04 Feb
Blog

5 Things to Consider When Buying Golf Equipment

Are You In The New Golf Equipment Market In 2021? Maybe you want to start from scratch and buy everything, or you may want to upgrade the equipment you already have. The thing about shopping for golf equipment is that it can feel a bit overwhelming thanks to the multitude of options. Instead of feeling stressed or frustrated by the experience, we have five simple tips to consider when buying golf equipment. Think of it as a handy buying guide.

Make a list and stick with it

Instead of buying every accessory imaginable, it's important to follow the browsing and buying process with a clear goal. This can be achieved by making a list of everything you will need and then sticking to that list. Once you find the items you need, you can move on to the golf equipment that you would like to have. These are items that are not strictly needed, but that you will still be happy to use.

Are you ready to upgrade your current equipment?

It's also a good time to ask yourself if you're ready to upgrade your current devices. Rather than simply replacing items with items of similar quality, it might be worth buying something that is of better quality that could help you improve your game. Nowhere is this more evident than at your clubs. A starter set of golf clubs is completely different from that for experienced golfers.

Go inside and get fit

This particular tip goes hand in hand with upgrading your gear. If you want to invest in higher quality items, you want to make sure they are right for you. This means going to the store and getting fit. Making sure you are using the right clubs for you will actually improve your swing and game.

Don't let the latest trends surprise you

There will always be trends in the latest golf equipment and accessories, and these trends can be very tempting to try out. The thing about trends, however, is that they don't always last. Something that's trending right now may be replaced with something newer and better a few months later or in the next year. So be careful when jumping on the train and make sure it makes sense for your game.

Did you know that golf ball is important?

One device that golfers don't always think about is the balls they buy, but there is a science behind choosing the best ball for you. Once you are used to choosing the golf ball based on your budget, it is time to see how it fits your skill level. There's a reason these premium golf balls cost as much as them.

When you invest in quality balls, you can expect them to cover longer distances, have better spin, and even feel softer on the actual greens. All of these can result in a better game overall – it just depends on how far out of budget ball range you are. Even a medium distance ball offers a performance difference.

Become a smart and informed buyer

Anytime you want to buy golf equipment, you need to do your research, make sure you don't get caught up in the latest trends, and then stick with the things that are really important to your game. Of course, every time a device can improve your game it is worth investigating.

04 Feb
Blog

A Crispy Seaweed Treat for Vegan Athletes

If you're vegan or just looking for healthy, nutritious snacks, you should try gimMe Organic's Premium Roasted Seaweed. The first thing I noticed was the variety of flavors. The seaweed snacks with sesame and olive oil flavor are mild, But the wasabi kelp will give you a good kick and cleanse your sinuses.

That's after you've completed a 0.35-ounce pack all by yourself. But it's not just the slight saltiness or sharpness that makes the experience. It's texture too.

The nutritional benefits of seaweed

Let's talk about this superfood called seaweed – more specifically, seaweed from gimMe:

  • Organic certified
  • Certified gluten-free
  • Not genetically modified
  • Contains omega 3
  • Iodine source

This delicious snack goes well with keto, paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets.

In addition, seaweed contains small amounts of vitamins A, C, E and K as well as folic acid, zinc, sodium, calcium and magnesium.

Seaweed is also an excellent source of fiber, which is beneficial for intestinal health and gut bacteria, which play a tremendous role in your health. The fiber in kelp can also slow down gastric emptying. This helps you feel full longer and can delay hunger pangs, which lead to anti-obesity effects.

Last but not least, seaweed can help lower blood cholesterol, which reduces the risk of heart disease.

Melt seaweed in your mouth

You will experience different types of textures depending on the type of seaweed you buy.

In the 0.34-ounce and 0.16-ounce packs (I call them snack packs), the seaweed feels like it is melting in your mouth. It's thin, salty, and crispy.

With the larger leaves, the seaweed is less crispy and more like a thin piece of paper. The upside, however, is that you can get creative with it. I made sushi hand rolls with quinoa, avocado, and mushrooms. This time the seaweed was less crispy. So don't expect a clean slice unless you wrap it with sushi rice.

packaging

A crispy seaweed treat for vegan athletes - reviews, nutrition, athletes, vegans, gluten-free, vegetarian, superfoods, omega-3 fatty acids, organic foods, non-GMO, nutritional labels, paleo diets, ketogenic diet, seaweed

To get the most bang for your buck, watch out for the description label and description on Amazon. There are three different types of packages:

  1. A six-pack of 4.5 g each
  2. A single pack of 10 g (0.34 oz) each
  3. A large pack of 0.92 oz (26 g) leaves

The downside to the whole experience, however, is the packaging. I mean, there's nothing too serious about it unless you're an environmentally conscious millennial who religiously abstains from plastic – gimMe uses some of it in its packaging process.

Overall, I think this seaweed snack tastes delicious and is a nutritious snack.

04 Feb
Blog

JBL Reflect Mini NC Review: Workout Earbuds With Big Bass

JBL Reflect Mini NC

"With a throbbing bass and a huge list of functions, the JBL Reflect Mini NC chooses every workout."

  • Big, powerful bass

  • Excellent call quality

  • Either Alexa or Google Assistant

  • Good noise cancellation

  • Cumbersome adjustment of the controls

  • No wireless charging

JBL sells a wide variety of true wireless earbuds aimed at fitness enthusiasts. Between the company's own JBL branded products and its partnerships with Under Armor and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, you can choose from eight different models, priced between $ 100 and $ 200. Announced at CES 2021, the latest in the range are the $ 150 Reflect Mini NC, JBL's first Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) training buds.

With an impressive list of features, excellent water resistance, and a surprisingly affordable price point, one wonders: what's the catch? Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Reflect Mini NC, like most JBL headphones, comes in a box that is beautifully designed but a nightmare to recycle, with lots of plastic, foam, and magnets embedded. Inside you will find the earphones, their charging case, a USB-C charging cable, a total of three sizes of silicone earplugs and wing tips, as well as paper documentation with a quick guide.

design

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Most of the other loading cases feel weak in comparison.

