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This $70 shredded memory foam body pillow has kept me cool and comfortable for 60 nights

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Coop Home Goods Pillow

  • Body pillows are a must for stomach and side sleepers who want to maintain good posture and comfort during the night.
  • I liked that you can easily adjust the loft of the Coop Home Goods body pillow, and hugging the pillow while I slept kept my spine aligned and allowed my muscles to get the rest they needed.
  • Though it is more expensive than most body pillows (currently $69.99 on Amazon and at Coop Home Goods), the Coop Home Goods Memory Foam Body Pillow comes with a 100-night risk-free trial and a five-year warranty.

I can't stand sleeping anywhere except my own bed. One of the main reasons for this is that hotels, Airbnb hosts, and guest rooms might offer you a pillow or two, but they never give you a full body pillow. To me and my fellow side-sleepers, a full body pillow is essential to getting a good night's sleep and waking up free from aches and pains.

In my research, I've found that there are two full-body pillows that are better than the rest. One of them, the Snuggle-Pedic Shredded Memory Foam Full Body Pillow, I've already tested. The other, Coop Home Goods Memory Foam Body Pillow, was recently sent to me to test. Here are my experiences with it.

My first experiences with the Coop Home Goods Body Pillow

The Coop Home Goods pillow comes in a box larger than other memory foam body pillows, so it wasn't as compressed as others I've used. Within minutes of opening the package, the pillow was close to its full size. The pillow also didn't exhibit any unpleasant odors, either.

The Coop Home Goods Body Pillow is filled with CertiPUR-US certified shredded memory foam, which means it's made without CFCs, formaldehyde, heavy metals, lead, mercury, TCEP flame retardants, TDCPP, PBDEs, or ozone depleters.

One of the best features is that you can adjust the shredded memory foam filling yourself. You just unzip it and start removing the filling. I recommend that you keep the filling in an airtight bag in case you want to put it back in at a later date.

The cover is made of bamboo-derived viscose rayon and a polyester blend. It's dust mite resistant and hypoallergenic. Though the whole pillow is machine-washable and the cover feels great, I recommend picking up a 54-by-20-inch pillowcase that zips. The pillowcase will make it so you don't have to wash the pillow as often, and the zipper will keep the pillow from escaping.

Since everyone has different tastes in pillows, it's important that you have an opportunity to test a pillow out before committing to it. Coop Home Goods offers a 100-day, no-questions-asked refund policy. The company even pays for return shipping. The returned pillow is then donated to charity. The pillow also comes with a five-year limited warranty.

COOP home goods body pillow 2

How the Coop Home Goods Body Pillow performed

When sleeping, I hug the body pillow with my arms and hold it between my legs. It did an excellent job of reducing strain on my knees and kept my spine aligned. Unless I worked out particularly hard the previous day, I woke up most mornings feeling refreshed with my back and legs pain-free.

The seams on the pillow appear to be quite durable. There are about 15 stitches per inch, which is pretty good and should ensure that filling doesn't escape. Opening up the pillow, you can see that the seams are reinforced well with several stitched layers.

I found that the shredded memory foam did an excellent job of breathing and not trapping heat, which is a common problem with solid memory foam. I'm usually hot at night and need to really turn the thermostat down to sleep, but this pillow helped me regulate my body temperature. Even when my sister-in-law was visiting from LA and insisted on keeping the thermostat cranked, the pillow provided a cool reprieve.

One problem that body pillows often have is that they can take up a lot of space in bed. My wife and I are both larger than average and have sizable body pillows. Yet, somehow, it never seemed like the Coop Home Goods pillow was in the way. We do sleep on a king-sized bed so it might be a different story if you sleep on a queen.

Some concerns about the pillow

The shredded memory foam would occasionally clump up on the ends leaving less support in the middle. It wasn't extreme, and it usually happened over the course of several nights. If you experience this, you can either work the filling to the less-filled areas or pop the pillow in the dryer on low heat for about half an hour. Coop Home Goods recommends fluffing your pillow by hand every morning, but I can't imagine living a life like that.

The pillow is machine washable, but it's a pain to wash it. Coop Home Goods recommends not washing your pillow more than once per year to "maintain the integrity." Due to the size of the pillow, you can't really wash or dry anything else with it. And, since the pillow needs to tumble dry on low, it took me about four hours to get it completely dry.

The pillow is about 56 inches long by 17 inches wide by 9 inches thick and weighs almost seven pounds. Due to its sheer bulk, it's a bit of a pain to move from one side to the other at night. Fortunately, if the size gets to be too much, you can just remove some of the fill.

The bottom line

Despite these concerns, I really like the Coop Home Goods Body Pillow. It provides me with the support I need, is comfortable between my arms and legs, and the shredded memory foam breathes well to keep me cool. It's my preferred body pillow. Though one person's favorite pillow may be horrible for others, I strongly recommend that all side sleepers give the Coop Home Goods body pillow a try. With the company's 100-night risk-free trial, what have you got to lose?

Buy the Coop Home Goods Memory Foam Body Pillow on Amazon for $69.99

Buy the Coop Home Goods Memory Foam Body Pillow from Coop Home Goods for $69.99

Check out our full guide to the best body pillows for more options.

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You've probably been folding your shirts and socks all wrong, according to organizing expert Marie Kondo

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  • Organizing expert, Marie Kondo, has a new Netflix series called "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo," in which she helps people clean and organize their homes. 
  • She showed Business Insider the best way to neatly fold shirts and socks — and it's probably much different than how you're used to folding your laundry. 
  • Watch the video above to learn Kondo's methods that once earned her a spot on Time's "Top 100 Influential People" list. 

It turns out that you are probably folding your T-shirts and socks all wrong. Marie Kondo, an organization celebrity in Japan, shows us the folding methods that earned her a spot on Time's 2015 "Top 100 Influential People" list. 

You can learn more about her tidying methods from her book, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing."

Produced by Justin Gmoser and Megan Willett. Additional camera by Jason Gaines. Special thanks to Caroline Moss, Julie Zeveloff, Sam Rega, Graham Flanagan and Molly Mulshine

EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published on January 11, 2016.

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Diversity wins: All the people who made history in the 2018 midterm elections

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Ilhan Omar

SEE ALSO: 13 records the 2018 midterm elections smashed

Jahana Hayes, a former high-school teacher, is the first black woman elected to represent Connecticut in the House of Representatives.

Hayes, the 2016 national teacher of the year, won Connecticut's 5th District with a projected 56% of the vote, beating the Republican Manny Santos, with 44% of the vote.

Hayes will succeed Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Esty, who didn't run for reelection.

Hayes grew up in a housing project, and her mother struggled with drug addiction, The Associated Press reported. Hayes got pregnant at 17 and considered dropping out of school but then enrolled in community college and went on to earn a bachelor's degree and, later, advanced degrees. She campaigned on strengthening the public-education system.



Jared Polis of Colorado is the first openly gay man to be elected governor of a US state.

Polis, a Democratic representative, is projected to win the Colorado gubernatorial race against the Republican Walker Stapleton.

"I think it really gives Colorado an opportunity to stick a thumb in the eye of Mike Pence, whose view of America is not as inclusive as where America is today," Polis said of his candidacy in a speech earlier this year.



