How to Meditate for good health and power

While meditation is taken for granted by some people, meditation is taken seriously by health researchers. The number of practitioners of meditation is increasing as more and more benefits are discovered over time.

Meditation has its main benefits in reducing stress and improving overall health.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Inclusive Health- “Meditation is a practice for the mind and body that has long been used to increase calmness and physical relaxation, improve mental balance, cope with illness, and improve general and general health Wellbeing is used. ”

Meditation has many physical and mental benefits. It brings strength to the body by helping you get energy through your strong brain. Best of all, you can practice meditation, here means anywhere, whether at home, in the office, or on the bus. People of all ages can do it. It's a simple thing. Unlike other physical exercises, you don't have to move your body. All you have to do is get your mind under control. With continuous practice, you can easily achieve it.

Read the full article to easily learn to practice meditation for your health and strength.

Of course, we always hope that you stay healthy.

Learn the steps before you start executing. When you have finished reading, notice each point as you meditate. May I help you!

1] sit down somewhere

As a beginner, always find a quiet place.

2] Determine the duration of the meditation session

As a beginner, choose a shorter time, say 8 minutes. Increase the time limit as you practice more.

3] Relax your body

Remember to feel relaxed. Put aside all worries, and life will be long enough to think about time another time. Make sure that the body remains in a stable and comfortable posture. Choose a posture that should be comfortable for you by the time you finish your meditation.

4] Start noticing your breath

Stop thinking and start noticing how you inhale and exhale. Concentrate on the inhale and concentrate on the exhale; nothing else, focus.

5] Notice when your mind wanders

When your attention to breathing is weak, return to your focus on breathing. Don't let your mind think anywhere else in your life. The mind can wander, but you need to get it back on track.

6] Don't worry if your mind wanders

It is natural for all thoughts to wander. Do not think that you cannot meditate. You can come back and focus on your breathing again. Continue until your set time.

7] End one way

When you're done, don't rush to pack. Be calm and slowly open your eyes. Be aware of the sounds, the surroundings and the light. Feel it and slowly get up.

You should feel light.

It is the easiest way to meditate, but there is a lot in this method to excel at. Exercise is the key. Over time, you will find it easier to focus on your breathing. You can later increase the time limit of your session for better results.

How Often Should I Meditate?

Meditation is powerful and so it is worth devoting time to it. The pro tip for best results is to practice every day, even for 5 minutes. If you practice and excel, you can even increase the time to half an hour. But remember that what matters is not how much time you invest, but how efficiently and effectively you work. So try to make every second count.

What to consider for beginners

Choose the time that suits you best: Rather, choose the part of the day when you feel a little relaxed and have no other work.

Choose the place where it is easier for you to meditate: Choose a quiet location that is less likely to be distracted by ambient noise.

Choose a surface that should be comfortable for a long time: You can sit on a mat until the end of the meditation session if it is convenient for you. You can also sit in a chair if that's a little more comfortable for you.

Please wear something that you are comfortable in: If you choose to have a longer session, it is important that you feel relaxed, so we recommend that you wear something comfortable for your body.

Choose the duration rationally: Don't jump straight to long terms. It won't be that easy. Instead, start with shorter durations and gradually increase them.

Choose to meditate daily: If you choose to meditate daily, only the benefits will arrive. Meditation for a day has no long-term benefits.

Jackery Explorer 1000 Power Review: Almost Unlimited Power

The Jackery Explorer 1000 basically gives you unlimited power.

Jackery Explorer 1000 portable power plant

"The Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station is a solar-powered powerhouse that will keep you charged and ready to go for days."

  • Massive power bank

  • Solar panels are legitimate

  • Offers every type of outlet

  • Potentially unlimited performance

  • Expensive costs

  • Ridiculously difficult

When I first sat down to check out the Jackery Solar Generator 1000, I was initially – and wrongly – disappointed and it was entirely my fault. When Jackery wanted to measure interest in a product review, I took the opportunity. I thought about getting some kind of battery backup for my home if the power went out. Moreover, I had been looking for a good way to generate electricity while camping, and that seemed a good fit too. So before we get to my false disappointment, let's talk about what this device is.

The Jackery Solar Generator is a portable 1000W power plant with a capacity of 1002 Wh. It has three pure sine wave AC sockets, 2 USB-C ports, 1 USB-A port that supports Quick Charge 3.0, and a DC port. In short, you can plug basically anything from the phone to the fridge with this bad boy and it will be fine. All power connections are on the front, along with an LCD display that shows you the current charge level, incoming power and outgoing power. Both the AC and DC sections have power switches so you can turn them off when not in use. There is a single flashlight on the side with its own power button, and on the left is a large opening that takes in the airflow for the fans inside.

Power from the sun

The Jackery Explorer 1000 is a portable 1000 W power plant.Adam Doud / Digital Trends

Together with the Explorer 1000 you can buy two SolarSaga 100 solar modules that charge the Explorer. The cells run at 23% efficiency, which is quite decent in the field. They can generate up to 100W of peak power on a sunny day. Each of these panels weighs just over 10 pounds each. The Explorer 1000's battery weighs over 22 pounds. The panels fold up to 24 x 21 x 1.4 inches; Simply put, none of these packages are very portable or small.

That, along with large and obvious warnings to protect all components from rain, questioned the suitability of this product as a "camping device". Carrying around 40 pounds of gear isn't exactly my idea of ​​portable. But we'll discuss that later.

I used the jackery to power a couple of different portable setups for work. In one case, my son used it on his Windows laptop, Chromebook at school, iPad, Android phone, and wireless headphones for two and a half days. I also set up a mobile workstation with a Windows laptop, an iPad, a portable monitor, and two wireless chargers that lasted me two days in a row. During that time I drew around 40-60W of power. I admittedly forgot to turn off the sockets overnight, which could probably have kept me going for half a day or so.

Such a device ensures that you can work or stay connected even if you lose power at home, even if you have days of power outage.

Using the battery is very easy. Just plug in whatever you need to power it and turn on the outlets you want. You turn them on in groups – AC and DC. As you work, you will notice when the fan starts up as it is quite loud. It is not loud, but it can safely cover a person speaking softly. Really, the fan is my only complaint about the device. It's really noticeable.

When charging, I tried two different methods. First I put the Explorer 1000 in the wall. It took about eight hours to fully charge. It's not that bad at all. Next, I blew up the two solar panels and that's when the fun began.

Power from the sun

Two large solar cells charge the battery in less than a day in bright sunlight.Adam Doud / Digital Trends

On the first day I tried to leave the battery and solar panels in my conservatory because I was paranoid about rain. It was a cloudy day, but the battery still managed to take a 41% charge. The second day I was lucky enough to catch a sunny day so I set up the panels on the back deck facing the sun. I rotated the plates twice throughout the day for maximum exposure and was able to fill the rest of the battery with ease. But the most interesting part of the experience was the numbers.

In bright sunlight, both solar modules began to consume more than 100 W. If you recall, my portable productivity device used between 40 and 60 watts of power. Math is hard, but that suggests that I could theoretically work indefinitely with this battery. If I set up my workspace near a window and put the panels outside, I charge more than I use. Of course, under ideal conditions. But the possibility is still fascinating.

The Jackery Explorer 1000 powered my portable workstation for 2 full days.

But let's get back to the "portable camping device" I talked about earlier. When I think of "camping" I think of a tent and out in the elements. But camping can also involve a trailer, and that's the use case I think this device is designed for. In a camper you need strength and the ability to generate more electricity. You are also much better protected from the elements in a camper than in a tent and you don't have to take the battery anywhere with you. Just keep it in the motorhome.

But also, a device like this ensures that you can work or stay connected even if you lose power at home, even if you have days of power outage. This is a very important use case. Since it is a solar generator, this electricity is also cleaner and quieter than a gas-powered generator. If you are looking for a backup power supply for your home or a portable power generator for a trailer camping trip, this is a solid piece of equipment. It even has a flashlight if you're looking for a 20 pound flashlight.

Our opinion

Overall, this is a great power generator / battery that does exactly what it says on the tin. The battery pack and solar panel combination adds up to an expensive $ 1,300 with the solar panels included (or $ 1,000 without them), but honestly, many backup generators are about the same or even more expensive. The wide variety of ports available, including USB-A, USB-C, AC, and DC, means you can power anything. The two solar panels are huge – ridiculously huge – but they can charge the entire 1000 Wh battery in less than two days. This is impressive.