The Reflect Mini NC and its compact charging case are available in black, white, green or blue and radiate robustness. Despite its low weight, the charging case is very solid thanks to a robust plastic shell and an impressively robust hinge. The lid is easy to open and stays in the open position until you close it, which comes with a very satisfactory magnetic clasp. Most of the other loading cases, even JBL's own Reflect Flow, feel weak in comparison. A built-in lanyard loop is handy for taking the headphones with you when you don't have a pocket, or attaching them to a gym bag or backpack.

I'm also a bit obsessed with the charge indicator on the front of the case. In most cases there will be a small LED dot or a series of dots if you're lucky. With the Reflect Mini NC, however, you get a large, fat LED bar that shows the charging status of each earbud and the case itself. The only thing missing here is wireless charging.

The earphones are also solidly built and, as the name suggests, slightly smaller than the Reflect Flows – albeit not by much. As an advantage for night runners and hikers, reflective paint was applied to the JBL logos on the contact surfaces.

No workout buds would be complete without some sort of water resistance, and the Reflect Mini NC doesn't disappoint with an IPX7 rating, which means they're effectively waterproof. They won't work if you go swimming with them, but they won't be damaged either.

Convenience, control and connections

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

True workout wireless earbuds often use an ear hook design to ensure a secure fit. The Powerbeats Pro are the flagship for this function. But if you can achieve the same level of security without the earhook, that's a plus in my opinion, and the Reflect Mini NC definitely delivers. The tradeoff – if you consider it a compromise – is that these earbuds really make your ears feel full.

You have no concerns about an accidentally detached bud.

The silicone earbuds and wing tips are denser than the ones JBL uses for the Reflect Flow, presumably to improve stability, but that means they're not quite as comfortable. You have no concerns about an accidentally detached bud, but you'll never forget you're wearing it either. As a result, they are likely not the best choice for long periods of wear in an office or on an airplane.

The touch controls respond quickly as long as you touch the surface of the logo and not just the edges. Each earbud is factory-equipped with preset functions. With the left bud you can switch between the ANC modes or activate the talk-thru mode (more on this later). The right earbud controls play / pause and skip forward / backward. Both earbuds can access your phone's built-in assistant and both can be used to answer / end calls and mute / unmute the microphones. So far, so good. There is no volume control by default, but that's not uncommon – many true wireless earbuds lack this feature.

The problem occurs when you use the free JBL headphones app to customize the controls. Instead of letting you choose which features go with which gestures, you have to choose from the presets. For example, the left earbud can control noise cancellation or playback functions, but not a mix of these functions. If volume control is important to you, you can set either earbud to control it. But then you just have to choose another function to control with the other earbud. What will it be? And if you don't like the gesture assigned to a particular function (e.g. a single tap to toggle ANC mode), you can't change it.

You can configure the Reflect Mini NC to access the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa instead of your phone's built-in assistant. However, if you use this very cool feature it will take a whole earbud. This leaves you with Alexa and volume (for example). Or Alexa and ANC. You get the picture. I asked JBL why the controls seem to be set up like a bunch of channels on cable TV, but I have never received a satisfactory answer.

Like more and more earbuds these days, the Reflect Mini NC has an auto play / pause function that pauses your music when you remove an earbud. It reacts very quickly and can be deactivated in the app if desired.

You can use the earbuds individually (both can answer / end calls) and their wireless range is excellent. Pairing is very quick and easy for both iPhone and Android phones.

There's a bass-forward sound signature that you can feel all over your body.

In the JBL app, you can choose from three different Smart Audio modes that supposedly change the parameters of the wireless connection: Normal for the most stable connection, audio for the best sound quality, and video for the lowest latency (also great for gaming). I didn't notice much of a difference between these modes, but I love that they are included if you need them.

JBL also includes a Find My Earbuds feature that makes each earbud emit a high-pitched beep. It's loud enough that you will hear it even if a bud gets wedged between sofa cushions.

Sound quality

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

When it comes to a set of workout earphones, the big, powerful bass is arguably one of the most important elements. After all, it's the beat that keeps most of us going, whether we're serious about taking a walk or trying to hit a new personal best at the gym. Thanks in part to its super-tight seal, the Reflect Mini NC fulfills this requirement with a bass-forward sound signature that you can feel through your whole body.

Turn up Post Malone's wow. or Ariana Grande's 7 rings and wait for those extremely deep basses to hit – it's powerful stuff. That same low-end rumble is perfect for action films too.

You can customize the EQ to your heart's content in the JBL app, with a few presets, but also your own collection of custom settings. These are well worth exploring – you can drastically change the signature of the Reflect Mini NC.

They aren't the most nuanced earbuds I've ever heard. The mids can be a bit overwhelmed by the heavy lows and highs, and their soundstage isn't as wide or open as on models like this Jabra Elite Active 75t. As a training companion, however, they couldn't be more precise in terms of sound.

Noise cancellation and transparency

JBL Reflect Mini NCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

After a lukewarm experience with JBL's ANC technology on the Club One wireless headphones, I was also prepared for an overwhelming performance from the Reflect Mini NC. Surprisingly, the opposite was true. Once again, their tight ear canal seal is key: these earbuds do such a good job of passive noise isolation that the ANC circuit doesn't have much to put out, and they do a very effective job.

It's so good, in fact, that even without music, family members could sneak up on me completely undetected while I had the earphones with me.

You can select the specific frequencies you want to cancel using a slider in the JBL app. It's not quite as convenient as the Sony, Jabra, or Soundcore presets, but it's very handy nonetheless. Customize ANC performance for your specific environment.

The Reflect Mini NC have excellent call quality.

Transparency mode is good too, but it has two minor drawbacks: unlike ANC, you can't adjust how much sound transparency mode is allowed, and there's no way to toggle between ANC and transparency mode without an ANC off Mode to cycle through. Two more adjustments that JBL should add.