Sylvia Garcia and Veronica Escobar will be Texas' first Latina women in Congress.

Escobar, an El Paso County judge, won Texas' 16th District with 68% of the vote.

Garcia, a Democratic state senator, beat the GOP candidate Phillip Aronoff in the 29th District, which covers Houston, with 75% of the vote.

About 40% of Texans are Hispanic or Latino, but voters had never elected a Latina woman to either chamber of Congress until now.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

2 photos show the stark difference in the new representatives Democrats and Republicans are sending to Congress

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Ayanna Pressley delivers her victory speech after winning a Democratic congressional primary in Massachusetts.

  • The new members of Congress took their oaths of office today.
  • There are significant disparities in the racial and gender diversity of the new members. 
  • All of the new Republicans are white, and just one is female. Among new Democrats, 64% are female, 37% identify as people of color, and 24% identify as women of color. 

The 116th Congress was sworn in to office today — and there are stark differences in the diversity of the new members in the House of Representatives across party lines.

Out of the 44 new Republican House members, 98% are white and heterosexual, and just two new Republicans, Carol Miller of West Virginia, and Debbie Lesko of Arizona, are female. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, a Republican with Cuban heritage, is the only non-white GOP freshman.

Among the 66 new Democrats, however, 34 of them (52%) are female, and 22 (34%) identify as people of color.

Thirteen (24%) are women of color. They also include four openly LGBTQ+ members: Katie Hill of California, Sharice Davids of Kansas, Angie Craig of Minnesota, and Chris Pappas of New Hampshire. 

While a record number of women — 114 to be exact — have been elected to serve in the 116th Congress, most of the gains in female representation have been in the Democratic Party, which gained a net 40 seats in the House and unseated several Republican women in the process. 

A record number of women of color, 40, who are mostly Democrats, will also serve in the upcoming term. This year, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan made history as the first Muslim women elected to Congress, while Sharice Davids of Kansas and Deb Haaland of New Mexico are the first Native American women.

Read more:7 photos that perfectly capture the history-making wave of women who won on Election Day

Meanwhile in Utah, Mia Love, the GOP's only African-American congresswoman, lost to Democrat Ben McAdams. 

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NOW WATCH: MSNBC host Chris Hayes thinks President Trump's stance on China is 'not at all crazy'

There's only one week left to sign up for AmEx's limited-edition rose gold credit card

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network.

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  • When American Express launched its new American Express® Gold Card in October, it also introduced a special, limited-edition rose gold version of the card. 
  • The new design — the regular version of the new Gold Card is a metallic gold — comes in addition to competitive rewards on restaurants and supermarkets in the US, airfare, and more.
  • You can request the rose gold card if you're a new applicant, or currently hold AmEx's previous version of the card, the Premier Rewards Gold. 
  • However, the rose gold version is only available until January 9.
  • New cardholders can also get a unique, limited-time welcome bonus if they apply before the same date.
  • Here's what you need to know about the AmEx Gold Card.

When American Express reintroduced its Gold Card this fall, the card got a fantastic set of improvements to its rewards earning scheme and suite of benefits.

As part of the overhaul, AmEx unveiled a new chic, gold-colored metal version of the card, similar to the Platinum Card's design. AmEx also introduced a limited-edition rose gold variation of the card — it was so popular that AmEx encountered shipping delays.

Current and new users are able request either the regular or the rose gold card. However, the latter option goes away on January 9.

That means that this is the last chance to get the rose gold version of the card.

Also going away January 9: a unique limited-time bonus for new members. If you don't have the Gold Card and open one by then, AmEx will "pick up the tip" when you dine out. During the first three months, new card members will get 20% back on US restaurant charges — in the form of a statement credit — up to $100 total.

Learn more:Amex is issuing a limited-edition rose gold version of its brand-new Gold Card — here's how to request one in 5 minutes

That's in addition to the standard welcome bonus of 25,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $2,000 in the first three months. Some people may be targeted for a higher bonus.

The new Gold Card earns 4x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at US restaurants, as well as on the first $25,000 spent each calendar year at US supermarkets (and 1x point after that). It also earns 3x points on flights booked directly through the airline, and 1x point on everything else.

That makes it among the most competitive cards for restaurants and supermarkets in the US — since it's possible to get more than 1¢ of value for each Membership Rewards point, the value is more than 4% back.

Learn more: AmEx Platinum cardholders can potentially get the $200 airline fee credit twice in their first year — here's how

The Gold Card features several other benefits, too. Cardholders can get up to $120 in dining credits a year — split into $10 chunks each month — when they use their cards to order food through Grubhub or Seamless, or at The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, and participating Shake Shack locations. That's in addition to a $100 airline fee credit each calendar year.

The card's annual fee is $250, but between the annual credits and the rewards, it should be easy to earn enough value to more than make up for that.

Click here to learn more about the American Express Gold Card from Insider Picks' partner: The Points Guy.

SEE ALSO: The AmEx Platinum is available to active duty servicemembers at no annual fee — but even with the fee, the credit card is a great value

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How Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian and tennis superstar Serena Williams met and fell in love

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Serena Williams Alexis Ohanian

  • Tennis superstar Serena Williams and tech guru Alexis Ohanian have had a whirlwind two years. 
  • They got engaged, had a daughter, and got married — and have had numerous professional accomplishments on the side.
  • Here's how the pair met and fell and love. 

The past two years have been huge for Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian

Since December 2016, the tennis superstar and tech guru, respectively, got engaged, had a baby daughter, and got married.

But things weren't always perfect. In fact, when they first met, Williams tried to get Ohanian to go away by telling him there was a rat nearby. 

In the July 2017 cover story of Vanity Fair, writer Buzz Bissinger got the inside look at their love story. That, along with Instagram sleuthing, helped us compile the story of Ohanian and Williams' whirlwind romance. 

Here's how this power couple from opposite worlds fell in love. 

SEE ALSO: Reddit's founder thought people in Silicon Valley were the hardest workers — until he met his fiancée, Serena Williams

The pair met in May 2015 at the Rome Cavalieri hotel, when Ohanian sat down at the table next to Williams' outside by the pool, according to Vanity Fair. Williams and her friends tried to get him to leave by telling him there was a rat at his table. When it didn't work, they invited him to join them.

Source: Vanity Fair



Williams had never heard of Reddit before, and Ohanian had never watched Williams play tennis, but he agreed to come to the match later that day. He knew so little about the sport that the first photo he shared publicly of Williams shows her committing a foot fault.

Instagram Embed:
//instagram.com/p/2naDemGEln/embed
Width: 540px

Source: Instagram, Vanity Fair



When they met, Ohanian had just gotten out of a five-year relationship with his college sweetheart, microbiologist Sabriya Stukes.

Source: The New York Times, Vanity Fair



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The US government is warning Americans that if they visit China they may not be able to return home

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Air China plane flags

  • The USState Department has issued a travel advisory urging Americans to "exercise increased caution" when traveling to the People's Republic of China.
  • The elevated travel advisory is out of concern that China may arbitrarily enforce local laws and detain US citizens without cause using exit bans.
  • Under these exit bans, US citizens may be detained or forced to stay in China for an indefinite period of time and may be subject to harassment and interrogation. 
  • The new China travel advisory is a level-two advisory, which urges increased caution.
  • Other countries or regions with a level-two advisory include Algeria, Antarctica, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Myanmar, and the United Kingdom. 

