Wanted to share my new favorite preworkout supplement with you – Nitro Surge. If you follow my blog you’ll know I’m a big fan of living a health lifestyle – I’ve been doing Intermittent Fasting for 5 years, I meditate daily, and I try to exercise 5-6 days a week. I’m over 50 and so far God has blessed me with great health (and I pray that continues). I’ve written about workout supplements in the past and today I want to tell you about Nitro Surge – a product I’ve been using for nearly a year now.
If you’re looking for a great preworkout supplement to add to your routine that will give you results consider giving Nitro Surge a try.
Disclaimer – please make sure you are healthy enough to workout, you use the product per the directions, and of course you check with your doctor first to ensure you can tolerate the ingredients of Nitro Surge. My recommendation is based on my own personal experience and your results or tolerance for the product may be different than mine so, as always, exercise caution with this or any supplement.
What is a PREWorkout Supplement and why might you want one?
If you want an in-depth discussion of a preworkout supplement, there’s a great article about this on Masterclass.com and I recommend you check it out, but the basic gist is that a “pre-workout is a supplement that can increase energy levels, improve exercise performance, and stimulate muscle growth. The ingredients and effects of pre-workout supplements vary by product, but most products use ingredients like caffeine to provide an energy boost or creatine to help increase muscle mass. Athletes typically consume pre-workout supplements as pills or as powders mixed into drinks and you can also mix pre-workout supplements with protein powders, which can help stimulate protein synthesis and build muscle.”
Now that I’m over 50 the energy level is not what it was when I was 25. I need a bit of a jump start to get going. This is the reason why I take a preworkout supplement.
I’ve tried a bunch of preworkout supplements and there are other good ones (C4 is another preworkout supplement I like), but the best of the bunch, the one that consistently gives me a great workout time and again is Nitro Surge.
What is Nitro Surge?
Nitro surge is a pre-workout for men and women that “delivers everything you need for explosive workouts laser-sharp focus, endless endurance, and powerful pumps.” I put that in quotes because that’s the company’s marketing message, however I can personally attest that these claims are all true.
Although the ingredients are different, Nitro Surge reminds me of my all-time fav preworkout supplement – Jacked3D from back in the day. Sadly the original form of Jacked3D is no longer available and I’ve had a devil of a time trying to find a preworkout supplement that gives me what Jacked3D did – specifically focus, energy, endurance, and a pump. Thankfully I discovered that Nitro Surge does all of that for me.
What are the main ingredients of Nitro Surge?
The formula for Nitro Surge contains L-Citrulline, Betaine Anhydrous, Beta Alanine, Caffeine, L Theanine, and it’s creatine-free. That last part is important in case you take a separate creatine powder – in which case you may NOT want more creatine in your preworkout supplement – that’s another reason why I like Nitro Surge.
Boosting nitric oxide (NO) levels is believed to improve your blood-flow to the muscle to maximize pumps, endurance, strength, and fuel muscle growth. NO boosters are a common ingredient in preworkout supplements and I personally believe in this theory because when I use a NO Booster I can ‘feel’ the pump when I’m working out and my muscles look bigger.
Nitro Surge is Made in the USA
According to the company, Nitro Surge is made in a USA cGMP-Certified Manufacturing Facility. This preworkout powder drink is made in a cGMP-certified facility using high-quality raw materials. Each bottle of Nitro Surge is tested for potency, authenticity, and purity.
My Favorite Workout Supplements
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What’s YOUR Take?
Do you use Nitro Surge or another preworkout supplement? If so, let me know in the comments below.
I recently discovered a great new product called the Wonderience Waist Trainer Vest which is a Hot Neoprene Sauna Suit in the form of a workout Tank Top. It’s a fantastic product that’s ridiculously inexpensive (I got it for under $20) and it really lives up to its claims. In this quick post I’ll tell you why I like it and where to get it.
Workout Sauna Vests – Why Wonderience is Different.
Sauna vests are nothing new – we’ve all seen the old style space suits from years past that force you to sweat by encapsulating you in de facto plastic – while those old style sauna suits do work, the problem with older sauna suits is that they are way TOO HOT and uncomfortable to wear for very long, they look ridiculous, and nobody really wants to wear them.
