24 Nov
Blog

5 Mistakes You’re Making When Ordering Gym Shirts

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

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

Too many options and styles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Too many cooks in the kitchen

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

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

No clear branding

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

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

No pre-order

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

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

Delay in sales of shirts

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

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

Photo 1 courtesy of Jorge Huerta Photography.

Photos 2 & 3 courtesy ofShutterstock.

20 Nov
Blog

You’re Not an Elite Athlete, So Stop Acting Like One

Immersed in your computer screen, sit in silence and watch a repetition run flawlessly. The seemingly effortless movement from start to finish leaves your mind searching for answers.

Like a voyeur you scroll again and again through the wondrous world of the internet. Everything you see is perfection on all levels, the elite work of the full-time athlete. Suddenly you're no longer comparing your maximum repetitions with the other guys in the gym, but with a Russian strength athlete who is only half as heavy as you. The waistband of your shorts clicks back into place as you check your manhood and feel the shrinkage of defeat.

But elite-level performance is based on simplicity and consistency. The comparison between you and the young woman is actually an insult to her pursuit of success. Before you get all of the elite, you need to understand that you need to fall back on the basics that exist inside and outside the gym.

Elite-level performance is based on simplicity and consistency.

1. Earn the right to progress

Training is a lifelong pursuit. The mistake many athletes make is failing to realize that every exercise is based on a certain basic level of movement. Sliding your feet and catching the bar deep in a snatch comes from hours spent in deep squats. From practicing with a wooden pole, when your whole body is yelling at you, to jumping on the pole like your hero.

“Training is more than just physical presence. Improving every aspect of your time in the gym is a mental exercise. "

Regardless of the sport or skill required, there is a simple question that needs to be answered. Where are you currently on this continuum of skills? You have to be honest and find your own starting point and then move forward gradually.

What you then have is information that you can translate into your own training plan. They adapt to the training behavior of your own body and do not break down your body with the volume that only a well-drilled machine of an athlete can handle.

2. Move with the aim of improving yourself

You don't have the luxury of filling your day with all the nuances of exercise. So let's be honest. Is the latest animal crawling pattern that everyone will see benefit your troubled ankle that you always complain about when you struggle in the squat?

"Is the latest animal crawling pattern you see everyone doing to benefit your troubled ankle that you always complain about when you crouch fight?"

From the moment you walk into the gym you have a purpose. Training is more than just physical presence. Improving every aspect of your time in the gym is a mental exercise.

Elite, everyday athletes, training, mindset, sports psychology

Working on Purposeful Movement with Dmitry Klokov.

Does your movement preparation deal with mobility problems? Does this core drill complement a compound lift? Do you lose yourself in another world during your rest periods by scrolling down your phone or are you focusing on breathing exercises to recover faster? It's your decision.

3. Find radiators, not drains

Life will expose you to two different types of people. On the one hand, the person who always has a problem and complains all the time. The kind of person who with their negativity drains life from one person to the next.

"Your training room should be filled with a community of radiators that not only take your training, but also your everyday life to the next level."

Then you will encounter the energy boom that radiates over a smile from another athlete in the last seconds of a skin-ripping kettlebell snatch. This person is great to be with, and of the two, it will be the one who will keep you in the zone.

In a healthy and productive training environment, leave the little glitches of life behind you. Your exercise room should be filled with a community of radiators, which not only take your training, but also your everyday life to the next level.

Elite, everyday athletes, training, mindset, sports psychology

Radiant energy after 715km in the boat with friends.

4. Find the right coach

At some point you have to make decisions yourself. As soon as you step onto the ring, the playing field or the secluded platform, you are in control. This is not applied simply by reading a book. It's an immersion in your workout and sport with a trainer who slowly gets you to ask your own questions.

“If you want to achieve more than you currently think possible, then look for a coach, preferably through a recommendation. Listen and above all trust his process. "

Spending two weeks with the 2004 Russian Olympic champion, Dmitry Berestov, asking endless questions and watching the coach-athlete interaction left me in no doubt. To quote Berestov himself: "The best athletes have been trained to think and not to hang out."

If you want to achieve more than you currently think possible, then look for a coach, preferably through a recommendation. Listen and most importantly, trust his process.

Elite, everyday athletes, training, mindset, sports psychology

Me with Olympic champion Dmitry Berestov.

5. Get a living

You're more than just a six pack or a good gluteus muscle. You're a living example of what you're doing outside the gym walls. Two hours of exercise won't undo a missed meal, endless nights of poor sleep, or a work-life balance that burdens you more than the thought of a 2km rowing time trial when you are just over six feet tall (or is that so?) just me?).

"Remember, there is such a thing as life, especially when training isn't about life, death or medals."

Jokes aside, building up all of the small loads will go a long way when you put the pressures of volume and intensity in your workout time. Something is going to give way, and it's usually a part of the body. Remember that there is such a thing as life, especially when training isn't about life, death or medals.

diploma

It's easy to get caught up in the details of the programming and the OCD-like sexiness of the numbers, percentages, paces, and rep ranges shared across the internet. Realize that there is more to being elite than just spending time in the gym.

