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Nike By You Custom Nike Free Metcon 6 and the box it came in
Cross Training Shoes

Nike By You – Custom Shoe Review

Like to stand out in the gym? Nike’s Nike By You (Nike Free Metcon 6) lets you pick the color scheme of your favorite training shoes. But how does it work? And does the end product justify the cost? That’s what we’ll review here. The Nike Free Metcon 6 (Nike By You edition) get it only right from the source: First, let’s take a complete tour of the shoe. Nike By You – Nike Free Metcon 6 Shoe Review – Overview Nike By You – Nike Free Metcon 6 – Hands On Review on YouTube Want a up close look at these custom shoes? Check out our hands on review from YouTube: Let’s get into the details The ordering process [Read more …]

Editor’s Picks

Nike Metcon 9 Training Shoe Review 67
Cross Training Shoes

Nike Metcon 9 Review

The Nike Metcon 9 is here and this is our hands-on review of Nike’s premier CrossFit-style training shoe. The Metcon series is Nike’s ultimate, well-rounded cross-training shoe. The series is known for its enhanced flexibility for sprints and box jumps, greater stability for weightlifting, solid traction for sled pushes and rope climbs, breathability and comfort for distance running, and durability for everyday abuse. Because of its popularity and versatility, the series is now on its ninth iteration, with some upgrades and improvements. The Nike Metcon 9 – new for 2023: First, let’s take a tour of the shoe. Nike Metcon 9 – Overview What’s new? It’s the larger Hyperlift plate and added rubber rope wrap. Nike made it even bigger [Read more …]

An athlete using the Victory Multi-Grip functional trainer
Exercise Equipment

Functional Trainer Cable Machines

Let’s talk about functional trainers, also called cable machines. What’s a functional trainer? Here’s an example – the Victory FT-5000 Multi-Grip Functional Trainer from Rep Fitness. This is our top pick for an affordable functional trainer for your home gym or garage gym in the year 2022. A Functional Trainer is a cable machine that uses two independent weight stacks, pulleys, and cables (with handles) to provide unique workout benefits. Here’s the functional trainer cable machines that we will cover: FT 5000 Victory Multi-Grip Functional Trainer This functional trainer from Rep Fitness has everything we’d look for – two 220 lb weight stacks, height adjustable handles, pull-up handles, and plenty of attachment options. All that – and a great price. [Read more …]

The American Barbell Power Bar has a shaft made from precision grade alloy steel
Exercise Equipment

Best Powerlifting Barbell

Rogue Fitness now has the Kabuki Strength Duffalo Bar available. This specially curved bar reduces stress on the shoulders, biceps, and back, while enabling scapular retraction and superior joint centration. Let’s look at who makes the best powerlifting barbell. What’s a powerlifting barbell (Also called a power bar or power barbell)? It’s a tough, stiff Olympic sized barbell used for lifting big weight – think heavy squats, heavy deadlifts, and big bench presses. Shown here is the Rogue Ohio Power Bar – it is our top pick for best power bar. These bars are big so they can hold a lot of weight, but they also have some very important differences as compared to the type of Olympic barbell you [Read more …]

Nike Romaleos 4 versus Reebok Legacy Lifter versus Adidas Adipower 2
Cross Training Shoes

Best Weightlifting Shoes for 2022

Why look at the best weightlifting shoes for 2022? Lifting heavy weights requires the proper footwear. Many people lift using normal sneakers or running shoes – and that is a big mistake. They should be using proper weightlifting shoes, like the Nike Romaleos 4 shown here instead. We’ll review who makes the best weightlifting shoes for 2022, and tell you why they are the best. Best Shoes For Squats? Weightlifting shoes are the best shoes for squats. The raised heel (which is very firm) minimizes the ankle range of motion needed. The solid heel ensures you are stable with hundreds of pounds on your back or in your hands. These are the best shoes for Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, and the [Read more …]

A Rogue Olympic weightlifting barbell - loaded with Rogue training bumper plates
Exercise Equipment

Starting Your Own Garage Gym – The Olympic Barbell

We’re going to talk about what is probably the most essential piece of gear for a great garage gym – the Olympic weightlifting barbell. We’ll provide examples of Rogue barbells – because we think Rogue Fitness makes the best barbells for your home or garage gym (or your CrossFit box!) Here’s the barbells we’ll be reviewing. Be sure to read through to understand the specific strengths of each model. Rogue Olympic WL Bar 20kg men’s bearing bar – Made in the USA with 215K tensile strength steel. Needle bearings for ultimate spin – also great “whip” – so it is the best barbell for Olympic lifts. (Rogue Fitness) Rogue Ohio Bar – Stainless Steel The awesome Rogue Ohio Bar in [Read more …]

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Exercise

What is the Murph Challenge?

What is the Murph Challenge? On Memorial Day 2021 thousands of people around the globe – including Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and more will be taking on the Murph Challenge. What is it? The Murph Challenge is a workout (in CrossFit terms a “Hero WOD”) honoring LT. Michael P. Murphy who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan in 2005. The workout includes a one-mile run, 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 squats and another one-mile run. Murph perfomed this workout regularly, which he nicknamed “body armor” – because he did the grueling workout wearing his plate carrier fully loaded with ISAPI plates. It was his way to ensure he was ready for the grueling [Read more …]