The US State Department has issued a travel advisory urging Americans to "exercise increased caution" when traveling to the People's Republic of China.

The State's elevated travel advisory is out of concern that China may arbitrarily enforce local laws and detain US citizens without cause. 

The advisory also indicates that US-Chinese citizens or Americans of Chinese heritage are especially vulnerable to "additional scrutiny and harassment."

"Chinese authorities have asserted broad authority to prohibit US citizens from leaving China by using 'exit bans,' sometimes keeping US citizens in China for years," the State Department said in its advisory. 

According to the advisory, China tends to use these exit bans in a coercive manner to "compel US citizens to participate in Chinese government investigations, to lure individuals back to China from abroad, and to aid Chinese authorities in resolving civil disputes in favor of Chinese parties."

In addition, the State Department warns that Americans only find out about these exit bans when they try to leave China and without knowledge of how long the ban will last. 

Read more: The government shutdown could spur more flight delays making travel a nightmare, air traffic controllers claim.

The advisory also explains that Americans affected by exit bans have been "harassed and threatened" by authorities. 

"US citizens may be detained without access to US consular services or information about their alleged crime," the State Department said. "US citizens may be subjected to prolonged interrogations and extended detention for reasons related to "state security."

"Security personnel may detain and/or deport US citizens for sending private electronic messages critical of the Chinese government," the agency added. 

The new China travel advisory is a level two advisory which urges increased caution. A level one advisory suggests travelers "exercise normal precautions" while a level three advisory urges Americans to "reconsider travel." A level four advises Americans to avoid traveling to a particular country. 

Other countries or regions with a level two advisory include Algeria, Burma, Antarctica, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. 

SEE ALSO: JetBlue is selling $44 one-way tickets for 2 days only

FOLLOW US: On Facebook for more car and transportation content!

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NOW WATCH: Beautiful time-lapse videos show how much China has changed over the years

Everlane's cashmere sweater is the backbone of my winter wardrobe — and it's only $100

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Everlane $100 cashmere sweater review

  • Everlane has a great line of $100 cashmere sweaters for women and men.
  • The relatively low cost reflects Everlane's transparent pricing and declining costs in raw materials.
  • I wore the $100 Cashmere Crew as an unofficial uniform last winter, and it's a great deal.

It's that time of year again. The cold is creeping in through drafty windowsills, Central Park once again smells like decomposing leaves and roasted peanuts, and cashmere and wool coats — the unofficial mascots of the winter season — are being unfolded from their summertime storage. 

For me, that means Everlane's $100 Cashmere Crew, which without much conscious involvement, became my cold weather uniform last year — a reliable choice for everything from weekend apple picking outings to groggy Monday mornings. 

It's warm and soft, but still ultimately lightweight — making it perfect on its own, layered, or tucked into a skirt. The relaxed fit works for the office, weekend plans, or lounging around the house with a cup of coffee and a book. This also makes it a good investment piece, since I can wear it alone on chilly fall nights and layered during colder winter nights — it is a closet staple for six months of the year.

In other words, the Cashmere Crew has been a great use of $100.

It's a foundational closet piece, and it never disappoints. It's unobtrusive, chameleon-level versatile, and both looks and feels good effortlessly. I've had more fun buying statement pieces, but rarely have I ever gotten so much wear per dollar.

The Crew comes in six sizes (XXS - XL) and 22 colors, but I would suggest starting with a staple color that works with the bulk of your closet, like black, charcoal, or dark navy. You can always stock up on more colors, but I guarantee you will thank yourself for beginning with one that weathers repeated wears gracefully. I ordered true to size, but if you're concerned about tightness, you should be happy with the next size up. 

Read more: I put 5 of Everlane's best-selling shoes to the test in NYC — and ranked them by comfort level

everlane under 100 cashmere

It's not cheap, but it is relatively affordable. Everlane uses Grade-A cashmere — the best there is — but sells it at the same price you might find Grade-C in another store. Unlike lower-quality options, Grade-A is stronger and doesn't pill as easily. 

According to Everlane, the cost of raw cashmere fluctuates wildly, and retailers raise prices to reflect higher cashmere costs when necessary. However, they rarely lower prices when the raw cost declines. Because of their 100% transparency model, Everlane has adjusted prices to reflect the declining cashmere costs in recent years (from $125 originally to $100 for the last few years).

Cashmere sweaters — like many items on the site — have a pricing breakdown for the interested customer. According to the company, it cost $42 to make the Cashmere Crew, but traditional retail markup would sell it for $210. Everlane has priced it at $100. 

Though you are getting a nicer form of cashmere, $100 still isn't chump change. But, if you're looking for a good deal, then this is a great option.

I don't have a minimalist closet with spare options, but I opt to wear this sweater at least once a week during the cold season. It's soft, comfortable, flattering, and comes in a silhouette that makes it even more versatile than the average crewneck cashmere sweater. If you need to stock up on winter closet workhorses you know you're going to inevitably live in, you may want to take a look. 

Shop the women's Everlane Cashmere Crew for $100, available in 22 colors

Shop the men's Everlane Cashmere Crew for $100, available in 12 colors

Shop all Everlane Cashmere, $100 - $155

DON'T MISS: Everlane has launched a line of $68 stretch denim that never gets baggy — here's what we thought after putting it to the test

SEE ALSO: This unsung hero of women's footwear makes comfortable, stylish shoes under $300 — here's what we thought of its fall boots

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21 great skincare products you can get at Dermstore's New Year Sale for up to 20% off

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

dermstore

From the popularization of 10-step Korean skincare routines to beauty tools like facial rollers, skincare products had a major moment in 2018 — and there's no sign these trends are slowing down any time soon.

Whether you've been keeping up with the latest in serums and masks for the past year or you're just starting to get curious about what all of these products actually do, the start of 2019 is a great time to pick up some new products and set yourself up for skincare success. 

If getting seriously glowing skin is one of your 2019 goals, start here. Dermstore is one of our favorite spots to pick up high-quality skincare products, beauty, and makeup.

Right now, Dermstore is having a New Year Sale where you can score up to 20% off on select products. Just use the code "SILVER" at checkout to get these savings and move one step closer to your best skin yet.

If you're looking for some inspiration, we already checked out the sale and found plenty of deals on great products that target many skincare concerns.

Keep reading for 21 great deals to get your skin glowing at Dermastore's New Year Sale:

A setting powder made with skin-friendly, cruelty-free ingredients for a bright, even complexion

Glo Skin Beauty Perfecting Powder, $30.40 (Originally $38) [You save $7.60]



A gentle cleanser packed with essential oils and vitamins to keep skin clean and hydrated

This Works Clean Skin Gentle Cleanser, $28 (Originally $35) [You save $7]



A clarifying toner that eliminates impurities and keeps oily skin at bay

Babor Cleansing CP Tonic, $25.60 (Originally $32) [You save $6.40]



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I tested a $400 ergonomic office chair with adjustable lumbar support for over 200 hours — and my back is thanking me

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Uplift Desk chair review

  • Top-quality office chairs make it easier for you to put in long hours without shoulder or back aches.
  • Best known for their sit-stand desks, Uplift Desk recently introduced an ergonomic chair that has a ribbed design that mimics your vertebrae.
  • I especially liked that there were five different ways to adjust the chair to ensure that I was as comfortable as possible.
  • The Uplift Vert Ergonomic Office Chair is a mid-range option (currently $399 on the Uplift Desk website), but it has many features that you would expect from more expensive chairs, such as adjustable lumbar support.

