I’m a nerd when it comes to tech stuff. I don’t think I’m an extreme nerd, but a nerd nonetheless.

So I’m excited to share with you my review of the Fitbit Blaze.

My wife has had this basic Fitbit for years (the Fitbit Flex):

This Is The Fitbit Flex (not the Fitbit Blaze)

And she’s loved it and it’s definitely helped her to exercise more. But with the release of the new and improved Fitbit’s since she originally got the Flex, she’s been itching to upgrade.

So finally…on June 25th we both bought the Fitbit Blaze –

Fitbit Blaze

And what I’ll do in this post is share with you some basic info on the Fitbit Blaze, and I’ll share with you my Fitbit Blaze review of what I like, and don’t like about it after using it for 2 weeks now.

If you’re a tech nerd like me…this post is definitely for you. :-)

Here’s a quick rundown of the Fitbit Blaze

The Fitbit Blaze is a fitness watch that’s designed to track your steps, your heart rate, your sleep, your workouts, and more.

It even has some built in workouts, and if you’re a runner you can use the connected GPS* so you can map your routes and see stats about your run.

*Connected GPS: I originally thought this meant it had GPS built in, but you have to have your phone nearby because it uses your phone’s GPS through bluetooth. That’s not as cool, but I’ve heard if the GPS was built directly into it, it would drain the battery super fast (which would obviously not be good). And even the Apple watch (which is way more expensive) also requires your phone to use the GPS.

Here’s what I don’t like about the Fitbit Blaze

It’s not waterproof. It would be awesome if it was waterproof so I didn’t have to worry about taking it off while at the pool, showering etc. Not being waterproof is definitely not a deal breaker but it would be a nice feature.

I wish it gave me more data on my sleep. I know sleep is so important to our overall health. Our sleep can help us to burn more fat (when we’re getting quality sleep), and it’s vital for recovery and growth from our workouts.

So it’d be awesome if I could see when and how long I’m in the REM sleep stage during the night (that’s the deep state of sleep where we dream; getting into that state is critical to getting a good night sleep). However, the Fitbit Blaze does give you good basic info on how you’re sleeping, how often you wake up during the night, when you’re restless, etc.

I wish it integrated with chest strap heart rate monitors. The Fitbit Blaze uses an optical sensor that detects your blood flow in your veins to determine your heart rate. Crazy huh? As cool as that is…I’ve heard mixed reviews regarding this technology.

I’ve heard some people say it’s accurate, and others who have had problems with it. I’ve also heard during high intensity workouts it can have trouble keeping up with your heart rate.

During my own workouts there’s definitely been times where my Fitbit Blaze could not determine my heart rate. But after a few minutes or so it always figures it out. At some point I’d like to run a test and see how a chest strap heart rate monitor (which have been proven to still be the most accurate heart rate monitors) compares to the Fitbit Blaze heart rate monitor.

So while the “optical heart rate” technology is still being improved, I wish the Fitbit Blaze could be integrated with a chest strap monitor.

Here’s what I do like about the Fitbit Blaze

I love all the data it gives you. Here’s a couple previews of the main screen inside of the Fitbit App (just click the image to see a full size view):

You can also tap on each item to get more detailed info and also to see charts, and graphs which make it really easy to see what’s happening.

They also have an online portal that you can access from any Internet Browser that gives you even more ways to see the data. All this data is useful because it can help you see areas you’re doing awesome at, as well as areas you could improve on.

I love that it monitors my heart rate 24/7. Even though I’ve heard the optical heart rate technology may not always be accurate while doing high intensity workouts, I’ve read that it’s dead on accurate when just doing other normal day-to-day activities.

I love the simplicity of it. Setting up the Fitbit out of the box was incredibly easy. The app that you download to your phone is also very easy to use. Lastly, the watch itself is very very simple to operate and everything is intuitive.

They also make it simple to learn more about your Fitbit with links to tutorials that show up when using the app.

I love that you only have to charge it every 5 days or so. It seems like everything needs to be charged these days and it’s always annoying when something dies when you need it. So I love that the Fitbit Blaze has a longer battery life when compared to other fitness trackers, and smart watches. The more expensive Apple watch for example, has to be charged every day.

On the otherhand, per Fitbit’s documentation, they say that the Blaze only needs to be charged roughly every 5 days (depending on how much you use it). I’ve found that to be true.

SO…

I could go on and on regarding what I like about the Fitbit Blaze. I think it’s awesome and I’m really glad my wife and I got one.

Now…

Should you get a Fitbit Blaze?

That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself, but I really like the Fitbit Blaze and I’m definitely going to continue using it.

Like anything there’s pros and cons to the Fitbit Blaze. But overall I think the pros outweigh the cons, and if you want access to helpful data that can aid you on your fitness journey (estimated data on how you’re sleeping, calories you’re burning, steps you’re taking, your heart rate, etc.) then I say go for it.