Talk-thru mode, a handy way to temporarily turn on transparency while lowering the volume of your music, works very well too.

Battery life

JBL claims six hours of use between charges for the Reflect Mini NC when the ANC is on and seven hours when it is off. It's similar to the Jabra Elite 75t and Elite Active 75t, but not quite as impressive as the Powerbeats Pro's nine hours. The charging case contains two full charges that take an additional 12 or 14 hours. As far as I can tell, these numbers are pretty accurate.

A 10-minute quick charge gives you an extra hour of playback time, although that's on the low end for true wireless earbuds.

Call quality

JBL managed to surprise me once again – the Reflect Mini NC have excellent call quality. To put it in perspective, if you are using them outside or around traffic, you just can't tell I wasn't inside. There was an occasional jiggle when noise cancellation tackled car and wind noise, but overall these earbuds are impressively clear.

During a call you can still switch the ANC to ambient mode, which is perfect for hearing your own voice without the attenuation effects of the earbuds.

Our opinion

The JBL Reflect Mini NC with massive basses are also inexpensive and feature-rich, which makes them an ideal set of training companions. If JBL could fix the cumbersome and restrictive control schemes, they would be nearly perfect.

Is there a better alternative?

I think JBL found the sweet spot for workout earbuds with the price, sound, and features of the Reflect Mini NC, but here are three alternatives worth considering:

Sony's $ 200 WF-SP800N is one of our most popular workout earbuds. It offers better sound quality and a better ANC, as well as an enormous battery life of nine hours.

The $ 200 Jabra Elite Active 75t offers better sound quality (though not as much bass) and controls, plus longer battery life, while providing great water and dust resistance. I think they're more comfortable too, but without ear hooks or wing tips, they're not as safe.

The $ 150 JLab Epic Air Sport is one of our favorite Powerbeats Pro competitors. They don't have an ANC and their ear hook design makes them less versatile, but they have great sound and tremendous battery life.

How long will they last?

With a one-year guarantee from JBL, the Reflect Mini NC are very robustly built and I expect a long service life. The silicone earbuds and wing tips will likely need to be replaced after a year of continuous use, but this is normal for these parts.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. As long as you're okay with a very custom-fit in-ear design and you don't mind spending some time figuring out which controls to use, this is it JBL Reflect Mini NC are great workout earbuds.

Editor's recommendations




04 Feb
Blog

A Crispy Seaweed Treat for Vegan Athletes

If you're vegan or just looking for healthy, nutritious snacks, you should try GimMe Organics' Premium Roasted Seaweed. The first thing I noticed was the variety of flavors. The seaweed snacks with sesame and olive oil flavor are mild, But the wasabi kelp will give you a good kick and cleanse your sinuses.

That's after you've completed a 0.35-ounce pack all by yourself. But it's not just the slight saltiness or sharpness that makes the experience. It's texture too.

The nutritional benefits of seaweed

Let's talk about this superfood called seaweed – more specifically, seaweed from gimMe:

  • Organic certified
  • Certified gluten-free
  • Not genetically modified
  • Contains omega 3
  • Iodine source

This delicious snack goes well with keto, paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets.

In addition, seaweed contains small amounts of vitamins A, C, E and K as well as folic acid, zinc, sodium, calcium and magnesium.

Seaweed is also an excellent source of fiber, which is beneficial for intestinal health and gut bacteria, which play a tremendous role in your health. The fiber in kelp can also slow down gastric emptying. This helps you feel full longer and can delay hunger pangs, which lead to anti-obesity effects.

Last but not least, seaweed can help lower blood cholesterol, which reduces the risk of heart disease.

Melt seaweed in your mouth

You will experience different types of textures depending on the type of seaweed you buy.

In the 0.34-ounce and 0.16-ounce packs (I call them snack packs), the seaweed feels like it is melting in your mouth. It's thin, salty, and crispy.

With the larger leaves, the seaweed is less crispy and more like a thin piece of paper. The upside, however, is that you can get creative with it. I made sushi hand rolls with quinoa, avocado, and mushrooms. This time the seaweed was less crispy. So don't expect a clean slice unless you wrap it with sushi rice.

packaging

A crispy seaweed treat for vegan athletes - reviews, nutrition, athletes, vegans, gluten-free, vegetarian, superfoods, omega-3 fatty acids, organic foods, non-GMO, nutritional labels, paleo diets, ketogenic diet, seaweed

To get the most bang for your buck, watch out for the description label and description on Amazon. There are three different types of packages. There are:

  1. A six-pack of 4.5 g each
  2. A single pack of 10 g (0.34 oz) each
  3. A large pack of 0.92 oz (26 g) leaves

The downside to the whole experience, however, is the packaging. I mean, there's nothing serious about it unless you're an environmentally conscious millennial who religiously eschews plastic. GimMe uses some of this in its packaging process.

Overall, I think this seaweed snack tastes delicious and is a nutritious snack.

03 Feb
Blog

Vizio P Series Quantum X (P85QX-H1) Review: Bright Idea

vizio p series quantum x p85qx h1 review quantumx 2

Vizio 65-inch Quantum X 4K P-Series HDR Smart TV

"But with great strength comes great responsibility."

  • Incredibly bright TV

  • Fixed black levels

  • Incredible price-performance ratio

  • Good for playing

  • Red tone with ready-to-use image settings

  • The calibrated dark mode hides the shadow details

When it comes to televisions, bigger is often better. But how about brightness? We dive into the Quantum X 85-inch Vizio P-Series TV (P85QX-H1) to find out.

Out of the box

For this review, we tested the 85-inch model because … why not? Vizio was kind enough to send the huge $ 2,500 TV with it, and we thought it would be a good time to see what Vizio's best look at its largest size looked like.

The large size of the TV made it a little more difficult to set up than usual as Vizio suggests placing the TV on a large surface when installing the TV feet. Fortunately, we had a table just big enough and the TV comes with a large piece of protective cardboard that can be used to isolate the TV screen from the surface in use.

