Latest news with #PeterAttia
New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Longevity expert reveals how to ‘train' for old age with a ‘centenarian decathlon'
Forget gold medals — this decathlon is all about your golden years. Speaking at the recent New York Times Well Festival, longevity expert and Stanford alum Dr. Peter Attia made the case for an innovative approach to preparing for old age. Rather than focusing solely on lifespan — the number of years you are alive — Attia's framework centers on healthspan — the period of life spent in good health. 4 Longevity expert Peter Attia speaking at The New York Times Well Festival. Getty Images for The New York Times He believes everyone has a 'marginal decade,' meaning the last 10 years of your life. 'You don't really know the day you enter that marginal decade, but most people know it when they're really into it,' he said. 'The way to increase the probability of enjoying that decade as much as possible is to be very deliberate about how you would prepare for it.' As such, he advises 'training' for old age in the same way that an athlete trains for a sport, with the knowledge that a soccer player and baseball player have very different workout regimens. He calls this approach a 'centenarian decathlon' — joking that it is 'neither a decathlon nor something exclusively for centenarians.' 4 Irina Zaretti celebrated her 100th birthday in 2020. Dennis A. Clark What it does entail is making a list of 10 physical activities that you most want to be able to do — enjoyably — during your marginal decade and begin training for them now. For example, if you want to be able to play on the floor with your grandchildren — which he noted 'sounds really easy,' but 'it's actually really hard to sit on the floor when you get into your 80s' — you should practice getting off the floor using only one arm for support. You should also deadlift 30 pounds so you can pick up a child, especially since muscle strength tends to decline as we age. If you want to be able to take your dog for a nice, long walk — aim to hit 10,000 steps a day now. 4 If you want to be able to play on the floor with your grandchildren, you should practice getting off the floor using only one arm for support. Halfpoint – If you'd like to still be able to travel internationally, try lifting a 20-pound suitcase and climbing 30 stairs without taking a breather. Big on cooking or swimming? Carry two heavy bags of groceries up several flights of stairs and practice getting out of a pool without a ladder. Everyone's list is bound to be different — the key is to focus on what you value most and train accordingly. 4 Bill (William) Casey (right hand side) and his twin brother Jack on their 100th birthday. McCarthy Stone / SWNS For his part, Attia revealed that some of the items on his personal list include: driving a race car, shooting a bow and arrow, playing with children, standing up on his own, and being able to walk with ease — including on uneven surfaces. He highlighted that some of these items are easy to take for granted now — but, without training, there may come a time when they become incredibly difficult, if not outrightly impossible. And if you think dancing and sex don't count — you would be wrong. 'To be able to dance is actually a very complicated physical and cognitive task as you age,' Attia said. While everyone's training will differ depending on their personal goals, he believes that — for most people — it will include a mix of aerobics, strength training, balancing exercises and cardio. Outside of fitness, some of the other areas he recommends focusing on include maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, using prescription drugs and supplements as needed and taking good care of your emotional health.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
5 types of walking and their fitness benefits, from fartlek to rucking
After a decade of super intense fitness fads, the humble walk has become one of TikTok's biggest comeback trends to-date, with social media users clamouring to swap HIIT workouts for getting their 10,000 daily steps in. While it's been around for as long as humans have existed, social media has brought the many brilliant benefits of walking to light, from healthy weight loss and better cardiovascular fitness, to decreased stress and sounder sleep. Studies also show that there's a direct correlation between how many steps we walk per day and all-cause mortality, meaning daily walks could increase your chances of living longer. But aside from regular strolls around your local park with a takeaway coffee, did you know that there are different types of walking that can provide unique fitness benefits? From building lean muscle to soothing frazzled nervous systems, these are the best walking styles to try, broken down by individual fitness goals. Originally designed as a summer training routine for cross-country skiers, Nordic Walking has caught on as an exercise method in its own right – particularly among elderly populations. The outdoor regimen looks just like normal walking, but with the addition of two long poles, held in each hand and planted into the ground in sync with your stride. Not only does the use of walking poles provide extra stability while you're on the move, they're also said to activate the muscles in the arms, shoulders and core, turning a regular walk into a full-body sweat. In fact, a 2013 study into the effects of Nordic Walking found that regularly engaging in pole walking led to greater improvements in upper-body muscular strength when compared with just a bog-standard mooch around the block. It might sound like a character from Shrek, but the unusually titled fartlek walking has some pretty powerful benefits to pair with its low-stakes training style. Translating to 'speed play' in Swedish, the movement pattern is all about varying the pace and difficulty of your walks, interspersing bursts of faster walking between slower, more gentle rambles to catch your breath. Just like interval training in running, a study published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism found that alternating periods of fast and slow walking could improve cardiovascular fitness, help control blood