon
Dilru Arachige
Diamelys Alejandra Serrano Sucre
Amanda Williams
Lucia Valdes Fernandez
Christiana Bailey-Green
U-landa Brone
ANdressa De Oliveira
Myrian Lorena Borysiuk
Lorena Lopez
Mellanie Staiger
Linda America Gamboa
Riva Z Robinson
Olga Pargas
Angela Mary Erdmann (Tied for 16th)
Annika Gorsanova (Tied for 16th)
Brooke Caperton (Tied for 16th)
Cecilia Rios (Tied for 16th)
Daria Macclusky (Tied for 16th)
Emma Ascher (Tied for 16th)
Heloue Meri Sahdid Vazquez (Tied for 16th)
Irina Mezheritskiy (Tied for 16th)
Jen Vittori (Tied for 16th)
Jessica Franz (Tied for 16th)
Kylee Reynolds (Tied for 16th)
Martibexis Gill (Tied for 16th)
Melissa Hoy (Tied for 16th)
Natalie Nall (Tied for 16th)
Nidia Nidia (Tied for 16th)
Nora Fonai (Tied for 16th)
Rainet Lewis (Tied for 16th)
Sophia Gabriel (Tied for 16th)
Class A
Tetyana Morgach
Jessica Neary
Zoe Cortes
Celestina Sellz
Isabel Klamm
Marlette Le-Feuvre
Fernanda Perales
Andrea Rodas
Jen Vittori
Lexi Francke
Victoria Lopez Faya
Class B
Melanie Anderson— Earned IFBB Pro League card
Dilru Arachige
Ashley Boettge
Chaya Keswani
Paula Fernandez Gonzalez
Jenna Simon
Cinthia Toral Arjona
Janet Calderon
Nora Fonai
Rebecca Rivas
Lorena Lopez
Michela Zanaglio
Zoe Greer
Class C
Andrea Sierra Pachon
Lisa Reid
Jocelyn Roberge
Patricia Soares Godoy
Maria Fernanda Jimenez Vieyra
Jordan Musser
Mariah Rokicsak
Linda America Gamboa
Daniela Diaz
Sophia Gabriel
Class D
Jessica Moskowitz
Julia Ross
Ramona Erturk
Bayarsaikhan Oyungerel
Brittany Gabel
Nayeon Lee
Amanda Williams
Paulina Perales Ituarte
Christiana Bailey-Green
Riva Z Robinson
Nataliia Pugach
Abigail Strecker
Shannon Ahearn
Cecilia Rios
Class E
Nikki Chace
Angie Benson
Milica Pasic
U-Landa Browne
Karla Villanueva
Unursaikhan Ganbat
Virfa Fernandez
Fiona Bruce
Andressa De Oliveira
Maria Belen Varela
Cameryn Bell
Renata Beokovic
Krisztina Farkas
Annika Gorsanova
Svetlana Fedkina
Adriana Cisnero (Tied for 16th)
Alexandria Dye (Tied for 16th)
Camila Damas (Tied for 16th)
Mallory Dougoud (Tied for 16th)
Marissa Sampson (Tied for 16th)
Class F
Sharon Ramos— Earned IFBB Pro League card
Jessica Maguire
Avernell Modest
Romina Dorotea
Kin Yee Vanessa Lock
Bentley Stevenson
Elena Bekirova
Ffion Gladwin
Samantha Smith
Sarah Malta
Ashley Bowden
Kylee Reynolds
Jessica Franz
Class G
Rebecca Taylor
Genna Stanyer
Alexis Retolaza
Ashley Jensen
Diamelys Alejandra Serrang Sucre
Liliana Rondon
Myriam Lorena Borysiuk
Sophie Brady
Maddison Bradley
Elizabeth Fischer
Emma Ascher
Natalie Nall
Sakeena Baccas
Class H
Karyse Coley— Earned IFBB Pro League card
Nathalia Allende
Aimee Shearer
Lucia Valdes Fernandez
Derri Irving
Dasha Prisich
Guljahon Turdikulova
Cassidy Fazio
Daria Maccluskey
Staci Cash
Irina Mezheritskiy
Rainet Lewis
You can catch the rest of the Olympia weekend action via pay-per-view for $74.99 by visiting the Olympia Productions website.
Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss
To say Derek Lunsford left a lasting impression at the 2022 Mr. Olympia would be a massive understatement. Transitioning from the 212 division, he made the most of his Men’s Open debut by coming within one spot of capturing the most coveted title in the sport of bodybuilding.
Determined to topple reigning champion Hadi Choopan from his Mr. Olympia throne, Lunsford enters this year’s contest as one of the prohibitive favorites. With his fellow competitors preparing to showcase their physiques during the Nov. 2-5 weekend in Orlando, FL, the former 212 Olympia winner (in 2021) hit the gym with legendary coach Hany Rambod for his final training session before he steps on stage.
Not only did Lunsford share highlights from his chest and triceps workout, but he also provided insight into his diet and mindset in a vlog posted on his YouTube channel on Nov. 1, 2023.
With the most important show of the year right around the corner, Lunsford seems satisfied with how the prep process has gone. Between drinking two gallons of water per day, doubling his dosage of probiotics for digestive health, and being diligent with his diet, the 2022 Mr. Olympia runner-up has put himself in a position to make a legitimate run at the title.
“I’ve never actually felt this good right before a show,” Lunsford said. “I just understand how this process goes better now. It’s a combination of growth as an athlete and also mental maturity in terms of not allowing myself to be overwhelmed with stress and anxiety and worry.”
After consuming a pre-workout meal of fish and white rice, he joined forces with Rambod one last time. The workout begins at the 15:20 mark of the video above.
Plate-Loaded Chest Press Machine
Lunsford started the session on the plate-loaded chest press machine. After warming up with a 45-pound (20.4-kilogram) plate per side, he pushed his pecs further by adding a 25-pound (11.3-kilogram) plate on his next set. For his top set, the 2023 Mr. Olympia hopeful worked with 115 pounds (52.2 kilograms) worth of plates per side, making sure to squeeze out the final few reps before moving on to the ensuing chest exercise.
Pec-Deck Machine
Next, Lunsford aimed to stretch and contract his pectoral muscles and serratus anterior using the pec-deck machine. To do so, he made sure to utilize the full range of motion, opening up his chest completely before bringing his arms together at the top of the movement.
Rather than allowing Lunsford to grasp the pec-deck machine’s handles, Rambod reminded his client to keep his hands open so he could get all of his muscle fibers to fire.
Incline Dumbbell Press
Moving over to the dumbbell section of the gym, Lunsford laid down on a bench to perform an incline press. Working with a pair of 50-pound (22.7-kilogram) dumbbells, he maintained a fairly neutral wrist position as he lowered the weight until his elbows formed a 90-degree angle.
Once he let the dumbbells reach chest level, Lunsford drove them back up, making sure to engage his triceps at the top. He only performed two sets of this exercise before switching up his method of blasting his pecs.
For another push-based movement, Lunsford hit the plate-loaded incline press machine. An easy warm-up set with a 45-pound plate on each side set the stage for a second set with double the amount of weight.
Although his client could go heavier, Rambod refused to let Lunsford increase the intensity. Instead, he had him perform a third set with the same load to wrap up this portion of the workout.
Cable Crossover / Low-to-High Flye
In a similar movement to the pec-deck machine, Lunsford worked his chest with a classic bodybuilding exercise: the cable crossover. Designed to maintain tension through a long range of motion, this exercise forced the top 2023 Mr. Olympia contender to push a little harder than some of the other exercises.
Rambod changed the angle of attack by dropping the cables down to the lowest setting for a low-to-high flye variation. Lunsford kept a supinated (palms-up) grip as he raised his hands in front of him and squeezed the upper part of his pecs at the top.