The feet themselves are made of matte black metal and are relatively easy to install. We recommend inserting both screws into the appropriate holes for each foot before tightening. This will avoid potential problems with correctly aligning the holes.

In the box with the television, the feet and the screws, there is also a power cord, batteries and the remote control from Vizio, which, by the way, is not a voice remote control. Google is required to use a smart assistant with the TV. Amazon Alexa or Apple device or speakers.

The aesthetic design of the TV is quite elegant, with very thin bezels and pleasantly textured edges. The back of the TV is made of plastic, which isn't what you'd expect from a flagship TV, but Vizio doesn't charge the same amount of money as its competitors.

Our only real design problem is a lack of cable management.

Entrances

Vizio includes full specification HDMI 2.1 inputs in the P-Series Quantum X with a bandwidth of 48Gbps – at least that's true now that Vizio has released an update for the TV series. At the time of evaluation, we were struggling to get all HDMI 2.1 features to work when testing with a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Please see below for more information on the TV's gaming capabilities.

First picture adjustments

The P85QX-H1 is absolutely huge at 85 inches. But what is the picture like, apart from the impressive size? The P85QX-H1 is definitely bright – up to 3000 nits. The lighter the whites got, the more a red hue crept in. While the problem can be fixed in the white balance settings, the correction took much longer than expected. Once this was corrected, the color coverage and accuracy were measured very well. We are only concerned that some of the value will go out the window when a professional calibrator has to be called in to bring the image closer to accuracy.

Calibrated dark mode vs. calibrated mode

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When it came to calibrated HDR content in calibrated dark mode, a lot of the dark scenes we saw were just black. Turning the local dimming setting to medium didn't help much either – it just wasn't good for dark scenes. According to Vizio, this is not normal, but we did not see any fixes to the settings during our test period.

However, when entering Calibrated (instead of Calibrated Dark Mode) the details were enlarged significantly and showed all the nuances we should see rather than just the black stripe of nothing we saw in Calibrated Dark Mode. Although the details were now visible, the color still had to be corrected and calibrated.

Black levels and brightness

The black levels of the PQX are very good with the right settings. You get a good amount of shadow detail and blooming is kept to a minimum for most of the time. The brightness is very intense. The P85QX-H1 is pretty good at doing HDR effects, and it's pretty dazzling, even though some of the white clouds we previewed were tinted pink with no color correction. However, the computing power of the P85QX-H1 is spot on.

The black levels of the PQX are very good with the right settings.

Backlight

Backlighting became an occasional problem. We found that the backlighting algorithm / TV execution was a bit slow to meet the requirements of the content and as a result we noticed slight brightness shifts on the screen that shouldn't be there. Granted, it's more obvious because the P85QX-H1 is just so big, but it's a visible problem that we couldn't ignore.

Uniformity, movement and processing of the screen

The screen evenness of the obtained P85QX-H1 was solid. As for movement, we saw stuttering on challenging scenes like an evening flight through New York City – the buildings stutter as they move from top to bottom. The good news is that we didn't see any moiré, which is a common occurrence when viewing this test clip – another sign of excellent workmanship.

This processing can also be identified by the lack of color stripes, even at lower resolution and low bit depth content. During some pans, however, while the movement was smooth, there were light flashes in bright areas that we occasionally found annoying.

Audio

The audio quality of the P85QX-H1 isn't bad – but it's not great either. It has a decent low end, which avoids the thin sound of many TVs. And while the speakers are near the bottom and the back, the presence of the sound is such that it doesn't sound like the sound is coming from behind the TV or from below. Adding one of Vizio's sound bars would be a great addition and would equate the sound with the grandeur of the TV.

Play

The input delay of the P85QX-H1 is good at around 13.5 to 14 milliseconds at 4K 60 frames per second with HDR switched on. Unfortunately, like so many other TVs this year, the P85QX-H1 did not achieve 4K 120Hz with 4: 4: 4 chroma at the time of testing. Fortunately, Vizio has since fixed this problem with a firmware update so that owners of Sony PS5 and Xbox Series X can now take full advantage of their video settings. The Vizio gaming engine can now communicate very well with these consoles and these settings are automatically set correctly for you.

The P85QX-H1 is great but needs a bit of help to get there

Our opinion

We have mixed feelings about the P-Series Quantum X. In a minute it'll kick the ass and look absolutely gorgeous, but in the next minute it's going to do something that scares us off in a way that's hard to articulate. A TV of this caliber shouldn't need as many color corrections right away. Once corrected, it does some amazing things – the brightness reveals colors that we've never seen before.

The most important thing about this is that the P85QX-H1 is great but needs a bit of help to get there. It does take some tweaking (and possibly some cable management options), but once those are fixed it can take you into brilliant new visual territory.

Is there a better alternative?

Comparing the Vizio P-Series Quantum X to other televisions is made difficult by the fact that, although Vizio launched its new line of TVs in late 2020, the company refers to it as the 2021 TV line for all of 2021. In In this case, we will update this section as soon as competing 2021 models are released.

Compared to 2020 TVs currently available, the Vizio is extremely competitive in the price-performance category. This is one of the boldest, brightest TVs you can buy anywhere compared to the Samsung Q90T, and it costs $ 800 less than the Samsung at the 65-inch size. At 85 inches, the PQX costs around $ 1,000 less than a Samsung Q90T of comparable size.

How long it will take?

Since the Quantum X of the P-series is equipped with HDMI 2.1 connections and appears to be well built, the television should last several years despite quality control.

warranty

Vizio grants a one-year guarantee on its TV products. Please refer to the Vizio warranty page for more information.

Should you buy it?

We will say yes with the caveat that we strongly recommend that the TV be professionally calibrated. Without calibration, the TV appears to display an obvious shade of red that cannot be removed using the basic settings or guesswork in the two-point white balance setting section. Unfortunately, the cost of a professional calibration takes away some of the PQX's value, but it remains a lower cost, high-performance TV option compared to Samsung, LG, and Sony TVs.

