11 - 2020 - Fit at Midlife

Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor Review

February 21, 2021 Tim Comments Off

Recently I wanted to get into some heart rate training techniques and do some other work evaluating calorie burn. This is my review of the Polar H10 Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor. Why a chest strap heart rate monitor (HRM)? These types of heart rate monitors are known to be the most accurate. Because it’s a chest strap, it isn’t impacted by movement (like a heart rate monitor you wear on your wrist or arm). Secondly, it operates by detecting the electrical signals of your heart – and this is a more consistent and accurate method than that used by wrist-mounted heart rate monitors (which use optical sensors.) Here’s some of the gear I used during this review. Polar H10 [Read more …]

How Many Calories Does Rucking Burn?

January 17, 2021 Tim Comments Off

How many calories does rucking burn? That’s a great question – you certainly know you are working harder when you walk for long distances with a heavily loaded backpack (rucksack) on your back. But, can we put some hard numbers to this? Yes, we can. Here’s results from testing I’m doing – measuring calorie burn (via heart rate monitoring) at a variety of distances, loads, and paces. Without further ado, here’s the results (Preliminary, more data will be added over the next 2-3 months): Ruck Weight Pace (mph) Calories burned/minute Calories burned/hour Calories burned/mile 0 (no ruck) 3.6 6.7 401 109 30 lb ruck plate + Rucker 3.0 3.0 6.2 373 123 30 lb ruck plate + Rucker 3.0 3.7 [Read more …]

Xebex Rower Review

March 16, 2021 Tim Comments Off

Let’s review the features of the Xebex Rower line – including their latest model the Xebex Rower 3.0. Here’s some of the styles we are going to look at: Xebex Rower – Overview These indoor rowing machines provide resistance from a flywheel. It uses air resistance – and this means the resistance can vary from minimal to a lot. Overall, rowing is excellent exercise. It uses all your major muscle groups – it’s a full body workout. It is also zero impact. There’s no repeated jarring shocks to your joints. Why pound the pavement relentlessly when you can glide instead? Xebex Rower 3.0 First of all, this is a rower that uses air resistance. There’s an ergometer. And when you [Read more …]

Air Bike Training Programs

November 20, 2020 Tim Comments Off

Got air bike? Stop flailing around with random workouts and pick an air bike training program. We’ll provide a round-up and overview of several of the best air bike training programs. Have one to contribute? Give us a shout in the comments. Here’s some your options: Air Bike Training Programs – Overview Looking for more variety in your workout? Check out our 28 awesome assault bike workouts. Otherwise, maybe you need a more structured training program. After all, incremental progression is the foundation of physical training. Check out these programs below. Year of the Engine – The Gains Lab I’ve been running “Year of the Engine” for 3 months now. And I like the results I’m getting. After many months [Read more …]

Pedal Straps for Rogue Echo Bike - Pedal 11

Fyxation Pedal Straps for Rogue Echo Bike Review

December 22, 2020 Tim Comments Off

Let’s review Fyxation Pedal Straps on the Rogue Echo Bike. Why pedal straps? You know you can PUSH on the pedals already – but pedal straps (like clips) let you PULL on the pedals too. Overall this can make for more efficient pedaling on the Rogue Echo Bike. And, let’s face it – if you are using the Echo bike as it’s intended you probably need all the help you can get. Here’s some of the styles we are going to look at: Fyxation Pedal Straps on Rogue Echo Bike – Video Review on our YouTube Channel Why read when you can watch? Check out this video from our YouTube channel: Here’s how to install: And here they are in [Read more …]