🏋️ Is the Kabuki Oregon THE budget-friendly barbell?

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Welcome to Home Gym Club!  A group of crows is called a “murder,” a group of pugs is a “grumble,” and a group of clowns is a “giggle” (definitely not what we‘d call it…). We can’t help but wonder what a group of home gym owners is called.

What’s in today’s newsletter:

• Coop examines the Kabuki Oregon bar.

• Here are the 10 best lat pulldown machines, according to our experts.

• Our expert data team takes a deep dive into home gym equipment pricing trends.

• We tested the Legion Fitness app for a full 12 weeks.

Watch Party

The “Budget” Version of Coop’s Favorite Barbell - Kabuki Oregon Review!

Kabuki has released an affordable, high-quality barbell…but what’s the catch? And is it too little, too late? These are the questions Coop hopes to answer in his Kabuki Oregon review.

Check out the video for a comprehensive breakdown of:

• Knurling! aka “Kabuknurl”

• The "oil-impregnated” brass bushings

• Standout features

• Whippp

• Proprietary finish

• Pricing & comparison

As always, Coop ends the video with his brutally honest final thoughts on the Kabuki Oregon. You won’t want to miss this.

A Message From Lumen

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• Guidance on whether you are burning fat or carbs as fuel so you can choose your pre-workout meal accordingly

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• A personalized nutrition plan for the entire day based on your measurements so you know whether your body needs a low-carb or low-fat day.

• Complete macro breakdown that leads to improved metabolic flexibility, which is your body's efficiency in shifting between using fats and carbs

The result of all this data? More sustainable muscle growth and fat loss tailored to your individual needs and goals.

If you want to unlock the potential of your metabolism and start crushing your fitness goals, read more about Lumen here. Right now, BarBend readers will get an exclusive 15% discount on their purchase.

Gear Heads

Best Lat Pulldown Machines

Lat pulldown machines are a great piece of equipment to add to any training routine focused on the back. The good news is that lat pulldown machines are not only for commercial gyms, either. There are a variety available that can make a nice addition to your home gym, varying by size, versatility, and price.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best lat pulldown machines on the market right now. These picks can help you determine what will work best for your specific needs for your home gym.

We know a thing or two about lat pulldown machines. Not only do we routinely test the equipment we discuss, but our testers and researchers consist of certified personal trainers, coaches, CrossFit L-1 Trainers, and competitive athletes who have used this equipment extensively in the gym. Check out our top 10 picks!

Rec Room

Home (Gym) Economics

The market size for home gym essentials has increased over the years, with a significant bump in North America during the COVID-19 pandemic when commercial gyms were closed down. Unfortunately, with that boom in health and wellness and the home fitness equipment market, the cost of cardio and strength training equipment has also increased.

Exercise equipment pricing has gone up for multiple reasons: advancements in the fitness industry, general inflation, more demand for home gym machines and equipment, and other market trends. In this data study, we’ll examine home gym equipment pricing trends and how prices compare to gym memberships.

Even with the market growth and price increases, is it still cheaper to own a home gym?

Train Station

Legion Fitness App Review

If you’re a regular exerciser, you’ve probably tried some kind of fitness app along your journey to help you reach your fitness goals. The best workout apps can provide a workout plan to follow, record your progress, connect you with a supportive community, and much more.

This is a powerful tool, especially for those of us who train alone in a home gym. But choosing the right app can feel overwhelming, and you don’t want to waste your time trying an app that is simply ineffective.

In this Legion Fitness App review, we share an inside look at this personalized coaching app that we tested for a full 12 weeks. We'll discuss the pros and cons, what it's like to use the app, and how it works, and we'll help you decide whether it's worth adding to your fitness toolbox.

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Quick Hits

Eat Like a Warrior

• Curious about the Warrior Diet? Our nutrition experts explain the ins and outs of this meal plan.

• We tried Live It Up Super Greens, a dairy-free, plant-based, vegan-friendly, and non-GMO greens drink mix. Here’s what we thought.

• Our experts try to help settle the Pilates vs yoga debate.