For each review, we evaluate features specific to that product. We consult nutritionists, dieticians, personal trainers, medical professionals, research literature, and publications to fully understand the efficacy and quality of each product.

Years of experience in the health and fitness industry provided us with an extensive and evolving network of individuals of different genders, age groups, fitness levels, and fitness goals.

We often draw from this pool of individuals to be independent testers of relevant products to evaluate how effective, safe, and practical they would be in real-world applications. 

Our independent testers’ experience using each supplement is also critical to our review.

Examples of feedback based on specific supplements include:

• Dosing convenience: once daily versus three times daily
• Side effects: did they experience any side effects, and how severe were they?
• Precise body measurements, if applicable
• Cognitive or mental improvements
• Energy levels

We read labels carefully and look for third-party testing to ensure quality. We also keep our eye out for any unnecessary sugars, additives, and fillers.

Each supplement begins at the highest 5/5 rating. After professional consultation and referencing medical guidelines verified by USP, NSF, or Consumer Labs, several factors can adversely affect the quality rating.

These factors include:

• Predicted efficacy based on the amount of the ingredient, its bioavailability, and the form, if applicable. Ie. Whey versus pea protein.
• Ingredient safety, including dosage quantity and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs).
• The presence and safety of additives, fillers, sweeteners, binders, or preservatives. The shorter the list, the better.
• The addition of anything artificial, including coloring, flavors, and sweeteners.
• Allergen risk

For most people, pricing is an important consideration, which is why we include it in our specific rating criteria for each review and assess a per-serving cost. 

Supplements will receive anywhere from 1/5-5/5 based on the following:

• Supplements priced at a premium need the ingredient quality and efficacy to justify the price. When they do, they get a high rating in the 4/5 to 5/5 range.
• Supplements priced at a premium that lack ingredient quality, have a long list of additives and fillers, or are ineffective will receive a lower rating, anywhere from a 1/5-3/5.
• Reasonably priced supplements must have value in ingredient quality and effectiveness value to receive a solid price rating.
• Competitive pricing against other comparable products is also a criterion for rating. Assuming the ingredient quality and efficacy are similar, evaluating market competition allows our readers to decide the best product for their dollar.

Our goal is to provide each consumer with the most in-depth review, so their purchase is the best value and effectiveness for their money.

Testosterone boosters and fat burners require a few weeks of testing to get the most accurate results on their effectiveness and safety. 

We create a group of independent testers who are already using a particular product or would like to try using it for a few weeks under our supervision (with regular exercise and diet). 

We take precise measurements at the beginning and end of the testing phase using a high-tech full-body measurement system. Additionally, we ask the participants to record things like weight, body measurements, energy levels, diet, and workouts at regular weekly intervals.  

This information gives us a quick snapshot of the results and, ultimately, the supplement's efficacy. Better body measurements, higher testosterone, and energy levels results will get the supplement a higher rating, up to 5/5. Supplements that show less favorable results will net a lower score.

For most people, pricing is an important consideration, which is why we include it in our specific rating criteria for each review and assess a per-serving cost. 

Supplements will receive anywhere from 1/5-5/5 based on the following:

• Supplements priced at a premium need the ingredient quality and efficacy to justify the price. When they do, they get a high rating in the 4/5 to 5/5 range.
• Supplements priced at a premium that lack ingredient quality, have a long list of additives and fillers, or are ineffective will receive a lower rating, anywhere from a 1/5-3/5.
• Reasonably priced supplements must have value in ingredient quality and effectiveness value to receive a solid price rating.
• Competitive pricing against other comparable products is also a criterion for rating. Assuming the ingredient quality and efficacy are similar, evaluating market competition allows our readers to decide the best product for their dollar.

Our goal is to provide each consumer with the most in-depth review, so their purchase is the best value and effectiveness for their money.

Though nootropics and multivitamins are evaluated similarly to other supplements, they require a more considerable commitment from our product testers for an extended testing period so we can adequately assess their safety and efficacy.

The use over extended periods shows how effective the product is. We begin by noting the participant’s baseline, like weight, diet, and exercise routine, and closely follow each participant through the testing process.

