03 Dec
Blog

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook Review: OLED For Cheap

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook open on a table.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook

RRP $ 500.00

"The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook brings OLED quality to a surprisingly affordable 2-in-1."

advantages

  • Acceptable productivity performance

  • Very long battery life

  • Excellent advertisement

  • Solid build quality

  • Payable

disadvantage

  • The display has the old school 16: 9 aspect ratio

  • Limited to WiFi 5

  • Stand add-on is impractical

Chromebooks don't often beat Windows in the market for implementing new technology, but Lenovo's IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook did just that. It is the first detachable tablet with OLED display, launched just before the Asus Vivobook 13 Slate, which is the first detachable Windows 11 tablet with OLED technology. The IdeaPad Duet 5 is based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, an ARM chip, and is thus another first. It's a bigger tablet, but still an alternative to other low-cost devices like the Apple iPad and Microsoft Surface Go 3.

I tested the midrange configuration of the IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook, which costs $ 500 and includes the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 and a 13.3-inch 1080p OLED display. I found the tablet to be way above its price and one of the best 2-in-1 tablets at this price point.

draft

The Asus ZenBook 14X OLED in its case.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The first thing you'll notice about the IdeaPad Duet 5 when you take a closer look is that the display is old-school, 16: 9. The laptop world is moving in the direction of larger displays, 16:10 or 3: 2, which is particularly useful for tablets that mimic a standard sheet in portrait format. In comparison, a 16: 9 tablet is longer and slimmer, making it less convenient to view documents and take notes with a pen.

The bezels of the IdeaPad Duet 5 are small on the sides and a bit thicker at the top and bottom. They're not huge for a tablet, and the IdeaPad Duet 5 is reasonably large considering the display. Compared to its closest Windows 11 competitor, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 with its 13-inch 3: 2 display, the IdeaPad Duet 5 is almost an inch wider, while the Surface Pro 8 is almost an inch higher.

At 0.37 inches, Microsoft's tablet is thicker than the 0.28-inch of the IdeaPad Duet 5, but the Surface Pro 8 has its kickstand built in – more on that in a moment. Of course, the IdeaPad Duet 5 is significantly larger than the Apple iPad and Microsoft Surface Go, which are built around 10.2-inch and 10.5-inch displays. If you can take the size, the Lenovo is a viable competitor.

Another competitive tablet with a 12.3-inch 3: 2 display, the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable is roughly the same size as the Surface Pro 8 thanks to the smaller bezels. In terms of weight, the IdeaPad Duet 5 alone weighs for the tablet 1.54 pounds, compared to the Surface Pro 8 at 1.96 pounds and the ThinkPad X12 Detachable at 1.67 pounds. The IdeaPad Duet 5 is not a small tablet, but it is manageable. Using the smallest tablets from Apple or Microsoft would save you about half a pound.

Close-up on the Asus ZenBook 14X OLED stand.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Now for this stand. As with the HP Chromebook x2 11, the IdeaPad Duet 5's stand is an add-on that clicks into place on the back of the tablet and is held in place by strong magnets. That makes the tablet thicker and impractical – it's another thing to carry around with you. The Surface Pro 8 and ThinkPad X12 Detachable are much more convenient to use with their built-in kickstand, although the version of the IdeaPad Duet 5 works just as well. It also holds the tablet upright without wobbling and extends just as far until the tablet rests almost flat on a surface. If you don't mind fiddling with another piece, then the version of the IdeaPad Duet 5 will be just fine. And let's not forget that this is a $ 500 tablet, while the Lenovo and Microsoft versions are more than twice as expensive when fully configured.

The IdeaPad Duet 5 is made of plastic, with the upper part of the back being a soft-coated version. It feels solid enough in the hand, and your first clue that it isn't made of a metal alloy like the other laptops I mentioned is that it doesn't feel as cold after a while. If you don't mind plastic gadgets, that's no real blow to the IdeaPad Duet 5 – especially given its price point.

Aesthetically, the tablet is a dark gray (Storm Gray) or blue (Abyss Blue) plate, with only the two-tone part on the back giving it a little pizzazz. Minimalist designs are pretty much the standard for tablets, however, with the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable having the most exotic look.

There are two USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one on each side of the tablet (both can be used for charging).

The pogo pin connector on the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook for the detachable keyboard.

Connectivity is limited to two USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one on each side of the tablet – each can be used for charging – and a pogo-pin connector for the detachable keyboard. That's it. And yes, Lenovo has done without a 3.5mm audio jack. That's a huge disappointment in my book, and it's the first tablet I know that got disconnected.

You will be limited to bluetooth headphones which I consider liability. Speaking of wireless connectivity: the Snapdragon chipset limits the tablet to Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1. There's no always connected internet option like the HP Chromebook x2 11.

power

Asus ZenBook 14X OLED open on a table.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebooks use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 System-on-Chip (SoC), a slightly updated version of the same ARM processor used in the HP Chromebook x2 11. As far as I can tell, the only significant difference is a tiny speed threshold from 2.4 GHz to 2.55 GHz. Unsurprisingly, the IdeaPad Duet 5 performed similarly to the Chromebook x2 11. In other words, the ARM CPU could keep up with Chrome OS as long as I didn't open too many tabs in Chrome or too many Android apps were running in the background. I'm sure the 8GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage had something to do with it.

We don't have all of the benchmarks available for Chromebooks, but the IdeaPad Duet 5 scored 599 in single-core mode and 1718 in multi-core mode in the Android Geekbench 5 app. That's just a tiny bit faster than the 590 and 1,689 of the Chromebook x2 11. It lags far behind faster Chromebooks like the Asus Chromebook Flip C536 with a Core i5-1115G4 that scores 1209 and 2849 points, and the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 with a Core i5-1135G7 that hits 1,190 and 4,151. The IdeaPad Duet 5's score in the Speedometer 2.0 web benchmark was 47, just ahead of the Chromebook x2 11's with 45. In comparison, the Chromebook Flip CX5 achieved 163.

Overall, you will be satisfied with the performance of the IdeaPad Duet 5 as long as your productivity workflow is not too demanding. As I said, with a reasonable number of tabs and Android apps open, the tablet ran fine. However, if you exceeded that amount, things got noticeably slower. And limit yourself to occasional Android games – Asphalt 9, the Android game I use to test Chromebooks, was choppy and showed significant lag when I tried to run it on the IdeaPad Duet 5, which is a more usable gaming tablet .

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Close up on the Asus ZenBook 14X OLED display.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

From the moment I turned on the IdeaPad Duet 5, I could tell that something was different. OLED displays are so much more dynamic and eye-catching than IPS displays, and the 13.3-inch Full HD version of the IdeaPad Duet 5 is no exception. The colors were pleasant and natural, the contrast was deep with inky black tones, and the display was more than bright enough for all of my work environments.

My two complaints start with the 16: 9 aspect ratio, which, as mentioned earlier, isn't nearly as functional as 16:10 and 3: 2 displays in portrait mode, and it looked squashed too. It's not a deal breaker – many 16: 9 laptops and tablets are still made today – but it's far from ideal. Next, the Full HD resolution was just okay with a display size of 13.3 inches. A sharper screen would have helped, especially with text, and while black text showed up on a white background, they did it with a few pixels. A higher resolution display would have been nice too, but for $ 500, it's hard to complain about.

