Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $429, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, (or Hero 13 bundle for $339!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
Here’s how to save!
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You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
1
In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
2
Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
3
Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
4
My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
5
The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2023 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
Californian checking in with highs around 80 and beautiful days lately. No changes planned. :)
For me, the only thing that changes is when I run. I live in Dallas and Houston, which means in the summer I have to run before 9:00 am. In the winter, I can run whenever I want. Everything else stays the same.
I get to go to San Diego this summer, so needless to say I’m excited.
Like most, I bundle up and run outside, but when the air quality is poor I head up to the speed skating oval that has a “Super” track on the outside of the ice, and run in circles! Biking is for the basement and 007 marathons.
Running stays the same with the addition of a few visibility aids. More cross-training.
no winter here in Singapore, training as usual ;)
I’m a hiker and cyclist interested in looking for a heartrate monitoring watch, smartphone bicycle/body/car mount, and other exercise-tracking and cycling gear.
Recently discovered your web site and I like you reviews – very user-focussed (as they should be).
Looking forward to reading more of your reviews.
Just put on the tights and go for it. I would rather run outside in a blizzard than get on a treadmill.
The winter months are the nice ones for us here in Arizona. In the hot summer, the training has to be early in the morning or indoors.
I live in South Florida. It’s been a hot and humid summer (and fall). I’m hoping it will cool of soon so I can get some quality long runs in.
Living in Canada means layers of clothes for running and snowshoeing instead of cycling. Gonna try an exercise bike this winter but hate training inside! Love your site! Thanks!
FENIX FENIX FENIX
It may have seemed to some that moving to Borneo was just a way of getting away from the howling horizontal rain in Wellington, New Zealand. And I’m not going to deny that that was one of the reasons. But I find that I did really enjoy going out for runs when the wind was at just below cyclonic (it helped running up the never-ending hills ) and that I’m missing running in less than 25 degree C heat a little. Still – it’s Borneo! Who wouldn’t want to live in a tropical paradise?
I switch to gym and skiing. Also a time to take it easy.
me run!!
adapt to winter means we wear sleeveless jerseys and singlets now as the sun is not so strong. also can run midday and not have to restrict run/bike to dawn/dusk to avoid the heat. so, for us training is much more free in the winter than the summer. we’re heading indoors and avoiding outside in summer but come out to enjoy outside in the winter. yes. very strange. :)
I love this watch, it could be perfect if an optical heart rate monitor is added
Trying xc skiing this year. The trainer is rough!
Fortunately living in Southwest FL the training schedule doesn’t change much. Less open water swimming unless the swell is up. More pool swimming and running. Hard to get long bike rides in now with day light savings. Still feels like summer in late November.
Indoor swimming and core workouts
I’ve been lucky enough to have mostly time-independent work, so I just shift things to midday more. Run at nights during the summer, daytime during the inter.
I head indoors for my running, cycling and swimming and wait for the good weather to return!
Generally I can continue riding and running outside all winter in socal. This winter, however, the various activities of my children are pushing my training activities into the later evening. Fortunately someone gave me a treadmill and I just ordered a vortex smart. .haven’t received it yet. . .but am interested in trying it on zwift. Can’t wait to use it with this new fenix 3!
I do more core workouts and work on my running base.
This year, I also intend to cross-country ski
… while dreaming I lived in Hawaii.
I actually run more in the winter. I don’t do well in the heat so cooler Temps make me feel like a kid in a candy store.
I started running the the winter months of 2013 so I’m pretty used to running in the cold. I don’t necessarily prefer training in the cold but you do what you have to. I just completed my first season of triathlon so swimming will be done in doors at the YMCA where I have a membership. Bike training will be one a trainer and spin classes. Running however will still be in amongst the elements out doors.
I am lucky to have warm weather 365 :). No off season here
I’m in North Florida so winter isn’t terrible enough to need to stay indoors.
Living in Colombia is a dream for a sports lover, there are just two seasons, warm and warmer one.