Is there a better alternative?

Certainly there are other power supplies and portable batteries of this size, but there aren't many of these sizes with this ability to generate power and with so many outlets. It's pretty hard to beat on all of these points. If you want to save some money, you can use a gas generator, but over time a gas generator takes gas while the jackery only needs the sun. The last time I checked, the sun is still clear.

If you're looking for something that is easier to haul, this is this RAVPower portable power plant is a 7.7 pound alternative that delivers 250W when using a single outlet – or a total of 300W when using both sockets. It's also much cheaper and perfect for those weekend camping trips. It is enough to power a peloton bike for your next workout too!

Will it take?

The Jackery Explorer is made of thick, durable plastic. I don't expect any problems on this front, but it's insanely heavy so I could see that a faulty drop would do some damage. It would take extraordinary circumstances to break this thing. My only concern is the lack of water resistance on both the Explorer 1000 and the solar panels. Not only is there a lack of water resistance; There are warnings on the packaging to keep these devices away from water. The Jackery also comes with a two-year guarantee.

Should I buy it?

Yes, if you fall into either of the two categories I have outlined. If you're looking for a reliable backup power supply that can run some vital equipment in the event of a power outage, or if you're a RV owner looking for power in the great outdoors, this is a great facility. It sure is expensive, but the value it offers is top notch.

Editor's recommendations



Moto G Power (2021) Review: Bigger, Cheaper, and Little More

moto g power 2021 rating Motorola 3

  • Excellent battery life

  • Retired Software

  • Solid design

  • Huge ad

  • Below average camera

  • 720p display

  • Missing NFC

The Moto G series has long been great value for money, adorned recommendation guides for the best budget phones, and offers a reliable experience for those who don't want or need a flagship phone. In recent years, however, competition has intensified. Phones like the iPhone SE, Google Pixel 4a, and others offer flagship-level features for only about $ 100 or more.

For 2021, Motorola has updated the Moto G series, with the main phone, the Moto G Power, getting one impressive price of only $ 200or $ 250 for the top of the line. That's $ 100 less than the Pixel 4a, $ 150 less than the iPhone SE, and significantly undercuts other phones of similar quality.

Is the Moto G Power the way to go for phones under $ 250, or should you keep saving? We put the 2021 Moto G Power to the test to find out.

Design and display

The 2021 Moto G Power looks and feels like a natural evolution of the previous year's model. It has a similar design on the front, with a cutout hole for the front-facing camera on the top-left of the phone and a slightly larger, edge-to-edge, 6.6-inch display with a small chin at the bottom. It looks great for a phone under $ 300, especially considering that edge-to-edge displays came at a high premium just a few years ago.

On the back of the phone is the camera module that has been moved to the center in a square camera pile. I don't mind that the module is centered, and although it was placed in the top left, it might look better than more expensive phones, but it still looks good where it is. The back is of course made of plastic. The slimy sheen looks cool but feels cheaper than it looks – obviously not as top notch as a glass appliance.

On the edges of the phone is a USB-C port at the bottom and luckily a headphone jack at the top. On the right side there is a volume rocker and an on / off switch with an integrated fingerprint sensor. The sensor worked very well in my tests. It was quick and accurate, which is very nice to see. You need to get used to using the power button to get inside your phone if you haven't already. However, this is a minor change.

As already mentioned, the display has a size of 6.6 inches and a resolution of 720p, which is well below the 1,080p display of the previous year. You might argue that it's difficult to tell the difference between a 1080p and a 1440p display, but the difference between a 720p and a 1080p display is definitely noticeable, and it's frustrating to see how Motorola resigns. The display does the job, but to a minimum.

I wish Motorola had better water resistance here. The so-called "water-repellent coating" weighs little more than a marketing message, and those who buy a $ 250 phone probably don't want to have to replace it if it accidentally gets wet. This is a feature that all phones should offer.

Technical data and performance

Under the hood, the Moto G Power has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor that is paired with either 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage in the base model or 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage for an additional $ 50. In both cases there is also a microSD card slot for expanded storage. Oddly enough, compared to last year's Moto G Power, which came with a Snapdragon 665 processor and 4GB of RAM, the base model of the phone includes components with lower power consumption – although I think that makes sense given the new lower starting price.

Now the impact is pretty small, and in fact the phone performed pretty much the same on benchmarks (the 720p display probably helps there). The Snapdragon 662 and 665 are based on the same architecture and eventually use the same GPU – the notable shortcomings are some lack of audio components and a lower-priced modem. But it's still a bit strange to see Motorola take such a step back. At least you expect the same chipset year after year.

Oddly enough, there are cuts from last year's Moto G Power.

In daily use, the Moto G Power did well with a few jumps and jumps every now and then, as you'd expect for $ 200. In general, the device responded quickly and quickly, even with simple mobile games and multitasking. Playing a game like Call of Duty: Mobile worked well, and while games like Asphalt 9 had a drop out frame and stutter, it still worked well enough for most.

Unfortunately, Motorola hasn't added NFC to the Moto G range yet, so you still won't be able to use features like Google Pay. This was a minor complaint a few years ago. At this point in time, this is an important loophole.

Battery life

The Moto G Power comes with a massive 5,000 mAh battery. This is the same as last year, but this is one situation where we don't mind that it isn't an upgrade – and you might get even better battery life thanks to the lower resolution display.

Most modern flagship phones offer much smaller batteries. The iPhone 12 Pro has a 2,815 mAh battery, while the Pixel 4a has a 3,140 mAh battery. And when you consider that these phones are more sophisticated and have higher resolution displays, they last significantly less.

Battery life is one of the main reasons to buy a Moto G Power.

I haven't had too long to test the phone, but based on my initial tests, I am sure you can use the device for two days and even a third day for lighter users. Really, this phone's battery life is so good and one of the top reasons to buy it.

The Moto G Power supports fast charging up to 15W, but unfortunately there is no wireless charging here.

Cameras

Like the 2020 Moto G Power, the 2021 model also has a three-lens camera. However, Motorola has swapped the ultrawide camera for a depth sensor, and the result is a less versatile experience.

You get a 48-megapixel main camera with a f / 1.7 aperture, but it has an effective output of 12 megapixels due to the quad-pixel technology used by Motorola (and most other companies). There is also a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth camera.

Photos from this phone are pretty boring. The colors are muted and despite the quad-pixel technology, the photos are a bit noisy than I would like. The macro lens is fun to use for five seconds before you leave the gimmick behind and realize that in everyday life you will probably never actually use it. Unfortunately, this is a reality of any cheap macro camera.

All is not bad now. The phone is capable, but not much more. I see – this is a $ 200-250 phone. However, when you have phones like the Pixel 4a with a standout camera for just $ 100 more, it's hard not to complain.

software

One of the best things about Motorola phones is the software experience, and that is true here too. The Moto G Power has a pared-down software experience that should appeal to anyone looking to cut out the lint. It's almost standard Android, and as such, it's responsive and easy to navigate.

One of the best things about Motorola phones is their software experience.

There are some improvements to the system, however. The Moto G Power runs software called "My UX" by Motorola, which includes gestures such as the ability to take a screenshot by touching the screen with three fingers, silence the phone by picking it up when it rings, or turn the phone to launch the camera. The Moto app also makes it easy to change wallpapers and the layout of the home screen, as well as enabling Gametime mode, which allows you to optimize the way notifications and power supply work when gaming on the go.

It's all relatively helpful, and it's really nice that Motorola put all of these tweaks and settings into the Moto app instead of breaking into the UI and cluttering everything – something other manufacturers have done.

Price, availability and guarantee

The new Motorola Moto G Power starts at $ 200which is impressively cheap. That gives you the base model with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, or you can up to $ 250 for 4GB and 64GB – which I would recommend. The base model is available in silver (shown in this review) and the taller model in dark gray.

After a short pre-order period, the phones will be available direct from the Motorola website, Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and others starting January 14th. Motorola’s proliferation is extraordinary.

The device comes with a 12-month standard warranty, which practically only covers manufacturer defects. You should be careful with your device, especially given its water resistance.

Our opinion

The Moto G Power won't break records or blow people away with features. But it offers a solid experience with a huge display and great battery life for a low price. It will find a place on our list of the best cheap phones available today. Sure, if you can afford to pay more you should, but if $ 250 is your budget, this phone should be bought.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes, if you can pay more. If you can expand your budget to $ 350, then the Google Pixel 4a The phone is easy to find thanks to the better processor, software updates on day one, and great camera. It isn't the size or battery life of the Moto G Power, but those are simple compromises.