Close-up on the Asus ZenBook 14X OLED display without keyboard attachment.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Even so, most users will love this display. Even creatives looking for a Chromebook to view photos and videos will love the colors and contrast. This display will please everyone except the pickiest of pixel peepers and those who use a pen to take lots of notes.

Unfortunately, the sound does not do justice to the display despite four speakers radiating from the side. First off, there's not much volume even when it's all the way up, and worse, there's distortion that cuts out the little bass and makes a very tinny sound. The mids and highs are clear at about half volume, but the bass is missing. Overall, you'll want to use bluetooth headphones or speakers for anything but system sounds and the occasional YouTube video.

Keyboard and touchpad

Close up on the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook keyboard.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook case with keyboard.

Lenovo includes a detachable keyboard with the IdeaPad Duet 5 that shares the same basic design as most keyboards – with one exception. It is attached to the tablet via magnets and connected via pogo pins, but unlike most keyboards, it has no way of supporting it at an angle. They're stuck when you lay it flat, which isn't nearly as comfortable. Thanks to the 13.3-inch display and the width it offers, there is plenty of key spacing and the keycaps are large and comfortable. The switches offer a lot of spring travel and have a snappy bottom movement. The keyboard feels great – if only Lenovo had built in an angle.

The touchpad is also good and big enough to be comfortable using the Chrome OS suite of multitouch gestures. The surface can be wiped comfortably and the buttons have a nice click without being too loud. The display is of course touch-enabled and supports an optional Lenovo Active Pen. One was not included with my test device, so I could not test the coloring with the IdeaPad Duet 5.

Battery life

OLED displays can sometimes be the death knell when it comes to battery life. But that's mainly because most OLED laptops use 4K resolution. The IdeaPad Duet 5 uses a 1080p screen and combines it with a Snapdragon processor with low power consumption. It also contains 42 watt hours of battery, a decent amount for this device – and more than the 32 watt hours found on the HP Chromebook x2 11. I was curious to see how long the detachable tablet would last on one charge.

I was positively surprised. In our web browser test, which ran through a number of popular and demanding websites, the IdeaPad Duet 5 lasted for 15.5 hours – an excellent score that beat the Chromebook x2 11's 12.75 hours. The 10.1 inch Lenovo IdeaPad Duet with its 27 watt hour battery and the MediaTek Helio P60T ARM processor lasted about 13 hours. In our video test replaying a local 1080p movie trailer, the IdeaPad Duet 5 achieved a whopping 21.75 hours – one of the longest-lasting devices we tested. It outperformed the 11 hours of the Chromebook x2 11 and the 12.5 hours of the IdeaPad Duet.

Simply put, the IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook will last you a full day while you still have some time to watch Netflix. Chromebooks with ARM CPUs should have great battery life, and the IdeaPad Duet 5 keeps that promise.

Our opinion

At $ 500, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is excellent value for money. You get adequate productivity performance and great battery life. The OLED display looks great too, even if it's not perfect.

Anyone looking for an affordable Chrome tablet that they can use for web browsing, email triage, and media consumption will find that the IdeaPad Duet 5 is a great choice.

Are there alternatives?

the HP Chromebook x2 11 is a close alternative with almost the same CPU and very similar performance. At the same time, the display is good, but not great, and the battery life is wasted. You can also get it for $ 100 less, albeit with half the space.

Another option is the Microsoft Surface Go 3. It's a Windows 11 laptop and it's smaller, but its build quality and performance are just as good, and it has its own great display. It's more expensive when you add the cost of the keyboard, but it's well worth it too.

After all, the Apple iPad is a good tablet, although it is also a bit smaller. You might want to stick with the entry-level model of $ 329 or risk spending a lot more. But it's faster thanks to a faster ARM CPU and a highly optimized operating system, and it has a great display. It's also thin, light, and well built.

How long it will take?

The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook could be made of plastic, but that doesn't mean it won't last for years. You'll also get a lot of performance out of Chrome OS for some time. The one-year warranty is fine for a $ 500 laptop.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 is fast enough for the price, which makes it a long-lasting secondary device with a beautiful display for media consumption. It's the best tablet you will find for the money.

Editor's recommendations



03 Dec
Blog

Benefits Of Hot Stone Massage At The Spa

Have you added hot stone massage to your treatment list? For clients who are experiencing significant pain or discomfort, regular sessions can produce great muscle relaxation and stress relief results. This treatment is relaxing, nourishing, and deeply calming, but many spa therapists may find it unfamiliar. Let us explore what hot stone massage therapy is and what advantages this service offers for customers who want to get to know treatments beyond traditional massage.

What is a hot stone massage? | What to expect from a hot stone massage | Skin care products for hot stone massage

What is a hot stone massage?

According to Healthline.com, hot stone massage is a form of therapy that aims to relax muscles and relieve tension. It differs from the traditional method in that it combines the use of stones with a massage, which usually involves Swedish techniques. Smooth, flat stones are heated to 110-130 degrees Fahrenheit and placed on the target areas. The most common stones used are basalt rocks, which are worn smoothly and which transfer and hold heat well. When using these stones, your goal is to apply gentle pressure on your client to relieve tension and pain. By placing hot stones at key points on the client's body, you encourage their muscles to release tension, resulting in a better massage experience. Explain to your clients that the added benefits of hot stones will help them feel more relaxed, with less stress and muscle aches and pains.

The benefits of a hot stone massage include:

  • Pain relief
  • Release muscle tension
  • Increased blood flow
  • Relaxation
  • Increased penetration of deep tissue massage
  • Better posture
  • Relaxation
  • Sleep support

Before offering this treatment to a client, they should fill out a detailed form so that you understand their health profile, including medication use. Do you suffer from chronic pain, injuries? Have you had any treatments recently, including other heated massages? The American Massage Therapy Association advises, “If a client receives multiple services at a spa throughout the day, having a heated treatment within six hours is an acceptable guideline.

Hot stone massage is not for everyone. It is not recommended for people with:

  • diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • high blood pressure
  • Nerve damage
  • An autoimmune disease

Or who:

  • Are pregnant
  • Take medication that thin the blood or block sensory perception
  • during menopause (treatment may trigger hot flashes)

Hot stone massage

What to expect from a hot stone massage

Now that you are considering offering hot stone massages to your clients, let's dig deeper into how this treatment is performed. If you only work on the neck and shoulders, a session lasts around 60 minutes. Allow 90 minutes for a full body treatment.

The first step is to heat the stones in a professional stone oven, a device specially designed for this task. Next, apply oil to your client to keep the skin soft. Usually, you place the stones strategically along the spine. You can also place them on the palms of the hands, feet, chest, face, and even toes. The weight and heat of the stones relax the muscles to allow deeper pressure during the massage so that you can release the tension in the tense muscles and the client can benefit from deep tissue massages. As the American Massage Therapy Association says, "Hot stone can be used with a variety of massage modalities, including Swedish massage, as well as on the client's body."

