Coop's Product of the Year Just Got a Lot More Competitive

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Welcome to Home Gym Club! Fall is officially upon us, which means it’s #PumpkinSZN. I’m sure you could easily name dozens of protein sources, but can you guess how many types of pumpkin exist worldwide?

While it’s impossible to pinpoint an exact number, there are more than 150 varieties of this familiar fruit. And as much as you may love pumpkin pie and other tasty treats, don’t sleep on the seeds: they’re a great protein source!

What’s in today’s newsletter:

• Coop reviews the versatile Vesta Pro Functional Trainer Rack.

• A battle between two heavyweights in the world of wearable tech.

• An RD breaks down 10 types of magnesium so you can choose the right supplement.

• The GGR team picks the best pumpkin seed protein powders.

Watch Party

Vesta Pro Functional Trainer Rack Review

When Coop says something is “the product of the year, and probably the product of next year,” he should have your attention. GGR’s founder and equipment guru is clearly on board with the trend of manufacturers integrating Smith machines into squat racks.

After receiving many requests from the home gym community, Coop proved he’s a man of the people by dropping an in-depth review of the Vesta Pro Functional Trainer rack on the official GGR YouTube channel. Comparable to the highly rated “The Dane” from Fringe Sport, this half rack-Smith machine-functional trainer combo offers a ton of functionality and versatility.

However, does having a counter-balanced Smith machine justify a $4,500 price tag?

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This or That

Fitbit vs. Garmin

The best fitness trackers do more than tell you how many calories you burned or how many steps you took in a day. They can tell you how well you’re sleeping, alert you when your body is under a lot of stress, provide insights about your heart health, and even encourage you to be more physically active.

(Translation: They’re a valuable tool to have in your arsenal.)

Two of the most popular fitness tracker brands are Fitbit and Garmin. Each company’s wearable devices offer smartwatch features like email and text notifications and provide health insights like heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking. While there are many similarities between them, there are also many important differences.

To handle this battle of two tracking titans, GGR Senior Editor and certified personal trainer Amanda Dvorak relayed her extensive experience using both types of devices. By the time you finish reading her in-depth comparison of Fitbit vs. Garmin, you’ll know exactly which side of the wearable technology fence to stand on.

What’s Supp?

A Deep Dive on Different Types of Magnesium

Many times, vitamin and mineral supplements don’t provide significant health benefits unless you’re deficient in those nutrients. Magnesium supplements, however, seem to be an exception, with more and more research being done on their benefits for a variety of conditions.

If you’ve been on the lookout for the best magnesium supplement, chances are you’ve probably become overwhelmed by just how many options are available. After all, the top choice for constipation isn’t always the best option for relieving migraines or correcting a poor diet. So, it’s important to learn about the different types of magnesium and what they’re best used for.

To make things easily digestible, GGR asked registered dietitian Stephanie Wells to provide an overview of 10 different forms of magnesium so you can choose the right dietary supplement for your health needs.

Test Drive

Best Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder

‘Tis the season to be on the hunt for all things pumpkin. If you’ve never thought of using this fall-time favorite for anything other than lattes and pies, now is a good time to start. Like many other seeds, pumpkin seeds can be a great plant-based protein source that fuels your gains.

However, most people haven’t tried one of these protein powders, let alone multiple. Luckily, registered dietitian Destini Moody and our expert product testers teamed up to do a thorough analysis of the top pumpkin seed protein options on the market.

From organic to budget-friendly to the best-tasting, learn more about the No. 1 choice in each category based on GGR’s in-depth supplement testing methodology.

Deal Zone

True Nutrition Coupon Code

If you’ve ever dreamed of building a bespoke supplement with your favorite ingredients, boosters, and flavors, you’re in luck. Whether you want to mix pea protein with your whey protein, order a custom greens formula with your favorite additives, or order simple, high-quality sports nutrition supplements, True Nutrition has you covered.

This unique company allows you to customize a variety of supplements by choosing your ingredients and flavors. Your custom blend will then be made and shipped to your door.

While this may sound expensive, Garage Gym Reviews has an exclusive site-wide discount code that will help you save on your next True Nutrition purchase. After you add everything to your cart, go to the checkout page and enter the code GGR5 in the discount box to get 5% off your entire order.

True Nutrition also offers free shipping on all orders over $99 and discounts for military, first responders, government employees, students, and teachers.

Quick Hits

Quit Being a Couch Potato

• Use your couch to your advantage with an underrated stretch that can help counteract tight hips and lower back pain.

• Is blood flow restriction training tech worth it for the potential muscle gains? Find out in Pete Natasi’s Smart Cuffs 4.0 review.

• Considering cutting back on caffeine? Learn the differences between stim vs. non-stim pre-workout so you can fuel properly.