The problem it solves is having to build and store multiple boards for pressing. It also helps you if you short on another amenity required to board press, friends. The foam is dense but does feel like it has a semi-limited shelf life. To compare it to a similar product, the Elite FTS shoulder saver only comes in 2 sizes. Each of these blocks allows for 3-4 pressing levels. I have heard the shoulder saver is better at doing the job. So the question is, do you want something that does one thing better or one thing that does more, but not as well.

If you’re unsure, and have been riding the line on this one, it is time to take the leap. This certification is a gateway drug into the Massenomics cult of good dudes and silly goosery you won’t regret being a part of, unless you ignored the line in the sand and ended up on the wrong side of history. Without the elitism of first rounders being a thing any more, certification was the best thing I’ve ever done, and it allowed me to finally get strong. Because of it, I am Crü now and have no regrets.

The conical shape is a pro and a con leading to make the pick easier if you know how to do it well. With it being top heavy, it will want to lean forward on you. Once you have it, the taper does make front carries easier. You could hold on to your won wrists. At 150, it’s a great size and weight to get good conditioning in. If you’re into strongman, this shouldn’t be your only bag because you’ll probably never see it. But it’s weird weight displacement might make it useful to simulate natural stones, where you really have to pay attention to where and how you’re moving it. Compared to the Cerberus bag, the outer layer does feel a little thin, but I’ve never once felt like it would break on me.

I can’t speak to costs and value because I received these as a Christmas present. They will forever live on my rack because the magnetic capability makes storage convenient. An underrated benefit of the magnets, however, is their stick to ability to your iron plates. It will often take a 25 with it when I pull them off the bar. The first couple of uses will require you to use two hands to close it, with one hand on the clip and the send on the barbell sleeve, to crank them away from each other. That or my crush grip sucks. But through many uses, these hold on tight. They may be too good for some bars, but they are a highly recommended addition. Short of the most expensive and calibrated variations, these are top of the line.

From the minds of the most silly goose annals of philosophy this flag truly represents a testament to the development of the unseen gains that can be found in the gym, wherein the gym is a metaphor for life and the resilience gained by leaning forward into difficulties rather than avoiding them. It serves as reminder that gaining strength externally is also an important personal growth process. Turned further, it is a reminder to all those who visit your gym that lifting hard is for everyone, so long as you are willing to work hard to be better. Have humility and remember we are all on different paths of the same journey.

As with any sandbag, the amount of weight you can put into it doesn’t always match the real weight within the bag, especially for Cerberus bags that are designed to hold x-number of kilos. The best option is to buy the desired weight you want in sand or, god forbid, pea gravel, and fill it to that amount. With humidity and evaporation concerns considered, your weights are probably going to be very close to what you’re looking for. As for this brand in particular, many others may have similar materials and fill styles, but with quality control, a recognizable name and reputation, Cerberus is the class leader in this category. The containment system of fillable chute, zipper seal, and Velcro overlay make the bag virtually indestructible. Always have a bag or two just out of your ability. Have a carrot to chase. Always.

I think any of the “budget” brands are even more worth it if you can get them when they are on sale. The cons that get pointed on by reviews online are less relevant and the pros they mention feel like steals. The narrow width may cause this bar to feel like it’s always wanting to bend your wrists forward or backwards. The spot meeting the J-Cups is small and may make unracking out of a 3x3 rack tricky, especially with 45s . The low start weight is a downgrade, causing you to have to load it up. But at nearly $100 it’s a good bar. The difficulty most people describe with using it as on cable machines is widely exaggerated. It works fine unless you’re on the most close neutral grip.

If Rogue, MBPC, Beast Metals, and any of the luxury/locally-manufactured brands are overbuilt, the Titan version isn’t necessarily the opposite. It’s not underbuilt. It’s adequately built. The adjustments get a little annoying trying to shift it evenly to set the pins, but if you’re the only one using it, that doesn’t become a problem. I am extra medium height, so the placement is in the weird limbo of too-high or too-low. Make the choice, too low and scrape the ground, too high and fight the wobble. But nothing beats the stimulus of a yoke. This thing will beat you up, keep it in your rotation as a weight class strongman or get wiped. The starting weight at 166 is as approachable as the max weight of 700 being accommodating for lots of good training to come out of it.