sugar spikes and overall physical function. The researchers also added that the movement pattern is particularly good for people with busy lifestyles, as it's a time-efficient way to reap the benefits of a leisurely walk in a shorter window. You may have about already heard about rucking, if not, it's a military-inspired exercise style that involves intentionally carrying a weighted backpack on long walks. With leading names in the wellness space like podcaster Andrew Huberman and longevity expert Dr Peter Attia all revealing they're big fans of weighted walking, the method is fast becoming as cult as cold water swimming and mushroom coffee. Unlike other styles of walking, Rucking has one major USP – all that added resistance helps to build strength across the muscles required to walk, as well as sculpting your shoulders and back. Rucking could also lead to greater weight loss results, with one study reporting an extra three pounds of fat loss over a three-week period in participants who carried added weight, compared to those who did not. From 12-3-30 to 75 Hard, numerical workouts are all the rage right now. The latest is the 6-6-6 walking challenge, which involves walking for 60 minutes at either 6am or 6pm, with a 6-minute warm-up and cool-down. So much messaging on social media tells us that we need to be in the gym, crushing hard sets with intimidating weights to be reaping the benefits of fitness. But science suggests the opposite, with one recent study finding that 160 minutes of walking a day can be so healthy for those over 40 years of age that it may add an extra five years to their lives. Studies also show that adults who walk outdoors experience more vitality and energy than those who stick to indoor treadmills. With endless amounts of must-download media available on our phones, it's fairly unusual to go anywhere these days without first plugging into a podcast or a playlist. But all that external chatter could be blocking us from getting the most out of our walks, which is exactly why silent walking has taken off as a trend on TikTok recently. The concept is as basic as it sounds: rather than popping in your headphones or calling a friend for distraction, a silent walk involves leaving your phone zipped in your pocket and staying fully present in your surroundings. This slow-paced approach is all about tuning into the sights and sounds on your walk, and grounding in the present moment, which can help you manage your thoughts and feelings rather than being overwhelmed by them. Basically, it's a fancy form of moving mindfulness, a meditation concept that science has underscored as a soothing balm for stress, anxiety and depression, with positive knock-on effects for sleep, mood and immune function. Read more about walking: The easiest ways to count steps as Aldi brings back £11.99 fitness tracker (Yahoo Life UK) How fast you walk is more important than doing 10,000 daily steps (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read) Study reveals exactly how many steps you need to walk a day, and it's not 10,000 (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
Axios
14-05-2025
- Health
- Axios
Longevity's new muscle: Creatine
Creatine monohydrate, once a supplement marketed to bodybuilders and athletes, has now become popular with aging Americans. Why it matters: It's another tool longevity experts say can help people live stronger for longer — both in body and mind. What we're hearing: Building muscle before old age is key to maximizing healthspan. Doctor and " Outlive" author Peter Attia says strength built now will define how mobile you'll be in the last 10 years of your life — think, the ability to carry groceries (or not) in your 80s and 90s. Researchers also say strength training will add years to your life, and creatine can enhance its results. For women, creatine is being praised more specifically as one of "the most important supplements" they can take. It's specifically a hot topic for women in perimenopause and menopause. Orthopedic surgeon Vonda Wright, who has said every woman should be strong enough to complete 11 pushups, takes 5 grams of creatine daily. Early research suggests benefits even in pregnancy. How it works: As we age, we lose muscle (known in the medical community as sarcopenia) and can't move like we did in our 20s. Creatine is a compound that boosts energy. When taken regularly, people might have more energy to complete high-intensity exercises and see increased muscle growth. Yes, but: An active lifestyle is required. "You can't sit on the couch" and expect to grow muscle, cautions David Brady, chief medical officer at supplements company Designs for Health, who tells Axios he takes a creatine supplement while working out. Brains get a boost on creatine, too, research suggests. The supplement has been linked to improved memory, brain health, depression treatment and increased energy. How much creatine, for how often and paired with what diet and exercise is largely an individual equation. The recommendation from supplement companies is typically 5 grams a day, with a loading period of more at the start. Some people have reported surprisingly good results in 30 days, while others in a recent, small clinical trial didn't see much difference over 12 weeks. There's little harm trying it: A recent meta- analysis of hundreds of studies found little to no negative side effects from the supplement. Creatine is in food, but you'd have to eat a steakhouse-sized portion of red meat or seafood (up to 2 pounds) every day to hit 5 grams. In fact, we worked with a dietitian to try to identify a healthy creatine-rich diet as an example for this story, and they ultimately determined supplementation was the easiest way to consistently hit 5 grams without vastly increasing calories and cholesterol to unhealthy levels. Reality check: While creatine can boost muscle, it isn't required to build muscle in the same way that protein is needed. If your goal is to live healthier than the average American, that can usually be achieved through adjustments to food, exercise and sleep, Angel Planells, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a Seattle-based dietitian, tells Axios. "A supplement isn't a cure-all, fix-all."
