Reviews

XWERKS Motion BCAA Review (2023): A Registered Dietitian’s Honest Thoughts Your gym bag is probably packed with some of the best supplements for building muscle, including protein powder, creatine, and pre-workout. Crucial for boosting energy and strength during a gym session and reducing muscle soreness afterward, you wouldn’t dare train without them. But imagine a single supplement that combines the benefits of all three.   Enter XWERKS Motion — an innovative supplement formulated to enhance endurance during intense exercise and support a quick post-workout recovery. Sounds too good to be true? We’ll find out in this XWERKS Motion review.  Our team of personal trainers, CrossFit coaches, nutrition experts, and competitive weightlifters shared their feedback on the formulation, price, taste, and solubility of this one-of-a-kind product. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I’ll do a deep dive into the ingredients and potential health benefits of XWERKS Motion, so you know if it’s worth adding to your supplement stack. Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. Key Takeaways XWERKS Motion contains 25 grams of cluster dextrin carbohydrates, which can help you exercise for longer before exhaustion. This formula includes three grams of BCAAs to help promote muscle growth and recovery. Made with electrolytes, XWERKS Motion can also support fluid balance and proper muscle function. XWERKS Motion 3.6 Number of servings: 30  Price per serving: $1.96 Amount of BCAAs per serving: Three grams  Calories per serving: 110 Flavors: Raspberry Lemonade  Third-party tested: Not at the time of this writing Check Price XWERKS Motion Pros XWERKS Motion contains a 2:1:1 BCAA ratio, meaning the amount of leucine is double the amount of isoleucine and valine. This ratio is shown to be the most effective for enhanced exercise performance. This BCAA supplement provides a quick energy source from cluster dextrin carbohydrates, which are easy to digest and absorbed rapidly pre-workout. Dairy and gluten-free, XWERKS Motion is ideal for those with a sensitive digestive system who want to avoid uncomfortable bloating, gas, and stomach cramps. XWERKS Motion Cons One serving contains 110 calories solely from carbs, which isn’t ideal for those already consuming adequate carbs who don’t want to increase their intake. It includes sucralose, an artificial sweetener that may disrupt healthy gut bacteria and inflammation when consumed on an ongoing basis.  Only one flavor is available (Raspberry Lemonade), which could get old quickly if you’re taking this supplement several days a week. XWERKS Motion Specs Price per serving $1.97 Flavors Raspberry Lemonade Amount of BCAAs per serving 3 grams BCAA ratio 2:1:1 Amount of l-leucine per serving 1.5 grams (approx) Amount of l-isoleucine per serving 0.75 grams (approx) Amount of l-valine per serving 0.75 grams (approx) Additional ingredients Cluster dextrin carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium, sodium, natural flavors, citric acid, sucralose  Third-party tested No XWERKS Motion Rating Our Breaking Muscle product testing team has tried nearly 20 of the best BCAA supplements, gaining a thorough understanding of what meets customer standards and what falls short. Here’s how our expert testers rated the following categories after trying XWERKS Motion themselves.  Factor Rating (out of 5) Price per serving 3.5 Formulation 4. Available flavors 3 Taste 5 Solubility 5 Side effects 4 Third-party testing 1 XWERKS Motion Review In this XWERKS Motion review, we’ll explore the product’s cost, formula, flavors, taste, and more. We’ll include honest, reliable feedback straight from our Breaking Muscle expert testers, so you’ll know exactly what to expect from this supplement. With transparency in mind, we include the good and not-so-good aspects of XWERKS Motion to give you the full picture.  Price Per Serving A single bag of XWERKS Motion costs $59 for a one-time purchase. Each bag contains 30 one-scoop servings, and a serving costs $1.96. XWERKS offers the option to subscribe to a 30, 45, or 60-day delivery option for a five percent discount on each bag. With that discount, each order costs $56.05, and the price per serving comes down slightly to $1.87. In comparison, Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine costs $1.33 per serving, while Jacked Factory BCAA Powder is available at $0.67 per serving at the time of this writing. XWERKS Motion is on the pricier side, earning this category a 3.5 out of 5, but also contains ingredients not found in most other BCAA supplements.  