Old, Uncomfortable Sauna Suits
Wonderience Sauna Vest
The Wonderience Sauna Vest is different. I’ve worn this vest for HOURS and have never gotten overheated – in fact it’s comfortable I don’t realize I have it on sometimes. I DO sweat beneath the vest (which is great), but I do NOT get overheated (which is even better) and I can wear the vest as long as I like.
As an unexpected bonus, the vest acts like a body shaper and it improves your posture by encouraging a proper posture form – awesome!
Wonderience Workout Sauna Vest
Here are the specs on the Wonderience Sauna Vest:
Interior material: Neoprene
Zipper closure
Sauna vest with Zipper burn fat more than regular gym clothing, helps posture for back and abs as you workout
Making you sweat like crazy when you workout keeps you body warm during cold days with minimal thermal cover with this underwear ,This Corset training vest can be worn under or over your regular shirts
Vests burn more fat, produce heat in a workout wearing Sauna Vest and accelerating your fat burning
Material produce higher compression resulting in more sweating and help your body to sweat out harmful fats. Enhances the abdominal and spinal support
Wear the Shaper under jacket or dress around the house, when you’re exercising, running errands or going out. You’ll have a firmer posture, lower back support, and be sweating all day.
Shop Wonderience Sauna Vest
MIKE’s PRO TIP – if you do get one be sure to get the one with the ZIPPER FRONT – it makes it super easy to get on and off. You don’t want to be messing with trying to put this on like a normal shirt because it will be too tight. Get the zipper version and you’ll thank me.
Why Over the Ear Wireless Headphones are Great for the Gym
Going to the gym is great, but when the gym’s music is blasting tunes you don’t like it can put a real damper on your workout, right? I wear headphones so I can listen to the music I want to listen to not what the gym employees want. And I choose wireless phones because I can’t be messing with wires when I’m trying to work with weights.
Why I choose Over the Ear Headphones over Ear Buds
In ideal world, ear buds would be the choice because they are smaller than over the ear phones. Unfortunately, even the best noise-cancelling ear buds just don’t seem to block out the background noise as effectively as over the ear headphones. That’s why over the ear wireless phones are my preferred choice for working out at the gym. Are over-the-ear phones bulkier than ear buds? Sure, but over the ear headphones also do the best job of getting rid of outside noise and distractions – that means you can listen to the music you love and translate that into an awesome workout – and isn’t that what’s important when you go to the gym?
Best Over the Ear Headphones for Gym – Best Sound Quality Overall
If your budget allows, there is no real competition for the best over the ear headphones for the gym in terms of overall SOUND QUALITY and active NOISE CANCELLATION – the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.
Why is the Bose QuietComfort 35 II the Best Over the Ear Headphones for the Gym?
Industry leading ACTIVE Noise Cancelling blocks outside music and noise better than anything else on the market. Less Distractions = More Focus on your Workout.
Adjust your level of noise cancelling between three settings using the Action button or the Bose Connect app.
Volume-optimized EQ gives you balanced audio performance at any volume and makes Bose QC 35 the best over SOUND QUALITY on the market for all types of music in general (EXCEPT for heavy bass music where the Beats is superior – see below).
Super Comfortable Ear Cups
Easy Bluetooth pairing.
20 hours of battery life.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Bose QuietComfort 35 (original)
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II and the Bose QuietComfort 35 (original) are nearly identical but for an “Action” button.
Here’s the official word from Bose “QuietComfort 35 headphones II offer the same unmatched combination of acclaimed noise reduction technology, wireless freedom, audio performance, dual-microphone system and 20-hour battery life as QuietComfort 35 headphones. However, QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones II also have a new Action button on the left earcup. In countries where the Google Assistant is available, that button gives you instant access to the Google Assistant, your own personal Google. In countries where the Google Assistant is not available, it lets you quickly toggle through three different ANR settings for optimal performance wherever you go.”
Personally we don’t think you’ll get much use of the Action button at the gym and if you can find the Bose QuietComfort 35 original edition than go with that – the problem is they’re hard to find and Bose is really only promoting the QC 35 II now as well as their new 700 model (below).
Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs the new Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
You could go with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 if you really want to, but in our opinion the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 has been updated to serve meet the Quarantine Life Work from Home market and is not necessarily any better at the audio or noise-cancelling tasks than the Bose QC 35 II. If that’s true then why pay more for the newer model?