If you can stretch up to $ 400, the iPhone SE is also worth considering, but I know this is a bit tricky when your original budget was $ 250. In Android land, the Pixel 4a is the phone to beat.

Alternatively, if you only buy last year's Moto G Power, there is something to be said for it. It is still available and now reduced to $ 220. As mentioned earlier, it has practically the same performance as well as a higher resolution screen and amazing battery life. This could be the biggest problem facing the 2021 G Power.

How long it will take?

The Moto G Power doesn't have any real water resistance to lean on, but the plastic body should withstand most drops and stains. With caution, the phone should run a normal two year cycle, although by the end of those two years it will likely slow down seriously.

Is there a better alternative?

Not in this price range. The Moto G Power is far from perfect, but at $ 250, it's about as close as possible.

Editor's recommendations




Get More Power from Rowing

I'm a rower – on the water and in the gym. I regularly observe rowers and coaches who exercise on their rowing machines with growing frustration. Why am i frustrated?

Because they could get much better results if they only knew one key technique.

Get more strength through rowing - fitness, crossfit, rest and recovery, rowing, indoor rowing, strength, core strength, strength output, hamstrings, hip joints, back strength, glutes, arm strength, competition rowing, rowing ergometers, rowing technique, ratio and rhythm

Master the rowing machine

If you go to the average gym, CrossFit, or rowing club, you will see a lot of great athletes using the rowing machines.

What difference does it make?

They are different by an order of magnitude. Somehow, those rowers on the water seem to be luring more and more out of a rowing machine, leaving most of the gym rowers for dead.

Two reasons why this happens:

  1. Rowers on the water who use rowing machines understand the concept of relationship and rhythm. This way they can rest more with each stroke and are therefore stronger because they get less tired.
  2. Rowers on the water know how to recruit extra muscle for their endeavors. The more muscles that are put into the strength phase, the faster the flywheel accelerates and the better the numbers.

The basic rudder stroke

Rowing consists of two main parts::

  1. The strength phase – in which you press against the footboard and accelerate the handle and chain in your direction.
  2. The recovery phase– You will rest and return to a compressed posture with your legs bent with the chain retracted in the machine.

An effective strength phase uses the legs, back, and arms to accelerate the handle and chain. So far so good, but I don't see that in the gym.

Most gym rowers don't use their back muscles to speed up the handle and chain.

This is a critical difference to the rowers on the water. I teach that to my customers.

Add back power to your rowing

First, learn which muscles to activate. Finding them and feeling those muscles and knowing how to activate them is probably the hardest part of this technique improvement.

Then I want to show you how to recruit them for your rowing stroke cycle and give you an exercise to practice that will help you build your back muscles into your rowing stroke.

Body Swing Rowing only

Rowers on the water learn technique and effective strength through exercises and exercises. And so I'll show you a drill called Body Swing Only Rowing.

  • Let's start by sitting on the rowing machine.
  • Take the handle and sit with your legs straight, arms straight, and your body leaning forward.
  • The key is that your shoulders are in front of your hips (use a mirror to check this) and that your neck and shoulders are relaxed.

Rowers on the water call this position the catch position. This is achieved by folding through your hips with a straight back. If you have tight glutes and hamstrings, this can be a challenge.

If you can't reach this position, don't do the exercise. You won't gain anything until you can stretch forward in this pose.

Stage one

  • Swing backwards until your shoulders are behind your hips.
  • Keep your legs and arms straight. Then swing back and forth again, using the handle and chain to move the flywheel as you swing.
  • Try not to lean back more than 5-10 degrees.
  • Now make the flywheel spin faster by grabbing your abs just before the backswing.

A strong middle section will help you connect your back swing to the handle and chain without slipping.

Stage two

  • Add the arms to the backswing.
  • As you did in Stage 1, swing your back alone, then add a pull of your arm to speed up the handle and chain as the handle approaches your body.
  • Then straighten your arms and swing forward from your hips.
  • This order is important – arms before body swing.
  • Keep working with a strong core to prevent chain slippage so that the chain will instantly accelerate the flywheel when you start moving. Note that you can do a little backswing before you begin pulling the arm.
  • This is important for activating the back muscles. When rowing, larger muscle groups (legs and back) have to work before smaller muscles (arms).

This is an important skill in developing punching power.

Level three

  • Half the leg drive.
  • Add in half a leg drive. Rowers call this a half slide, and when your legs are 50% straight.
  • Usually this is when your elbows are above your knees.

Stage one is the back. Add stage two, that is, the arms, and then stage three, the legs.

You are now moving the handle and chain faster because more body parts are accelerating the flywheel.

The critical component is the transition from one body part to the next.

Keeping this smooth, keeping the chain taut, and continuing to speed up will get the best results.

Focus on legs-back-arms and do the reverse as you return for another punch.

When you learn this, the big muscles will be strengthened before the small muscles rule.

String it together

Do the exercise with 10 strokes in each phase. Then move to the full sled and use a full leg drive. Try to make the second half of your power phase as if you had done the exercise.

Use the mirror to check your posture. The first half of your strength should only be used with your leg drive. Check that your upper body is sloping forward from your hips with your shoulders. This is an unnatural posture and needs to be learned – but it reinforces the rule of big muscles before small, and therefore it's effective.

The last thing you can practice is rowing while trying to get your legs, back, and arms ready. This is an exaggeration from the normal rowing technique – but it's a great way to get a seriously powerful end to the rowing stroke.

And a great way to keep practicing or do a 10-stroke power boost during your workout when you want more strength and the breakdown starts to wear off.

Next we learn the second … relationship and rhythm. But we'll leave that for another day.

Get More Power from Rowing

I'm a rower – on the water and in the gym. I regularly observe rowers and coaches who exercise on their rowing machines with growing frustration. Why am i frustrated?

Because they could get much better results if they only knew one key technique.

Get more strength through rowing - fitness, crossfit, rest and recovery, indoor rowing, core strength, strength output, hamstrings, hip joints, back strength, glutes, arm strength, competition rowing, rowing ergometers, rowing technique, ratio and rhythm

Master the rowing machine

If you go to the average gym, CrossFit, or rowing club, you will see a lot of great athletes using the rowing machines.

What difference does it make?

They are different by an order of magnitude. Somehow, those rowers on the water seem to be luring more and more out of a rowing machine, leaving most of the gym rowers for dead.

Two reasons why this happens:

  1. Rowers on the water who use rowing machines understand the concept of relationship and rhythm. This way they can rest more with each stroke and are therefore stronger because they get less tired.
  2. Rowers on the water know how to recruit extra muscle for their endeavors. The more muscles that are put into the strength phase, the faster the flywheel accelerates and the better the numbers.

The basic rudder stroke

Rowing consists of two main parts::

  1. The strength phase – in which you press against the footboard and accelerate the handle and chain in your direction.
  2. The recovery phase– You will rest and return to a compressed posture with your legs bent with the chain retracted in the machine.

An effective strength phase uses the legs, back, and arms to accelerate the handle and chain. So far so good, but I don't see that in the gym.

Most gym rowers don't use their back muscles to speed up the handle and chain.

This is a critical difference to the rowers on the water. I teach that to my customers.

Add back power to your rowing

First, learn which muscles to activate. Finding them and feeling those muscles and knowing how to activate them is probably the hardest part of this technique improvement.

Then I want to show you how to recruit them for your rowing stroke cycle and give you an exercise to practice that will help you build your back muscles into your rowing stroke.

Body Swing Rowing only

Rowers on the water learn technique and effective strength through exercises and exercises. And so I'll show you a drill called Body Swing Only Rowing.

  • Let's start by sitting on the rowing machine.
  • Take the handle and sit with your legs straight, arms straight, and your body leaning forward.
  • The key is that your shoulders are in front of your hips (use a mirror to check this) and that your neck and shoulders are relaxed.

Rowers on the water call this position the catch position. This is achieved by folding through your hips with a straight back. If you have tight glutes and hamstrings, this can be a challenge.

If you can't reach this position, don't do the exercise. You won't gain anything until you can stretch forward in this pose.

Stage one

  • Swing backwards until your shoulders are behind your hips.
  • Keep your legs and arms straight. Then swing back and forth again, using the handle and chain to move the flywheel as you swing.
  • Try not to lean back more than 5-10 degrees.
  • Now make the flywheel spin faster by grabbing your abs just before the backswing.