Formulation XWERKS Motion is thoughtfully and originally formulated, earning it a 4 out of 5. It is unlike other BCAA supplements in that it contains 25 grams of cluster dextrin carbohydrates, also known as highly branched cyclic dextrin (HBCD). Cluster dextrin passes through the stomach into the intestines rapidly, where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream and taken up into muscle cells to replenish glycogen content and provide a quick energy source. (1) Breaking Muscle editorial member Kate pouring XWERKS Motion into a shaker bottle Human studies suggest that when used before or during a workout, cluster dextrin carbs may decrease perceived exertion and enhance endurance when compared to maltodextrin and glucose, especially when prior carb intake is low. (1) However, those who eat plenty of carbs may not experience any added benefits when supplementing cluster dextrin. In addition to carbs, each serving offers three grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). The product contains the BCAA ratio 2:1:1 of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. BCAAs are essential amino acids (EAAs), meaning you must consume them because the body doesn’t synthesize them on its own. Leucine is often thought of as the king of BCAAs because it activates muscle protein synthesis, which is necessary for muscle growth and recovery. (2)  RELATED: BCAA Benefits Other active ingredients include calcium, magnesium, and sodium. During exercise, you lose electrolytes through sweat that need to be replenished. The electrolytes in XWERKS Motion help prevent dehydration and maintain proper muscle function during a workout. Enhanced with natural flavors, sucralose, and citric acid, this product contains ingredients that add sour and sweet notes.  Sucralose is an artificial sweetener considered safe when

Assault Fitness AssaultBike Pro X Review (2023): Assault’s Best Bike Yet? The Assault Bike ProX is one of the best cardio machines currently offered, as it provides a full-body, low-impact workout that can still be high-intensity. Popular in the CrossFit community, this fan bike consists of a belt-driven system and a heavy-duty steel frame, making it a great tool to build both endurance and strength.  Here at Breaking Muscle, our experts include athletes, strength and conditioning coaches, and certified personal trainers who are intimately familiar with this fan bike. We put it through hours of strenuous cardio workouts to see if it could take on the challenge. In this Assault Fitness AssaultBike Pro X review, we’ll highlight our results, how well the bike ranked in testing, and how it compares to other fan bikes.  Key Takeaways The Assault Bike ProX is a great choice of cardio equipment for those who want a total-body workout. This fan bike, also termed an air bike, requires you to engage in full-body exercise using both the handlebars and bike pedals to generate movement through a belt-driven system. The LCD monitor tracks stats such as calories, distance, speed, watts, and RPM, all of which can help you understand energy output. The Assault Fitness App, which you can access through your phone and connect to the bike’s Bluetooth-enabled console, allows you to take part in virtual and instructor-led programming. Assault Fitness AssaultBike Pro X 4.4 Overall dimensions: 51.73” L x 24.52” W x 52.51” H Weight: 125 pounds Weight capacity: 330 pounds Display: High-contrast LCD screen Check Price Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX Pros The AssaultBike Pro X features a smooth belt-driven system to keep the workout efficient and quieter than chain-driven fan bikes. This makes it a great piece of equipment for a home gym, where limiting noise can ensure your workouts aren’t a nuisance to your roommates or family members. With 11 height settings and six front-to-back settings for adjustments, the seat can move upward, downward, forward, and backward to help accommodate your body proportions. Made of a heavy-duty steel frame that makes it pretty stable for exercise, the AssaultBike ProX has a weight capacity of 330 pounds, so even heavier athletes can safely use it. Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX Cons Running at $899 at the time of this writing, it’s relatively expensive and may be out of reach for those with tight budgets. In comparison, the AssaultBike Classic and the Titan Fan Bike are both around $699.  The Assault Fitness App, although interactive and a step up from other brands, has been termed “glitchy” through the many reviews at the Apple store. As such, it only has a a 2.1 out of 5 star rating. The ProX has a large footprint, especially compared to the AssaultBike Elite. The ProX is 51.73 inches long, 24.52 inches wide, and 52.51 inches high, while the Elite is 50.95 inches long, 23.34 inches wide, and 50 inches high. Depending on your home gym setup, the Pro X may take up too much room and prevent you from doing workouts off the bike safely. Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX Rating At Breaking Muscle, we know exercise equipment. We have a product testing team that has put hundreds of machines through the wringer, using them for everything from gentle warm-ups to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. Many of our staff members are home gym owners themselves and use these products nearly every day. With the knowledge we’ve gained over the years, we created a proprietary scoring system that we used to rank the AssaultBike ProX in various categories. Not only did we evaluate how the bike performed on its own, but we also compared it with nearly 30 other exercise bikes to see how it stacked up against the competition. Factor Rating (out of 5) Price 4 Materials, build, and construction 5 Delivery and asssembly 5 Performance 4 Included workouts 3 Heart rate monitor 4 Display and stats tracking 5 Conveniences 4 Workout app and subscriptions 4 Bluetooth connectivity 5 Noise level 4 Portability 4 Warranty 5 Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX Overview From the founders of the AssaultRunner (one of the best treadmills to train with), the Assault Bike ProX is made with a heavy-duty steel frame finished in a black powder coat that helps keep it corrosion-resistant and capable of standing the test of time. It is a top-tier fan bike that can provide a brutal workout for any athlete. The AssaultBike Pro X at the Breaking Muscle testing facility In addition to its tough and durable frame, it incorporates a belt-driven system for a quiet, smooth training experience. It also requires less upkeep than chain-driven systems, which should come as a relief to busy individuals who can’t be bothered with complicated maintenance protocols. Assault Fitness AssaultBike ProX In-Depth Review Price At the time of writing, the Assault Bike ProX costs $899. Fortunately, there is also an option to finance it at around $82 a month through Affirm. For comparison, the Assault Bike ProX is more expensive than the AssaultBike Classic at $699 but cheaper than the Concept2 BikeErg, which costs around $1,100.  The Assault Bike ProX also provides free shipping, which is a big deal for equipment this size. Buying an air bike from another brand could set you back another $100 in shipping costs. All of the above considered, we’ve rated this bike 4 out of 5 stars for its shipping rate, finance options, and value. Materials, Build, and Construction Quality The Assault Bike ProX weighs 125 pounds, has a max user weight of 330 pounds, and boasts a heavy-duty steel frame with a corrosion-resistant black powder coating finish.  We love this type of frame and finish because it means less maintenance over time.  It’s also similar to what you would see with the Rogue Echo Bike, which has a black powder coating and almost looks like it was built from scraps of a heavy-duty squat rack! But the Assault Bike ProX isn’t as bulky as the Rogue Echo Bike,

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Review (2023): The Key to Post-Workout Recovery? Transparent Labs is renowned for its commitment to high-quality products, avoiding questionable ingredients like dyes, artificial sweeteners, and harmful additives. Grass-fed whey protein powders, creatine monohydrate powders, and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements are among their most popular products. This article zeroes in on their best-selling BCAA Glutamine product, specially formulated for muscle repair and recovery. The well-documented benefits of BCAAs make them invaluable to minimize delayed-onset muscle soreness. By incorporating l-glutamine, Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine adds an extra layer to this product’s potential success. In this Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine review, our team of personal trainers, CrossFit coaches, weightlifting competitors, and registered dietitians breaks down the ingredients, taste, solubility, and effectiveness to assist you in determining the product’s true worth. Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. Key Takeaways Every serving contains five active ingredients formulated to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, alleviate muscle fatigue, reduce post-workout soreness, boost post-workout muscle growth, and enhance performance. Contains zero colored dyes, unnecessary fillers, artificial sweeteners, or harmful additives. Suitable for vegan (made with fermented vegan BCAAs) and gluten-free diets. Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine 4.3 Number of servings: 30 Price per serving: $1.33 Amount of BCAAs per serving: Eight grams Calories per serving: Less than 40 Flavors: Blue Raspberry, Sour Green Apple, Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch  Third-party tested: Analytical Resource Laboratories Certified; Elite Manufacturing & Packaging Third-Party Tested Check Price Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Pros All active ingredients are included in clinically effective doses, maximizing your chances of reaping their benefits. As the name suggests, this BCAA supplement has a transparent ingredient list. It is also third-party lab tested, ensuring you receive a safe product containing exactly what is stated on the label. The four unique flavor options can help keep your taste buds refreshed and prevent monotony. Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Cons It is pricier compared to alternative BCAA products, making it potentially unsustainable for some budgets. The flavors come off as too sour for some customers. If you don’t like tart beverages, you may want to try another BCAA supplement with sweeter or milder flavors. It includes stevia, a natural sweetener that may lead to digestive discomfort in some people. Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Specs Price per serving $1.33 Flavors Blue Raspberry, Sour Green Apple, Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch Amount of BCAAs per serving 8 grams  BCAA ratio 2:1:1 Amount of l-leucine per serving 4 grams Amount of l-isoleucine per serving 2 grams Amount of l-valine per serving 2 grams Additional ingredients Glutamine, coconut water, citric acid, stevia, tartaric acid, calcium silicate, silicon dioxide Third-party tested Yes Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Rating The Breaking Muscle staff has researched over 50 BCAA products and tested more than a dozen. We’ve acquired a reliable understanding of their comparative strengths and weaknesses by analyzing their taste, the cost per serving, the amount of BCAAs offered per serving, and whether or not they’re third-party tested. Here’s how we rated Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine: Factor Rating (out of 5) Price per serving 4 Formulation 4 Available flavors 3 Taste 3 Solubility 5 Side effects 5 Third-party testing 5 Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Review Breaking Muscle team member showcases a container of Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine With numbers like those you’re probably wondering why this product rates so highly in several key areas. Without further ado, let’s delve into the details to answer all your burning questions. Price Per Serving Each 1.28-pound tub of Transparent Labs BCAAs costs around $39.99 when making a one-time purchase. With 30 scoops per tub, each serving costs $1.33. The company website offers a monthly subscription that gives you a 10 percent discount on the total price, plus free shipping. If you subscribe, the product cost comes to around $35.99, and each serving is $1.20. In comparison, XWERKS Motions BCAAs are priced at $1.63 per serving, while Jacked Factory BCAA Powder is available at $0.67 per serving at the time of this writing. Since Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine falls in the middle of other BCAA supplements we’ve tried, we gave it 4 out of 5 stars. Formulation Transparent Labs uses clean, simple, effective ingredients in this product, earning it a solid 4 out of 5 rating for formulation. Active ingredients include a BCAA 2:1:1 ratio of leucine (four grams), isoleucine (two grams), and valine (two grams). These are complemented by five grams of glutamine and one gram of coconut water powder, supplying electrolytes.  BCAAs are essential amino acids (EAAs) that you must consume through food since the body doesn’t make them. Of the three BCAAs, leucine is most notably a key regulator of muscle protein synthesis, needed to build muscle. (1) The suggested “threshold” for leucine intake is often cited as two to three grams daily to maximize muscle building. (1) However, individual dietary needs may vary, and it’s advisable to consider overall protein intake and dietary sources. Valine and isoleucine aren’t as involved in muscle protein synthesis, but take on other roles. Valine helps stimulate muscle regeneration and is involved in energy production. Isoleucine supports glucose (sugar) uptake by muscle cells to be used for energy. This could help improve muscular stamina and improve endurance during a workout.  Glutamine is an addition unique to this product. As the most concentrated amino acid in the human body, it’s crucial for cell function and growth. (2) By enhancing protein synthesis and muscle tissue development, glutamine aids in muscle building and recovery. (2) Supplement fact label listing the ingredients in Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine One gram of coconut water provides electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, and magnesium. These minerals help regulate fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. Since you sweat and lose electrolytes during prolonged exercise, electrolytes are important for maintaining proper hydration for optimal physical performance.  Additional ingredients consist of citric acid for preservation and flavor, natural flavors,

Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt Review (2023) A weightlifting belt may not have a long list of features, but it’s a valuable tool that can help keep you safe, stable, and supported during your training sessions. As a longtime rugby player and strength athlete, I’ve been using a powerlifting model from EliteFTS that’s withstood plenty of punishment over the last eight years without sustaining any tears. But even though investing in a fully leather belt can be expensive, you don’t have to spend $150 (or more) to enjoy a more secure lifting experience. Enter the Element 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt — an affordable option that combines the stability of a leather belt with the flexibility of a nylon one. In this Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt review, you’ll learn how a company started by a doctor of physical therapy and a US Army veteran developed a cost-effective solution to solve the problem of having to select between two different styles of belts. Key Takeaways The Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt pairs premium leather with high-quality nylon to give you the best of both belt material worlds, as the former offers superior stability and the latter adds extra comfort. The velcro strap and self-locking buckle system keep you well-secured so you can safely perform deadlifts, squats, and other heavy lifts with more confidence. This self-locking weightlifting belt is versatile enough to be used by powerlifters training to hit PRs to CrossFit enthusiasts crushing dynamic Olympic lifts like power cleans and snatches. Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt 4.6 Material: Leather Width: Four inches Thickness: Six millimeters Locking type: Velcro Size range: XS to XL Check Price Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt Pros Element 26 offers this hybrid weightlifting belt in five different sizes, which means most lifters should have no trouble finding one that fits comfortably around their belly buttons. From extra small (23 to 27 inches) to extra large (40 to 45 inches), there’s a wide range of options for lifters of all sizes. The self-locking mechanism allows for smooth transitions between sets. You can easily unlock the buckle and adjust the strap to take the belt off while you rest, and it stays securely in place when you’re ready to lift. At around $60, this versatile weightlifting belt represents excellent value. Although it’s significantly cheaper than a fully leather belt, it’s made of high-quality materials that protect your lower back and core during heavy lifts and other athletic movements. Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt Cons A fully leather belt will provide superior stability to this hybrid version from Element 26. If you want the most support, the SBD 13MM Lever Belt is one of the best weightlifting belt options for powerlifters and athletes who train with heavy loads. Just be prepared to pay north of $300 once you include shipping and taxes. While our testing team felt comfortable using the self-locking buckle, a belt with a lever buckle system may provide an extra layer of assurance and security. However, this comes down to a matter of personal preference. The uniform four-inch width of the Element 26 Hybrid Belt could cause discomfort for some athletes. Because it’s not tapered in the front, the belt can cause some breathing restrictions, depending on your body position. Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt Specs Price $59.97  Belt type Hybrid Materials Premium leather belt wrapped in nylon Thickness Six millimeters Available sizes XS, S, M, L, and XL Warranty Lifetime warranty Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt Rating The weight belt world includes a wide variety of build materials, designs, and uses. Our Breaking Muscle team of certified personal trainers, CrossFit loyalists, and strength and conditioning coaches have collectively performed thousands of reps of squats, deadlifts, and other exercises over the years wearing dozens of different weight belts. After training with them extensively, we used a proprietary scoring system to rank them based on factors such as design, durability, and versatility. Here’s how the Element 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt scored. Factor Rating (out of 5) Price 4.5 Design and colors 4 Construction and materials 4.5 Adjustability 5 Durability 4.5 Versatility 5 Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt In-Depth Review A Breaking Muscle team member prepares to unrack the barbell from the squat rack while wearing the Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt Before you make room for the Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt in your gym bag, you’ll want to make sure it’s the best fit for your style of training. After all, even though it can be used for different types of workouts, you may prefer the fit and feel of a tapered belt or the stability and security of a thicker one. We’ll take a closer look at key components like value, versatility, and durability so you can complete the checkout process with zero worries and 100 percent confidence.  