More like that:

08 Nov
Blog

Ring Alarm Pro Review: Peace of Mind When You’re in the Dark

ring alarm pro test 2020q1 lifestyle insitu alarm base station keyboard input

Bell Alert Pro

RRP $ 300.00

"Never worry about power or internet outages again, because the Ring Alarm Pro will continue to work."

advantages

  • Double as a Wi-Fi 6 router

  • Backup of the internet for all devices

  • Lots of accessories to expand the system

  • Battery backup in the event of power interruptions

disadvantage

  • Separate app required for router settings

I have been using the Ring Alarm (2nd Generation) for almost a year now and have had very few complaints about the system or service. It kept me informed of what was going on in my apartment when and not being there, while frequent updates of Ring's services made the experience even sweeter. Add to that the range of Ring devices and accessories and it becomes a breeze if you're looking for a complete all-in-one security system for your home.

So how can Ring do it better? Maybe by making sure that all of my devices stay connected even when the power and internet go down. The Ring Alarm Pro serves this purpose but is different from other offerings in that it effectively acts as an Eero Wi-Fi 6 router to keep not only your Ring devices active and connected, but everything else on the network as well.

Setup and installation

The Ring Alarm Pro is available in a variety of configurations – which is good because it covers both small and large spaces – with the ability to add accessories to the system at any time. The five-part basic kit costs US $ 200 and consists of a base station, keyboard, contact sensor, motion detector, and range extender. I tested the eight-piece kit ($ 300) which has everything that is in the five-piece but includes three additional contact sensors.

Ring Alarm Pro in the closet.

In contrast to the Ring Alarm (2nd Gen), which I had hidden on a corner table, the Ring Alarm Pro has to be placed near your internet modem. If you already have a modem gateway that doubles as a router, you will need to connect the Ring Alarm Pro with an Ethernet cable. After setting it up through the Ring app, the only problem I stumbled across was connecting my previous sensors. They just didn't want to connect at first, but updating the Ring app seemed to fix the problem.

software

The Ring app went through a lot of updates, but it can be a bit overwhelming to navigate the app to find various settings. If you've been a long-time Ring user you shouldn't have too many problems, but anyone who is new to the Ring should have a serious look at the app. Regarding arming / disarming the security system, I like that the option is conveniently available right from the main screen. If there is one critical feature I would recommend to turn on, it is setting up the geofence – so that you will be automatically notified of arming / disarming the system based on your phone's GPS location.

In order to access or change some of the router settings, you will need to do so through the Eero app. This can cause confusion for some people as it is technically a separate app, but it is required if you are monitoring traffic on your network, changing the settings of the router, and adding additional Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh extenders want to add. Personally, I would have preferred some of these options to be accessible through the Ring app as it means one less app to manage.

Home security performance

During the time I have been using the Ring Alarm (2nd generation), I have never had any problems. Whenever a door or window opens, I am informed about these events via the app, which can be combined with other automations, e.g. If you have pets nearby, I also recommend adjusting the sensitivity of your motion sensor as they can set off the alarm if they move. This happened once a year that I was using Ring Protect Plus and I got a call from Ring's professional monitoring service.

Ring motion sensor attached to the wall.

I really like that there are so many accessories connected to the Ring Alarm Pro home security system that you can sleep knowing that you are safe. Aside from the usual sensors, there are also those that can detect other hazards – like water collecting on a floor or even being able to watch out for fire / carbon monoxide sirens that you may already have.

Some home security systems can become vulnerable, but the Ring Alarm Pro cannot.

What really sets the Ring Alarm Pro apart from other home security systems is that it provides backup support for internet and power outages. This is not new in and of itself as other systems have similar automations, but what differs from Ring's offering is that Internet backup is available for all devices – not just the Ring Alarm Pro and its connected sensors. Would you believe it would work?

I tested this by unplugging the Ethernet cable connected to the Ring Alarm Pro from my modem, as well as the power cord. Within a minute, I received a notification that the Ring Alarm Pro was running on battery power and backup internet. I was very surprised to see that all of my devices, such as my laptop and smartphones, were still connected so I could keep working. Ring Protect Plus includes 3 GB of backup data service, but you can sign up for additional data through the Ring app for $ 3 per GB.

Bell alarm keypad on the table.

Fortunately, I haven't experienced an emergency situation, but I like how the Ring Alarm Pro takes that extra step to provide protection in other situations. Take, for example, an evening storm that cuts power for a few hours. Some home security systems can become vulnerable, but not the Ring Alarm Pro, which goes beyond that by providing total security.

WiFi 6 mesh router

There's no denying that I love multifunctional devices that eliminate the need to buy multiple devices – and the Ring Alarm Pro is one of them! Part Home Security Hub, part Wi-Fi 6 Router, it helps a growing smart home by expanding Wi-Fi coverage. Before installing the Ring Alarm Pro, I used an Eero mesh WiFi router with two other extenders in other parts of my home. Exchanging it with the Ring Alarm Pro and connecting the existing extenders was a breeze.

I appreciate the convenience of being able to expand the coverage when I move into a larger room.