A strong middle section will help you connect your back swing to the handle and chain without slipping.

Stage two

  • Add the arms to the backswing.
  • As you did in Stage 1, swing your back alone, then add a pull of your arm to speed up the handle and chain as the handle approaches your body.
  • Then straighten your arms and swing forward from your hips.
  • This order is important – arms before body swing.
  • Keep working with a strong core to prevent chain slippage so that the chain will instantly accelerate the flywheel when you start moving. Note that you can do a little backswing before you begin pulling the arm.
  • This is important for activating the back muscles. When rowing, larger muscle groups (legs and back) have to work before smaller muscles (arms).

This is an important skill in developing punching power.

Level three

  • Half the leg drive.
  • Add in half a leg drive. Rowers call this a half slide, and when your legs are 50% straight.
  • Usually this is when your elbows are above your knees.

Stage one is the back. Add stage two, that is, the arms, and then stage three, the legs.

You are now moving the handle and chain faster because more body parts are accelerating the flywheel.

The critical component is the transition from one body part to the next.

Keeping this smooth, keeping the chain taut, and continuing to speed up will get the best results.

Focus on legs-back-arms and do the reverse as you return for another punch.

When you learn this, the big muscles will be strengthened before the small muscles rule.

String it together

Do the exercise with 10 strokes in each phase. Then move to the full sled and use a full leg drive. Try to make the second half of your power phase as if you had done the exercise.

Use the mirror to check your posture. The first half of your strength should only be used with your leg drive. Check that your upper body is sloping forward from your hips with your shoulders. This is an unnatural posture and needs to be learned – but it reinforces the rule of big muscles before small, and therefore it's effective.

The last thing you can practice is rowing while trying to get your legs, back, and arms ready. This is an exaggeration from the normal rowing technique – but it's a great way to get a seriously powerful end to the rowing stroke. And a great way to keep practicing or do a 10-stroke power boost during your workout when you want more strength and the breakdown starts to wear off.

Next we learn the second … relationship and rhythm. But we'll leave that for another day.

Xbox Series X Review: Phenomenal Power, But No Launch Game

Xbox Series X Stylized Graphics

"The Xbox Series X is an extremely powerful console, but the lack of next-gen titles has stalled its launch."

  • Potential

  • More memory than PS5

  • Library accessible through Game Pass

  • Good value

  • Missing an outstanding starting game

  • Difficult to assemble in most A / V cabinets

  • The potential of the next generation is untapped

Timing is everything.

When a console starts up, this is critical. Every component of a new system – from hardware to software – must come together to meet the expectations of an eager and often over-critical fan base. But COVID-19 has ditched even the most laborious of schedules, much to Microsoft's frustration.

Xbox Series X is like an athlete who trained for the big game all year only to find the rest of the team wasn't there. It's a powerhouse that corrects many of the mistakes made in the early days of Xbox One. It undoubtedly has a bright future. However, due to important software delays, this system does not need to be purchased immediately or anytime in the coming months.

There is no discussion of the Series X without acknowledging the Halo Infinite lag. Microsoft pinned the game's launch to its new consoles around 17 months ago. Master Chief was the other superstar to be on the starting line alongside Series X.

It doesn't matter whether Halo's delay was due to the pandemic or quality issues. Without them, there would be no system sales game to support the X series this holiday season. And while Microsoft's Game Pass means that many games can be played on the system thanks to backward compatibility and tweaks to some third-party titles, the company urges players to spend $ 500 on a new console – if the same games are already on the system work old.

Digital Trends reviewed the Xbox Series X over the course of a week. (This review focuses solely on the X-Series, not the $ 300-S Series.) And in all frankness, realizing a consumer-level experience was challenging, as optimizations were only available for a handful of titles. For example, EA just says it will be detailing its tweaks for Madden NFL 21 "soon," and SquareEnix has no plans to tweak Marvel's Avengers until 2021.

Setup: Hurry up and download it

Players are expecting a patch for day one, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. The initial download was less than 1GB, but Microsoft has not specified how large the final patch will be on launch day. (This is independent of the game updates required.) The controller also needs a patch.

The result is a setup process that will likely take 10 minutes to an hour of your time, depending on the speed of your internet connection. Obviously getting a patch is better than not, but the conflict between having major updates on launch day and wanting to load a game the moment you turn on the console is an issue that the brand new solid-state drive doesn't can fix.

Otherwise, setting up the console is a breeze. Microsoft is pushing to use the Xbox app. It's really a time saver as you can quickly copy your settings, GamerTag, Wi-Fi password (assuming you don't have a hardline internet connection for your console) and other information, which makes setup drastically easier.

Performance: A lot of performance in a big box

Microsoft has been shouting about its superior hardware on an almost deafening level since the first series X test (then called Project Scarlett). By now you probably know the technical data and keywords: 120 frames per second (fps), HDR, 12 teraflops of computing power, etc.

Despite its performance, the X Series is surprisingly quiet. The system's cooling structure is so efficient that you sometimes wonder if the console is actually turned on. The Xbox One is like a jet engine in comparison.

However, the X Series doesn't simply fit into most home entertainment centers. Microsoft (like Sony) designed its next generation system as a showcase. The X Series is smaller than the PlayStation 5, but still doesn't easily fit into the average living room A / V cabinet. This is due to its width, the result of a shape more like a box than a slate. It might be annoying for some owners.

You'd think there was more to be said about the performance, but that's not there, and that's due (again) to the lack of starting titles. This is the part of the review where amazingly beautiful new open world titles could be discussed. Unfortunately, this game is not available for Serie X at the start. No question about it, this is a powerful console – numerically it is (slightly) faster than the PlayStation 5. Unfortunately, the hardware is currently underutilized.

Storage: 1 TB is no longer what it used to be

The X series offers acceptable, if not optimal, storage space. The 1 TB hard drive (compared to 512 GB of the S series) is the same as the Xbox One X. However, after subtracting the amount used by the system's operating system, only 802 GB is available. That should be fine at first, but as this generation progresses and games require more space, this could be problematic.

Increasing the system memory to 2TB could have future-proofed the console, although that would certainly have affected the price of the X Series. The Xbox Series X console launches on November 10 for $ 499 (a major selling point for Microsoft).

However, Sony's PlayStation 5 is at a disadvantage. It comes with 825 GB of internal storage and, like the Xbox Series X, not everything is available for game installation. According to prelaunch reports, around 667 GB is available for games. This means that there is 135 GB less storage available on the PlayStation 5 than on the Xbox Series X.

Microsoft

If 1TB isn't enough, you can expand the X-series storage. Players can connect an external hard drive to the system. Tests by Digital Foundry showed that, at least for backwards compatible titles, an external solid-state drive was almost as fast as the storage on the device.

The console also has a memory expansion card slot that can double the memory size. However, at $ 220, this is not inexpensive. The PlayStation 5 can be upgraded with a wider range of third-party PCIe 4.0 SSDs, which can be purchased for just $ 200 (for 1TB of storage).

The controller: if it's not broken, don't fix it

Controllers are our connection to the games we play and they have become increasingly important over the past generations. Microsoft has kept almost the same design for the past two generations, and this time around there are no significant changes.

The X series controller sits comfortably in your hands and has been ergonomically optimized to make it a little more comfortable. It's a bit more social than previous Xbox controllers, as the record and share button has been added that allows players to take screenshots and video clips and quickly post them online.

It continues to use AA batteries instead of internal rechargeable batteries, but it's far from a power hog. We didn't even have to change the batteries during the testing process. The PlayStation 5 controller comes with an internal battery. Xbox Series X owners must pay for this upgrade as an add-on.

Games and software: the lack of launch titles

Given the lack of games designed for the Series X and the few that were tweaked during the review window, evaluating the game potential is – frustratingly – the most TBD part of the Xbox Series X experience.

Yes, the games currently available look fantastic. Gears 5 runs incredibly smoothly at 120 FPS, which raises hopes for future titles. The visual fidelity is only part of the gaming experience, of course, but it's a catch that draws players in. However, Gears 5 at 120 FPS is nowhere near enough to sell a new console as a next-gen. A new console needs a launch title to really show off, and with Halo Infinite being postponed until next year, Series X doesn't have one.