Price and Value Available on element26.co and Amazon for $59.97, this hybrid weightlifting belt won’t make a huge dent in your gym equipment budget. In fact, you could easily spend double that amount to get a fully leather belt specifically suited for powerlifting — such as the 13mm Forever Lever Belt by Izner — which costs about $140.  While investing that type of money may get you maximum durability and stability, it may not be necessary. Since the Element 26 Hybrid Weightlifting Belt brings the best of both worlds by using leather and nylon, you can perform just about any type of workout without having to worry about a lack of support. At about $60 and capable of handling nearly anything you throw its way, this belt earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for price and value. Design and Colors It’s easy to see why so many users enjoy the design of the Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt. At six millimeters thick, it has sufficient girth to support your core and lower back. Plus, a four-inch-wide profile makes it well-suited for performing squats, deadlifts, and

Titan Series Adjustable Bench Review (2023) As a home gym owner with a keen eye for budget-friendly strength equipment, getting great value is one of the most important factors when deciding whether to pull the trigger on a potential purchase. However, when it comes to the uber-competitive adjustable bench market, it’s tough to contend against Rogue and REP Fitness — companies known for producing highly-rated options like the Adjustable Bench 3.0 and the AB-5200. Yet despite being better known for their power racks than their weight benches, Titan raised their standards and finally delivered a fully adjustable version that can more than hold its own against the giants of the industry. In this Titan Series Adjustable Bench review, we’ll dive deep into what makes this newly released model arguably the best value in the industry. From its attractive price point to its sleek appearance to its wide range of adjustable positions, this well-designed Titan bench can handle all your heavy bench presses and other lifts without taking a huge bite out of your garage gym budget. Key Takeaways The Titan Series Adjustable Bench costs $449.99, making it one of the best budget-friendly options if you’re looking for a high-quality adjustable bench that won’t break the bank. This newly released bench features nine back pad positions and three seat pad positions, giving you 27 custom configurations to perform a variety of free-weight exercises. Tipping the scales at 120 pounds, the Titan Series Adjustable Bench has a 1,000-pound weight capacity for the flat position and a 600-pound max for the incline position. Titan Series Adjustable Bench 4.3 Dimensions: 17” H x 56.5” L x 24.75” W Weight capacity: 1,000 pounds (flat), 600 pounds (incline) Materials: 11-gauge steel frame, HeftyGrip Vinyl Warranty: One-year warranty Check Price Titan Series Adjustable Bench Pros Made with 11-gauge steel, this heavy-duty adjustable bench is incredibly sturdy. Titan took the stability factor to the max by welding the entire frame together (other than the back foot), leaving essentially zero wriggle room and creating ultra-tight tolerances. Titan’s HeftyGrip Vinyl compares favorably to the material used on more expensive weight benches like the REP Fitness BlackWing. Thick and durable, it provides an extra grippy surface for you to perform your lifts so you don’t have to worry about sliding around or feeling unsafe. With a $450 price tag that includes free shipping, this Titan bench provides excellent bang for your buck. You can use those extra savings to invest in better bumper plates, an Olympic barbell for CrossFit-style workouts, or other strength equipment to round out your home gym. Titan Series Adjustable Bench Cons Despite a solid overall design, this adjustable weight bench isn’t quite as comfortable as some of its competitors when used in a flat position due to the 1.5-inch gap between the seat pad and back pad. The hinge that moves both pads can dig into your back if you’re positioned lower on the bench. Unlike the BlackWing model from REP Fitness, the Titan Series Adjustable Bench does not accommodate attachments like