24 Feb
Blog

Emporio Armani Smartwatch 3 Review

emporio armani smartwatch 3 review ea front

Emporio Armani Smartwatch 3

"The few positive aspects of the Emporio Armani Smartwatch 3 cannot convince us to pay the high price."

  • Ideal for casual fitness tracking

  • Decent EA watch face collection

  • Heart rate tracking, GPS and NFC on board

  • Mundanes design

  • Tired WearOS software

  • Price higher than the competition

  • Uncomfortable rubber strap

There was a time when wearing an Armani suit was pretty much all you needed to make the right impression. Intelligent, refined and noble quality has never been a problem. Unfortunately, since Emporio Armani published his name on Touchscreen-Wear OS smartwatches, he has not been able to capture the same cache. I've worn the latest Emporio Armani Smartwatch 3, and although there's nothing fundamentally wrong with it, I've never loved wearing it the way I would with an Armani suit and in a world full of designer wear OS -Watches with similar mediocre performance, that's a problem.

design

Before we look at the look and materials of the watch, its name is the beginning of the problem. If you want to buy this model, you should look for the Emporio Armani Smartwatch 3 or ART5024 as shown in our pictures. This number three and the generic name are the only things that differentiate it from previous EA smartwatches. Just give it a real name, for heaven's sake. It could only make it more memorable, something that it is not currently.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

We come to the topic of design to be unforgettable. It's a bit of "Smartwatch 101". The round body has some studs, a crown, two buttons, and a circular touchscreen, all of which are placed in the areas you expect. There is nothing that says as sophisticated as you can expect from the brand. There is no stylistic boom that will get someone to take a second look. The hard-wearing rubber strap is very long and very easy to grip, and the zookeeper often caught my wrist hair when I tried to move it over the wristband because it grips like an overzealous limpet. I would recommend choosing one of the metal or leather alternatives over this annoying rubber strap.

On a positive note, there are some pretty colors that breathe life into it, with the burnt orange of my device and an option for metallic blue, both of which look great. Replace the strap or buy the model with the stainless steel bracelet first, and the look will improve but not significantly. The aluminum case is slim and light, making it easy to carry regardless of your outfit. The 44mm case is quite large; It was clearly designed for men. On my test device, an annoying scratch appeared on the edge of the screen, which affected its appearance.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Let me be clear. The Emporio Armani Smartwatch 3 is not ugly at all, it is only understated to boredom and has no identity. The bracelet consists of two straight pieces of rubber, the buttons have no texture and the bezel is a black, slightly angled edge – and nobody looks at it twice. There's nothing obvious that connects it to the desirable brand Emporio Armani unless you look closely at the crown to see the engraved logo. In a few months, ask me to remember what the watch looked like and I will respond. "What watch?"

Software and performance

The Smartwatch 3 has Google's built-in Wear operating system, which is supported by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100 platform, as well as a heart rate sensor, NFC and a microphone / speaker combination for making calls on the watch. The Wear OS has not changed significantly in recent years and feels tired while the control system is bleak and out of date. This is why the design of a Wear OS smartwatch is so important. It is really the only thing that can distinguish it. Wear OS is not particularly good. So buying decisions depend on how good a watch looks and with options like Diesel On Fadelite and On Axial (or Misfit Vapor X, Michael Kors Access, Fossil Gen 5 – the list goes on, really) Emporio Armani's efforts are easy to ignore.

The only Armani-specific software feature is the collection of dials that are diverse and well designed. There's an option for everyone here, with classic styles, modern digital options, and some EA-centered versions. Even if you don't like them, there are many more in the Google Play Store. Third-party apps are also running on the watch, but too many are installed at your own risk, as this noticeably slows performance. Oddly enough, you have to install Google Maps and Google Play Music yourself as they are not preinstalled, although they are useful parts of the smartwatch experience.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Initial setup is also a tedious process, with multiple updates and far too many passwords and conditions to apply. It's a 30 minute session to make it work. The navigation takes place with swiping and tapping. The response time is average, but never nearly as fast as with the Apple Watch. At least the 1.3-inch AMOLED screen is attractive and pleasant to look at. The EA Smartwatch 3 has a rotating crown that makes life a little easier, especially when scrolling through the notification screen or when adjusting the music volume.

Notifications are displayed in a long list. They are interactive, meaning you can reply to messages, emails and tweets, either with predefined replies or with your voice. However, sometimes I got the same email notifications over and over again, which was frustrating and detracting from the usefulness of the watch. This additional burden of notifications is in direct contradiction to one of the main reasons that smartwatches try to minimize. Unfortunately, I have had the same experience with many other Wear OS smartwatches. So it's more of a software problem than a problem that only occurs with this model.

It's not all bad. The cards that are swiped to the left and that show Google Fit, the weather, and your calendar are useful. Sometimes it is convenient to respond to notifications on the watch. Google Pay is also on board for contactless payments. The special surrounding dials increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the watch as you can always see the time on the screen. The performance is sufficient for pre-installed apps and general use. Overall, it's significantly better than older Wear OS watches, with only occasional slowdowns that are irritating. But fairly average for the current generation of Wear OS devices, and still miles away from the standard fluidity and support seen on the Apple Watch.

Fitness tracking

Google Fit is the proprietary platform for health and fitness tracking. However, since Wear OS can run other apps, you can add Strava, Runkeeper, Endomundo and some others for certain sports. However, Google Fit is a great workout companion for my needs. It shows all the metrics I want – steps, heart rate, calorie consumption and intensity – in a clear and precise way. It is also easy to use and accessible. In conjunction with the lower button on the Armani watch, you can use the menu that appears to measure your heart rate or start a workout. Google Fit also has a guided breathing feature that lasts two minutes and is based on mindfulness and even breathing techniques.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Smartwatches are useful as a fitness tracker and training partner. The design of the Smartwatch 3 still looks at home in the gym, it hasn't been excessively sweaty under the strap, and the slim body means the risk of bumping into devices is low. Google Fit is great software that works smoothly and effectively on the Smartwatch 3, but is still best suited for the occasional fitness fan.

Battery life

The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100 platform is more efficient than the old Snapdragon 2100 platform. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that you can reach two days on a single charge without drastically reducing functionality. A single day is appropriate with moderate use. This includes about an hour of fitness and heart rate measurement. The charging process takes place via a plastic magnetic base. It takes an hour to fully charge the battery.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The Smartwatch 3 has a choice of battery extension modes with certain features disabled to ensure the battery lasts longer. Advanced mode turns off the permanently on display, sound, WiFi, heart rate tracking, tilt and touch to wake up the screen, and voice control, and limits the Bluetooth connection between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. If these measures are taken, the watch will last for approximately 48 hours when fully charged. A time-only mode does exactly what it says – no notifications or anything – but it will stretch the battery for about a week.

But of course, such modes reduce the sense of a smartwatch, especially the way it works. I was only able to see the time in advanced mode when I pressed the side button, and can only see the time in time mode. If you want both "intelligent" and "observing" functions, they must be put into normal mode and charged daily. What I like is that the watch automatically goes into a power saving mode when the battery is empty, so I can see the time even when the smart functions are turned off. Practically at the end of a long day.