Here’s another one in the premium price category and it’s aimed at those who value heavy bass in their music – as well as style. For this category the best over the ear headphones for the gym are the renowned Beats Studio 3.
Why are the Beats Studio 3 the Best Over the Ear Bass Headphones for the Gym?
Like the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, the Beats have ACTIVE Noise Cancellation to block out distractions.
Real-time Audio calibration preserves a Premium listening experience – the full, rich sound on the Beats for rap, hip hop, and other heavy bass music is unmatched.
Fantastic STYLE with 7 different color options and Beats branding.
Comfortable ear cups to fit over any ear.
Up to 22 hours of battery life enables full-featured all-day wireless playback
Great Improvement – With the new Fast Fuel system a 10-minute charge gives 3 hours of play when battery is low. (This solves a big problem with earlier Beats phones).
Beats Studio 3 vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Let’s keep this very simple – if you listen to music that is heavy bass then get the Beats Studio 3.
Listen, we know style is important and lots of people go to the gym to show off – we’re not judging – so if you wanna look good by wearing the most recognizable pair of headphones on the market AND you wanna choose from lots of colors, then get the Beats Studio 3.
If you don’t care about people looking at you so much and/or you don’t listen to heavy bass music and you just want the best noise-cancelling and pure sound quality, then get the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.
Best Over the Ear Headphones for Gym for Most People – Durability and Price
Let’s face it, most people probably can’t afford to spend the money on the Bose QuietComfort 35 II or the Beats Studio 3 – especially if you still need money to pay for that gym membership, right?
If that’s your situation, don’t worry, we’ve got a fantastic pair of over the ear wireless headphones that durable, have an insane battery life, and you can get them at a much lower price than the premium options: the OneOdio Bluetooth Over Ear Studio Wireless Headphones.
Why are the OneOdio Studio Wireless headphones the best for most people?
PRICE – you can buy 5 to 6 of these for the price of 1 Bose or Beats!
INSANE BATTERY LIFE – up to 80 hours of wireless play!
Never Lose Sound – with Dual Mode & Never Power Off features, when the wireless battery runs out you can switch to wired mode until you can recharge again.
Deep Rich Sound – Large 50 mm speaker unit drivers combined with neodymium magnets provides stereo sound, powerful bass, clear vocal, and crisp high tones.
Comfortable Ear Cups – ergonomic designed memory ensure long lasting comfort.
Although they don’t feature the same “Active” Noise Cancelling technology of the Bose or Beats, you may not notice the difference because the OneOdio Studio Wireless ear cups fit so well they are really good at blocking out distractions and playing your music.
OneOdio Studio 3 vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Beats Studio 3
Over the years I’ve had lots of headphones – including the Bose, Beats, OneOdio, Cowans, Audio-Technicas, and more.
I love my Bose for sound quality but I don’t like taking them to the gym because they are so expensive and I don’t wanna get the ear cups all sweaty and have the phones break down on my faster – I prefer to keep my Bose for travel and home use.
The Beats I gave to my pre-teen son since he cares more about style and listens to more of the music style that the Beats are best for.
For me, I prefer the OneOdio Studio Wireless as the Best Over the Ear Wireless Headphones for the gym and here’s why…
The OneOdio Studio Wireless are the ones I personally use for the gym because they are durable, sound great, block out distractions, are comfortable, and I pretty much never have to charge them. I use them every day and I can’t tell you the last time I charged them – it’s really crazy! And you just can’t beat the price!
The OneOdio are my 2021 Editor’s Choice Award for Best Over the Ear Wireless Headphones for the Gym.
We wanted to get our boys a basketball hoop for the driveway and so began searching for the “best portable basketball hoop” – I found a variety of recommendations. In this article I’ll share some of the resources we used to find the right portable hoop for our family. Hopefully these tips can help you too.
7 Best Portable Basketball Hoops – Site #1
VeryWellFit.com seems to give good advice about a variety of fitness and sports products. Here’s their list of the best portable basketball hoops.
“Specially sized 32-inch backboard and 15-inch rim—the ideal size for a kid’s basketball hoop.”
