Fitness
The Best Sport Watches for Running, Hiking, Surfing, and More
Published
4 years agoon
By
Terry Power
Whether you’re running mountain trails or riding waves, today’s sport watches can give you a wealth of data on current conditions and your performance (and they’ll keep you from getting lost). Tide and swell information for beaches around the world? Check. A notification every time you complete a mile? Check. Reverse GPS that automatically takes you back to your start point? Check, check.
Sport watches come with a great deal of computing power, feature sensors for measuring all kinds of metrics, and they’re useful for a multitude of sports. Key features can vary, but most are built with a heart rate monitor, GPS, weather-resistant materials, third-party app pairing capabilities, and interactive displays. Additional features range from music streaming to solar charging to tide forecasting—all worth considering depending on what activity you’re using your watch for.
The best part of a sport watch: You get a wealth of data on your workouts, but you’ll never have to interrupt an intense training session for technical difficulties like resetting your lap time or recalibrating the GPS. The watches below, from trusted companies like Suunto, Garmin, and Fitbit, will help you stay safe and train smarter no matter what your favorite sport is.
1. Best for Premium Features: Apple Watch
For its sleek design, deep range of features, and overall wearability, the Apple Watch sets the standard for smartwatches. The latest top-of-the-line version, the Series 6, offers an incredible range of biometric tracking, including a blood oxygen sensor and an electrocardiogram to monitor your heartbeat, and with an Apple Fitness+ subscription, you get access to a wide range of guided workouts. It’s waterproof, the always-on display makes it easy to read at a glance, and the stylish case and strap options mean you can wear it every day—even when you’re not working out. If you’re looking for one watch to do it all, this is it.
[$400–$800; apple.com]
2. Best for Hiking and Running: Suunto 9 Baro
It’s always a major bummer when your watch battery conks out before you do, especially after you covered serious mileage. But the Suunto 9 Baro won’t let you down: It lasts up to 170 hours and comes with a wealth of performance features.
It calculates your heart rate and recovery times, syncs with Strava and other third-party apps, downloads pre-mapped routes, and even keeps track of the weather. And with its two-inch display and three large buttons, it’s intuitive to use, even when you’re bonking. Bonus: You can also track 80 other activities, like squash, rugby, and pilates.
[$500; suunto.com]
3. Best for Surfing and Swimming: Rip Curl Search GPS 2
The Rip Curl GPS 2 watch can tell you exactly how far you paddled, how many waves you caught, and how long you rode one out—all before you even hit the beach to towel off.
This compact, GPS-equipped watch tracks all of those data points and displays real-time surf conditions (provided by Surfline) wherever you go. It’s also compatible with Surfline Sessions, so you can use the watch’s data to review every wave you caught on your phone or laptop. And don’t worry about it getting bashed by waves: It’s water resistant down to 330 feet, and it comes with a generous warranty, too.
[$300; ripcurl.com]
4. Best for Backcountry Adventures: Casio ProTrek PRG-270
The Casio ProTrek will help you keep your bearings while tracking wildlife or bushwhacking. Aside from its affordable price, the latest version of the Casio ProTrek has a deep roster of helpful features and improved sensor accuracy, too. The altimeter measures in one-meter increments, the barometer can alert you to sudden weather changes, and a compass helps you find your way. Plus, the large buttons are easy to use (even with gloves), and built-in solar cells ensure you never run out of juice.
[$200; casio.com]
5. Best for Sprint Workouts: Timex Ironman Transit
Need something straightforward for sprints on the track? This simple Timex watch features a countdown timer and stopwatch for tracking sprints, and an alarm ensures you don’t miss a workout. It also features Timex Pay, a contactless payment method, so you don’t have to bring your wallet for coffee after a track session. For more features, upgrade to the R300 model ($129), which counts steps, tracks your heart rate, and comes with standalone GPS.
[$75; timex.com]
6. Best for Road and Mountain Biking: Garmin Forerunner 745
For cyclists and mountain bikers obsessed with data, this watch stores every metric you could ever want, from V02 max to post-exercise oxygen consumption. It even suggests daily workouts based on your recent training and is compatible with a handful of Garmin accessories, like bike lights and rearview radar (it also tracks many other activities, including running and swimming). And if you happen to crash, the watch’s incident detection feature will automatically send your location to your designated emergency contacts—a godsend in the event of a serious incident.
[$500; garmin.com]
7. Best for Triathlon Training: Wahoo Elemnt Rival Multisport GPS Watch
Released in November 2020, this customizable smartwatch joins Wahoo’s extensive lineup of bike computers and training tech. It stands out from other trackers for its ease of use, especially across multiple sports. One key feature: Unlike other watches, this one automatically transitions from swim to bike to run modes, so you won’t waste time fiddling with it during a race. It also connects seamlessly with trainers, treadmills, and third-party apps, and you can edit each leg to match your official race times. The battery is another highlight: It lasts up to 24 hours in GPS mode or 14 days in a power-saving mode.
[$380; wahoofitness.com]
8. Best Everyday Tracker: Fitbit Sense
Exercise is important for overall wellness, but it’s only one part of the picture. Other metrics, like blood pressure, body temperature, sleep patterns, and stress levels also provide important insight into your health. For a wide ranging, everyday overview of your body, grab the Fitbit Sense. It comes with top-shelf sensors, including an optical heart rate monitor and infrared oxygen saturation monitoring, can track a variety of activities, and offers guided workouts, too.
Aside from health metrics, it can also receive calls and texts when paired with a phone and supports wireless payments and a huge library of apps. Put simply, it’s very easy to live with.
[$300; fitbit.com]
9. Best for Skiing and Snowboarding: Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire
Whether you’re hitting tree runs in-bounds or exploring untouched powder in the backcountry, the Fenix 6 Sapphire lets you log every lap. It’s ideal for navigating on the mountain and getting more insight into your skiing and riding: You can preload topography and maps for more than 2,000 ski resorts worldwide, monitor your elevation, and chart your speed on ascents and descents. If you like to cross-country ski, add a chest strap to measure your distance and effort.
[$750-$800; garmin.com]
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
[$10.99 for a six-pack; deschutesbrewery.com]
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Fitness
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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Fitness
The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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