The world of at home fitness is constantly improving and developing because of rising popularity, practicality and less travel, as well as general advancements that experts are making in the fitness field.

In the world of studio cycles, there are lots to be excited about because with each release comes brand new features that seem to outdo the ones before it.

These are features that range from your predictable workout personalization options to really original tools that can enhance your fitness before you even get on the bike and long after you are done. 

Having said that, anyone who wants to begin, improve or completely master their fitness routines on any studio cycle will have not only a wide selection to choose from, but many features to consider.

Because we all have different bodies and fitness goals, it is so important to understand the differences between cycles because there are many options and variations that could make or break your personal workout ideals and intended goals.

No matter what studio cycle you end up choosing, your workout routine has the potential to be the most motivational and uplifting session of all time or a complete letdown that you just can’t wrap your head around.

This is why, similar to a spin class or any kind of joined workout program, you need the right cycle that will bring you to the appropriate mindset, where fitness and workout inspiration work together to enhance your lifestyle.

This is why I’m doing this review of what studio cycle is the best. We all want to cycle at home sure, but it’s the questions of what bike to use, how to use it, why it’s best for you and where it ranks according to your fitness dreams, that I am more interested in.

You have to look for the cycle that is best for you, and that is what I hope to help you achieve.

In this review, I’m going to discuss the big ones, NordicTrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle and Peloton Bike+, along with its notable competitors: Bowflex C6 Bike, ProForm Studio Bike Pro 22, Stryde Bike, Myx Plus and the NordicTrack S15i Studio Cycle.

While looking at all of these cycles, I will give details of the main selling points behind them, as well as my recommendation for the type of workout that you do on your fitness journey.

What’s Special About Studio Cycles?

As opposed to a stationary bike, where you just hop on a move your legs for a short while, a studio cycle creates a whole workout atmosphere by its many features and gadgets--to be honest, I even feel more motivated to workout when I look at one.

Armed up to the nines with high quality gear and technology, when you sit on a studio cycle you will feel like you have just entered a cockpit, with the full arsenal of technology up to your control.

Typical Features on a Studio Cycle?

How Technological Are They?

For fitness chasers who are not good with technology--you have nothing to worry about here! I know I described studio cycles earlier as cockpits, but they are really not difficult indoor cycles to gain an understanding for.

Generally, you will see touch screens that display your workout, TV shows, music videos or pretty much anything you want.

You will typically see body monitoring stats and charts about yourself and your current workout. Further in this review I’ll dive into more detail about the specific cycles and what they have to offer to the table.

Are the Differences Really Worth it?

Yes, yes and yes! If I haven’t hammered the point home yet, there are so many little things that can make or break your workout. A proper studio cycle should be catered to your individual fitness goals and visions. They can last a lifetime and the benefits of any cycle will far outweigh the concerns.

So let’s start with the case by case reviews of individual bikes.

Our Best Studio Cycle

Workout injuries happen to every person, it has almost become a bragging right at this point--hurting yourself while trying to improve yourself.

No one can really say anything about that and there are definitely worse and more embarrassing ways to show up with an injury. 

If your last workout was years ago and you want to get into shape by starting a fitness program, your body will take a beating because of very natural events like age, muscles not being used to that much exertion, increased weight and just natural wear and tear of the body.

If you workout every day and follow a strict regularity with your fitness, you are equally prone to injuries just by doing something awkwardly, landing wrongly on a jump, uneven flooring during a jog, even sleeping can cause an injury.

Because we all get injured, there has been so much research into the subject of injury prevention and especially injury recovery.

No matter if you are a professional athlete in mid-season form preparing for a heavy playoff run or if you are a fitness beginner wanting to turn your life around, there are tips that are available to you to set you up for success in the life-changing world of fitness. You can check out my previous posts about injury recovery, like the Foam Rolling Guide, Resistance Bands, Deadlift TIps, etc. 

In this article, I am going to talk about 10 of the most common workout injuries, what causes them and how to treat them. 

Before I get into it, always remember the golden rules of working out: always stretch before the workout, have both a warm up and a cool down and ease into your workout!

Hamstring Strains

Strength training such as standing deadlifts is the best method to avoid injury, and in terms of recovery, foam rolling is a great way to get back to your optimal performance form.

Bicep Tendon Rupture

Stretching and massaging the bicep would be a great remedy for this as the bicep needs to recover. It is also a good indication that you should decrease the weights that you are lifting.

Groin Pulls

Lower Back Injuries

The best prevention is to start off with core stability exercises, and the best treatment is self-correction: practice good posture during pain and in the future. Planks and any kind of spinal mobility would go a long way.