Cable Rope Triceps Pushdown
For more triceps work, Lunsford performed several sets of cable rope triceps pushdowns. Again, Rambod kept the load manageable, encouraging his client to push his hands apart and lock out his triceps on every rep. Lunsford maintained a slight forward lean during the exercise to ensure his triceps did all the work.
Single-Arm Triceps Extension
After working both arms with the rope, Lunsford performed single-arm triceps extensions using a handle attachment. This isolation movement allowed the 2021 212 Olympia champion to target the medial head of his triceps while also engaging his obliques.
Standing Calf Raise Machine
The final exercise of Lunsford’s final workout before the Olympia had nothing to do with his upper body. Instead, Rambod had him perform calf raises on a plate-loaded machine. Even though he only used a 45-pound plate on each side, Lunsford achieved a visible pump throughout his lower legs from stretching and contracting his calves from a standing position.
Olympia-Bound Chest and Triceps Workout
Lunsford’s last workout certainly didn’t look as intense as some of his other training sessions leading up to the Olympia. However, that makes sense given the timeline and his need to perform well on stage. Still, you can utilize this chest- and triceps-focused protocol to build muscle and upper-body strength at your own pace:
Plate-Loaded Chest Press Machine
Pec-DeckMachine
Incline Dumbbell Press
Plate-Loaded Incline Press
Cable Crossover / Low-to-High Flye
Cable Rope Triceps Pushdown
Single-Arm Triceps Extension
Standing Calf RaiseMachine
There’s no doubt Derek Lunsford has the dedication and drive to be the last man standing at the 2023 Mr. Olympia. And even though he and Hadi Choopan both train with Hany Rambod, you can be sure last year’s runner-up has every intention of beating out the defending champion. With an elite physique and the mindset to match, don’t be surprised if Lunsford leaves Orlando with a new achievement on his bodybuilding resume.
I’m a grandpa now. Twice over. My daughter Devyn has a girl and boy. I have a granddaughter and grandson. Over the last couple decades, it’s represented the single most impactful change in how I view myself in the grand scheme of things—far more even than the sale of Primal Kitchen. I still remember the day I met my granddaughter. Looking down at that little girl, barely aware of anything going on, I realized that something enormous had happened. Things would never be the same again.
We talk a ton about gene expression around here. The entire Primal Blueprint is designed around leveraging the environment to create the best possible stimulus for your genes. Genes turn on and off based on the environmental stimuli they encounter—the food you eat, the sleep you get, the sun you expose yourself to, the exercise you do, the chemicals you interact with. What might look like a “bad gene” on paper can be mitigated, nullified, or even turned into a positive with the right environmental stimuli. And more often than not, emulating an ancestral environment will trigger those positive changes to gene expression and set you up for good health, fitness, and happiness.
If something as simple as the oil you use to cook can alter gene expression, what about meeting your grandkid for the first time? Because having kids yourself is one thing. It’s very cool, extremely transcendent, changes your life, and you’ll never be the same, but there’s a real generational transition of the mind that takes place when your kids have kids.
Your genes finally have a sense of closure. “You’ve made it. You’ve really made it.” Because after all, from a natural selection perspective, having kids yourself isn’t enough. Passing on your genes to the next generation isn’t sufficient. No, your genes want to see themselves carried over to the next-next generation too, just so you “know” that the line will continue. It hasn’t just made it one more generation—it’s made it two more. That presages good things down the line. That’s the promised land for your heritage. You mean to tell me your genes don’t sense the shift?
The first thought is how quickly life passes. It feels like Devyn was 12 only a few years ago and we were attending soccer games, working on class projects and boogie boarding with her brother Kyle at Zuma Beach in Malibu. Now she’s a wife and a mother and on her way to building her own family. The time compression that occurs retroactively in the mind seems almost unfair. Did I give enough? Did I appreciate or enjoy it enough in real time? And then, of course, here I am now at 70 playing Ultimate Frisbee and standup paddling and fat tire biking and getting after it in the gym. So at another level, my Primal mind fights the reality that I’m a grandfather and that maybe it’s time to back off a bit. Because becoming a grandfather is a big signal that you’ve done your part, fulfilled your role. And then what comes next?
The second thought is how miraculous life is; how this six pound bundle of joy and love came to be a person so quickly and perfectly. I didn’t give it as much thought – or perspective – when my own kids were born. Now all of a sudden it boggles my mind and prompts deeper reflection on the real meanings of life, love, responsibility and purpose. And this from a guy who is all about biology, evolution and epigenetics, and who has always had an answer based purely in science for just about everything.
Holding that little girl made me believe miracles do happen. I still don’t know the provenance of those miracles, I don’t know the source or whether they can be explained in rational terms, but they absolutely exist.
Becoming a grandparent also thrusts new roles upon you. You’re a parent again, but a different sort of parent. You have a new job to do, and you’d better make the most of it and do the best job you can.
Stay fit
You don’t want to be the grandparent that’s relegated to a walker or a hospital bed or a wheelchair, or even just the couch. You want to be the vigorous grandparent who can play with their grandkids. Throwing the football around. Getting down to play tea party. Throwing them in the air, taking them on adventures, going on hikes.
You need to stay fit, stay active, and stay strong. Be neither feeble nor frail.
Pass it down
The classic role of the grandparent is to pass down knowledge. That could be physical know-how—teaching skills like fixing cars, carpentry, or cooking. That could be wisdom—imparting important life lessons and transmitting advice from an age now lost to time.
This is more than tradition and culture. This is the biological role of the grandparent. It’s why grandparents were preserved in the human species. It’s why we don’t just drop dead once we cease being reproductively viable. We still have a role to play, and imparting knowledge and wisdom to our grandkids is it.
Fill that role. You made it this far, which means you have something to pass down to your grandkids. Figure out what that might be, and make it a point to pass it down.
Spoil wisely
One important role of the grandparent is to spoil the grandkids, but you have to do it properly.
Spoil without spoiling. Expose them to the finer, more pleasurable things in life without making them sick of it or overdoing it. You want to make them happy, provide stuff that mom or dad won’t, without over-saturating them. And when you spoil, use only the best quality.
Give high quality ice cream instead of McDonald’s fake ice cream.
Give good chocolate instead of chewy candy that sticks to your teeth.
Watch a classic kid’s movie with them on the couch instead of plunking them down in front of Netflix.
Create a warm environment of peace and solace
“Grandma’s house” is more than a physical space. It’s an emotional one, a barrier from all that is difficult in the world. If a child’s home is both a place to shelter from the world and be challenged to dominate it, where the child trains to rise in the world, Grandma’s house is purely a shelter. Peace and warmth distilled, refined, concentrated. Grandma’s house is just comfortable. comfortable, warm, inviting, and safe.
Be a good parent, too
When you can, take the grandkids for an evening or overnight. Without enough free time to cultivate their marriage, the marriage suffers and the family (your grandkids) suffers. Help out with childcare whenever possible so that your son or daughter have the space needed to keep their marriage strong.
Are you a grandparent? I’d be curious to hear your tips on Primal grandparenting and insights on what the role has meant in your life.
Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss
REP Fitness has been making a name for themselves for some time now. But when the home gym equipment company launched a new line of barbells in the summer of 2023, we were excited to see how they improved upon their predecessors.
After training with the Double Black Diamond Power Bar for several weeks, we can honestly say that it’s one of our favorite powerlifting barbells. We completed dozens of squats, bench presses, and deadlifts with it and even used it for lifts like overhead presses. In this REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar review, we’ll share our experiences and break down the cost, construction, knurling, and other details of this premium powerlifting barbell.
