Tax season is officially here. As we stare down the April 15th filing deadline, millions of us are hitting “send” on our returns and waiting for that direct deposit notification from the IRS. While it’s tempting to blow that windfall on a quick getaway or a new phone, 2026 is the year I’m recommending you… Read More

There is something transformative about the first week of March in Orlando. While much of the country is still shaking off the last vestiges of winter, the Florida air is crisp, the sun is high, and for a fitness enthusiast, the energy is electric. This year, my trip wasn’t for the theme parks; it was… Read More

There is something deeply satisfying about a workspace that evolves. For me, it’s been a 13-year journey in my barn. It started with a single barbell and a few rusty plates, much like a carpenter might start with a hammer and a handsaw. Over the years, it has grown, piece by piece, into a high-performance… Read More

As a competitive strength athlete and the editor here at FitRated.com, I live for “The Unveiling.” That’s the period where we peel back the layers of winter insulation to showcase the muscular architecture we’ve spent months building in the squat rack. But as we enter February—National Heart Month—it’s time for a reality check. While we’re… Read More

I’ve been in the fitness equipment game for a long time. I’ve seen trends come and go—from the vibrating belt machines of the old days to the “smart” mirrors that ended up gathering dust in garages. But as we stand here in 2026, something fundamental has shifted. We aren’t just looking at “exercise machines” anymore;… Read More

As a competitive strength athlete and editor here at FitRated.com, I’ve spent my life chasing the numbers on the bar. I’ve lived the 600-pound squat life. But there’s a hard truth we “gym bros” often ignore: mass is only impressive if it’s defined. You can have the most powerful posterior chain in the world, but… Read More

As a powerlifter, I’ll admit my gym life often revolves around the holy trinity: the squat rack, the bench press, and the deadlift platform. For me, cardio is a not necessary evil—but rather a tool for conditioning, recovery, and maintaining a healthy heart. So, when iFIT invited me to a preview event in Brooklyn, NYC, to… Read More

With temperatures rising, it can be hard to continue making your workout routine a priority while also safely beating the heat. The average temperature in the United States in the summer of 2020 was record-breaking. In fact, that summer was the fourth hottest and in the driest one-third of all summers in the historical record,… Read More

Although the concept is counterintuitive, exercising can give you more energy. Our natural circadian rhythm responds to the afternoon hours with increased sleepiness and decreased level of alertness for a number of reasons, primarily having to do with core body temperature. In order to enter into the deepest stages of sleep, our body temperature has… Read More

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been regularly using both the DeskCycle elliptical and bike. These products provide a viable way to burn more calories if you otherwise are unable to perform a more traditional workout. This could be the case if you’re stuck in an office all day, face physical challenges, or are elderly. … Read More