The average full-time office worker spends about 2,000 hours per year at their desk. If you spend that much of your life doing anything, you want to be as comfortable as possible, right? Plus, your posture and comfort during those work hours will have a major impact on how your body feels when you're off the clock. Therefore, one of the biggest factors in determining your contentment is the type of office chair you use.

Founded in 2002, Uplift Desk has focused on making the office work environment more ergonomic. Their products include standing desks, height-adjustable desks, stools, motion boards, and an array of other helpful office accessories. Uplift Desk recently sent me a variety of their products for free to test out. Below, we will look at how the Uplift Vert Ergonomic Office Chair stood up after 200 hours of use.

My first experiences with the Uplift Desk Chair

I am the worst at assembling just about anything. After unboxing the Uplift Vert Ergonomic Office Chair, I went to put it together and noticed there was no baggy with the screws and such in it. "They forgot to pack it," I thought. So, I contacted Uplift Desk, and they next-day mailed the pieces to me. Then, as I went to put the chair together, I noticed that it came with the fasteners already in place. I just needed to unscrew them and put them back in again with the parts connected. Duh!

Despite my blunder, the assembly process took 20 minutes. I did need to enlist the help of my teenage son to hold the back just right while I fastened it to the seat. Thanks to the ribbed design, the finished product was evocative of that one sculpture from Beetlejuice. There are five ways to customize the chair to your body:

  • The arms adjust from about 7" to 11" above the seat
  • The seat height adjusts from 15.7" to 19.7" above floor level
  • The seat depth adjusts from 17.3" to 19.7"
  • The seat back tilts
  • There is adjustable lumbar support that you can adjust based on the curvature of your spine

How the Uplift Desk Chair performed

Before I get into it, I should describe the perspective I am approaching this from. I'm a portly fella: 6 feet tall and 240 pounds heavy. The weight capacity of the Vert chair is 250 pounds. So, I am kind of pushing the limits, but I still found it comfortable. I was able to sit for hours on end without getting antsy and didn't experience arm or shoulder soreness as I have with other chairs. As a writer with perhaps a little too much on my plate, I spent several eight-hour-plus days glued to the seat as I scrambled to hit deadlines.

The chair has a mesh back, which was a godsend during the heatwaves in my under-air-conditioned home. The mesh allowed for airflow that kept me cool as the mercury rose. The plush seat isn't as breathable, but I didn't notice it holding onto excessive heat. The black seat was a magnet for my two cats, who tended to leave a good portion of their fur on it.

Screen Shot 2018 09 25 at 11.34.22 AM

The movement of a chair is important as you access files from nearby cabinets, answer the phone, or perform other common office tasks. Fortunately, the swivel of the Vert chair is incredibly smooth. To test this, I pushed my hand off my desk to see how many full revolutions I could make on a single push. The average was seven. Unless you work on the Mad Tea Party ride at Disney World, you probably don't need to spin that much. However, the test does illustrate how mobile the Vert chair is, and it keeps my preschooler entertained when he needs daddy to take a break.

The Uplift Vert chair also rolls smoothly on hardwood. I tested this by pushing off of a wall and seeing how far I rolled. I made it about 15 feet, which should be enough for you to effortlessly glide over to a file cabinet to pull important paperwork.

Some concerns about the chair

For the most part, the chair is great. I don't think I've ever worked in a more comfortable chair. But, I have a few minor quibbles. I wish there was a way to tilt the seat back a little. I felt like I was tilted forward slightly.

The chair comes with a three-year warranty. This is better than most of the cheaper options on the market, but it doesn't compare to what you might get from high-end office product manufacturers, such as Steelcase, Herman Miller, or Haworth. These companies offer warranties of 12 years or more, but their chairs cost twice as much.

I tried the Vert chair on low pile carpeting, and it did not move well. The wheels are approximately 2.6" in diameter, but that was not enough to provide effortless movement on carpet. Therefore, if you decide on this chair for your carpeted office, consider a good carpet chair mat.

Bottom line

Overall, the Uplift Vert Ergonomic Office Chair is the best chair I've ever used in my home office. The five adjustable settings made it customizable to my body, and though I'm pushing the weight capacity, I have never felt like the materials couldn't hold my girth.

Though at $400 the chair is more than I like to invest in a chair, I've come to understand the value of spending a little bit more on an item that will provide everyday comfort for years to come.

Buy the Uplift Vert Ergonomic Office Chair from Uplift Desk for $399

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5 super expensive Costco wines that are worth it, according to the experts (COST)

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costco wine 3

  • Costco stocks some pretty expensive wines in its warehouses.
  • Business Insider spoke to Costco Wine Blog founder Andrew Cullen and reviewer Erin Reyes about the best splurges in the warehouse.
  • They picked out a few individual selections and praised Costco's Kirkland wines.
Looking to get fancy in the Costco wine section?

The warehouse club is known for its bulk sizes and deals, but there are plenty of options for members looking for something special. Costco Wine Blog founder and editor Andrew Cullen and contributing reviewer Erin Reyes told Business Insider about wines that are worth it.

Read more: Experts dish on what makes Costco wines such a good deal

"I think it's a great place to buy more expensive wine," Cullen said, adding that the savings are "magnified" as you get into the more expensive wines.

Here are the wines that the bloggers say are worth every penny:

SEE ALSO: 8 mistakes you should avoid when shopping for wine at Costco

DON'T MISS: 13 tips for getting the best deals on wine at Costco

SEE ALSO: Costco wine experts dish on their favorite picks and deals that you can only get at the warehouse chain

Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Cullen singled out the Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape. He said that, while the wine is listed on Total Wines at around $100, you can snag a bottle at Costco for $70.

"Year to year it's consistent," he said. "It's a solid French Rhône blend. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny."



Joseph Phelps Insignia

Cullen said he once bought the 2013 vintage of Joseph Phelps Insignia at Costco. 

"That's normally $225 at most places," he said. "Costco usually has it at $199. I was able to get that for $179, which is a pretty good deal."



Generally speaking, the more expensive Spanish wines

Reyes said that Costco's selection of Spanish wines, especially the higher-end bottles, are "really good."

Cullen agreed, saying, "The Spanish wines at Costco across the board right now just seem to be really good buys."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A US budget airline is asking passengers to tip flight attendants when they serve refreshments

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Frontier Airlines

  • US-based Frontier Airlines has started asking passengers to tip their cabin crew.
  • The revelation was spotted by flight blogger JT Genter in The Points Guy.
  • Genter said that in 350 flights on 51 different airlines he had never been asked to tip crew before.
  • After ordering refreshments on the airline, passengers are handed a mobile tablet, which prompts them to add gratuity to their bill.
  • According to Frontier, flight attendants will now earn tips on their individual sales.

