About the Author

Colin Jenkins

Colin lives in Ventura, CA where he runs a Strength & Conditioning facility. If you have suggestions for fitness tech that you’d like to see covered or reviewed, feel free to send info over to colin@9to5mac.com

Apollo Neuro review – Does it actually work?

Colin Jenkins - Feb. 3rd 2023 10:06 am PT @shredded_sloth

Wearables Apollo Neuro

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Apollo Neuro is unlike any device I’ve ever used. While most wearables track your health, this one is designed to actually make you healthier.

Apollo Neuro does this through the use of vibrational feedback. The idea being that this increases the parasympathetic branch of your nervous system to help lower stress, improve sleep, and increase recovery.

The question, of course, is: Does it actually work?

Four months later – I was wrong about the Apple Watch Ultra

Colin Jenkins - Jan. 30th 2023 2:57 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Apple Watch

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Four months after my initial review of the Apple Watch Ultra, a lot has changed in my opinion about it; many of the issues that first bothered me have turned out to not be so bad. At the same time, there are also features I thought were great, but have ended up being more cumbersome than useful.

I want to set the record straight – below are six reasons I was wrong about the Apple Watch Ultra.

Next Gen Stryd review: A must-have tool for runners!

Colin Jenkins - Jan. 27th 2023 4:27 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Wearables Stryd

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While power zone training has been immensly popular among cyclists for a while, it has taken longer to gain traction among runners. This is mostly due to the previous difficulty of being able to accurately track running power.

Runners finally got what they needed when Stryd released their original footpod, which could track your foot through three dimensional space and record the accelerations, impact, and force being applied. And now, with the new Next Gen Stryd, running power is more accurate and easier to use than ever.

4 Tonal alternatives that won’t break the bank

Colin Jenkins - Jan. 24th 2023 11:44 am PT @shredded_sloth

Tempo Tonal Speediance Vitruvian

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Tonal recently announced an upcoming $500 increase to the strength device in addition to a 20% increase in the subscription cost. This is the second time Tonal has increased its price in less than a year. With a total cost for the initial year now surpassing $5,000, you may be looking for some lower-cost alternatives. Below are four options you may want to consider.

Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun review – pretty much a lower-priced Theragun Pro

Colin Jenkins - Jan. 19th 2023 10:17 am PT @shredded_sloth

Recovery Massage Gun Bob and Brad

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Bob and Brad massage guns tend to be a lower-quality, less expensive alternative to more recognizable brand names like Theragun and Hypervolt. However, this cannot be said about the new D6 Pro Massage Gun. While still at an affordable price, the D6 Pro turns out to be one of the highest-quality massage guns we have tested.

Hydrow adds new circuit training workouts

Colin Jenkins - Jan. 12th 2023 9:16 am PT @shredded_sloth

Hydrow

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Hydrow, the connected fitness indoor-rowing company, has added a new type of workout to its platform: circuit training! Continue below to get the full scoop!

Nix Hydration Biosensor review – a revolutionary tool for endurance athletes

Colin Jenkins - Jan. 12th 2023 8:50 am PT @shredded_sloth

Hydration

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Studies have shown that up to 87% of endurance athletes become physically impaired during their workouts and competitions due to dehydration, despite ample access to fluids. Considering the rate at which we lose fluids and electrolytes varies significantly from one person to another, this should not be surprising.

That is why the release of the Nix Hydration Biosensor has the potential to be a revolutionary tool for endurance athletes. Read on to watch/read our full review.

Oura Ring vs. WHOOP – here is how they compare in 2023!

Colin Jenkins - Jan. 9th 2023 12:09 pm PT @shredded_sloth

WHOOP Oura

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If you are looking to track your health and wellness, you may have heard of the Oura Ring and WHOOP Band. Both of these smart devices are known for their accurate sleep and recovery monitoring, but what sets them apart from each other? In this article (and video), we’ll explore nine key differences between the Oura Ring and the WHOOP Band to help you decide which one is right for you.

COROS APEX 2 and APEX 2 Pro – Guide for beginners [Video]

Colin Jenkins - Dec. 21st 2022 7:49 am PT @shredded_sloth

Wearables COROS

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Welcome to our beginner’s guide to the COROS APEX 2 and APEX 2 Pro! If you’re new to COROS sports watches or just purchased the APEX 2, you may be wondering where to start. This guide is designed to give you a basic understanding of the features and functions, as well as provide tips on how to get the most out of your sports watch.

GoPro Hero 11 – Guide for beginners [Video]

Colin Jenkins - Dec. 16th 2022 10:12 am PT @shredded_sloth

GoPro

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Welcome to our beginner’s guide to the GoPro Hero 11 Black! If you’re new to GoPro cameras or just purchased the Hero11 Black, you may be wondering where to start. This guide is designed to give you a basic understanding of the features and functions, as well as provide tips on how to get the most out of your camera.

