There’s nothing wrong with this, but if you want to infuse some color into your home gym equipment and avoid the standard black or metal weight plates, Mayhem Strength’s neon fleck bumper plates are a fantastic choice. They’re durable, vibrant, and sure to turn heads—but are they worth the cost?

In this Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates review, I’ll share our final thoughts after months of extensive testing (and dropping) to help you decide if these plates deserve a spot in your home gym. 

We Know Bumper Plates

Here at Garage Gym Reviews, we test as many products as possible. Our testers, who include certified personal trainers, weightlifters, gym owners, and fitness enthusiasts, have tested dozens of bumper plates over the years, and we know exactly what to look for. 

For this review, our tester was Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC, the face of our Garage Gym Reviews Everything YouTube channel. Lindsay has used all kinds of bumper plates over the years, and she spent several months primarily using these Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates in her training before filming a full video review.

After spending so much time with these plates, Lindsay used our equipment testing methodology to calculate a final score, which rates each product in a number of specific categories, such as:

• Durability and construction
• Ergonomics
• Versatility
• Rubber density and bounce (for bumper plates)

Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates

Mayhem Strength Neon Fleck Bumper Plates

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Ranges from 10 lbs to 55 lbs
• Neon colors in a fleck pattern
• Virgin rubber
• High durometer rating

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Unique color and pattern
• High durometer rating
• Low bounce
• Virgin rubber

Cons

• Not available in sets, only as pairs
• Pricier bumper plates

Bottom Line

With bright neon colors broken up in a speckled fleck pattern, Mayhem Strength Neon Fleck Bumper Plates are sure to make any home gym pop. Although a bit more expensive than black bumper plates, the neon fleck plates are made with a virgin rubber, which should minimize the rubber smell weight plates can have. Additionally, they have a high durometer rating—between 85 and 90—which will protect your floors with a dead, low bounce when dropped.

A Quick Look at the Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates

With a stunning design that immediately catches the eye, these are some of the most unique bumper plates we’ve seen. The plates say Mayhem Strength on them, but when you go to the Mayhem Strength website, only a few sizes are available. 

The full sets are available on GymBroFitness.com. We aren’t exactly sure how the two companies are related, but if you’re interested in picking up these plates, you’ll want to do your shopping on the GymBroFitness website. 

Slightly confusing branding aside, these vibrant plates come in a variety of weights and colors. If you’re looking for a way to add a splash of color to your gym, you’ll love them. They’re a bit pricier than we’d expect to see and cost more than popular brands like REP Fitness and Rogue, but we still like the plates quite a bit. 

If you’re a weightlifter or regularly use Olympic lifting in your training, commonly seen in workout styles like CrossFit, bumper plates are essential, as they’re meant to be dropped. They also work well with exercises like deadlifts, where the bar is repeatedly crashing into the floor.

RELATED: 13 Deadlift Benefits

Mayhem Bumper Plates are durable and built to withstand heavy use, and aside from a few minor design issues we’ll call out later, we think they’re a great choice for most people.

Before You Buy

• Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates are made of virgin rubber, which has no odor and is very durable.
• The plates use an interlocking design, but the ridged edge isn’t comfortable to hold. 
• They aren’t the cheapest plates, but the quality is high, and they should last for a long time.

Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates Video Review

Are the Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates Worth It?

These bumper plates are more expensive than we would have expected, but that doesn’t mean we don’t recommend them. If you’re on the fence, here’s who we think will love these plates the most.

Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates Specs

Experience Using the Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates

Lindsay Scheele, CPT, CNC, has used these plates weekly during her training sessions at the Garage Gym Reviews warehouse. She said that while she loves training with all of the equipment at our warehouse, she almost exclusively reaches for the Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates because the colors and design are so pretty. 

To quote Lindsay directly, “They just bring joy to me every time I look at them.”

At 3 inches thick, they’re a little bit thicker than something like an Eleiko competition plate, but they’re about the same size as many other bumper plates meant for home use. Because of the durometer rating of the rubber, Lindsay pointed out that they don’t have much bounce when dropping them. 

Unlike iron plates, bumper plates are specifically designed to be dropped on a barbell without damaging either the plates or the bar. This works well for Olympic weightlifting, an explosive type of lifting that can help improve power, strength, and speed¹.

RELATED: Bumper Plates vs Iron Plates

They certainly bounce a little, but compared to some other budget plates we’ve tested that seemingly bounce halfway to your chest, these plates feel pretty good. 

Lindsay also mentioned that the 2-inch collar fits very well on most barbells and machines. It’s easy to slide on and off but not so loose that it feels like it’s moving around constantly. 

Overall, these colorful plates are a great choice for home gym owners who want to add a unique look to their setup. 

RELATED: Crazy Ways to Use Weight Plates

Construction and Durability

For the construction and durability, arguably the most important part of a bumper plate, the Mayhem Strength plates earn a 5 out of 5. 

Lindsay has dropped these plates on the gym floor countless times during her training, as have others in the gym, and they still look great. The company website says these plates can be dropped 30,000 times before durability becomes an issue, which is a lot of drops. You may hit this number faster in a commercial gym, but home gym owners should get many years out of these plates.

The plates are made of 100% virgin rubber, which is meant to withstand regular wear and tear. After months of regular use, including plenty of dropping, the plates don’t show any scratches, dents, or other signs of damage. The virgin rubber also means the plates don’t have a strong odor when you first get them, which is great for home gym owners who’ll have these plates in a smaller gym. 

RELATED: DIY Weight Plates

According to the durometer rating of these plates, which measures the durability of rubber, the Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates are just as durable as bigger brands like REP Fitness and Rogue.

Ergonomics

The plates received a 3 out of 5 for ergonomics. Lindsay’s main callouts were with the ergonomics of these plates, and she wishes a few features were a little different. 

The plates have a bumpy edge that’s meant to provide enough grip and allow them to interlock. However, Lindsay feels this doesn’t work well when stacking the plates on a bar, especially if the bar doesn’t have collars.

She noticed that every time she dropped the bar, the plates bounced and separated without a tight collar. This is common with most bumper plates, of course, but it defeats the purpose of intentionally adding interlocking features. Lindsay noted that she’d rather have no edges at all so the plates can lay flat against each other on the barbell rather than an interlocking design that makes it difficult to get the plates evenly lined up. 

Lindsay had one other callout about the textured design, saying it felt a little “Ouchy,” a word she made a point of writing down. She asked several others in the warehouse for their opinion, and they all agreed that it felt like aggressive knurling, but in a bad way. Be prepared for a textured ridge that may be a little painful to grip. 

Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates vs Rogue Echo Bumper Plates

Rogue Echo Bumper Plates

Rogue Echo Bumper Plates

GGR Score: 3.5

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Product Highlights

• Great value for the quality
• Black-and-white contrast for easy weight identification
• 88/100 durometer rating
• 3-year warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Tremendous value
• Shore A Durometer rating of 88
• Weight tolerance of these bumpers is +/- 1%
• Great for general training and CrossFit
• White lettering offers great contrast
• Stainless steel insert rings
• 25-45 lb plate variants are warrantied for 3 years

Cons

• Wide plates
• Maximum you can fit on the bar is less than 500 lbs
• May smell bad out of the box

Bottom Line

The Rogue Echo Bumper Plates are a great value plate based upon our review. Although they're cheaper than Rogue's flagship HG 2.0 Plates, they have extremely similar specs and warranty at a much lower price. If you need bumper plates for your garage gym, these are a great option. If you need them for your commercial facility or CrossFit Affiliate, we'd suggest going with something like Hi-Temps.

If you’re looking for a set of black bumper plates from one of the biggest names in fitness equipment, the Rogue Fitness Echo Plates are another option to consider. 

The Echo plates, available in both black and full-color sets, are similar to the Mayhem Strength plates in many ways. They’re sold in pairs or sets, available in 10- to 55-pound increments, and have a high durometer rating that results in minimal bounce. 

The main difference is the design and cost, which were our only two callouts with the Mayhem Strength Plates.

Unlike Mayhem Strength, Rogue uses flat plates that don’t have an interlocking design and don’t have the painfully bumpy edges. They’re also cheaper in most weights and sets. For example, a pair of 45-pound Mayhem Strength plates costs $275.99, while a pair of 45-pound Rogue Echo plates only costs $165. 

If you love the colorful designs and don’t mind spending more, we recommend Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates. However, if you prefer the flat design or want to save money, the Rogue Echo Plates are a better choice. 

For more, you can check out our in-depth Rogue Echo Bumper Plates Review.

Customer Experience 

The customer experience from GymBros Fitness, the company that sells Mayhem Bumper Plates, earns a 3 out of 5 rating. 

No free shipping is offered, and all returns are charged a 25% restocking fee. Several products are available on pre-order, but if you wish to cancel your order before it ships, you’ll be charged 20% of the fee as a penalty.

The company website has a phone number, email address, and contact form for reaching someone.

Ordering the Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates

At the time of writing, the Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates are currently out of stock, but the website says they’ll be restocked in December 2024. 

The plates can be purchased with a credit card, Amazon Pay, or financed through Sezzle at checkout, and shipping charges will vary depending on where you live.

Customer Reviews

At the time of writing, there is only one review on the company website, a 5-star review that praises the look and quality of the plates

Final Verdict of Our Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates Review

We really like the Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates, especially the bright color patterns. They’re certainly not cheap, and we wish they had smooth edges instead of the rough, somewhat painful grip areas, but everything else is great. 

Whether you’ve been lifting for decades or you’re preparing to start your fitness journey, these plates are a great choice that will fit any standard Olympic barbell. 

The rubber is very durable and doesn’t have a strong smell when unboxing, and there’s no excessive bouncing when dropping them. If you don’t mind spending a little extra money, Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates are a great way to add a splash of color to your home or garage gym. 

Full Rating

Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates

With bright neon colors broken up in a speckled fleck pattern, Mayhem Strength Neon Fleck Bumper Plates are sure to make any home gym pop. Although a bit more expensive than black bumper plates, the neon fleck plates are made with a virgin rubber, which should minimize the rubber smell weight plates can have. Additionally, they have a high durometer rating—between 85 and 90—which will protect your floors with a dead, low bounce when dropped.

Product Brand: Mayhem Strength

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 104.50

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4

Mayhem Strength Bumper Plates: FAQs

References

1. Morris, S. J., Oliver, J. L., Pedley, J. S., Haff, G. G., & Lloyd, R. S. (2022). Comparison of Weightlifting, Traditional Resistance Training and Plyometrics on Strength, Power and Speed: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 52(7), 1533–1554. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01627-2

Lots of innovation in the market has led to some of the best squat racks having compact footprint or being able to be set aside while not in use. One such idea is a wall-mounted folding rack, capable of opening up your home gym’s floor space while not in use. That solution may sound a bit flimsy, but these squat racks can be just as durable as a bolted-down rack.

RELATED: Home Gym Equipment Pricing Trends

I tried out the folding rack from Giant Lifting, the Wall Rack 2.0, and I’ll be honest: I was impressed. This sturdy rack could hold whatever weight I could load on it, and being an Olympian in weightlifting, I tested its capacity. 

In this Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0 review, we’ll go over the construction and other aspects of the wall rack, as well as who may be best suited for this power rack.

Giants In Lifting, Giants in Testing Fitness Equipment

As I mentioned, I’ve been competing in Olympic weightlifting for 25 years, so when I tested out the Giant Wall Rack, I was able to load about 600 pounds onto the rack for my squat workout. For each of our expert reviews, we truly test these pieces of equipment to bring you our honest and thorough feedback.

OK, not everyone on the GGR team is an elite weightlifter—but our team is full of experts from diverse backgrounds, able to supply you with the best information in the fitness world. With a team of certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and athletes from various sports, we can offer you our expert opinions on everything from squat racks, adjustable benches, and dumbbells to running accessories, supplements, and cold plunge tubs.

While testing out the Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0 through a couple of heavy squat workouts, I noted different aspects of the rack, rating features from 1 to 5:

• Construction and durability
• Footprint and portability
• Stability
• Versatility
• Overall value

Giant Wall Rack 2.0

GIANT Lifting Wall Rack

GGR Score: 4.5

Check Price Use code GGR to save 5%

Product Highlights

• Foldable
• 1,000-pound weight capacity
• Adjustable pull-up bar
• 11-gauge steel

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Foldable
• 1,000-pound weight capacity
• Adjustable pull-up bar
• Made with durable steel
• Mounting hardware included

Cons

• Needs to be bolted

Bottom Line

The Giant Wall Rack is a foldable squat rack for those with smaller garages or those who want to reclaim some floor space.

A Quick Look at the Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0

Based out of Washington state, Giant Lifting is a smaller but growing gym equipment company that dabbles in a variety of strength products: Olympic barbells, weights, and accessories. Their power racks vary from more budget-friendly racks like the Garage Gym Power Rack 2.0 (GGPR), to more premium racks made with thicker 11-gauge steel. They also sell compact rack solutions, such as half racks and folding wall racks.

The Giant Wall Rack is made to be durable and compact. The rack sits out just a few inches when completely folded down, but even when extended, the rack only has a depth of less than 2 feet. The 3-inch-by-3-inch 11-gauge steel tubing makes for a solid rack, too, with a weight capacity of 1,000 pounds. It also has an adjustable pull-up bar that can be secured anywhere along the 92-inch-high uprights.

Before You Buy

• As of this writing, the Giant Wall Rack is out of stock. The rack is on pre-order, however, with the first batch of racks being in stock in December, estimated between the 19th and 26th. 
• Free shipping is available sitewide. Giant Lifting’s website says shipping takes 3 to 5 business days.
• Giant Lifting has financing options available through Affirm. You can check if you qualify for interest-free financing or low payments while purchasing.
• The wall rack comes with J-cups; other attachments are available through Giant Lifting, but aren’t included with the rack.

Is the Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0 Worth It?

The Giant Lifting Wall Rack costs about $530 with free shipping—less if you happen to be shopping for Black Friday fitness equipment deals. This is on the lower end of heavy-duty wall racks, but you can find ones a bit cheaper; the Titan X-3 Series WallRack is about $80 cheaper, for example. Rogue has cheaper wall racks as well, but they’re made with smaller uprights (2-inch-by-3-inch). Similar Rogue racks cost about $100 more.

While budget racks and folding racks are occasionally priced lower, the Giant Wall Rack is priced very competitively, leading me to rate its value a 4.5 out of 5. Still, it may not be for everyone, as it’s a compact solution for a compact gym.

Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0 Specs

Using the Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0 

I used the Giant Lifting Wall Rack for a heavy back squat workout, in which I loaded nearly 600 pounds onto the barbell while on the rack, so I got to truly test the wall rack’s limits, especially when throwing the 595 pounds back onto the rack’s J-cups. 

Throughout my entire workout, I never felt any real wiggle or wobble from the rack. It’s as sturdy as bolted-down racks I’ve used before. It also remained solid while loading and unloading weight plates from the barbell. For a folding rack to remain that stable is impressive; I rated it a 5 out of 5 on its stability.

The rack has two pins to adjust the pull-up bar, plus four pins that secure the uprights at their angles—either folded out or in. Pulling the pins out and putting them back in after folding the rack out is fairly easy, albeit time-consuming. Some folding racks minimize the amount of pins to manage while adjusting the rack, but the price also increases on those racks (more on that later). 

Let’s look at the other aspects of this wall rack.

Footprint

Being a compact solution for a high-quality squat rack, the Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0 got a 5 out of 5 for its footprint. Since it’s wall-mounted, it’ll be in a fixed spot, but the ability of the rack to fold down makes it take up hardly any floor space while not in use. Even folded out, the rack takes up about 23.5 inches of space from the wall—still a compact space for a rack.

The rack height is 92 inches, a few inches shy of 8 feet. This should accommodate most people and their home gyms, but anyone with a low ceiling may need a better solution for their squats, like a small squat stand.

RELATED: Bridge BUILT Phoenix Squat Rack Review

Durability and Construction

The wall rack is made of solid 11-gauge steel, and the rack is powder-coated. The construction is very solid, especially with the larger, 3-inch-by-3-inch uprights. The powder coating is OK; although I didn’t notice any distress or scratches on the coating, I could see it suffering from wear and tear down the road. For that reason, I rated the construction and durability a 4.5 out of 5.

Accessory Compatibility

The uprights have 1-inch holes spaced out every 2 inches on each side of the uprights. With 3-inch-by-3-inch uprights, the wall rack will be compatible with many similarly sized power rack attachments. Giant Lifting has a decent array of rack attachments for their 3X series (of which the Giant Wall Rack is included):

• J-cups (included)
• Pull-up bar (included)
• Landmine
• Dip bars
• Spotter arms
• Storage weight pegs
• Band pegs
• Barbell storage
• Safety straps
• Leg roller

However, the base wall rack only includes the J-cups and adjustable pull-up bar, earning it a 4 out of 5 for accessory compatibility.

The 3X Series of Giant Lifting also has a lat pulldown and low row pulley attachment, but the Giant Wall Rack 2.0 can’t support it as it’s a folding rack. Some attachments may not be able to work as well for the folding rack, such as the weight storage for weights and bumper plates. So, while it is a great rack, the wall rack probably won’t have as much functionality as a freestanding power rack, earning it a 4 out of 5 for versatility.

Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0 vs PRx Profile Folding Full Cage

PRx Profile Folding Full Cage

PRx Profile PRO Folding Full Cage

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Folding wall squat rack
• 11-gauge steel 3” x 3” uprights with 5/8″ holes
• 89” or 95” height options
• 9 color options
• J-cups included

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 9 color options
• Westside spacing
• 11-gauge steel
• 2 height options
• Saves space

Cons

• Must be wall-mounted
• Expensive

Bottom Line

The PRx Profile PRO Folding Full Cage is a wall-mounted folding squat rack that’s heavy-duty. Made with 11-gauge 3-inch-by-3-inch uprights, the squat cage is rated to hold up to 1,000 pounds. The rack comes in two different height options suitable for 8-foot or 9-foot ceilings; plus, it comes in nine different colors.

To show the different options available for heavy-duty folding racks, let’s compare the Giant Wall Rack to the PRx PRO Folding Full Cage. Although these two items are both heavy-duty folding racks, there are several differences between the two—starting with the price.

The PRx Folding Full Cage is over $1,000 more than the Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0, although the PRx rack has been marked down from its initial release price of $2,500. Still, this price difference can be accounted for in both the engineering and structure of the PRx rack. 

The Folding Full Cage folds out to a complete four-post power rack, allowing for full power rack access; you can bench press and squat inside the rack, unlike the Giant Wall Rack, which will operate more as a half rack. The PRx Full Cage is also designed to fold in and out by removing only one pin—one that secures the pull-up bar. Although it’s pricier, the added posts and engineering will be worth the extra cost to many.

Both are great products, but each rack is marketed to a different group. The Giant rack is more budget-friendly, while the PRx Profile PRO Folding Full Cage is focused on being a premium product. The ecosystem with the PRx rack is also a bit more diverse, with a folding bench and the PRx Halo Arms—although you’d have to keep the rack folded out to use it.

Read our PRx Profile Folding Full Cage review for our entire breakdown of this power rack.

Customer Experience

While I didn’t need to contact customer service, I still rated the overall customer experience a 5 out of 5. With multiple ways to contact customer service online (phone, email, and live chat), the company also has great policies on warranties and returns.

For example, the Giant Wall Rack 2.0 has a limited lifetime warranty that covers material, workmanship, and functionality defects for the lifetime of the product. Giant does specify that the warranty doesn’t cover typical dings and scratches that happen over time, though. Giant Lifting also offers 30-day returns on unused items in their original packaging.

Ordering and Assembling the Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0

The Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0 can be ordered from the company website, and financing is offered through Affirm. You can choose low and/or interest-free payments if you qualify.

Since it’s a wall rack, you’ll need the wall space to mount the rack onto the wall. Giant recommends eight lag bolts, which are bolted onto boards connected to wall studs. The rack comes with expansion bolts for mounting onto a concrete wall. While the wall mounting is time-consuming, the assembly is pretty straightforward, and the necessary hardware is included, earning the rack a 4 out of 5 for delivery and assembly.

Customer Reviews

Granted, there aren’t too many reviews of the Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0, but the reviews there are overwhelmingly positive. As of this writing, there are 19 reviews, averaging an astounding 4.95 out of 5 stars. Only one review is below 5 stars, and it’s still a 4-star review. In the review, the only complaint was that the instructions were a little rough, and the customer was missing a bolt for installing the rack. A quick trip to the hardware store remedied his issue, though.

Overall, people are very pleased with the rack’s build, as well as the value of the power rack. One customer mentions that both the hardware and materials are extremely high-quality, making for quite the solid build.

Final Verdict of Our Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0 Review

Not all compact fitness equipment can also be heavy-duty and support heavy weights. However, the Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0 does just that, keeping a small footprint (even while in use) and still being built out of quality materials. While it won’t be an ideal solution for everyone, the value it can bring is great for anyone looking for a wall-mounted rack.

Here’s a few things to consider about the Giant Wall Rack:

• If you’re not needing the high weight capacity of the wall rack, there are cheaper wall racks with thinner steel tubing. Still, for wall racks with 11-gauge steel, the Giant rack has one of the lowest prices.
• You may need to find another solution for a rack if you can’t mount your fitness equipment to a wall.
• The Giant Wall Rack won’t be able to support as versatile of an attachment ecosystem and still be able to fold. Still, with 1-inch holes and 3-inch-by-3-inch uprights, many attachments can still be used on the rack.

Full Rating

Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0

In our Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0 review, we’ll take a look at this compact and stable folding rack, made with sturdy materials and great value.

Product Brand: Giant Lifting

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 529.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.5

Giant Lifting Wall Rack 2.0: FAQs

References

1. Takai, Y., Fukunaga, Y., Fujita, E., Mori, H., Yoshimoto, T., Yamamoto, M., & Kanehisa, H. (2013). Effects of body mass-based squat training in adolescent boys. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 12(1), 60–65.

The Evie Ring also offers menstrual cycle tracking features and cycle predictions. I personally wasn’t impressed with these features, but I’ll touch on that later. In this Evie Ring review, I will share my experience after personally testing the smart ring for over a month. I think there are pros and cons, but overall, the Evie Ring left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. 

Fitness Professionals Test Over a Dozen Health Trackers 

While I’m not the most tech-savvy individual—I’m actually vehemently against adding more screen time to my life—I am a CPT with over six years of experience with one-on-one coaching in the strength and conditioning space. And I understand that behavior changes¹ are possible when wearing a fitness tracker. It can positively impact your daily activity, heart rate variability, and body composition. 

I tested the Movano Evie Ring for six weeks before giving my thoughts on the smart ring. I wore it pretty much every day for the entire six weeks: During work, rest, exercise, and overnight while I slept. There were only two or three nights I didn’t wear it sleeping. 

During my testing period, I assessed eight different categories including its general wearability, activity tracking capabilities, heart rate accuracy, battery life, and ease of use, to name a few. I was then tasked to score each category on a scale of 1 to 5 using our in-depth fitness equipment testing methodology.

Evie Ring

Evie Ring

GGR Score: 3.5

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Product Highlights

* Health tracking smart ring designed for women  * Tracks metrics associated with health, menstrual health, sleep quality, and activity  * Included: Evie ring and portable charger  * Available in 3 colors

Pros & Cons

Pros

• HSA/FSA eligible
• Free app and no membership subscription required
• Free sizing kit available
• Made with scratch resistant metal

Cons

• Not compatible with Android devices
• Evie app only available in the United States app store
• Sizes do not match traditional rings sizes
• Shorter battery life than competitors
• Evie app is poorly reviewed by customers
• Customers complain of inaccurate and lost data

Bottom Line

The Evie Ring is a smart health tracking ring aimed at women. It tracks menstrual health, general health, sleep, and activity. The initial price is similar to other ring style trackers and you don’t need to subscribe to a monthly membership in order to maintain access to your data. Customer reviews were poor, customers often found the data inaccurate and complained that the app would lose data, especially the sleep data.

A Quick Look at the Evie Ring

The Evie Ring is a small, lightweight, and screenless device that looks like an unassuming piece of jewelry rather than a fitness tracker. The Evie Ring was developed by Movano Health for women and folks assigned female at birth with period tracking capabilities, ovulation estimations, and fertile window estimations. 

The Evie Ring provides other health metrics like heart rate, step count, and sleep data. It’s water resistant up to one meter, has 4 days of battery life, and comes with a portable charging case and USB charger. There are no subscription fees, which means you’ll pay for the ring itself and nothing more. 

Additionally, the parent company Movano applied for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its pulse oximeter so it can be considered a medical-grade device. As of writing this review, it’s still under review. 

Before You Buy

• The Evie Ring is an HSA/FSA-eligible purchase. 
• The Evie Ring does not require a subscription, which means the companion Evie App is totally free to use. 
• If you’re looking for a smart ring with specific data to help you track menstrual cycles, fertility, or use as birth control, there are better options out there with more robust metrics. 

Is the Evie Ring Worth It?

The Evie Ring may be worth it for basic health and wellness tracking, but I’m not sure it’s worth it for anyone looking for detailed cycle tracking capabilities. I was pretty underwhelmed with the cycle tracking, mostly because the app lacks a key piece of information to provide a full picture of your cycle, namely body temperature values. 

That said, I like having a screenless and attractive wearable device to track steps and general activity. I also appreciate that Evie doesn’t tack on a monthly subscription fee to use the app. For reference, the Oura Ring has a monthly subscription fee, but other rings (like the Samsung Galaxy Ring, Ultrahuman Ring Air, and RingConn Smart Ring do not have membership fees). 

RELATED: Ultrahuman Ring Review

Evie Ring Specs

Wearing the Evie Ring

I’m a certified personal trainer and understand the benefits of wearing a fitness tracker. I’ve seen many clients benefit from wearing an Apple Watch or one of the best Fitbit devices, but I tend to get obsessive with health data and graphs. 

That said, a nice-looking, screenless device is pretty much the extent of my willingness to use a tracker. I can’t stand being blown up with notifications and alerts about my heart rate, stress levels, or step count. 

But the good news is, the Evie Ring is not that. It’s a fashionable ring that discreetly syncs to your iPhone with health data ready for you when you want to look at it. The Evie app can send you notifications, but I have that all turned off.

Comfort and Aesthetics

If I’m being honest, the best thing about the Evie Ring is the way it looks. I had the free sizing kit sent to my house before choosing my size and color. Evie doesn’t have traditional ring sizes, so you’ll probably need the kit to be sure. There are also three colors to choose from: rose gold, gold, and silver. 

For our general wear category, I scored the ring 5 out of 5 stars. It has a nice finish. The gold option I chose matches my other gold jewelry and doesn’t look completely bogus to wear to a formal event (I went to two weddings during my testing period). 

It’s also very comfortable and has an open design that can flex with finger swelling. The brand notes that the index finger will provide the most accurate results, but also mentions middle and ring finger are OK too. The only thing that’s annoying is taking it on and off for lifting sessions—I don’t suggest wearing any rings while lifting with a barbell. 

Health Tracking Capabilities 

The Evie Ring can track all your basic health metrics like heart rate, step count, active minutes, distance traveled, and calories burned. 

The app will also show you other data points like resting heart rate, heart rate variability, skin temperature variation average, respiration rate, and blood oxygen, but it’s all within the sleep data. And many of these metrics are shown as averages. 

Below I’ll break down the different types of things you can track. 

Fitness Tracking

The Evie Ring is fairly rudimentary when it comes to fitness tracking. You can see data on your steps, distance, and calories burned. You’ll also be able to see the number of active minutes per day, but I find this feature rather troublesome because the Evie Ring doesn’t have automatic workout detection. 

Because it lacks auto detection, I will often forget to hit “track a workout” before heading out for my 45-minute walk before work. If I haven’t asked the app to track, the ring only senses that I’ve had 12 active minutes (sometimes even less) at the end of a walk. I’ve also played around with this for lifting sessions and it’s the same story. 

The “track a workout” feature is also quite limited with no way to select different modes of exercise. I assume the app thinks I’m either walking or running and that’s about it, which I find annoying and problematic. 

Sleep Tracking

Sleep tracking is where the Evie Ring may redeem itself a bit. Each morning, I wake to a graph of my sleep cycles and how many minutes were spent in each: REM, light, and deep sleep. 

For those of you familiar with Whoop straps and the Oura Ring, you won’t get a sleep score with this device. I actually like that, but some folks might not. 

RELATED: Whoop 4.0 Review

It falls short in “sleep vitals” data, which are all presented as averages. You can’t get a full breakdown of your heart rate during the night or body temperature. Everything is averaged, which I don’t always find helpful. 

It’s also worth noting I’m someone who sleeps with mouth tape (I know, so trendy of me!) because I have adult braces and my lips don’t naturally hold a tight seal anymore. I notice that when I forget to apply tape over my mouth, I don’t receive a blood oxygen percentage—it’s just a blank box and it’s happened multiple times. This makes me think that nasal breathing may be the only way for the Evie Ring to capture that SpO2. 