You tip your waiter, your bartender, your delivery driver, and basically anyone in a hotel — but how about your in-flight cabin crew?

Chances are, probably not. Until now.

US-based Frontier Airlines has started asking passengers to tip their cabin crew after they bring refreshments around the plane.

The revelation was spotted by popular flights blog The Points Guy after one of its writers flew with the domestic airline.

The author of the blog post, JT Genter, said he was handed a mobile tablet by a flight attendant after ordering his drinks. The tablet prompted him to tip the crew with handy buttons for 15%, 20%, or 25% of his bill and another for "custom gratuity."

frontier tipping

"Gratuities are appreciated!" a message reads on the screen, which Genter photographed. However, there is, of course, an option for leaving no gratuity at all.

"I’ve flown more than 350 flights on 51 different airlines in the past three years, but I’d never experienced an airline ask for a tip," Genter wrote.

A Frontier spokesperson told TPG: "Currently tips are shared amongst all members of the flight attendant crew on a given flight.

"Effective January 1, 2019, flight attendants will earn tips on their individual sales."

The ultra-low-cost airline also told Genter that no portion of the tips was kept by the company itself. 

Asked if gratuities were meant as extra earnings for flight attendants or "considered a consequential part of their earnings," Frontier told Genter: "Both. Many flight attendants see the in-flight tip program as a way to supplement their income."

It is, as yet, unclear how popular the scheme is with passengers and flight staff, but if it takes off then you may soon see a gratuity charge coming to a budget airline near you.

SEE ALSO: Everything flight attendants notice about you when you board a plane — and how their tips could help you get a free upgrade

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Travel hacks that will help you survive holiday madness

A woman who studied 600 millionaires found 5 major differences in how they spend their time and energy compared with the average American

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rich people millionaires

  • A researcher who has studied more than 600 millionaires found they put more energy toward personal-growth activities, like reading for pleasure and exercising, than the average American.
  • But millionaires make a few sacrifices to make the most of their time, like sleeping less and working more.
  • Ultimately, a person's ability to build wealth is related to how they spend their time and energy.

Millionaires do things a little differently from the average person, including how they occupy their minds and time.

According to research conducted by Sarah Stanley Fallaw, the director of research for the Affluent Market Institute and author of the book "The Next Millionaire Next Door: Enduring Strategies for Building Wealth," in which she surveyed more than 600 millionaires in America, how a person dedicates their activities and thoughts can influence how much wealth they build.

"Focusing on goals is related to building wealth, regardless of age and income," she wrote. "The decisions we make, particularly related to the allocation of our time, energy, and money, impact our ability to become financially independent."

Millionaires, for example, seem to put more energy toward personal growth.

They spend roughly 5 1 /2 hours a week reading for pleasure and nearly six hours a week exercising, while the average American spends two hours and 2 1/2 hours on those activities, according to Stanley Fallaw's research.

Just consider the Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, who dedicates time each day toward reading the news, or the actor Mark Wahlberg, who works out twice a day.

Perhaps the average American is allocating more of their time to perusing social media or playing video games, which millionaires tend to spend less time doing — they spend an average of 2 1/2 hours a week on social media, compared with the average American's 14 hours.

"Successful individuals are keenly aware of how they spend their resources, including their emotional and cognitive resources," Stanley Fallaw wrote.

But millionaires make a few sacrifices to make the most of their time — they sleep nearly eight hours less a week and work six hours more a week than the average American.

Read more: A researcher who studied over 600 millionaires found they do 3 things to forge a clear path to financial independence

The wealthiest people are better at managing distractions

Stanley Fallaw further classifies American earners using a formula to find expected net worth: age, multiplied by pre-tax annual household income from all sources, divided by 10.

Under-accumulators of wealth, or UAWs, are those whose real net worth is less than one-half of their expected net worth based on age and earnings. Average accumulators of wealth, or AAWs, are on par with their expected net worth. And prodigious accumulators of wealth, or PAWs, have a net worth about twice their expected level.

According to Stanley Fallaw's research, UAWs work more hours a month (185) than PAWs (nearly 141).

"Our research has shown that under-accumulators must keep the revenue engine turned on to keep up with their consumption lifestyle, leaving little time to plan, read, and contemplate their investments," she wrote.

They also differ in social-media use. UAWs spend about 14 hours a month on social media, while PAWs spend about nine hours a month on social media.

Ultimately, the more distractions a person adds, the fewer goals they're likely to accomplish, according to Stanley Fallaw.

"Distractions are a significant reason why many struggle to become financially independent or achieve other goals," she added. "We know that the more we're able to focus without distractions, the better we're able to build wealth long term."

But that's not to say all distractions are bad. Another thing that can help lead to wealth building is picking up a hobby, as some of the world's most successful people do. For instance, Bill Gates plays bridge and Jack Dorsey hikes, and both are billionaires.

SEE ALSO: A researcher who studied more than 600 millionaires found the same 2 qualities helped them get rich

DON'T MISS: The author of 'The Millionaire Next Door' explains 3 ways anyone can build more wealth

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Tim Cook's estimated net worth is $625 million — here's how he makes and spends his money

A Colorado ski resort is open to just 13 members who pay upwards of $2.8 million for private access to 1,750 acres of untouched powder

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private ski resort

  • A new private club in Colorado may be one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world.
  • Cimarron Mountain Club is only open to 13 members who pay at least $2.65 million plus annual fees of $62,000 for private access to the 1,750-acre wilderness area.
  • Members also get a 35-acre piece of land on which they can build a chalet — but no "mega-mansions" are allowed.
  • The membership will also include access to a lodge with dining areas, a bar, an outdoor spa, a fire pit, and a warming hut.

 

At one of the world's most exclusive ski resorts, a lucky 13 members pay an initial fee of at least $2.65 million for private access to the 1,750-acre wilderness area — plus a spot to build a personal chalet.

Cimarron Mountain Club in Colorado was founded by Jim Aronstein, a retired natural resources lawyer, and his wife, Patsy, with the goal of creating "a sanctuary for 13 families who want to ski untracked powder and preserve a beautiful wilderness setting for future generations to enjoy," a representative for the Club told Business Insider.

Read more: It looks like the place everyone wants to go skiing this winter is in the middle of the desert

"I was simply tired of the ski resort experience and dreamed for decades about creating the world's only, intimate and private wilderness club with skiable terrain to rival the best," Aronstein told Business Insider. "My wife and I identified more than a dozen potential sites, located in six Rocky Mountain states and provinces, and visited every one. In the end, just one met all the criteria."

The Aronsteins bought the property in 2004 and the Club officially launched in July 2018, with six member families already signed up and seven remaining spots.

"What has and continues to make CMC so special is our commitment to preserving the powder, protecting the wilderness, and sharing it all with just 13 member families and their friends," Aronstein added.

Here's a look at the super-exclusive resort.

SEE ALSO: This luxury resort on Maine's largest island costs up to $2,000 per night and is a gateway to one of the country's most stunning national parks

DON'T MISS: Are 'luxpeditions' the new glamping?

Cimarron Mountain Club sits in the San Juan Mountains, a rugged mountain range in southwestern Colorado that makes up part of the Rocky Mountains. It's about a 4.5-hour drive from the winter resort town of Aspen.