Editor's recommendations




03 Feb
Blog

Health, Fitness and the Tao of Functional Bodybuilding

There's a reason functional bodybuilding (FBB) has become an overactive buzzword in the fitness industry these days: it combines traditional strength training with a practical training method that gets you moving better – more functional. This contributes significantly to the long-term improvement in health and fitness.

Learn functional bodybuilding

Functional bodybuilding, which focuses on quality of movement rather than intensity, allows us to incorporate bodybuilding principles into functional strength training.

This helps create a great foundation for strength and efficient movement, designed to take into account each individual's skills and goals in a way that promotes health and longevity.

Hence, it is useful not only for top athletes, but also for people who just want to be healthy and functional but are not interested in being a bodybuilder.

A functional bodybuilding foundation

I mentioned the importance of understanding the principles of bodybuilding and energy system training. Let's talk about these principles, starting with traditional bodybuilders.

Bodybuilders are known for their ability to increase muscle mass (also known as hypertrophy). This is not just about lifting heavy weights, but understanding how to manipulate repetitions, sets, pace, and rest times, as well as mastering concepts like time under tension – that is, how long a muscle or muscles are under tension during a given one Sentence.

The optimal time under tension for hypertrophy to occur is around 40 seconds.

That sounds simple enough – 5 squats at 3311 = 40 seconds of tension. Just peazy – it's not that easy.

It is also incredibly important to consider the person's skills and training age, i.e. how long they have been training. For this reason, an individual assessment with a coach is key to the process if you are a coach or if you are a client looking for a program or coach. You may want to try the Systematic Approach Assessment Guide for Trainers.

Health, Fitness, and the Tao of Functional Bodybuilding - Fitness, Health, Energy Systems, Functional Strength, Functional Training, Functional Bodybuilding, Fitness Assessment

That being said, here are four basic principles to keep in mind when planning to start or create an FBB program for a client:

  1. Compound Moves First: Compound exercises like squats or bench presses should be done at the beginning of a workout, while isolation exercises like biceps curl or leg extensions should be done later in the workout.
  2. Track the contractions per muscle group in a given session: ideally, the number of exercises per body part should be between two and four per session. If not, technology and recreation are likely to suffer.
  3. Note the intended contraction: it depends on which movements are right for you (or whether, as a coach, you know your clients' abilities and limitations). Don't be fooled by sexy movements. If they are not in your position, they will not help you.
  4. Quality over intensity: It's that simple. This does not mean that there cannot be intensity. It just has to be an appropriate intensity that matches the ability and strength of the individual. Simplicity over complexity. Quality over intensity.

Energy system training

One of the ideas behind FBB is to offer strength training without compromising aerobic capacity. This mainly depends on understanding the energy system training i.e. the anaerobic alactic, anaerobic milky and aerobic systems.

Two important and often overlooked concepts are:

  • Get the rest time right: The most important part of rest and recovery time depends on the individual and what they can recover from. This applies to both the rest time during interval training and recovery from one session to the next.
  • Avoid Disturbance: When doing aerobic work (or programming), consider the types of movements you (or your client) will be doing in resistance / FBB training the next day. For example, if you do a lot of hinges the next day, you may avoid high volume rowing intervals on your energy system's training day, as this is a similar movement pattern. Typically, keep these movement patterns at least a day apart.

Key Factor: Whether you are someone looking to start a bodybuilding program that works or a coach looking to design one, the most important thing is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to a program.

For optimal effectiveness, a great functional bodybuilding program must take into account an individual's skills, priorities, training age, and goals. This concept is at the heart of OPEX training and the basis of their new functional bodybuilding guide.

Choosing the Right Functional Bodybuilding Program

Take a look on the old internet and you will find tons of functional bodybuilding or FBB programs for sale. And like most products and services, not all are created equal.

Take a look on the old internet and you will find tons of functional bodybuilding or FBB programs for sale. And like most products and services, not all are created equal.

I believe that a great functional bodybuilding program produces results and requires understanding the main principles of not only bodybuilding but also the training of the energy system.

Read OPEX's free introductory eBook on Programming Functional Bodybuilding Workouts.

03 Feb
Blog

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Him

At the Eminence OrganicsWe've put together the perfect Valentine's Day gift guide with our best skin care products for men. Whether the man in your life lives in the gym, loves the outdoors, or is sensitive inside and out, he is sure to appreciate these Eminence Organic Skin Care goodies.

African American man outside the building and looking happy

1. The fitness junkie

The fitness junkie loves a good sweat and eats clean. He focuses on being healthy from the inside out and wants to keep his skin in shape too. Two of our best-selling products, Eminence Organics Stone Crop Gel Wash and Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant ensure healthy training for your skin.

Like other succulents, stone harvesting is a powerhouse. This classic ingredient brightens the appearance of the skin, replenishes moisture and minimizes redness due to dryness. With its fresh scent, Stone Crop Gel Wash is a Valentine's Day gift that is a welcome addition to your workout routine. This gentle cleanser washes away impurities and minimizes the occurrence of breakouts while deeply hydrating a dehydrated complexion.

Another light and healthy pleasure? Our Firm skin acai masque. He will enjoy a fruitful treat for the skin, a concentrated boost of vitamins and nutrient-rich ingredients that will help his skin look refreshed and revitalized. For a deep peeling, combine the Stone Crop Gel Wash with another bestseller: Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant. This Powder scrub packs a hefty punch and uses rhubarb to combat the look of wrinkles and salicylic acid (from strawberries) to deeply clean pores. Give him our Must Have Minis Starter Kit for a pint version of this cleaning duo – the perfect size to toss in his gym bag!

Man in hat outdoor holding map and looking at mountains

2. The outdoor adventure seeker

Whether hiking, camping or mountain biking, the outdoor adventure seeker is always ready for a new excursion. However, when exposed to the elements, his skin can feel irritated and clogged. Without proper care and protection, fine lines and wrinkles can appear that give a more weathered than mundane look.