When the client's muscles are relaxed, use extra oil to massage the body with and without stones. Use sliding movements across the neck, back, arms, and legs. Techniques can include long strokes, kneading, rolling, tapping, and circular motions. During the session, the client's heart rate, breathing rate and body temperature fluctuate depending on the temperature of the hot stones. Explain to your client that these reactions are normal during a hot stone massage. Encourage customers to communicate with you immediately if the stones are too hot or too cold, if the pressure is too great, or if the stone placement is uncomfortable.

Skin care products for hot stone massage

Although the main benefit of a hot stone massage is in the warmth rather than in skin care products, the product support rep is from Eminence Organics Nadira Kavanagh suggests that skin care products could enhance the benefits of this service.

"We recommend using our body oils such as Apricot Body Oil or Stone Crop Body Oil for the best gliding and gliding," says Nadira. The apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil and jojoba oil make the skin incredibly soft and supple. Apricot kernel oil is rich in vitamins A, C and E, which make the skin feel smooth and elastic. Grapeseed oil provides moisturizing effects, while jojoba oil nourishes and hydrates.

The Stone Crop Body Oil formulated with arnica is perfect for massages. This moisturizing body oil combines stone harvest, rose hip oil, and avocado oil to help moisturize the skin. Give an appropriate amount of both oils to massage in and warm in your hands before applying.

Will you be adding hot stone treatments to your spa's service menu? Share your experience with this treatment in the comments below and join the conversation on social media. You can also find out how to become an Eminence Organics Spa Partner here.

27 Nov
Blog

5 Tips to Stay Healthy on the Go

5 tips to stay healthy on the go – AnytimeStrength

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27 Nov
Blog

2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Review: Efficient and Stylish

Angled front view of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Platinum in a meadow (passenger side).

2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

RRP $ 23,550.00

"A lot of technology and a breathtaking design make the Elantra Hybrid a market leader."

advantages

  • Surprisingly spacious

  • Lots of technology

  • Stylistic look

  • 54 mpg combined

  • Refined driving dynamics

disadvantage

  • Tire noise

  • Expensive upgrade over non-hybrid

At one point, the Toyota Prius was the only hybrid you could get if you were looking for really good fuel economy. That is no longer the case, of course, because fuel-efficient hybrids come in all shapes and sizes these days. If you look at the EPA's charts, you'll find that the Prius is no longer the king of hybrids as it once was. No, the crown is now on the hood of the Hyundai Ioniq Blue. Hyundai uses its electrified knowledge and brings it into the 2021 Elantra Hybrid.

Sure, the Elantra Hybrid isn't as efficient as the Ioniq or the Prius, but it makes up for it with styling that you won't mind feeling, some impressive tech features, and an interior that makes you actually want to spend your time sometimes Have cake and eat it too. Just like any halfway decent cake from a reputable bakery, you're going to be spending a decent amount of money getting something this sweet.

To get on a 2021 Elantra Hybrid, you'll need to spend $ 24,575 with a mandatory target fee of $ 1,025. That's a hefty upgrade over the regular Elantra, which costs $ 20,675. Our test vehicle was a Limited model that retailed at $ 29,125.

Design and interior

Mainstream automakers can't strike a happy medium with hybrids. Some, like the Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq, have weird designs in the name of aerodynamics, while others like the Honda Insight and Toyota Corolla Hybrid are focused on safety. Bucking the trend of needing a slippery design, the Elantra Hybrid says no too boring for something that feels upscale and distinctive.

A black 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid in a meadow with trees in the background. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

As with many other Hyundais, the wow factor of the Elantra Hybrid starts at the very beginning. The edgy sound of the compact sedan features a unique grille with an intricate design that looks like it was completed by Spider-Man, and headlights protruding far back. The doors have angular lines that blend together to look like a modern work of art. However, none of these traits are as noteworthy as the stern. It's as angular as the triangular head of a venomous snake with taillights that are just as menacing as the reptile's eyes.

The Elantra Hybrid goes against the trend of needing a slippery design and being boring for something that feels upscale.

The interior is just as attractive as high-tech. The digital instrument cluster and the central touchscreen are connected around the driver. The dashboard and center console layout follows a similar curve, making the controls easier for the driver to reach.

While the overall design of the Elantra Hybrid is upscale and most of the materials are comfortable, there is one important thing that will make you pause. The instrument cluster and touchscreen look fine, but there's a large blank space to the left of the driver with a random design. It's an odd item in a package that looks as good as the Elantra Hybrid.

As we all expect from Hyundai, the Elantra Hybrid is packed with features. Leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a sunroof, ambient interior lighting and a lumbar support for the driver's seat are standard in the limited equipment we tested. There's no denying that these are nice features, but Hyundai should have spent a little more time cushioning the underside of the front seats. On a long ride, your bum will go numb and you will start wiggling around to find extra padding. Fortunately, the cabin is spacious with plenty of space for the rear passengers and a useful 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The main reason for an upgrade to the Limited equipment compared to the entry-level blue model is the additional technology. Hyundai has an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality with the blue equipment. When you upgrade to the Limited, you get a 10.25 "touchscreen and 10.25" digital instrument, but you need to connect your smartphone to the larger touchscreen with a cable. The Limited also adds a Bose audio system with eight speakers, a wireless charger, navigation and Hyundai's nifty digital key. We find it strange that Hyundai should combine its upscale features with wired smartphone connectivity, but switching to limited trim is worth it despite the hassle.

It's thoroughly modern in every way, but luckily not in any other way.

Infotainment system in the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid 2021.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Hyundai's infotainment system is now considered to be one of the most intuitive on the market. The layout is simple, the menus are logical, and the graphics are precise, if not the nicest ever to be found in a car. The digital instrument cluster is a nice touch and displays information in an appealing way, but offers little customization options. Choosing a different drive mode results in cool animation, but with this type of digital real estate it would be nice to see a little more.

Thankfully, Hyundai's physical buttons and dials have been retained in the Elantra Hybrid. Aside from losing compatibility with wireless smartphones, the larger touchscreen also loses a physical vote button, but that omission is barely noticeable. Forget odd circular gear levers, this hybrid sedan has a traditional gear lever that is much easier to use. It's thoroughly modern in every way, but luckily not in any other way.

Every Elantra Hybrid is equipped with all important safety features as standard. The blue equipment is standard with front collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic warning, pedestrian detection, safe exit warning and a driver attention monitor. The limited equipment offers adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, Highway Driving Assist as well as cyclist and intersection detection. All functions work smoothly and without any problems.

Experience at the wheel

Close-up of the 2021 grille of the Hyundai Elantra from above. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The power for the Elantra Hybrid comes from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that alone has an output of 104 hp. The engine is complemented by a 43 hp electric motor for a combined output of 139 hp. That's a little less than the regular Elantra horsepower of 147 hp, but the electric motor helps make the Elantra Hybrid feel appropriate, but not exactly bubbly. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid has a 1.8-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors with a total of 121 hp, while the Honda Insight, thanks to its 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and the electric motor, is the most powerful of the group with 151 hp.

Compared to options like the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and the Honda Insight, the Elantra Hybrid has a unique feature: a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The transmission accelerates the sedan in a similar way to a non-hybrid and reacts better to gear changes than transmissions without fixed gears. Additionally, the Elantra Hybrid doesn't have the same powered drone that plague other hybrids.

With polished driving characteristics and a dampened cabin, the Elantra Hybrid gives a sophisticated feeling.