Price and availability

The Emporio Armani Smartwatch 3 or ART5024 in this color scheme is now available for $ 395 or £ 370 – the same price as an entry-level Apple Watch. It's also more than $ 100 more than several other WearOS smartwatches with the same specs and features.

Our opinion

The Emporio Armani Smartwatch 3 is as general as the name suggests. Although it bears the name Armani, it lacks flair and stylistic attention and is just too expensive. While there are aspects that are good – fitness tracking, contactless payments, quick charging and an attractive screen – the reserved design doesn't make us want to pick it up and put it on – an important selling point for the flooded Wear OS watch market , Emporio Armani has to develop a design that is recognizable as his own, instead of being content with something so ordinary.

What are the alternatives?

We'll say it aloud for those in the background: if you own an iPhone, buy an Apple Watch! Don't buy a smart watch with Wear OS if you don't have to, as the ownership experience is subpar when using an iPhone. Apple's WatchOS software is light years ahead, there are many customization options, and Apple has traditionally supported the software for several years. Health tracking is also second to none. Prices start at $ 400 – the same price as the Armani Smartwatch 3.

If you have an Android phone, we recommend the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 for $ 280, which contains the optimized Tizen software instead of Wear OS. It is more fluid, easier to use and more attractive at the same time. It's not perfect, but better than Wear OS. However, the Watch Active 2's design isn't particularly good, and that's where the better Wear OS watch options come in.

The Diesel On Axial looks great, and we'll put up with the Wear OS software for it, while the $ 295 Fossil Gen 5 smartwatch does everything the Armani watch does for less. Misfits' minimalist design also gets it right with the $ 280 Vapor X. Finally, consider the $ 275 Huawei Watch GT2 if you prefer simplicity and solid design over endless apps and features.

How long it will take?

The battery is always the weak link of a smartwatch. It will deteriorate over time and may affect daily use after a few years. However, people keep smartwatches longer than smartphones, so owning three or four years is quite possible. Google has ignored Wear OS for years. So don't expect any major changes in the near future based on your current track record.

The watch itself will be relatively durable with a water resistance of up to 50 meters, but in the short amount of time it's attached to the wrist, the case or screen (it's hard to tell which exactly) was scratched on the edge, which leaves an obvious consequence of marking and raising concerns about build quality. The strap is attached with quick release pins so that it can easily be exchanged for another.

Should you buy one?

No. While a smartwatch is a great accessory for your phone, you have to buy the right one to ensure a good user experience. Unfortunately, the Emporio Armani Smartwatch 3 is far superior to the better Wear OS smartwatches without having a real reason to buy.

Editor's recommendations




23 Feb
Blog

Spa And Wellness Trends For 2020

At the beginning of 2020 we are looking forward to the spa and wellness trends that we expect for the skin care industry. To use the business for the coming year, we turned to our in-house experts for the spa industry. Jessica Timberlake, How Eminence OrganicsPR manager and member of the executive committee on the board of directors of International Spa Association (ISPA)Jessica is on the cutting edge of this year's latest trends. Read on for their full forecast for 2020:

Eminence Organics Stone Crop Revitalizing body scrub

Spa Trends

Waterless treatments

Environmentally conscious spas are looking for ways to limit excessive water consumption. According to the EPA, standard shower heads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute! By creating waterless treatment protocols, also for body treatments, spas can reduce water consumption. The products in our Stone Crop Body Collection were developed with this in mind so that spas can offer a waterless body treatment.

personalization

Spas have traditionally set service standards to provide a unified experience for all guests. Spas are now moving away from this “rinse and repeat” service model and customize each spa visitor's visit to their personal preferences. In just two examples of treatment rooms equipped with a Bluetooth sound system, guests can play their favorite music during the service, or beauticians can customize your home care recommendations to as many or as few steps as you like.

Prediction of ingredients for skin care

organically

There is no doubt about it – clean beauty is now mainstream. As an organic skin care brand, before it was a trend, we tried to find the purest of the pure ingredients for our products. Biodynamic® ingredients have been a cornerstone of our ingredient philosophy for years. Now we can see that more and more companies understand the importance of Biodynamic® ingredients that are grown in accordance with the seasons and the orientation of the earth, moon and stars. As a tip, look for the Demeter International seal to ensure that the ingredients have been certified.

Crystals & gemstones

Now in water bottles, on fashion tracks, in yoga mats and even in jewelry collars for your furbabies – crystals and gemstones are practically synonymous with wellness! Those who incorporate crystals and gemstones into their daily lives believe that the stones transmit energy vibrations that harmonize the natural rhythm of the body. Whether it is about absorbing crystal-impregnated water, applying skin care based on gemstones or simply absorbing the energy of a piece of rose quartz on your desk, crystals and gemstones will be a cornerstone of the beauty and wellness room in the coming year.

Wellness Trends

luck

Happiness is a trend and yes, it is everywhere in the spa industry! At the Women in Wellness Summit of the American Spa magazine, finding happiness in yourself, in your company, and in your relationships was an important topic. Whether you're a spa professional or a spa visitor, the ubiquitous conversation about happiness will surely have a positive impact on you. Finding ways to incorporate simple “happiness practices” throughout the day has a ripple effect: you get a facial from a happy beautician, feel happy, and return to your family or friends and literally spread the cheers.

Just for fun, here is one of our favorite ways to get a boost. Take three minutes and write down three things you are grateful for – and be precise. For example, don't just say "flowers", but "the violets that bloomed on my kitchen window sill". Now encourage someone near you to do the same.

Woman practices yoga

individuality

In close agreement with the spa trend of personalization is the understanding that wellness is really an individual practice. Some examples of wellness activities are cooking a fresh meal, running, a painting course or sitting in silent meditation. But maybe running scares you so a yoga class feels better for you. Or you are clumsy in the kitchen, so a vegetarian dinner from the farm to the table in a local restaurant appeals to you more. Regardless of how you practice wellness, listen to your individual needs and make 2020 the year in which you set priorities. Fortunately, the spa and wellness world offers more opportunities to relax than ever before.

Would you like to find out more about upcoming spa and wellness trends and industry training? Find out more about Eminence Organic Skin Care and apply to our authorized partner program.

Why work with us

23 Feb
Blog

A Comprehensive Guide to Unilateral Training for Injury-Free Training and Performance

Getting strong is pretty easy: move heavy weight in the classic compound lifts– deadlifts, squats, bench press and military press. If you can put large numbers in these elevators, congratulations, you are strong.

But the story doesn't end here. The story really begins with the complementary work that hopefully will enable you to continue to gain weight in the long term in a healthy and sustainable way. After all, it is difficult to get strong if you are constantly dealing with injuries after injuries. We believe that one-sided training (one arm, one leg, etc.) has an extremely positive impact on health, stability, coordination and the balance of the joints.

There should be periods in a cyclical, periodized and progressive program year where the focus is definitely on the classic compound lifts where these one-sided movements are purely complementary, and periods during the year when they can get a little into the year more in the spotlight.

For example, if you are sometimes a powerlifter (or exercise like a powerlifter) throughout the year, it can be very valuable to move away from the classic barbell lifts and introduce barbell or kettlebell variations to fix weaknesses and at the same time provide some recovery to enable heavy compound lifting.

Below are some examples of variations on single arm, single leg, and barbell exercises to promote injury-free hard training. Let the rep range determine the load,

The one-armed dumbbell bench press

Do 3 sets of 10 to 20 per arm with a 60 second pause.