Source: Cimarron Mountain Club, Colorado Encyclopedia, Google Maps



So far, six families have paid $2.65 million for their memberships and cabin sites, leaving seven memberships up for grabs at $2.8 million each. The annual fees are between $62,000 and $67,000 and include 115 days of skiing per member family, Club labor, operations, and other fixed expenses.

Source: Cimarron Mountain Club



The current members are all "powder hounds," according to a resort representative. "Highly successful entrepreneurs or titans of industry. They all have kids and they all want CMC to be a place to impart lasting memories and values. Skiing has been a part of their families' lives for some time."

Source: Cimarron Mountain Club



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Trump attempts to pin blame for the stock market stumbles on House Democrats' threats to impeach him

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donald trump

  • President Donald Trump blamed a recent stock market selloff on Democrats and calls for impeachment.
  • "As I have stated many times, if the Democrats take over the House or Senate, there will be disruption to the Financial Markets," Trump said.
  • Trump also tried to dismiss calls for impeachment from a handful of Democrats.
  • Most investors and analysts laid a good portion of the blame for December's drop at Trump's feet.

President Donald Trump on Friday pinned recent stock market falls on Democrats retaking the House and some lawmakers calls for impeachment.

In a Friday morning Twitter burst, the president took shots at the new House Democratic majority and the impeachment calls from a handful of members. Trump argued these factors contributed to recent declines in the stock market.

"As I have stated many times, if the Democrats take over the House or Senate, there will be disruption to the Financial Markets," Trump said. "We won the Senate, they won the House. Things will settle down. They only want to impeach me because they know they can’t win in 2020, too much success!"

The blame game came after stocks swooned in December, marking the worst final month of the year since 1931, and a small contingent of Democrats on Thursday began the 116th Congress with calls to impeach Trump.

Trump previously dismissed the selloff in December as a "glitch" that would be solved with new trade deals, but the president on Friday blamed Democrats after two high-profile calls for Trump's impeachment on Thursday.

Read more:Trump says the market's recent sell-off was just a 'little glitch' after stocks post the worst December since the Great Depression»

Rep. Brad Sherman of California told reporters on the first day of the new Democratic House majority that he planned to introduce articles of impeachmentthat would accuse the president of obstruction of justice related to the former FBI director James Comey's firing. Sherman also introduced articles of impeachment in 2017.

Freshman Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan also called for Trump's impeachment during a fiery speech at a party for the progressive action group MoveOn.

"People love you, and you win, and when your son looks at you and says, 'Momma look, you won, bullies don't win,'" Tlaib said in a video posted to Twitter. "I said, 'Baby they don't, because we're gonna go in there, we're going to go in and impeach the m----- f-----.'"

Tlaib previously mentioned  the idea of impeachment during the midterm campaign season.

Other Democrats, including party leadership, has pushed back on such calls. Rep. Jerry Nadler, the chair of the Judiciary Committee, told CNN on Friday that Tlaib's impeachment call was premature.

"I don't like that language. More to the point, I disagree with what she said," Nadler said. "It is too early to talk about that intelligently. We have to follow the facts and get the facts."

Trump's attempts to tie the stock market swoon to Democrats doesn't appear to pass muster.

The recent top for the market came in early October — roughly a month before Democrats actually regained control of the House — and the market was turbulent for nearly all of 2018, with multiple steep selloffs throughout the year.

Additionally, most investors and stock market analysts place more of the at the feet of Trump. The president's trade war with China, reversal on funding that led to the government shutdown, attacks on the Federal Reserve, and general uncertainty over policy direction have all been cited as contributors to market volatility.

Trump is not the only worry plaguing investors — the pace of Fed rate hikes and a global economic slowdown are also major reasons cited by market watchers.

SEE ALSO: Apple's shock warning bolsters one of Trump's biggest arguments for the US-China trade war

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Anthony Scaramucci claims Trump isn't a nationalist: 'He likes saying that because it irks these intellectual elitists'


A day in the life of a Deutsche Bank managing director, who wakes up at 5:00 a.m., spends 10 days of the month traveling, and works out twice a day even while on business trips

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piers constable

  • A New York-based managing director at Deutsche Bank spends up to 10 days out of the month traveling for work.
  • Piers Constable described his daily routine to Business Insider — and exercise is a huge part of it.
  • On a recent trip to Cote d'Ivoire, he woke up at 5:00 a.m. to exercise, met with clients all day, ate lunch while on an international conference call, and squeezed in another workout before heading back to the airport at 10:00 p.m. for his flight home. 

 

Piers Constable, a managing director at Deutsche Bank, wakes up at 5:00 a.m. every day and spends eight to 10 days of the month traveling for work.

Constable, based in New York City, has traveled to more than 60 countries while working for Deutsche Bank and has also lived in London and Dubai. His team arranges finance for infrastructure projects in emerging markets.

He wakes up at 5:00 a.m. every day to work out — and often fits in a second workout later in the day.

"I find getting up in the morning to go for a swim or sit on the bike is basically an hour less sleep than I'd have, but that gives me sort of more energy than I'd have had if I'd have stayed in bed," he told Business Insider. "I think nobody likes waking up at 5 o'clock, but if it becomes a habit, it's much easier to do."

Here's what a typical day looks like for Constable when he's traveling for business.

SEE ALSO: A Deutsche Bank exec who's traveled to more than 60 countries for business meetings says he always does the same thing when he gets to a new city

DON'T MISS: A Deutsche Bank exec says he travels up to 10 days every month — and he's been able to keep doing it for over 20 years because of a 'magic combination'

Piers Constable, a managing director at Deutsche Bank, is based in New York City but travels all over the world to meet clients for up to 10 days out of the month.



Constable wakes up at about 5:00 a.m. every morning, whether he's traveling or home in New York City. He said that he travels so much that sometimes it takes him a moment to remember where he's waking up. He recently woke up in a hotel in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, where he arrived on a Sunday evening after a 15-hour flight.



The first thing Constable does on any given day is exercise. A competitive triathlete, he likes to get a workout in before anyone else is awake. The hotel lobby in Abidjan was empty as he went to the pool at 6:00 a.m. He woke up slightly later than usual, at 5:30, because he wasn't allowed to swim in the pool before 6:00.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The best home gym equipment you can buy to get fit

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

best home gym

  • When you have a home gym, any day of the year is the best day to start improving your health, your appearance, and your well being.
  • That’s why we’ve gathered up the best exercise equipment for your home gym, including treadmills, stationary bikes, foam rollers, dumbbells, and much more.

You want to tone up, improve your health, lose a little weight, and gain greater flexibility. What you don’t want to do, however, is pay a sign-up fee plus monthly costs, drive to the gym and circle the parking lot looking for a spot, wait your turn for equipment, deal with potential discomfort or embarrassment if you’re surrounded by people in better shape than you — don’t worry, you’ll get there with time and dedication — then shower in a crowded and possibly dirty locker room.

Luckily, there’s another alternative: a home gym. Getting fit at home means you can work out whenever the mood strikes with no need for travel, you never have to wait for equipment, and once you have your equipment, you won’t have any further monthly expenses.