About VFW’s Top Choice Spalding The Beast
According to VWF, Spalding’s Beast system has a 60” glass backboard with a 50+ gallon base to keep your portable hoop in place. This hoop adjusts from 7.5 feet to 10 feet with a simple screw jack adjustment, and the four strut pole/base mount keeps the entire system more secure than other portable hoops. The multi-wheel castors and engaging handle make it easy to move, but you can fill the base with plenty of water or sand to secure it while you’re playing.
I also found the site OutsidePursuits.com to be helpful. The hoops they recommend tend to be on the more budget friendly side of things so you won’t find the top-of-the-line options in their list but you will find good options for less money.
You’ll note that they have identified similar hoops in their list of the 5 best portable basketball hoops. I like to see the same hoop picked on multiple sites because it validates the hoop as being a good choice in my mind.
OP said “The Spalding Pro Slam Portable NBA 54″ Angled Pole Backboard Basketball System is our editors pick, and rightfully so. it offers a highly durable 54″ polycarbonate backboard designed to stand up to years of everyday wear and tear and provides excellent weather resistance.”
I think the site TheHoopsGeek.com is really good for this particular topic. They’ve got 6 hoops identified as the best portable hoops – again you’re going to see some similar names, but I also like how they identified the size of the BASE – that helps to keep in mind because the bigger the base the more stable the hoop.
Finally the site SportsGearLab.com is another site I used for my research. They have 10 best hoops listed – are you starting to see a trend with the same names coming up over and over again? I’d recommend you strongly consider one of the repeat names for the hoop you choose.
SportsGearLab.com says “The price may be scary, but the quality shows: this is one of the best portable hoops you can buy. The 50” tempered glass backboard is as close to pro as most backyards will ever see, and as big as most home players need. The polycarbonate backboard is tough and offers excellent rebound for more exciting play. Whether you’re shooting hoops on your own or battling it out in a 3 on 3 backyard game, you’ll find your skills challenged with every throw
The super-sturdy 25-gallon base features a four-strut z-frame pole mount for extra rigidity, but despite its solidity during play, its unusual multi-wheel base design gets this system top marks for portability before and after a game. The easy-to-use screw jack height adjustment system gives you room to grow, starting at a challenging 7.5’ and moving up to regulation 10’ for when you feel like a pro.
We think Silverback’s NXT is the best portable basketball hoop out there – if you’re serious about basketball, there’s so much to like.”
It’s important to keep some things in mind when you are shopping for a portable basketball hoop. Remember these tips…
TheHoopsGeek.com also had some EXCELLENT tips to share about what to look for in a quality hoop…
Backboard
Whether you want to practice the iconic Tim Duncan bank shot or work on your lay-ups, the backboard of your hoop better be of good quality! You want to look for these three factors:
1. Size of the backboard:
The regulation basketball backboard used in the NBA and NCAA is 72 inches wide and 42 inches high, but you will rarely see a backboard of these dimensions in a driveway. If money’s no object and you are building a professional basketball court in your backyard, then go for a 72″ backboard (and an in-ground basketball hoop). Otherwise, there are more sensible options on the market.
Backboards usually start at 44 inches wide, which is very small, makes layups hard and bank shots almost impossible. Backboards offering better playability start at 54″ inches. These give a much more professional feel and allow for easy layups and angled floaters. More expensive, high-quality hoops often come with 60″ backboards while regulation 72″ backboards are almost entirely reserved for the most luxurious and professional basketball goals on the market.
2. The material of the backboard:
Backboards are usually made of either one of these three materials:
Polyethylene (or Polycarbonate) is a fancy name for plastic and is most often used for the cheapest basketball hoops. It has one significant advantage: it is almost indestructible and, therefore, a great option if you are looking for a basic hoop that will last you for years. If you want a high-quality basket, however, plastic has two problems. The rebound effect is pretty bad, which means the ball basically stops dead once it hits the backboard. Also, the look of plastic boards just screams “kids hoops”.Acrylic backboards are a definite step up from cheap polyethylene backboards. Transparency offers a much more professional look. Unfortunately, acrylic is a very soft material and will pick up scratches over time, which will slowly spoil the great look.
Acrylic is very popular with hoops in the moderate price range because it weighs considerably less than tempered glass. This reduction of weight means that the support structure doesn’t have to be as sturdy in order to support the weight of the backboard. Unfortunately, lighter basketball hoops are more susceptible to wind, and the rebound response of the backboard is only average.