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Are you getting enough protein? Is there such a thing as too much?
Protein is important, but focusing too much on it can come with downsides, such as having less room for other healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: MORGANE FADANELLI/NYTIMES Are you getting enough protein? Is there such a thing as too much? NEW YORK – People are in a protein craze, and it is hard to ignore. Walk into any grocery store, and you will find rows of protein-fortified energy bars, breakfast cereals, baked goods, snacks and even sports drinks. And on social media, influencers – many with medical or scientific degrees in their bios – claim that most people are woefully deficient. One of the most well-known protein proponents is Dr Peter Attia, a physician, podcaster and author who advises and invests in various protein-related food companies. In his best-selling book, Outlive, he says that the federal recommendations for protein are 'a joke', suggesting that most healthy and active people should consume nearly three times as much. In a 2024 survey of 3,000 American adults, 71 per cent said they were trying to consume more protein – up from 59 per cent in 2022. So, are the federal recommendations wrong? Would most people benefit from eating more protein? Or is the obsession just another passing health fad? The New York Times reviewed dozens of studies and interviewed 12 nutrition scientists, many of whom have been studying protein for decades. All agreed that more research on the topic is needed, but the science now does clarify some of the confusion. Here is a fact-check of six big protein claims. The claim: The federal recommendation is wrong Scientists have debated whether it should be a little higher, but the current level seems adequate for most people. Nutrition experts in the United States recommend that most healthy adults eat at least 0.8g of protein per kg of body weight every day. For a 68kg adult, this translates to 54g a day – or the amount in about 240g of chicken breast. Some studies suggest this amount should be higher — by about 25 to 50 per cent, or 1 to 1.2g per kg of body weight. But scientists do not agree that those studies are better than the ones used to make the federal recommendation. The best – if limited – evidence now suggests that the current level is adequate for most people's basic needs, said Dr Wayne W. Campbell, a professor of nutrition science at Purdue University. The federal recommendation was intended to prevent protein deficiency and to maintain lean tissues, like muscle, in most people, he added . That level is not necessarily optimal for everyone. Many people – including those who are strength training or losing weight – may benefit from consuming more, he said. Dr Attia declined multiple requests for comment. The claim: Most Americans are not getting enough protein Research suggests this is false. According to the latest data, the average man in the US is overshooting the federal protein recommendation by more than 55 per cent and the average woman by more than 35 per cent. If most people were not consuming enough protein, there would be widespread signs of malnutrition, and there are not, said Dr Nancy Rodriguez, a professor emerita of nutritional sciences at the University of Connecticut. People who follow a balanced diet, like one recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, are probably 'getting plenty of protein', Dr Campbell added – even vegetarians. That said, not everyone follows a balanced diet, and some people get less than what is recommended, which could put them at risk for deficiency. Teen girls, women and older adults, for instance, are particularly at risk of falling short of the federal recommendation. The claim: You need more protein to build muscle Research backs this up. Dr Stacy Sims, an exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist who offers advice to active women online, recommends consuming up to triple the federal recommendation. Dr Attia and other protein proponents suggest similar targets, along with exercise. If you are strength training, experts say you will probably want to consume more protein than the federal recommendation. But tripling it 'is far more than most people require', said Dr Luc van Loon, a professor of physiology of exercise and nutrition at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. In one well-designed trial of 50 middle-aged participants who followed a rigorous strength training programme for 10 weeks, half consumed about 1.5 times the federal recommendation, and the other half consumed about twice as much. After the training period, both groups were stronger and had gained lean mass, with no difference in results between them. For most people who want to build muscle, consuming around 1.5 to two times the federal recommendation is plenty, said assistant professor of geriatrics David Church at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Beyond that amount, he added, the effect of protein on muscle gain 'kind of plateaus'. The claim: Older adults need more protein Some research backs this up, but more studies are needed. There is some evidence that consuming more protein as you get older can reduce the risk of age-related muscle loss, but these findings have been mixed. In a three-year study of nearly 25,000 women aged 65 to 79, for example, those who consumed about 50 per cent more protein than the federal recommendation were less frail than those who consumed less. But other studies in older adults, including randomised controlled trials, have not consistently