Make a great Xmas present.
just running and spinning
Not Hawai’i, but close: Southern California. Winter prep consists of wearing long-sleeve running shirts and, occasionally, gloves and compression pants. That’s about it.
25M YMCA pool, home bike trainer and YMCA treadmill :(
As long it’s not icy or too cold for biking, I keep my training routine as usual.
Sunny California weather. If it happens to rain it’s a trainer day. Otherwise business as usual.
In the winter I try to do all my work out first thing in the morning as that would wake me up to get through the dreary days. A quick HIIT session before heading to the gym to lift weights and running in the winter gear 3 times a week at least 3 miles at a time. Indoor soccer as well if I find a group of people willing to play in the winter
Well, I’m in Texas so we basically have no winter haha!
Just put another layer or two on and keep running :-)
my husband loves your show
Here in Montana, winter means it’s time to ski! I still ride so long as the temperature isn’t too far below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
I’m not gonna lie. Ever since daylight savings ended, I’v sadly cut back my training from 5 days a week to 3. It’s very difficult to get up and hit the gym before work. its just so cold in the mornings also. If only I had a fancy Fenix 3 sapphire with the Red rubber strap to motivate me onto my bike and hit the gym. I would be so grateful. :-)
I don’t run much through the winter, it’s my off season. No other sports, just drop the runs to once or twice a week instead of almost every day.
I live in Southern California. It was 80 degrees today, so training continues as always. No change.
Getting the old bike trainer and turning on the Zwift for Winter training.
No real changes in winter, just more layers, reflective gear and patience. My most satisfying runs are in bad weather.
I’ll take a cold day on the trail over any day on a treadmill. Don’t forget the sweet winter gear you get to wear too!
Just moved from northern Minnesota to south central Texas. Problem solved!
If the water is not cold enough to skate on, then it’s warm enough to swim in…
I’m lucky enough to live in California. Long sleeves and thats all we need
While not Hawaii, winter training in Australia is certainly tolerable… No snow is a win right?
I mainly train indoors during winter.
Spinning Clases are my favourite winter training.
No change. It doesn’t get cold enough to warrant change. I’ll continue running with long sleeves and thermals.
WOW very nice
Yay!
Back to the Nordic Track (until I can figure out something more interesting.
I’m a lucky duck living in California. My training doesn’t change much in winter.
I live in San Diego CA so yep no change in training at all :) thanks ray
Hey! big fan of using digital trackers as a tool to manage my progression, in any sport! I like using my 910xt and connect it with my nike+ running app to see how much my training has come along; nike does have some other great digital platform tools that i find that are pretty cool!
anyways, in the winter times, i tend to find myself spending more effort up at the weight room, gaining strength, mostly on my core and posterior muscles (since i spend a majority of my year trying to go fast in a forward direction :P ) even though my weekend long runs are hindered a bit, chilly cold conditions up here in toronto, i schedule myself for a little time off from the swimbikerun and have a little fun doing other sports, such as tennis, basketball or even rock climbing. winter time is also a great time for me to focus down on my nutritions and try, TRY, to lean down, through the holiday eats, too much stuffing!!!
all in all, it is very important to stay active during the winter/off-season and maintain a strong core definition to last the distance!
More layers really. Good gloves and merino socks!
I run during the winter as long as it isn’t to slippery , and the when it is cross country skiing is a nice alternative.
I switch more to swimming pool and go down with open air activities. And patiently waiting when temperature goes below 0.
I’m lucky to live on Arizona where cycling season is getting into full swing :-)
Steady HM training run, then 80th birthday on Sunday – not mine!
Less biking, same running (always outside).
Adjusting my fitness schedule has been tough up here in the Pacific NW this fall. Summer culminated with a Grand Canyon R2R hike, and a weekly pace of about 50 miles. Since then, I’m down to about 15 miles per week, but start a new trail running program on Saturday. Gotta keep some fitness up over the winter, even if it means I get wet!