With 200 pounds of extra weight compared to the regular Elantra and less horsepower, the Elantra Hybrid isn't built for sportiness. Compared to the non-hybrid model, the Elantra hybrid has a rear multi-link suspension that is supposed to compensate for the ride. Without testing the two sedans one after the other, it's hard to see how the rides differ. The Elantra Hybrid's handling is a bit stiff in normal use, but nowhere near uncomfortable.There isn't much body tilt, but with easy steering and highly efficient tires that don't inspire much confidence, it's not what you're going to be looking for winding roads for pleasure. What you get is a fairly comfortable ride and easy-to-drive dynamic for your commute to work.

Rear of the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid 2021 with forest in the background. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

One of the main advantages of a hybrid powertrain is how quiet the cabin is. Apart from the tires, which can be loud depending on the road surface, the Elantra Hybrid remains quiet. Combine that with the sedan's refined driveability and the result is a grown-up hybrid that feels more refined than other options in the segment.

Gas mileage and safety

Side profile of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid in a meadow with a forest in the background.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The hybrid segment is divided into two options: ultra-efficient options and more mainstream options. The former includes options like the Toyota Prius and Hyunida Ioniq, while the latter includes the Honda Insight, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, and Honda Accord. Since the vehicles in the first group do not go quite so well with the Elantra Hybrid, the vehicles in the second group are its competitors. And the Elantra Hybrid has the best consumption values ​​in this segment.

The blue base has combined fuel economy numbers of up to 54 mpg (53 mpg city, 56 mpg highway) while the Limited carries a combined rating of 50 mpg (49 mpg city, 52 mpg highway). These numbers top the mainstream hybrid options. The Insight, Corolla Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, and Sonata Hybrid Blue get up to 52 mpg combined. The Accord Hybrid is the least efficient with a combined rating of 48 mpg.

A note on the fuel consumption figures for the Elantra Hybrid. While incredibly impressive, they'll be really hard to replicate in the real world. In our week in the car we averaged around 43 mpg together. That's still a great number, but in real-life driving conditions, most of the Elantra Hybrid's competitors will come closer to their official EPA numbers.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not yet subjected the Elantra Hybrid to a crash test in 2021. Without any major differences to the regular Elantra, we assume that the evaluation will be carried over to the electrified model. The Elantra 2021 was named the “Top Safety Pick” and received the grade “Good” in all six crash tests carried out by the institute. The headlight ratings should also be adopted, which means that the values ​​range from “Acceptable” to “Good”. In testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Elantra Hybrid received an overall safety rating of five stars in 2021.

Close up of 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid driver's side taillight. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Hyundai backs the Elantra Hybrid with a five-year 60,000-mile base warranty and a 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The hybrid components have the same 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty as the powertrain. The regular warranty is above average for the class, while the hybrid drive is average. The Corolla Hybrid comes with an 8-year guarantee of 100,000 miles for the hybrid components and a 10-year guarantee of 150,000 miles for the hybrid battery. The Insight comes with an eight-year guarantee of 100,000 miles on the hybrid components.

How DT would configure this car

Since the Elantra Hybrid is an expensive upgrade over the regular Elantra and the blue trim is the most efficient option, we think the blue trim is the best choice. It might not come with the big screens or the fancy features, but it is packed full of goodies. Heated front seats, six audio speakers, two-zone climate control, keyless entry, wireless smartphone compatibility and Hyundai's SmartSense security package come as standard.

Our opinion

If you like the design of the Prius or Ioniq, these options give you better fuel economy and the added versatility of a hatchback. Of the other main competitors, the Elantra Hybrid has a sharper design, better EPA numbers, and loads of tech. If a compact hybrid sedan is on your radar, the Elantra Hybrid is one of the best choices.

The Toyota Corolla Hybrid has a better hybrid battery guarantee and is cheaper than the Elantra Hybrid, but does not have the same technical features, spacious cabin or load space. The Corolla Hybrid doesn't feel as upscale as the Elantra Hybrid, nor does it have the same high-end design.

The Honda Insight has a 151-horsepower drivetrain and feels peppier than the Elantra Hybrid, but has a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that roars at higher speeds. With up to 15 cubic meters of cargo space, the Insight has a larger trunk than the Elantra Hybrid. Honda's compact hybrid doesn't offer nearly the same amount of tech features and a far safer design.

Should you get one?

Yes sir. The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid may not compete with the Toyota Prius or the Hyundai Ioniq, but it is the best of the rest.

Editor's recommendations



25 Nov
Blog

LG GP9 Review: The Best Gaming Speaker You Shouldn’t Buy

LG GP9 speakers in front of a monitor

LG UltraGear GP9 Review: The Best Gaming Speaker You Shouldn't Buy

RRP $ 499.00

"The LG GP9 is an incredible speaker that is only as good as its price allows."

advantages

  • Excellent sound quality for games

  • DTS: X and Hi-Res headphone support

  • Broad sound field

  • Excellent microphone echo cancellation

disadvantage

  • Way too expensive

  • Weak battery life

  • Below average music experience

LG's UltraGear brand is known for gaming monitors, but it's branching out. The GP9 gaming speaker is LG's first attempt at establishing UltraGear as a gaming brand beyond the field of monitors and hopefully getting LG into the conversation when it comes to the best gaming speakers. It's a solid attempt, but unfortunately it's tarnished by nagging oversights and an astronomical price tag of $ 500.

It seems that LG designed the GP9 in a vacuum, outperforming alternatives like the Razer Leviathan and Panasonic SoundSlayer by a few hundred dollars. On paper, the GP9's features justify the higher price tag – a built-in microphone for voice chat, support for high-resolution audio, and wireless operation from the built-in battery. In practice, however, these benefits do not match the price LG is asking.

Immediately after unboxing and setting up the GP9, I was overwhelmed with its gaming performance. This is one of the best gaming speakers, and it can't be denied, but it's hard for the GP9 to keep the conversation going when speakers that cost half the sound are almost as good.

Establish connection

Inputs on the LG GP9 speaker.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

The GP9 has three inputs and two outputs. For inputs, you can connect it using the USB-C port, an optical cable, or Bluetooth. That's a solid range of options, although I imagine most of them use USB by default, which I have been doing throughout my review.

Bluetooth is a nice addition, but I wouldn't want to use the GP9 as a bluetooth speaker. For one thing, it's big and bulky so it's not the best travel companion, and it doesn't have an IP or water resistance rating, so leaving it outside isn't a good idea. Even with these issues, battery life is the real killer.

The GP9 has a built-in battery that LG says can last five hours, but even that is generous. On a morning of sparse video calling and the occasional YouTube video, the speaker lasted just under four hours. Blink, and the GP9 is dead.

In addition to the inputs, the GP9 has a headphone output. This port supports DTS Headphone: X for 7.1 virtual surround sound, but this is less of a feature than more of a plus. The GP9 is a $ 500 gaming speaker, after all, so plugging in headphones just for virtual surround sound would be a shame.

Built for games

Using the GP9 for the first time is like putting on one of the best gaming headphones. The soundscape suddenly opened up, sound effects felt like they were having an impact, and music complemented the game sound instead of working against it. If you've used a good quality gaming headset, you already know the experience the GP9 delivers.

