Total Shape's Product Review Guidelines

Jess

Senior Coach

Dan

Senior Coach

Alex
Senior Coach

Dr. Kristy Dayanan, BS, MD

Medical Reviewer & Fact Checker

Dr. Harshi Dhingra, MD

Medical Reviewer & Fact Checker

James Cunningham

Complete Health Optimization Coach

Connor Sellers

Senior Coach

Tyler Sellers

Senior Coach

Lisa Lorraine Taylor, BSC, CPT

Staff Writer

√ Direct Product Comparisons

Our standardized testing process allows us to provide our users with an honest review that begins with ordering and goes through to the end of using and evaluating the product.

For products like protein powders or supplements that affect people differently, we frequently recruit a group of independent product testers.

For example, when we work with groups to evaluate a product, we adhere to the following:

• Determine the user’s baseline, including starting weight and measurement.
• Note current diet and exercise routine.
• Follow progress through product testing.
• Record final results, including weight and measurement.
• Evaluate user feedback, effectiveness, and side effects.

√ Standardized Testing Process

Our goal is to eliminate marketing bias, so we review using a strict, standardized process, giving each product a fair chance.

We take the guesswork out of product reviews by providing consistent and specific criteria depending on the product. We review on a 5-star scale so you can quickly see how the product ranks.

• Five stars: Editor’s choice
• Four stars: An excellent choice
• Three stars: Okay - meets some of our standards
• Two stars: Doesn’t meet our standards
• One star: We do not recommend

What We Don't Do

What you will NEVER find on Total Shape.

? Accept Sponsorship Fees

Numerous health and wellness brands offer us substantial sponsorship fees to prioritize their supplements and fitness equipment on our pages.

However, we decline these offers. Our editorial responsibility is to present you with the most effective and safe options, as we prioritize your health above all else.

? Post Reviews Without Thorough Research

All our reviews of health supplements and fitness equipment are based on exhaustive research and analysis. We never make recommendations lightly.

Rest assured that any product featured has been rigorously vetted according to our stringent criteria, ensuring you can trust our advice.

? Go Against Medical Doctor’s & State or Federal Agencies' Advice

Adhering to the recommendations of healthcare experts and regulatory agencies is non-negotiable for us.

If a medical professional advises against the use of a particular health supplement or a piece of fitness equipment, we will not feature it on our platform, regardless of personal opinions or trends. Period.

How We Test & Score Products

We’ve poured endless hours into developing, tweaking, and improving our testing and scoring system for supplements and equipment. Our system is created to provide a transparent and fair quantitative assessment for dietary supplements and fitness equipment.

By referencing our scores you can easily and quickly find the best health and fitness products for you.

In the following section, we'll break down each factor and explain exactly how we test and score every product we review.

Ingredients

Ingredients in dietary supplements are vital for effectiveness and safety.

We verify ingredient lists are transparent by comparing product labels to marketing claims with third-party testing. Our team examines proprietary blends to assess if they disclose each component based on laboratory analysis. Dosage is tested by cross-referencing scientific studies to determine if the amounts in the supplement can deliver promised benefits.

Scores depend on the product's adherence to transparency, full disclosure of blends, and scientifically supported dosages.

The scale we use when determining ingredient scores:

• 5 - Fully transparent ingredient lists, no proprietary blends, and dosages backed by science. 
• 4 - Ingredients list mostly transparent, proprietary blend components fully disclosed, and dosages mostly supported by research. 
• 3 - Generally transparent ingredients, proprietary blends not fully disclosed, and dosages somewhat supported by research. 
• 2 - Lacking transparency in ingredients, undisclosed proprietary blends, and unsupportable dosages. 
• 1 - Misleading ingredient lists, undisclosed proprietary blends undisclosed and testing found it unsafe, and dosages with no scientific backing.

Flavor

Tasty flavors make supplements enjoyable and easier to include in daily routines.