Cycle Tracking

Cycle tracking is more than just menstruation—that’s just one piece of the puzzle, whether you’re trying to get pregnant or not.  

From my experience, the Evie app is more robust than the Apple Health for cycle tracking because you can log your energy levels, mood, and vaginal discharge all month long. And then during your period you can log your flow and other symptoms like spotting and cramping.

Where I think it falls short: It doesn’t include skin temperature tracking alongside all your other cycle data. Your skin temperature variations are only seen in the sleep data tab. And a quick reminder from the section above: It’s an average. The Evie App doesn’t report an actual temperature, it just provides how much your temperature deviated from the average. It will display something like -0.2 or +0.1, not a temperature value.

I don’t like this method because it’s not giving you the raw data, and if you start wearing Evie in the middle of your cycle, your baseline temperature will be different than if you started wearing it at the beginning of your cycle. It doesn’t make me feel like it’s personalized enough. Why not just show us our body temperature? 

Battery Life and Connectivity 

The brand says a single charge of the Evie Ring can last for four days with continuous use and logging one workout per day. From my personal experience, that’s true. The brand notes short charging sessions to top off the battery can help you avoid long charging sessions. Although, I noticed it only took about an hour to get a full charge from about 25% battery. I’ve done both, and either method seems fine. 

The battery life on smart rings is generally longer than smartwatches (like the Apple Watch), but our team has used fitness rings that can last a full week on one charge. Compared to a smartwatch, the four-day battery life is excellent, but in an ideal world, it would be a full week. I scored the battery life 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

RELATED: Apple Watch Series 6 Review

The Evie Ring is only compatible with iOS 16 and higher, which means the iPhone 8 or newer. You’re out of luck if you use an Android device. 

Keep in mind the ring only syncs with the Evie App. There was no way to tie into my Apple Health, or any other health and fitness app for that matter. For this reason, I scored the Evie Ring 3 out of 5 stars for the connectivity category. To receive a higher score, the Evie Ring would need additional opportunities to sync with other popular apps. Our highest scores in this category are reserved for devices with built-in GPS tracking. 

Ease of Use

Evie is pretty easy to use, but I scored it a 3 out of 5 stars because the app lacks functionality and detailed information. I also don’t like the fact it doesn’t sync with my Apple Health (however, it does make for a streamlined experience). 

On the home screen of the app, you’ll see a circular chart with all of the basic fitness tracking metrics: sleep, activity minutes, step count, and calories. You can get more details on each category by clicking the wheel or using the menu on the bottom. 

While I don’t have a problem with using the app, I found it doesn’t provide enough information. Here are a few examples of what I mean: 

• You can track a workout, but there is no way to choose what type of activity you’re doing. The app can’t do anything else while you’re tracking a workout and you have to select a preset amount of time, you can’t tell the app when you’re done. 
• When you track a workout, you can’t see your heart rate or any other metrics in real time, the app is locked on a countdown timer screen. 
• You can perform a “spot check” but it only detects your heart rate and blood oxygen level (not skin temperature). 
• You can view your sleep vitals every morning but it’s all based on averages (including RHR average, HRV average, SpO2 max, respiration rate average, and skin temperature variation average). 
• The skin temperature average doesn’t provide an actual temperature (like 98.2 degrees) it just displays your variance from the average (-0.2 or +0.1). 

Another thing to note, the ring itself won’t tell you when the battery is dying. It doesn’t flash the LED lights or buzz. You’ll have to view the battery percentage at the top left corner in the Evie app. 

Evie Ring vs Samsung Galaxy Ring vs Oura Ring

Samsung Galaxy Ring

GGR Score: 4.33

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Product Highlights

• Scratch-resistant titanium construction
• Up to 7 days of battery life
• Location tracker
• Hands-free control of your Android phone
• Three colors to choose from

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Integrates with Android devices
• Built-in location tracker
• Control your phone by pinching your fingers
• Durable titanium construction

Cons

• Only works with Android phones
• More expensive than competitors

Bottom Line

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is an excellent choice for those who want to use their ring with a compatible Android phone. The ring tracks your health metrics, allows you to control your phone by pinching your fingers, and includes a location tracker if you lose it. It's expensive, but a great choice for Samsung users.

Oura Ring

GGR Score: 4.2

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Measures your heart rate, oxygen saturation levels, and skin temperature
• Over time, it can track your sleep patterns and suggest improvements
• Battery lasts 7 days and can fully charge in 20 minutes
• Can help you find your balance between activity and recovery
• Water resistant up to 100 m

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Long battery life
• Fast charging
• No membership required

Cons

• May develop scratches with daily wear
• Limited statistics without membership
• Comparably expensive

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a fitness tracker that is more subtle and sleek than a traditional wrist tracker, the Oura Ring is a great alternative option.

The best smart rings track all of the basics including heart rate, resting heart rate (RHR), heart rate variability (HRV), and blood oxygen levels (SpO2). We also expect to be able to track steps, calories, and distance. 

All three of these trackers can do that: Evie Ring, Samsung Galaxy Ring, and the Oura Ring. There are a few things each does well that I want to point out: 

• The Evie Ring is the most affordable and most jewelry-like option. It also does not require a membership to use the app. 
• The Samsung Galaxy Ring uses skin temperature as part of the cycle tracking feature. Although, you will need to go into the app and manually turn on the temperature sensor to use this feature. You can read more about that in our Samsung Galaxy Ring review. 
• The Oura Ring is the superior choice for anyone focused on workout metrics. It allows you to choose from over 50 different types of exercise profiles—you can view your stats on the phone in real time, too. 

Customer Experience 

The Evie Ring has a one-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship, which is the brand’s way of saying it doesn’t cover normal wear and tear. 

You’ll have a 30-day window from the purchase date to make an exchange or return. Returns and exchanges go through a third-party service called Loop Returns. Although the return instructions are not entirely clear, my understanding is that you’ll need to email support@eviering.com to get a return order number so you can start the process with Loop Returns. 

It’s also worth noting I couldn’t find a company phone number or business hours. It’s really not ideal to see that a customer with concerns has very few (really, just one) method of contacting the company. For this reason, customer experience earns a 2.5 out of 5 stars. 

Customer Reviews

At the time of writing this Evie Ring review, I found very few customer reviews online and absolutely none on the Evie website. On Trustpilot, there are currently eight customer reviews with an incredibly poor average rating of 2.3 out of 5 stars. 

Multiple reviews say the customer service is non-existent and another notes the ring totally died after just a few months of use. Additionally, there are varying reviews on TikTok about the ring’s effectiveness, with some folks loving it and some really not. 

Final Verdict of Our Evie Ring Review

Although I was sort of underwhelmed with the women’s health tracking features, lack of details, and inability to track different types of workouts, I actually don’t dislike the Evie Ring. I might have had high expectations, but I’m wearing the Evie Ring as I write this review.

I like having a passive activity tracker without a screen. It fits my lifestyle and my quest to keep screen time to a minimum (yes, I work at a computer, but you know what I mean). I also like tracking my sleep and seeing how much deep sleep I get each night.  

The Evie Ring is not perfect and I think it would help with cycle tracking and estimating fertility if skin temperature could be added to the “spot check” feature so you can manually check those stats when you wake up each day. However, I don’t think the Evie Ring is too far away from being great. I honestly look forward to testing future iterations. 

Full Rating

Evie Ring

The Evie Ring is a smart health tracking ring aimed at women. It tracks menstrual health, general health, sleep, and activity. The initial price is similar to other ring style trackers and you don’t need to subscribe to a monthly membership in order to maintain access to your data. Customer reviews were poor, customers often found the data inaccurate and complained that the app would lose data, especially the sleep data.

Product Brand: Evie

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 269

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
3.5

Evie Ring Review: FAQs

References

1. Browne, J. D., Boland, D. M., Baum, J. T., Ikemiya, K., Harris, Q., Phillips, M., Neufeld, E. V., Gomez, D., Goldman, P., & Dolezal, B. A. (2021). Lifestyle Modification Using a Wearable Biometric Ring and Guided Feedback Improve Sleep and Exercise Behaviors: A 12-Month Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Frontiers in Physiology, 12, 777874. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.777874

The best weight plates may have a better grip, added durability, or just look sharp and aesthetically pleasing—but many deal with the same issue of not having smaller weight jumps. Unless you have several pairs of fractional weight plates, you’ll be subjected to 5- or 10-pound jumps at the minimum, which can be tough for more challenging upper-body exercises like a shoulder press.

Weight It Out has cleverly addressed this issue with a unique take on micro-loading plates. The Lock and Load Revolver Plates allow for as little as 1-pound increments on either side of your barbell and are designed to look like the chamber of a Colt revolver. However, does the unique design add to the product’s versatility, or is it mostly a neat look and nothing more?

Garage Gym Reviews founder Coop Mitchell took these micro plates for a spin, and in this Lock and Load Revolver Micro Loading Plates review, we’ll see how much value these plates bring to the table, as well as who is best suited for these micro-loading plates.

Fractional Plates Still Get a Whole Review

No matter how small the weight plate, it still deserves a complete and honest review—and that’s what we strive to do at Garage Gym Reviews. With combined decades of experience in the fitness industry, our team of certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and competitive athletes all have the knowledge to provide expert feedback on top gym equipment in the market.

Our product testers know what to look for when testing out fitness products, because we are also consumers of fitness equipment. Whether it’s a weight plate or a weight bench, we know which features are best for home gym users and provide honest insights to help inform your next purchase.

For the Weight It Out Revolver Micro Loading Plates, Coop took notes on the following aspects of these uniquely designed fractional plates, rating each category with a score from 1 to 5:

• Construction and durability
• Weight tolerances
• Design and ergonomics
• Weight set options
• Overall value

Lock and Load Revolver Plates

Weight It Out Lock and Load Revolver Micro Loading Plates

GGR Score: 3.9

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Product Highlights

* Unique micro-loading plates, designed to look like a revolver barrel * Plastic base with metal weights * Allows for 2-lb changes on a barbell * Sold as a pair with 1-lb micro-weights * 1.5- and 2-lb weights available for purchase

1

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Unique design
• Great for drop sets
• Can micro-load weights

Cons

• Pricier set of change plates
• Low weight range
• Weight change isn’t as quick as marketing says

Bottom Line

The Weight It Out Lock and Load Revolver Micro-Loading Plates are a novelty item for home gym users, where a half-pound plate base can load up to six 1-pound “bullets” into its chambers, allowing for micro-loading. While it’s ideal for drop sets, the functionality of the plates don’t add much, and they’ll most likely be a neat item to add to your home gym collection.

A Quick Look at the Lock and Load Revolver Plates

In terms of interest, weight plates are one of the fastest growing pieces of fitness equipment for home gyms over the past decade, according to an in-house study¹ of Google searches and trends. In it we found weight plates to have a Google Trend score increase of over 328% from 2011 to 2023.

The American-based company Weight It Out has created some of the most unique and durable weight plates on the market, using industrial steel to create some of the thinnest weight plates available, as covered in our Weight It Out Plates review. Since then, Weight It Out has also released a super-thin pair of 45-pound bumper plates—and now the Lock and Load Revolver Micro Loading Plates.

Made in the USA, the original design—which Coop tested and used—was a stainless steel 2-inch-thick plate with six holes that allowed for loading a circular 1-pound weight into each weight slot. With the design resembling a Smith & Wesson six-shooter, the micro-loading plates are cheekily called “caliber” plates. The plates could be screwed in, or you could purchase the weights without threads, at which they’d just slide out with a quick shake.

With its original design, the Revolver Plates have two major flaws—price and starting weight. The unit was $450 and the revolver plate itself started at 15 pounds, which isn’t an ideal starting weight for fractional plates. Weight It Out has redesigned the plate by constructing it out of heavy-duty plastic now (which Coop has also had his hands on). Now, the weight plate starts at a half-pound, and the price has been significantly reduced to $200; threaded weight “bullets” are the only option, as well.

Before You Buy

• The Revolver Plate set comes with six 1-lb micro weights, but you can add a set of 1.5- or 2-pound weights for an additional cost.
• Free shipping is available for orders over $500, so if you need more weight plates and other home gym equipment, this can be a great way to lower your cost.
• You can split your payment into four interest-free payments every two weeks through ShopPay.

Weight It Out Lock and Load Revolver Plates Video Review

Are the Lock and Load Revolver Plates Worth It?

Weight It Out says these plates started out as a fun design and concept, but quickly turned into a “game-changer,” but what do we think? Honestly, it is a cool design, but we’re not so sure if it’s a total game-changer.

The previous stainless steel version started at $450 and had a starting weight of 15 pounds, which eliminated most of its use as a micro-loading plate. “It’s usability is low,” Coop adds, “but its Instagram-ability (new word) is very high.”

With the new heavy-duty nylon version, it becomes much more functional, and the $200 price tag makes the cost much more bearable for home gym owners, too. Still, the unique function of these micro-loading plates isn’t a vital need for many users; not everyone needs to lower their barbell weight by 2 or 3 pounds quickly between sets.

“This is going to best be for the person who has some extra money to spend, and they really like cool home gym stuff,” Coop says, rating the value a 3.5 out of 5. This can be a cool addition to your home gym, but it’s not going to be a necessity for most people.

Weight It Out Lock and Load Revolver Plates Specs

Using the Lock and Load Revolver Plates

Since GGR founder Coop Mitchell has tested the Lock and Load Revolver Plates, Weight It Out has focused on a molded plastic plate base that uses threaded weights that twist into each revolver hole. 

There was an unthreaded version that Coop tried as well, where the weights would eject simply from pulling on the base slightly (it had to be secured by a barbell collar). We’re not sure if Weight It Out will remake this version down the road, but for now, the threaded version is available.

“The plastic version of the plate base makes more sense to me,” Coop mentions. “It’s lighter, which makes it better for small weight changes and drop sets.” They move fairly quickly, although the threaded weights take a bit more time.

Ultimately, the utility of these plates are a bit lacking, although they can be a fun addition to a home gym. “The time it takes to unscrew each weight off and set them somewhere, I don’t know if you’re actually saving much time,” Coop adds. “It feels more like a novelty.” 

Let’s look at more of the specs of the weight plates.

Durability and Construction

The newer design of the Revolver Plates is a plate base, constructed of a heavy-duty plastic. The thread-on “bullets” are made of steel with a plastic thread glued on the bottom. Although Coop questions the threads’ durability, he’s had no issues with them so far, rating the construction and durability a 4.5 out of 5.