Red Currant Protection Moisturizer SPF 40 is his secret new skin care weapon. Our Youth Shield Antioxidant Complex (Red currant, elderflower, and magnolia bark) protects against abuse by the elements, while microencapsulated tea tree oil minimizes the appearance of breakouts and zinc oxide provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. He will also love the refreshingly cool feeling on his skin.

Round off his Sun care with Eminence Organics rose hip and lemongrass soothing hydrator. Perfect after a day outdoors, this lightweight moisturizer will moisturize your skin without feeling heavy or greasy. Packaged in a convenient tube format, your husband can easily pack and use the hydrator while on the go.

Man kisses woman's forehead

3. The sensitive man with sensitive skin

The sensitive guy always has his back. Whether he's coming up with special ways to make you smile, remember your favorite snack, or just be your shoulder to lean on, this guy is always ready to listen and support.

If his skin is as sensitive as he is, help him develop a soothing skin care product for men. The Eminence Organics The Calm Skin Starter Set contains a travel-size cleanser, moisturizer, mask and serum from our award-winning Calm Skin collection. Every skin care product contains gentle chamomile to even out its complexion and soothe redness caused by dryness.

Pamper your sensitive man with an eminence to optimally prepare his skin for maximum benefit Calm chamomile peeling. This relaxing treatment contains lactic acid and mandelic acid for gentle exfoliation, soothing dryness and deeply hydrating the skin.

4. The beard grooming expert

Despite his tough looks, the beard grooming expert is a big softie who is always on the lookout for new tricks to keep his beard clean. Introduce him this Valentine's Day Eminence Organics products that keep his skin super soft under that scratch.

Does your husband suffer from itchy beard? Dryness (especially in winter) is the main cause of flaky skin (also known as bear fever) and an itchy complexion. Add a beard oil to your man's grooming routine to keep his beard soft and skin smooth. Eminence Organics Wildflower Ultralight Oil is a fast-absorbing, versatile drying oil that tames unruly facial hair and softens dry skin. This gift for him (and you!) Ensures a silky smooth beard and a calm complexion.

Man with glasses on couch using tablet and smiling

5. The hard-to-buy husband

For the man who has it all, it can be almost impossible to find the perfect Valentine's Day gift for him. The hard-to-buy husband is always interested in the best of the best. Why shouldn't he introduce him to two Eminence Organics staples?

Our rooms ensure thorough cleaning and hydration Balancing Masque Duo is one of our most versatile products. The split glass contains a Charcoal T-Zone Purifier to remove oil, dirt and impurities and a Pomelo Cheek Treatment for hydration and even skin tone. He will love the customizable approach to skin care.

We also recommend ours Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant. This unique powder-to-foam scrub contains result-oriented organic ingredients such as potent microgreens, stone harvest and rice flour with adzuki powder. It'll get a kick from its light, sizzling action that invigorates and revitalizes the skin.

Well, your hard-to-buy husband certainly won't turn down the rich flavors of ours Chocolate mousse hydration mask. This mask reminds him of a delicious, decadent chocolate treat (one that goes well with your waistline). Who can resist a little indulgence on Valentine's Day?

Baby walks with the help of dad

6. The new father

The new father has a new priority: his little one. This practical dad wants only the best for his growing family, and that includes natural, organic skin care. Treat him to the best of dad and baby skincare with these gentle Eminence Organics picks.

Stone Crop Body Lotion is the perfect moisturizing treatment for babies and first fathers. This body lotion is enriched with healing and moisturizing stone plant and soothes and gently smoothes dry skin. Expert Tip: Add a few drops of apricot body oil for extra moisture. The skin-softening ingredients and the soothing scent are the perfect combination for lunchtime for father and baby.

As with any skin care product, we encourage you to check with your pediatrician or health care professional before adding any new products to your baby's skin care regimen.

Finally the Mangosteen body lotion is an effective option if your partner has coarser, dry skin on their body. Formulated with a unique lactic acid complex, this lightweight formula gently re-emerges for radiant skin.

If you're looking for more personal recommendations, check with your nearest author Eminence Organics Spa partner and chat with a certified esthetician. For more ideas on how to treat your husband, see our For Men page.

Are there any Eminence products that you would add to our Valentine's Day guide to skin care for men? See that full range here. Let us know in the comments or let us know your choices on social media.

02 Feb
Blog

Health, Fitness and the Tao of Functional Bodybuilding

There's a reason functional bodybuilding (FBB) has become an overactive buzzword in the fitness industry these days: it combines traditional strength training with a practical training method that gets you moving better – more functional. This contributes significantly to the long-term improvement in health and fitness.

Learn functional bodybuilding

Functional bodybuilding, which focuses on quality of movement rather than intensity, allows us to incorporate bodybuilding principles into functional strength training.

This helps create a great foundation for strength and efficient movement, designed to take into account each individual's skills and goals in a way that promotes health and longevity.

Hence, it is useful not only for top athletes, but also for people who just want to be healthy and functional but are not interested in being a bodybuilder.

A functional bodybuilding foundation

I mentioned the importance of understanding the principles of bodybuilding and energy system training. Let's talk about these principles, starting with traditional bodybuilders.

Bodybuilders are known for their ability to increase muscle mass (also known as hypertrophy). This is not just about lifting heavy weights, but understanding how to manipulate repetitions, sets, pace, and rest times, as well as mastering concepts like time under tension – that is, how long a muscle or muscles are under tension during a given one Sentence.

The optimal time under tension for hypertrophy to occur is around 40 seconds.

That sounds simple enough – 5 squats at 3311 = 40 seconds of tension. Just peazy – it's not that easy.

It is also incredibly important to consider the person's skills and training age, i.e. how long they have been training. For this reason, an individual assessment with a coach is key to the process if you are a coach or if you are a client looking for a program or coach. You may want to try the Systematic Approach Assessment Guide for Trainers.

