🏋️ Functional Fight Night: REP Ares 2.0 Vs Rogue FM

Welcome to Home Gym Club! Did you know that the first window AC units went on sale in 1932 and cost the modern equivalent of $200,000 to $1,100,000 USD? Your monthly electricity bill probably doesn’t seem so bad now…

What’s in today’s newsletter:

• We compare the Rogue FM Rack to the REP Ares 2.0 and answer the question, “What’s their function?”

• We tested several AC units for your garage gym and narrowed them down to the top 5.

• We took the Torque Relentless Ripper for a test run.

• Our fitness experts put together a full-body workout using just resistance bands.

Watch Party

Rogue FM Rack vs REP Ares 2.0…The Ultimate Functional Trainer Squat Rack!

REP vs Rogue is kind of our Godzilla vs Kong. We happen to really like both, but when you’re making this big of an investment for your home gym, it’s gotta be one or the other. Luckily, Coop is here with a new video comparing the Rogue FM vs REP Ares 2.0 and breaking down all the specs and need-to-knows of each rack, including:

• Differences between the functional trainer aspects

• Weight stacks and weight ratio differences

• Important cable routing considerations

• Dimensions and floor space modifications

• Pricing

By the end of the video, we aim to answer the question, “REP vs Rogue?” for you.

Stay Cool

Best AC For Garage Gyms

When it comes to the summer heat, it can be mentally and physically exhausting to drag yourself through a workout. Investing in an air conditioner can make your gym more comfortable and not only that, it may even make your training routine more manageable during the dog days of summer.

If you are working on outfitting your garage with the best home gym equipment, cardio machines, and gadgets, why not outfit your gym with something to ensure that your excess sweating is just from your workout? In this roundup of the best AC for garage gyms, we’re going to give you our top picks for keeping things cool.

Cardio Zone

Torque Relentless Ripper Review

We’re excited to say we’ve tested the newest ski machine on the home gym equipment market. For years, the only worthwhile ski machine was the Concept2 SkiErg, but after our Torque Relentless Ripper review, you may be considering otherwise. Plus, I’ll have a side-by-side comparison later in this review.

If you’re not familiar with ski machines, you’re not alone—they are not quite as popular as the best treadmills for home gyms, elliptical trainers, or rowing machines. Ski machines mimic the upper-body dynamics of Nordic skiing (specifically double poling and skate skiing techniques) and offer a killer cardio workout.

GGR founder and OG product tester Coop Mitchell assessed, scored, and reviewed the ski machine using our in-depth fitness equipment testing methodology. He was tasked with scoring a variety of categories on a scale of 1 to 5 including durability, ergonomics, and assembly, to name a few. Check out his full assessment.

Train Station

Best Resistance Band Exercises

There are plenty of workout programs that revolve around free weight exercises and cardio machines, but did you know you can get a full-body workout with just resistance bands?

That’s right; that lightweight length of rubber can provide muscle activation virtually everywhere, as long as you know the right moves. We asked Caine Wilkes, OLY, USAW-L1, and GGR senior staff writer, to share the best resistance band exercises, including why and how to do each move, sample workouts, and more!

So, grab yourself a set of the best resistance bands, complete your warm-up, and let’s get to work!

Quick Hits

Want to Save Money on Prime Fitness Equipment?

• Check out our Prime Fitness coupon page for an exclusive GGR promo code.

• Our expert team of supplement testers tried out Sports Research Whey Protein. Here are their honest thoughts.

• Looking to lose fat and gain muscle? Here’s an expert guide to body recomposition from a certified personal trainer.