The one-arm dumbbell shoulder press

Do 3 sets of 15 to 20 per arm with a 60 second pause.

One arm breakaway rows

Do 3 sets of 10-15 per arm with a 30-60 second pause.

One-arm row of dumbbells

Do 3 sets of 10 to 20 per arm with a 30 to 60 second pause.

Lift the dumbbell to the side

Perform 3 sets of 10-20 with a 30-60 second pause.

Clean and press the one-armed kettlebell

Do 3 sets of 10-15 per arm with 30 seconds rest.

One-armed overhead walking lungs

Do 3 sets of 15m with a kettlebell or barbell (each arm) for 30-60 seconds rest.

Single leg step ups

Complete 3 sets of 15-20.

Double front rack step ups

Perform 3 sets of 10-15 with two light kettlebells.

Single leg RDLs

Do 3 sets of 10-15 with a light / medium weight kettlebell.

Keep it simple

Keep things simple, The last couple of repetitions should be hard and you should leave 2-3 in the tank. You can make these supplements progressive by increasing the load (weight), the volume (number of sets), the rest period (reduction of the rest period from week to week) or by changing all three variables.

Remember to add new exercise variations every 4 to 12 weeks or when you feel that progress has stalled. This means that you cannot add more weight without affecting the technique.

23 Feb
Blog

2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster Review: Listen To That V12 Sing

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster

2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster Review: Listen to this V12 vocals

"Track-focused roadsters are often a contradiction, but the SVJ makes it easy to ignore mismatches."

  • Breathtaking looks

  • Incredible handling

  • The dashboard display looks good

  • The V12 engine is a technical masterpiece

  • Unrefined transmission

  • Infotainment is out of date

When Lamborghini took me to Libson, Portugal, to put the new Aventador SVJ coupe through its paces on a former F1 race track, I went into great detail about the technology required to put the Aventador into a world-class super sports car to transform. The SVJ coupe had recently claimed the coveted place as the fastest production car around the famous Nürburgring, and the Lamborghini people were proud of their performance.

Of course, the standard Aventador S with 730 hp is not a gap on the route. A lot has changed in the field of super sports cars since the debut of the Aventador in 2011. With competent submissions from McLaren and Porsche, Lamborghini knew that it would take more than an increase in performance to top the list of the most challenging street circuit in the world. Therefore, the engineers developed a multi-layered strategy to improve all key elements of the Aventador's performance. This led to a track-oriented iteration, which became the Super Veloce Jota Coupé.

Nowadays, the debut of a drop-top variant of a car manufacturer's super sports car is a matter of course not long after the coupé has hit the road. But given the SVJ coupe's hardcore focus, it's still a bit surprising. Dynamic compromises can arise if the roof is chopped. Will the SVJ's full appeal in pursuing open-air thrills be dampened?

Inside and outside

The Aventador SVJ Roadster is limited to just 800 units worldwide and costs from $ 573,966. It is a showcase of the latest and greatest Lamborghini street technology.

Like its hardtop counterpart, the SVJ Roadster is moved by a modified version of the 6.5-liter V12 of the Aventador, which now features reworked cylinder heads, new titanium valves and torque of 759 hp and 531 pound-feet of torque, and revised intake ports. Power is delivered to all four bends through a fourth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system, and gears continue to be replaced through Lamborghini's automated seven-speed single clutch manual transmission. It is said to be good for a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds on the way to the roadster's top speed of 217 mph.

If a model in Lamborghini's range currently embodies the heart and soul of the brand, it is this.

That's just a tenth slower than the Coupé's straight-line sprint while matching at the top. Most of this additional mass is due to the additional structural stiffening required to keep the chassis rigid without a roof. The removable top is a two-piece carbon fiber design that weighs 26 pounds and fits in the frunk.

The SVJ Roadster was developed to cope with curves as well as to devour asphalt. As with the coupé, it benefits from the second generation of the Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva, Lamborghini's patented active aerodynamic system.

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster

ALA 2.0 takes active aerodynamics to a higher level than its rivals and not only increases downforce and drag, but can also direct airflow to the inner wheels while cornering at high speeds for more downforce on the unladen side of the Vehicle and the steering angle required to keep the car through a bend where you want.

As with all Aventador models, the SVJ Roadster benefits from a rear axle steering system that was first introduced on the Aventador S. It rotates the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front wheels at lower speeds to improve agility and responsiveness. At higher speeds, both the front and rear wheels move in the same direction to improve stability at high speeds.

When it comes to setting the pace, you can fall back on the standard carbon-ceramic brake system, which consists of six-piston brake calipers and 15.7-inch discs at the front, as well as four-piston units and 15-inch rotors behind there.

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster

Inside, the roadster is not far from the SVJ coupe. As with the rest of the Aventador range, the cockpit-like design is divided by a large, raised center console, which houses the standard HVAC and infotainment controls, the Jet Fighter-like ignition button and the driving mode selector switch and consist of four options – Strada, Sport, Corsa and user configurable ego mode.

The digital instrument cluster offers beautiful graphics and nice model-specific details such as ALA system information in real time, which help to give the procedure a reason. The infotainment system in the middle stack looks outdated. The utility is greatly improved by a recent update that bought Apple CarPlay. However, using it is a bit more cumbersome than it should be because it doesn't offer touch support.

Steering

The Aventador SVJ Roadster is a car that demands the attention of everyone nearby – from eye-catching colors to wild aero elements. And if the look doesn't make people turn their heads, the motor will certainly do it.

While all competitors from Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche switched to turbocharging and hybridization, Lamborghini held on to its weapons with the large twelve-cylinder power plant of the Aventador. Although this makes a significant contribution to the Lambo's miserable 11 mpg fuel consumption, the SVJ delivers more linearity – and sounds much better – than boosted power plants.

It sounds absolutely incredible, a property that is becoming increasingly rare in the age of forced induction.

Like the SVJ Coupé, the Roadster is also equipped with a light exhaust system with a central exit. With the top down and the rear window down, it's easy to understand why Lamborghini resisted the trend. The mill howls to its redline at 8,500 rpm, echoes its song from the canyon's walls, and announces every off-throttle maneuver with a lively crack, crackle and pop from these fiery pipes. It sounds absolutely incredible, a property that is becoming increasingly rare in the age of forced induction.

It should come as no surprise that the Roadster, since it is basically the SVJ Coupé with a removable roof, behaves similarly to its hardtop counterpart that is tailored to the racetrack. As such, the car feels most at home when driven hard, and only comes into play when you have ventured into three-digit speeds.

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster

In the city, the single clutch transmission is not in its element at the typical commuter pace, with slow gear changes that occur early and often. There are pronounced gaps in power output when the drive mode is set to Strada, the Aventador's quietest option.

On a positive note, the suspension is surprisingly compliant given the SVJ's mission. I found that setting the dampers to Strada, the drivetrain to Corsa (including manually controlled paddle shifting) and steering to sport resulted in the most comfortable behavior in daily driving.

The SVJ Roadster was a pleasure on the winding asphalt around the San Bernardino National Forest, where I was able to repeat my experience on the route with the coupe more precisely. Even the gearbox makes sense out there and provides almost instant upshift at full throttle with the kick of a repeating rifle.