Key Takeaways
The Double Black Diamond Barbell retails for around $329.99 to around $449.99.
As this is a power bar, it features aggressive mountain-style knurling to help you get a secure grip for deadlifts.
The barbell is available in three options: a Cerakote shaft with Duracout sleeves, a stainless steel shaft with hard chrome sleeves, or a stainless steel shaft with stainless steel sleeves.
The Cerakote version of the barbell can be ideal for home gym owners who train in non-temperature-controlled basement or garage gyms. The coating can help prevent rust and corrosion from developing quickly.
The Double Black Diamond Power Bar comes with a limited lifetime warranty. You can rest assured that REP stands behind the bar’s quality and will rectify any issues that may arise. (For the record, though, we don’t think that’s likely.)
This Olympic barbell has a high tensile strength of 200,000 PSI. Even for the most elite powerlifters, it should be able to handle any weight you load on it.
REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Cons
The Double Black Diamond bar is a power bar with aggressive knurling and is not meant for dynamic lifts like snatches and power cleans. CrossFitters, Olympic weightlifters, and functional fitness athletes should consider a multi-purpose barbell instead.
All of REP’s barbells are made overseas, so lifters who prefer to buy American-made products may want to look at other brands.
The price of the Double Black Diamond Barbell is reasonable for the quality you get. But for athletes on a tight budget, a more affordable power bar like the Bells of Steel Powerlifting Bar 2.0 may be a better option.
REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Specs
Price
$329.99 to $449.99
Weight
20 kilograms (44 pounds)
Tensile strength
200,000 PSI
Weight capacity
1,500 pounds
Loadable sleeve length
16.3 inches
Shaft diameter
29 millimeters
Knurling
Aggressive deep mountain knurling; IPF knurl rings
Coating
Cerakote or stainless steel shaft; Duracoat, hard chrome, or stainless steel sleeves
Rotation system
Bronze bushings
Warranty
Lifetime warranty on the material, functionality, and workmanship
REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Rating
Our expert product testers, who include certified personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, CrossFitters, and competitive powerlifters, have tested over 80 barbells. After training with them for everything from squats to bench presses to CrossFit Workouts of the Day (WODs), we used a proprietary scorecard system to rank them. Categories that we scored the barbells on include price, tensile strength, knurling, and durability.
Here’s how the REP Double Black Diamond Power Bar scored.
Factor
Rating (out of 5)
Price and Value
4.5
Delivery
5
Construction, Materials, and Coating
4
Knurling
4.5
Tensile Strength
4.5
Rotation System
4
Versatility
3
Durability
5
REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Overview
The Double Black Diamond bar is a newcomer in REP’s barbell lineup. It replaces REP’s Deep Knurl Power Bar EX. The name pays homage to the state of Colorado, where REP’s headquarters are located, and the state’s strong winter sports culture. “Double black diamond” refers to the most challenging ski slopes and is also representative of this barbell’s intensity and toughness.
Unracking the REP Double Black Diamond Bar
Like its predecessor, the Double Black Diamond barbell is a power bar meant for the three powerlifts: squats, bench presses, and deadlifts. As such, it features aggressive mountain knurling and International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) knurl markings. You can choose from multiple finishes, which offer varying levels of durability. And like other reputable fitness equipment brands, REP offers a limited lifetime warranty on this top-tier barbell.
REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar In-Depth Review
While we’ve loved lifting with the Double Black Diamond Power Bar, we realize that it may not be the best barbell for everyone. As mentioned, the aggressive knurling may not suit all styles of lifting, and it’s not the cheapest power bar available. Depending on which finish you get, it may not be completely resistant to rust or corrosion. But its high tensile strength means it can handle super heavy loads, and we think it’s still a good value considering its high-quality construction and how well it performs for powerlifting training.
Price and Value
The REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Barbell costs around $330 for the Cerakote options, around $400 for the stainless steel and hard chrome model, and around $450 for the all-stainless steel version. It’s not too far off in price from the Rogue Ohio Power Bar, which costs anywhere from about $275 to about $415, depending on the finish. However, the Double Black Diamond bar is more expensive than a solid budget barbell like the Bells of Steel Barenaked Powerlifting Bar 2.0, which costs around $220.
That said, REP Fitness offers free shipping on all orders as of this writing. Considering that shipping a barbell can cost $25 or more, the Double Black Diamond Bar can be a cost-efficient option. Plus, with the durability and excellent performance quality it offers, we think it’s a decent value. We rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars for the price.
Delivery
I’ve bought close to two dozen pieces of home gym equipment over the years and have also received complimentary items due to my job as a fitness writer. Most products arrived perfectly packaged without any damage. However, I’ve received two barbells whose packaging was damaged upon delivery. The bars had knicks and chips on the sleeves and shaft before I even had a chance to use them.
I was happy to hear from our product testers that the delivery of the Double Black Diamond barbell to our warehouse in Springfield, MO, went much more smoothly. The barbell arrived in a cardboard tube with plastic end caps that had remained intact during shipping. The bar was also wrapped in foam and plastic to further protect it from dings and scratches. We scored the delivery process 5 out of 5 stars.
Construction, Materials, and Coating
The Double Black Diamond Bar has a 29-millimeter shaft. This diameter is common in power bars. Some, like the Original Texas Power Bar, have a 28.5-millimeter diameter. But according to our product testers, 29 millimeters is the gold standard.
When ordering the Double Black Diamond Bar, you can choose from three finishes: Cerakote (which comes in black, blue, green, or red color options), stainless steel with chrome sleeves, or stainless steel with stainless steel sleeves. The Cerakote bars have Duracoat sleeves, which makes them harder, more corrosion-resistant, and less susceptible to scratches and scuff marks from plate inserts.
Regardless of which finish you choose, you’ll get a bar with smooth sleeves. I generally prefer barbells with ribbed sleeves because I don’t use collars often, and the ribbing helps keep my weight plates in place. But when I trained with the Double Black Diamond Bar at our testing facility in Springfield, MO, I did appreciate how easy it was to slide plates on and off it. I also loved how the end was beveled. The beveling made loading plates a breeze because I didn’t have to perfectly align the plate inserts with the end of the sleeve.
One thing I love about the Double Black Diamond Bar is the endcap design. The black endcap boasts raised silver lettering with the REP name and a double diamond outline. It’s a small but unique touch that gives the barbell a high-end aesthetic. Similarly, REP also added etching with its logo and the bar’s name to the inside of the collars. These characteristics may not seem like much, but the quality craftsmanship and attention to detail help this bar stand out from its competitors.
The endcap on the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Bar
All in all, this barbell gets 4 out of 5 stars for its construction quality.
As this is a power bar, the Double Black Diamond Bar features powerlifting knurl marks as specified by the IPF. This means it has single knurl rings and a small area of center knurling. The knurl rings act as a reference point for where to place your hands when bench pressing, while the center knurl helps keep the barbell on your back for back squats.
The knurling itself is very aggressive. It’s a mountain-style knurling, meaning it has a diamond-shaped pattern with sharp, pointy peaks. Mountain knurling is common in power bars because it offers a superior grip for deadlifts. However, power bars with mountain knurling aren’t the most comfortable to lift with, especially for new lifters, because of how aggressively they dig into the hands.
Getting ready to train with the Double Black Diamond Bar at our testing facility
On the other hand, if you’re already used to lifting weights and have calluses built up on your palms, the knurling on the Double Black Diamond Bar may not bother you as much. I have calluses on my hands from years of lifting weights and doing pull-up bar exercises in CrossFit WODs. When I trained with the Double Black Diamond Bar, I definitely noticed the stickiness and grippiness of the knurling, but I wasn’t in a ton of discomfort.