Tempered glass is the material used in professional basketball hoops in the NBA, NCAA and all over the world. It is by far the heaviest material used in backboards and requires a solid base and support pole. In return, you are rewarded with the best playing experience by far, with a true rebound response which makes layups and bank shots so much more satisfying.
On top of these advantages, tempered glass doesn’t scratch easily and keeps its clean look forever, unlike other materials which tend to yellow out after being exposed to the sun for too long.
3. Offset of the backboard:
The offset of the backboard describes the distance between the backboard and the support pole. If the offset is too small, it is easy to crash into the basketball post after a layup or dunk attempt.
Professional basketball goals feature an overhang of at least 4 feet, but portable ones usually have far less, which is no problem if you just practice your shooting. But if you want to play real games, make sure that the overhang is deep enough, otherwise, padding the goal post is a good idea.
Rim
The rim diameter of 18 inches is the same for every hoop on the market. What is different, however, is the way the rim is attached to the backboard:The standard rim is simply screwed into the lower backboard. This construction gives the rim a lot of stability, but it also results in a lot of long rebounds and shots that bounce in and out. You also don’t want to dunk on a rim like that, where all the force is transmitted (unchecked) onto the backboard. On rims like these, it is easy to injure your hands or tear down a part of the backboard.
Breakaway basketball rims with compression springs dampen the bounce of your shots, resulting in the “soft touch” every shooter loves. If you plan to dunk on your basketball hoop, a breakaway rim is mandatory. These rims come in two different variations: cheaper versions with exposed compression springs or more expensive and more durable rims with covered springs offering better rust protection.
Support Pole
A stable and robust support pole is very important for the stability of a basketball hoop. Most portable basketball goals these days have the ability to adjust the height. Adjustable basketball hoops are great for kids who want to learn the game (or adults who want to pretend they can dunk), but it makes the construction of stable support poles difficult. Cheap and moderately-priced hoops often use three-piece pole constructions. If you want something less shaky, look for two-piece support poles – usually reserved for more expensive basketball hoops.
The height adjustment systems also differ widely in quality and ease of use. Cheap basketball goals often use a telescope pole fixed by a knob in 6-inch increments. More expensive hoops like the Spalding NBA system offer a screw jack adjustment system, which is much easier to use and allows you to choose any height between 7.5′ and 10′.
Base
The base is one of the most important parts of any portable basketball hoop. Not only does it provide the hoop with the necessary stability but it’s also a crucial part of its portability.
The base usually includes a container that is filled with water or sand. The bigger the capacity of the base, the more stability it provides.
Pro Tip: Add Base Gel to the water of the base to create a firm and stable gel that keeps your base from cracking in the winter, prevents leakage and adds extra stability. Beginner hoops often come with a capacity of around 27 gallons. But the plastic backboards of these basketball goals are rather light, so the base doesn’t need to be very heavy. More advanced hoops (with bigger backboards made from acrylic) usually come with heavier bases with a volume of around 35 gallons. The base of the most expensive (and much heavier) hoops can easily exceed 50 gallons, which has the negative side effect that it hurts the portability to some degree.
If you need to move the hoop after every basketball session and portability is very important to you, you should make sure that the base has wheels. Fortunately, this is the case for almost all portable basketball hoop these days.
FAQ’s for Portable Basketball Hoops
Finally, I found the site GearHungry.com to have a helpful FAQ for portable hoops. Maybe it will help you too.
Q: What is a portable basketball hoop?
A: A portable basketball hoop is a hoop that you can move, such as the name. But why do they exist when you have plenty of existing products that allow you to shoot hoops on a lazy Sunday afternoon? We will let you in on a not-so-exclusive secret; some homes won’t allow you to fix a basketball hoop to the house, nor will they permit in-ground hoops to stand there permanently.
It is from such policies that portable hoops were born. The no-commitment design makes them a highly attractive product, and they are arguably much more appealing than more traditional models. The portability makes it easy to transport from the driveway to the backyard or even store them in the garage throughout winter.
The construct is with the same durability and quality that traditional hoops are, which provides peace of mind and ensures longevity. They are adjustable, stable, and all-around versatile products suitable for just about anybody.