The weight “bullets” come in 1-, 1.5-, or 2-pound sizes. The website doesn’t clarify any sort of weight tolerances for these weights, but we had no trouble with the weights, rating the tolerances a 4 out of 5.

Design and Ergonomics

The strength of these weight plates comes from their design, earning a 5 out of 5. The large base with revolver holes is a novel look, and can be a neat addition to your garage gym. The revolver design is made for quick changing, dropping a pound or two off your bench press or curl in a couple of quick twists, so it does function. 

The lighter material of the plate base both adds to the functionality of the micro-loading plates, as well as cutting down the price. But let’s be real; most people who are buying these plates are buying them for the unique look and function. Traditional change plates work fine for most.

Weight Set Options

There’s not a lot of versatility in the options in which you can purchase the Revolver Micro Loading Plates. The plate base is sold as a pair and comes with a six-pack of 1-pound weights for each plate base. 

You can also purchase 1.5-pound and 2-pound weights for the base, but those purchases are add-ons. You must buy the base and 1-pound plates; I’d like to see the plates available with the different options of weight “bullets” available, not simply as an add-on purchase. Because of this, we rate the set options a 3 out of 5.

Lock and Load Revolver Plates vs Rogue Change Plates

Rogue Change Plates

Rogue KG Change Plates

GGR Score: 4.6

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Product Highlights

• Kilogram change plates for micro-loading, personal records, and Olympic weightlifting
• Sold in pairs or as a full 25 kg set
• 50.40-mm collar opening
• Tolerance of +/- 10 g
• Rubber coating for stability and durability
• Matte finish

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Allows for micro-loading for Olympic lifting
• Color-coded
• Rubber coating for durability

Cons

• Shouldn't be used without bumper plates
• Somewhat expensive

Bottom Line

With a rubber coating for added stability and durability, Rogue Kilogram Change Plates range from 0.5 kilograms to 5 kilograms, allowing for as small of a change as 1 kilogram. These plates allow for micro-loading comparable to Olympic weightlifting competitions.

Let’s compare the Lock and Load plates to standard change plates from Rogue Fitness. I’m using the kilogram change plates in this comparison, as the weight increments are closer to the increments from the Weight It Out micro loading plates—a kilogram, or 2.2 pounds. If you’d rather not deal with kilograms, Rogue also offers change and fractional plates in pounds (as an Olympic weightlifter, though, I dabble in the metric system all the time in training and competition).

The Rogue KG Change Plates offer six different pairs of weights that allow users to make as little as a 1-kilogram (2.2-pound) jump in weight. These plates are used in weightlifting competitions and the weight tolerances are incredibly tight: plus or minus 10 grams.

RELATED: An Olympian’s Guide to Equipment for Olympic Weightlifting

The Lock and Load Revolver Plates are less expensive and have a similar weight jump of 2 pounds, but they max out at 13 pounds total. You have the option to use 2-pound weight “bullets,” but the weight still maxes out at 25 pounds on the barbell, which is less than half of the complete set of Rogue change plates—55 pounds.

The major difference comes in the utility of the two sets of weight plates. The Rogue plates are traditional weight plates that can be slid on and off of a bar. For most people, this is going to be a simple process and all you need for a full-body barbell workout. 

The Lock and Load plates, on the other hand, can make quick weight drops with a quick unscrew of a weight “bullet.” This can be useful for drop sets, if bodybuilders want a quick weight change without taking up a lot of time. Still, the novelty of the micro-loading plates probably won’t outweigh the functionality of standard change plates.

Customer Experience 

The company policies from Weight It Out are a bit of a mixed bag, with a solid warranty but a lackluster return policy. Weight It Out provides a lifetime warranty on all their products up to 20 years, which is a fantastic warranty—especially for their weight plates. However, they only provide a 15-day return policy, and after 10 days, the products can only be exchanged or refunded for store credit. 

With its mixed policies, we rate the customer experience a 3.5 out of 5. Weight It Out can be contacted via phone or email, both listed on their website, as well as a website chat function.

Ordering the Lock and Load Revolver Plates

The Lock and Load Revolver Plates can be ordered online directly from the Weight It Out website; it’s currently on pre-order. Shipping costs will apply and are calculated at checkout.

Financing is available through ShopPay, where payment can be split up into four equal payments made every two weeks. This payment plan is interest-free and won’t impact your credit score when you apply.

Customer Reviews

At the time of this writing, there are no customer reviews for the Weight It Out Revolver Plates. We’ll update this section as reviews come in and let you know what others are thinking of these micro-loading plates.

Final Verdict of Our Lock and Load Revolver Micro Loading Plates Review

While we like the unique engineering behind the Lock and Load Revolver Micro Loading Plates, for most people, the ability to make quick micro weight changes won’t outweigh (pun intended) the affordability and utility of your typical change plates and fractional plates. “On a cool factor, this thing is pretty sick, though,” mentions Coop. Here are a couple of things to consider before purchasing:

• With a quick turn of each weight, the weight plate is best suited for drop sets and micro-adjustments needed to be done fast.
• At $200, the Lock and Load plates are more affordable than their original design; however, a set of change plates or fractional plates will come out cheaper.
• If you have the budget to splurge a bit, these plates still have a cool design and would be a unique addition to your home gym.

Full Rating

Weight It Out Lock and Load Revolver Plates

The Weight It Out Lock and Load Revolver Micro-Loading Plates are a novelty item for home gym users, where a half-pound plate base can load up to six 1-pound “bullets” into its chambers, allowing for micro-loading. While it’s ideal for drop sets, the functionality of the plates don’t add much, and they’ll most likely be a neat item to add to your home gym collection.

Product Brand: Weight It Out

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 200

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
3.9

Weight It Out Lock and Load Revolver Plates: FAQs

References

1. Garage Gym Reviews (2024, Feb 8). Data Study: Home Gym Equipment Trends In Strength and Cardio Equipment. https://www.garagegymreviews.com/home-gym-equipment-trends-2024 

If you’re interested in this type of training, the Isophit Strength Kit can be a helpful tool that allows you to move beyond the basics and perform a wide variety of isometric exercises. With the Isophit, you can engage in an isometric squat, leg press, chest press, shoulder press, deadlift, triceps dip, biceps curl, and more. This versatility enables you to target multiple muscle groups and tailor your workouts to your current fitness level and specific needs.

I—a certified nutrition coach (CNC), and personal trainer (CPT)—put this innovative piece of equipment through multiple training sessions, and will share my insights from the unboxing and setup process to its durability and construction quality. I’ll also discuss the Isophit’s footprint/portability, cost, and whether it’s a worthy addition to your home gym or studio. Then, as a bonus, I’ll explore everything you need to know about isometric strength training and how the Isophit can elevate your workouts. 

By the end of this Isophit review, you’ll have a more comprehensive understanding of how the Isophit Mobile Strength Kit functions and whether it can help you achieve your fitness goals. 

At GGR We’ve Tried All the Latest Fitness Equipment Trends

The Garage Gym Reviews team of experts includes certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, dedicated home gym owners, and even an Olympian. For us, health and wellness is not just our passion but our livelihood, and that commitment shines through in our in-depth and unbiased reviews.

Although isometric training may not be as mainstream as dynamic movements like HIIT, resistance training, weightlifting, or calisthenics, we recognize its effectiveness in building and maintaining muscle and contributing to improved sports performance¹. Our extensive experience with various isometric exercises and equipment allows us to provide valuable insights, helping you make informed decisions about incorporating this type of training into your fitness routine. 

We tested the Isophit Strength Kit across multiple workouts and used our custom fitness equipment testing methodology to rate it on a scale of 1 to 5 in the following categories: 

• Value
• Construction and durability
• Ergonomics and comfort
• Footprint and portability
• Ordering, assembly, and set-up
• Programming
• Smart features
• Warranty, financing, and returns
• Versatility
• Customer service

Isophit Strength Trainer Kit

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

* All-in-one isometric strength training * Created for less joint impact and injury prevention * 2-year warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Space-saving machine
• 200+ video tutorials available
• Can withstand 1,500+ lbs of resistance
• Able to do a variety of exercises

Cons

• Expensive
• Accessing the full 30inThirty programming requires an additional investment ($300)

Bottom Line

The Isophit Strength Trainer is an all-in-one system meant to make isometric training easy and convenient. The system only requires 9 feet of space and gives you the ability to perform several different exercises and workouts with over 200 video tutorials to select from.

A Quick Look at Isophit

The Isophit Strength Kit is designed with a singular focus—to make isometric training accessible, versatile, and effective for everyone from Olympic and professional athletes like four-time World Figure Skating Champion Kurt Browning to everyday fitness enthusiasts like yourself. Its creator, Brad Thorpe, saw the untapped potential of isometric training in building strength, stability, and injury resistance without the risk of joint pain and stress² often associated with traditional weightlifting exercises such as the barbell back squat. Thorpe, who has spent years researching muscle activation, muscle strength, and isometric protocols, brought the Isophit to life to deliver a safe, efficient workout method for building muscle and enhancing performance¹.

Unlike traditional gym equipment, which often relies on weighted resistance and dynamic movement, the Isophit is centered around static holds and controlled muscle tension. This focus on isometric exercises provides a potential advantage over conventional weightlifting and cardio equipment by allowing users to achieve muscle engagement without repetitive joint strain. With its sturdy frame and open adjustable support bar, the Isophit easily adapts to a variety of exercises, such as isometric Zercher squats, chest and shoulder presses, deadlifts, and core holds. This flexibility helps you target specific muscles, making it ideal for strength, rehabilitation, sports performance, or endurance training.

Compared to other isometric trainers, the Isophit stands out for its durability and ease of use, as many isometric tools aren’t intended for home use or can be difficult to set up. The brand also emphasizes portability and practicality, making it a solid choice for home gyms and training studios. 

RELATED: Best Compact Exercise Equipment

Before You Buy

• The Isophit Strength Kit arrives fully assembled, ready for immediate use
• With its compact design—it has a footprint of less than 9 square feet—it’s excellent for home gyms and small fitness studios
• Built for durability, the Isophit is rigorously tested to handle over 1,500 pounds of resistance
• Has access to over 140 free exercise demos on the Isophit YouTube page and tutorials at Isophit.com to enhance your isometric training program
• The Isophit Strength Kit’s support bar is fixed at 31″ from the base in the 90° position, which may limit its functionality for taller individuals performing certain exercises such as isometric squats or leg press

Is Isophit Worth It?

The Isophit Strength Kit may be a worthwhile addition to your workout routine, especially for those looking to build strength and stability through low-impact training. Its compact design and range of exercise options make it a versatile choice for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone in physical therapy.  While the Isophit is an investment, its sturdy construction and unique isometric training approach could make it a great option for those seeking specialized, low-impact strength equipment.

Isophit Specs

Workout Experience/Using Isophit 

The Isophit Strength Kit offers a unique and effective isometric workout experience, impressing from the moment you unbox it. The setup is refreshingly straightforward—no tools, no complicated instructions, just a fully assembled unit that’s ready to use. At 93 pounds, the unit is on the heavier side, so you’ll want to take some care when setting it up in your personal training space. Smaller individuals may want to enlist the help of a second person to make this process easier. 

That said, the substantial weight is an asset, providing the stability and sturdiness necessary for intense isometric holds. The solid construction also ensures the unit stays firmly in place during your iso workouts, delivering a secure and safe experience. Isophit also thoughtfully includes a small floor mat to protect indoor surfaces from scuffs and scratches, a small but highly appreciated detail. For these reasons, I rated the Isophit Strength Kit a 5 out of 5 for ordering, assembly, and setup.

My first experience with the Isophit Strength Kit was through their 30inThirty program, which introduced me to a full-body isometric workout. The program is structured around 45-second holds with just 15 seconds of rest between exercises, challenging me to maintain a high level of intensity across various movements such as the leg press, deadlift, shoulder press, plank, and more—targeting both large and small muscle groups which earned it a 5 out of 5 for versatility. 

This workout was an excellent introduction to isometrics, offering a hands-on way to learn the kit’s ins and outs and all the movements it can support. However, holding an isometric contraction at maximum intensity for the full 45-second interval proved incredibly challenging. I had to pace myself and adjust the exertion level slightly to maintain each hold, as keeping full intensity for that long without breaks was almost impossible.

Additionally, with only 15 seconds of rest, I quickly realized the importance of efficiently adjusting the support bar between exercises. Initially, this felt a bit rushed, but with practice, I got much faster at making the necessary angle changes. This quick transition became second nature, adding a smooth rhythm to my workout as I progressed through each exercise. 

If you’re considering the Isophit Strength Kit and the 30inThirty programming, you’ll be pleased to know that the first 10 programs in the 30inThirty series are included with your purchase. These initial programs provide a challenging and effective introduction to isometric training, offering a variety of exercises that help you build strength and master different isometric techniques right from the start.

While I believe the 30inThirty programming itself deserves a full 5-star rating, the 4-star score reflects the additional $300 cost required for the complete program, which may be a consideration for those already investing in a premium product.

Footprint and Portability

At 93 pounds, the Isophit’s weight supports stability but can be difficult to move alone. Fortunately, the kit’s compact, low-profile design and ability to fold make it easy to stow in a home gym space. This balance of sturdy construction and small footprint earned the Isophit a 4.5 out of 5 for this category, as it’s both durable and compact but may require assistance to move.

Durability and Construction

The Isophit Strength Kit’s construction quality is exceptional—its stability and durable build ensure that it remains secure even through intense isometric holds. I appreciated the thoughtful inclusion of a floor mat, which prevents scratches and further stabilizes the equipment. For durability and craftsmanship, the Isophit gets a 5 out of 5.

Ergonomics and Comfort

During subsequent workouts, the Isophit Strength Kit proved itself intuitive and user-friendly, especially with its adjustable angle settings from zero to 90 degrees in 15-degree increments. I found the ergonomic design dynamic enough to support a wide range of movements, with the 75-degree setting ideal for exercises like the Zercher squat, shoulder press, and biceps curl. Meanwhile, I switched to the highest 90-degree setting for leg presses and hanging core stabilizations and the 45-degree setting for planks and chest presses. 

I did find that I needed to make small tweaks, like adding a yoga mat to help improve my comfort level during holds, resulting in a rating of 3.5 out of 5.

Technology and Convenience

A future enhancement that would significantly improve the Isophit Strength Kit’s utility would be the addition of force-tracking features to monitor progress in isometric training. Unlike traditional weightlifting, where you can visibly see strength improvements by adding more weight to the bar, isometric training lacks that immediate feedback mechanism. This absence of digital tracking makes it challenging to gauge progress in strength gains over time. 