We assess the variety of flavors by counting the options each supplement offers. Our team personally tries each flavor to judge taste and aftertaste. We then analyze feedback from verified buyers to gauge overall satisfaction and consensus on the flavor.

Scores reflect a combination of flavor diversity, our direct taste tests, and community feedback.

The scale we use when determining flavor scores:

• 5 - Wide variety of flavors, our team loved the taste, and verified buyers unanimously rave about every flavor.
• 4 - Good flavor selection, our team enjoyed the majority of flavors, and verified buyers report positive experiences with most flavors.
• 3 - Average flavor range, our taste tests find flavors are decent, and feedback from verified buyers is mixed.
• 2 - Limited flavor options, our team was underwhelmed, and verified buyers report negative experiences with most flavors.
• 1 - Single flavor option, our team did not enjoy the taste and aftertaste, and verified buyers consensus is poor taste quality.

Texture

Much like flavor, the texture of supplements affects how enjoyable and easy it is to use.

For smoothness, we pour the supplement through a sieve to detect any large particles, and note any gritty or grainy residues when it's mixed. For consistency, we mix a set amount with water then check how uniform the supplement remains after being set aside for an hour. Solubility testing involves timing how long it takes to stir the supplement into water at room temperature and observing any undissolved particles.

Our scores reflect how closely each product meets these three standards.

The scale we use when determining texture scores:

• 5 - Exhibits exceptional smoothness with zero grit, maintains perfect consistency with no separation, and dissolves completely without effort.
• 4 - Very smooth with minimal grit detected, shows slight separation over time but remains generally consistent, and has very few undissolved particles.
• 3 - Some grittiness noticeable, consistency may vary slightly, and requires extra stirring to achieve reasonable solubility.
• 2 - Clearly gritty texture, inconsistent texture with noticeable separation, and struggles to dissolve, leaving many particles undissolved.
• 1 - Unpleasantly gritty, separates into layers quickly, and fails to dissolve, leaving a significant amount of residue.

Ingredient Quality

Ingredient quality matters to us because it directly affects the health and safety of users.

For purity, supplements are tested for the absence of additives, dyes, chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides using high-performance liquid chromatography. We verify the source by auditing suppliers and manufacturers for certifications and checking for any past legal issues or product recalls. Stability and shelf life rely on third-party laboratory tests that simulate varying conditions to ensure the product remains potent until the expiration date.

Scores reflect a combination of these factors, ensuring products are safe, effective, and come from trusted sources.

The scale we use when determining ingredient quality scores:

• 5 - Exceptional purity with no detected harmful substances, sourced from certified suppliers with no legal issues, and proves stability equal to or beyond the stated shelf life.
• 4 - Contains minimal non-harmful additives, sourced from reputable suppliers with inconsequential or no legal issues, and maintains stability throughout the advertised shelf life.
• 3 - Meets industry standards for purity, sourced from average suppliers with acceptable or unverified legal history, and has average stability, degrading less than 6 months or more before shelf life ends.
• 2 - Contains some impurities or many additives, sourced from suppliers with questionable reputations or legal issues, and has below-average stability, degrading 6-12 months or more before shelf life ends.
• 1 - Contains multiple harmful substances, sourced from suppliers with poor reputations and significant legal issues, and horrible stability, degrading 12 months or more before shelf life ends.

User Ratings

We value user feedback and consensus in our review process. To determine overall satisfaction, we aggregate user ratings of verified buyers from every online merchant selling the product.

Our process includes verifying authenticity to weed out fake reviews. The final score reflects aggregated user experiences with first-hand perspectives.

The scale we use when determining user rating scores:

• 5 - Reflects nearly universal praise from verified users.
• 4 - Numerous verified users report positive experiences.
• 3 - Mix of good and critical feedback from verified users.
• 2 - Predominantly unfavorable reviews highlight significant issues.
• 1 - Overwhelming disapproval and reviews from users.