In addition, REP uses higher teeth per inch (TPI, the number of visible teeth per inch on the barbell) than other companies use on their power bars. The mountain pattern is also less pointy than what you’d find on other power bars. Essentially, you get a solid grip but don’t have to worry about tearing your skin during every deadlift workout. For these reasons, we rated the knurling 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Tensile Strength
Tensile strength refers to how much weight a barbell can hold before it fractures. It’s measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). A high tensile strength is important in a power bar, especially for lifters who can squat, bench press, and deadlift hundreds of pounds. In general, the higher the tensile strength, the more abuse a barbell can handle.
REP’s Double Black Diamond Bar has a tensile strength of 200,000 PSI. Other barbells we’ve tested and reviewed have higher tensile strengths. For instance, the Rogue Ohio Power Bar has a 205,000 PSI tensile strength. On the other hand, the tensile strength of the Double Black Diamond Bar is higher than more economical barbells, like the Performance Series Power Bar from Titan Fitness. Titan’s power bar only has a tensile strength of 165,000 PSI.
For these reasons, we rated the Double Black Diamond Bar 4.5 out of 5 stars for its tensile strength.
Rotation System
The rotation system refers to the mechanism a barbell uses for its sleeve rotation. Some barbells use bearings to rotate their sleeves, and others use bushings. Bushings are more common in powerlifting bars because they don’t spin as quickly or smoothly. For slower, more grindy lifts like the squat, bench press, and deadlift, slower rotation is beneficial because the barbell will feel more stable.
The Double Black Diamond Bar utilizes bronze bushings. The bushings offer some spin, but it’s not as significant as what you’d find on an Olympic weightlifting bar, like REP’s Alpine Weightlifting Bar. But since a low amount of spin is exactly what we’d hope for in a power bar, we scored the rotation system 4 out of 5 stars.
As mentioned, the Double Black Diamond bar is a power bar. It’s not a multi-purpose bar like REP’s Colorado bar or Rogue’s regular Ohio bar. While it’s great for powerlifting, it wouldn’t be suitable for the dynamic movements you’d find in CrossFit. The aggressive knurling won’t be comfortable on your palms during movements where the barbell may rotate in your hands frequently, like thrusters or push presses.
Also, because the barbell only has single IPF knurl marks and does not conform to International Weightlifting Federation (IWF standards), it’s not ideal for Olympic weightlifting (snatches and clean and jerks). We only gave it 3 out of 5 stars for versatility since we don’t recommend using it for anything other than powerlifting. A high-quality, all-purpose bar with medium knurling and dual knurl marks may be more suitable for strength sports that utilize more explosive barbell movements.
Durability
We’ve only had the all-stainless steel Double Black Diamond Bar at our testing center for a couple of months. So far, it has held up well. But in our experience, REP’s stainless steel bars tend to rust quickly. We’ll have to let more time pass to see if the Double Black Diamond Bar starts to rust or if it continues to look pristine.
Even so, we rated the bar 5 out of 5 stars for durability. As mentioned, the barbell is also available with a Cerakote finish. Other Cerakote barbells we’ve tested, like Rogue’s Cerakote Barbell, have lasted for more than six months without rusting. This is despite daily use and being stored in non-temperature-controlled rooms. Plus, REP also offers a limited lifetime warranty on all of its barbells. A company wouldn’t offer this type of guarantee if it didn’t truly stand behind its products.
REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar vs. Rogue Ohio Power Bar
In terms of specs, the REP Double Black Diamond Bar and the Rogue Ohio Power Bar are similar. They both have a 29-millimeter shaft diameter, a center knurl, and IPF knurl marks. Their total length and loadable sleeve length are nearly identical. The stainless steel versions of both bars boast a 200,000 PSI tensile strength, but some of the Ohio Power Bar versions have a 205,000 PSI tensile strength.
The Ohio Power Bar is slightly more affordable. The cheapest version starts at around $295, whereas the Double Black Diamond Power Bar starts at just under $330. REP offers free shipping on all purchases while Rogue does not, but depending on where you live, the Ohio Power Bar may still end up being cheaper.
Like REP’s power bar, Rogue’s Ohio Power Bar comes in multiple finishes. There’s a Cerakote shaft coating (which is available in black, blue, red, or green), black zinc, bare steel, stainless steel, or e-coat. In our experience, Rogue’s stainless steel doesn’t rust as quickly as REP’s. If you desire a stainless steel power bar, you may want to go with the Ohio Power Bar.
On the other hand, if knurling is more important to you, we’d recommend the Double Black Diamond Power Bar instead. One of our expert product testers, who’s tested hundreds of pieces of gym equipment, says he prefers the knurling on the Double Black Diamond Power Bar. For him to say that is a big deal. Up until recently, the Ohio Power Bar’s knurling was his favorite out of all the power bars he’s trained with.
REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar Customer Reviews
Since the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Bar was just released this past summer, there aren’t many reviews on it yet. The customers who have left reviews have been satisfied with the construction quality. Those who bought Cerakote versions of the bar noted how vibrant the colors look in person. Customers are also pleased with the knurling; many have said that it’s grippy and sharp but not overdone.
Buyers who chose the stainless steel barbell left comments about issues with corrosion. However, it appears that REP has fixed these issues and offered to replace those barbells.
Final Verdict: Is the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Power Bar Worth It?
All in all, we consider the Double Black Diamond Power Bar one of the top power bars on the market. If you’re a powerlifter who has some extra cash to spend and you’re looking for a top-notch barbell, this one could be for you. It’s made to IPF specifications and boasts IPF knurl marks and a 29-millimeter diameter. We loved the feeling of the knurling, as we found it sharp and grippy but not as uncomfortable as other power bars we’ve tested. That said, we still wouldn’t recommend it for CrossFit or Olympic weightlifting. For more of an all-purpose barbell that can handle more explosive and dynamic lifts, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
FAQs
Are power bars for squats?
Power bars like the REP Fitness Double Black Diamond Bar are excellent for squats. They have a center knurl that helps keep the barbell on your back. Plus, their low whip (meaning they don’t bend or flex much under heavy loads) means they won’t wobble much as you come out of the hole when squatting.
What is the best bar for bench presses?
REP Fitness’s Double Black Diamond Bar is a great barbell for bench presses. It has IPF knurl marks to act as a visual reference for where to place your hands. Because it uses bushings instead of bearings, the sleeves won’t rotate as much. The reduced spin can help the barbell feel more balanced during the bench press.
What bar is used in powerlifting competitions?
The Eleiko IPF Powerlifting Competition Bar is commonly used in powerlifting competitions. The IPF dictates the specifications for competition-grade powerlifting barbells. You likely won’t see the REP Double Black Diamond Power Bar at an international powerlifting meet because it’s not IPF-certified. However, it does conform to IPF standards. If you train with this barbell, it should feel similar to a barbell you’d use in a competition.
Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss
Even “The Mutant” is human.
Unfortunately for Nick Walker, his Olympia journey has already come to an end due to a hamstring tear he suffered while training for the most important bodybuilding show of the year. Despite his best efforts, the third-place finisher at the 2022 Mr. Olympia could not overcome an injury that occurred at the worst possible time.
With the 2023 Olympia weekend about to get underway in Orlando, FL, from Nov. 2-5, Walker announced his decision to bow out of the contest via an Instagram post on Oct. 31, 2023.
Although he looked stage-ready on the surface, the 2021 Arnold Classic winner revealed his hamstring remains a major issue.
“I tried to push through it. I tried to do whatever I could and get whatever treatment I could, but it just gradually got worse,” Walker explained. “It did not progress in any way, shape, or form. Me and my team thought it was best that we just pulled out because we knew there was just no shot of us placing top-three at this point, or higher. And we do not want to drop placing.”