Gears 5 advantages

The promise of faster loading times also remains unproven. Loading from game start to gameplay in Gears 5 (for a new campaign) still takes well over a minute. Guard Dogs: Legion, while not optimized, took a little less time. These are better results than an Xbox One X, but not the suggested immediate availability. Hopefully games that are designed for the next generation will offer loading times that feel like the next generation.

Quick Resume, the touted feature that pauses games similar to pausing an app on your smartphone, seems to work flawlessly, although it's difficult (again) with a few optimized titles to put them through their paces. In general, games you navigate away from will reopen more quickly after a brief splash screen.

The Smart Delivery feature, which ensures players get the best version for their system, is a nice touch that saves frustration, but the fact that it isn't available every game is annoying. It's not even available for every Xbox Game Studios game, which is very confusing.

The promise

The Xbox Series X is Microsoft's bet on the future. It's an insanely powerful system that could excite the gaming world once the company's internal teams begin to demonstrate its capabilities.

Microsoft believes that there is something that proves this generation of consoles. The Xbox One stumbled out of the gate and never fully recovered. This is not the case this time. While the lack of software is disruptive, the company is difficult to fault completely as the pandemic has weighed on everyone in the gaming world.

It's an insanely powerful system that could excite the gaming world once the company's internal teams begin to demonstrate its capabilities.

Microsoft makes a compelling case for the Series X value proposition with Game Pass. There's a reason the huge library of backward compatible games and the Smart Delivery option are being touted. No, you don't have a new Forza, Halo, or Gears to play with your Series X this year. And you can't for some time. However, Microsoft believes this is a perfect opportunity to play games that you've never seen or are currently enjoying (as well as the numerous third-party games coming out this vacation) in an expanded environment.

It's by no means a bad argument, but it's more reasonable and practical than emotional. Console launches were once an opportunity to reveal new gaming experiences that were simply not possible before. Currently, the Xbox Series X is insufficient in this department.

Our opinion

The Xbox Series X is a powerful system that has nothing yet to really demonstrate its capabilities. With sharp graphics, a familiar user interface, and fast load times, it is a strong competitor to this generation of consoles. However, a lack of showcase games means you don't have to rush to buy anything.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. The Sony PlayStation 5, unlike the Xbox Series X, has launch titles that are worth your attention. Astro & # 39; s Playroom and Demon & # 39; s Souls are the standout features. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is also eagerly awaited, but can also be purchased for PlayStation 4.

How long it will take?

The Xbox Series X should prove to be a solid investment, eliminating unforeseen problems (which have historically impacted first-generation console models). Despite the lack of starting titles, the X series is a very powerful system that should remain relevant for at least five years.

Should you buy one?

No not yet. The X Series is a solid console, but it lacks a launch title that requires immediate purchase of the console.

Editor's recommendations




HP Spectre x360 15 2020 Review: Less Size, More Power

HP Specter x360 15 2020 review p1012378

"The Specter x360 15 offers a lot of performance and a nice display in a smaller case."

  • Tiny for a 15-inch 2-in-1

  • Spectacular appearance

  • Excellent keyboard

  • Solid productivity performance

  • Excellent OLED display

  • Modest performance in creative apps

  • Bad battery life

The 2020 HP Specter x360 15 is a 360-degree convertible 2-in-1 that is considerably smaller than its predecessor, but still offers the option for reasonably powerful components and a beautiful OLED display.

I have the high-end model with a sixth generation Intel Core i7-10750H CPU with six cores, 16 GB RAM, a 1 TB solid-state drive (SSD), an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max Q and a 4K OLED tested display. This configuration is priced at $ 1,850 at HP.com and is intended for creatives who want the power of a 15-inch laptop with the flexibility of a 2-in-1. Let's dive in.

design

HP put the Specter x360 13 under a scalpel in 2019 to shed the fat and get a really small 2-in-1 ratio with a screen-to-body ratio of 90% thanks to tiny bezels. Earlier this year, HP did the same with the 2019 Specter x360 15, resulting in a much less unwieldy 15-inch 2-in-1. It also has a screen-to-body ratio of 90% and is significantly smaller than its predecessor. It looks a lot more modern and retains the gem aesthetic that makes the Specter line one of the best looking and most distinctive you will find.

I will find that the size difference is not as noticeable as it is on the 13-inch model. While this laptop feels tiny when in use, the 15-inch Specter x360 only feels smaller. HP says they built a 15-inch 2-in-1 into the chassis of a 14-inch model, but that seems a bit difficult to me – especially since 14-inch laptops are falling off too. I like the size of the Specter x360 15, but it still feels like I'm using a bigger laptop.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Part of it has to do with thickness. It's 0.79 inches thick, more than the 0.75 inches of the 2019 model, and it doesn't match the 0.71 inches of the Dell XPS 15, which feels a bit thinner. The HP, however, weighs 4.24 pounds, which is less than the XPS 15's 4.5 pounds and much less than last year's 4.81 pounds. Of course, any laptop over four pounds will come across as a large laptop. I emphasize this point to make sure no one thinks they are getting a thin and light 2-in-1 device that is convenient to use as a tablet – unless it rests on a surface.

One thing that hasn't changed is the build quality of the Specter x360 15. It's made from machined aluminum, as before, and HP makes sure that it exudes quality. The Specter x360 15 has no bend, bend, or twist in the lid, keyboard deck, or case. It's as solid as a laptop. The hinge is a bit stiff, which means you open it with two hands, but it stays in place in whatever mode you choose – clamshell, tent, medium, or tablet.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Connectivity also remains a strength. The Specter x360 15 has a competent mix of old and modern connections, so dongles are reduced to a minimum. On the left is a full-size HDMI 2.0 port and a 3.5mm audio jack. On the right side are two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3, a USB-A 3.1 port, and a microSD card reader (though a full-size reader would have been preferable for the creative types). As with previous designs, one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports is in a corner notch on the case so you can connect it without a cable in the way. It remains a nice gesture. The wireless connection is via Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

performance

The Specter x360 15 is another laptop targeting creatives. Still, it doesn't emphasize creative power as much as some other 15-inch laptops. The Dell XPS 15 and HP Envy 15 offer faster CPUs (and GPUs in the case of the Envy 15), more RAM, and more storage. In essence, the Specter x360 15 is a fast 2-in-1 device, but it's not in the same class as today's fastest 15-inch clamshell laptops.

I'd like to directly compare the Specter x360 15 to the XPS 15, but we tested the Dell with a Core i7-10875H, which means it benefits from two additional cores and four additional threads. The XPS 15 had the same Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti, although the HP uses the Max-Q version. The Envy 15 is a more direct comparison in terms of its CPU, which is identical to the Specter, but our review unit was equipped with an Nvidia RTX 2060 Max-Q.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Looking at Geekbench 5, the Specter x360 15 scored 1,237 in single-core tests and 5,013 points in multi-core tests. That's well behind the Envy 15's 1,274 and 5,542 points, and in fact, most of the laptops we tested with the same CPU are faster than this HP.

The same applies to our handbrake test, in which a 420 MB video is converted to H.265. Here the Specter x360 15 took a little over 2.5 minutes. The Envy 15 finished the test 21 seconds faster and 40 seconds less in performance mode with the HP Command Center utility. Note that this utility had virtually no effect on the Specter x360 15's performance as I saw in the previous version. The Specter x360 15 didn't perform badly here, but it doesn't quite match the standard of other laptops with similar equipment.

The Specter x360 15 achieved 469 points in the single-core test and 2523 points in the multi-core test in Cinebench 20. Here, the Specter was almost the same as the Envy 15, which scored 436 and 2593 (487 and 2830 in performance mode). That was a surprising result and could have something to do with the extensive work HP has done to improve the thermal design of the Specter x360 15.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Finally, I also ran our Premiere Pro test, which rendered a two-minute 4K video. In this test, which uses the GPU to speed up the process, the Dell XPS 15 took five minutes to complete compared to the Specter x360 15's nearly 7.5 minutes – those extra cores are important. The Envy 15 was done in under four minutes in performance mode and showed the performance of the RTX 2060.

Overall, the Specter x360 15 is a fast productivity laptop that can do creative work on the side. It is not as fast as its 15-inch competitors for demanding creative tasks like editing photos and videos. However, it's still a capable machine if you're not looking for the absolute best performance for creative applications.

Play

Of course, with a GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q on board, you'll be tempted to play with the Specter x360 15. I've gone through our series of gaming tests, and in general, it's a step or two behind other laptops with the same GPU.