While the Isophit remains an excellent tool for building strength, its inability to provide real-time performance feedback limits your ability to measure improvements effectively, resulting in a 1 out of 5 for technology (aka smart features).

Isophit vs X3 Bar

X3 Bar

GGR Score: 4.14

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Product Highlights

• Up to 300 lbs of force
• Upgrade to up to 600 lbs
• Free workout program included
• No assembly necessary

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Can create up to 300 pounds of force (up to 600 if you get the Elite Band, sold separately)
• Free 12-week workout program with high-quality workout and nutrition advice
• Bar has great knurling
• No assembly necessary
• Bands are dipped in layered latex, making them thick and durable

Cons

• Platform’s embedded rollers don’t allow bands to roll during lift, but that's nitpicky
• Quite pricey at around $550 (financing available)
• Only 1-year warranty for the bands
• Some complaints of the bands wearing down after only a few weeks

Bottom Line

A compact piece of strength training equipment that combines the best parts of resistance bands and barbells into one.

The X3 Bar, developed by Dr. John Jaquish, integrates the principles of variable resistance training through its use of high-quality latex bands, claiming to provide a superior muscle-building stimulus compared to traditional weightlifting. This portable system combines an Olympic-style bar paired with resistance bands, creating a compact workout solution that can generate up to 300 pounds of force (or 600 pounds with an optional elite band). Lifters appreciate its ability to mimic a wide range of exercises typically performed with a barbell, including squats, bench presses, and curls, all while being space-efficient enough to fit in your travel bag.

In contrast, the Isophit Strength Kit offers a distinct approach with its unique isometric training system. This type of training emphasizes producing maximum muscle tension while enhancing strength and stability without excess joint movement. Unlike the X3 Bar, which relies on variable resistance through band stretching, the Isophit kit ensures consistent tension regardless of the position of the lift, which can be beneficial for isolating muscle groups and improving strength through movements. 

Overall, both the Isophit and X3 Bar are designed for users seeking a more traditional weight training experience with added safety features that eliminate the risk associated with free weights. Their low-profile designs and exceptional portability make them worthwhile investments, especially for those seeking to maximize their home or travel workouts. 

However, it’s important to note that the Isophit is approximately three times the price of the X3 Bar, so you’ll need to evaluate which option aligns best with your budget and training goals.

For more, read our in-depth X3 Bar review.

Customer Experience 

Isophit stands out for its excellent customer experience, offering a two-year warranty on its products and a 30-day return policy, provided the items are kept in their original packaging. This ensures that you can purchase with confidence, knowing you’re protected from potential defects. Additionally, the customer service experience is fantastic. 

When I submitted a few questions through their website, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a response from CEO Brad Thorpe within minutes. This demonstrates Isophit’s dedication to its customers and addressing their needs, so I gave it a 5 out of 5 for customer service.

Ordering and Assembling Isophit

The ordering process for Isophit is streamlined and user-friendly, allowing customers to easily select their preferred model and complete their purchase online. Shipping is prompt, with clear communication regarding tracking and delivery times, ensuring that you know when to expect your new equipment.

One of the standout features of the Isophit is its hassle-free setup—no assembly is required. This means you can unbox your equipment and start your workout right away. Overall, every aspect of the experience, from ordering to delivery, has been thoughtfully crafted to ensure a smooth and enjoyable process.

Final Verdict of Our Isophit Review

The Isophit Strength Kit stands out as an innovative solution for anyone looking to elevate their fitness routine with isometric training. Its user-friendly setup, durable design, and impressive stability deliver a reliable workout experience right out of the box. Additionally, the adjustable angles allow for targeted and versatile training across various muscle groups. 

That said, the premium price point is an important factor to consider, and it’s essential to reflect on your commitment to isometric training before making a purchase. I would only recommend the Isophit Strength Kit for individuals who are serious about integrating isometric exercises into their fitness routine. 

After all, you don’t want a $1,650 investment sitting in a corner and collecting dust in your home gym. Ultimately, for those willing to invest in the benefits of isometric training, the Isophit Strength Kit is a high-quality option that can help enhance your strength, stability, and athletic performance. 

Full Rating

Isophit

The Isophit Strength Trainer is an all-in-one system meant to make isometric training easy and convenient. The system only requires 9 feet of space and gives you the ability to perform several different exercises and workouts with over 200 video tutorials to select from.

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 1650

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4

Isophit: FAQs

References

1. Aleais, D.A.S., Sullivan, K., Ferreira, P., Marchetti, P.N., Marchetti, P.H. (2022) Acute Dose-Response of Duration During the Isometric Forearm Plank Exercise on Muscle Thickness, Echo-Intensity, Peak Force, and Perception of Effort in Recreationally-Trained Participants. International Journal of Exercise Science, 15(6):676-685:676-685. PMID: 35991937; PMCID: PMC9365105. 
2. Morrissey, D., Callaghan, M. J., & Oldham, J. A. (2014). Strength Training and Injury Prevention in Athletes: Current Evidence. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 44(2), 89–99. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2014.4936
3. McPherron AC, Guo T, Bond ND, Gavrilova O. (2013) Increasing muscle mass to improve metabolism. Adipocyte, 2(2):92-8. https://doi.org/10.4161/adip.22500

Treadmills like the NordicTrack X24 help resolve those concerns by allowing you to run or walk indoors at your convenience. We had the chance to test this latest treadmill model in NordicTrack’s lineup, and while there are a few minor shortcomings, we think it’s one of the best treadmills currently on the market. We’ll tell you why in this NordicTrack X24 treadmill review.

We’ve Run Thousands of Miles on Treadmills

The team at GGR comprises certified personal trainers, CrossFitters, home gym owners, and an Olympian. Several of us regularly incorporate running into our training routines, and we’ve tested more than 50 treadmills. Some of our team members have even purchased and assembled NordicTrack treadmills themselves, like the NordicTrack Commercial 1750.

For testing the NordicTrack X24 treadmill specifically, we used our fitness equipment testing methodology to rank it on a scale of 1 to 5 in various categories, including:

• Workout experience
• Footprint and portability
• Durability and construction
• Adjustments and ergonomics
• Technology benefits and conveniences
• Programming

NordicTrack X24 Treadmill

NordicTrack X24 Treadmill

GGR Score: 4.25

Check Price Save 8% for Black Friday

Product Highlights

* Goes down to a -6% decline or up to a 40% incline * Speed range of 0-12 mph * 24″ swiveling touchscreen * SmartAdjust technology automatically adjusts speed and incline levels during iFIT classes * Powerful 4.25 CHP motor

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Monitor doesn’t wobble even when running at top speeds
• High-quality speakers
• Large belt deck of 60″ x 22″
• Lifetime warranty on the motor
• 400-lb weight capacity
• Monitor has streaming capabilities
• Can create custom, simulated maps with Google Maps

Cons

• Expensive at around $4,500
• Handlebars are a little slippery
• Cushioning could be better
• High step-up height of over 13″
• Weighs over 400 lbs in the box

Bottom Line

The new NordicTrack X24 Treadmill has an impressive incline/decline range of -6% to 40% and features an impressive 24-inch touchscreen monitor with high-quality speakers. It includes several conveniences, like water bottle holders and a cooling fan that adjusts automatically based on the intensity of your iFIT class. However, the $4,500 price tag is steep, and this large, heavy treadmill could be difficult to move around.

A Quick Look at the NordicTrack X24 Treadmill

The X24 treadmill is one of the latest cardio machines in NordicTrack’s lineup. Like its predecessors, the X22i and X32i, this beast of a treadmill can go from a -6% decline to a 40% incline. Its top speed maxes out at 12 mph, or around a 5-minute mile pace, and it has a powerful 4.25 CHP motor.

Plus, like most of NordicTrack’s cardio fitness equipment, the X24 treadmill is compatible with iFIT. We love this workout app because of its large variety of workouts that suit any fitness level and its ability to automatically adjust the speed and incline settings during a class.

The NordicTrack X24 treadmill also boasts a 24-inch pivoting touchscreen and several other conveniences, like water bottle holders, a cooling fan, and a USB-C charging port. The 60-inch-by-22-inch running deck offers adequate cushioning and is long enough to handle running at top speeds, even for tall runners.

Before You Buy

• The NordicTrack X24 treadmill weighs over 400 pounds and doesn’t fold. We recommend finding a permanent space for it in your home gym since moving it around isn’t easy.
• You’ll also need to make sure the room you place it in has a high enough ceiling. The step-up height is over 13 inches, and if you’re tall and put the treadmill in a room with a low ceiling, you may not have a lot of clearance.
• Storing the treadmill in a garage gym will void the warranty.

NordicTrack X24 Treadmill Video Review

Is the NordicTrack X24 Treadmill Worth It?

The X24 treadmill costs around $4,500 and is the most expensive treadmill NordicTrack offers. On top of that, you’ll need an iFIT subscription to really take advantage of everything the treadmill has to offer. A monthly membership costs around $39 per month. A one-year annual plan costs $396, a two-year plan costs $699, and a three-year plan costs $899.

Lindsay Scheele, the face of our Garage Gym Reviews Everything YouTube channel and a certified personal trainer, believes the machine is worth the cost. It comes with an impressive number of features, and the large decline and incline range is tough to beat. But whether the treadmill is worth it to you depends on your budget, what you’re looking for in a treadmill, and how often you’ll use it. 

NordicTrack X24 Treadmill Specs

Workout Experience on the NordicTrack X24 Treadmill

Lindsay used the X24 treadmill for several running and walking workouts and even took a Haunted Bayou walking series class, which she said was really cool. She also used the treadmill at various speeds and inclines and found its operation quieter and smoother than other treadmills.

Two things that Lindsay says enhanced her workout experience were the 24-inch monitor and the speaker bar. The monitor swivels nicely, and even at top speeds, it stays in place. “Considering how big and in-your-face it is, I was surprised that there was no jostling at all,” Lindsay says.

Lindsay was also impressed with the speaker quality, saying that the sound came through loud and clear. “I also like that I can adjust the volume of the instructors or the music individually, which is something that isn’t possible on a lot of other treadmills,” she says.

RELATED: NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Review

Overall, we give the workout experience a 4 out of 5. Lindsay had just a few minor complaints, which we’ll share more details about below.

Footprint and Portability

The X24 treadmill is a large machine, standing at 69.9 inches long, 38.1 inches wide, and 73.3 inches high. It weighs over 400 pounds and doesn’t fold, so it likely won’t be right for you if you’re searching for a compact treadmill.

“I recommend finding a dedicated spot for this treadmill in your home, because it’s not easy to move,” Lindsay warns. “There are wheels on the front, but there’s no handlebar on the back, so you have to kind of rely on your grip strength to lift it up and wheel it around.”

For this reason, we rate the footprint and portability a 1 out of 5.

RELATED: Best Folding Treadmills

Durability and Construction

While testing the NordicTrack X24, Lindsay didn’t notice any significant wobbling or shaking. It has a powerful 4.25 CHP motor, which is strong enough to handle daily usage in a home gym setting, and the frame is sturdy.

When evaluating durability in treadmills, we also like to look at the weight capacity. A higher weight capacity indicates that the treadmill offers more support and stability. The NordicTrack X24 treadmill has a user weight capacity of 400 pounds, easily beating the industry standard of 275 pounds. Thus, we give it a 5 out of 5 for durability and construction.

Adjustments and Ergonomics

The NordicTrack X24 treadmill shines in the adjustments department. It goes from a -6% decline to a 40% incline, reaches a top speed of 12 mph, and has a spacious 60-inch-by-22-inch running deck.

“The running deck looked small when I first saw the machine, but it is, in fact, 60 inches long and 22 inches wide,” Lindsay says. “It’s one of the largest treadmills I’ve tested. Even taller runners will have plenty of room to run or sprint on it.”

The treadmill also has horizontal and vertical handlebars to provide extra security when using it at higher incline settings. “The handlebars are a little slippery and not my favorite, but they do help you feel safer when walking at high inclines,” Lindsay says.

However, this incline trainer falls slightly short when it comes to ergonomics, so we give it 4 out of 5 stars in this category. The step-up height is 13.66 inches. Not only does this make it less ideal for rooms with low ceilings, but it can also be challenging for users with mobility restrictions to easily step on and off the treadmill.

RELATED: Best Treadmills for Low Ceilings

Studies¹ show that cushioned treadmills can reduce the force placed upon the feet with each step. However, even though NordicTrack’s SpringFlex cushioning is designed to absorb impact, Lindsay wasn’t overly impressed by it. “It’s not the most cushioned deck I’ve ever experienced, but it’s decent. I’d consider it mid-range in terms of cushioning,” she says.

With that in mind, higher-weight individuals or those with a history of lower-body injuries may want to choose a treadmill with more cushioning.

Technology Benefits and Conveniences

The NordicTrack X24 treadmill is packed with features, earning it a 5 out of 5 for technology benefits and conveniences. It has two water bottle holders, the ability to sync with Bluetooth headphones, and a USB-C charging port. The 24-inch HD touchscreen monitor is bright and colorful, and the SmartAdjust feature automatically adjusts your speeds and inclines during iFIT classes.

It doesn’t have a media shelf for a phone or tablet, but you likely won’t need it. With iFIT, you can watch movies and TV shows on the monitor via Netflix, Prime Video, and other streaming services. You can even create custom, simulated running routes with Google Maps, and iFIT also syncs to apps like Strava, Apple Health, Garmin Connect, and Google Fit.

Plus, there’s a cooling fan that automatically adjusts based on the intensity of your workout. And if that doesn’t impress you, you may like to know that the treadmill’s ActivePulse technology can automatically adjust the speed, incline, and resistance to ensure you stay in your desired heart rate zone. You do need to use a compatible heart rate monitor, though, which isn’t included.

A speaker bar sits at the bottom of the screen, and Lindsay considers it a big improvement over the speakers on the X22i. She was able to get the volume of both the instructors and the music just right—something she says is a challenge on a lot of other treadmills.

Programming

The NordicTrack X24 treadmill earns a 5 out of 5 for programming. It’s compatible with iFIT, which has long been one of our favorite workout apps. We find the iFIT trainers motivating and engaging, and with thousands of classes available, there truly is something for everyone. The iFIT workouts include everything from gentle walks to challenging high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions.

RELATED: HIIT Treadmill Workout

The iFIT program isn’t just for treadmills, either. In the workout library, you’ll find classes for elliptical machines, rowers, exercise bikes—even classes that don’t require any equipment at all. iFIT also has an AI coach that can help you find content customized to your training goals.