First post, long time DCR visitor :P
I must say, we dont have extremely cold winters here in SA, so my training routine stays pretty much exactly the same other than the fact that I start my training an hour or two later in the morning to miss some of that winter chill :)
Hawaii. Born and raised. I might wear short sleves if it gets really cold.
i as many others move to inddor training, no fun running in the dark cold :)
Boyfriend bought a trainer so looks like we’ll be fighting over who gets to use it
moving inside for fitness and swimming.
Bad weather motivate me – i run even more in winter
Bozeman, MT. I simply put on more layers and pick my steps through the ice. haha
Always summer in northeast of Brazil.
Winter means reducing time in the pool and therefore also chlorine smell
“How do you adapt your training schedule for winter?”
-In Edmonton, Alberta, it gets cold. Toughen up and dig deep. Just know what you’ve overcome over the cold season as a mental boost to then conquer my first spring race: Boston.
keep going outside all year – no pain no gain :)
The weather in North Florida makes it easy for the winter season to be running weather with many marathons/running events occurring at this time. My training focus goes into running during the winter.
More longrunning, but cycling takes place home in front TV and lengthwise.
Luckily winter here only carries with it a decrease in temperatures, so slightly warmer clothes and training about an hour earlier are the only things needed to adapt to the new season.
Training stays the same… just putting extra layer og clothes on and i am good to go…
Living in the warmest winter climate of Canada, in southwest British Columbia, not much snow, and usually a winter afternoon ride is between 4-10 C. So here for me it is about art / science of layering, and also using my “on-again / off-again” Raceblade fenders, so rainy rides are not so miserable! Yes, even riding in the rain is waaay better than indoors on a stationary torture device!! ;)
No cycling, a bit more swimming, and about the same running (just wearing a lot more clothes for the chilly temperatures in northern Canada). And YakTrax, because ice is not my friend.
In winter time I block the afternoons of my “running-days” in my calender and hopefully will be able to really leave the office as early as planned. Problem is that my home course is in a forrest and without (the last) daylight it’s almost impossible to run there.
For the icy days I bought a pair of Asics Fuji Setsu. They allow to run at almost normal speed even if the ways are complete frozen.
Man tights and double gloving for my runs, I swim as x-training instead of cycling
Ride the trainer inside, and layers for the outside. It’s SF, so never too bad year round.
Same sports, but indoor training – running, biking, swimming.
I hope to start running more.
I will go speedskating. I live near a icering and will pratice my laps. It is a pity that the Fenix3 does not have autolap on position any more…..
The speedskating is to prepare for the famous dutch 200km Friese Elfsteden (if the frost this year will treat us with ice, that is.
For the long skate tours, the long battery of the fenix3 is key. I have done long icetrips with my Fr610, and the battery was not long enough
keep up the good work and the nice blog!
Gerard
Spinning class all year long – running all year long, indoor as well as outdoor.
Running with friends in and around Chichester (UK). Peer pressure always get me out when it’s raining and cold.
Switch from road running/cycling in summer to MTB/trail running in winter. That Fenix 3 would make the perfect winter partner to my 920XT…
Living in the southwest of Spain makes no need of adapting training schedules to winter time. A bit of warmer clothes and that’s all. Once in a while indoor training if too windy or rainy
I spin indoors, do my speed work on the track, xc ski (poorly) and do long runs outside under the beautiful Alberta sky.
Keep on running!
Running and hopefully ice skating
Summer I train by Running outdoors, hiting the hills on the MTB and going hiking.
Winter Replace outdoor running with the treadmill, jump on the indoor rower rest the MTB for the next summer
Change from cycling to cross country skiing; benefit from living way up north :-) I use a cyclops trainer for the period between cold and snow, which sometimes is too long!
Running more on roads than trail runs
Here in Utah, with the best snow on earth, ski! Skate ski, backcountry ski, downhill ski!
Keep the ear warm…
I’m a lucky duck living in South Africa and it doesn’t get that cold here in winter. I still tone it down a little during the winter months but when I’m up and active some long sleeves are all that’s needed to protect against the chill.
When winter starts edging in I usually move to the swimming pool until proper permanent snow hits the ground and then go cross country skiing and get my Icebugs on for Nordic walking. The benefits of living in Finland with a real winter =)