After delivering the news to promoters and officials, the 2021 Arnold Classic winner said he received nothing but support from IFBB Pro League president Jim Manion and Olympia owner Jake Wood.
“They asked me if I ever needed anything and that just makes me proud to be part of this organization,” Walker said.
Moving forward, there are major ramifications for everyone involved. Walker faces a tough task to recover from a torn hamstring and remind everyone why he was considered one of the top contenders to take home the Mr. Olympia crown in 2023. Meanwhile, his absence opens the door even wider for someone like Dauda, Curry, or even Hunter Labrada, who took home the 2023 Tampa Pro Men’s Open title in August, to punch their ticket to next year’s show with a top-three finish.
After all, with Walker, two-time Mr. Olympia champion Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, 2022 Bigman Weekend Pro winner Brett “The Butcher” Wilkin, and 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow winner Ian Valliere all withdrawing for various reasons, the stage won’t be quite so crowded (or competitive) with a few big names missing.
Although it would be easy for Walker to view his setback negatively, he showed impressive resolve and inner strength when speaking about what’s next.
“If I learned anything from this is that anything can happen at any given second,” he explained. “But it’s how you handle it; it’s what you do that defines who you are and the character you will become.”
With athletes across 11 divisions aiming for an Olympia title at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, there will be no shortage of anticipation heading into the four-day contest scheduled for Nov. 2-5. Breaking Muscle will update this page routinely to fill you in on all the division winners, schedule changes, and any major developments from the 2023 Olympia.
If you want to catch the action live, you can still purchase tickets to the event at mrolympia.com. However, tickets have sold out for a highly anticipated Saturday night showdown that will see Mr. Olympia, Men’s Physique Olympia, Bikini Olympia, and Classic Physique Olympia champions crowned.
Luckily, you can still see who reigns supreme by streaming the action via pay-per-view. Available on olympiaproductions.comfor $74.99, the pay-per-view provides access to the Pre-judging and Finals rounds for all divisions, the Olympia press conferences, and the Olympia EXPO.
2023 Olympia Schedule
Based on the most current information available on the official Olympia website, here’s a day-by-day breakdown of what’s taking place at the Orange County Convention Center during Joe Weider’s 2023 Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend:
Tuesday, Oct. 31
Amateur Olympia Women’s Judging and Finals: 8 a.m. EST
Wednesday, Nov. 1
Amateur Olympia Men’s Judging and Finals: 8 a.m. EST
Thursday, Nov. 2
Olympia Press Conference: Noon EST
Meet the Olympians: 7 p.m. EST (VIP & Insider Club Entry); 8 p.m. EST (General Public and Media Entry)
Friday, Nov. 3
Olympia World Fitness EXPO: 9 a.m. EST (early entry for VIPs, Club Members, and EXPO Early Entry Weekend Pass Holders); 10 a.m. EST (General Public Entry)
Olympia Pre-Judging (Fitness, 212, Figure, Women’s Physique, Ms. Olympia, and Wellness): 9:30 a.m.
Mr. Olympia Pre-Judging: 6 p.m. EST
Olympia Friday Finals (212 Olympia, Fitness, Figure, Women’s Physique, Ms. Olympia, and Wellness): 6 p.m. EST
Saturday, Nov. 4
Olympia World Fitness EXPO: 9 a.m. (early entry for VIPs, Club Members, and EXPO Early Entry Weekend Pass Holders); 10 a.m. EST(General Public Entry)
Olympia Pre-Judging (Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini): 9:30 a.m. (VIP and Insider Club Member entry at 9 a.m.) EST
Olympia Saturday Finals (Mr. Olympia, Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Classic Physique):7 p.m. EST
2023 Olympia Division Rosters
Plenty of familiar faces will walk across the stage over the weekend. For a complete list of the 2023 Olympia competitors, utilize the division-by-division breakdown below.
First held on Sept. 18, 1965, the Mr. Olympia competition has gone from being hosted at the Brooklyn Academy of Music to taking place in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Much of its growth can be attributed to the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose sheer size and muscular build helped him secure six straight Mr. Olympia titles from 1970-75. And before he turned his attention to acting, The Austrian Oak took home the Olympia crown a seventh time in 1980 for good measure.
Over the ensuing decades, several other stars emerged in a sport that saw competitors continuously get bigger as better equipment, supplements, and science became available. South Carolina native Lee Haney set the gold standard by holding the Mr. Olympia title for eight years (1984-91). Not long after, Ronnie Colemanintroduced himself to the bodybuilding world by starting his eight-year championship run with a victory at the 1998 Olympia.
In between those nearly decade-long streaks, Dorian “The Shadow” Yates dominated the stage with six consecutive Olympia titles of his own. Most recently, Phil Heath enjoyed a brilliant run at the top of the podium, ripping off seven wins between 2011-17.
With interest in fitness and bodybuilding growing over the years, the competition has seen several changes. Rather than anointing just one champion, the contest has become the crowned jewel of Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend, where athletes compete in multiple divisions with specific judging criteria that lead to vastly different body types being featured on stage. Still, the Mr. Olympia finals remain the most anticipated event on the schedule.
Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss
There’s no doubt barbells and dumbbells reign supreme when it comes to sculpting the ultimate physique. However, whether you don’t have time to make it to the gym, don’t have access to equipment, or aren’t ready to train at full capacity quite yet due to an injury, there is a readymade solution that will allow you to still make progress toward your strength and hypertrophy goals: resistance bands.
While they’re typically associated with physical therapy and rehabilitation settings, bands deserve far more respect from the fitness community. After all, although they may seem rather innocuous, they still have the ability to deliver a sufficient stimulus for muscle growth and development.
Credit: RomanSo / Shutterstock
Even if you’ve largely resisted band-based workouts for fear of not making gains, it’s never too late to reconsider your stance. After all, elastic resistance training has been shown to promote similar strength gains to conventional resistance training. (1) This superset-inspired resistance band workout will make you break a serious sweat, get a proper pump, and transform your thinking about how to approach upper body training.
How to Warm-Up Your Upper Body for a Resistance BandWorkout
With a full slate of upper body exercises on the horizon, you’ll want to dedicate some time to prepare your mind, muscles, and ligaments for what’s to come. Warming up for any workout — even one that leaves barbells, dumbbells, and machines by the wayside for resistance bands — is imperative if you want to perform at your best and avoid injury. When it comes to upper body training specifically, a systematic review showed strong evidence that a high-load dynamic warm-up can enhance power and strength performance. (2)
Sticking with a band-based protocol, this three-part routine primarily focuses on preparing your shoulder joints for the workout to follow. In addition to increasing blood flow and priming your stabilizing muscles, completing these mobility exercises will provide a much-needed stretch for your pecs and shoulders, which can easily become tight and stiff from sitting at a desk for extended periods of time. Make sure to maintain proper form throughout the warm-up by keeping your core engaged and going through the full range of motion (no partial reps) for each exercise.
Banded Shoulder Circles: Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Hold a light resistance band toward the floor with your hands wider than your shoulders and your palms facing behind you. Pull the band to create some slight tension and carefully raise your arms above and behind your head in a circular motion. Once you have reached as far as your shoulders can comfortably handle, reverse the movement to return to the starting position. Repeat for two sets of 12-15 reps before moving on to the next warm-up exercise.
Band Pull-Apart: Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a light resistance band directly in front of you with your palms facing downward and your hands a few inches wider than your shoulders. With your arms extended so they are parallel to the floor, retract your shoulder blades, engage your core, and pull the resistance band back until your arms are directly aligned with your body. Squeeze for one to two seconds before slowly letting the tension out of the band to return to the starting position. Complete two sets of 12-15 reps to prepare your rhomboids, rotator cuffs, and rear deltoids for battle.