For example, the Specter x360 15 achieved 2,963 points in the 3DMark Time Spy test. Compared to the Dell XPS 15 at 3860 (although the Dell may have the standard GPU, this is not always clear). The Microsoft Surface Book 3 13 achieved 3,214 points in the test with the GTX 1650 Max-Q from Nvidia.

When playing real world games, the Specter x360 15 managed 89 frames per second (FPS) in Civilization VI at 1080p and medium graphics, compared to the XPS 15 at 114 FPS and the Surface Book 3 13 at 68 FPS. The Specter kept 60 fps in Ultra graphics compared to the XPS 15 at 64 and the Surface Book 3 at 41. In 4K, the Specter x360 15 reached a high 55 fps in medium graphics and 30 fps in Ultra, with the XPS 15 at 51 fps and the Surface Book 3 reached 30 fps.

Ultimately, the Specter x360 can play 15 modern titles with 1080p and medium to high graphic details at reasonable frame rates.

In Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the Specter x360 reached 15 playable 40 fps at 1080p and high graphics, but dropped to 25 fps at ultra high. The XPS 15 was at 47 fps and 26 fps. None of the laptops in this title are fast enough for 4K.

When switching to Fortnite, the Specter x360 15 ran at 67 fps with 1080p and high graphics and 47 fps with the epic graphics preset. This is comparable to the XPS 15 with 74 fps and 60 fps and the Surface Book 3 with 55 fps and 43 fps. Here, too, the laptops fell significantly at 4K.

In Battlefield V, the Specter x360 15 finally managed 55 fps in 1080p and medium graphics and 44 fps in Ultra. The XPS 15 hit 60 fps and 50 fps, and the Surface Book 3 hit 41 fps and 32 fps. As before, 4K was out of reach.

Ultimately, the Specter x360 can play 15 modern titles at 1080p and medium to high graphic detail at reasonable frame rates, which is not bad for a 2-in-1 device. Overall performance on the Dell XPS 15 is poor, but the Specter x360 15 generally outperforms the Surface Book 3 in real world games.

display

HP offers the Specter x360 15 with three display options, all 4K. The entry-level model is the same 340 nit display that they have been providing on the 2-in-1 device for a few cycles. The middle option is a new 400 nit panel with low power consumption (2 watts). The premium option is a 400 nit OLED display. I checked the latter, and like all of the OLED displays we tested, it was largely excellent.

First, according to my colorimeter, it was very bright at 426 nits and exceeded HP's specifications. That's not as bright as the Dell XPS 15's excellent IPS display, which shipped at 442 nits. However, HP uses anti-reflective glass, so the Specter x360 15 makes optimal use of its brightness. Next, as always with OLED, the contrast of 426.180: 1 compared to the XPS 15 (excellent for an LCD screen) 1480: 1 was unfamiliar. The difference isn't as dramatic as it seems on paper, but the OLED display offers significantly better black tones and punchy contrast.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The color gamut of the Specter x360 15 was very wide with 98% of AdobeRGB and 100% of sRGB and was close to 100% of both color gamuts of the XPS 15. However, the HP fell slightly behind in color accuracy and achieved DeltaE 1.21 (the human eye can see in the Generally not perceive an error below DeltaE 1.0), while the XPS 15 achieved a value of 0.65. Both laptops are great for creatives who crave broad and accurate colors, but the Dell is a bit better.

In real use, the OLED display is a dream. Colors pop, but they're not unnatural. Black text on a white background is crystal clear, and movies are a great experience. However, I will find that it does not support Netflix HDR as well as the Dolby Vision enabled Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2, which also has an OLED display. This laptop is the king of Netflix HDR.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Audio was incredibly loud and undistorted at full volume. The mids and highs were excellent and there was even a hint of bass. The Specter x360 15 benefits from its two upward and two downward facing speakers as well as the Bang & Olufsen tuning. You don't have to use headphones or external speakers to binge Netflix, although, as with all but the MacBooks' superior speakers, you'll want to plug something in for the best music performance.

Keyboard and touchpad

If you've read any of my other reviews, it should come as no surprise that the Specter x360 has one of my favorite keyboards. I love the spring travel, the size and the distance between the keycaps and the light mechanism, which still ensures a precise floor effect. It's the same keyboard on all Specter models, and HP has apparently started adding it to the Envy lineup too. The only keyboard that I like better is Apple's new Magic keyboard on the latest MacBooks.

The touchpad isn't that great, mostly because of its small size. Dell managed to fit a bigger touchpad onto the latest XPS 15, and I'd love to see HP do the same. Dell benefited from the extra keyboard deck space thanks to its 3: 2 aspect ratio, but I still think HP could manage to fit into a larger version. The Specter x360's touchpad works well, however, as after so many years of using Synaptic drivers, it's a Microsoft Precision touchpad and supports Windows 10 multitouch gestures with aplomb.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The touch display is precise as always. Windows 10 laptop manufacturers have this one slap. The 2020 Specter x360 15 also benefits from a welcome anti-fingerprint coating. I've found it stays cleaner than most other touch displays. The display supports HP's active pens, which provide 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt assistance. However, on this model, this is an option and I haven't received one to test.

Finally, Windows 10 Hello is provided by both an infrared camera for facial recognition and a fingerprint scanner. I prefer the latter, but both worked quickly and accurately during my tests. Further security is provided by a physical switch that electronically removes the webcam from the system, making it invisible to hackers, and a special keyboard key to turn off the microphone.

Battery life

One stat that has suffered from the downsizing of the Specter x360 15 is the battery capacity, which has dropped from 82 watt hours to 73 watt hours. Throw in some powerful components and a very power hungry OLED display, and battery life expectations should be tempered from the get-go.

First, the Specter X360 15 lasted little more than two and a half hours in our demanding Basemark web benchmark test, which was 42 minutes less than the XPS 15, and one of the worse results we've seen from a productivity laptop. If you plan to do CPU-intensive or GPU-intensive work with this 2-in-1, you should carry your power supply with you.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

In our web browser test, the Specter x360 15 shut down after just six hours. That's an hour less than the XPS 15 and again a bad score for a productivity laptop. This test gives an idea of ​​how long the laptop will run for less demanding tasks, and it is unlikely to last a day even just browsing the web and running Office apps.

After all, the Specter x360 15 lasted just under six and a half hours in our video test, which grinds a Full HD Avengers trailer until the battery is empty. The XPS 15 lasted an hour longer, and that score is again lower than what we're used to from productivity machines.

If you want the form factor of the Specter x360 15 with better battery life, go for the version with a quad-core Intel Core i7-10510U 10th generation CPU and a 4K display with low power consumption. Each of these tests get you hours longer, but of course you give up on the power and great OLED. As it is, our test device is not a good choice for street fighters.

Our opinion

The HP Specter x360 15 is smaller and more powerful. It's the most powerful 2-in-1 you can buy, and while it can't quite compete with the fastest 15-inch laptops for creative professionals, it can meet the needs of everyone but the most demanding of users. HP has succeeded in developing a 2-in-1 system that is characterized by productivity tasks and also offers some creative possibilities.

The laptop is well built, beautiful, and has one of the best displays you can buy today. It's also cheaper than some other laptops like the Dell XPS 15, so the HP is a good choice.

Are there alternatives?

The Dell XPS 15 is the most straightforward alternative to the Specter x360 15 as there has been no other 15-inch 2-in-1 that matches HP's pace for speed recently. The Dell can be configured as a much faster laptop and has its own great display. It is an excellent choice for the more discerning creative type. It's also more expensive, costing over $ 2,000 for similar specs, and only going up in price from there.

Another option is HP's own Envy 15, which is cheaper than the Specter but much more powerful. In fact, it's difficult to choose the XPS 15 over the Envy 15. So if a clamshell suits your needs and you're a creative power user, the Envy 15 is a great choice.

How long it will take?

The Specter x360 15 is durable and has relatively modern components. It should be productive for years. However, we would like the guarantee to be longer than a year.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you want a powerful laptop with the flexibility of a 2-in-1 device, the Specter x360 15 is your best bet.

Editor's recommendations




Train for Explosive Power With This Simple Dumbbell Exercise

When you start building explosiveness with weights there is always someone chirping about Olympic lifting moves. However, learning to ride Olympic lifts is a slower and more arduous process than anyone who has never tried it would think. There are more setbacks than breakthroughs. I should know that I've dedicated a decade of my life to Olympic weightlifting.