All the effort that Lamborghini puts into the chassis is noticeable. Although the active Aero is only used at speeds that go far beyond the legally permissible limit, the Aventador SVJ Roadster is a pleasure to drive meaty Pirelli PZero Corsa tires thanks to its fast rack, the well-coordinated all-wheel steering system and the speed who wears it.

In the right circumstances, it's an exciting, visceral thing for the pilot, and digging the roof adds to the intensity.

How DT would configure this car

I take mine please with Verde scandal paint, sports seats, black calipers and bronze wheels.

Should you get one?

For better and for worse, the Lamborghini has refused to follow many industry trends with Aventador. With its successor expected to be announced next year and electrification almost certainly part of its platform, the SVJ Roadster could prove to be not just swan song for this era of the brand, but also for this untamed approach to modern supercar design.

You won't find such an experience for sale anywhere else at the moment. If you appreciate the bliss of a high-revving V12 with full chat and have the opportunity to participate, you should definitely get one.

Do you want more options? Check out our favorite cars from 2020.

Editor's recommendations




23 Feb
Blog

How To Use an Overnight Face Mask For Younger Looking Skin

We all know how difficult it can be to stick to good skin care products overnight. After a long and tiring day, whoever wants to spend time getting around ready for bed instead of just going to bed? However, the consequences of skipping our nightly skincare ritual can be bad. We heard the experts and saw the results of the morning firsthand: dry, irritated skin, clogged pores, maybe even a new blemish or two. Knowing what it is about can make the decision to take a break from the routine less relaxing.

So if we know what's best for us – and regularly apply the energy to complete our nightly skin care routine – why not increase our results and get the best out of our beauty sleep? * Cue overnight facial mask. *

Woman in night face mask in bed looking at phone

"You can never mask enough" Eminence Organics International trainer Katie Rattray tells Canadian life Magazine. We all have skin conditions and concerns that we want to address, from dehydration to pigmentation to large pores. While basic products like cleansing and moisturizing creams can contain additional ingredients to treat these problems, their primary purpose is to cleanse and moisturize them. But the sole The purpose of a face mask is to target certain diseases, making masking one of the most effective skin care treatments. Katie also points out that "sleep masks don't take longer than night cream," so it's wise to do the swap and wake up to a flawless face.

4 advantages of a face mask overnight

If a mask can be effective in 10-15 minutes, what miracles could it do if used all night? If we're lucky enough to get that Recommended amount of sleep, an overnight face mask takes about seven hours to weave its magic. Working with hours means that active ingredients have a longer window of time to treat and beautify the skin.

According to the mind-body expert Dr. Claudia Aguirre, "Transepidermal water loss (think of dehydration) peaks at night". She advises: “It is best to use additional protection to prevent your skin from drying out during sleep, especially in low-humidity climates and in autumn / winter. “Sleeping in a face mask overnight not only binds moisture, but also active ingredients. A mask effectively seals the main components of products that were applied in front of the mask, as well as the mask itself.

The The physical barrier created by a face mask works in both directions: it not only keeps the good things in, but also the bad things out. A night mask protects the skin from dust, dirt and other toxins all night and can be easily rinsed off the next morning.

As moisture loss accelerates at night, cell renewal also accelerates – a process that makes a decisive contribution to slowing down the visible signs of aging skin. "At night, the skin goes into repair mode, new skin cells grow and erase damaged ones," says Dr. Aguirre. A nightly face mask optimizes this regeneration and exposes new skin-moisturizing ingredients that promote the natural renewal process – talk about starting life on the right foot!

How To Night Mask infographic

Try this step-by-step routine for face masks

When you're ready to get a night mask, contact our Product Support Representative Alicia Hawthornesuggests replacing your normal night cream with a night mask once or twice a week. Follow this step-by-step routine from 15 to 30 minutes before bed:

1. Cleanse, tone and apply an essence. You can also use a serum.

2. Apply a thin layer of your night mask – don't forget your neck and cleavage!

3. If necessary, use a towel to protect your pillow.

4. Slumber!

5. Wake up, rinse, and finish with your favorite serum and SPF day cream.

Cream-based masks are better absorbed into the skin

While a night face mask is as easy to apply as a night cream, it should feel as good as one. Gone are the days – or rather the nights – of the hardened removable face masks. Nowadays, the best night masks are creamy and moisturizing so your skin can drink them. "Cream-based masks tend to penetrate the skin better," says Alicia, "where nutrients and other powerful antioxidant-rich ingredients can penetrate deeper for better results."

An important thing to keep in mind is that even if a product is not specifically called a "night mask", it can still be used as an overnight treatment. Below are some of the best night masks from Eminence Organics. Feel free to layer them or mix them in a night mask cocktail – who doesn't like a nightcap for skin care?

Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Mask

For dehydrated skin:

Strawberry and rhubarb mask

This mask works hard while you rest because hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates and plumps the complexion. Strawberries rich in antioxidants have astringent properties that help remove impurities and reduce the appearance of pores.

For problem skin:

Probiotic mask with clear skin

This mask contains an abundance of clarifying and soothing ingredients such as cooling cucumbers that gently tighten and revitalize your skin during sleep. Ingredients such as tea tree, yoghurt and kaolin clay exfoliate and refine your complexion so that you wake up with a clear and radiant appearance.

For signs of aging

Bamboo time correction mask

If you fall asleep at night, you can be sure that this mask will do its job. It contains a formulation that contains our natural retinol alternative, Swiss green apple stem cells and a BioComplex ™ blend of vitamins, the ultimate heroes to fight visible signs of aging.

swelling

Snow mushroom & Reishi Masque

If this water-based mask is diluted with water, it melts into a quick-absorbing cream that is filled with effective ingredients. Reishi mushroom depilates the skin while birch water cleanses and hydrates, so you wake up to a toned and toned complexion.

Curious which mask is best for you during your nightly slumber? Chat with a licensed beautician at one Eminence Organics Partner Spa to find the best products for your skin type and problems.

23 Feb
Blog

Strength Routines for Developing a Strong and Healthy Upper Back

Strength routines to develop a strong and healthy upper back - fitness, training, strength training, shoulder, muscle break, back exercises, rows, upper back, pull-ups, pull-ups

A strong upper back is important to minimize injuries to the shoulder joint and shoulder belt. Many athletes and training enthusiasts love the pressure and pressure exercises: bench press, diagonal press, lowering, dips and overhead presses. To balance these movements and improve the stability of the shoulder joint, however, antagonistic pulling exercises should be incorporated. If these movements are neglected, the risk of injury increases.

I understand that train movements are not popular or are controlled by the "I can lift X weight" mentality, so unfortunately they can be neglected. "How much can you close handle pulldown or bowed row?" You never hear that, do you?

