Total Shape's Product Review Guidelines
Here at Total Shape, we aim to guide users in finding the best products to help them meet their fitness goals.
We understand that our readers are busy, so hunting for the right supplement or workout equipment among countless options is time-consuming and daunting.
Thus, we have created a strict review process to give you honest and unbiased product reviews.
In-line references support each critical statement and factual information presented in our guides. To view them, just click the numerical hyperlinks.
In addition our medical review team reviews and fact-checks our articles before publishing to safeguard the integrity and accuracy of the information we provide.
Here’s a full breakdown of what we do to ensure every product has a fair chance and evenly evaluated.
OUR PRODUCT TESTING TEAM
Jess
Senior Coach
Dan
Senior Coach
Alex
Senior Coach
Michael Garrico
ACSM & NCSF Certified
Co-Founder & Marketing Director
Dr. Harshi Dhingra, MD
Medical Reviewer & Fact Checker
James Cunningham
Complete Health Optimization Coach
Connor Sellers
Senior Coach
Tyler Sellers
Senior Coach
Tracy Thompson
AFPA Certified
Senior Coach
What We Do
Here is everything we consider before featuring a health supplement or fitness equipment product on our pages.
√ We Order Products Anonymously
Ordering products anonymously allows us to experience each product just as a user would, right from the point of purchase.
With this starting point, we can evaluate the ordering process, customer service experience, shipping times, and packaging.
Ordering anonymously and evaluating the process from the beginning gives us a genuine experience in the whole process.
√ 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
√ Specific Rating Criteria
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
✔ Adhere to Regulatory Authorities' Guidelines
Health supplements are subject to various regulations to ensure their safety and efficacy. However, not all products receive universal approval or follow accepted guidelines.
Different regulatory bodies may have varying criteria for what makes a supplement effective. To ensure the utmost quality and safety, we evaluate approval ratings and criteria considerations from multiple relevant institutions:
The language used in our guides reflects the strength of the evidence supporting a statement. We make it absolutely clear if a claim lacks robust scientific evidence and is based mainly on a weak footing, such as opinions, anecdotes, or clinical experience.
✔ Extensively Gather User Reviews
It's all too common for brands to hand-pick high-quality supplements and equipment to send to reviewers and influencers expecting high scores.
We don't play that game.
In addition to our hands-on experience, we take additional steps to judge a product. To provide a balanced view, we meticulously comb through both positive and negative user reviews across the internet on all the health supplements and fitness gear we recommend.
We frequently contact these reviewers to further understand their experiences, ensuring their insights are accurately represented in our content.
✔ Study The Brand History & Product Line
Before recommending a new line of health supplements or fitness equipment, we conduct an in-depth analysis of the brand's history and operations to gauge potential risks for you. Here are some key aspects we consider:
- History of voluntary recalls for the brand and product line
- Manufacturing facilities and their recall records
- Any FDA warnings or recalls related to the brand
- Country of manufacture
- Affiliations with other brands or entities
- Previous name changes that may indicate attempts to distance from past issues
- Recent shifts in ownership, manufacturing methods, or formulations
By doing this, we aim to provide you with the most trustworthy and reliable recommendations.
✔ Scrutinize Quality & Safety Data with Trained Medical Reviewers
Before featuring any health supplements or fitness equipment on our site, we consult with our team of medical doctors and trained fitness experts for an in-depth analysis and thorough fact checking. They scrutinize the nutritional content and performance metrics, as well as validate these against independent lab test results.
This rigorous vetting ensures that every item in our reviews and buying guides meets the highest standards for your health and fitness needs.
✔ Analyze Marketing Claims from the Brand
Brands often make bold health and performance assertions to boost sales of supplements and fitness equipment.
We scrutinize their promotional content and break it down point by point, debunking the false or extravagant claims. That way you always know precisely what you're investing in for your health and fitness.
✔ Consider the Product's Pricing & Positioning Strategy
We aim to provide a comprehensive review of health supplements and fitness equipment to fit all budgets and needs. In each guide, you can expect to find options categorized into budget-friendly, best-value, and premium selections.
We also focus on specialized preferences, such as organic or plant-based supplements, and specialized fitness equipment for strength training or cardio.
✔ Factor in Availability & Delivery Options
We evaluate shipping options because finding the ideal health supplement or fitness equipment is pointless if you can't receive it promptly or affordably, especially if you're outside major cities.
We assess average shipping time and costs, as well as the regions covered. We also consider the return policy for those who may change their minds.
At times, we do not recommend a product because of problems at these early stages, including customer service, shipping and return policies. Companies with more favorable shipping and return terms receive higher rankings on our site.