a leg roller. This limits your ability to use the bench to perform accessory exercises such as sit-ups, crunches, and Nordic curls. Titan only offers a one-year warranty period for all products. On the other end of the spectrum, Rogue includes a limited lifetime warranty on all frames and a three-year warranty on sewn items. Titan Series Adjustable Bench Rating From price to padding to portability, our Breaking Muscle Team assesses weight benches using a propriety scoring system we developed from testing dozens of different benches to perform a variety of free-weight exercises. We look for critical factors that lead to a positive purchasing experience, including how well the bench is made, how easy it is to use, and how many adjustable positions you have at your disposal. Here’s how the Titan Series Adjustable Bench fared across each category: Factor Rating (out of 5) Price and Value 5 Construction Quality 5 Delivery and Assembly 5 Dimensions 4 Padding 5 Footprint and Portability 4 Performance and Ease of Use 4.5 Incline Levels 4 Warranty 2 Titan Series Adjustable Bench In-Depth Review It’s never too late to change your reputation. While Titan hasn’t earned a ton of praise for their benches before, that will surely change once more lifters get a chance to try out their newest creation. Safe, sturdy, and supportive, the Titan Series Adjustable Bench seems more than capable of serving as the only bench in your home gym for years to come. Not only does it give you the versatility to adjust the seat pad and back pad, but it’s also designed to store vertically — a neat feature that cuts down on the bench’s footprint. Most importantly, though, Titan’s latest release comes in at a price point that makes it the best value, even in a crowded market full of high-quality adjustable bench options.  Price and Value It almost seems too good to be true for an adjustable bench built to International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) standards to be available for well under $500. Yet thanks to Titan, you can enjoy the benefits of having a flat, upright, and incline bench all in one for the tidy price of $449.99. Plus, you don’t have to leave any room in your budget for freight costs, as Titan offers free shipping on all orders. Compared to other similar adjustable benches, the Titan Series comes at a more affordable price point. For example, although REP marked its popular AB-5200 model down to $449.99 as part of a Black Friday sale, it typically costs about $500. Meanwhile, the Rogue Adjustable Bench 3.0 normally costs $50 more than its current sale price of $545. Considering you get two more back pad adjustment choices with the Titan Series for less money, it’s hard to put the AB-5200 above its competitor from a value standpoint. Plus, Titan offers two- and three-year protection plans for $54.99 and $64.99, respectively, along with flexible payment options. Overall, Titan deserves a tip of the cap for pricing their

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Review (2023): Are These Value Dumbbells Worth It? If you’re short on space, lifting weights at home can seem practically out of the question. And I know this from experience. I remember living in a one-bedroom apartment and just knowing that a set of traditional dumbbells and its accompanying rack wouldn’t fit anywhere. Fortunately, one day, I discovered adjustable weights, and they’ve been an essential part of my strength training routine ever since. So if you’re in a similar situation, you might be looking for a suitable solution too.  The NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Dumbbells are a space-saving and cost-effective option for adjustable weights. However, like all fitness equipment, they aren’t going to check the box for everyone. Therefore, to help you decide if it’s a practical choice for you, the Breaking Muscle team has put them to the test. Plus, as a health and fitness writer who loves sharing my honest home gym workout experiences, I’ll also be spilling the tea. So, let’s jump right into this NordicTrack adjustable dumbbell review! Key Takeaways These can replace 15 individual dumbbells, so you can really maximize your home gym space. They range in weight from 10 to 55 pounds (4.53 to 24.94 kilograms). The handle diameter is fixed, which may not be ideal if you prefer a more ergonomic handle. The sliding pins weight selection system is easy to use, but adjusting the weight may take longer than it does on other adjustable dumbbells.  NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Adjustable Dumbbell 4.1 Weight range: 10 to 55 pounds Weight increments: 2.5 to five pounds Adjustment type: Sliding pins Dimensions: 19.4” L x 11.4” W x 8.5” H with storage tray  Materials: Steel, plastic Warranty: 90 days Check Price NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Pros NordicTrack’s adjustable dumbbells are some of the more affordable adjustable dumbbell choices. They can be adjusted in 2.5-pound increments, which is ideal for those who prefer to make smaller jumps in weight. The NordicTrack Select-a-Weight dumbbells are compact and take up less room than a full set of high-quality dumbbells. They can fit into most small gym spaces with ease. NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Cons The plastic parts may cause durability issues. During our testing, we noticed that the weight plates can shake and rattle when in use. The NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells can’t be dropped, so they may not be suitable for CrossFitters or lifters who like to train to failure. NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Rating The Breaking Muscle team has tried out A LOT of adjustable dumbbells, so we know what a real high-quality one looks like. We use our proprietary factor methodology system to rank everything from price for value to the variety of weight increments. The NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Adjustable Dumbbells at the Breaking Muscle testing facility Here’s how the NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells score.  Factor Rating (out of 5) Price and value 4.0 Construction quality 4.0  Ergonomics 4.0 Ease of use 4.5  Weight options 4.0 Adjustment mechanism 3.5 Warranty 3.0 NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Overview The NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Dumbbells come as a pair and provide a combined 110 pounds (49.89 kilograms) of weight. With a handy-dandy weight selection system and 15 different weight assortments, you can do a variety of home workouts from squats and lunges to bicep curls and overhead presses. Plus, if combined with an iFit membership (for around $39 per month), beginners and intermediate trainees can access hundreds of weightlifting workouts.  In this second iteration of the NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells, you get a less bulky product that feels a little more like a fixed weight. The original version, which had blue weight selector tabs, featured more plastic and felt less sturdy. Some consumers even questioned its safety and reliability. But in NordicTrack’s new and improved version of this set of adjustable dumbbells, it seems to be a lot better.  Who Should Buy the NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells New and intermediate trainees who are looking for dumbbells they can progress with.  Individuals who don’t have a spacious home gym and need a compact solution.  Home gym lovers who enjoy interactive training — these dumbbells are an excellent choice for strength training workouts through iFIT (which requires a subscription of about $39 per month) Who Should Not Buy the NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbells Those who prefer the feel and functionality of traditional dumbbells  Advanced weightlifters who need more than 55 pounds  Trainees who’d prefer longer warranty coverage. NordicTrack only offers a 90-day warranty. NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Review Before you even think about swiping your card to order this product, there are a few things you should know. While this set of adjustable dumbbells will check the box for some people, it may be completely underwhelming for others. To give you some perspective, we’ll jump into the price, construction quality, warranty, and more.  Price and Value As of this writing, the 55-pound (24.94 kilograms) NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell costs $399, but is that reasonable? The short answer is yes, and here’s why we ranked these 4 out of 5.  When compared to similar options, their price actually seems to fall in the middle. For instance, when we compared options, the Bowflex SelectTech 552 was $429, The Core Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set was $359, and the Nuobell Classic Adjustable Dumbbell Set was $595. They’re all compact and have comparable weight options and increments, but the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight set is the only one that goes up to 55 pounds. On top of that, you’d get free shipping and a 30-day iFIT trial. Financing may be an option, too, if you’re not ready to pay it all upfront. There are 12 and 39-month 0 percent APR payment options, meaning you could end up paying a little over $10 or $33 per month.   So, if you’re comparing those and trying to determine which one would provide the most value, I’d recommend NordicTrack. For the quality, price, and functionality, these are one of the best adjustable dumbbells. However, if you want a set of dumbbells with a greater weight range or higher quality, expect to pay more.  Also, let’s