LG GP9 speakers on a desk.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

In Deep Rock Galactic, the synthesizer-driven soundtrack perfectly superimposed the sound of the drill through the stone, and the sound field seemed to stretch from one end of the room to the other. My desk is in the living room, but the GP9 still envelops the room.

The default sound profile sounds great. I tried it out in a couple of rounds of Call of Duty: Vanguard and Halo Infinite and could make out footsteps, bullet splatters, and explosions around me. LG's 3D gaming sound may seem like a gimmick, but it works.

In addition to the standard profile, the GP9 includes an FPS profile and an RTS profile. The names are irrelevant, even if these profiles sound great. The FPS profile has a more forward-looking presence, with much of the sound moving towards the center of the sound field, while the RTS profile pushes things to the sides as if the floor has fallen out of frequency range.

There's no denying that the GP9 sounds great in games.

The GP9 sounds great for games and skillfully places the smallest nuances around the sound field so that even separate 2.0 systems cannot cope. It's hard to ignore the cost, however. At $ 500 the tone is not enough. The Razer Leviathan sounds great too, is half the price, and includes a dedicated subwoofer.

Films and music take a back seat

The LG GP9 is a gaming speaker, and it shows in the sound quality of other media too. It is set up to play games, not listen to music or watch movies.

LG GP9 speakers on a desk.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

Music was the biggest pain point for the GP9. I started with an emphasis on bass, uploading DNA from Kendrick Lamar and See You Again from Tyler, The Creator (which turned into a full listen to Flower Boy, as so often happens). For $ 500, I wasn't impressed. The GP9 sounded good, but no better than a $ 200 bluetooth speaker like the Sonos Roam.

With music, the main problem was having consistent bass. Songs with a consistent low end – like a metal track like Spiritbox's Circle With Me – worked fine, but any kind of dynamic low end fell apart. The GP9 undergoes the compression that often comes with smaller speakers, with the high-end getting out of the way for a moment while the bass booms.

And the bass is booming. The two passive bass radiators bring out impressive bass for such a small speaker, maybe even too much. In terms of sound, the bass is not too strong, but the speaker on my desk vibrated constantly when listening to music, even at about half the volume.

When watching movies or listening to music, it was like using a completely different speaker.

Problems still exist at the other end of the spectrum. The speaker is very bright and does not separate the higher frequencies when the volume is turned up. I couldn't counteract the problem with EQ, just blunt it. A couple of larger satellite speakers, like the Logitech G560s, can handle these higher frequencies with more grace.

If you want to listen to music, stick with headphones. The Quad-DAC shines with a flat pair of sockets like the BeyerDynamic DT 770 Pros. It supports high resolution, lossless audio, and I could immediately see the bright top end, warm bass, and massive sound field compared to my PC's sound card.

LG GP9 speakers with headphones attached.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

Movies were better on the speaker. I saw Dune and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Dune sounded great. The transition from ambient to bombast in the score felt natural, and the soundscape, although narrow, still felt a lot wider than the speaker. Shang-Chi brought me back to earth, and the sound seemed to funnel into the hard upper mid-range.

Even with a bright spot in Dune, this isn't a speaker I would use outside of games. When watching movies or listening to music, it was like using a completely different speaker.

A functional built-in microphone

Microphone button on the LG GP9 loudspeaker.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

One advantage of the GP9 over gaming speakers like the Panasonic SoundSlayer is that it includes a microphone, but the quality isn't great. It's just slightly above a laptop's microphone, although it was able to pick up my voice cleanly from a few feet away.

What impressed me more was LG's noise cancellation. LG is calling it Clear Voice Chat technology, which sounds like a bullet point on a product page. Fortunately, it's more. Even at a comfortable volume, the microphone was able to separate my voice from the speaker's audio, and that's hard to achieve.

The microphone is a voice chat solution, just not a great one. Clear Voice Chat is an impressive addition, but I would prefer most of the other microphones to the one in the GP9. You get far better quality with a $ 150 boom mic headset like the Corsair HS80 Wireless.

The app: a compromise case

App screens for the LG GP9.

The LG GP9 was designed for gamers, not gamers, and you don't need to look further than LG's XBoom app to see this. The app isn't bad and it only took a few minutes to set up the GP9 the way I liked it. But it's absurd that a speaker designed for PC gaming doesn't have a desktop app.

XBoom feels like a half-baked solution.

To connect the speaker you need to connect it to bluetooth, download the app, pair it with your phone, and then go back to your original audio source. That took me about 30 seconds. Here's the problem: turn off bluetooth and you'll have to repeat the process all over again. It's not bad, but XBoom still feels like a half-baked solution.

In the app you can adjust the EQ curve, change the RGB sub-lights and update the firmware of the speaker, as well as access all functions that are available as buttons on the top of the speaker. It's not a bad app, but a desktop version would round out the GP9's list of features.

Our opinion

LG has launched an attractive kit with the GP9. It's a speaker that offers the gaming headset experience without the annoying hassle, with a wide sound field, a built-in microphone for communication, and a healthy dose of RGB flair. At $ 300, I'd sing the praises of the GP9. At $ 500, it's an excellent gaming speaker that shouldn't be bought.

It's one of the best gaming speakers in terms of sound, but the sound isn't enough for a speaker that costs as much as a new console.

Are there alternatives?

Dozens. The Razer Leviathan and Panasonic SoundSlayer are the most obvious alternatives, but there are several other options for gaming. These include the Audioengine A2 + speakers and the Logitech G560 kit, both of which are cheaper than the LG GP9.

How long it will take?

Without years of using the GP9, it's hard to tell how long the speaker will last. LG offers a one-year parts and labor warranty as standard.

Should you buy it?

No, unless you can have one on sale. The GP9 is too expensive for what it is, and its positives are outweighed by the price. However, if you can pick one up for around $ 300, this is an excellent option.

Editor's recommendations



24 Nov
Blog

JBL Reflect Flow Pro Review: Spectacular Sport Earbuds

JBL Reflect Flow Pro.

JBL Reflect Flow Pro in the test: Spectacular sports earphones

RRP $ 180.00

"Many functions and a powerful sound make them perfect training friends."

advantages

  • Firm, secure fit

  • Excellent noise cancellation

  • Choice of hands-free A.I.s.

  • Completely waterproof

  • Wireless charging

disadvantage

  • Limited control

  • No quick charging option

JBL isn't always the most enduring company when it comes to personal audio. Sometimes, like the Tour Pro + earphones and the Tour One ANC headphones, it absolutely pegs down. Other times it falls short, as I've felt with its flagship Club One cans. But they've been more hits than failures lately, and that certainly goes for JBL's newest true wireless earbuds, the $ 180 JBL Reflect Flow Pro, a product that mates with the $ 200 Beats Fit Pro , the $ 180, competes Jabra Elite 7 Active, and JBL's own Reflect Mini NC for $ 150. How good are the Reflect Flow Pro? Let's take a look at them.

Great fit without Frankenstein

JBL Reflect Flow Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

In theory, the Reflect Flow Pro are the company's successors Reflect flow Model, a comfortable and waterproof set of sports earbuds that unfortunately had some drawbacks. They were huge – often sticking out of the ears and giving off what I consider a Frankenstein monster look. Their physical buttons were a little difficult to press, their sound quality was uneven, and their transparency mode (ambient mode) was limited.