Product Effectiveness

Product effectiveness is hugely important, a product must deliver on its marketed promises.

Our test team monitor progress over a 90-day period to judge effectiveness and efficacy. We measure the time until visible results appear, ensuring an accurate measure of speed and efficiency. We incorporate feedback from verified user testimonials and reviews for a well-rounded perspective.

Scores reflect comprehensive analysis of performance, duration to effectiveness, and consumer feedback.

The scale we use when determining product effectiveness scores:

• 5 - Achieved outstanding end results, with rapid benefits and overwhelmingly positive feedback.
• 4 - Delivered strong results, with benefits apparent in a short time frame and mostly positive reviews.
• 3 - Met some standards with moderate results, benefits observed in an acceptable timeframe, and mixed reviews.
• 2 - Showed minimal improvements, long wait for any benefits, and predominantly negative feedback.
• 1 - Failed to show results, with no benefits in the foreseeable future and poor reviews overall.

Price

Price plays a crucial role in our evaluation process because it affects accessibility and buyer choice.

We assess if a product's cost is justified by comparing supplement servings or equipment features against its price tag. We then compare the product's price to similar items in the market to gauge competitiveness. We also consider the product's overall value: what you get for what you pay.

The final score reflects a balance of affordability and quality, showing how the product stands in terms of value for money.

The scale we use when determining price scores:

• 5 - The product is priced significantly lower than similar products while offering superior features or servings.
• 4 - It's priced slightly lower or equal to competitors but offers more features or servings.
• 3 - The product is priced equivalently to competitors and matches in terms of features or servings.
• 2 - Priced higher than similar products without justifying the extra cost through additional features or servings.
• 1 - The product is priced much higher than competitors and lacks comparative features or servings.

Comfort

Comfort is plays a big role in determining how often you use a piece fitness equipment or gear.

For adjustability, we experiment to see if the equipment can adapt to different body sizes and workout styles by altering its settings. Ergonomic design evaluation involves us testing the product's alignment with body posture and movement to prevent injury. Ease of use is gauged by measuring how straightforward it is to use the equipment or fitness gear.

Scores are derived from these hands-on tests, focusing on practicality and satisfaction.

The scale we use when determining comfort scores:

• 5 - Fully adjustable, perfectly aligns with ergonomic principles, and extremely straightforward to use.
• 4 - Offers a high level of adjustability, supports correct posture and movements, and is easy to use with minor challenges.
• 3 - Adequately adjustable for most users, reasonably supports ergonomics, and presents few difficulties in use.
• 2 - Limited in adjustability, lacks full ergonomic support, and is somewhat challenging to use efficiently.
• 1 - Fails to offer sufficient adjustability, does not align with ergonomic needs, and is difficult to use effectively.

Durability

Durability ensures fitness equipment can withstand regular usage and maintain reliable performance.

For material and build quality, we assess by subjecting equipment to weight stress tests and checking for wear and tear over a fixed period. Maintenance evaluation involves analyzing ease of cleaning and required upkeep our test team experienced. We examine warranty terms for length and what is covered, comparing across industry standards.

Scores are based on how well the equipment withstands regular use, indicating how well the equipment will last over time.

The scale we use when determining durability scores:

• 5 - High-grade materials, minimal wear, easy maintenance, warranties over 5 years.
• 4 - Quality build, minor wear, simple upkeep, 3-5 year warranties.
• 3 - Decent materials, noticeable wear, regular maintenance, 1-3 year warranties.
• 2 - Lower-quality, frequent wear, cumbersome upkeep, warranties under 1 year.
• 1 - Poor materials, quick degradation, constant maintenance, warranties under 6 months.

Battery Life

Battery life is one of the most important factors for fitness trackers and other battery powered gear.

Our testers measure battery duration by using it non-stop until it powers down. Charging time is assessed by timing how long it takes to reach 100% from zero. We consider charger type and whether it's a common or proprietary connector.

Scores reflect the balance between long-lasting use and efficient recharge capabilities.

