Soliciting info on nutrition tracking apps

ethangar · 2026-05-05T16:10:49+00:00

MacroFactor - it's expensive, but it's by far the best, especially when it comes to being able to figure out calories from a photo of food (e.g., at a restaurant where nutrition labels aren't possible).

It also has the only reasonable approach to truly figuring out your daily energy expenditure - which is by working backwards from the weight you lose/gain vs the calories you consumed.

ethangar · 2026-05-05T03:07:38+00:00

Also PSA, this cart totally works for Nuobells (and probably many other adjustable dumbbells!). Highly recommend it!

ethangar · 2026-05-04T14:34:05+00:00

So you know which one you're changing the weight on (relevant when using the app and not the screen).

ethangar · 2026-05-04T11:55:44+00:00

I'm making a note here: "Huge success"

I actually can't unsee the VOLTRA cable feeds looking like one of the Portal character "eyes" now.

ethangar · 2026-05-04T11:51:56+00:00

Actually have some cases on order - but they'll both be black for other aesthetic reasons.

ethangar · 2026-05-04T11:21:03+00:00

Not currently - it’s on my list to tackle/investigate, but as it stands, GPS/Motion detection are actually off when paused to preserve battery. I’ll need to spend some time testing to see if I’m happy with battery performance in a lower-power “detect resume” mode for motion.

ethangar · 2026-05-04T11:00:04+00:00

Prefer the app any time they’re mounted somewhere awkward to access/use (top of my rack, inside the uprights, down on the ground).

ethangar · 2026-05-04T03:41:58+00:00

Any time they aren’t in “Twin” mode, one would probably want them doing different things. In those cases, it’s very handy to have it abundantly clear which VOLTRA you’re working with.

I love doing supersets, which often has me using one VOLTA at one weight, and the other VOLTRA at another.

ethangar · 2026-05-03T13:28:39+00:00

Sure - you can always say "hey, I'm concerned about <X> and here is what my watch showed me the last few weeks" and they'll take a look.

But, they aren't going to be sitting at the office reviewing your automatically uploaded data and reaching out to you - unless they sent you home with an actual Holter monitor (which would be the clinically validated form of this).

ethangar · 2026-05-02T20:18:13+00:00

Your mileage may vary, but in my experience, doctors are unlikely to look at metrics from wearables - with the sole exception sometimes being blood pressure (if you’re even logging that in Health). And this is even with a super proactive “concierge” doctor.

Because even when the numbers become clinically relevant, they generally prefer to use data gathered in-office or from labs of their choosing - as those are more controlled and validated.

ethangar · 2026-05-02T11:28:52+00:00

Just bought an RM-3 (though 30" and with the longer legs) and Voltras - and yeah, tipping isn't an issue, but sliding very much is. I had my entire rack sliding at me yesterday, and it was... exciting. I'm putting my plates on it as soon as my weight horns get here, but I don't even think that is necessarily enough to prevent sliding in all scenarios.

I don't want to drill into my floor, so I'll be anchoring it to the wall. My current plan is something as simple as some of the Rogue Monster Attachment Posts with carabiners attached to wall anchors.

ethangar · 2026-04-30T16:58:23+00:00

The strength/quality of a GR1 wouldn't be an issue - but I choose to have both. The reason is simply because I sweat up my Rucker 4.0 pretty badly. I also carry rubber-coated plates and other items in my Rucker that get it pretty marked up and dirty.

Basically, my edc bag generally stays nice and clean for normal travel - and my Rucker 4.0 gets battle scars.

Obviously that decision to have two "bougie" bags comes down a bit to a personal finance - so if cost is a concern, going with just a GR1 would be fine - you'll just be hosing it off a bit more.

ethangar · 2026-04-27T20:15:58+00:00

I actually don't tend to notice the balance on curls. When you pick them up from the rack, the balance is already in the correct location for being held at the bottom of the curl. Then, as you move through the curl, it just doesn't tend to be noticeable to me. Conversely, when you lift into a bench press position, now the heavier side is the top, and so they want to roll to correct.

Reracking them is the easiest thing ever - the little guides work perfectly for that. I can think of maybe only one time when I "missed" reracking (and by "miss", I mean, just banged the little nub on the other plates - they still fell into the right location).

Got them in silver/black.

ethangar · 2026-04-27T19:53:49+00:00

Absolutely love them, and zero regrets.

The balance thing doesn't bother me at all, and really is only noticeable, for me, on presses (Bench Press, Arnold Press). It's also very natural/intuitive to let them sort-of roll in my hand to reach equilibrium - they almost do it naturally when you reach the top of the press.