But if you look at the design of the Reflect Flow Pro, it becomes clear that despite its name, it is actually the Pro model of the Reflect Mini NC and not the Reflect Flow. The Reflect Flow Pro are smaller and lighter and fix practically every bug we found with the original Reflect Flow.

The Reflect Flow Pro comes with three sizes of silicone earbuds and four sizes of wingtips ("power fins" in JBL parlance) that range from large to barely available, which means that more people are likely to find a suitable combination. This is in stark contrast to the Beats Fit Pro, which has a single, permanently installed set of wingtips.

Scope of delivery of JBL Reflect Flow Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

According to JBL, the fit is secure enough to go surfing with the Reflect Flow Pro. I respectfully disagree. Yes, they are very secure, but no, I wouldn't risk finding out the hard way they couldn't be wiped upside down. Still, as long as they stay in place, they won't have a problem handling all that water – with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, they're pretty much the toughest earbuds you can buy.

The charging case is neither waterproof nor dustproof, but well made and quite robust. The integrated carrying loop is just big enough to guide the bag through the loop and attach it to a bag strap or even a belt loop on the trousers.

From zero to hero

The Reflect Flow Pro not only improve the design of the Reflect Flow, they are also packed with features. Wireless charging, wear sensors, a choice of voice assistants, active noise cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, custom controls and EQ. It's like JBL defies us to find something that's missing, and frankly, it's hard to find bugs at all. And that's before we even dive into things like sound quality, call quality, and practical extras (but don't worry, we'll cover those too).

Hours of power

JBL Reflect Flow Pro charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

One of the things the original JBL Reflect Flow got right was its impressive power capacity: 10 hours per charge and two full charges in the case's battery. The Reflect Flow Pro doubles these numbers when ANC and transparency are disabled. But even when you use these features, you still get up to eight hours on a single charge. That's better than both the Beats Fit Pro and Beats Powerbeats Pro.

The only thing missing here is a quick charging option. Ordinarily I would call JBL for this oversight, but if you can offer people up to 10 hours per charge, the need for fast charge is greatly reduced. In addition, the charging case of the Reflect Flow Pro supports wireless charging of Qi, something that Beats products have not yet been able to do.

Sound that moves you

Man with JBL Reflect Flow Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Punchy and powerful bass can be fun no matter what you're doing while listening to music, but it's a great benefit for people who need exercise motivation. The Reflect Flow Pro won't disappoint: you sound great right out of the box, with lots of low-end boom and decently clear mids and highs. Throw up a track like Billy Idol's Rita Hayworth and the Reflect Flow Pro delivers a high-octane sound attack that is guaranteed to get you moving.

Subtlety isn't their forte – these aren't the earphones for finding lost details in your favorite jazz ensembles – but they're not a blunt instrument either. The headphone app from JBL offers a very powerful EQ tool that rewards patience and experimentation with many tuning variations. My only gripe is that the company doesn't come with a few more built-in presets – you only get three: bass, jazz, and vocal.

Quiet or talkative

JBL Reflect Flow Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The noise cancellation of the JBL Reflect Mini NC impressed me quite a bit, but the Reflect Flow Pro are even better. So good that I saw almost no difference when I compared it to the Beats Fit Pro (which have a great ANC). Outside, traffic noise was kept well at bay so I could hear my podcasts clearly without turning up the volume. Inside, the bathroom fan, which sits six feet from my desk – but it sounds like it's next to my head – has been almost completely neutralized.

The transparency mode is really good too, with the option to choose between two versions: Ambient Aware (for general ambient noise) and TalkThru (for conversations). Both can be quickly triggered with a single or double tap on the earbuds, which makes them very convenient.

The illusion of control

Controls are the only area in which JBL still has a lot to do. The touch controls on the Reflect Flow Pro are excellent – they respond quickly and accurately to touch and a small tone confirms when a touch is made, which is an important form of feedback when a physical click is not available. The problem is that at JBL you can choose from four possible control “groups” and you can only have two of them active at the same time.

For example, you can choose between playback control, ambient noise / ANC / TalkThru, volume control or voice assistant. If you want playback and volume control, you cannot use Ambient Noise / ANC / TalkThru or Voice Assistant. If you want playback controls and voice assistant, you cannot use Ambient Sound / ANC / TalkThru or volume control.

If this is inherent in the true wireless earbuds, I wouldn't be complaining, but it's not: the Jabra series of elite earbuds give you complete control over every gesture without forcing you to choose between mutually exclusive options.

I also wish there was a way to turn off voice feedback. The quick toggling from ANC to Ambient mode is great, but it's a little less convenient if your earbuds keep saying "Ambient mode on" or "Noise canceling on".

Speak and be heard

The call quality with the Reflect Flow Pro is generally very good. You can struggle a little in very noisy situations, but few earbuds excel in these conditions. More importantly, they handle wind noise better than most of the earbuds I've tried, and that's helpful as they'll be great choices for runners or even cyclists. You will be perfectly heard in relatively quiet conditions.

However, with these earbuds you can also use your voice to summon various assistants – a rare feature that comes in very handy. iOS users can use Hey Siri in the same way as they can with Apple's H1-based products (AirPods, Beats Fit Pro, Powerbeats Pro, etc.). There is also the option of working with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant instead – both work with their respective hands-free wake-up words.

Extras

If you're the type of person who keeps misplacing items, the JBL Headphones app can force the Reflect Flow Pro to emit a loud beep. Each earbud can beep independently, but the feature will not work when docked in the charging case. There is also no map showing their last known location, which some other earbuds (AirPods, Jabra Elite, etc.) do.

The app can also help you find out if the size of the earbuds you choose seals you off from the outside world. If you're not getting the sound quality you expected – especially poor bass – this is the place to start.

Our opinion

With great protection from the elements, great sound and noise cancellation, and great battery life, the JBL Reflect Flow Pro are the perfect alternative to the Beats Powerbeats Pro and Fit Pro for people looking for a killer workout companion.

Is there a better alternative?

I think the best alternative to the Reflect Flow Pro is JBL's Reflect Mini NC. It's less expensive, has a smaller charging case that puts it in your pocket better, and has practically all the features of the Pro. You won't get the same caliber of sound quality, noise cancellation, or call quality, but for some people this is a perfectly acceptable tradeoff.

If you want a smaller earbud, Beats Fit Pro will work fine, and if you want a much more secure fit, consider the Powerbeats Pro.

How long will they last?

With an IP68 degree of protection and a very long starter battery life, you should get many years out of the JBL Reflect Flow Pro. They are solidly built, as is their charging case. JBL supports them with a one-year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. If you're looking for a sturdy set of training buds that can handle anything you throw at them – and that come with solid features and great sound – this is it JBL Reflect Flow Pro are an excellent choice.

Editor's recommendations



24 Nov
Blog

Gympact Review- The Benefits and Pitfalls of Getting Paid to Workout

This is my new gym. I recommend the dark roast coffee and the cheese dane:

Well I was hoping this would be my new gym considering the GymPact mobile app allows you to mark any building as a gym. From then on, you get paid if you "check-in" at the gym with your mobile phone and stay in that geo-monitored location for more than thirty minutes.

That's right, you get paid for the "training".