Health, Fitness, and the Tao of Functional Bodybuilding - Fitness, Health, Energy Systems, Functional Strength, Functional Training, Functional Bodybuilding, Fitness Assessment

That being said, here are four basic principles to keep in mind when planning to start or create an FBB program for a client:

  1. Compound Moves First: Compound exercises like squats or bench presses should be done at the beginning of a workout, while isolation exercises like biceps curl or leg extensions should be done later in the workout.
  2. Track the contractions per muscle group in a given session: ideally, the number of exercises per body part should be between two and four per session. If not, technology and recreation are likely to suffer.
  3. Note the intended contraction: it depends on which movements are right for you (or whether, as a coach, you know your clients' abilities and limitations). Don't be fooled by sexy movements. If they are not in your position, they will not help you.
  4. Quality over intensity: It's that simple. This does not mean that there cannot be intensity. It just has to be an appropriate intensity that matches the ability and strength of the individual. Simplicity over complexity. Quality over intensity.

Energy system training

One of the ideas behind FBB is to offer strength training without compromising aerobic capacity. This mainly depends on understanding the energy system training i.e. the anaerobic alactic, anaerobic milky and aerobic systems.

Two important and often overlooked concepts are:

  • Get the rest time right: The most important part of rest and recovery time depends on the individual and what they can recover from. This applies to both the rest time during interval training and recovery from one session to the next.
  • Avoid Disturbance: When doing aerobic work (or programming), consider the types of movements you (or your client) will be doing in resistance / FBB training the next day. For example, if you do a lot of hinges the next day, you may avoid high volume rowing intervals on your energy system's training day, as this is a similar movement pattern. Typically, keep these movement patterns at least a day apart.

Key Factor: Whether you are someone looking to start a bodybuilding program that works or a coach looking to design one, the most important thing is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to a program.

For optimal effectiveness, a great functional bodybuilding program must take into account an individual's skills, priorities, training age, and goals. This concept is at the heart of OPEX training and the basis of their new functional bodybuilding guide.

Choosing the Right Functional Bodybuilding Program

Take a look on the old internet and you will find tons of functional bodybuilding or FBB programs for sale. And like most products and services, not all are created equal.

Take a look on the old internet and you will find tons of functional bodybuilding or FBB programs for sale. And like most products and services, not all are created equal.

I believe that a great functional bodybuilding program produces results and requires understanding the main principles of not only bodybuilding but also the training of the energy system.

Read OPEX's free introductory eBook on Programming Functional Bodybuilding Workouts.

02 Feb
Blog

How to know which whey protein supplements are worth taking

Often after your workout, friends and family will ask you one question when they see you workout: protein supplements. You may find yourself answering the same questions over and over as you try to build your body, but now you don't have to. This article covers everything you need to know about protein supplements, including why they are so good for your body and how to find out which ones are worth taking.

Whey protein

Whey protein is known as a complete protein powder, and the protein it contains is made from cow's milk. Whey can be found either on its own or mixed with amino acids, which makes it a delicious drink after a workout.

You may have been told that whey is a good source of protein. However, you may not have been told the whole truth about whey protein. If you look at the label of most whey supplements, you can see that they have 20 to 30 grams of protein in just one scoop. This seems to suggest that they are a great way to get more protein per serving, and therefore a great source of protein for bodybuilders like you. Consider buying natural vegan protein bars from ATP Science.

Weight loss

Protein powder can make or break your weight loss plan. Protein supplements are the best solution for those who want to lose weight without losing their muscles as it will keep you feeling full longer and have other health benefits like increasing your metabolism.

If your protein is poor quality it may not be used for the best purpose. In other words, when you eat bad protein, it acts like junk. Take care of your health and invest in quality nutritional supplements.

Do you know the need

A person looking to build muscle would choose a supplement with enough amino acids and protein needed to build muscle mass. On the other hand, a person looking to lose weight would need a supplement with a low calorie content. In addition, it is important to note that your body can only absorb the vitamins and minerals that are important to your body and not what you think are important.

The word whey may not sound familiar to many. It is a by-product of milk after the clotting process has stopped. According to About Health, whey contains L-glutamine, which helps your body fight off infection and helps build muscle.

Do you know the type

Whey concentrate and whey isolate are both forms of whey protein, but they differ in their concentration in two ways. First, whey concentrate is low in fat – it usually adds up to less than 0.6 grams per serving. Whey isolate does not contain any fat. A second difference between these two is the amount of protein they contain. Whey isolate typically contains higher levels of protein than its counterpart.

Bottom line

The average American needs to consume around 600 grams of protein each year to build and maintain a strong body. Proteins are found in certain types of meat and can also be obtained from soybeans. However, when you get so much protein from these sources you can be exposed to lots of unpleasant fats and contaminate your body with estrogen. That is why almost no one opts for supplements made from soybeans or red meat. Instead, whey protein is the most common choice for people looking to supplement their diet with a simple, high-quality source of protein.

31 Jan
Blog

Ergatta Review: Machine Makes a Game Out of Rowing

Ergatta rowing machine rating rowing machine 2

Ergatta Review: Rowing machine makes movement a game

"Play your way to fitness with Ergatta's water-based rowing machine."

  • Compact size with vertical storage

  • Beautiful wooden frame

  • Calibrates to your fitness level

  • Playing is motivating

  • Water mimics rowing

  • No video training

  • Demanding for beginners

  • Open row is monotonous

Not everyone wants to endure the monotony of running on a treadmill or stepping on a bike. As a result, more and more people are turning to rowing for cardiovascular and core strengthening workouts. Most rowing machines stick to the basics, but the Ergatta water rower defies convention with its beautiful wooden frame and playful training experience. Does the Ergatta deliver more than just good looks and good games? We put the rower to the test to find out.

Installation and setup

Installation and setup of the rowing machine took less than 30 minutes. The unit arrived almost fully assembled, with wheels that made it easy to roll it exactly where I wanted it to be. The technician filled the rower with water and he was ready to go. Before I left, the technician gave me a quick tour of the basics of folding and turning on the Ergatta.