When you have the time and energy to devote yourself to it, it can be rewarding and spiritually engaging. If you want to train explosive skills now, there are better options. The dumbbell power shrug is one of your best options.

To train explosiveness, stick to basic movements and learn to train them remarkably well.

If you want to learn more about the principles that form the basis of any movement, check out my two-week, in-depth online course that teaches the immutable principles of all barbell lifts. How to restore your body's resilience and control is about to begin.

You don't need a lot of equipment or coaching for an exercise like a dumbbell power shrugand you can customize it to suit your needs and make it harder over time.

You can create a foundation of athleticism, coordination, and explosive potential in the gym for any other physical hobbies you enjoy, but you need to understand how first.

The benefits of the dumbbell shrug

The dumbbell power shrug builds athletic strength.

There aren't many exercises that will work out these traits in the gym except when throwing or hit heavy med balls.

The benefits of training for explosive force

Unless you're doing a sport that requires explosive movements, you may not be interested in an exercise that develops that skill.

The ability to move quickly, move, or catch when you trip, or change direction is an explosive move. It's a physical ability that we often overlook. However, this is not only important for younger people trying to participate in physical exercise.

With age, the ability to explode decreases before other physical traits such as strength, flexibility, and even muscle mass. Unless you're very explosive at first, that drop will be an even bigger problem.

One of the greatest risks of injury in old age is the loss of this explosive reflex.

If we trip and you cannot move your feet fast enough to catch yourself or reach out your hands, you will be injured. Knee, hip, and back injuries from falls can be reduced as you age by adding explosive workout to the mix.

If you are younger and want to be more capable, this is a great tool that doesn't involve learning new or complicated skills. If you want to train that hard, all you have to do is crouch properly and remember how to jump.

The best part about this exercise is that almost every muscle that starts in the lower body and moves up the chain has forceful contact.

The sequence of movement teaches coordination, which in strength training can generally only be learned by engaging in Olympic weightlifting.

A group of trainers close to me call this coordination the chain of command.

Work out for explosive strength with this simple dumbbell exercise - fitness, kettlebell, flexibility, dumbbell, explosive strength, eccentric workout, quads, upper traps, hip mobility, repetitive pace, resilience, overhead medicine ball slam, shrug

Work out for explosive strength with this simple dumbbell exercise - fitness, kettlebell, flexibility, dumbbell, explosive strength, eccentric workout, quads, upper traps, hip mobility, repetitive pace, resilience, overhead medicine ball slam, shrug

The idea is that large muscles should fire before smaller ones during complex explosive movements. For the power shrug, the largest and strongest muscles in the lower body fire when you crouch and stretch up.

Work out for explosive strength with this simple dumbbell exercise - fitness, kettlebell, flexibility, dumbbell, explosive strength, eccentric workout, quads, upper traps, hip mobility, repetitive pace, resilience, overhead medicine ball slam, shrug

When you reach the top of the movement and deploy, the traps should twitch at the same time as your ankles deploy. However, these smaller muscles only work after the larger muscles initiate the movement.

How to do the dumbell power shrug

You need a dumbbell or kettlebell in each hand.

  • Grab it and get up. Then fold over and crouch down so that the dumbbells are somewhere between your kneecaps and ankles.
  • Press firmly against the floor as if trying to drive your ankles through the floor. (This will keep you in contact with the ground longer and prevent you from getting on your toes prematurely as many do when they think of a jump action.)
  • Keep pushing through your feet firmly as you extend, remembering to stretch your body for as long as you want to jump and hold your head against the ceiling.
  • Keep your arms long and your elbows relaxed.
  • Push even harder through the top of your knuckles, remembering to shrug your shoulders to your ears. If you focus on pushing hard through your knuckles, You will hit the balls of your feet, but your toes will not lose contact with the ground.
  • Time your shrug with the exact moment the heels lift off the floor.
  • Once you are fully extended, immediately drop your heels again and crouch again.
  • Try to do this as a continuous, fluid motion with no rest for the set number of repetitions.

variation

When you're comfortable, change it up by starting from the floor. Touch the dumbbells to the floor on each rep.

This deeper squat is harder than you think. It would be helpful if you had enough hip mobility to squat so low with good posture and so you can train the hip muscles differently.

Mistakes to Avoid

A big mistake is to let your entire foot off the ground and bounce. Use light weights and it's no big deal, but start grabbing heavier bells and it could hurt you.

When you ride hard like you should, your heels will leave the ground, but always keep part of your foot in contact with the ground.

One off-balance landing after an actual jump and you see a foot or ankle injury.

A more advanced dumbbell power shrug

Once you have trained the movement and gradually gained weight, you can challenge yourself at various tempos.

You can eccentric (lower) the weight into your squat position before extending it as quickly as possible. Or you could do something like a 3 count eccentric, with a break down below for another 3 counts.

A basic move like the power shrug makes it easy to modify and more challenging so you can keep training hard.

Train for Explosive Power With This Simple Dumbbell Exercise

When you start building explosiveness with weights there is always someone chirping about Olympic lifting moves. However, learning to ride Olympic lifts is a slower and more arduous process than anyone who has never tried it would think. There are more setbacks than breakthroughs. I should know that I've dedicated a decade of my life to Olympic weightlifting.

When you have the time and energy to devote yourself to it, it can be rewarding and spiritually engaging. Now, if you want to train explosive skills, there are better options. The dumbbell power shrug is one of your best options.

To train explosiveness, stick to basic movements and learn to train them remarkably well.

If you're interested in learning more about the principles that form the basis of any movement, check out my two-week, in-depth online course that teaches the immutable principles behind all barbell lifts. How to restore your body's resilience and control is about to begin.

You don't need a lot of equipment or coaching for an exercise like a dumbbell power shrugand you can customize it to suit your needs and make it harder over time.

You can create a foundation of athleticism, coordination, and explosive potential in the gym for any other physical hobbies you enjoy, but you need to understand how first.

The benefits of the dumbbell shrug

The dumbbell power shrug builds athletic strength.

There aren't many exercises that work out these traits in the gym, except when throwing or hitting heavy med balls.

The benefits of training for explosive force

Unless you're doing a sport that requires explosive movements, you may not be interested in an exercise that develops that skill.

The ability to move quickly, move, or catch when you trip, or change direction is an explosive move. It's a physical ability that we often overlook. However, this is not only important for younger people trying to participate in physical exercise.

With age, the ability to explode decreases before other physical traits such as strength, flexibility, and even muscle mass. Unless you're very explosive at first, that drop will be an even bigger problem.

One of the greatest risks of injury in old age is the loss of this explosive reflex.

If we trip and you cannot move your feet fast enough to catch yourself or reach out your hands, you will be injured. Knee, hip, and back injuries from falls can be reduced as you age by adding explosive workout to the mix.

If you are younger and want to be more powerful, this is a great tool that doesn't involve learning new or complicated skills. If you want to train that hard, all you have to do is crouch properly and remember how to jump.

The best part about this exercise is that almost every muscle that starts in the lower body and moves up the chain has forceful contact.

The sequence of movement teaches coordination, which in strength training can generally only be learned by engaging in Olympic weightlifting.

A group of trainers close to me call this coordination the chain of command.

Work out for explosive strength with this simple dumbbell exercise - fitness, kettlebell, flexibility, dumbbell, explosive strength, eccentric workout, quads, upper traps, hip mobility, repetitive pace, resilience, overhead medicine ball slam, shrug

Work out for explosive strength with this simple dumbbell exercise - fitness, kettlebell, flexibility, dumbbell, explosive strength, eccentric workout, quads, upper traps, hip mobility, repetitive pace, resilience, overhead medicine ball slam, shrug

The idea is that large muscles should fire before smaller ones during complex explosive movements. For the power shrug, the strongest muscles of the lower body fire when you crouch and stretch up.

Work out for explosive strength with this simple dumbbell exercise - fitness, kettlebell, flexibility, dumbbell, explosive strength, eccentric workout, quads, upper traps, hip mobility, repetitive pace, resilience, overhead medicine ball slam, shrug

When you reach the top of the movement and deploy, the traps should twitch at the same time as your ankles deploy. However, these smaller muscles only work after the larger muscles initiate the movement.

How to do the dumbell power shrug

You need a dumbbell or kettlebell in each hand.