Unfortunately (or fortunately), GymPact didn't fall for my trick of turning my local diner into my gym. Just like I imagined in my article on habits:

Wouldn't it be cool if a gym would pay YOU to work out. We'd all be super-sculpted athletes and gyms would be bankrupt. Unfortunately, we are not and they are not.

Alright. So the thought experiment is reality. Why don't we hear more about this phenomenal startup that recently teamed up with my favorite running app, Runkeeper? Let's take a look at why the app works and why it doesn't.

This is how GymPact works

GymPact's registration process is pretty efficient. I chose to sign up online, as opposed to the mobile version, as I still find typing on a smartphone a hassle. GymPact, on the other hand, wants you to be REALLY mobile. So much so that they made their desktop login look like an iPhone interface.

Gympact, fitness studio, home gym, mobile app, fitness app

You start off by setting your pact, or how many days you will commit to going to the gym. The default 3 days per week setting will get you $ 2.10 per week if you meet your pact. The rewards range from $ 0.50 to $ 0.75 per workout.

Set up your mission on the next page. If you miss a workout, the default is $ 5. That's a lot more than $ .50, isn't it? Not fair you say Well, like my fifth grade teacher used to say, "Life is a slut and then you die." Public school is great, and so is this reward-punishment ratio. More on that later.

The steps below are to connect your Facebook account and enter your credit card information so that you can be rewarded or tolerated. If you're concerned about giving your credit card information to a startup, it's time to take a break. The service is PCI (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliant though, so I wouldn't sweat it out. You will be charged a dime to verify your credit card.

Gympact, fitness studio, home gym, mobile app, fitness app

The evidence is in the database

Your first task as a GymPact participant is to tag your gym. They claim that their gym database is made up of 40,000 gyms. My local diner was not in the database even though it was named "Mau's Crossfit". There's an idiot and a CrossFit gym every day, but GymPact isn't an idiot and a diner isn't a gym. At least not without a review. I really thought I found a crack in their system until I received this email about twenty minutes after checking in:

Hello Mauricio Balvanera,

We're sorry – we checked out your gym. Mau’s Crossfit has not yet been able to verify it.

Due to GPS verification, we cannot count home, apartment or office gyms. It is also difficult for us to review new establishments, smaller / niche establishments, and establishments with less web presence.

If you think there's a bug, just send your gym name, website, address, and phone number to corrects@gym-pact.com so we can look back! Until then, the workouts you've done here don't count towards your pact.

Thank you very much,

The GymPact team

My cheesecake wasn't that tasty anymore. I was not alone in my subversive approach. Your now removed Youtube demo video was full of commentators trying to play the system.

Why GymPact works

Game designers often examine the delicate balance of reward and punishment systems. As do economists. As do sports psychologists. There is a human nature incentive system that makes the concept of GymPact a breeze. But just as game designers and economists are constantly tweaking the system to rebalance the game, you may also have to rebalance a little yourself.

But don't twist it too much. Try this combo from $ 5 to $ 0.50. The one step forward, ten step back system will keep you struggling hard to take these small steps. I actually find it analogous to how our own body reacts to inconsistent or inefficient training.

GymPact claims to have a ninety percent effective rate. This may or may not be an exaggerated marketing marker, but the fact that the app forces you to at least be in the gym will most likely get you into a workout.

Gympact, fitness studio, home gym, mobile app, fitness app

Why GymPact doesn't work

After my incident with Cheese Danes, I found an alternative way to play the system in low places with the help of friends. There is no need to post the hack, but the point is that the system is bugged in a way that affects the entire system. The successful payout pool effectively comes from an unsuccessful pool with errors.

I'm not suggesting that people's first reaction will be to hack the system, but anyone who relies on monetary compensation as the primary reward for training will likely fall into this category. And that brings us to the most important flaw in the system.

Why are you exercising I immediately thought of Simon Sinek's Ted Talk, How Great Leaders Inspire. Check it out later because it's a rabbit hole from fantastic. But the basic premise is that great people succeed because the “why” of their goal overshadows the “what” and “how”. If you train because you look forward to the cash payout, you will fail. Maybe not. You will. If you are exercising because you want to be healthier and happier, now let's get to something.

Cash withdrawals can act as a secondary motivational tool but shouldn't be your primary drive and therefore GymPact needs to be more than a withdrawal machine to be successful.

So should I be using GymPact?

Yes sir. It's not a perfect system, but the social checkins help tremendously and the RunKeeper integration is a big update. All runs (as well as walks and bike rides) recorded by RunKeepers GPS count as workouts. This is as long as you:

  • At least 1/2 a mile away.
  • At least 30 minutes of activity where your pace is over two miles per hour (but slower than driving a car!). When in doubt, 5 extra minutes of walking, running or cycling never hurts.
  • For a maximum of 3 hours.

The app is currently only free for iOS, but there will be an Android version soon. The Danish cheese is sold separately.

24 Nov
Blog

5 Mistakes You’re Making When Ordering Gym Shirts

Ordering clothes for your gym should be fun. Cool gear should be a way to bring the community together and pocket some extra cash. But time and again I see gym owners giving up the process or avoiding it because of the stress and confusion that comes with it.

I see this because I run a bespoke clothing store myself. I've seen the mistakes most people make. So here are my recommended strategies to avoid the headache and just focus on what really matters – bringing your community together.

Too many options and styles

Did you know that people actually buy less when they have more options? If you want to know why choosing is demotivating for customers and consumers, read the Columbia Jam Study. Essentially, the study focused on a jam tasting booth set up in a popular grocery chain. On different weekends they tested the following:

  • On a Saturday the booth had 24 different jams to choose from.
  • The following Saturday the booth would only have six different jams.

It found that with less choice, the stall sold more jam jars. This has been repeatedly tested with different products in different studies.

So where exactly are the pitfalls when ordering sportswear? For one, customers don't have time to think about which shirt color they want. They just want someone to show them the best option, not all of the options. So, yes, you've probably designed a shirt that will work ten different colors, but that doesn't mean you should use it and have all of those shirts made.

Often people come to us who want every color shirt we offer. We try to talk them out of this, but sometimes people just ignore our advice. Then when they reorder they will tell us: "I sold out color X, but I still have a whole box of color Y left!" In these situations, groupthink or the herd mentality takes over. When five to six people start buying the blue shirt, they all want a blue shirt and you get stuck with the box of red shirts. When in doubt, keep it simple.

Many owners believe that ordering different styles is the golden ticket to selling. But just because a person wants a V-neck doesn't mean you should fit that one person in. Gym owners tend to get out of hand and want six different styles for women. Just offer a women's t-shirt, a women's tank top, a men's t-shirt, and a men's tank top. Keep everything simple.

Too many cooks in the kitchen

You are a busy gym owner. You don't have time to coordinate the clothes ordering, but you know you need one. You instruct the office manager to place the order. In return, he or she asks his friends for help, who in turn ask the rest of the gym for help.

You've essentially turned your chance of winning into a three-ring circus by inviting outsiders to a pseudo-committee decision-making process. Keep the dress code between you and some trusted counselors. Sure, ask for outsider feedback, but if this is for your bottom line and branding then you should have the final say.

No clear branding

Are you the type of owner who just isn't happy with the way your gym is branded? Have tried different logos and fonts and nothing just seems to stick to you? Well the secret is that that's the problem. You need to stick with a logo and branding message.