If you’ve shrugged off a home gym because you think it requires a dedicated room, a huge expenditure of money, or more knowledge than you possess, we’re here to help. You can get a great workout whatever your budget and you don't need a ton of space to do it.

We’ve gathered up the best home gym workout equipment for cardio, strength training, and flexibility. So whether you want to go high, stay low, or meet somewhere in the middle, you’re set for a fit and healthy year and an in-shape and strong you.

Here is the best home gym equipment you can buy:

Updated on 01/04/2019 by Malarie Gokey: Updated pricing and formatting.

Editor's Note: Steven John, James Brains, and Kyle Schurman also contributed to this guide with picks from our many other fitness-related buying guides on Insider Picks. 

Read on in the slides below to check out all the best equipment for your home gym.

SEE ALSO: 24 home gym exercise tools that will save you money and time

The best treadmill

Why you'll love it: The 3G Cardio Elite Treadmill is a high-end treadmill that's perfect for runners.

The beauty of a treadmill is that it accommodates you no matter where you’re starting from fitness-wise. You can walk slowly if you are new to exercise, jog if you’re no stranger to fitness, but still have a ways to go, and run once you’re ready for all-out aerobic exercise. And the 3G Cardio Elite Treadmill is ready and willing to take you to your peak.

This is a serious piece of equipment, with the same type of features you’d find in a gym treadmill. If you’re tall, you’ll appreciate the 62-inch long platform, and if you run, you’ll love the quality suspension system that keeps the treadmill smooth and steady. One-touch incline sets your “hills” up to 15%, and the one-touch speed ranges from 0.5 to 12 mph. There are eight built-in programs or you can set your own pace.

Some of the really nice features include a wireless heart rate belt, cooling fan, built-in speakers, and iPhone/MP3 connections. The display is similar to what you’d find at the health club, showing you all of your essential stats while you exercise.

If the 3G Cardio Treadmill is too pricey for your budget, we also recommend the following: 

To learn more about these alternatives, read our full buying guide to the best treadmills.

Pros: Strong construction, great features, long platform

Cons: Expensive, does not fold

Buy the 3G Cardio Elite Treadmill at Amazon for $3,399

Read our full buying guide to the best treadmills you can buy.



The best stationary bike

Why you'll love it: If you’re looking to get fit without blowing your budget, your knees, or your back, consider the Exerpeutic Folding Upright Bike.

The Exerputic stationary bike isn’t too fancy, although it does display distance, calories burned, speed, time, and heart rate. There are eight levels of resistance, so you’ll continue to be challenged as you grow stronger.

The bike’s frame is sturdy and durable, and best of all, it easily folds up nearly flat so you can store it when not in use. The padded, large seat is easy on your rear, and the pedals have straps to hold your feet securely in place.

The Exerpeutic Folding Upright bike has nearly 5,000 reviews on Amazon, and an average rating of 4.4 stars, so a lot of people are happily pedaling their way to fitness.

Says one satisfied owner, “I thought this might be more of a disposable bike, last a couple of years at best, be too wiggly, weak mechanics, that kind of thing; but quite the contrary, I am happily surprised by the quality of the entire product.”

Pros: Folds up, sturdy construction, great price, several levels of tension, large seat

Cons: A few owners felt the seat was too large, some complaints of squeaking

Buy the Exerpeutic Folding Upright Bike at Amazon for $149



The best jump rope you can buy

Why you'll love it: The Survival and Cross Jump Rope was designed for speed with its right-angle ball bearing construction and lightweight handles.

Think jumping rope is only for schoolgirls or Rocky Balboa? Well, think again, because according to the American Council on Exercise, jumping rope not only torches through calories, it also increases the resiliency of your lower-leg muscles, improves balance and coordination, and even ups your cognitive skills. Pretty impressive.

When it comes to choosing your jump rope, you can’t go wrong with the Survival and Cross Jump Rope. Whether you’re doing intense training or just starting to get off the couch, you’ll benefit from the super-smooth swivel, the adjustable length, the comfortable handles, and the downloadable exercise manual to help you make the most of your jump-rope workouts.

With nearly 5,500 Amazon reviews and an average of 4.3 stars, you know a lot of people are skipping with this rope.

A typical comment, “This is one kick-ass jump rope. I was surprised at first because the rope is so thin. I didn't think it was going to work, but with a little practice, I'm ripping out double-unders better than I ever have. What even better, the cord doesn't retain memory, so if you leave it coiled up in your gym bag or you pocket, it doesn't stay twisted.”

If you're not taken with this jump rope, we also recommend the following:

You can read our full guide to the best jump ropes for more information.

Pros: A great workout, perfect for travel, smooth performance, and adjustable length

Cons: Jumping rope is high-impact, so if you have problems with your knees or back, it might be too intense for you.

Buy the Survival and Cross Jump Rope on Amazon for $10.00

Read our full guide to the best jump ropes you can buy.



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The best treadmills for your home gym

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

best treadmill

  • Treadmills vary quite a bit in the features they offer, but everyone wants a treadmill that provides plenty of power and reliability.
  • For a great all-around treadmill that costs less than $1,000, the NordicTrack C 990 Treadmill is a great buy.

When building a home gym, you'll find a lot of strange equipment out there. Some of the machines may look more like ancient torture devices than helpful weight-loss machines.

If you’d rather have a simple piece of gym equipment that can help you lose weight while also preparing for road races like 2-milers and 5Ks (even if you tell everyone else you’re prepping for marathons), treadmills are the answer.

Compared to other types of machines, treadmills are dead simple to use. Just run or walk on the belt, and a motor will move the belt under your feet at whatever speed you select. But treadmills offer a whole host of different features that’ll help you gain exactly the kinds of training and health benefits you need. Some treadmills are very advanced and even offer high-tech features, while others are more basic.

We've included a variety of treadmill types at a number of price points so you can find the best treadmill for your needs. Be aware, though, that treadmills are expensive and cheaper models may not last as long or work as well in the long run.

Here are the best treadmills you can buy at any price point:

Updated on 01/04/2019 by Malarie Gokey: Updated prices and formatting.

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

SEE ALSO: The best dumbbells you can buy for your home gym

The best treadmill for most people

Why you'll love it: The Nordic Track C 990 Treadmill isn’t a perfect treadmill, but its high-tech features and great running experience make it a great buy for less than $1,000

If you love to run, you'll want a good-quality treadmill that doesn't break the bank, and the Nordic Track C 990 Treadmill is a great option with its high-tech features, good motor, decent-sized running belt, and relatively affordable sub-$1,000 price tag.

The 7-inch screen can connect to your Wi-fi so you can watch Netflix while you run or view the metrics for your workout. You can even pretend you're running outside with access to Google Maps. It even has a fan to cool you down. Top Fitness Magazine review says the touchscreen is a great addition that breaks up the monotony of running on a treadmill.

Nordic Track offers several pre-set workouts from the iFit library, which is something Amazon buyers love. USA Home Gym says this treadmill has plenty of accessories to make your workout more enjoyable, including a tablet shelf, a port for your music player, a smartphone tray, and a water bottle holder.

The treadmill has a belt size of 20 by 60 inches and a 3.0-horsepower motor, which should be adequate for most people. Considering its sub $1,000 price, the C 990 has some nice features for average runners, Fit Rated says.