Neck Pain

The best prevention here is to avoid doing workouts that require you to sit down. For recovery, massaging and moving your neck around are the best methods, along with improving your posture in general. 

Foot Pain

For the big toe, pain occurs when too much weight is applied onto the front of the foot. Both of these areas of pain can be prevented by correcting your footwears, as well as adjusting your way of walking.

In terms of recovery, massaging and self-correction are the best ways to go.

Ankle Sprain

The best prevention for ankle pain is flexibility exercise to prevent loss of balance and to promote strength. In terms of recovery, massage and less usage temporarily are good fixes.

Quad Strain

Conclusion

These are just a few of the common gym injuries that I have noticed throughout the years. There are so many recovery items at your disposal that can get you back on the course of your fitness goals in no time. 

While so many injuries are due to non-workout related activities, before working out, always remember the golden rules: always stretch before the workout, have both a warm up and a cool down and ease into your workout!

If you’ve been active in the fitness scene at all, I’m sure that you’ve heard of the P90X workout. It peaked in popularity a few years ago and at one point it seemed like everyone was doing the workout to achieve the perfect BeachBody.

I even found myself jumping on the hype train and trying it out a few years ago. That being said, how does it stack to today’s workouts?

A lot changes in a few years, especially when it comes to workouts so I thought I would dust off the old P90X and give it another runthrough to see how my body responds to it. Before we jump right into the review however, I’m going to talk about P90X briefly and exactly what it strives to do.

What is P90X?

What made the P90X so enticing to people is that it relied upon bodyweight workouts to achieve the results that you were looking for. While there were some weights thrown in here and there, for the most part I will tell you it was focused on bodyweight.

This made the P90X the perfect tool for those who were looking for a great home workout. Through calisthenics and HIIT (high intensity interval training) the P90X sought out to be the number one home workout program.

There was more to the P90X than just the workouts however. As much as I love pumping iron, if you want to lose weight and make a real difference in your body, you have to work on your diet as well.

The people behind P90X were fully aware of that and included a three-phase nutrition guide with the package, helping you learn what you needed to eat.

Now that we have an idea of what P90X, let’s talk about whether or not it’s still worth it to do.

Revisiting the P90X

Like I said above, I did the P90X years ago as it was one of the most popular home workouts and bodyweight workouts out there. I got the streaming package and decided to complete the program and see for myself how it compares to modern day workouts. 

Keep in mind that I’m not going to be talking about specific exercises or how I felt each day, but instead the things I feel P90X does incredibly, and the things that it definitely is lacking in. Here’s what I have to say about the P90X home workout.

The Positives

I briefly mentioned that P90X was a bodyweight workout and that’s another plus that makes it still worth it today. If you go onto Amazon or go to a sports store, you’d be surprised at how much weights cost, especially heavy ones. You’ll break the bank if you try to stock up as much as the gym down the street.

The people behind P90X made it a point to ensure that their home workout was accessible to a wide variety of people.

If you fire up the workout, you’re going to need: a set of dumbbells or resistance bands, a mat for ground work, and a chin-up bar, that’s it. The question remains however, is how do these bodyweight workouts stack up to gym work.

P90X is very comprehensive when it comes to their workouts and they ensure that you are getting what you need.

Whether you are looking for weight loss, cardio, or strength, you are going to find it in the P90X workouts. Simply look through the workouts that they are offering and find one that fits what you want to accomplish.

This is where customizability comes into play as well. While P90X isn’t a personal trainer that is going to have perfectly tailored workouts to your body, it will offer you what you are looking for.

From HIIT workouts to calaesthetics, you will be able to find an activity that you enjoy doing and work with it to achieve your goals.

The next thing I absolutely loved with this workout and why I still think it’s relevant today, is the modifications that it offers. P90X doesn’t pretend to be a workout for beginners and they know that there are going to be people who are going to struggle. 

Rather than leave them behind in the dust, P90X offers modifications within the program itself to help you work through everything. By doing this, you can also track your own progresa and see yourself improving in the workouts.

A lot of gym culture is gate kept by fitness elitists; it’s nice to see a program that works to provide a high intensity workout, but also leaves room for the beginner.

The last positive I want to talk about in regards to P90X is the money back guarantee.

If for some reason the workouts just aren’t your thing, or you’re finding them way too difficult, you can simply return the product and get your money back. This is just another reason why I think this workout is still worth it today.

Now, what kind of review would this be if I didn’t mention a few of the things I had an issue with when it came to the P90X. I’ll briefly touch on some of these to give you an idea.

What P90X Can Do Better

While I wish it was a little cheaper, I still can’t complain because, as I mentioned, home gym equipment is so much more expensive.