It was my responsibility to connect the rowing machine to my Wi-Fi network and set up my Ergatta account. It's also worth noting that Ergatta charges $ 199 to ship and install the rowing machine, in addition to the $ 2,199 for the machine.

Looks like luxury furniture

In contrast to the industrial look of most rowing machines in the gym, the Ergatta is characterized by the fact that it looks more like a piece of furniture. The cherry wood frame and the transparent water tank go perfectly with any decor. It definitely looks funky, but it is easily the best looking rowing machine available right now.

The Ergatta is made by WaterRower, a well-known brand in the rowing world, and it shows. Everything about the rowing machine is of high quality. The seat rolls smoothly, the pull on the oar handle is even and the display is easy to read. Exercise equipment shouldn't be intimidating. With the Ergatta you get a feel for nature because you have the feeling of rowing a boat over water.

Compact size for storage

I have a small exercise room and I was afraid the rowing machine wouldn't fit. When it arrived I was shocked at how little space the Ergatta takes up. The rower is narrow and not too long, so it doesn't take up much space when using it. I was able to slide it between the wall and my treadmill. The Ergatta is also amazingly light and compact. You don't have to be a bodybuilder to move it – anyone can lift it to store it or roll it to a new location.

When you have finished your exercise, you can reclaim your living space by keeping the Ergatta upright. The engineers behind Ergatta thought about it a lot and made it incredibly easy. It takes three simple steps: flip the monitor flat, lower the monitor arm, and lift the end until the Ergatta is upright. When it's upright, it takes up about the same space as a dining room chair. This is important because most other cardio-based machines tend to take up more space. The Ergatta is perfect for apartment residents.

Smart rowing

To start with, Ergatta introduces you to rowing with some tutorial videos and a 2,000 meter series to calibrate the machine to your fitness level. Once your basic fitness is established, the software can choose workouts that are neither too easy nor too difficult. After 10 activities you will be asked to calibrate again. If you think these workouts are too difficult or too easy, you can always recalibrate them.

The ergatta uses water as resistance to mimic both the feel and the sound of rowing outdoors. The rower increases or decreases the resistance depending on how fast or hard you are rowing. There are no magnets or resistance bands involved. The faster or more forcefully you row, the harder it gets.

Addicted to rowing

Ergatta does not offer live or video training that is taking the world of the home gym by storm. The rower instead plays the workout experience and sets it apart from all other home fitness equipment I've used.

With the Ergatta you can choose between training and competition. During the exercise, you will be asked to row at a certain speed or with the right force. Instead of having a trainer yell at you to "row harder" or "keep going", the Ergatta uses a virtual ball to show how hard or fast you are rowing. In a game you have to hold the ball in a pre-defined zone for a certain amount of time. If you row too slowly or too fast, you will leave the target area and will not be able to complete this level.

This gamification was extremely committed. Time flew by as I concentrated on keeping my virtual ball in the target zone. I didn't count the minutes or the number of strokes – I was completely involved in the game. Sport should never feel like work or work – it should be fun and rewarding, which is exactly what you will find at Ergatta.

Race for the prize

When you are done training, you can join a race with eight other rowers of the same skill level. Some races ask you to row long distances while others use sprint intervals. Your times will be recorded and you will be listed among other racers as well as on a global leaderboard. I spent most of my time on the Ergatta taking part in the various races. I usually start with a quick warm up and then jump straight into the races. After three or four races, I was sweaty and tired.

I pushed myself to the limit during the race and enjoyed every minute.

Open rowing was disappointing

Ergatta also has an open row option that allows you to row at your own pace without thinking about racing or training goals. I eagerly opened this section to see how Ergatta applies its approach to the game to free line training. I was disappointed when I discovered there weren't any. There was no game to challenge me, no competitors to push me. It was just me and my stats.

After using Hydrow and iFit, I longed for a video scene, video trainer sharing stories, or some other visual stimulus. Unfortunately Ergatta does not support video training. If the company ever did, the open range would be an ideal area to implement it.

Demanding for beginners

As a beginner, I found it difficult to get into a groove. The tutorials were helpful, but I missed the video instructors. With Hydrow, I was able to mimic the coach's strokes and shape while rowing. I didn't have this feedback on Ergatta and got sloppy, especially when I was tired.

I also found that some of the workouts were too long for a beginner. I started the simplest 30-day training series and was encouraged after the first workout. It was short but challenging. The activity on day two was twice as long and I couldn't complete it. I was discouraged by my performance and the endurance that Ergatta expected on my second day.

I felt similarly challenged by the races and training sessions. Most of them were longer than I could handle. I found some short races and training sessions, but most of the training sessions lasted 20 minutes or more. Ergatta is always adding new content so I hope more sessions in the 5 to 10 minute range are added.

Pricing

The Ergatta is priced at $ 2,199, plus an additional $ 200 for shipping and installation. You can buy it in a lump sum or finance it over 24 months. Like most smart home fitness equipment, the Ergatta rower requires a monthly subscription. You can pay $ 29 monthly ($ 290 annually) to access the full library of workouts and races. You can also add an unlimited number of accounts for your partner, roommate or children to join.

You can use the Ergatta without a subscription, but you lose access to the races and training games that make the rower well worth the price.

Our opinion

It may look like it belongs in a showroom, but don't let the Ergatta's stunning looks fool you. It's a powerful rowing machine with a game-based interface that motivates you to exercise.

How long it will take?

The Ergatta is a tank with a solid wood frame that can hold up to 500 pounds. Treat it well and it will last a long time. The frame comes with a five-year warranty with a three-year parts warranty and a one-year tablet warranty.

Is there a better alternative?

Thanks to its game-based training and cherry wood frame, the Ergatta is in a class of its own. If you want a more traditional rower with video training, consider either the Hydrow or NordicTrack RW900 rowing machine. Both rowers offer instructor-led exercises and strength training outside the rowers for a full-body workout.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. If you enjoy rowing and are short on space, the Ergatta is worth every penny.

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