NordicTrack X24 Treadmill vs Peloton Tread

Peloton Tread

Peloton Tread

GGR Score: 3.74

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Product Highlights

• Powerful 3.0 CHP motor
• Carbon steel construction
• Top speeds of 12.5 MPH
• 23.5″ HD touchscreen display
• Incline training
• Non-folding
• Live and on-demand classes

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Interactive, responsive HD touchscreen display
• Access to thousands of workouts via Peloton
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Front speakers and rear woofers for great sound
• Big range of speed and incline
• Carbon steel frame
• Intuitive controls
• Red line centered on running deck ensures good running mechanics
• Sleek design
• Improved safety features: Tread lock, emergency stop button, stop-sensor technology in belt and a safety key

Cons

• Disappointing warranty
• No decline
• No pre-programmed workout so need to purchase membership to Peloton
• Expensive
• Heavy
• Smaller console
• Minimal cushioning
• No cooling fans (not a deal breaker but it would be nice)
• Smaller running deck compared to similarly priced treadmills

Bottom Line

After several recalls back in 2021, Peloton recently released this new treadmill, the Peloton Tread, with improved safety measures. Perhaps best known for its wide range of live and on-demand classes, the Peloton Tread is a fantastic way to train indoors and stay motivated.  The easy-to-use, interactive touchscreen provides access to a library of workouts and leaderboards that truly brings training to a new level. Powered by a 3.0 horsepower motor, the Tread reaches speeds up to 12.5 mph and inclines up to 12.5%; impressive numbers by any standard. Constructed from carbon steel, the Tread has a sleek, compact design that is as sturdy as it is attractive. While the price tag is steep, it could be a worthwhile investment for your home gym if it fits your budget.

The Peloton Tread is another premium treadmill that offers built-in virtual programming. It’s about 5 inches narrower and almost a foot shorter than the NordicTrack X24 treadmill, so it may be a better fit for smaller gym spaces. Like the X24, the Peloton Tread doesn’t fold, but it weighs much less and is easier to move.

The Peloton Tread only goes up to a 12.5% incline, but its max speed of 12.5 mph isn’t far off from the X24’s. Its touchscreen monitor is just a touch under 24 inches.

At around $2,995, the Peloton Tread isn’t cheap, but it’s more reasonable than the $4,500 X24 treadmill. A Peloton All-Access Membership, which is required for the Peloton Tread, costs $5 more per month than iFIT. You do get access to a wide variety of classes, but Peloton doesn’t sync with third-party apps as seamlessly as iFIT.

Learn more in our Peloton Tread review.

Customer Experience 

If you’re unsatisfied with your X24 treadmill, you can return it within 30 days of your delivery date. You’ll have to pay a return shipping charge of $250 plus a 10% restocking fee.

However, NordicTrack offers a lifetime warranty on the motor, which helps the treadmill earn a 5 out of 5 for customer experience. The X24 treadmill also comes with a 10-year frame warranty, a 2-year parts warranty, and a 1-year tablet and labor warranty.

RELATED: What Makes a Good Treadmill Warranty?

Ordering the NordicTrack X24 Treadmill

As of this writing, the NordicTrack X24 treadmill is only available on NordicTrack’s website. You won’t find it on Amazon or other third-party marketplaces. Financing is available through TD Bank with 0% APR for eligible customers. You can choose 12-month or 39-month payment options.

Free standard shipping with curbside delivery is also available, though you’ll have to assemble the machine yourself. If you opt for white glove delivery, it’ll cost $299. If you want white glove delivery and have an old treadmill you’d like hauled away, you’ll have to pay $398.

Customer Reviews

The NordicTrack X24 treadmill is still new, so there aren’t many customer reviews on it yet. NordicTrack’s website shows four reviews as of this writing, all of which are 5 stars. Customers praised the treadmill’s quiet performance, the cushioned deck, and the 40% incline.

Final Verdict of Our NordicTrack X24 Treadmill Review

If you have the space and budget, the NordicTrack X24 treadmill is certainly worth considering. It’s a sturdy machine with a powerful motor, a ton of tech features, and a wide range of speed and incline/decline settings. We believe it can suit multiple types of users and training goals.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind before buying:

• Find a dedicated space for this treadmill before it arrives. Once it’s in place, you likely won’t want to move it due to its large size and heavy build.
• Be prepared to spend around $39 per month for iFIT.
• We thought the cushioning was just average, and the treadmill has a high step-up height of 13.66 inches. Heavier-weight users or those with mobility restrictions may want to consider a treadmill with better cushioning and/or a lower step-up height.

Full Rating

NordicTrack X24 Treadmill

The new NordicTrack X24 Treadmill has an impressive incline/decline range of -6% to 40% and features an impressive 24-inch touchscreen monitor with high-quality speakers. It includes several conveniences, like water bottle holders and a cooling fan that adjusts automatically based on the intensity of your iFIT class. However, the $4,500 price tag is steep, and this large, heavy treadmill could be difficult to move around.

Product Brand: NordicTrack

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 4499

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.25

NordicTrack X24 Treadmill: FAQs

References

1. Shi, H., Li, H., Liu, H., & Yu, B. (2019). Effects of treadmill cushion and running speed on plantar force and metabolic energy consumption in running. Gait & Posture, 69, 79–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.01.024

The Ultrahuman Ring AIR touts a lightweight, comfortable feel, only weighing between 2.4 and 3.6 ounces (depending on the ring size). Still, how does this direct competitor to the Oura Ring fare in tracking metrics, workouts, and sleep?

Our expert product tester tried out the Ultrahuman Ring AIR for a few weeks, tracking both her sleep and workouts. In our Ultrahuman Ring review, we’ll take a look at the comfort, aesthetics, and tracking accuracy of the ring, and help you decide if it’s worth your money.

The Ringleaders in Testing Fitness Equipment

Although calling us ringleaders is mostly my attempt to make a bad pun, it’s also true: The team at Garage Gym Reviews is a leader in testing fitness equipment. Each product on our website has been tested by expert product testers, consisting of certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and competitive athletes. We take our testing to the limits, even creating proprietary studies for certain products, like the best treadmills.

Our product tester used rigorous testing during her two weeks with the Ultrahuman Ring AIR, according to our fitness equipment testing methodology. She rated the fitness tracker ring 1 to 5 in features and aspects, including:

• General wear
• Activity and metrics tracking
• Battery life
• Connectivity
• Ease of use
• Overall value

Ultrahuman Ring AIR

Ultrahuman Ring AIR

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

• Ring fitness tracker to help you improve your sleep 
• Features continuous heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring and temperature monitoring, and period heart rate monitoring 
• Included: Ring AIR, standard ring charger, type-C to C cable 
• 5 colors available

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Ultrahuman will send free sizing kit
• Provides a nightly sleep score and daily recovery score
• Sleep tracking with 10+ metrics
• No subscription required
• Can trade in a competitor’s ring for a discounted Ultrahuman ring

Cons

• Expensive
• Only 1 year warranty
• Customer reviews noted issues connecting with app
• Ultrahuman ring sizes different than traditional rings

Bottom Line

The Ultrahuman Ring AIR is a ring-style fitness tracker that does not require a subscription. When ordering you will have to request an Ultrahuman ring sizing kit, because the ring sizes are different from traditional rings. Customer reviews were generally positive and loved not having to pay for a subscription. Some customers did have issues with connecting the ring to the app.

A Quick Look at the Ultrahuman Ring AIR

Ultrahuman claims that the Ring AIR is the lightest sleep-tracking wearable device, and looking at the specs, it’s hard to argue against that claim. Depending on the size, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR weighs at most 3.6 grams; by comparison, the Oura Ring weighs 4 to 6 grams. The Ring AIR is also 2.45 to 2.8 millimeters thick, depending on the size.

The Ring AIR has a lot of common functionality in the metrics it can track: sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, and workouts. However, it also has some advanced sleep features, such as AFib (atrial fibrillation) monitoring and cardio adaptability. Being a newer ring, a few features are still rolling out.

An added bonus is that the Ring AIR doesn’t require a subscription fee to access its tracking features. Ultrahuman suggests pairing the Ring AIR with their M1 Live, which tracks glucose and metabolism as well—but it’s important to note that the M1 does require a monthly fee, and a pricey one of $299 a month.

Before You Buy

• Not sure of your ring size? Ultrahuman will send a sizing kit where you can try out different sizes prior to choosing a size. Ring sizes range from 5 to 14.
• Ultrahuman suggests using the fitness tracker ring on your index, middle, or ring finger for the most accurate readings. However, athletes with larger hands (like myself) may need to opt for a pinky ring to get the ring to fit.
• If you’re looking to use the M1 Live in conjunction with the Ring AIR, you can save by purchasing a longer subscription—3 or 12 months.
• Looking to replace your current fitness tracker ring? You can trade in your current smart ring for in-store credit to help pay the $349 price tag of the Ring AIR—as long as your fitness tracker ring is eligible.

Is the Ultrahuman Ring AIR Worth It?

The Ultrahuman RIng AIR is a bit on the pricier side, costing $349, which is more expensive than the Oura Ring Gen 3 (but pretty much in line with their newly released Gen 4 ring). The RingConn is also less expensive, costing about $259. Compared to some other pricier smartwatches, like Garmin fitness trackers, the price is less expensive though.

While it’s on the pricier side of the best smart rings, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR still brings a good amount of value to the table, earning a 4 out of 5 for its value. The ring doesn’t have a mandatory subscription fee, and the sleep data collected is great for fitness lovers looking to improve their sleep quality and recovery. Compatible with Android and Apple devices, this fitness tracker is a great option for athletes wanting to optimize their sleep and recovery.

The ring is very comfortable, but even then it could feel in the way during some Olympic barbell movements—if you’re needing a strong grip on the bar. So if you’re wanting to track workouts but do a lot of barbell training, you may need to consider a fitness tracker watch or smart band, like Fitbit or Whoop.

RELATED: Whoop 4.0 Review

Ultrahuman Ring AIR Specs

Using the Ultrahuman Ring AIR

The Ultrahuman Ring AIR connects to the Ultrahuman app via your smart device. It’s compatible with both iPhones and Android devices, and even other smart devices, like Apple Watch. After using the smart ring and app for a few weeks, our expert tester rates the ease of use a 4.5 out of 5, saying, “The app’s interface is straightforward and gives a lot of insight into metrics you wouldn’t necessarily know about your health—particularly sleep.”

The app measures tons of features during activity and sleep, so it can be a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, Ultrahuman has an information button for most metrics that explains what the measurement is for and what is typical for that metric.

The one metric our tester didn’t get was the skin temperature sensor, mostly because the explanation is poor. “It tells me that a half-degree drop in temperature isn’t optimal but doesn’t explain why it could happen or what it could mean,” she says. “To me, it just doesn’t seem like a huge deviation in temperature. I wish there was a bit more explanation in that case.”

Let’s take a deeper look at the metrics and functionality of the smart ring.

General Wear

Many fitness tracker rings are made to work both in and out of the gym, with colorways suited to match other rings and jewelry. The Ultrahuman Ring AIR comes in five different colors, with a couple of options including gold, silver, or a matte black, sure to appeal to whatever style you prefer.

The ring is available in sizes 5 to 14, and Ultrahuman will send a ring sizing kit to help you determine your size if you’re not sure. (I’d recommend using the sizing kit even if you know your size so that you are certain of the right size and fit for you.)

Although 14 is a larger size than other smart rings I’ve seen, larger athletes may need to wear the ring on their pinky instead of the recommended index, middle, or ring finger. I’d love to see Ultrahuman and other fitness tracker rings develop some larger sizes, so that they can get more accurate readings on a larger finger.

What separates the Ultrahuman Ring AIR most from competitors is its lightweight  design; weighing as little as 2.4 grams, Ultrahuman is one of the lightest sleep trackers on the market. The thickness and width are sleek as well, leading our product tester to rate the general wear a 4.5 out of 5. “I’m not one to wear big rings usually, so it felt a little weird at first, but it’s gotten comfortable fast,” she says. “Now I feel awkward when I’m not wearing it.”

Even though it’s lightweight, the ring also is durable. Our product tester explains, “After two weeks of consistent wear, I’m shocked there’s no scratches or marks on the ring yet.”

Battery Life

Because fitness tracker rings don’t have a display or touchscreen to power up, they typically have some of the best battery lives in the fitness tracker market. The Ultrahuman Ring AIR is no different, lasting up to 6 days at a time before needing a charge.

The Ring AIR comes with a standard ring charger and type-C cable. When the battery is low, simply place the ring on the charger, and the ring charges in 90 minutes. The Ring AIR earns a 5 out of 5 for its battery life.

Connectivity

The Ultrahuman Ring AIR has Bluetooth connectivity and automatically updates the firmware through the Ultrahuman app. The app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. However, it lacks GPS support, earning it a 3 out of 5. Still, in addition to the Ultrahuman app, the Ring AIR also supports third-party apps and platforms, such as Zwift, Peloton, Apple Health, Strava, Fitbit, Garmin, and others.

Activity Tracking

The Ultrahuman Ring AIR measures tons of metrics and activities in its fitness tracking:

• Calories
• Steps
• Workouts
• Heart rate
• Sleep
• Stress
• Body temperature

It earns a 4 out of 5 for activity tracking and heart rate tracking. Let’s break down the strengths and weaknesses of the Ring AIR’s tracking.

Workout Profiles

The Ring AIR measures basic movement and calories burned through a motion sensor and counts steps and distance traveled. Your VO2 Max can also be calculated, which is a measurement of your body’s oxygen consumption and use during exercise. It has the ability to track a myriad of workouts, including:

• Cross-training
• Hiking
• Elliptical training
• Pilates
• Yoga
• Strength training
• Soccer
• Powerlifting
• Rugby
• Rock climbing
• Kickboxing

“Almost any workout you can think of, it has a setting for,” says our expert tester.

Additionally, the Ultrahuman app has workouts included for yoga, abdominals, HIIT, strength training, and breathwork. “The inclusion of workouts and tracking makes me more willing to engage in targeted workouts, since the data and tracking all lives in the app on my phone,” our tester says.

RELATED: The Best Gifts for Yoga Lovers

Sleep Tracking

Where the Ultrahuman Ring AIR can shine is in its sleep tracking. Many fitness trackers will give a sleep index or recovery score based on your prior night’s sleep. The Ring AIR does the same, with a sleep score based on trackable metrics and algorithms, and tracks sleep stages throughout the night. It goes a step further with coaching based on nuances in your sleep, suggesting an earlier bedtime if you’re lacking on your total sleep, for example.

The Ring AIR also gives insights into your circadian rhythm to try to help time your sleep, exercise, and wind-down times throughout the day to improve energy and sleep quality. It suggests caffeine windows and vitamin D exposure times as well, all geared for better sleep and recovery.