Is it a required fitness tool? Absolutely not. But it is a cool fitness tech toy to have. :-)

Lastly, in case you’re wondering, I bought mine through Amazon here because it was the best price, and there didn’t seem to be any added perks to go direct through Fitbit.

Hope this helps you and you enjoyed this Fitbit Blaze review!

If you have questions, or comments, let me know below!

The post New Fitness Toy – Fitbit Blaze Review first appeared on Trek2BeFit.com.

The pain got so bad that I would have to stop shortly after starting the move. I had heard in the past that if you don’t have good shoes then you’ll experience pain like that. So I decided it was about time that I start doing some research and look for a new pair of shoes.

After a ton of research I settled on the Reebok Realflex Transition shoe.

I’ve worn these shoes now for 3 workouts (during the P90X2 PAP Lower workout) and I wanted to give you my Reebok Realflex review.

Did these shoes relieve the pain? Would I recommend them to you? Continue reading my Reebok Realflex review and you’ll find out! :-)

The Importance Of Good Shoes

The jump training found in P90X2 (Plyocide), P90X (Plyometrics), TurboFire, etc. is super hard on your feet and legs. Having the right shoes is critical to help prevent injuries. In the P90X2 P.A.P. Lower workout, Tony Horton makes a point to say at the beginning of the workout to get some good shoes.

He says that running shoes are not the type of shoes you want to be using. You need tennis shoes, basketball shoes, or any other shoe made for high impact workouts.

Well, I learned first hand that Tony Horton was right! :-) The shoes I was using were running shoes made by Asics. So if you’re feeling pain in your feet, legs, or even your knees, you might want to look into to getting some new shoes.

I’m of course NOT a doctor, so when in doubt, see your doctor!

Reebok Realflex Transition Video Review

Here’s a quick video with me giving my Reebok Realflex review for you audio/visual people-

Comfort/Fit

I’d say the Reebok Realflex Transition shoes are probably one of the most comfortable shoes that I’ve ever worn. There’s plenty of cushion, they are very light weight (it almost feels like I’m not wearing any shoes), and they are just very comfy shoes.

They are very narrow shoes, so if you have wider feet then they may not work for you. For me though they fit like a glove. It literally feels like that they were specifically made for me.

Performance During Workouts

During the 1 Leg Slalom move in P90X2 Plyocide, I’m happy to say that the pain is completely….GONE with these shoes! :-) I was a little surprised by this and was expecting some pain the first time wearing these shoes, but I didn’t experience any. It was awesome being able to push through that move and to not have to stop due to the pain.

The only downside with the Reebok Realflex Transitions is during the lateral movements I don’t feel as stable. I think this is due to the height of the nodes on the bottom of the shoes. After a few times wearing them though I’ve gotten used to that and just make sure to be aware of that so I don’t fall over and twist my ankle.

The Verdict? – Reebok Realflex Review

Overall, I’m very happy with these shoes and would highly recommend them to anyone during P90X2, P90X, Turbofire, or any workout that involves jump training. I would recommend though that you go to a physical store and try them on so you can make sure that they aren’t too narrow for your feet.

You’ll also just want to be very careful during any lateral movements. It might be just me who feels a little unstable during lateral moves with these shoes on, but it’s just something to be aware of.

Great Advice From Chalene Johnson

Chalene Johnson (from the TurbFire workout) gives some awesome advice during the below video. I’d highly recommend you watch it since she makes some great points-

Video streaming by Ustream

So just because the Reebok Realflex Transition’s work for me, doesn’t mean these shoes are right for you!

Take Chalene’s advice and go to a running store, or even to a doctor to have them check out your feet so you can have a better understanding of what kind of shoes are best for your type of feet.

What’s YOUR Favorite Shoes?

Have a pair of shoes that you love and work really well for high impact workouts found in P90X/P90X2, Insanity, TurboFire, etc? Then leave a comment below and let us know what kind of shoes you’ve got and how they’re working out for you!

The post Reebok Realflex Review first appeared on Trek2BeFit.com.

MiR Weighted Vest

I found the “MiR Weighted Vest” online when I got to a point where I wanted to easily be able to step up the intensity of the P90X workouts without doing a million reps. After doing 2 rounds of P90X I was doing 20+ reps during the different pushup variations (for the standard pushups I was doing 30+ reps), and I was doing 15 to 20+ reps during the different pull ups variations.

I was doing a TON of reps and I got to the point with a few moves that I’d still be doing reps when the time for that particular P90X exercise would run out. I even started dreading some of the workouts because I kept worrying that I wouldn’t be able to pump out a few more reps then I did before.

So I went a mission to find a good solid weighted vest that you could use to add some weight to the equation. I did a TON of research because some of the weighted vests weren’t all that cheap. Also, I wanted a weighted vest that I could do with P90X Plyometrics if I wanted to, which involves a ton of jumping. So the weighted vest needed to be comfortable, snug, and one that wouldn’t move around if I was doing the moves in P90X Plyometrics.

