Plus: The best active stretches for your lifting routine April 01, 2024 | [Read Online]( [BarBend Newsletter] POWERED BY: Todayâs newsletter is presented by NativePath collagen powder. This powerful supplement sports 20 grams of muscle-building protein and is made from certified grass-fed ingredients. [Head here]( to buy it now. Here's what's going on today (no fooling): - All the reasons to do cardio after lifting - Can barefoot training elevate your fitness? - Active stretching for optimal performance Conditioning Order of Events Credit: baranq/Shutterstock In the past, you may have felt like you've needed to choose between being a lifter or being a runner. Well, you don't. Not only are both disciplines good for you, but they complement each other. The cardio you gain from running will grant you more endurance to lift weights for more reps, translating to more muscle. On the flip, strength training will build up your calves, quads, and core â the main muscles that allow you to run more powerfully. So you know you can (and maybe should) run, even a little, in addition to strength training. However, now the question becomes, "Do I run before or after lifting?" Well, we have the answer. It turns out that running after you lift keeps you fresher for the weights, lets you lift heavier, and increases your muscle-building potential. Below, we'll dive into the science and expand on those three reasons.  [Read More]( From NativePath NativePath Collagen Credit: Giphy So⦠what exactly does collagen do, again? This nutrient is Insta-trending for a reason â itâs essential for healthy skin, joints, and bones. The big bummer: many collagen supplements are made with artificial ingredients and (gross) animal byproducts. [NativePath]( has a different approach. NativePath collagen is certified grass-fed and pure, and sourced from 100% happy, healthy cows⦠so you can put nutrients into a happy, healthy human. It provides Types 1 and 3 collagen â more than 90% of your bodyâs needs. Plus, itâs tasty and provides 20 grams of protein, so youâll get lots of energy to boot. [Find out more]( about the many benefits of NativePathâs collagen powder on their website! [Get yours today]( Workout Tips Sole Train Credit: Giphy Barefoot training has amassed a legion of devotees who believe that socks are all you need on your feet to get some world-class training. But once and for all, does lifting weights without shoes actually help? Are shady Al Bundy-esque shoe salespeople robbing you of your gainz? Given the sheer number of people deadlifting in just socks, it's clear there is some benefit (in this case, leverage). Feeling the floor directly may give you a better understanding of the mind-muscle connection, but is there a cost to this? At the end of the day, it may simply be a matter of preference. Learn all about your feet and what they may be able to do for you in the gym. [Should You Lift Barefoot?]( Exercise Science Biiiig Stretch Credit: @nanalan / Giphy Stretching seems to frequently fall in and out of favor in the fitness world. Much of the discourse surrounding stretching as a viable â or wasteful, depending on who you ask â practice comes from research that is hastily or altogether incorrectly interpreted. That said, stretching has maintained its status as a benchmark practice among recreational yogis and professional weightlifters alike for a reason. It can be incredibly effective for preventing injuries or recovering from strenuous training when utilized correctly. Want to reap the benefits of a stretching routine? We reveal some of the best active stretches for maximizing recovery and performance both in and out of the gym. [Learn the Stretches]( Everything Else What's in the Box? Credit: Paul Biryukov / Shutterstock - Even though box squats' efficacy has been proven for decades, it's still easy to sleep on this potentially game-changing move. It's time to wake up to their power and joy with [this tutorial](. - Olivia Reeves may be one of America's best hopes for a weightlifting medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and she recently dropped some jaws [by squatting three times her body weight](. - Sometimes, it's important to stop in the middle of your diatribe about "kids these days" being weaker than past generations. Need more proof? [Watch this high school student squat 900 pounds](. [fb]( [tw]( [ig]( [yt]( [in]( [Advertise with us]( Update your email preferences or unsubscribe [here]( © 2024 BarBend Newsletter 228 Park Ave S, #29976, New York, New York 10003, United States [[beehiiv logo]Powered by beehiiv](