Two unique features of the nighttime tracking are AFib Detection and Cardio Adaptability. Both measure your heart rate. The AFib detection will send a notification if an irregular heartbeat is detected throughout the night, allowing for the possibility of early detection of atrial fibrillation. (The feature is limited in certain regions, however.) The Cardio Adaptability measures your heart activity throughout the night, giving insight into how your heart responds to activity, stress, and rest.

Sleep tracking was our product tester’s favorite aspect of the Ring AIR. “I can have trouble sleeping at times, and the ring is helpful in identifying my problem points during the night, as well as suggesting bed and wake-up times,” she says. “I check this metric almost religiously each morning.”

Heart Rate Monitoring

The Ultrahuman will measure your heart rate periodically during the day but continuously throughout the night to help measure resting heart rate. Along with resting heart rate, the ring measures other biomarkers such as heart rate variability (HRV), active heart rate, and skin temperature. 

These measurements are given in a readily available stress score, recovery score, and movement index. And as with other metrics, Ultrahuman gives insights on how to improve HRV and stress levels.

Ultrahuman Ring AIR vs Oura Ring

Oura Ring

Oura Ring

GGR Score: 4.2

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Measures your heart rate, oxygen saturation levels, and skin temperature
• Over time, it can track your sleep patterns and suggest improvements
• Battery lasts 7 days and can fully charge in 20 minutes
• Can help you find your balance between activity and recovery
• Water resistant up to 100 m

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Long battery life
• Fast charging
• No membership required

Cons

• May develop scratches with daily wear
• Limited statistics without membership
• Comparably expensive

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a fitness tracker that is more subtle and sleek than a traditional wrist tracker, the Oura Ring is a great alternative option.

It’s hard to avoid talking about the Oura Ring when talking about fitness tracker rings. Oura was one of the first fitness tracker rings on the market and continues to be a powerhouse in the field. Though the Gen 4 was recently released, we’ll stick to comparing the Ring AIR to the Oura Ring Gen 3, which is still available (and the ring we’ve had our hands on).

The Oura Ring Gen 3 starts at a lower price than the Ultrahuman Ring AIR, but depending on the colorway and style you choose, the Oura Ring can cost as much as $449. The Oura Ring is also a bit bulkier than the Ultrahuman Ring Air, with a thicker band and weighing between 4 and 6 grams, depending on your ring size.

The Oura Ring has strong sleep tracking metrics, but is rivaled by the Ultrahuman Ring, especially with its unique AFib monitoring and Cardio Adaptability scores.

Oura has a history—albeit a short one—of being a top brand and highly accurate, so we still like the ring for its overall use. However, the monthly subscription fee may deter some users from the smart ring; in that case, the Ring AIR is a great option with similarly robust metrics, but without any subscriptions.

You can read more in our Oura Ring review.

Customer Experience 

The Ultrahuman Ring AIR has a 12-month warranty, covering defects in material and workmanship. For more coverage, you can join Ultrahuman X, a VIP membership that extends your coverage period, prioritizes you for customer support, and also gives you deals and discounts on both Ultrahuman and non-Ultrahuman products.

Ultrahuman offers 30-day returns on their smart rings if you’re not satisfied with your purchase. All items must be included, including the ring charger in its original packaging. The website provides an email address, a chat function, and a phone number for contacting customer service, and it has a pretty lengthy FAQ section, earning them a 4 out of 5 for the customer experience.

Ordering the Ultrahuman Ring AIR

You can purchase the Ring AIR directly on the Ultrahuman website or through Amazon. Financing is available on the website through Afterpay or Shop Pay, where you can pay in interest-free installments or just schedule payments for a later time. The ring is also HSA- and FSA-eligible. No assembly is required, the ring just needs some mild charging before you use it.

Customer Reviews

As of this writing, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR has 562 reviews on Amazon, earning a 4.4 out of 5 stars on average.

Positive reviews generally applaud the light feel and fit of the ring, and also enjoy the sleep metrics and their accuracy.

Most negative reviews and complaints come from connectivity issues. One 4-star review had issues pairing with their phones and devices, and had a slow experience with customer support through the website chat function. However, once he contacted the company via phone, he was able to get the answers and support he was looking for and set up a replacement ring.

Another negative complaint said that connectivity was an issue as well, and was currently waiting on a replacement ring. Users should know that there may be issues, but customer support seems to be helpful in troubleshooting and getting a replacement if needed.

Final Verdict of Our Ultrahuman Ring AIR Review

With a robust sleep tracking system, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR brings a lot to the table, rivaling top competitors like Oura. If you’re looking for a decent way to track your health and wellness—without any subscription fee—this is a solid option. Here are a few things to consider:

• Make sure to get the sizing kit regardless if you know your ring size or not to ensure you get the right size.
• If you’re looking to upgrade your current ring tracker, you may be eligible to trade in your ring to knock down a bit of the $349 price tag.
• Workout tracking may be limited if you do a lot of grip work, as rubbing against a barbell or dumbbell repeatedly may cause some damage to the smart ring.

Full Rating

Ultrahuman Ring AIR

The Ultrahuman Ring AIR is a ring-style fitness tracker that does not require a subscription. When ordering you will have to request an Ultrahuman ring sizing kit, because the ring sizes are different from traditional rings. Customer reviews were generally positive and loved not having to pay for a subscription. Some customers did have issues with connecting the ring to the app.

Product Brand: Ultrahuman

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 349

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.1

Ultrahuman Ring AIR: FAQs

References

1. Kim, J., Chang, S. A., & Park, S. W. (2024). First-in-Human Study for Evaluating the Accuracy of Smart Ring Based Cuffless Blood Pressure Measurement. Journal of Korean medical science, 39(2), e18. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e18

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is a screenless fitness tracker with the ability to track your activity, steps, calories, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and sleep stages. We find it’s similar to the popular smart ring we tested for our Oura Ring review, but doesn’t require a monthly subscription for the app. If that’s piqued your interest, stay tuned for more details. 

You Can Trust Our Expert Insights on Fitness Trackers

Our expert testers at Garage Gym Reviews have tested over two dozen of the best fitness trackers, including the most popular fitness rings. When our experts sync and operate each fitness tracker, they assess a variety of things, including its general wearability, activity tracking capabilities, heart rate accuracy, battery life, and ease of use, to name a few. Our testers use our in-depth fitness equipment testing methodology to score each category on a scale of 1 to 5, which we average to find the overall rating. 

For this Samsung Galaxy Ring review, GGR Senior Staff Writer Caine Wilkes wore the smart ring for a month before giving his final verdict. Caine is not only a writer and product tester, he’s an Olympic-level athlete, coach, and former gym owner. He’s been picking up barbells since he was a teen and has practiced health tracking throughout his Olympic career. 

Galaxy Ring

Samsung Galaxy Ring

GGR Score: 4.33

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Scratch-resistant titanium construction
• Up to 7 days of battery life
• Location tracker
• Hands-free control of your Android phone
• Three colors to choose from

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Integrates with Android devices
• Built-in location tracker
• Control your phone by pinching your fingers
• Durable titanium construction

Cons

• Only works with Android phones
• More expensive than competitors

Bottom Line

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is an excellent choice for those who want to use their ring with a compatible Android phone. The ring tracks your health metrics, allows you to control your phone by pinching your fingers, and includes a location tracker if you lose it. It's expensive, but a great choice for Samsung users.

A Quick Look at the Samsung Galaxy Ring

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is a smart ring that can track a plethora of health metrics like heart rate, heart rate variability, steps, calories, skin temperature, menstrual cycles, and sleep stages. The ring also provides an energy score, which is similar to the “readiness score” on devices like Oura Rings and Whoop straps. 

You’ll need an Android phone (like Samsung phones, Google Pixels, or Motorola devices) to use the device and have the ability to sync with the Samsung Health app. Unlike a smartwatch, the Galaxy Ring doesn’t have a screen, so you’ll view your health metrics and notifications in the app and not on the device itself. 

Before You Buy

• Our tester found the size range on the Samsung Galaxy Ring limited for larger folks. 
• The Samsung Ring doesn’t have a subscription-based app, which means you have unlimited access to your metrics on the app. 
• If lifting weights is one of the main ways you stay active, a ring may not offer the best fitness tracking method due to the firm grip needed for barbell training. 

Is the Samsung Galaxy Ring Worth It?

Fitness tracking technology is all the rage right now, and for good reason. Fitness trackers can provide valuable insight into your health and even nudge you to make healthier decisions—like walking more often or going to bed earlier. In fact, a 2021 study¹ found that wearing a biometric ring (paired with personalized feedback and health-related education) can improve daily movement, heart rate variability, and overall body fat percentage. 

RELATED: Heart Rate Zone Training

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is certainly not cheap at $400. And the reality is many smart rings offer similar health metrics. However, the one thing we appreciate about the Galaxy Ring—compared to the Oura Ring—is the fact the Samsung Galaxy app does not require a recurring subscription fee to access your data. 

In that regard, you’ll be spending more up front but less overall if you use the ring long term. Our tester, Caine, scored the overall price and value of the Galaxy Ring at 4.5 out of 5 stars. “The Galaxy Ring is a great value, especially because the ring doesn’t have a subscription with it,” he says. 

Samsung Galaxy Ring Specs

Wearing the Samsung Galaxy Ring

GGR tester, writer, and Olympic-level athlete Caine Wilkes used the Samsung Galaxy Ring for a month to understand the gadget’s connectivity, features, and metric capabilities. Over the four-week trial, Caine’s biggest takeaway was the limited size range for larger people and the need to remove it for barbell training. 

Caine is an Olympic Weightlifting athlete and trains with a barbell multiple times a week. That also means he removed the Galaxy Ring for each session. “Fitness rings aren’t ideal for tracking barbell workouts, where I’m holding onto a barbell the majority of the time. But I like the Galaxy for sleep tracking and counting steps,” he says. 

“Overall, I like this ring a lot. I also appreciate the ‘energy score’ for insight on how my training may go, as well as what to work on to better rest and recover,” Caine adds. 

RELATED: Best Garmin Fitness Trackers

Comfort and Aesthetics

We know you’re not just interested in the metrics—the way a fitness tracker looks and feels is important, too. In our “general wear” category, Caine was tasked to assess the fit, comfort, and aesthetics. 

The Galaxy Ring earns a 4.5 out of 5 stars in this category because Caine thought it was pleasant to wear and appreciated the sleek design mimicking a traditional ring. 

That said, Caine is a large human and subsequently has large hands. The Galaxy Ring has a size range from 5 to 13, which didn’t work for Caine’s index finger. Instead, he went with the largest size to wear on his pinky finger. “It’s a little limited for larger people. I probably would have been a size 15 ring,” says Caine. 

Although the brand recommends wearing on your index finger, Caine thought the Galaxy Ring was comfortable and easy to wear on his pinky. “You can totally forget you’re wearing it,” he says. 

Caine noticed the Galaxy Ring is thinner than the Oura Ring and features a slim, concave design. He notes, “It looks a bit silly on my large hands, but for anyone size 13 and under it should be fine.” 

It also has an IP68 rating against water and dust, which means it can be submerged for short periods of time and is resistant against dust without the need for a cover. Just keep in mind you won’t want to swim in saltwater with this ring. Caine has not experienced any issues with showering or wearing the Galaxy Ring in the pool.

RELATED: RingConn vs Oura

Health Tracking Capabilities 

The Galaxy Ring can track your steps, distance, heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen, skin temperature, stress levels, and sleep. It also automatically detects and tracks walking or running workouts. Keep in mind the ring doesn’t feature a GPS or gyroscope, so your distance and running pace aren’t going to be as accurate as a device with built-in GPS. 

When it comes to strength training, there is a weight machine function, but nothing that allows you to calculate sets, repetitions, or load (but this is a common limitation of smart rings and smartwatches). 

Because the ring can track both cardiovascular and resistance training (although limited) Caine gave the ring a 4.5-star rating for fitness tracking capabilities. For comparison, the Oura Ring 4 can track 50 different types of workouts. 

In addition to your workouts and general movement, you’ll also be able to wear your Galaxy Ring while you sleep for a sleep score report. The ring uses a built-in accelerometer to detect vibrations and movement while you sleep. Your sleep stages are calculated using the accelerometer in addition to skin temperature, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels to determine your sleep stages (REM, light, and deep sleep). 

And lastly, for anyone who menstruates, the Galaxy Ring offers cycle tracking options. Caine didn’t test this feature, but notes that he had to manually turn on the temperature sensor on the ring in the Samsung Health app to get full use of the health metrics. 

RELATED: Best Heart Rate Monitors

He thought it was important to note he had to do this manually because he knows that measuring skin temperature at rest is an important part of menstruation and fertility tracking. Because the app has you manually turn on and off certain features, Caine rated the ease of use on the Samsung Health app 3 out of 5 stars. 

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy Ring can last up to 7 days from a single charge, which earns this device a 5-star rating for battery life. Many other fitness trackers we tested don’t last a full week and some need to be charged every day (looking at you, Apple Watch). Plus, it only takes 80 minutes on the charger for the ring to reach 100% battery. 

RELATED: Oura Ring vs Apple Watch

The ring comes with a special charging case with a USB-C port. It’s worth noting that ring sizes 12 and 13 have the longest battery life of 7 days, while the smaller sizes (5-11) are rated to last up to 6 days. 

Battery life also depends on usage of features. However, the website explains that the ring’s battery life can be extended by nearly 30% if you wear it alongside a Samsung Galaxy Watch. Apparently pairing the two devices can reduce feature usage on the ring—the most draining features include sleep tracking, auto detection, and gesture controls. 

Side note: Caine didn’t get to test the gesture controls where you can snap a photo on your Android phone with a simple hand gesture. That feature only works with newer phones and Caine has an older model Galaxy phone. 

Samsung Galaxy Ring vs Oura Ring Gen 3

Oura Ring Gen 3

Oura Ring

GGR Score: 4.2

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Measures your heart rate, oxygen saturation levels, and skin temperature
• Over time, it can track your sleep patterns and suggest improvements
• Battery lasts 7 days and can fully charge in 20 minutes
• Can help you find your balance between activity and recovery
• Water resistant up to 100 m

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Long battery life
• Fast charging
• No membership required

Cons

• May develop scratches with daily wear
• Limited statistics without membership
• Comparably expensive

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a fitness tracker that is more subtle and sleek than a traditional wrist tracker, the Oura Ring is a great alternative option.