Images discovered of Peloton’s upcoming strength machine

Colin Jenkins - Dec. 15th 2022 9:42 am PT @shredded_sloth

Peloton

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We’ve known Peloton has been working on a competitor to Tonal for a while now. Pricing surveys that were sent to members last year referred to this upcoming strength device as the “Peloton Platform.” Yesterday, real-life photos of the device being used have been discovered. Check them out below.

Workout at home? Here are 10 tips I use to stay motivated

Colin Jenkins - Dec. 13th 2022 12:27 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Home Fitness

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Over the past three years, I have slowly learned to adjust to workout at home. After spending over a decade in the gym, it has taken a while to really figure out, especially when it comes to staying motivated. Here are ten tips that I have found to be the most helpful.

Tonal faces lawsuit from manufacturer – Should you be concerned? [Video]

Colin Jenkins - Dec. 12th 2022 10:23 am PT @shredded_sloth

Tonal

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Tonal has had a rough 2022, from laying off over 35% of its employees to shutting down its original studio and coaches. While all of this has been concerning, similar companies like Peloton have been going through similar post-pandemic pains.

However, several recent developments set Tonal’s situation apart. Most worrying of all is a new lawsuit filed against Tonal by their primary manufacturer FOXCONN.

GoPro Hero11 Black vs. Hero11 Mini: Which is the better choice?

Colin Jenkins - Dec. 12th 2022 9:49 am PT @shredded_sloth

GoPro Action Camera

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While there are now lots of great action cameras available to film your fitness excursions, GoPro remains a top choice for many. In addition to the Hero11 Black, GoPro also released a new version of their most popular device: the Hero11 Mini. Both action cameras share most of the same features and upgrades, so it can be hard to decide which is the better choice.

Here are the main pros and cons of each, to help you make the right decision when choosing between them.

Speediance hands-on demo [Video]

Colin Jenkins - Dec. 8th 2022 9:58 am PT @shredded_sloth

Speediance

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The Speediance Home Gym is a lower-priced alternative to a digital weight machine like Tonal. While you can see our full review here, you may also want to see a more in-depth preview of how Speediance works. See below for our hands-on demo.

Peloton purges over 1,000 classes featuring music by Kanye West

Colin Jenkins - Dec. 8th 2022 9:35 am PT @shredded_sloth

Peloton

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Following through with its commitment to no longer feature music by Kanye West, Peloton has now removed over 1,000 classes which contained his music. Read on to see which class types and coaches were affected the most by the latest Peloton class purge.

CAROL Bike: A 20-second workout that actually delivers results? [Video]

Colin Jenkins - Dec. 7th 2022 12:22 pm PT @shredded_sloth

CAROL

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While there are a lot of alternatives to Peloton, I have never seen an indoor bike like the one named CAROL. I am currently testing out the new CAROL Bike 2.0, which promises great results through extremely short (and intense) workouts. My initial test consisted of two 10-second intervals. Watch below to see how it went!

I taught ChatGPT to write workouts better than most personal trainers [video]

Colin Jenkins - Dec. 7th 2022 11:57 am PT @shredded_sloth

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With the public soft-release of ChatGPT, an easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) program, I wanted to see how well it understood fitness. Spoiler alert: I was able to teach ChatGPT how to write better workout programs than most personal trainers – in under 30 minutes.

Want to send a Peloton holiday card? Here’s how!

Colin Jenkins - Dec. 7th 2022 10:47 am PT @shredded_sloth

Peloton

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On Tuesday, Peloton made dozens of holiday cards available to download and send to family and friends. Read below to see how they were designed and where to find them.

Here’s how Peloton’s new strategy may actually work [video]

Colin Jenkins - Dec. 7th 2022 10:39 am PT @shredded_sloth

Peloton

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Under the new leadership of Barry McCarthy, Peloton has dramatically shifted its strategy as a company. Peloton cutting costs this year by eliminating most manufacturing and letting go of a huge percentage of their workforce is what is most noticeable. However, there is seemingly a lot more to Peloton’s new strategy. Here is why it might actually work.

7 Tips to boost your Pixel Watch battery life

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 29th 2022 12:21 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Pixel Watch

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Many of us rely on our smartwatches to keep track of our daily steps, monitor our heart rate, and more. While the new Pixel Watch by Google has some great features, its battery life is not one of them. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to boost your Pixel Watch’s battery life to make it last a bit longer between charges.

Peloton, NordicTrack, and others extend holiday sales

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 29th 2022 8:49 am PT @shredded_sloth

Peloton NordicTrack Deals

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This year, not only did Black Friday deals start earlier than ever, but it seems they may be extended longer as well. Peloton, NordicTrack, Hydrow, and others have all officially extended their Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals. Read below to see what deals are still available.

