"Stance" - Fit at Midlife

Rogue Beastie Xtra Firm Massage Ball back thigh

Mobility Accessories from Rogue

January 14, 2022 VA Worker Comments Off

Let’s look at some Mobility Accessories. Improving physical wellness, toning the body, and improving flexibility don’t necessarily mean going out to the gym or buying expensive workout equipment. You can simply grab small mobility accessories that are inexpensive but are undeniably effective not only in enhancing your body but also in rebuilding strength, mobility, and rehabilitation in less than the scheduled time. Here are some of the styles we are going to look at: Mobility Accessories – Overview Aside from helping you with mobility issues, Rogue Mobility Accessories has many other uses, including rehabilitation, general conditioning, flexibility exercises, plyometrics, pull-up assistance, banded squats, speed and agility training, banded bench presses, jumping, aerobics, and stretching. They also deliver consistent, deep tissue [Read more …]

Concept2 BikeErg Versus Rogue Echo Bike

February 16, 2021 VA Worker Comments Off

Let’s compare and contrast the BikeErg from Concept2 and the Rogue Echo Bike. Technically, they are both “bikes,” but what really are the differences between Concept2’s BikeErg and Rogue’s Echo Bike? This Echo Bike vs BikeErg. Here are some of the equipment we are going to look at: BikeErg or Echo Bike – Overview BikeErg and Echo Bike both give very distinct energy to the body, and with different energy comes a different transformation and different training outcomes for each. A well-rounder will get leg fatigue on the BikeErg and be out of breath on the Echo Bike. The Echo Bike utilizes both the upper and lower body, while the BikeErg is generally lower body. The Echo Bike ends in [Read more …]

Rogue Adjustable Monolift Monster with lifter

Rogue Monolifts

January 16, 2021 VA Worker Comments Off

Let’s review the monolifts available from Rogue. Squatting really heavy? You need a monolift. Why a monolift? This device holds the heavily loaded barbell in an elevated position. When you lift the bar up, the holders retract. This means you don’t have to walk the weight out of the rack – or mess up your squat stance. This makes the lift safer, and you save energy for more productive training. The traditional downsides of a monolift are as follows: they are big, they are single-purpose (really only for squatting) and they cost a lot of money. It’s not super-practical to have a monolift in your home gym or garage gym – so why not turn your power rack into a [Read more …]

GORUCK MACV-1 Boot Versus Altama OTB Maritime Boot Review

GORUCK MACV-1 Boot Versus Altama OTB Maritime Assault Boot Review

March 2, 2021 Tim Comments Off

Need boots that are made to get wet – and let you keep going afterward? Let’s put these two top contenders to the test – the GORUCK MACV-1 and the Altama OTB Maritime Assault Boot (Buy on Amazon). Here’s some of the products we used during this test: Let’s compare and contrast. This is GORUCK MACV-1 versus Altama OTB. First, let’s take an in-depth look at each. GORUCK MACV-1 Jungle Ruck Boot Overview We’ll start with the GORUCK MACV-1. I’ve had these for quite some time now, and these aren’t just one of my favorite pairs of boots – they are one of my favorite pair of shoes – period. There’s two heights of boot – 6″ and 8″. I [Read more …]

REP ISO Arms Product Highlight

December 22, 2021 VA Worker Comments Off

Let’s review the new ISO Arms from Rep Fitness. The ISO stands for isolateral. ISO Arms give you more exercise options for your home gym or garage gym. It turns your power rack into a versatile strength training machine. Perhaps even better, these enable isolateral training – you can train each side of your body independently. That means you can bring up a lagging body part – and avoid training your strong side too much. Here are some of the options we are going to look at: ISO Arms – Overview What’s the Rep Fitness ISO Arm? It’s a set of two levers you can attach to your power rack. Each moves independently through 180 degrees of motion – and [Read more …]

Rep Fitness SR-4000 Squat Rack back view carrying barbell

Rep Fitness SR-4000 Squat Rack Product Highlight

December 22, 2021 VA Worker Comments Off

Let’s review the new SR-4000 Squat Rack from Rep Fitness. Want to get really strong? You need a squat rack or power rack. It’s really the only way to use super-heavy barbells for strength training – and heavy barbells are the best way to build strength. The squat rack is one of the more expensive gym equipment and can sometimes be intimidating because of its size. But once you know what a squat rack is and how to use it to its full capacity, it can become one of the essential equipment in your workout. It is intended to support weight when doing squat variations. Here are some of the models we are going to look at: SR-4000 Squat Rack [Read more …]

Force USA G12 All In One Trainer full front right

Functional Trainers from Force USA

January 14, 2022 VA Worker Comments Off

Let’s examine all the Functional Trainers from Force USA. Functional trainers are the most efficient and versatile piece of fitness tools on the market. Aside from enabling you to work the most muscle groups in the widest variety of styles, they are also reliable to use for all age groups able of resistance training. It uses two cables and attachments, allowing you to perform directional movements of your preference. Here’s some of the styles we are going to look at: Functional Trainers from Force USA – Overview There are no boundaries to what you can do with functional trainers. They allow you to do exercises for your legs, arms, chest, back, and shoulders. You can use it to do shoulder [Read more …]

AssaultBike Pro Product Highlight

December 23, 2020 VA Worker Comments Off

Assault Fitness, makers of the original “assault bike”, have recently launched a new version of this fabulous fitness tool – the AssaultBike Pro. To understand what’s new and improved with this bike – let’s review all the air bikes from AssaultBike. Here’s some of the styles we are going to look at: Let’s compare all these models. Air Bikes from AssaultBike – Overview First, a quick word on air bikes. Combining the arm-pumping action of a cross-country ski machine with the leg-firming power of cycling across deliberate resistance, Assault bikes are in a calorie-burning league of their own. But, these can also be an effective tool for rehabilitation as it requires secure, controlled movement with zero impact. Assault bikes are [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 …]