For beginners, the workouts can be a little time consuming and hard at the start as well. On average, a P90X workout is going to take you 1 hour.

While I don’t find that to be a long time at all, other people might have a ton of things on the go and might struggle to find the time for it.

The other thing I talked about is the intensity of the workouts themselves. While P90X does offer modifications, at times even then it is still too hard for someone who is just starting to workout.

Especially with the HIIT workouts, you might find yourself absolutely gassed and unable to continue. While pushing yourself to the limit is a great thing, you don’t want to overdo it.

While having a nutrition plan thrown in there is nice, I found it rather basic. Maybe it’s because I know a lot about nutrition, macros, and calories, but I found I could easily create a better nutrition plan that could get people results.

That being said, it is a great tool for beginners, especially ones who haven't ever modified their diet.

The final thing I don’t like about the P90X is the advertisements. When I’m streaming it, I find it littered with advertisements for some of their other products to help you achieve the perfect BeachBody. I’m here to workout, not listen to a sales pitch.

Final Thoughts

The flexibility of the workouts as well means that you can achieve your goals, no matter what they are.

If you are looking for a great home workout that features calisthenics, HIIT, and much more, I’d recommend picking up the P90X.

It will help you achieve the BeachBody that you’ve always been looking for. It won’t be an easy process, but it will definitely be one you won’t regret.

Today we are talking about pre-workout supplements and the benefits they have towards you and your fitness.

More specifically, we are going to be talking about 4 Gauge pre-workout and seeing how it stacks up in comparison to others that are on the market.

Before we get into the review, you might not know exactly what pre-workout does. I’ll use this time to mention that 4 Gauge pre-workout is not some miracle supplement that is going to turn you into the most buff person in the world.

It can be used in tandem with hard work to achieve your goals. Without strong workouts, you aren’t going to see any results, no matter how much pre-workout.

Pre-workout is used to give you an energy boost that you take, guess when, before your workout. It contains a ton of different ingredients that are there to help increase your endurance, energy, and focus during a workout.

Therefore, it can give you that kick of energy that you need to push yourself to the next level.

A note of caution when it comes to taking pre-workout however. As pre-workouts are generally loaded with caffeine and other stimulants, they can be detrimental to those who have any underlying heart conditions.

I strongly recommend that before you take any pre-workout supplement that you consult your doctor.

If after taking 4 Gauge you start noticing strange side effects or adverse effects, you should stop taking it immediately and once again go to the doctor.

It means your body is not reacting in the way it should which can generally be a sign of underlying issues.

While the chances of anything happening are slim to none, you just want to make sure that everything in your body is working the way it should.

In fact, whether or not you plan on taking pre-workout, you should get a physical done, especially if you are working out. A doctor will be able to spot anything and work on fixing it immediately.

Now that I’ve covered that, it’s time to talk about 4 Gauge pre-workout in more detail. From what is in it, to what you can expect when you take it at the gym. The main point here is, you should always know what you are putting in your body. 

As someone who takes good care of their body, I am always reading ingredients and making sure what I am taking is going to help my workouts.

4 Gauge pre-workout does not get any passes and I am going to heavily scrutinize it to make sure it does what it says. Let’s first talk about the ingredients.

What’s In 4 Gauge Pre-Workout

L-Citrulline DL-Malate

It’s a big word and can be a lot to take in, but to sum up quickly, it is extracted from watermelons.

The ingredient is used as a vasodilator which helps to open up blood vessels. What does this mean for you? It means you are going to be getting some pretty awesome pumps if you are working hard at the gym.

When the Citrulline hits your kidneys, it’s converted into an amino acid which helps open up everything. While it isn’t giving you the energy that you are looking for in 4 gauge pre-workout, it is helping blood circulate and flow much better during your reps and sets.

Caffeine

Caffeine is one of the main suppliers of energy in 4 Gauge pre-workout and is also the one you should be most cautious with. Remember when I mentioned going to the doctors to make sure 4 Gauge is right for you?

This is the main reason. Caffeine can do some pretty nasty things to your heart if you have a condition.

When taking 4 Gauge, take a look at the caffeine levels and look at if you have had any sources of caffeine throughout the day.

Balance your day accordingly so you will be able to take 4 gauge pre-workout without any worries of overdosing on the caffeine.

Red Beet Root

Red beet root is fantastic for giving you that extra bit of performance that you are looking for. Athletes who take it notice that they are able to push themselves harder and even beat some of their previous bests when it comes to working out.

Taking this should give you a nice boost in performance which you can turn into heavier lifts at the gym.