Peloton executives, including John Foley, sued for insider trading

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 28th 2022 4:21 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Peloton

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John Foley, as well as 11 other current and former Peloton executives are being sued by an investor for alleged insider trading. The lawsuit, filed last week, claims Peloton executives sold almost $500 million in stock while concealing safety issues with the Tread+ before it was recalled.

Speediance review: Better value than Tonal?

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 28th 2022 3:48 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Speediance Strength

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Tonal may have been the first device to bring a smart, space efficient, digital weight workout setup to the home. It is also one of the most expensive. Lower-priced alternatives like the Speediance Home Gym, may be a better alternative for those trying to find better value for the cost.

Here is our in-depth review for Speediance. Continue reading to see how it holds up and if it would be a great fit for you.

15 Peloton accessories that are actually amazing

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 28th 2022 11:19 am PT @shredded_sloth

Peloton

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Have you ever wanted to be able to watch Netflix while riding your Peloton? Or do you maybe want to take your turn at your boring Peloton set-up and give it a studio feel with better sound and lighting?

For the past two years, I have been searching far and wide for the best Peloton accessories. Here are 15 of my favorites, alongside exclusive discounts just for readers of Connect The Watts!

How to edit Heart Rate Zones on Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 25th 2022 10:35 am PT @shredded_sloth

Apple Apple Watch

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Heart rate zones are important for understanding and managing your intensity during a workout or race. Here’s how to edit them on the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra.

Garmin rolls out huge November watch update: Here’s what you should know

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 25th 2022 10:21 am PT @shredded_sloth

Wearables Garmin

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Just in time for the holidays, Garmin has released a slew of new updates to many of their GPS watches. Here’s what you need to know about the new features, from wrist-based running power to the new morning report! Read on to learn more.

Peloton Accessories are 30% off on Amazon for Black Friday

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 25th 2022 9:45 am PT @shredded_sloth

Peloton Deals

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Peloton is having a huge sale with almost all of their accessories available on Amazon for up to 30% off – this is a great opportunity to snag some Peloton gear at a discounted price. Here are some of the best deals.

Best 2022 Black Friday Deals: sleep and recovery tech

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 22nd 2022 11:54 am PT @shredded_sloth

Recovery Sleep

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From the massage guns to smart mattresses, there is a lot of sleep and recovery tech already on sale for Black Friday. Here is a list of the best 2022 Black Friday deals we’ve found so far!

Pixel Watch – What was Google thinking?

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 21st 2022 10:37 am PT @shredded_sloth

Wearables FitBit Google

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I have been testing out the new Google Pixel Watch alongside other new Fitbit wearables like the Fitbit Sense 2, Versa 4, and Inspire 3. While there are a few nice features on the Pixel Watch, it falls significantly behind the competition. Not only that, but with Google also downgrading features previously on the Fitbit, it is hard to even determine which watch is best for fitness and health tracking.

Best 2022 Black Friday Deals: Smart watches and wearables

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 14th 2022 12:55 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Wearables Deals

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From the Apple Watch to Garmin, there are a lot of smart watches and sport watches already on sale for Black Friday. Here is a list of the best 2022 Black Friday deals on wearables we’ve found so far!

Best 2022 Black Friday deals: Smart Fitness equipment

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 14th 2022 11:42 am PT @shredded_sloth

Deals

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From Peloton bikes to NordicTrack treadmills, there is a lot of smart fitness equipment on sale for Black Friday. Here is a list of the best 2022 Black Friday deals we’ve found so far!

How to use Backtrack on Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 11th 2022 8:36 am PT @shredded_sloth

Apple Watch

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Backtrack is a mode you activate on the Apple Watch Compass app to keep track of your route, so you can easily retrace your steps in case you get lost. Here’s how to use Backtrack on both the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra.

Peloton Row vs Concept 2 vs Hydrow (and more!) rower comparison

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 9th 2022 4:22 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Peloton NordicTrack Hydrow Ergatta Aviron

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Today we are going to be comparing just about every popular home rower available. From the brand new Peloton Row to the classic Concept 2, as well as the Hydrow, Hydrow Wave, Aviron Strong, Aviron Impact, Nordictrack RW900, and Ergatta Water Rower!

I’ve rowed over 1,000,000 combined meters this year on these rowers. Here are my thoughts on how they compare and my suggestions if you are looking to get a rower for your home.

Hydrow launches new lineup of colorful rowers in time for the holidays

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 3rd 2022 4:01 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Hydrow Rower

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Hydrow has launched four new, more colorful, versions of its Hydrow Wave Rower. The bright new color options can be added for an additional fee when ordering from the company’s website.