The scale we use when determining battery life scores:

• 5 - Exceeds 48 hours of active use, recharges in less than 1 hour, uses a universal charger.
• 4 - Lasts between 36 to 48 hours, charges fully in 1 to 2 hours, uses a universal charger.
• 3 - Offers 24 to 36 hours of use, takes 2 to 3 hours to charge, uses a universal charger.
• 2 - Only works for 12 to 24 hours, requires more than 3 hours to recharge, uses a proprietary charger.
• 1 - Fails to last 12 hours, charging exceeds 4 hours, uses a proprietary charger.

Features

Fitness equipment features determine how well a product can serve diverse needs and situations.

Our testers examine the versatility of the product to gauge how well it performs with different workouts and routines. We also look for unique features that set the equipment apart, conducting side-by-side comparisons with similar products.

The score reflects our test teams findings on how these aspects add real value to customers.

The scale we use when determining features scores:

• 5 - Functions well in 5 or more distinct exercises or applications and includes at least 1 feature not found in any competing products.
• 4 - Functions well in 3 to 4 different exercises or applications and includes at least 1 feature not found in any competing products.
• 3 - Suitable for 2 to 3 exercises or applications and similar features with competitors, with slight improvements or differences.
• 2 - Only fits 1 exercise or application well, with no unique features.
• 1 - Fails to perform adequately even in a single exercise or application, with no unique features.

Capacity

Capacity matters because it shows how much strain equipment can handle.

During tests we push equipment to its limit to measure its actual load capacity compared to what is advertised, gradually increasing weight until it completely fails. To test tensile strength we apply increasing tension, noting when it begins to distort or stretch permanently.

Our scores reflect the equipment's ability to withstand heavy use and stress without compromising functionality.

The scale we use when determining capacity scores:

• 5 - Exceeds advertised load capacity by 20% and demonstrates exceptional tensile strength above industry norms.
• 4 - Matches or slightly exceeds advertised load capacity and tensile strength by 1-19%.
• 3 - Falls slightly short of the advertised load capacity and tensile strength within a margin of 0-9%.
• 2 - Falls short of the advertised load capacity and tensile strength by 10-20%.
• 1 - Does not meet the basic requirements, failing below 20% of the advertised load capacity and tensile strength.

Weight

Weight matters for fitness equipment, balancing ease of use and convenience.

We test the portability of the equipment to test if it can be moved easily by a single person. To gauge total weight, we weigh the equipment on a scale and compare it against other options in the category to see if matches the advertised weight.

Scores reflect a blend of portability and total weight.

The scale we use when determining weight scores:

• 5 - Highly portable and significantly lighter than most similar products.
• 4 - Easily portable and lighter than many similar products.
• 3 - Moderate portability and weight, aligning with industry averages.
• 2 - Limited portability and heavier than most similar products.
• 1 - Not portable and exceptionally heavier than comparable products.

Weight Capacity

Weight capacity is important for safety, durability and customer usability.

We check the listed weight limit against actual stress tests, adding weights gradually to observe performance. Our team ensures the equipment does not wobble or deform under maximum stated weight. We also assess the product's ability to recover from being loaded at its limit for extended periods.

The score reflects how well the equipment holds up, factoring in its stability, resilience, and adherence to the claimed weight capacity.

The scale we use when determining weight capacity scores:

5 - Exceeds the listed weight capacity by 10% or more without any signs of strain or deformation.
4 - Matches the listed weight capacity, showing minimal to no signs of stress when tested.
3 - Holds up to 90% of the listed weight capacity before showing minor signs of stress.
2 - Can only support up to 80% of the listed weight capacity before exhibiting clear signs of strain.
1 - Fails to support 80% of the listed weight capacity, showing immediate signs of deformation or instability.

Additional Product Review Guidelines

Some products have factors that include unique considerations for that type of product. Below we detail our additional product review guidelines for a variety of product categories.