For nootropics, the test participants will complete a battery of cognitive tests that measure areas like memory and focus time before taking the supplement and repeat the testing after taking the supplement for a predetermined time.

For most people, pricing is an important consideration, which is why we include it in our specific rating criteria for each review and assess a per-serving cost. 

Supplements will receive anywhere from 1/5-5/5 based on the following:

• Supplements priced at a premium need the ingredient quality and efficacy to justify the price. When they do, they get a high rating in the 4/5 to 5/5 range.
• Supplements priced at a premium that lack ingredient quality, have a long list of additives and fillers, or are ineffective will receive a lower rating, anywhere from a 1/5-3/5.
• Reasonably priced supplements must have value in ingredient quality and effectiveness value to receive a solid price rating.
• Competitive pricing against other comparable products is also a criterion for rating. Assuming the ingredient quality and efficacy are similar, evaluating market competition allows our readers to decide the best product for their dollar.

Our goal is to provide each consumer with the most in-depth review, so their purchase is the best value and effectiveness for their money.

We understand that consumers want confidence in what they buy. Regarding fitness equipment, they want to know that their product will stand long-term against intense workouts.

We always order new products in advance to get an impression of the product's durability long before we write a review. The independent test group uses the equipment for several months before giving feedback. 

To ensure our readers get the most durable equipment for their money, we answer questions like the following:

• Movable parts: Are they made of material that will hold up over months or years of intense use?
• Does the bench or seat material resist cracking or webbing and reveal padding?
• Buttons & Levers: Do they withstand repeated presses over long-term use?

Answering yes to these questions will net a higher durability rating closer to 5/5. Equipment with plastic parts or equipment that shows swaying or stability compromise will drop the rating toward the lower 1/5.

Like supplements, we start evaluating right at the beginning of the process with our order and shipping experience.

Rating the shipping, we evaluate the following:

• Shipping speed
• Shipping cost
• Packaging
• Tracking information
• Shipping damage

Fast, free shipping in sturdy packaging with no damage and quick access to tracking information will get a 5/5 rating. Deductions from 5 come from any misfires in shipping speed, packaging, tracking, or additional costs.

From there, if any assembly is required, we do it ourselves and note things like the readability of the instructions and ease and time of assembly.

Using a fitness tracker can be an invaluable part of any fitness routine. Hence, our team evaluates features like the following:

• Battery life: Our team of independent testers wears it on non-workout and workout days so we can fully evaluate battery life. The longer the battery life, the higher the rating.
• Accuracy: To receive a 4.5-5/5 overall rating, the fitness tracker must excel in the following areas: 
  • Heart rate: It’s verified against manual and chest strap devices for the most reliable results.
  • Distance: It’s measured on a standard indoor track or outside on a pre-verified GPS-mapped route.
  • Step count: Product testers walk 100 meters, manually count steps, and compare against the tracker.
• Syncing: Test the ease of syncing with popular third-party fitness apps. Effortless syncing will add to the rating.
• Water resistance: does the tracker sweat or water resistance/proof match the claim? If so, it will receive a rating closer to 5/5
  • Sweat-resistant: we look for any malfunction during an intense, sweaty workout.
  • Water-resistant: we look for any malfunction while we spray it with water.
  • Waterproof: we look for any malfunction when submerging the tracker, ensuring we do not exceed the stated max depth.

As with our other reviews, price point matters; we rate durability, battery life, and features for fitness trackers to determine that users will get the most tracker for their money.

Fitness trackers will receive anywhere from 1/5-5/5 based on the following:

• A more costly fitness tracker that is rugged and can withstand long-term use during everyday life and intense workouts will get a higher rating on our 5-scale.
• An economically priced fitness tracker with features, durability, and battery life to match will receive a rating higher on the 5-scale because the product value meets the price point.
• A costly fitness tracker that lacks durability, battery life, or features will receive a lower rating on our scale, usually in the 1-3/5 range.

Our goal is to provide each consumer with the most in-depth review, so their purchase is the best value and effectiveness for their money.