Q: Should I put water or sand in my portable basketball hoop?
A: As basketball hoops are top-heavy models, you need something to ground them. Some might expect to fill the base with concrete. However, this can come with a range of issues. For one, the concrete will harden, causing it to expand, which could split the base. Concrete is also heavy, which will eliminate the benefits of portability. Instead, you need to look at sand or water.
Most portable hoops are compatible with both sand and water, so it’s really up to you what you use. Water is more accessible, and it is also easy to remove if needed. Conversely, sand can be a little tricky to source, and you might find it difficult to remove from the base.
One benefit sand has, though, is that it will stay in the base longer. If there is a leak in the bottom, water will drain no matter what. However, as sand can pack together, you may lose a few grains, but not everything.
Q: Are portable basketball hoops safe?
A: Portable basketball hoops are safe, but only if you use them correctly. The first best way to ensure complete safety is to fill the base to the maximum capacity, outlined in the instruction manual or product page. Filling it will provide enough weight to balance the structure properly, preventing the risk of it toppling over, even in high winds. However, for additional confidence, secure it in place with a rope if possible.
As much as dunking and hanging on the hoop are tempting, you should avoid it. The extra weight on your side will interfere with the equilibrium; the hoop will fall forward, with you dragging it down, potentially causing injury, or you could end up stuck beneath the structure entirely.
You should take care when assembling the hoop, especially if you are a child. Portable basketball hoops are relatively easy to assemble, some parts can be heavy, and it might require two people to provide adequate support.
Q: Where should I put my portable basketball hoop?
A: The beauty of a portable basketball hoop is that you can put it wherever there is space, working as both indoor and outdoor portable basketball hoops. As long as there is enough room to wheel it into position, you can shoot hoops all day long.
Most people will keep the hoop in the driveway or front yard, as it will offer the most space and give you and your buddies a decent area to move around without damaging flowerbeds, plants, or garden furniture. However, you can also take it to the park or use it at school for basketball tournaments, especially with teams using reduced numbers.
When you aren’t using your hoop, you can keep it on the driveway, but it’s worth emptying the water if you live in cold climates to prevent it from freezing. If you do this, lie the hoop flat, so it doesn’t blow over. If you consider the hoop unsightly when you’re not using it, disassemble it or adjust it to the lowest height setting and store it in the garage or around the back of the house if there is enough space.
Are you looking for a great man cave pool table? Here are some of the best options currently available, as well as some additional information to help you decide between them. Pool tables may look the same from the outside, but they do have plenty of features that can set them apart from each other.
How To Choose A Pool Table
Pool table man cave setups vary, but the first and most thing to consider is the size. Pool tables do vary in size, though most fall into one of four popular sizing options. These are:
7 feet
8 feet
8.5 feet
9 feet
Smaller and larger tables do exist, but most people do not buy those.
All regulation-style pool tables have a 2:1 size ratio, which means they’re twice as long as they are wide. The rims of pool tables may vary further based on factors like what extras come with the table, but most don’t go past a few inches.
Every foot matters when you’re designing a man cave, so make sure to measure your space before going shopping.
Pool Tables vs. Billiards Tables
While people often associate these products with each other, and companies may even use the names interchangeably, pool tables are not the same as billiards tables. Pool tables have six pockets, and many modern tables have a manual or automated ball return system that deposits all of the balls together.
It’s always better to have a ball return system when possible. While pool tables without ball returns are a little cheaper, the pockets can fill up and require emptying mid-game. This is noticeably less fun for most players.
Billiard tables do not have pockets, which makes identifying them on sight easy. That said, some tables may have removable inserts that you can use to convert a pool table into a billiards table, so you don’t necessarily have to buy two tables if you want to play both types of games.
Common Features Of Pool Tables
Here are the most common features you may see when shopping for a man cave pool table.
Covers
Pool tables sometimes come with hard covers that match the table’s main material, usually some type of wood. These covers allow for easy conversion between gaming table and regular table, allowing you to eat, prop your feet up, or otherwise enjoy using your pool table for other things.
We don’t recommend doing shop work on top of a pool table, even if you have a hardwood cover on it, but these covers do support most other activities.