In order to strengthen the upper back / shoulder area, minimize the potential for injury and improve your ability to optimally perform your upper body sporting skills, the following exercises for pulling the upper torso should be integrated in order to emphasize the exercises for most trainees to push the upper body counteracting the front body:

  • Pulldown / chin with a wide grip up to the upper chest
  • Close the pulldown / chin to the upper chest
  • Sweater machine
  • High row
  • feature
  • row
  • Low row
  • Upright row
  • Rear delta machine / curved fly
  • External rotation of the rotator cuff

Think of it this way: for each thrust exercise there should be an opposite pulling exercise. Examples:

  • Overhead press – pulldown with wide or narrow handle, machine sweater
  • Tilt press – high row or face pull
  • Breast press – seated / curved row, low row, rear delta / curved bow tie
  • Push / Immerse – reject upright row

Before we go any further, we need to know two things:

  1. It is literally impossible to isolate a particular muscle only when doing an exercise move. For example, if you perform a side elevation to target your delts, both the anterior and medial deltoid muscles are activated, along with the clavicle head of the pectoralis major (chest) and supraspinatus (a rotator cuff muscle).
  2. Regarding this point, some front muscles are activated when performing traditional back / pulling exercises. During a pulldown with a tight grip and supinated forearms (the palms facing you), for example, the sternal head of the pectoralis major and the long head of the triceps support the lats, teres major and other posterior / pulling muscles.

And then there is the question of the venerable upright row – where does it belong? It's a pulling exercise, but it works with the deltoid muscles that typically occur during anterior tooth / pressure exercises. What a dilemma. Let's go through a basic tutorial on upper back musculature and kinesiology:

When discussing the upper back muscles, two anatomical points and relevant joint movements must be taken into account: the shoulder blade (shoulder blade) and the humerus (upper arm). Shrug up, down, forwards and backwards. This is your shoulder blade in action. Move your upper arm in several directions. This is your humerus articulating on the glenohumeral joint.

Looking at the development of the upper back, the following table shows the details of the movements and the muscles involved:

Strength routines to develop a strong and healthy upper back - fitness, training, strength training, shoulder, muscle break, back exercises, rows, upper back, pull-ups, pull-ups

Training logs for the muscles of the upper back

There are many ways to develop the upper back muscles using a series of movements / exercises with a variety of overload protocols. I have provided a sample exercise that can be used in individual workouts and some set / rep scripts that can be applied to it.

Exercise movements in the upper back for individual workouts:

  • Large handle pulldown
  • Bowed row
  • Upright row
  • pull ups
  • Low row
  • Face pulls
  • row
  • Pulldown with a tight grip
  • Curl biceps
  • High row
  • Rear delta machine
  • machines sweater

Set / repeat script options that can be applied to them:

  • 2 sets of each exercise in 10-14 and 6-10 repetition ranges
  • 2 sets of each exercise in a range of 8-12
  • 3 sets of each exercise in repetition ranges 12-16, 8-12 and 4-8
  • 3 sets of each exercise in a range of 6 to 10 repetitions
  • 1 set of each exercise in a range of 12 to 16 repetitions

Many options work for certain training days. Regardless of whether you exercise two or three days a week with a full body workout or a split routine where your upper body is trained twice a week, you should consider the above-mentioned upper back exercises.

Make sure that you balance all common pushing exercises with pulling exercises in the upper back. Work it as hard as all of your bumps. This approach protects against shoulder injuries, allows you to maintain balanced muscles and improves your ability to perform sporting skills better.

23 Feb
Blog

Wahoo Kickr BIKE Review: Cycle The Alps Without Leaving Home

Kickr

"The ability of the Wahoo Kickr BIKE to simulate a real ride by tipping, shifting and dragging is amazing."

  • Customization

  • Easy to use

  • Integration with external apps

  • construction quality

  • future-proof

The fitness world is constantly looking for innovative ways to make you look and feel good. From hula hoop to shake weight, the fitness industry is a constantly changing animal that clones itself year after year, with minor changes pretending to be "game changers" for your health. Take the exercise bike. Since the word "fitness" became ubiquitous with personal health, the exercise bike is the same as it has been since its introduction. Well, until now.

The Wahoo Kickr BIKE is something new. With an abundance of technologies in its compact frame, the Kickr BIKE offers the most impressive indoor cycling experience available to the public today, both for those who want to improve their cycling game and for those who want to lose a few pounds.

The Kickr BIKE was developed to emulate how a bicycle works in the real world. Conventional exercise bikes have a flywheel that you can manually adjust to increase resistance. On the Kickr BIKE, resistance is changed by magnets and an electric motor that change as you push through the gears, as well as changes in incline. The feeling is similar to driving a real bike.

Get ready for rock and roll

How does a stationary bike change the grade?

The Kickr BIKE is intelligent and can therefore be combined with virtual training programs such as Zwift, in which you can take a virtual ride. The Kickr BIKE either reacts with increased resistance when you drive up a hill or rolls your wheels when you drive down a slope. As you change gear to cope with the hill your avatar is climbing, the Kickr BIKE leans back to match the slope and puts you in a position on the bike that's exactly what you're up against would experience the street.

Before you get to Hill Tackling and avatars, however, you need to set up the Kickr BIKE. First, download the Wahoo app, which you can use to connect to the Kickr BIKE via Bluetooth. It contains numerous instructions for assembly and general FAQs. Once everything is assembled (which took about 20 minutes), all you have to do is plug the Kickr BIKE into a standard outlet and start pedaling.

Kickr bike

With the Kickr BIKE and the free Wahoo app, you can turn yourself and perform simple workouts. This includes adding wind resistance to a trip or using ERG mode. These are independent, advanced functions, but they do not use the full potential of the Kickr BIKE.

Since the Kickr BIKE does not contain a touchscreen and the training programs in the Wahoo app are slightly restricted, the inclusion of training programs from third-party providers such as Zwift is of crucial importance. When you can see a hill rise and the resistance gradually increases naturally, you can focus on your workout. In the meantime, your miles can be logged regardless of the training route chosen by Strava, Apple Health and a number of other fitness apps.

I've never been one for gimmicks, but the Kickr BIKE's ability to simulate a real ride through tipping, shifting, and drag is mind-boggling. Not only because you can concentrate on the task at hand (destroying half a mileage for a new PR), but also because you learn how to be a better cyclist.

The Kickr BIKE is much more fun.

Maybe being a better cyclist isn't on your priority list. If I have to decide whether I want to pay for spin courses or ride the Kickr BIKE in Zwift, the choice is easy. The Kickr BIKE is much more fun.

Addressing cycling enthusiasts

If you are a serious cyclist, there is no comparison. With the adjustability of the Kickr BIKE you can imitate your real bike exactly. There is even a "Bike Fit Wizard" that allows you to take a photo of your personal bike to get accurate numbers for the setup in terms of size. The Kickr BIKE uses standard parts so that you can put on the handlebars, saddle and pedals and even adjust the crank length if necessary.

You can also adapt the Kickr BIKE to your outdoor bike by adapting the gearbox with different drives. It can handle one to three chainrings and 9 to 12 speeds, creating an experience like it is in the real world. It even simulates the small bumps in resistance when changing gears – but with the Kickr BIKE, you never have to worry about losing a chain.

You can adapt the Kickr BIKE to your outdoor bike by adapting the gearbox with different drives.

In addition to adapting the fit and powertrain, the Kickr BIKE can mimic the various shifter configurations from Shimano, Sram and Campagnolo. Whatever you're doing, the Kickr BIKE can keep up.

Technically, yet charming

That was a lot of jargon for the bike nerds, but that's the secret charm of the Kickr BIKE. The marketing of this device makes you believe that only serious cyclists can sort out the intricacies of the Kickr BIKE. Wahoo's incredibly easy-to-use app makes setup and use a breeze.