shown a benefit to consuming more protein. In a trial published in 2018, researchers provided 92 older men with diets that either matched the federal recommendation or contained 63 per cent more protein. After six months, the researchers found no differences in lean mass, muscle strength, walking speed, fatigue or well-being between groups. Despite the mixed evidence, nutrition experts in Europe encourage all people older than 65 to consume at least 25 per cent more protein than the US guidelines recommend. And, they add, older people may benefit from eating even more if they are healing from injury or recovering from surgery or hospitalisation – a recommendation Dr van Loon agreed with. The claim: High-protein diets can help with weight loss Research suggests this is partly true. Many posts on social media – several of them geared towards women – promote high-protein diets for weight loss. Some short-term trials in women and men have shown that eating 1.5 to two times the federal recommendation helped people lose more weight than lower-protein diets did. Research also suggests that protein can reduce hunger hormone levels and be more satiating than carbohydrates or fats. But longer-term studies have not always found that people lose more weight on high-protein diets compared with other weight-loss diets, said Dr Bettina Mittendorfer, a professor of nutrition and exercise physiology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. Still, research suggests that if you are actively trying to lose weight, increasing your protein may help you lose more as fat and less as lean mass, which includes muscle. In a review published in 2024, scientists concluded that consuming at least 25 per cent more protein than the recommended amount may help preserve muscle during weight loss. For people consuming fewer calories, whether because they are dieting or taking a medication like Wegovy or Ozempic, it is important to get adequate protein, Dr van Loon said. Strength training at least twice a week is also crucial for preserving muscle during weight loss, he added. The claim: The more protein, the better Experts have concerns about this approach. If you spend time online, you may see posts urging you to eat significantly more protein and saying that there is no harm in doing so. But focusing too much on protein can come with some downsides, experts said. It might, for example, leave less room for other healthy foods, like fruit, vegetables and whole grains – which most people n eed more of, Prof Church said. It could also prompt you to eat more animal products, which are linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease and earlier death, said Dr Frank B. Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Or you might rely on processed sources of protein, like powders or bars, instead of whole-food sources of protein such as beans, tofu, nuts, whole grains, fish or chicken, which are more healthful options, he added. Too much protein may also strain the kidneys in those with chronic kidney disease, Dr Campbell said. More than one in seven adults in the US are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, and up to nine out of 10 do not know that they have it. 'That gives me pause about the more-is-better approach,' Dr Campbell said. Dr Mittendorfer sees echoes of past nutrition trends in today's protein craze. 'There are these waves in public opinion,' she said. Fats and carbohydrates were once villainised, yet scientists found that the nutrients themselves were not bad; the issue was more about overeating certain foods they were in. As with any nutrient, she added, you should not have too much or too little. There is a 'Goldilocks zone' that meets your body's needs without causing problems, she said. The same is true for protein. NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Strength Training: Big-Time Interactive AI Home Gym In A Small Package
Strength training is hot right now, and the evidence behind its vital importance continues to mount. Whether it is to combat the otherwise inevitable loss of muscle mass due to ageing, counter the effects of osteoporosis and loss of bone density, to function better in life and recreational activities, or to look better and feel better about ourselves, more and more people are using weights and resistance. I have been covering participant sports and fitness for a long time, have a fairly elaborate home gym, have used a lot of different gyms around the world, and frequently try new equipment (my last fitness story here at Forbes was on a world-class immersive workout and hiking retreat). My new go-to home strength training setup is the Speediance Gym Monster 2, a big-time interactive AI home gym in a small, affordable package. Every day the news seems to be full of stories on how to live longer and better and why experts increasingly think strength training is a key part of that equation—or the key part. Recent blockbuster bestsellers like Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia have put strength training on equal footing—or even more important than—aerobic exercise and nutrition as vital to our long-term health. Just last week, the New York Times ran an article about longevity expert Dr. Eric Topol's new book, Super Agers, and asked the doctor for five tips for ageing well. Number One? 