Usually devices in my bedroom were struggling to stay connected to my living room router, but the Wi-Fi 6 mesh extender I set up helped fix the problem. Although my apartment is about 1,000 square feet, I appreciate the convenience of being able to expand the coverage if I ever move to a larger room with the Ring Alarm Pro. I can also see which connected devices are consuming the most data and even have the option to pause data usage. For parents, this is an incredibly powerful tool for managing device usage throughout the day.

Our opinion

Ring was a pioneer in the video doorbell space and has expanded into other categories to further expand its ecosystem. With the Ring Alarm Pro, it is the iterative home security system that needs to be beaten right now because it will really continue to protect your home if there is an emergency. Other systems have problems when the power or internet goes out and some of your other devices are left in the dark, but the Ring Alarm Pro keeps chugging as if nothing happened. And. oh yes it doubles as a Wi-Fi 6 mesh router!

Is there a better alternative?

Nothing matches the depth and utility that the Ring Alarm Pro offers, but SimiplSafe's home improvement security system is the closest competitor. While it may not have as many accessories and devices as Ring, SimpliSafe offers one of the best professional home monitoring services out there. In addition, many of the key devices, such as the base station and Smart Lock, are beautifully designed to match any facility.

How long it will take?

If the previous iteration of Ring is any indication, the Ring Alarm Pro should remain in good working order for a long time. Since this is a router and remains stationary, there is very little chance of it getting damaged – even more so if you're like me and place it in a locked room in your entertainment center. There is a one year limited warranty that covers it for defects.

Should you buy it?

Yes, you kill two birds with one stone, because the Ring Alarm Pro doubles as a Wi-Fi 6 mesh router and home security base station. You will never have to worry about home security and power outages again.

Editor's recommendations



18 Oct
Blog

How to Eat Healthy When You’re Super Busy

You intend to stick with your clean eating plan. But after a long night in the office, the siren song of the passage sings so sweetly.

How can you still eat healthily despite a lot of work? The following five tips will help you improve your food game when life gets hectic.

1. Do it like a rabbit

There are hundreds of salad recipes out there, but you don't have to follow a cookbook to get delicious results. All you need to do is have a variety of healthy vegetables and other plant-based foods on hand that you can add to a bowl with some dressing. Add some herbs and freshly ground pepper and you can go to the races – uh, dining table.

You can make meatless Monday a breeze with a chickpea version – these will add plant-based protein to your meal. If you're not on a vegetarian or vegan diet, you can also add grilled salmon, chicken, or shrimp for lean protein.

Remember that fruit also belongs in a salad. A budget-conscious way to stock up on more antioxidants and phytonutrients is to gradually stock up on non-perishable ingredients like dried berries that you can afford. That way, you'll always have a handful of dried cranberries or currants – or nuts and seeds like almonds and pepitas – to add an interesting texture and taste to your creations.

2. Wrap it up

A wrap is another great way to eat healthy on the go. You can even invent a low-carb version by using a piece of lettuce as a substitute for a tortilla.

To qualify your wrap as healthy regardless of the shell you choose, choose your fillings with care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), processed meat is considered carcinogenic, red meat is suspect. The problem lies with the preparation methods. Stay away from meat for lunch that contains nitrates and other additives – opt for freshly fried chicken or turkey when you need a meat-based protein.

Also add some vegetables for the necessary phytonutrients and antioxidants. Red pepper slices are a smart choice – any fruit contains more vitamin C than an orange. Jicama makes for an interesting crunch as do radishes and cucumbers. Don't be afraid to try some unconventional toppings – you can roll corn in a tortilla.

3. Cold as ice

If you haven't gotten into the meal prep frenzy, why are you waiting? You can eliminate many of the artificial additives found in processed, packaged meals and still enjoy all of the weekday convenience of putting something in the microwave or instant pot.

A quick online search reveals countless prep recipes that you can prepare on Saturday or Sunday mornings and enjoy during the week. You can even find ones tailored to specific diets like keto or vegan lifestyles. Your family will enjoy the taste of a homemade meal and you will feel great serving them on busy evenings.

4. Diversity is the flavor

With the items on your spice rack, your meals don't just taste better. Many of them have nutritional benefits. Turn your kitchen window sill into a small garden and add a little freshness to almost every meal.

For example, you can sometimes give in and grab a prepackaged meal from the freezer. Some fresh basil and oregano add necessary nutrients and antioxidants that counteract the negative effects of ingredients like artificial colors or flavors.

5. Get expertise to take away

After all, not all take-out goes straight to your waistline. It may take a bit of searching, but you can find healthy restaurants that deliver in an emergency.

To find the healthiest takeaway, you need to learn to read the menu and make healthier choices. In general, anything grilled or fried is better off than fried.

You can even take advantage of busy nights to experiment with recipes that you've always wanted to try but didn't know if your family would enjoy. For example, why not order a cauliflower crust pizza instead of the high-carb version the next time a busy day calls for takeout? You might find that you like it better than the traditional version and you will save considerable calories.

Eat healthy when you're preoccupied with these tips

When things get hectic, postponing your diet is easy. Eat healthy, even if you are preoccupied with these five tips.