Rhodiola Rosea

This is an herb that can help combat any ailments or problems that are going in your life. I’m not just talking physical either.

Taking rhodiola rosea can help fight things such as depression and fatigue and can give you a bit more motivation in the day. It can give you the mental power to overcome any hurdle that is thrown at you.

Creatine

If you’ve taken creatine before or been involved in gym culture, you’ve definitely heard of this ingredient. Creatine is supposed to help build muscle mass while also helping you recover.

It is great for high intensity workouts and it is also something that I recommend if you plan on working out every day. Creatine won’t get rid of the soreness entirely, but it can help lessen it and get your muscles back on track.

How to Take 4 Gauge

 In a case like this I would err on the side of caution. Taking all of that caffeine can have some negative effects.

This is where, like I mentioned above, you need to take a look at how much caffeine you have consumed on the day.

To take 4 Gauge, just drop the recommended amount of powder into your shaker cup, give it a good shake and drink away. It’s flavor is called ‘Fruit Blast’ and I actually have to say it was quite tasty. Some of you might not like it, but personally I enjoyed it.

My Experience with 4 Gauge Pre-Workout

I was pleasantly surprised with the energy boost that 4 Gauge pre-workout provided. I found I was able to work myself much harder, for an extended period of time. This goes hand in hand with the increased energy and endurance 4 Gauge claims to have.

When it came to the improved focus, I didn’t notice much in that department. That may be because when I’m at the gym, I’m already dialed in and ready to go, however.

 If you are someone who gets easily distracted and wants to leave the gym as soon as you get there, you might notice 4 Gauge pre-workout helping you resist those urges.

Now I do have to talk about those pumps. The pumps are what I live for when working out and there is no greater feeling than watching your muscles explode as you are working them.

4 gauge pre-workout was able to take the standard pumps that I get when working out, and amplified them. 4 Gauge pre-workout really got the blood flowing in me and I was quite happy in that department.

Overall, I’d say my workout was pretty successful after using 4 Gauge. It did what it said it would do and that was quite nice. In terms of other pre-workouts, I’d say it’s above average. It gives you a nice boost that you are going to enjoy and help you get through your sets.

Where Can You Get 4 Gauge?

Side Effects

Like most pre-workouts, you shouldn’t expect any noticeable side effects after taking 4 gauge pre-workout.

You will notice a large amount of energy that you are not used to, but that is the product doing what it’s supposed to do. 4 Gauge also boasts no energy crashes which is quite nice.

In some pre-workouts, after your body has processed everything, you lose all of that energy and just want to hit the bed. While I definitely was tired after my workout, I’d say it was because of how hard I worked and not because of the energy crash.

Whenever you are shopping for a pre-workout, I’d recommend finding one that avoids any side effects.

I’ll touch on caffeine again because I think it’s important that you understand the risks of overdosing on caffeine, especially if you have heart issues. If you notice anything feeling off or weird, please go to the doctor and stop using the product.

Pros and Cons

Before I give my final thoughts on 4 Gauge, I’m going to list some of the things I liked best about the product and some of the things I thought they could improve on.

Final Thoughts and Where to Buy

When it comes to at-home workouts, you want a cardio machine that can do it all, something that can challenge your cardio and endurance while keeping your body mobile and fit. 

You are probably picky about what you want when it comes to a treadmill or elliptical machine, and especially because the top quality ones can come at a steep cost, you should be.

And luckily for you, I am picky too. When it comes to indoor trainers, I want a machine that is easy to use, gets me results, leaves me in a sweat, and keeps me coming back for the next workout.

Bowflex is a fitness equipment company that makes versatile and durable machines that check all my boxes. 

In this article, I am going to comb through the details of Bowflex’s MaxTrainer M6 to help you decide if this is the right machine for you to turn up the intensity and effectiveness of your home workouts.

What is the Bowflex Max Trainer M6?

For those who prefer the numbers, the stride of this trainer moves your step 11 inches upward and then 2-3 inches forward. This is an efficient and easy way to get your whole body moving and get your heart rate up fast! 

To me, this is a great step up (literally) from a regular running treadmill that can often put a lot of unwanted pressure or wear and tear on your knees and other joints.

I like that the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 utilizes stepping and elliptical movements because these are a lot more natural and functional for your body to perform.

With these movements, your body is moving in a wider range of motion than it would with running, which will help keep you mobile.

This wider range of motion also challenges more muscle groups in your lower body, arms, and core than the regular jog or treadmill run.

The machine itself is quite compact when compared to other trainers, ellipticals, or treadmill machines. In fact, the average treadmill requires twice the amount of space than the Bowflex Max Trainer M6.