After a ton of searching on the Internet I found the MiR Weighted Vests. The MiR Weighted Vests are popular among the CrossFit crowd which involves some pretty crazy moves like P90X, so I figured if they could use it with CrossFit, then I could use a MiR Weighted Vest with P90X.

I ended up buying the MiR Weighted Vest that was the Short Narrow version that comes with 60 pounds worth of weights (go big or go home, right?). I bought mine here at Amazon (which is sold on Amazon by the manufacturer, MiR) since they had the best deal. This MiR Weighted Vest seemed to be the best version for P90X since it was supposed to fit snugly and I could add a ton of weight to it.

I’ve been using my MiR Weighted Vest for over 2 months now so I wanted to give you my MiR Weighted Vest review. I tried to think of what I would want to know if I were to read a “MiR Weighted Vest review” so below I’m going to break down different sections that I would have liked to see in a MiR Weighted Vest review.

MiR Weighted Vest Review Video

Price – MiR Weighted Vest Review

I bought mine on Amazon here for $179.99 and it came with free shipping at the time. The prices are always changing (sometimes the price will be cheaper and then you’ll have to pay shipping), but overall that’s where I found the best deal. I found weighted vests that were a lot cheaper and I also found weighted vests that were a lot more expensive. This one seemed to be in the middle and was reasonably priced especially since it came with 60 pounds of weight.

I’ve gotten to a point where I’ve learned that cheaper isn’t always better. A lot of times you’ll get what you pay for. So I was pretty satisfied with the price of the MiR Weighted Vest.

Durability – MiR Weighted Vest Review

This was biggie for me and if I’m going to fork out almost $200 for something, I want it to last. When I got my MiR Weighted Vest I was very happy to see that it is made very, very well with very sturdy and super thick material. It’s something you could use every day and I don’t see it ever ripping or getting worn out. I think the velcro will stop working before the MiR Weighted Vest rips, tears etc. They sell replacement straps though (they’re pretty cheap) so even that isn’t an issue.

Comfort & Usability – MiR Weighted Vest Review

MiR Weighted Vest Review

When I threw on the MiR Weighted Vest for the first time (it had 30 pounds of weight in it) I was surprised that it did feel pretty comfortable. As expected, it just felt like I had a bunch of weight strapped to me. The different pockets in the MiR Weighted Vest allow you to evenly distribute the weight so you don’t have poor posture due to having too much weight in the front or the back of the vest.

The real test of comfort was using the MiR Weighted Vest during a P90X workout. The first workout I used it with was the P90X Legs & Back workout. Since it was the first time I have ever used a weighted vest, I did struggle through the workout (which is exactly what I wanted). By the end of the workout my shoulders were somewhat sore from using the vest. Also, when I took my shirt off I had some red marks on my sholulder from where the vest rested on my shoulders.

After a few weeks of using the MiR Weighted Vest I guess my shoulders got stronger or something, because they no longer got sore from using it and wearing the MiR Weighted Vest just felt like I was wearing a heavy shirt (it was comfortable). I could also very quickly throw on the vest and take it off when needed in between P90X exercises that I couldn’t use the vest with without having to pause the DVD’s.

Assembly – MiR Weighted Vest Review

Now there isn’t much assembly required for the MiR Weighted Vest except to put the strap on the vest so you can tighten it snugly to your body, and then you just add however much weight that you want. Having proper instructions on how to set up the strap properly though is where they dropped the ball. The instructions did a crappy job explaining how to set up it up. It was pretty confusing and I even went online looking for an instructional video, and found nothing. Eventually I gave up and had my wife read through the instructions and she figured it out in a matter or minutes.

So I might just not be a good follower of instructions, or they may want to consider creating a video on how to set up the strap for guys like me.

Overall Recommendation – MiR Weighted Vest Review

Overall, I’m very happy and pleased with my MiR Weighted Vest purchase. I have no real complaints except for maybe more clear instructions on how to get the strap setup. Or that may have just been just me not following directions correctly…but I still think having a video walking you through setting up the strap would be nice.

Using the MiR Weighted Vest has DRAMATICALLY stepped up the intensity of my P90X workouts. I can even use this vest when my wife drags me out running with her (she loves running and I hate it), I can use it when I take our dog out running (I wear roller blades so I can really wear her out), etc. Once I start the P90X2 workout, I’m going to be loading my MiR Weighted Vest up with weights as I work towards adding a ton of muscle (15+ pounds) in a fairly short period of time.

So I highly recommend the MiR Weighted vest to really anyone who is looking to step up the intensity of P90X, or any other workout program or activity. It’s also great for people looking to bulk up and add some muscle.

I hope that you enjoyed my MiR Weighted Vest review!

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