Think all the big brands you see on a daily basis, from Apple to Rogue Fitness. All of their branding is the same from day one. Apple doesn't bring a new logo to market every year for every new product launch. Successful companies stick to their branding in good times and bad. Find some type of branding that shows what you and your business is about and stick with it.

No pre-order

You chose to order tanks on behalf of women's group training because you think you know their size. Or you “don't have time to pre-order” and just ordered twenty of each size.

Wrong move! This is also due to a chance of winning. Take the time to organize your pre-order carefully and eliminate excess inventory issues.

Delay in sales of shirts

We know you are crammed with time commitments. We also deal with it every day. However, if you delay your clothing order, you could be leaving hundreds of dollars a month on the table. Selling clothing is one of the most passive sources of income you can have in your business.

To conclude, before you get stressed about your next clothing order, take a minute to organize yourself, cut out the noise, and remember the main reasons you wanted shirts in the beginning.

Photo 1 courtesy of Jorge Huerta Photography.

Photos 2 & 3 courtesy ofShutterstock.

24 Nov
Blog

4 Tips for Smarter Strength Training

4 tips for smarter strength training – AnytimeStrength

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24 Nov
Blog

MYX II Plus Fitness Bike Review: Watch Out Peloton

Stretching during an Openfit bike training session.

MYX II Plus

RRP $ 1,600.00

"The MYXfitness MYX II Plus fitness bike is a worthy competitor to other models on the market, and it's pretty good business too."

advantages

  • Solid construction

  • Two streaming workout service providers

  • Including additional equipment

As the saying goes, it's always a good time to get in shape. At least that's what the doctor says. With a wide variety of home fitness equipment and streaming services to choose from, it's just getting easier to do just that. A typical example is the MYX II bike. This sleek stationary bike is easy to adjust for height and resistance, and offers a variety of courses you can take on and off the bike for a full-body training experience.

First class bike delivery

Let's face it, exercise bikes aren't easy. Many new models of stationery have a display assembly, so it's not that easy to just pick up and put in a home studio. The MYX II has a 21.5-inch touchscreen that can be rotated 360 degrees. The monitor also has 20 watt speakers. The bike weighs a whopping 134 pounds and the flywheel weighs 41 pounds. The entire device measures 47 x 54 x 21 inches. Even though there are wheels in the front to lift the bike up and put it in place, we're still glad we didn't have to do it ourselves.

MYX II fitness bike and fitness accessories.

The bike comes with a free delivery service wearing white gloves. A third-party company (for us XPO Logistics) delivers the bike, sets it up and puts away the packaging. This whole experience was definitely top notch. The company contacted us to set a delivery day and delivery time and MYXfitness provided information on how to prepare the area. This was definitely handy and made the whole process a lot faster. The company recommends creating a space that can accommodate the bike mat, which is approximately 4 x 6 feet.

Our two suppliers, David and Henry, were professional and took the time to explain how to adjust the bike. You set up everything, including assembling the display and connecting the power supply. They also provided the yoga mat, set of weights (you can choose the size), kettlebell, foam roller, resistance bands, and a Polar heart rate monitor.

Lots of extras

The MYX II offers many extras and training options as well as all of the above fitness equipment. If you don't need these extras, save $ 200 and get the MYX II – that's the bike, heart monitor, and screen for all classes.

The courses last from 10 minutes to 60 minutes, so there is really something for every fitness level.

When setting up the bike for the first time, you can choose between Openfit and Beachbody's BODi streaming services. Both offer a variety of workouts, cycling classes, and nutritional content. In addition to rides (for all fitness areas), the course also includes barre, Pilates, cardio, strength training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), walking, kickboxing, yoga, meditation and stretching. The courses last from 10 minutes to 60 minutes, so there is really something for every fitness level.

As mentioned above, the bike also comes with a Polar OH1 heart rate monitor that is synchronized with the training sessions. You place the monitor in the wristband and wear it during exercise. You can see your heart rate on the screen whether you are exercising or taking a ride. In our tests, it took about two weeks before we had to recharge the device.

Ride and train

We chose the Openfit service largely because it has a wider range of live and on-demand courses, including Xtend Barre with Andrea Rogers. The subscription costs $ 39 per month (nearly the cost of an average gym membership – depending on the gym). You can also set up multiple users in the Openfit app so everyone in the family can have a personalized experience.

Before properly starting your workout, do a zone ride so the bike can determine your fitness level. You are encouraged to take the ride first thing in the morning before you have a cup of coffee. The 20-inute ride is brutal, and for good reason – the goal is to set your heart zone rates so you should definitely be pushing your limits.

Track your stats while you train with Openfit.

Before starting this ride, you need to sync the Polar monitor with the bike. There are also options to sync with an Apple Watch. There really aren't any instructions on how to sync the monitor to the bike, so it took a little research (and a cup of coffee – yes, yes, that zone ride would just have to wait another day) to determine that you need to download the Polar app . You don't actually sync it with the Openfit app. As soon as you synchronize the monitor with the Polar app via Bluetooth, the device synchronizes with the bike immediately. The good news is that if the monitor doesn't sync during Openfit classes, you'll be notified on the screen – so you can touch an option on the screen to sync it. The classes indicate whether they work with the heart monitor.

The instructors are solid overall, they all seem to have their own style and are all approachable. The music for the classroom ranges from 90s hip hop to country to the top 40 and everything in between. You can adjust how loud you want the music to be compared to the teacher's voice.

Our opinion

We tested the bike and its accessories for about two months and really saw how it improves home gym play. We're not going to say the bike was comfortable to ride, but it was ergonomically correct. After all, that's what these special bike shorts are for. You can clip in your own cycling shoes if you wish.

Training on the bike is definitely a solid workout, but it is also a fantastic warm-up before taking any other classes. I found myself stronger than when I started and I'm almost ready to do this zone ride again to enjoy my overall improvement.

We ended up having to download two apps to our phone (Openfit and Polar) which is fine because it gives you the full experience. The Openfit app syncs with the streaming service on the bike so you can see all of your stats in one place which is a plus. There's a lot to do in the app like log weight, track your food, schedule workouts, see which workouts are live, and find some healthy recipes.

If you hate going to the gym but you love all classes and want a complete system at home, this could be the perfect solution for you.

Is there a better alternative?

There are many other exercise bikes on the market including models from Peloton, NordicTrack, and many other exercise bike manufacturers. One of the main features that make these models stand out is the classes and the instructors. It will be a personal choice. Or maybe you'd prefer to skip the bike and get a fitness mirror instead, or sign up for streaming exercise classes.

How long it will take?

Exercise bikes can last up to 20 years, but maintenance is important. A one-year guarantee is provided on the touchscreen, fitness accessories (purchased from MYXFitness), bike components and pedals, and labor. The structural framework has a five-year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

If you are looking for a stationary bike, this model will not disappoint. You can use your own cycling shoes, and there is so much control over the intensity levels that it works for those just starting out on an exercise program. as well as long-time fans of cycling courses.

It comes with a lot of solid extras that give you everything you need to take part in other Beachbody or Openfit courses. Let's not forget the Polar heart rate monitor that pairs with the bike. At the end of the day, it's pretty good business considering everything you can get for $ 1,599.

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