This is a huge selling point for people who live in smaller places or apartments. If you’ve already got the measuring tape out, the exact dimensions of this trainer are 46 inches long x 26 inches wide x 64.2 inches high.

Despite its economical size, the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is still a durable trainer. Although the product itself weighs 148 pounds, it can easily and reliably support up to 300 pounds. As well, its frame and parts come with a 2 year warranty.

I should mention here that the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 does require in-home assembly to get it up and running.

If you are not the DIY type, you can avoid this by purchasing the in-home assembly offered by Bowflex, where certified Bowflex technicians will help you move the trainer into your home and put it together for you, worry free.

This additional service, of course, does add to the overall cost of the trainer, so if you can do it on your own safely and without much headache, I would opt for that. 

What Features Does the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 Offer?

Let us start by looking at the workout options: the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 has a variety of settings that will suit all users, whether you are looking to gradually jump into a fitness routine, or are a regular gym-goer looking to add more cardio into your regiment.

The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 can be adjusted to 16 different levels of intensity, making it really easy to challenge yourself, work up to a sweat more gradually, or incorporate interval training into your workout.

Not interested in constantly adjusting the levels to suit your needs?

The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 has your back with its smart ability to save 2 different user profiles that will remember your previous settings. This is perfect for you and your workout partner, family, or roommate.

To monitor the intensity and effectiveness during your workouts with the Bowflex Max Trainer M6, you have two options.

The handles of the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 feature dual touch grips that monitor your heart-rate so that you know when you are in that ideal working range to challenge your cardio strength.

Additionally, you can quickly know how many calories you are burning per minute by glancing at the easy to read burn rate console that the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 has conveniently placed between the hand grips.

With your heart rate and calorie burn information in mind, you are able to decide when to amp up the resistance and intensity of your workout, and when to back off and take a break to catch your breath.

It is also really motivating to see your hard work pay off as you exercise.

Don’t want to do all this thinking during your workout? Bowflex Max Trainer M6 has got you there too.

This is my favorite part about the Bowflex Max Trainer M6, and what makes me think this is such a convenient and efficient product: the Bowflex JRNY Just For You App does all the thinking for you.

Let me explain. All you need to do is download the JRNY Just For You App for free on your smartphone and tablet, and you immediately have a personal trainer in the palm of your hands.

Simply open the app when you are using the Bowflex Max Trainer M6, set it on the convenient media deck that safely holds your device while working out, and you have access to 29 different instructor-led videos to keep you on track and help you reach your goals during training.

This is a great choice for people who know they need that little extra push during workouts, and miss having the guiding voice of a trainer while working out at home.

What I also find really convenient about this app is that it learns everything about you to customize workout to your liking and fitness needs: it categorizes your fitness abilities and saves your workout stats from previous sweat sessions to keep you on track to push yourself each time you work out- no wasted time here!

This app even remembers your preferences when it comes to music and workout styles.

Now, I should mention that this Bowflex JRNY Just For You App subscription comes at an additional $29.99 a month.

A small bonus is that the first two months of membership are free with your purchase of the Bowflex Max Trainer M6, but then after that you will be on monthly payments.

If you consider it through, a private personal trainer can run you up a bill of at least $80 for one single training session, so in the long run you are saving money with the real time training and workout video library that comes with this app.

Is the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 for you?

Instead of bikes or treadmills that only engage your lower body, the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is a more effective option as it challenges your legs, core, and upper body with Max Muscle Activation. 

In particularly, this is a much better form of working out for people with joint or knee trouble than running on a treadmill or jumping around doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

Remember that if you are starting a new fitness routine and have concerns about your individual needs, you should always consult with a doctor about what is best for your health. 

#2. You live in an apartment and are worried about noise.

The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is also far more apartment friendly than treadmills or HIIT training since there is no heavy impact noise to annoy your neighbors or family. Its small size adds to this convenience! 

#3. You don’t have hours to dedicate on training. 

As we continue to research what makes the most effective workout routine for the majority of people, time and time again studies are showing us that shorter workouts that feature more powerful bursts of intensity are more effective than long, steady pace training (think: jogging on a treadmill). 

For many people, time plays a huge factor into whether or not they workout that day. Bowflex considers this with their emphasis on spending less time training, and getting maximum results.

How? On the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 you can adjust the resistance to achieve really effective interval training for any length of time you have to dedicate to working out, whether it be four minutes or half an hour.

If you don’t want to plan your workouts on your own, use the App to follow along with a video that's length can be personalized to your own schedule to make the most of your valuable time. 

Final Thoughts and Where to Buy