The Oura Ring is the most similar smart ring to the Samsung Galaxy Ring that we’ve tested. We haven’t yet tested the Oura Ring Gen 4, so in this comparison we’ll focus on the Gen 3 stats.

The Galaxy Ring measures a fairly similar set of metrics to the Oura Ring including steps, stress, and sleep. Both wearable devices track skin temperature, blood oxygen, heart rate, and HRV. 

Both devices have an algorithm that uses sleep metrics and activity from the previous day to offer a “score” on your recovery. Samsung calls this an energy score and Oura names it as the readiness score. Caine has used both rings and appreciates this energy/readiness number, but notes you should take it with a grain of salt and trust how you feel. 

One major difference Caine noticed between the two devices is the Oura Ring can track more activities and types of workouts. The Samsung Galaxy can track a limited amount of resistance training, but you can’t differentiate between an Olympic Weightlifting training session and machine circuit workout. (However, if you train mainly with a barbell, chances are you’ll take the ring off to work out anyway.) 

While the Oura Ring is one of our top picks for the best fitness tracker rings, the app that pairs with the Oura Ring will cost about $70 per year ($5.99 per month). The Oura Ring starts around $300 and goes up to about $550 depending on the style and iteration. While the Oura Ring may not cost quite as much up front, you’ll have recurring fees over the lifetime of use on the Oura. 

Customer Experience 

Whether you purchase the Samsung Galaxy Ring on the brand’s website or through a third-party retailer like Amazon or Best Buy, you’ll have the option to receive a free sizing kit in the mail so you know exactly which ring size to choose. You can also start a live chat with a customer service representative on the Samsung website if you have questions. 

When you purchase your Galaxy Ring on the Samsung website, you’ll be prompted to answer questions if you have a fitness tracker device to trade in (rings or smartwatches, not including iOS devices) which can earn you up to $100 credit. You can also finance your purchase in four installments or over the course of 24 months. 

The Galaxy comes standard with a 12-month parts and labor warranty, with the option to purchase Samsung Care+ coverage. If you don’t love it, you’ll have a 15-day window to make returns. 

Caine notes that making a return (and contacting customer service in general) is a multi-step process because you’ll need to select the product you’re inquiring about before the website allows you to send an email. You’ll also be prompted to select a certain type of problem before you can send a general inquiry. For this reason, Caine docked a point and scored customer service at 4 out of 5 stars. 

However, after quite a bit of navigation on the Samsung website, we found the customer service line, which is 1-800-726-7864 and reachable 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. EST, 7 days a week. 

Customer Reviews

On Amazon, the Samsung Galaxy Ring has a 4-out-of-5-star rating based on 270 customer reviews. There are quite a few disgruntled customers who weren’t aware the Galaxy Ring was only compatible with Android phones and multiple customer reviews saying the ring is either uncomfortable or doesn’t offer enough sizes (especially for larger hands). 

On the flip side, there are many reviews of happy customers who appreciate the look, feel, and the accuracy of sleep, heart rate, and distance. Many of these 5-star reviewers also note the ring sizing kit was helpful and most folks sized up from their traditional size. 

Final Verdict of Our Samsung Galaxy Ring Review

If you’re looking for a fitness tracker that won’t buzz, beep, or drag you into more screen time, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is an ideal option. It’s $400 up front, but you won’t have to pay for a subscription to fully utilize the app and health metrics. Just keep in mind it’s not the most robust tracker we’ve used. The Galaxy Ring is an excellent choice if you: 

• Are already in the Android ecosystem with a Samsung or Google phone. 
• Can go without a built-in GPS or gyroscope for running, walking, and cycling workouts. 
• Want a durable and water-resistant fitness tracker. 
• Prefer a slimmer ring fit with a concave design to reduce bulk. 

Full Rating

Samsung Galaxy Ring

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is an excellent choice for those who want to use their ring with a compatible Android phone. The ring tracks your health metrics, allows you to control your phone by pinching your fingers, and includes a location tracker if you lose it. It's expensive, but a great choice for Samsung users.

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 399

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.33

Samsung Galaxy Ring Review: FAQs

References

1. Browne, J. D., Boland, D. M., Baum, J. T., Ikemiya, K., Harris, Q., Phillips, M., Neufeld, E. V., Gomez, D., Goldman, P., & Dolezal, B. A. (2021). Lifestyle Modification Using a Wearable Biometric Ring and Guided Feedback Improve Sleep and Exercise Behaviors: A 12-Month Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Frontiers in physiology, 12, 777874. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.777874

ALOHA protein shakes are one plant-based brand making a splash. With medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, prebiotics, and fair-trade ingredients, they seem like a great option for boosting protein intake, supporting your gut health, and prioritizing sustainability.

But are they one of the best protein shakes? Do these shakes deliver on their claims, and are they any good? See what the experts have to say in our ALOHA Protein Shake review! 

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. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.

Real Reviews From Fitness and Nutrition Experts

Protein shakes can be a great tool for reaching your health and fitness goals, but they aren’t always created equally. Fortunately, we have a team of experts that includes certified personal trainers, registered dietitians, strength and conditioning coaches, certified nutrition coaches, and more who have tested dozens of protein shakes.

And as a registered dietitian who specializes in the benefits of plant-based protein powders, I’ll provide additional insights into this shake!

To create our comprehensive reviews, our testers use a predetermined set of criteria when rating each shake. These criteria, scored on a scale of 1 to 5, include: 

• Price
• Formulation
• Taste
• Solubility
• Side effects
• Third-party testing
• Customer reviews

Most of our testers already use protein shakes, so they test each new shake as part of their regular pre- or post-workout supplementation routines.

ALOHA Protein Shake

ALOHA Organic Protein Shakes

GGR Score: 4.1

Check Price

Product Highlights

• Organic, plant-based protein drinks
• Comes in Coconut, Vanilla, Chocolate, And Iced Coffee flavors
• 20 g of protein in 12-oz shake
• Gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy-free, stevia-free, and soy-free

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Vegan-friendly
• Gluten-free
• Non-GMO
• No artificial ingredients

Cons

• Some reviews complained that texture was too thick
• Some added sugars

Bottom Line

Aloha Organic Protein Shakes are made with no artificial ingredients, and pack 20 grams of protein in each 12-ounce shake. The shakes come in four different flavors and have plant-based protein, making them gluten-free, dairy-free, and also soy-free. The combination of pea protein and brown rice protein makes this shake have all essential amino acids, along with prebiotics and electrolytes.

A Quick Look at ALOHA Protein Shakes

ALOHA is a Certified B-Corp protein powder, bar, and shake company that keeps sustainability top of mind. Their vegan shakes are made from a base of coconut milk and plant protein rather than the typical whey protein.

Each shake offers 20 grams of protein per bottle, making them an excellent choice for a post-workout shake or a protein-rich snack between meals. 

Before You Buy

• ALOHA doesn’t offer refunds or accept returns
• Available in packs of 4 or 12
• Each shake is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and 100% plant-based

Are ALOHA Protein Shakes Worth It?

There’s no escaping the fact that ALOHA Protein Shakes are a bit pricey. They’re also a little high in saturated fat, and the actual MCT oil content and prebiotics are pretty low. However, they taste fantastic and the protein content is excellent.

That said, we were disappointed that ALOHA doesn’t allow refunds or returns. It may be a good idea to try a four-pack first before going all in on the 12-pack.

RELATED: Best Vegan Protein Powder

ALOHA Protein Shake Specs

Experience Drinking ALOHA Protein Shakes

Our product tester for ALOHA Protein Shakes was GGR Senior Staff Writer Lauren Strong, NSCA-CPT. She had glowing things to say about this plant-based shake, which is all the more impressive considering what an avid whey protein fan she is. 

While the taste and consistency of these shakes are noticeably different than whey, Lauren didn’t see this as a negative. She even re-purchased the product after her initial testing because she and her husband enjoyed it so much. 

RELATED: Different Types of Protein

Price Per Serving

Priced at $3.33 a bottle, ALOHA Protein Shake received a 3 out of 5 rating for price. They’re not outrageously expensive, especially if you don’t plan to use them every day, but the price will add up quickly for serious protein shake drinkers.

Formulation

We loved that this shake is free from artificial ingredients and refined sugars. It’s also dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free, making it a good fit for a range of dietary needs. 

We also gave it big marks for the 20 grams of complete plant protein. With a blend of complementary pea and brown rice protein, this shake has a balanced amino acid profile ideal for building muscle. 

One thing to note is that while each shake contains a few grams of prebiotic blue agave inulin fiber, this is smaller than the 5-8 gram dose¹ recommended for significant gut health benefits.

Another disadvantage is that one shake contains almost a fifth of the daily recommended limit, so you’ll need to be careful about the amount of saturated fat in the rest of your diet. 

And despite the marketing, these shakes are pretty low in MCTs. This is because MCT oil is listed as the last ingredient, meaning it’s present in the smallest amount. Coconut milk is the first ingredient, but only a portion of the saturated fats in coconut milk² are MCTs.

Overall, we gave the formulation 4 out of 5 stars. The ingredient quality is great and it’s low in added sugars, but it doesn’t quite deliver on some of the brand’s claims.

RELATED: Pea Protein Benefits

Taste and Solubility 

Lauren is a whey protein fan, but even she was blown away by how delicious this shake was and gave the flavor a 5 out of 5 rating. She tried the Chocolate Sea Salt flavored with cocoa powder and natural flavors. “For a vegan shake, this is fantastic! There is a nice rich chocolate flavor and it’s not too sweet,” she said. 

“It tastes different from whey protein but it’s not overly earthy or plant-like,” Lauren added. She also advised that if you like the Ripple chocolate protein shake, you’ll enjoy this one, too. 

The pleasant consistency also earned a 5 out of 5 rating. Per Lauren, it’s “not super creamy but also not thin and watery. It’s exactly how I like a shake to feel.” And thanks to the use of sunflower lecithin, there wasn’t any graininess.

Side Effects

Many people choose plant-based protein shakes in order to avoid the whey protein side effects that can accompany conventional protein shakes. 

If this is your motivation, you’ll be happy to hear that Lauren didn’t experience any gas or stomach problems during her testing. It doesn’t contain stevia or sugar alcohols and should be well-tolerated by most people. Here, it got another 5 out of 5 rating.

Third-Party Testing 

Unlike protein powder, protein shakes and bars typically don’t undergo third-party testing for purity and safety. 

RELATED: Best Vegan Protein Bar

However, we can still look for third-party certifications that provide us with more information about the product.

ALOHA protein shakes are non-GMO verified with USDA Organic and vegan certifications. The coconut milk base and cocoa powder are also Fair Trade Certified, which requires fair pay for workers, appropriate working conditions, and the avoidance of child labor. 

We rated ALOHA a 5 out of 5 for having multiple third-party certifications.

ALOHA Protein Shakes vs Ripple Protein Shake

Ripple Protein Shake

Ripple Vegan Protein Shake

GGR Score: 3.8

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Product Highlights

• Pea protein is more sustainable than other proteins
• Vegan and free from lactose, soy, and nuts
• 30% of your daily recommended intake of iron 
• Great calcium source
• Certified B Corp company

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Shelf-stable
• Contains phosphorus
• Gluten and soy free
• Low in sugar

Cons

• Many customers said they received expired product
• Only 3 flavors

Bottom Line

Ripple Vegan Protein Shake is a great option for someone looking for a protein shake that is free from animal products and environmentally friendly.

According to our product tester, Lauren, the chocolate ALOHA protein shake reminded her a lot of the chocolate Ripple Vegan Protein Shake, at least in terms of flavor. 

To give you a more detailed look at how these plant-based protein shakes stack up to each other, we’ve included a direct comparison of their specs in the table below.

Customer Experience 

While the shake itself is excellent, ALOHA’s return policy falls short. They don’t allow returns or provide refunds once an order has been shipped, citing food safety concerns. This is true whether you order directly from the ALOHA website or from Amazon. 

Unfortunately, this makes trying their shakes for the first time a little risky. You’ll need to be willing to eat the cost in case you don’t like them. We gave the customer experience 1 out of 5 stars for this reason.

Customer Reviews

These shakes are highly rated with 4.8 out of 5 stars from 147 reviews on the ALOHA website.

Customers love the fact that it’s “dairy-free, high in protein, free from refined sugars, and tasty!” Many appreciate the lack of artificial sweeteners and strange aftertastes common to protein shakes. They also say it’s a convenient way to meet their protein goals.

ALOHA protein shakes are rated slightly lower on Amazon, with a 4-star rating from about 150 reviews. Here, reviews are mixed on taste and consistency. We also saw claims that customers were repeatedly sent the wrong flavor and had trouble getting the issue corrected. 

Overall, however, most people seem happy with their purchase and mention how much more they like the ALOHA shakes than other plant-based protein shakes they’ve tried.

Final Verdict of Our ALOHA Protein Shakes Review

ALOHA has some of the tastiest vegan protein shakes our whey-loving product tester has tried. We loved the 20 grams of complete, organic plant-based protein and the lack of refined sugars and artificial ingredients. We also appreciated the commitment to sustainability.

Of course, no shake is perfect. This one is more expensive and higher in saturated fat than similar vegan protein shakes, and the company doesn’t offer returns or refunds.

ALOHA protein shakes could be a good option if you:

• Aren’t drinking them for the MCTs or prebiotic benefits
• Can afford a pricier shake
• Can balance the saturated fat content with the rest of your diet
• Don’t mind a few grams of added sugars

Full Rating

ALOHA Protein Shakes

Aloha Organic Protein Shakes are made with no artificial ingredients, and pack 20 grams of protein in each 12-ounce shake. The shakes come in four different flavors and have plant-based protein, making them gluten-free, dairy-free, and also soy-free. The combination of pea protein and brown rice protein makes this shake have all essential amino acids, along with prebiotics and electrolytes.

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 39.99

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4.1

ALOHA Protein Shakes: FAQs

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

References

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2. Schwingshackl, L., & Schlesinger, S. (2023). Coconut Oil and Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Current atherosclerosis reports, 25(5), 231–236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-023-01098-y
3. Glynn, E. L., Fleming, S. A., Edwards, C. G., Wilson, M. J., Evans, M., & Leidy, H. J. (2022). Consuming a Protein and Fiber-Based Supplement Preload Promotes Weight Loss and Alters Metabolic Markers in Overweight Adults in a 12-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. The Journal of nutrition, 152(6), 1415–1425. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxac038
4. Calcagno, M., Kahleova, H., Alwarith, J., Burgess, N. N., Flores, R. A., Busta, M. L., & Barnard, N. D. (2019). The Thermic Effect of Food: A Review. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 38(6), 547–551. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2018.1552544