✔ Take Reader's Feedback into Consideration
Each of our health supplement and fitness equipment reviews features a feedback system and a comments section at the bottom of the article. We encourage you to share what you found beneficial or lacking, as your insights help us and the community make better choices.
✔ Make Constant Updates
We regularly update our evidence-based guides to reflect the latest science on the topic.
Our team gathers the most up-to-date information by searching published literature on the core subject matter and keeping abreast with new important studies on the topic.
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.
Protein Powders and Pre-workouts
Ingredient Quality
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
Taste
There are countless protein powder flavors available, and it's essential to be objective in determining which tastes best. When comparing the supplements, we also do blind taste tests and ask our testers to rate each flavor on a 5-point scale. We also consider our customers' preferences and our readers' survey responses.
Effectiveness
We ask our group of independent testers to commit to several weeks of product testing so we can base our review on real-world experience.
For those looking for muscle gain and maintenance, we take baseline body measurements at the beginning of the eight-week test period. At the end of the test period, we again take muscle percentage, body fat percentage, and body weight and compare them to the baseline.
Pre-workout testers are asked to perform a variety of cardio and strength training workouts without taking any supplements and record results for:
- Duration
- Type of exercise
- Heart Rate
- Blood pressure
- Energy level
- Workout intensity
- Recovery
We then ask the test group to perform the same workout schedule while using the supplement and record the same information. We review the side-by-side results.
Price
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
Effectiveness
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.
Ingredients
We work closely with medical professionals and nutritionists to assess ingredients and dosing for each supplement.
Readers must be aware of the product formula and the effects of each ingredient to avoid consuming artificial additives and prevent adverse effects or allergies.
We also work closely with a network of dieticians to consult about ingredients to determine if they add or detract from the quality and efficacy of the product. Additionally, we reference USP, NSF, or Consumer Labs guidance for ingredient quality.
Each supplement begins at the highest 5/5 rating and can be penalized in its rating based on the following:
- Predicted efficacy based on the amount of the ingredient, its bioavailability, and the form, if applicable. ie.D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol).
- Ingredient safety is based on the quantity and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs).
- The presence and safety of additives, fillers, sweeteners, binders, or preservatives.
- The addition of anything artificial, including coloring, flavors, and sweeteners.
- Allergen risk
A short list of all-natural, organic, or non-GMO ingredients with no additives or fillers will get the supplement higher on the rating scale than a long ingredient list with added sweeteners, fillers, or other additives.
Price
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.
Nootropics and Multivitamins
Effectiveness
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.
When testing multivitamins, we take a before and after snapshot of the participants’ blood biomarkers. We also rely on feedback from our participants on whether they notice changes in their skin, hair, and general well-being, including any side effects.
Ingredient Quality
We consult our team of dieticians and nutritionists regarding ingredient formulas for multivitamins and nootropics. Their expertise comes from academic knowledge and accomplishments, publication, and tenure in the field and is an invaluable tool for our review.
We also consult medical professionals and literature about specific ingredients and dosing, including any unnecessary additives or fillers.
Price
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.
Fitness Equipment
Durability
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.
Price
For most people, pricing is an important consideration, which is why we include it in our specific rating criteria for each review.
Equipment will receive anywhere from 1/5-5/5 based on the following:
- Equipment priced at a premium must be safe, easy to use, made of quality material, and long-lasting to justify the price. When it does, we give it a high rating in the 4/5 to 5/5 range.
- Equipment priced at a premium that lacks one of the mentioned features will receive a lower rating, anywhere from a 1/5-3/5.
- Competitive pricing against other comparable products is also a criterion for rating. 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.
Shipping
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.
Fitness Trackers
As for our other reviews, we purchase fitness trackers anonymously and begin our review right from customer service and purchasing.
We then recruit a group of independent testers to use the product for up to a month so we can look at various features on workout and non-workout days.
Features
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.
Shipping
Shipping is another critical criterion we include in our single product reviews based on our personal experience so that consumers are prepared for what to expect during delivery.Before reviewing any specific product, we purchase it to get first-hand experience with the brand shipping and customer support. We assess the shipping speed, costs, and packaging when we receive the product.
Fast, free shipping in sturdy packaging with 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.
Price
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.
How Products Become Editor’s Choice?
A product must meet our high standards from the beginning of the process with ordering and shipping and continue meeting those standards until we use and review product quality and effectiveness.
A stellar experience throughout our entire standardized testing process will earn a product our Editor’s Choice stamp of approval according to our specific rating criteria.