Banded Face Pulls: Wrap a light/medium resistance band around a stable anchor point (such as a squat rack or pole) at face level. Using an overhand grip, grab the band with your hands about 12-15 inches apart. Step away from the anchor point to create enough tension on the band without preventing you from staying upright. With a slight forward lean and your head in a neutral position, retract your shoulders, pull back with your elbows, and slightly rotate your arms so that the back of your hands are facing behind you. Slowly release tension from the band by bringing your arms back to the starting position before repeating the movement for 15-20 total reps.
Superset-Style Upper Body Resistance Band Workout
As long as you have a set of resistance bands, a little bit of space, and a solid playlist to keep you pumped, you’ll have everything you need to have a successful session. This upper-body routine takes advantage of the agonist-antagonist relationship by utilizing supersets to stimulate hypertrophy in opposing muscle groups. For example, the first part of the workout targets the back and chest, while another superset pairs a triceps exercise with a direct biceps movement.
Plus, this session makes use of the compound set principle, which involves performing two exercises for the same muscle group consecutively without rest. So, not only will you get a hypertrophy stimulus from resistance training, but you will also reap some cardio benefits by immediately jumping from one exercise to the next.
Upper Body Resistance Band Workout Summary
Superset One
Banded Bent-Over Rows — 3 x 10-12
Banded Standing Chest Press — 3 x 10-12
Superset Two
Banded Shoulder Press — 3 x 10-12
Banded Upright Row — 3 x 10-12
Superset Three
Banded Overhead Triceps Extension — 3 x 12-15
Banded Biceps Curl — 3 x 12-15
Superset Four
Banded Lateral Raise — 2 x 12-15
Banded Front Raise — 2 x 12-15
Banded Bent-Over Rows
A multi-joint movement that recruits your core, hamstrings, and glutes, the bent-over row is a staple in most strength and conditioning programs. While the barbell-based version of this exercise is great for building a thicker, wider back, it requires precise technique to avoid injury.
In this case, though, using a resistance band to perform this pulling movement takes some of that risk out of the equation while still providing a solid stimulus for your upper back muscles.
How to do it: Stand on a resistance band with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Grab the ends of the band with an overhand grip, brace your core, and hinge at the hips until your torso is between 45 degrees to parallel with the ground. Retract your shoulder blades and bring the band toward your ribs by pulling your elbows back until your hands align with your midsection. Make sure to squeeze your upper back at the top of the movement, then slowly let the tension out of the band to return to the starting position.
Sets and Reps: 3 x 10-12
Rest Time: No rest time before moving to the banded standing chest press.
Benefits of the Banded Bent-Over Row
Using a band instead of a barbell or a heavy set of dumbbells places far less stress on your lumbar region, reducing the risk of injury.
Not only does the bent-over row target upper-body muscles like your rhomboids, rear delts, and lats, but it also engages your glutes, hamstrings, and core throughout the movement.
Banded Standing Chest Press
Although the bench press is considered the gold standard for building your chest, you can still get great results by leaving the barbell behind for a resistance band. The standing chest press not only directly targets your pecs and shoulders but also engages your core throughout the movement.
Make sure to powerfully extend your arms during the lockout phase for maximum triceps recruitment. While it may be tempting to let the band come back quickly, maintain full control so you can reap the muscle hypertrophy rewards of time under tension. (3)
How to do it: Wrap a medium resistance band around an anchor point — such as a squat rack or pole — so that it is at the height of your chest. Grab both sides of the band with a pronated (palms-down) grip. Step away from the anchor point to create tension on the band, utilizing a staggered stance with one foot about 12-18 inches in front of the other. While maintaining an upright posture, engage your core and drive your arms forward until you lock out your triceps completely. Slowly bring your hands back to the starting position and repeat.
Sets and Reps: 3 x 10-12
Rest Time: Rest for 30-45 seconds after completing each round of the superset.
Benefits of the Banded Standing Chest Press
Performing the chest press from a standing position rather than lying down forces you to engage your abdominal muscles more to maintain stability and balance.
Whereas the bench version allows for a fixed range of motion, the standing version can be more challenging because you have to stand further away from the anchor point to create more tension on the band.
Banded Shoulder Press
The first exercise in the next superset is a vertical push movement designed to put your delts to work. An overhead press variation that can quickly become taxing if you use a thicker resistance band, this type of shoulder press is also substantially safer than the barbell- or dumbbell-based version since you don’t have to worry about supporting a heavy weight.
That said, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself with a heavier band, especially if you’re an intermediate or advanced lifter.
How to do it: Stand on top of a resistance band with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Grab the band from both sides and bring your hands to your shoulders with your palms facing forward. Engage your core and drive your hands toward the ceiling until your arms are fully extended. Bring your elbows back to 90 degrees, then repeat the movement.
Sets and Reps: 3 x 12-15
Rest Time: No rest time before moving to the banded upright row.
Benefits of the Banded Shoulder Press
Using a band to perform an overhead press can be a great way for people with wrist issues to develop stronger, more muscular shoulders without worrying about supporting the weight of dumbbells or a barbell.
Performing the standing version reinforces proper posture by recruiting posterior chain muscles like your glutes and hamstrings to maintain a tall, upright body position.
Banded Upright Row
Pairing a push movement with a pull movement is perhaps the most poignant example of supersetting. After challenging your triceps and delts to create tension in the band by pressing it above your head, you will use the opposite motion to harness your traps, biceps, and upper back muscles.
Typically performed with an EZ curl bar or barbell, the banded upright row is a simpler way to work out your upper back and core. For best results, keep your elbows higher than your wrists, and hold for one to two seconds at the top before bringing the band back to your waist area.
How to do it: Stand on a closed-loop resistance band with your feet roughly hip-width apart. Grab the band with both hands using a pronated (palms-down) grip. While maintaining a neutral spine and head position, pull upward on the band until your elbows go past your shoulders. Squeeze your upper back and traps at the top, then slowly lower back down to the starting position.
Sets and Reps: 3 x 12-15
Rest Time: Rest for 30-45 seconds after completing each round of the superset.
Benefits of the Banded Upright Row
The upright row helps strengthen the posterior chain muscles, which can help improve your posture and keep your back, neck, and shoulders healthy.
Getting comfortable with the upright row motion can prepare you to perform better on compound lifts like the power clean and deadlift that require you to keep the barbell close to your body.
Banded Overhead Triceps Extension
There are plenty of ways to train your triceps, including rope pushdowns, dips, and the close-grip bench press. For this workout, utilizing a resistance band to perform overhead triceps extensions will stimulate all three heads of the muscle while getting your lats and abdominals involved, too.
To get the most out of this exercise, give equal attention to the concentric portion (the part of the movement when your muscles contract) and the eccentric portion (the part of the movement when your muscles lengthen). Make sure there’s tension on the band throughout the movement, and avoid cheating on any reps by using your body weight rather than your triceps to bring the band forward.
How to do it: Wrap a resistance band around a squat rack or other anchor point at or slightly higher than your waist. Grab the band with both hands and take several steps away from the anchor point to create tension in the band. Set up in a staggered stance with one foot approximately 12-18 inches in front of the other and lean forward slightly. With your elbows pointing upward, bring your hands forward by engaging your triceps until your arms are fully extended. Let your hands reach back behind your head, then repeat.
Sets and Reps: 3 x 12-15
Rest Time: No rest time before moving to the banded biceps curl.
Benefits of the Banded Overhead Triceps Extension
Performing a standing overhead triceps extension allows you to get a deeper stretch of the muscle compared to an exercise like a rope triceps pushdown.