If you have all the information right in front of you and try out different formats by changing gear or choosing the desired crank length, a beginner can get to know cycling. If you are not interested, the Kickr BIKE has a function called ERG mode, which, in conjunction with a training app, takes over all resistance tasks completely and lets you step on a given power output for interval training or general exercises.

In short, it doesn't matter if you are a cyclist. This is a great exercise bike. Period.

What would keep you from buying a Wahoo Kickr BIKE? The price. At $ 3,499.99, it's certainly not cheap. You also need to sign up for a training program like Zwift to get the most out of all the bike's features. That costs $ 14.99 a month.

In short, it doesn't matter if you are a cyclist. This is a great exercise bike. Period.

If you're just looking for a fitness aid, these prices make a peloton look pretty reasonable, and other exercise bikes are a bargain. Measuring the Kickr on these less intelligent training devices is like comparing your old Nokia 5110 with the iPhone 11.

warranty information

One year material and processing guarantee.

Our opinion

The Wahoo Kickr BIKE has completely changed my view of indoor training. The over 200 miles I covered with the Kickr BIKE was the greatest fun I had indoors with my bike. By bringing the most positive aspects of a real ride to the safety of my home, I don't know how to return to a regular trainer.

Is there a better alternative?

The closest competitor is Tacx & # 39; NEO Bike. It is an intelligent trainer, so it has some similar functions. Instead of tipping the bike to adjust it to the current incline, the Tacx gives a simulated road feeling that essentially mimics the bumpy nature of gravel, cobblestone or slippery roads. At $ 3,200, the Tacx is a little cheaper, but in our estimation, and without driving the Tacx, the Wahoo is the obvious choice due to the ease of use and adaptability of all components.

How long it will take?

The Kickr BIKE feels durable. It is robust and has never creaked or complained about the efforts I have made. Even more impressive is the inclusion of additional, currently unused buttons for future functions by Wahoo. This type of preparation convinced me that the Kickr BIKE only gets better with additional firmware upgrades.

Should you buy it

Yes. The Kickr BIKE revolutionizes indoor cycling from "just one more workout" to a comprehensive experience for anyone who wants to jump on it.

Editor's recommendations




22 Feb
Blog

Our Experts Reveal Their Top 10 Tips For Skin Care

Beautiful skin is not difficult to obtain, but it requires basic know-how. Who could ask better than our internal experts how you can take care of your best fortune? Eminence Organics Product Support Representative Alicia Hawthorne and Alana Henrikson Bring a combined 29 years of aesthetic experience and they have summarized their knowledge in an unshakable set of skin care bids. Here are their top 10 skin care tips that they must follow.

Cleanliness not only stands for piety, but also for divine-looking skin. The first law in skin care is that you remove your makeup every night before bed. It prevents breakouts and premature signs of aging.

Turn this sports mantra into your skin care and protect your skin from the sun. Even if sun damage does not show up immediately, it will occur later. So if you protect yourself from too much UV radiation, you are ahead of the game. Also on cloudy days, make sure to wear sunscreen or a double moisturizer with a sun protection factor such as our Lilikoi Mineral Defense Moisturizer SPF 33.

Every month you have to put your face in the hands of a professional. A monthly review by a beautician means that if a problem like clogged pores develops, you can start treatment before it gets serious.

Don't look for bugs. It may be tempting, but popping and squeezing your problem skin causes an inflammatory response. And once the skin becomes inflamed, it causes hyperpigmentation spots or disrupts collagen production – which leads to dark acne spots or depressed acne scars.

Exfoliate at least once a week (depending on your skin type). This keeps the pores clean, which reduces the pore size.

Woman applying eye cream

The fragile area around our eyes is the first giveaway of aging. Keep it hydrated with eye cream every morning and evening to keep crow's feet and deeper lines at bay.

Serums and oils can solve certain problems, especially dehydration. A serum that contains hyaluronic acid hydrates and prevents signs of aging. It is an ingredient that we naturally have in our body that helps keep the skin beautiful and plump, but we lose it from the age of 25.

Be nice to your skin! Your skin goes through many changes in life due to the environment, stress, hormones and aging. Get plenty of sleep, treat yourself to our recommended home care products, and treat yourself to a facial at the closest Eminence Organics Partner Spa

Which of these 10 golden rules do you prefer to follow? Let us know in the comments or share it with us on social media.

22 Feb
Blog

The 4-Hour Fat Loss Elixir For Busy Lifters

Years ago you were young and had little responsibility. They wanted to build muscle, lose fat and gain superhuman strength. You trained for two hours six days a week. You felt invincible.

Then you have matured and life has changed.

Today you are dealing with high-level work projects, They have family celebrations to attend. Training days six days a week for two hours per session are long gone. You're in luck now if you exercise for an hour two days a week.

The pounds have crept in. You feel lazy and tired. The thought of being in the gym for two hours is as painful as growing grass. You need an iron workout plan that gets you in and out of the gym within four hours or less a week so you can dominate every day.

If only there was someone who could put together the potion that would allow busy lifters to maintain strength and protect muscles while losing stubborn fat.

Well, look! I present the 4-hour fat loss elixir for busy lifters.

Put a stranglehold on your muscle

The first instinct for some lifters is to swap workouts for hours with slow, boring cardio at steady state. I understand because I was there.

Four years ago I lost 14 pounds in one year. Ten came from fat and the remaining four were stolen from muscles. You may think four pounds is not a lot, but it's massive in an athletic 5 "and 170lb frame.

Imagine putting up four lean, delicious 16-ounce steak fillets. Now imagine these fillets as thick muscle plates on your back, chest, shoulders or arms.

It is the difference between a "thin fat" body and a muscular body,

It makes a difference whether you have enough muscle to fill a medium or large shirt.

Learn from my mistakes. If you want to show a slim and muscular body, don't skimp on weights.

A calorie deficit is required for you to lose body fat. You need to burn more calories than you consume, If you're in a calorie deficit, maintaining strength and muscles is key. When you consume fewer calories, your body wants to draw energy from every available source. Sometimes it wants to enjoy muscles.

Don't let that happen. Your body needs a reason to protect your hard earned muscle. Lifting weights is the solution. If you consistently practice the three mechanisms for muscle growth during a fat loss phase, you will keep a muscular body during fat loss. What are you?

Mechanism 1: mechanical tension

This is the process of progressive overloading or an increase in strength over time, You need to generate as much force as possible across the entire range of motion.

In rare cases, someone has to do their maximum with one repetition on one elevator. You should do repetitions in the range of 3-5. Pull the right muscles together and lift the weight with maximum strength with each rep.

Mechanism 2: muscle damage

Do you have to forget your muscles? No!

You can cause muscle damage in several ways. Create muscle damage using a slower pace for the eccentric (unloaded) part of an exercise, change an angle to target another part of a muscle, increase weight, or stretch a muscle under tension.

Mechanism 3: metabolic stress

Here you chase the pump. It is the time at the end of a set when your muscles are exhausted and you feel a deep burn.