'Take up strength training.' All forms of exercise are recommended to combat risks of cancer, depression, diabetes and overall mortality, 'but even Dr. Topol was surprised to learn that strength training in particular can significantly lower your risks.' A cited meta-analysis of studies found that just an hour of resistance training a week lowered subject's mortality risk by a stunning 25%. Why the Gym Monster 2? First off, it takes the place of many machines and hardware that would normally take up a lot more space. I used to have a multi-station 'compact' home gym with weight racks that took up more than twice as much space and could not be moved out of the way, yet offered far fewer exercises. But that's just the physical part. It also comes with a full built in training regimen and classes at a price that cannot be beat—free. It is an interactive trainer, meaning it is fully loaded with video classes led by trainers who create many structured workouts and demonstrate proper form for every exercise, and it tracks how you do each exercise, from power to resistance to range of motion. It uses digital magnetic resistance, with a motor creating pull on the cables, so there are no bulky and potentially dangerous metal weight plates. It packs a huge number of possible exercises into a very small footprint that I keep in our smallest guest bedroom—and still have room for guests. The base platform which stabilizes it and connects the cables for half the exercises even folds up out of the way when not in use. When working out, the Gym Monster 2 occupies less than twenty square feet, but when folded, more like three. It's also easy to move. If you've seen commercials for the much more heavily marketed Tonal, you might already have an idea what a digital interactive resistance machine with video monitor is like, and I looked into Tonal. But a few advantages of the Gym Monster 2 caught my eye. For starters, it's less expensive, both to buy and in the long term. The retail price is a few hundred bucks lower, and significantly it doesn't require any installation, since it stands on the floor, whereas Tonal needs to be wall mounted and in most cases professionally installed as it needs a lot of structural strength and not any wall will do. Once its up, if you take it down or move it, cosmetic surgery will be required on your home, versus simply rolling the Gym Monster on its wheels. Setup was a breeze and took less than 10 minutes. Opening and removing the box took longer than the actual setup. Long term, there is no subscription or recurring fees, period, and all the classes are free. I love my Peloton (read more here at Forbes) for cycling, yoga, strength and more, and the extensive class workout offerings are well worth the $44 bucks a month I pay, but that is $528 a year versus nothing for Gym Monster. Tonal currently charges about $60 a month. Many trainers feel that variety is important, switching up workouts to keep the muscles from getting into a rut, and the sheer volume of offerings and specificity available (arms, chest. back, weight loss, full body, etc.) makes it easy to keep things fresh. The physical setup of the machine is clean and makes changing exercises a snap. There are just two cables, each ending with a connector for handles, straps, rope handle and the barbell. This connector can be moved to the platform floor for any vertical exercise from chest presses to bicep curls, or to the vertical frame at various heights for things like standing chest flys or overhead triceps extension. In every case, changing between sets takes just seconds and is really easy. The details are very well thought out, like the fact that the 32-inch 1080p touchscreen rotates 180 degrees, so you can turn it parallel to the floor and look up at it while on the bench. The Gym Monster 2 is compatible with Apple Watch and Samsung Watch for seamless fitness data tracking. The digital weight has several advantages beyond the most obvious one, which is packing a huge range of resistance into a machine three inches thick versus racks of dumbbells or metal plates (it maxes out at 220-pounds, which is more than enough for the vast majority of users). Because it's digital you can change the weight in one pound increments, impossible with most metal weights. It is also much safer to use, especially when working out by yourself. The weight can be switched on and off with a wireless Bluetooth ring you wear on your finger, so if you ever reach failure, like with the barbell on your chest, you simply hit the button and the weight turns off completely. It also turns off after you finish the last rep of any set in a class. There are also two different 'assist' modes you can activate, which will automatically lower the weight if you are struggling to complete the range of motion. The Gym Monster learns and grows with you on your fitness journey by using artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor your workout progress, and will increase the weight for you, though you can always adjust the recommended amount. When you first set it up it offers a benchmark series of exercises I highly recommend taking the 15 minutes or so to do, which calibrates the resistance to your abilities. Then when you do a class like full body workout, for every exercise, chest press, bicep curl, squat, whatever, it begins with the weight recommended for you based on your benchmarks and then continues to adjust it over time as your strength increases. You can set up multiple users, again for free, so everyone in the household or workout partners you invite over can have their own profiles and metrics. It even tracks the range of motion and ease with which you completed the movement (power) so it can tell if you are struggling or cruising, and it does this for each of your arms. So, if you keep doing the same class, as you get stronger, the weights for reach set will go