Theragun Pro (5th Gen) Review – an incredible but pricy massage gun

Colin Jenkins - Nov. 2nd 2022 11:06 am PT @shredded_sloth

Recovery Massage Gun Therabody

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The Theragun Pro (5th Gen) has pretty much everything you could ever want in a massage gun. It comes with six high-quality attachments, an unmatched 16mm amplitude, and the strongest stall force I have ever tested.

Wearables compared: Apple Watch Ultra vs. Garmin Fenix 7 (and Epix/Enduro 2)

Colin Jenkins - Oct. 25th 2022 10:27 am PT @shredded_sloth

Apple Watch Garmin

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The new Apple Watch Ultra features significant upgrades, including a larger screen, improved GPS tracking, an action button, and improved battery life.

But how does the Apple Watch Ultra hold up as a premium sports watch vs. the Garmin Fenix 7, Epix, and Enduro 2? Here is everything you need to know!

Refurbished Peloton Bikes are on sale for under $1,000 until October 30

Colin Jenkins - Oct. 20th 2022 1:14 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Peloton

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Looking to treat yourself with some home exercise equipment for the holidays? Then you may want to consider Peloton’s current refurbished bike sale. Refurbished versions of both the Original Peloton Bike and Bike+ are now on sale for $500 off including free shipping and delivery.

How to create custom workouts on Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra

Colin Jenkins - Oct. 17th 2022 8:44 am PT

Here is how to create custom workouts on the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra. The ability to create custom workouts is a new feature that has been added to the Apple Workout app during the release of watchOS 9.

How to use Waypoints on Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra

Colin Jenkins - Oct. 14th 2022 11:46 am PT @shredded_sloth

Apple Apple Watch

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Here is how to use Waypoints on the Apple Watch compass app, which has been updated for the Apple Watch Series 6 and later. Additionally, the Apple Watch Ultra has a new Action Button which can create waypoints as well.

Aviron Strong Series Rower – in-depth review

Colin Jenkins - Oct. 13th 2022 2:21 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Aviron Rowing

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Today we are taking an in-depth look at the new Strong Series Rower by Aviron. With a focus on games and entertainment, Aviron stands out among devices that typically only provide instructor led content. But what is most impressive with the Strong Series is the unparalleled accessibility this rower provides.

Peloton instructor sues for wrongful termination and discrimination

Colin Jenkins - Oct. 12th 2022 2:09 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Peloton

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Peloton instructor, Daniel McKenna, who was recently let go, is now suing Peloton for wrongful termination and discrimination.

Venom Go Review – high tech heat!

Colin Jenkins - Oct. 11th 2022 12:46 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Recovery Hyperice

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The new Venom Go by Hyperice is one of the most unique and most versatile heat therapy products ever made. I have never seen anything quite like it.

But is it worth the $149 price tag?

Save 15% on a Peloton Bike during Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale

Colin Jenkins - Oct. 7th 2022 8:29 am PT @shredded_sloth

Peloton

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Amazon offered a sneak peek for some of the deals going live during their new Prime Early Access Sale. Among these deals is the Peloton Bike, which will receive a 15% discount.

The Pixel Watch: Why you should be concerned

Colin Jenkins - Oct. 6th 2022 11:29 am PT @shredded_sloth

Google Pixel Watch

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Finally, Google has officially revealed all of the specs for the Pixel Watch, and it is now available for order. While I think the design is pretty nice, a deeper look into what the Pixel Watch does and does not come with leaves me concerned.

NordicTrack X22i vs Elite Treadmill – everything you need to know!

Colin Jenkins - Oct. 5th 2022 10:24 am PT @shredded_sloth

NordicTrack

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NordicTrack makes some of the best connected fitness treadmills available, including their two most premium treadmills, the NordicTrack Elite and the NordicTrack X22i or X32i. I have spent a good amount of time running and reviewing both versions, and while they are similar in a lot of ways, they are also quite a bit different.

If you are trying to decide between getting the NordicTrack Elite or X22i/X32i treadmills, here’s a list of everything you should know.

Lululemon’s rebranding of the The Mirror is a much bigger deal than you think

Colin Jenkins - Oct. 5th 2022 9:57 am PT @shredded_sloth

Lululemon

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Today, Lululemon has announced a new name for its popular fitness mirror, which was previously called “The Mirror.” The new name is the Lululemon Studio, but the name change is the much smaller story here. It is the new price and membership upgrades that could shake up the entire connected fitness landscape.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 review – fitness tested!

Colin Jenkins - Oct. 4th 2022 1:40 pm PT @shredded_sloth

Apple Earbuds

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The Apple AirPods Pro have finally received an update this year with the release of the second generation. There have been a large number of improvements made, including stronger active noise cancellation, an increased battery life, and better sound quality.

But how do the second-generation Apple AirPods Pro hold up for exercise? Read below to to get our review after taking them through over a dozen workouts!