training tools

The obsession with counting daily steps didn’t begin when Fitbit launched its old-school clip-on prototype back in 2009. Nor did it explode in the 60s when Japan — host of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics — popularized the old-fashioned mechanical pedometer (manpo-kei).

Hop in your time machine … we’re jetting back to the late 1700s.

That’s because we owe today’s hottest digital fitness trend to none other than our third president, Thomas Jefferson, who was a neurotic step-tracker in the Declaration of Independence Era.

Although Jefferson was ahead of his time (unbeknownst to him), he couldn’t have possibly imagined how far technology would advance his once-simplistic innovation.

Oh, how times have changed!

Today’s trackers give us a 24/7 glance at health data that once required a doctor’s visit, a stethoscope, dizzying electrical hookups, and a costly health insurance premium.

But just how popular are Fitbits, Garmin trackers, and other smartwatch innovations? Keep reading to learn about 13 fitness tracker market statistics that put the industry in perspective.

[Read more…] about 13 Fitness Tracker Market Statistics (Sales Growth & Trends)

Fitbit didn’t just “break into” the wearable tech scene in 2009. It almost solely inspired the fitness-tracking craze that would later unfold into an $11.3 billion industry by 2018.

What started as a clip-on pedometer without smartphone connectivity evolved into a 28-model line-up with water-resistant devices that can track floors, heart rate, location, and even stress.

Now, 13 years later, where does Fitbit stand today?

Check out these surprising Fitbit usage statistics to see where the world’s most famous fitness-tracking creator stands.

[Read more…] about 10 Surprising Fitbit Usage Statistics (Revenue & Sales)

It’s no substitute for a Gold’s Gym or LA Fitness membership.

There’s no satisfying clinking of weights (music to your ears), nobody’s jumping to be your spotter, and the buzzing garage refrigerator next to the squat rack is taunting you with ice cream & beer.

But whether it’s a resistance band set rolled up and shoved under the coffee table or a full-fledged home gym in the basement, the fact of the matter is this:

Home is the new gym.

And, these home gym fitness facts and statistics may just convince you to cancel your membership (ha, good luck) and clear out the garage.

[Read more…] about Why Home Is The New Gym (Fitness Facts & Statistics)

A treadmill ($900), bench gear ($150), free weight set ($1,000), squat rack ($300), and gym selfie mirrors ($100) turn a home gym into a once-in-a-lifetime investment.

A fully-stocked garage gym could register a $2,000+ price tag.

That $10-$20 monthly gym membership certainly sounds like a steal right about now.

But scoping out that 20,000 sq. ft. Planet Fitness — fitted with three rows of cardio machines and dozens of resistance training equipment — makes you wonder.

This place must cost millions to fully stock and maintain.

So, just how much are health centers shelling out on fitness equipment each year? And where’s the industry headed now that the obesity and inactivity epidemics are at record highs?

To learn more about this billion-dollar industry, take a look at these 15 statistical trends.

[Read more…] about Fitness Equipment Industry Statistics (Growth & Trends)

A lot of the gear you see guys sporting at the gym simply isn’t necessary.

Take weightlifting gloves and chalk, for example.

They definitely give off that “this guy means business” type of vibe.

But there’s no unwritten gym rule that says you need to use them or that your gains will stall without them—they’re simply there to make your workouts a bit easier.

So what about weightlifting belts….do you actually need to wear one?

Let’s find out!

[Read more…] about Should You Use a Belt for Weightlifting? Is it Necessary?

Today we’re going to be looking at how to use a squat rack properly, an important piece of gear for getting the most out of your training. Knowing how to use a squat rack best is essential for anyone serious about their training.

One important note to make before we start, though, is always to remember the first rule of the squat rack: Don’t curl in the squat rack!

Remember that, and you’ll get along just fine.

[Read more…] about How to Use a Squat Rack [Guide with Videos]

You’ve seen the bigger guys at the gym wearing a leather belt when performing deadlifts and squats. Yet, when you search the Internet to buy your own belt, you may have noticed that some belts are “powerlifting” belts while others are “weightlifting” belts.

We know this can be a little confusing, so let’s go over the major differences between powerlifting and weightlifting belts and recommend the best of each.

[Read more…] about Powerlifting Belt vs Weightlifting Belt: Which Do I Get?

If you’re looking to make huge gains in the gym by doing heavy barbell exercises, one of the best ways to prevent injury and improve performance is by using a weightlifting belt. Whether it’s the Gymreapers Weight Lifting Belt or the Nylon Harbinger Weightlifting Belt, you should improve your bracing and numbers a bit easier.

But, with a market that’s saturated in different types of belts, it can be hard to figure out which type is actually best.

Below, we’ll overview the advantages and disadvantages of leather and nylon weightlifting belts and make a final recommendation regarding which type is best.

[Read more…] about Leather vs. Nylon Weightlifting Belts: Which is Better?