The only downside is that several Amazon reviewers report longevity problems, as well as poor customer service. Nordic Track does offer a lifetime frame and motor warranty, a 3-year parts warranty, and a one-year labor warranty.

Pros: 7-inch screen, decent belt size, 3 horsepower motor, pre-set workouts, relatively affordable, entertainment features

Cons: Longevity of treadmill is questionable, may have customer service problems

Buy the NordicTrack C990 Treadmill on Amazon for $949 (originally $999)



The best high-end treadmill

Why you'll love it: The 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill delivers excellent performance and runs quieter than most treadmills.

Few treadmills made for use at home will deliver the kind of quiet performance that the 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill delivers. It’s made for tall or heavy runners looking a tough workout, but you’ll pay more than $3,000 for the kind of quality that this 3G Cardio unit delivers.

It has an Ortho Flex Shock suspension system to minimize the stress of impact for runners, and the 22 by 62-inch platform is perfect for running. Tall people will also love it, according to Home Treadmill Reviews. 

The 3G Cardio comes with many pre-programmed workouts and a fitness level test. You have access to speed and elevation settings, heart rate control, and workout customization.

The 3G Cardio treadmill has a 4.0 horsepower motor and 3-inch rollers for great performance. Treadmill Reviews says the strong motor and the sturdy design of the treadmill ensure that it runs quietly, which is a blessing in a home gym.

As you would expect with a treadmill with such a high price point, the 3G Cardio Elite consists of thick steel tubing in the frame. In its review, Best Fitness Equipment says both are key in providing longevity and good performance. If something should go wrong, 3G Cardio offers a 10-year parts warranty and two years of in-home repairs.

One Amazon buyer speaks for many, saying that the 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill compares favorably to the types of high-quality treadmills found in professional gyms. The only big downside is how big and heavy it is at 400 pounds. It's also rather expensive, so this is really only for serious runners who want a treadmill that will last a lifetime.

Pros: Strong steel frame that will support a lot of weight, unit runs quieter than most treadmills, large treadmill belt area for tall runners, includes a large motor to compare favorably to gym treadmills

Cons: Extremely high price point, very heavy equipment that is difficult to move around

Buy the 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill on Amazon for $3,399



The best race training treadmill

Why you'll love it: The ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill will help you train for your next road race indoors when the weather is bad.

Runners who are looking for a treadmill with good all-around training capabilities will like the reasonably-priced ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill.

It has a 3.5-horsepower motor, which allows it to stand up to daily use, and it boasts a belt deck that measures 22 by 60 inches, which is perfect for most runners. When you're training for races with hills, you’ll appreciate this treadmill’s ability to reach a 15% incline and a 3% decline, which better simulates hills than most other treadmills, according to the Top Fitness Magazine review.

The ProForm treadmill also has a number of techy features, including a 7-inch screen that's compatible with iFit workouts, a music port for iPods, and many workout apps. It also has ProShox Cushioning to lessen the impact for runners. 

Overall, reviewers like this treadmill for average runners. Fit Rated says the Pro 2000 delivers a strong level of features and performance for an entry-level treadmill, as long as you don’t need a heavy-duty cardio trainer. Treadmill Reviews agrees that it's a good option for the price.

Buyers mostly praise the treadmill, and one Amazon reviewer says the ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill works well both for regular training runs as well as for interval training.

However, several Amazon customers express disappointment with the level of customer service they received after having problems with the unit.

Pros: Good motor, large running belt of 22 by 60 inches, includes both an incline and a decline setting, offers good interval training features

Cons: Customer service may be disappointing if you have problems, very heavy treadmill

Buy the ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill at Walmart for $999 (originally $1,299.99)



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Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell just brushed off months of attacks from Trump

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jerome powell donald trump

  • Federal Reserve Chairman responded to months of attacks from President Donald Trump on Friday.
  • Powell said at a panel with former Fed chairs Janet Yellen and Ben Bernanke that no one from the White House has reached out directly to discuss interest rates.
  • Powell also had a blunt answer to a question about whether he would step down in Trump requested his resignation: "No."
  • Trump is furious with Powell over the Fed's recent interest rate hikes, according to reports, and has considered trying to fire the Fed Chairman. The legality of such a firing is questionable at best.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is not letting President Donald Trump's constant attacks faze him.

During a Friday panel discussion with Powell's predecessors — former Fed chairs Janet Yellen and Ben Bernanke — Powell brushed off Trump's bombardments and flatly rejected the idea of resigning at the president's request.

In recent months, Trump has bashed Powell's management of the Fed and called the central bank's rate hikes "loco," "crazy", and the "biggest threat to the economy." But despite constant public protestations from the president, Powell said no one from the White House has made contact.

"Have you received anything direct from the White House about unhappiness with the path of rates or discussion of any change in your job?" asked Neil Irwin, a reporter from the new York Times and the panel moderator.

"No, no I have not," Powell responded. "I have no news for you on that front."

Powell also declined to expand on reports that Trump was considering a face-to-face meeting with the chairman, only saying that presidents and Fed chairs do meet from time to time.

In addition to Trump's obvious displeasure with the rate hikes, there have been multiple reports that the president considered firing Powell, despite the legality of such a move being questionable at best. Powell's most blunt answer came when Irwin asked if the Fed chair would step down in the event Trump requests his resignation.

"No," Powell said.

Trump attacks on the central bank have concerned former Fed officials and economists, since the history of presidential interference in monetary policy is not great. Most famously, President Richard Nixon pressured Fed Chairman Arthur Burns to keep interest rates low prior to the 1972 election, which some experts say contributed to the stagflation of the 1970s.

On Friday, both Yellen and Bernanke criticized Trump's constant attacks on Powell and reiterated the Fed's independence.

SEE ALSO: Trump says the Treasury is taking in 'MANY billions of dollars' from the tariffs on China. The only problem is that US companies are paying the price.

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NOW WATCH: Anthony Scaramucci claims Trump isn't a nationalist: 'He likes saying that because it irks these intellectual elitists'

Get an extra 25% off sale items at Nike until January 5 — and more of today's best deals around the web

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

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1. Get an additional 25% off sale items at the Nike store

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6. Save up to 15% on a pack of super comfortable Bombas socks

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7. Get up to 50% off your favorite shampoo and conditioner at Ulta

Ulta's Jumbo love event is active until January 26, so you can save up to 50% on the jumbo sizes of your favorite shampoo and conditioners. The deal includes brands like Redken, Pureology, and Bedhead among others, so if you need to replenish your shower stock, start shopping now. 

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8. Save up to 80% with Birch Lane's End-of-Year clearance sale

Whether you need some new bedding after hosting your family over the holidays or you want some aesthetically pleasing storage hacks, Birch Lane is here to help. This sale lasts until the end of January, so you have some time to peruse the collection to find the piece that fits perfectly in your home.

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From now until January 8, you can receive up to 60% off of certain marked-down styles at Club Monaco. There is no code required to access these deals, and the offer is available in both women's and men's styles. Although you don't need a code to get the extra 30%, you can get free shipping on orders that exceed $150 when you add in the code FREESHIP. 

Shop the Club Monaco End-Of-Season Sale now.

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