  • Grab it and get up. Then, fold over and crouch down so the dumbbells are somewhere between your kneecaps and ankles.
  • Press firmly against the floor as if trying to drive your ankles through the floor. (This will keep you in contact with the ground longer and prevent you from getting on your toes prematurely, as many do when they think of a jump action.)
  • Keep pushing firmly through your feet as you extend, remembering to stretch your body for as long as you want to jump and hold your head against the ceiling.
  • Keep your arms long and your elbows relaxed.
  • Push even harder through your knuckles at the very top and remember to shrug your shoulders to your ears. If you focus on pushing hard through your knuckles, You will hit the balls of your feet, but your toes will not lose contact with the ground.
  • Time your shrug with the exact moment the heels lift off the floor.
  • Once you are fully extended, immediately drop your heels again and crouch again.
  • Try to do this as a continuous, fluid motion with no rest for the set number of repetitions.

variation

When you're comfortable, change it up by starting from the floor. Touch the dumbbells to the floor on each rep.

This deeper squat is harder than you think. It would be helpful if you had enough hip mobility to squat so low with good posture and so you trained the hip muscles differently.

Mistakes to Avoid

A big mistake is to let your entire foot off the ground and bounce. Use light weights and it's no big deal, but start grabbing heavier bells and it could hurt you.

When you ride hard like you should, your heels will leave the ground but always keep part of your foot in contact with the ground.

One off-balance landing after an actual jump and you see a foot or ankle injury.

A more advanced dumbbell power shrug

Once you have trained the movement and gradually gained weight, you can challenge yourself at various tempos.

You can eccentrically (lower) the weight into your squat position with 6 counts before extending it as quickly as possible. Or you could do something like a 3 count eccentric, with a break down below for another 3 counts.

A basic move like the power shrug makes it easy to modify and more challenging so you can keep training hard.

The Power Of Yoga For Glowing Skin

Yoga is celebrated for its stress-relieving and strength-building abilities – but did you know that it can also benefit your skin? Yoga glow is one thing, and if you practice regularly, you've probably noticed positive changes in your complexion. Dr. Genieve Burley tells us: "Moving your body is medicine. It enables detoxification by flushing all organs, increases breathing, lubricates the joints and strengthens the muscles. Breathing and moving in yoga can help balance hormones and move stagnant waste in the gut. All of this leads to healthier and happier skin. " In honor of Wellness month in August and National yoga month In September you can see the power of yoga for radiant skin on and next to the mat.

On the mat: 5 yoga poses for healthy skin

Yoga benefits for the skin start on the mat. Dendy Engelman, MD tells SELF: "Yoga causes vasodilation (enlargement of the blood vessels), which leads to increased blood flow to the skin, provides it with more oxygen and nutrients and is suitable for skin reddening or a" glow "." Whether you practice at home or in the studio, here are five yoga poses for a glowing complexion.

Tadasana (mountain pose)Yoga Tadasana Standing Pose

With its focus on deep, rhythmic breathing, this simple standing posture helps to relieve stress and improve oxygen flow. According to NDTV: "Taking in more oxygen through controlled breathing helps the body release harmful toxins and keep the skin healthy and glowing." By improving blood circulation, Tadasana improves lymphatic drainage, which lightens the complexion and reduces swelling around the eyes.

How to do mountain pose:

  • Stand comfortably with your big toes touching and your heels slightly apart
  • Press the soles of your feet into the ground, grab your thighs and pull them in and up
  • Extend your tailbone to the floor and pull your stomach in
  • Keep your chin parallel to the mat and pull your shoulders back and down
  • Soften your eyes and neck and let your arms hang next to your torso
  • Optional: Raise your hands in a prayer position in front of your chest
  • Close your eyes
  • Breathe in and out for 5 breaths

Uttanasana (standing forward fold)Uttanasana Forward Fold Yoga Pose

Inversions are one of the best ways to stimulate facial blood flow and increase skin cell oxygenation. Yoga teacher Jessica Bellofatto tells Shape: "If I don't have the opportunity for an entire yoga practice, I take at least five minutes and turn my head – it works against gravity and against aging and gives the skin an absolutely healthy glow."

How to make a standing forward fold:

  • Stand in a mountain pose with your hands on your hips
  • Exhale slowly and bend forward from your hips (not your waist)
  • Bend your knees as far as necessary to relieve tension in the lower back
  • Let your head hang hard
  • If possible, put your palms on the floor or against the back of your ankles. If not, cross your arms in front of you and hold your elbows
  • Lift and lengthen your torso slightly each time you breathe in. Be careful not to round off your back
  • Breathe in and out for 5 breaths

Parivrtta Sukhasana (simple seated turn)

Seated twist yoga pose

A healthy intestine is important for healthy skin. Dendy Engelman says to SELF: "Toxins that are not eliminated from the body often accumulate in the adipose tissue and in the skin, which can lead to acne, discoloration and accelerated aging." Parivrtta sukhasana is a gentle, sedentary twist that aids digestion and toxin removal by increasing circulation and energy for the stomach, small intestine, colon, and liver.

How to make a simple seat rotation:

  • Sit cross-legged on the floor (if your hips are tight, you may need a block)
  • Align the head, neck and spine and extend the tailbone to the floor
  • Place your right hand flat on the floor behind you
  • Place your left hand on the outside of your right knee
  • As you exhale, gently turn to the right and look over your right shoulder
  • Extend your spine each time you breathe in. Turn lower each time you exhale
  • Practice this for 5 breaths and then switch sides

Matsyasana (fish farming)Yoga fish pose

Another yoga pose for better skin is matsyasana or fish pose. By gently stretching the neck muscles, fish farming helps flush your thyroid and parathyroid glands Keep hormones – and hormone-related skin problems – at bay. In addition, Matsyasana has great anti-aging benefits. The social says: "This posture gives the muscles of the face and throat a good stretch, which makes it one of the useful exercises to reduce the appearance of a double chin."

How to do fish pose:

  • Lie on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat
  • Raise your hips and put your hands, palms down, under your buttocks
  • Pull your forearms and elbows firmly towards your body
  • As you inhale, press your forearms and elbows into the floor and gently bend your back to lift your torso off the floor
  • Stretch your spine by tightening your shoulder blades and lifting your chest higher
  • Gently tilt your head back and let the crown of your head rest on the floor
  • Keep your legs energized
  • Breathe in and out for 5 breaths

Bhujangasana (Cobra)

Cobra yoga pose

Stress is one of the worst culprits for skin problems. Chiropractor and yoga teacher Genieve Burley tells us: “Emotional stress takes a huge toll on your hormones and your skin. If you live in harmony with work, friends and obligations, your stress will be reduced and your skin will shine. “The cobra pose reduces tension, stress and fatigue by opening the lungs and supplying the body with energy. By Yoga lowers cortisol (the "stress hormone") and reduces oxidative stress. It helps to minimize and prevent the visible signs of aging caused by dehydration and loss of elasticity.

How to do cobra pose:

  • Lie down on your stomach
  • Extend your legs behind you, with your knees touching and your toes resting on the floor
  • Spread your hands on the floor under your shoulders and press your elbows into your sides
  • Press your feet and thighs firmly into the ground
  • As you inhale, stretch your arms to push your chest forward and up from the floor
  • Slowly roll your shoulders back and away from your ears to lengthen your neck
  • Hold for 5 breaths

Off the mat: healthy body, healthy skin

You can extend the benefits of yoga to your skin by considering yoga principles in your daily life. One of the basic principles of yoga is "niyama" and refers to how you take care of your body. Practicing Niyama involves adopting lifestyle habits that support your body's health. This includes paying attention to what you eat and how you care for your skin. Genieve says, "We have layers of the epidermis in the gut and skin, so what we put in the gut is reflected on your skin." A diet rich in Plant foods and antioxidants can help minimize the wear and tear on your skin caused by environmental stressors such as the sun, seasonal changes, and pollution.

It is equally important to treat your skin from the outside in. Genieve tells us: "We need products that are filled with nutrients and made from natural ingredients such as plants. Our skin recognizes elements from nature, not plastics.“Natural and organic products that are filled with vitamins, minerals and ingredients rich in antioxidants are extremely beneficial for a healthy and youthful looking complexion. Not sure where to start? Yoga diaryRecommend beauty experts Eminence Organics Rosehip and lemongrass lip balm, acai peeling with firm skin and facial restoration oil ensure that your skin looks healthy and youthful.

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Has Yoga Improved Your Skin? We'd love to hear from you. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on social media.

This entry was originally published in August 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and completeness.