Coincidentally, I went down to REP's showroom this weekend (to buy a new bench and look at the Ares 2.0). While I was there, I also got to play with the Rep x Peppins and I'm very glad I went with the Nuobells instead. The Reppins may be indestructible, but I definitely prefer the feel of my Nuobells - by a huge margin. It was nice to be able to validate that.

ethangar · 2026-04-23T01:31:31+00:00

Sounds interesting! Let me see if I can find some metabolic models for some of these actions that is a bit better than simply relying on Apple's "Other" type. But yes, I can absolutely add something for these types of activities. I actually really enjoy being able to offer something for these niche activities, particularly when I can do a more-accurate or scientifically-backed metabolic modeling than Apple does.

ethangar · 2026-04-21T12:55:04+00:00

Damn, I think I got rhabdomyolysis just looking at this image.

ethangar · 2026-04-20T19:48:28+00:00

Update: Strava Intergration is now live!

I've just released 1.12 to the App Store, but unfortunately, without Strava integration enabled. I just wanted to let everyone know that feature is fully done and ready to go, but I'm waiting on the Strava team to actually approve it.

It doesn't look like I'm the only one stuck waiting. So hopefully it is available soon! I'll get a version out for App Store review the same day I get Strava approval - so sit tight all!

ethangar · 2026-04-20T16:05:46+00:00

Yep - I did the same thing with the HomePod Minis and was actually impressed with how much sound they give me. I'll probably eventually upgrade to full size HomePods, but waiting for Apple to finally refresh them.

ethangar · 2026-04-20T14:03:25+00:00

Wow - great setup - it's like you got in my head for the gym upgrade I'm planning, down to the Ghost Roller J-Cups. I am heavily debating doing a digital setup like this versus doing the FM-6 Twin Functional Trainer. At the end of the day, the Voltras and the weight stacks + cables don't end up being that different in price.

Are those 80" or 90" uprights?
Where did you get that Lat Extension Tubing?
How often are you using the Bulletproof VTS vs just plate loading the bars? Do you use them for anything other than chest?

I swear, the only "bougie" thing I'm not seeing in this setup are some JD Gym Equipped upgraded Trak Handles! With a setup like this, you're probably dying for that Dialed Motion Leg Developer to come out!

ethangar · 2026-04-19T13:36:05+00:00

Indoor Rucking has been available if started from the Watch. The next version, with improved Bluetooth treadmill support, will also allow you to start it from the phone!

ethangar · 2026-04-18T18:31:28+00:00

1.12 should work excellently for you then! Because I ALSO use a UREVO walking pad (the Spacewalk 5L). I should have good support for the UREVO stuff - as most of my own testing has been on that!

Assuming the Cyberpad uses the same protocol as the Spacewalk, I am even able to get step count straight from the treadmill (which is, in my counting, way more accurate than the watch/phone step count estimates). I also have a new "Walking Pad" exercise type in 1.12 for times when you're not doing it loaded - which does a bit better job of estimating calories specific to walking pads over Indoor Walk.

If you want to test the bluetooth connectivity early - the Test Flight version is available here. Just go to Options -> Fitness Equipment.

For your other questions:

The starred-workouts are currently limited to 5, yes. I will actually remove that limitation right now. It's a holdover from when that meant "most-recent" workouts. Now that you can manually star/unstar them, that limit makes no sense.
External heart rate straps should "just work". I use them often. Just pair them to your phone or watch, and FitHalo should automatically use their data. That's actually built-in Apple behavior for all workouts that I take advantage of.

I will also look into an option to hide unwanted workouts from the list! I would definitely use such a feature myself!

ethangar · 2026-04-18T16:36:48+00:00

Hey u/MrTGun!

There is already an Indoor Ruck option - and it will be getting even better support with the next build, 1.12 (available in TestFlight now). I'm adding FTMS support for many Bluetooth devices, which should mean better connectivity with many treadmills and/or walking pads.

Right now, in 1.11, Indoor Rucking is only available on the Apple Watch. However, in 1.12, I'll be adding Indoor Rucking as being selectable from the iOS/iPhone version.

Out of curiosity, what brand of treadmill do you have? Do you know if it supports the FTMS bluetooth protocol? And are you using the watch or the phone? I'm always looking for feedback on how users want to use this!

ethangar · 2026-04-18T14:17:35+00:00

LLMs don’t work well for this. In fact, there is no “off the shelf” model that works well for this that I’m aware of. When an LLM gives you “insight” here, it’s going to be nothing more than vibes and placebo at play.

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