The more muscles you have, the more calories you burn. Lifters with a higher muscle-to-fat ratio have increased energy consumption at rest. 3Even if you don't have a lot of time, you burn more calories while doing nothing because you have made lifting a priority,

The best approach for you is to lift to protect your muscles. Use your diet to lose fat. If you need a reminder, repeat this message for yourself or go to the old school and write it 100 times on a board like a child sent into detention:

"I will lift weights to build and protect my muscles. I will use my diet to lose fat. "

Protect your muscle with heavy days

The first two ingredients in your elixir are separate heavy training days for your upper and lower body. The goal is to maintain or build strength (in some cases).

Below is your preparation for heavy days:

  • CNS activation
  • Primary power movement
  • Antagonist force movement
  • Primary support exercise for strength training
  • Secondary support exercise for the antagonist power movement

Each session begins with an explosive movement to activate your central nervous system (CNS). CNS activation prepares your nervous system for the imposed neurological demands in the ongoing strength-based exercise. Jumps, throws and slams are perfect examples.

Next, continue with your primary strength movement of the day. By moving, your body responds better to building and protecting muscles by improving your neuronal efficiency. Why is that important to you?

Through neuromuscular adaptations to heavier loads, contractions can be performed powerfully and efficiently. This means that we can better utilize the full potential of our existing muscle mass.1 This leads to higher testosterone levels, a greater ability to build muscle in the future, and a better looking body

Each session ends with a support exercise for your strength movements, It gives you the opportunity to train the muscles that are responsible for maximizing every movement pattern. Use the so-called post-tetanic potentiation (PAP) because your CNS has been activated.

When your muscles produce maximum effort, this increases the ability of the nervous system to recruit muscle fibers during subsequent efforts. If you start a heavy workout, the rest of the workout will be more effective because you can recruit more muscle fibers. 4 Use heavy / moderate weight for the support exercises.

Protect your muscle with easy days

The next two ingredients in your fat loss elixir are two separate light training days for your upper and lower body, The goals of these days are to give your CNS a break and force lactate production to release growth hormone for fat loss.

Remember that you are busy and stressed with professional and family matters. Exercising with heavier weights puts a huge strain on your body and your CNS. Give everyone enough time to relax from the intense neurological demands of heavy lifts.

The solution is to include two days with less weight. Your CNS does not have to be used for lighter weights. In these sessions, teach your muscles to bend and keep them under constant tension. They repair underdeveloped muscles and build a better connection between mind and muscle.

Their ability to keep tension constant for at least 40 seconds forces lactate production, which leads to the release of growth hormone. Growth hormone regulates the metabolism of the whole body, and exercise is the strongest stimulus to induce its secretion in humans. 2

Since we need to maintain tension longer these days, the reps are 12 or more with shorter rest periods between exercises. You stay focused, increase your heart rate and burn more calories because you work out more muscles in less time.

You also have to encounter muscle failure during some exercises, Muscle failure is the signal for muscle growth and protein synthesis. Sure, your goal is not to build muscle. However, stimulating the process of protein synthesis during a fat loss phase increases your body's ability to maintain muscles. An error is achieved by expanding sets with two methods: drop sets and pause / pause.

  1. With drop sets, you train shortly before failure. Then drop the weight between 15 and 25% and do as many repetitions as possible until the error occurs.
  2. With rest / break sets, you also train shortly before the failure. Then rest for 10-15 seconds. Once the time is up, you can do more repetitions until it fails.

Below you will find your preparation for light days::

  • Representatives of 12+
  • error
  • One-sided exercises
  • Antagonist supersets

When life goes crazy and the trips to the gym are inconsistent, your muscles become fragile, Do you feel that one arm or leg is weaker than the other? You may find it difficult to play your muscles on one side of your body.

If one side is weaker than the other, you feel that you are not getting enough of your workout. Regain your muscles with one-sided movements and feel invincible again. One-sided refers to a movement in which each side trains independently.

One-sided training helps you to correct imbalances in the muscles, improve your explosiveness and sportiness and make your training more varied. Every day of light begins with a one-sided superset.

They do antagonist supersets so you can squeeze multiple muscles at the same time without losing strength, This method consists of pairing two exercises of opposite muscle groups in a superset (two successive exercises). There is a short pause between exercises and a moderate pause after one set of both has been completed.

Your training plan

Day 1 – Day of the heavy lower body

  1. Vertical jumps – 3 x 5, pause 60 seconds
  2. Front squats – 5 x 3-5, break 2-3 min
  3. Barbell RDL – 4 x 6-8, break 90-120 sec
  4. Bulgarian Split Squat dumbbell – 3 x 8-10 per leg (slowly eccentric), break 75-90 sec
  5. Lying or sitting hamstring curl – 3 x 8-10 (pause / pause in the last two sets), pause 75-90 seconds

Day 2 – rest

Day 3 – Day of the heavy upper body

  1. Tilt Plyo Push Up – 3 x 5, pause 60 sec
  2. Incline barbell bench press – 5 x 3-5, break 2-3 min
  3. Pendlay Row – 4 x 6-8, pause 90-120 sec
  4. Dips – 3 x 8-10 (slow eccentric), pause 75-90 seconds
  5. Supinated pull-ups or supinated lat pulldown – 3 x 8-10 (pause / pause in the last two sets), pause 75-90 sec

Day 4 – Day of the light lower body

  1. DB Reverse Lungs – 3 x 12 (per leg), pause 45 seconds
  2. Weighted hip joint with one leg – 3 x 12 (per leg), break 60-75 seconds
  3. Leg press – 3 x 12-15 (pause / pause in the last two sets), pause 60 seconds
  4. Leg extension – 3 x 12-15 (drop set on the last two sets), break 30 seconds
  5. Pull cable – 3 x 12-15, pause 60 seconds
  6. Hanging leg raises – 3 x 12-15, no break *
  7. Kettlebell Swings – 3 x 20-25, pause 60 seconds *

* Finisher for the session

Day 5 – rest

Day 6 – Day of the light upper body

  1. Single arm DB Z Press – 3 x 12 (per side), rest for 30 seconds
  2. Single arm row with split posture – 3 x 12 (per side), pause 60-75 seconds
  3. DB flies tend – 3 x 12-15 (drop set on the last two sets), break 30 seconds
  4. Tilt DB Reverse Flyes – 3 x 12-15 (drop set on the last two sets), pause 60 seconds
  5. Lean Away Cable Curls – 3 x 12-15 (3 seconds peak contraction), pause 30 seconds
  6. Triceps pushdowns – 3 x 12-15 (drop set on the last two sets), pause 60 seconds
  7. Shrug – 3 x 15 + 10 sec. Hold the last iteration, rest 30 sec
  8. Side elevations tend – 3 x 15 + max. Partially, pause 60 seconds

Day 7 – rest

Your best approach to muscles

Life is short. Don't spend ages in the gym. Each training session should not last longer than an hour, Take four to six weeks and use this plan to make yourself feel invincible again. You deserve the chance to dominate work, rest and play every day and in every way.

references::

1. Helms, Eric, Andy Morgan and Andrea Valdez. The muscle and strength pyramid: training. United States: Muscle and Strength Pyramids, LLC., 2019.

2. Ignacio, Daniele Leão, Diego H. Da S. Silvestre, João Paulo Albuquerque Cavalcanti-De-Albuquerque, Ruy Andrade Louzada, Denise P. Carvalho and João Pedro Werneck-De-Castro. "Thyroid hormone and estrogen regulate growth hormone release induced by exercise." Plos One 10, no. 4 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0122556.