Strengthening your triceps is a surefire way to set yourself up for success on push-based lifts like the bench press and overhead press.
Banded Biceps Curl
You may not construct Arnold Schwarzenegger-like arms with a resistance band, but you can certainly build better ones with this piece of home gym equipment. Curls are a classic means to make your biceps bigger and stronger — and a band is more than capable of helping you accomplish both goals.
To make this exercise more challenging, play with the tempo. For example, you can do a partial rep to reach 90 degrees, hold that for a second, then fully contract and squeeze your biceps. Or, you can change to a pronated (palms-down) grip to target your forearms at the same.
How to do it: Stand on a resistance band with your feet approximately shoulder-width apart. Grab the band with both hands using a supinated (palms-upward) grip. Maintain an upright posture and perform a standard biceps curl, holding the contraction for two seconds before lowering your hands back down.
Sets and Reps: 3 x 12-15
Rest Time: Rest for 30-45 seconds after completing each round of the superset.
Benefits of the Banded Biceps Curl
Unlike dumbbells or a barbell, using a resistance band allows you to keep constant tension on your biceps.
A banded curl reduces the stress on your elbow and wrist joints, as the weight is more evenly distributed compared to using dumbbells or a barbell.
Banded Lateral Raise
One of the best shoulder exercises for achieving that rounded look, the lateral raise is traditionally performed with dumbbells. However, you can also use a band to isolate your lateral deltoid head and strengthen your shoulder joint.
When it comes to the technique, be careful about swinging your upper body or shrugging your shoulders up. Making either of these mistakes will result in your traps taking on the brunt of the work instead of your delts.
How to do it: Take a staggered stance with your left foot about 12 inches in front of your right. Place a resistance band underneath your left foot and grab the ends with a pronated (palms-down) grip. Engage your core and extend your arms to the sides until they form a 90-degree angle. Squeeze at the top of the movement to engage your lateral delts and upper traps before lowering back to the starting position.
Sets and Reps: 2 x 12-15
Rest Time: No rest time before moving to the banded front raise.
Benefits of the Banded Lateral Raise
A banded lateral raise can be an effective way for someone with shoulder stability issues to improve their strength and gain confidence before moving on to the dumbbell version.
Because most compound exercises do not directly target the lateral deltoid, incorporating this movement into your routine can help create a more well-rounded look for your upper body.
Banded Front Raise
For anterior delt activation, you can’t go wrong with the front raise. And after hitting your lateral delts, your shoulders will be more than warmed up for the second part of the last superset.
Moreover, the banded front raise will also put your pecs to work. As long as you focus on bringing your arms to just above shoulder height, you will get excellent activation of your upper chest, too.
How to do it: Stand on a resistance band with your feet about hip-width apart. Hold the band with your hands shoulder-width apart using a pronated (palms-down) grip. Engage your glutes and abdominals, then raise your hands to just above shoulder height while keeping your arms fully extended. Carefully bring your hands back down toward your hips, then repeat the movement.
Sets and Reps: 2 x 12-15
Rest Time: Rest for 30-45 seconds after completing each round of the superset.
Benefits of the Banded Front Raise
Front raises can help improve shoulder mobility, as they strengthen the rhomboids and posterior deltoids.
The banded version forces you to activate your glutes and abdominals on every rep, which makes the exercise much more than an isolated shoulder movement.
Muscles Trained During the Workout
An all-encompassing routine that requires just one piece of gym equipment, this resistance band-based workout will take your upper body through the ringer. From pushing your pecs to torching your triceps, here’s a breakdown of how this superset-style session recruits specific muscles:
Deltoids
A large, triangular-shaped muscle that helps give bodybuilders’ shoulders that signature rounded shape, the deltoid has three portions (anterior, middle, and posterior) that deserve attention in your programming. Luckily, this workout hits the delts from multiple angles with both front and lateral raises, as well as the banded shoulder press.
The upright row also works the front and middle heads as you pull upward on the band. Even the standing chest press involves some anterior deltoid recruitment for stabilization.
Pectoralis Major
The largest muscle in the chest, the pectoralis major is responsible for adduction and internal rotation of the arm in the shoulder joint. Thick and fan-shaped, it’s comprised of two heads (clavicular and sternocostal) that assist with arm flexion and extension. Building full pecs requires plenty of direct work with pushing movements like the chest press and incline press, as well as isolation exercises like flye variations.
Triceps Brachii
Located on the back of the upper arm, this three-headed muscle is primarily recruited during push-based exercises, such as overhead or chest press variations. In addition to being an integral component of extending the elbow, the triceps brachii also plays an important role in stabilizing the shoulder joints. Directly targeting all three heads via the overhead triceps extension is an efficient way to build muscle and round out your upper arm.
BicepsBrachii
Like the pec major, the biceps brachii is a two-headed muscle that can truly transform someone’s look when fully developed. Commonly trained through curl variations, the biceps’ two heads actually serve opposite purposes. The long head is responsible for shoulder abduction (moving your arm out to the side) whereas the short head helps pull the arm toward the midsection via adduction.
Latissimus Dorsi
The largest muscles on the back, these triangle-shaped muscles are found just below the shoulder blade on each side. They are recruited during vertical pulling movements such as pull-downs and pull-ups, as well as horizontal pulling movements like the bent-over row. Well-developed lats give the back the width to shine in bodybuilding poses like the back double biceps and the rear lat spread.
Trapezius
The trapezius is a surface muscle of the back that is responsible for rotation, retraction, elevation, and depression of the scapula. Divided into three parts (superior, inferior, and middle), it can easily become tight from poor posture. That said, exercises like shrugs, upright rows, and the trap bar deadlift can be effective for building size and strength in your traps.
A Workout You Can’t Resist
If you’ve never given bands a chance, it’s time to embrace a new approach to building muscle. There’s no reason you can’t still base the majority of your upper-body workouts around barbell versions of presses and rows. However, incorporating resistance bands into your routine can provide a nice change of pace mentally while also cutting back on the wear and tear on your joints. And by supersetting specific exercises and keeping the rest periods short, you may be surprised at just how challenging (and enjoyable) this workout can be.
References
Lopes, J. S. S., Machado, A. F., Micheletti, J. K., De Almeida, A. C., De Souza Cavina, A. P., & Pastre, C. M. (2019). Effects of training with elastic resistance versus conventional resistance on muscular strength: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sage Open Medicine, 7, 205031211983111. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312119831116
McCrary, J. M., Ackermann, B. J., & Halaki, M. (2015). A systematic review of the effects of upper body warm-up on performance and injury. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(14), 935–942. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2014-094228
Burd, N. A., Andrews, R. J., West, D. W. D., Little, J. P., Cochran, A. J., Hector, A. J., Cashaback, J. G. A., Gibala, M. J., Potvin, J. R., Baker, S. K., & Phillips, S. M. (2012). Muscle time under tension during resistance exercise stimulates differential muscle protein sub-fractional synthetic responses in men. The Journal of Physiology, 590(2), 351–362. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2011.221200
Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss
Black Friday can be one of the most exciting days of the year for fitness junkies, especially those who train at home. Throw in Cyber Monday, too, and you have even more chances to stock up on the best home gym equipment without paying full price. Even if you don’t have a home gym, you can find Black Friday fitness sales on workout apparel, recovery tools, supplements, and more.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a relative who’s been dropping hints about wanting a new barbell or weightlifting belt, the Breaking Muscle team has you covered. We’ve curated a list of Black Friday sales from our favorite brands, so you can spend less time researching and more time checking off your or your loved ones’ wishlists.
The deals below are based on the information we have as of this writing and are subject to change.