up, but they will go up in custom fashion based on your actual performance of each exercise. In addition, for advanced training, you can switch from standard mode, which is like traditional metal weights to eccentric mode, which increases the resistance on the eccentric part of the movement, the lowering half (for example, bringing the dumbbell down after finishing a bicep curl) which is a key to building muscle. It also has chain mode, which increases the load as you reach the top end of the motion, and constant, which keeps resistance constant thought the entire of motion, ideal for physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises. The range of weights, modalities of resistance, variety of exercises and settings in such a compact unit is amazing. There are also a lot of workouts and a variety of trainers, including ongoing programs (like 30 day), and options to alternate between leg days, chest days and so on, including very specific options such as 'build big arms.' It doesn't have nearly the range of non-strength activities offered by a platform like Peloton (which has outdoor running and boxing and treadmill and such) because it is designed to be used in front of the screen. But in addition to weights, there is a full slate of yoga and pilates classes you can do on the floor in front of the Gym Monster, as well as rowing (with the rower option). If you just want to do your own workout, a quick set of something, or add an exercise to an existing class (like doing bicep curls after a chest and back or class) there is free lift mode, which is like using regular weights where you can do any exercise you want, as many reps as you want with whatever weight you want, rather than following a class. Wired magazine is one of my go-to resources for reliable reviews of technology, and they really liked the Gym Monster 2, summarizing a detailed review with 'Easy and fun to use. Bluetooth ring helps you set up lifts safely. Strength and cardio modalities. Assist mode acts as spot. Machine feels more like a weightlifting rack than other magnetic-resistance options. No assembly. Foldable and doesn't take up much space. No membership necessary!' The writer went on to say 'I've been using it for a month now, and I've totally integrated it into my workout routine. I really enjoy using it (I didn't love the past magnetic-resistance machine I tried), and it's allowed me to step up my big lifts, like dead lifts, squats, and bench presses' and 'There's a lot to love about the Gym Monster 2.' The Daily Beast also reviewed it very favorably and concluded that, 'This all-in-one weightlifting machine will replace you gym membership' and notes that 'The Gym Monster 2 replaces a whole gym's worth of machines.' I've been using mine regularly for several months, am really loving it and overall give it a big thumbs up, but as with any sophisticated tech gear there are a few caveats, most of which have to do with the interactive screen. The default music choice is rap or hip hop, and even though choices range from country to rock to 80s, I can't seem to get any of these to come on without going into the music in every class and changing it. Also, the music, whichever genre you pick, is low budget, especially compared to the star-studded soundtracks on Peloton, and I have never heard a song or even a band that I was familiar with, it seems to be obscure stuff licensed just for Speediance. On the other hand, it's all free. It is compatible with Apple Music, which is good for those who use it (I don't) but it sounds like they are hoping to add a Spotify connection which would be a big plus. But my biggest complaint is that sorting through class options is cumbersome. You have to swipe the touchscreen, and half the time the swipe inadvertently opens a class, as there is no up and down bar or arrow. There are filters you can sort by, but oddly, these do not include 'upper body' the workout I most commonly want to do, even though they include full body and every specific body part. But I've also found that searching for part of the upper body, like chest or arms, does not bring up all the upper body classes. In terms of functionality of weights and Bluetooth ring I have no issues, it has been super smooth, and Speediance is constantly making software updates to address any glitches—glitches I have not experienced. My only 'must-do' advice is that it's well worth the extra $150 to get the adjustable (incline) bench versus the standard one, because it lets you do a lot more exercises, especially chest ones like incline presses. There are three packages, and only the most basic comes with the flat bench. They all come with the important accessories: barbell, triceps rope, handles and ankle straps. There are a few add-ons, including a rowing machine base, a rail with sliding seat you can add to turn the Gym Monster into a rower. I don't row and I didn't get this so I cannot comment. The packages are $3,949; $4,099 and $4,499 (the priciest includes the rower). Bottom line? This smart interactive AI home gym is an amazing range of weight machines packed into one extremely compact unit that is well-designed, easy to switch around, with every technological bell and whistle for a fair price with no recurring fees. Whether you are highly experienced in weight workouts or new to strength training, it's a great way to dial in a regular and highly efficient routine in a safe manner. For households or families, there's something here for almost everyone, from the avid fitness person to those who just want to add in a 15 or 20-minute strength routine a couple of times each week.