3. Rolfe, D.F. and G.C. Brown. "Cellular energy use and molecular origin of the standard metabolic rate in mammals." Physiological Reviews 77, No. 3 (January 1997): 731-58.

4. Thibaudeau, Christian and Paul Carter. Maximum muscle bible. Saint-Raymond, Que´bec: F. Lepine Pub., 2016.

21 Feb
Blog

Puma Smartwatch Review: This Smartwatch Isn’t As Atheltic As It Looks

Puma smartwatch

"The Puma smartwatch looks good, but it doesn't work."

  • Slim and sporty design

  • built-in GPS

  • Sharp, bright screen

  • Slow and sluggish

  • Bad battery life

  • Uncomfortable

  • Too expensive

As the third largest sporting goods manufacturer in the world, Puma is a big brand, but the simply named Puma Smartwatch is the company's first foray into the world of smartwatches. The Puma Smartwatch is manufactured by the Fossil Group and has familiar specifications and the Google Wear OS.

Puma has monitored the sporty design and offers its own app with some deeper fitness features than typical Wear OS watches, but it's also one of the slowest and flawed ones we've tested – a high price for fitness.

Design and comfort

The Puma smartwatch definitely looks like this. It is slim and very light with a striking paint job that contrasts black with daylight yellow. This is a smart watch that is hard to ignore. It is reminiscent of the Fossil Sport, but there is only a single crown and the flanking buttons that you would normally find on Fossil smartwatches are missing.

Puma smartwatchSimon Hill / Digital Trends

A smooth, perfectly round, beveled aluminum dial is held from black plastic that extends from the tabs and has cut-off parts to achieve the eye-catching two-tone look. The crown is also yellow with the Puma logo.

The Puma Smartwatch has a silicone strap with a black latch and the Puma logo is embossed at the end. Because the Puma Smartwatch is light and slim, it slips easily under the cuff and rarely gets stuck – which can be a problem with an oversized watch like the Diesel On Axial.

However, the daylight yellow prevents it from fitting in. The Puma Smartwatch looks out of place with a buttoned shirt in an office environment or even with a casual outfit in a bar. This is a smartwatch that wants to go to the gym or run.

I was expecting the silicone wristband and light weight to result in a smartwatch that's comfortable and easy to forget you're wearing, but in fact I found the Puma smartwatch a little uncomfortable. The structured silicone band is a little stiffer than other silicone bands I've worn.

On the positive side, it grips your wrist and the oversized end of the strap ensures that it never comes loose even during a hectic workout. Although you can easily change the band, it can be difficult to find an alternative that fits your body. There are four dials designed by Puma, all of which are a bit boring. Aside from the ubiquitous Puma logo, they don't really match the rest of the design in terms of color or appearance.

The 1.19-inch AMOLED display looks good in a 44 mm case and is sharp, bright and legible in most lighting conditions.

Puma smartwatchSimon Hill / Digital Trends

The Puma smartwatch has a distinctive look that fits the brand, but it feels a little cheap and looks bad in non-athletic environments. In some markets, there are less eye-catching color options for white and rose gold or black and gray, which may offer a bit more stylistic versatility.

Software and performance

Wear OS looks good, but it doesn't work well. This is a complaint I had with the Michael Kors Access Lexington 2 and it's a complaint my colleague had with the Fossil Gen 5, but it's worse with the Puma Smartwatch. There were many random freezes when using this smartwatch, which were often left behind when the screen was swiped, and loading apps was consistently slow.

The Puma smartwatch is equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor, but unfortunately someone made the wrong decision to use 512 MB RAM instead of 1 GB. The difference in daily use compared to Wear OS smartwatches, which I recently tested and which have 1 GB RAM, is pronounced. Using the Puma smartwatch is frustrating. It is slow and has to be reset far too often.

Puma smartwatchSimon Hill / Digital Trends

The rotating crown works well and is the best way to get close control when trying to swipe up or down a list. You can also install a number of apps from the Play Store, from shopping lists to music controls to all kinds of fitness options. Although there are more choices than ever, the overall level of polish and functionality isn't very impressive and still fades compared to the Apple Watch's special app store.

The Puma Smartwatch has a microphone, so you can use Google Assistant from your wrist. However, there is no speaker, so the answers are in text form. There is also support for Google Pay so you can pay from your wrist, which is sometimes convenient.

Internally, the Puma Smartwatch has 4 GB of storage space for music and apps. Most other current versions of Fossil have 8 GB.

GPS and app compatibility

As an outrageously sporty device, the Puma smartwatch has to shine in the fitness department, and I think it does too. You’ve integrated Google Fit for basic tracking. There's also a heart rate monitor, built-in GPS, and water resistance from 5 ATMs that you can swim with.

While Google Fit is enough for casual coaches to track their progress every day, more serious athletes may want to try the PUMATRAC app installed on the Puma smartwatch. However, you also need to install the companion app (for Android or iOS). on your smartphone. With PUMATRAC, you can leave your phone at home and track your heart rate, distance, pace, altitude and calories with the Puma Smartwatch. It's also packed with workouts, allows you to create a fitness workout plan, and even offers coaching.

Puma smartwatchSimon Hill / Digital Trends

I found that the Puma smartwatch was generally good for fitness tracking, but in some cases it had trouble getting a GPS fix and sometimes it couldn't sync with the Google Fit app on my phone become. There was no obvious reason for it. Heart rate, pace, and distance data all seem to be pretty accurate.

Battery life

Puma is optimistic that the smartwatch will offer a 24-hour battery life, but I've never come close to that. It got me through an average day, but only by switching to battery saver in the evening. If you are a very light user, you may be taken to bedtime. If you want to track your heart rate and get lots of notifications or use other apps, you can expect the steam to go out in the early evening.

The charging cradle has a magnetic contact and stays nicely in place. Charging only takes about an hour, but you will likely still have it charged overnight.

Puma smartwatchSimon Hill / Digital Trends

Price, availability and guarantee

The Puma smartwatch costs $ 275 (or £ 249) and can be purchased directly from the Puma website or from various retailers. It comes with a standard two-year warranty that covers defects in material and workmanship under normal use for the period from the date of purchase and lasts for two years.

Our opinion

The Puma Smartwatch is a well-known Fossil Wear-OS device, which is disappointed by its low RAM and offers even more faulty performance than your usual Wear-OS device. Poor battery life is also not an advantage. It looks sporty and has a good range of fitness tracking features, but is too expensive for what you get.

Are there alternatives?

If it's primarily a fitness tracking watch you're looking for, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the best choice. Depending on the size chosen, the price is almost exactly the same at $ 280 or $ 300. It has better software, more comprehensive training tracking, and better battery life.

For iPhone owners, the latest Apple Watch is the obvious choice. Starting at $ 400, it's much more expensive, but superior in every way. If that's too much, consider Apple Watch Series 3, which costs $ 200 or $ 230 depending on the size you choose. It's still a better option than the Puma smartwatch.

How long it will take?

It offers water resistance up to 50 meters, but the Puma smartwatch has an aluminum case and plastic eyelets. It is therefore difficult to say how well the shocks can withstand. It should take a couple of years.

Should you buy one?

No. There are better options for the same money or less.

Editor's recommendations




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