Featured Black Friday Fitness Deals of 2023
Information on Black Friday fitness deals for 2023 is still rolling in. Historically, though, we’ve seen discounts on exercise equipment like top-rated adjustable dumbbells, squat racks, kettlebells, weight benches, treadmills, rowing machines, ellipticals, and exercise bikes. We’ve also seen deals on running shoes, apparel, fitness trackers, and massage guns. If you want to make health and wellness a priority this holiday season, you should also be able to find deals on high-quality collagen powder, greens powders, and other supplements.
Nearly all top fitness brands offer at least some kind of discount for Black Friday, including NordicTrack, Bowflex, ProForm, Garmin, Schwinn, REP Fitness, and Bells of Steel. Bookmark this page and check back often — we’ll keep updating it as more discounts become available.
Best Black Friday Deals on Strength Equipment
Snode: Get 30% off the Snode Adjustable Dumbbell Cast Iron Flexbell Stand with the code BM30. See below for additional coupons (all promotions valid from November 1 through November 30):
Use the code FREESTAND for a free Steel Stand (worth $209) with a purchase of the AD80 adjustable dumbbells (limited to the first 300 sets).
Use both BUNDLE and 15OFF codes to save $139 on the AD80s and the All Cast Iron Stand bundle purchase.
Use code 15OFF on all products sitewide (except the AD80s), like the Smith machine, stands, rowing machines, bikes, magnetic adder weights, and benches, to get 15% off.
Best Black Friday Deals on Supplements and Nutrition
Legion: For the entire month of November, BOGO 50% off individual products and get a Legion gift card for orders over the below tiers:
$10 gift card on orders over $99
$20 gift card on orders over $149
$40 gift card on orders over $199
Best Black Friday Deals on Smart Home Gym Equipment
Tonal: $500 off, plus an additional $200 off with the code BRMSP4BFR(deals run from November 6 at around 10 AM EST through December 4)
Tips for Finding the Best Black Friday Fitness Deals
Shop Early
For the past couple of years, Black Friday hasn’t been just one day. Brands start offering deals as early as November 1 and run promotions and flash sales all month long. It’s worthwhile to start making your fitness wishlist as soon as possible. Otherwise, the item you want may be out of stock by the time Black Friday arrives.
Additionally, some companies offer their biggest and best deals for a limited number of hours on Black Friday. Hard as it may be to wake up early after a day of eating and lots of family time, it can be worth it to score major discounts on the best barbells, kettlebells, rowers, and more.
Research Pricing History
A common tactic amongst retailers is to jack up the prices of big-ticket items right before Black Friday and then offer discounts on the increased price. Ill-informed consumers may think they’re getting a good deal. In reality, they’re actually not saving much money at all. The discounted price usually ends up being close to the original price.
In the weeks before Black Friday, monitor the price of your desired items. You can set price alerts with mobile apps and browser extensions like Karma. Camelcamelcamel is a good resource for price-tracking items sold on Amazon. With these tools, you’ll be able to determine if you’re getting a legitimately good deal on Black Friday.
Install Browser Extensions for Coupon Codes and Cashback Rewards
Speaking of browser extensions, you may want to sign up for one that offers cashback rewards at various online stores. One of the most popular ones that I can personally vouch for is Rakuten. When you make a purchase on a participating retailer’s website, Rakuten gets an affiliate commission based on a pre-determined percentage. Instead of keeping that commission, they share it with you.
Many companies also increase the percentage you get back for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. A brand that normally offers two percent cashback throughout the year may increase it to 10 percent for these two days.
The one drawback of Rakuten is that it only pays out commissions once every quarter. If you want more immediate savings, try the Capital One Shopping or Honey browser extensions. During checkout on participating retailers’ websites, Capital One and Honey will search for the best coupon codes and apply them to your order.
Sign Up for Emails and Texts
It’s common for companies to offer exclusive deals only to customers who opt into emails and texts. If there’s a piece of fitness equipment you really want, I recommend signing up for email and/or text alerts from the company. This way, you won’t miss out on a significant discount or risk the item selling out before you’re able to jump online.
FAQs
Does REP Fitness do Black Friday?
REP Fitness has offered Black Friday sales in previous years. In 2022, they offered 10 percent off an entire purchase. They also had flash sales on individual items throughout the month. We haven’t received details on their 2023 Black Friday offers but will update this page as their deals become available.
Is Black Friday the best time to buy a treadmill?
Black Friday can be a great time to buy a treadmill. Popular brands like NordicTrack and Sole offer sales throughout the year, though they typically offer the biggest discounts around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You may also have luck searching for treadmill deals on New Year’s Day and for a couple of days afterward.
Does Rogue Fitness have Black Friday deals?
Rogue Fitness has what they call “Matte Black Friday.” This event has historically run through the entire month of November. In 2022, Rogue’s Matte Black Friday event included Hot Deals on select items, dumbbells for as little as $1 per pound, and $75 max shipping on various squat racks. The event also included hundo pricing, where the cost of shipping decreases as you add more weight in products like kettlebells and bumper plates to your cart. Rogue hasn’t released details of their 2023 Black Friday deals yet. We’ll update this page as we receive more information.
Does Peloton do Black Friday sales?
In the past, Peloton has done Black Friday sales. In 2022, they offered deals on apparel and discounted their bikes and treadmills. They also offered free accessories, like cycling shoes and workout mats, with the purchase of a bike or treadmill. We will provide more details on their 2023 Black Friday sales when they become available.
For now classes are 6pm and 640pm at 2840 Wildwood st in the Boise Cloggers studio.
Book your class NOW!
click this ==>
Warrior Fit Testimonials
First, I want to say thank you for convincing me to do Tabata! I was struggling to lose weight and Finally I found something that helped! I really appreciate your coaching! - Craig T.
Ever since I was convinced to do Tabata I have seen huge results, I lost 6 pounds and gained energy in the first 3 weeks. I have been working out for 3 months before I decided to do Tabata and I struggled to lose weight.
At first I thought "How am I losing weight by bringing my heart rate up then cooling down then bringing it up again?" I don’t know how it works but it does!
Thank you!! - Theresa F.
The first day of Tabata, I wondered WHAT AM I DOING - I AM 56 !! Five weeks later I knew that it was what I needed. I learned that I could push myself well beyond my comfort zone and feel good later. I have a marked improvement in physical as well as emotional endurance. - Lyn C.
When I was first told about Tabata I was very excited from the word go, however that excitement stemmed from the fact that I had no clue what it meant. I missed the first week of class b/c I was traveling for work so when I came in during the 2nd week I had some making it up to do.
It was hard at first b/c my body wasn't used to working out at such a fast pace, but once I got into a rhythm I started to feel very good. These classes are no joke. If you stick with it you will leave there feeling stronger, healthier and overall better about yourself and what you've accomplished.
I would recommend these classes to anyone. Darrin is a great trainer and he'll keep you going with his energy.
- Jami L.
Warriors Fit Audio
Warrior Fit uses High Intensity Music to get ya Moooovin' So we can all "Get Our Sweat On"
The link below will give ya a freeee shot at Audible plus a couple audio books just to try it out and if you haven't used audio books on your commutes you are missing out. Get pumped up before you get to where you are going and exercise your mind. I use it Everyday. Go get yours now!
I’m a grandpa now. Twice over. My daughter Devyn has a girl and boy. I have a granddaughter and grandson. Over the last couple decades, it’s represented the single most impactful change in how I view myself in the grand scheme of things—far more even than the sale of Primal Kitchen. I still remember the day I met my granddaughter. Looking down at that little girl, barely aware of anything going on, I realized that something enormous had happened. Things would never be the same again.
For now classes are 6pm and 640pm at 2840 Wildwood st in the Boise Cloggers studio.
Book your class NOW!
click this ==>