Style
Most pool tables sold in the United States are, unsurprisingly, known as American tables. These types of pool tables are a little larger than their main competitors. More notably, they also tend to have wide corner pockets and narrow center pockets.
English pool tables are rarer (unless you’re in England, of course) and have a reverse pocket design from American tables. That is, the corner pockets tend to be narrower, while the middle pockets tend to be wider. This can have a significant impact on strategies during a game, so deciding between them is important.
We recommend getting the American style because that’s what most people you invite over are likely to be familiar with.
Commercial Tables
Commercial tables are more expensive than a traditional man cave pool table, but they also have more options. For example, you may have push-button operation, coin payment systems, or other features. Commercial tables also tend to have better ball return systems and may have storage cabinets or other decorative features.
Bed Materials
Pool tables usually use one of two bed materials, either of which can be covered by the traditional green cloth.
The most affordable option, and what you’re likely to see while shopping, is an MDF bed. This acronym stands for medium-density fiberboard, which is a type of durable wood mix shaped into boards. However, while it’s light and easy to ship, MDF can also warp over time and won’t play as true. If you want to play pool regularly for a long time, do not buy an MDF bed.
The other common bed material is slate. While it’s heavier and more expensive than MDF, it’s also fundamentally better because it will not change or deteriorate over time. This is the bed style you’ll see in any professional or commercial environment, such as pubs or pool halls.
We recommend getting a slate bed if you can afford it. Remember that you do not have to replace the entire bed if the cloth on top gets worn. You can fit a new cloth over the top without much difficulty.
Pricing
Pool tables have an extremely wide pricing range compared to many other types of products. Knowing the categories is essential for getting the best table for your family.
$100-$1200: Toy Tables
Toy-tables are the cheapest versions of pool tables. They rarely go below $100 and typically use plastic, wood laminate, or other cheap materials to keep costs down. While these aren’t anywhere near commercial-grade, they are worth considering if you only want to play a few games every now and then and don’t need heavy use.
$1200-$2000: Basic Tables
Basic tables are made of wood but typically last for at least a decade without issue. They tend to be heavier and more solid than other tables, and this is where you’ll start to see decent ball return systems. With refurbishing, basic tables can last considerably longer.
$2000-$3500: Mid-Range Tables
Mid-range tables are a significant upgrade over basic tables. They also come in many more styles to help match the decor of your man cave. These are a good choice for lifetime investments, and you can often pass them down to your kids.
$3500+: Heirloom/Commercial Tables
These are the best tables. Heirloom tables are generational products meant for your children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren to enjoy, which is why they’re heavier and more durable than others. Commercial tables also tend to fall into this price range.
While this heirloom-level table is expensive, it’s also extremely high-quality. It includes your choice of many cloth colors to match the rest of your man cave, and more importantly, it has professional installation from the dealer included in the purchase. That’s good because it weighs about 650 pounds.
Pros:
A top-quality product that’s worth the price
Excellent customer service
Flexible installation plans to ensure it can get into your man cave
Comes with diamond-honed slate surfaces for accuracy
Cons:
Significantly more expensive than the other options on this list
RACK’s Draco Pool Table is still relatively expensive, but it’s far more affordable than the Olhausen above. Oversized leg levelers make it easy to adjust this table to different flooring environments, while the professional-grade felt offers a bold appearance.
Pros:
Excellent table for the price range
Comes with a lifetime warranty
Weighs 282 pounds, which is sturdy enough to support people
Has a scratch-resistant coating
Cons:
The exterior looks fundamentally cheaper than real wood
Smaller than most professional-style pool tables
An awkward middle ground between price and quality
Far smaller than a regulation-size table, this miniature pool table is great for cramped man caves or casual games where you just want to have fun. The Goplus Billiard Table offers…
Pros:
Far more affordable than a full-size table
Excellent starter table for anyone who wants to practice before investing in a full table
One of the best pool table options if you want to play with kids
Sometimes portability is the most important factor when you’re designing a man cave with pool table options. GLD Products’ Fat Cat Trueshot is a 6-foot pool table (which makes it slightly smaller than regulation), built on easy-folding metal legs.
Pros:
You can store it when you’re not using it
It’s surprisingly durable for its design
Good for newcomers
Cons:
Weighs 114 pounds, so it’s not as portable as it looks
Tack scores another one on our list with the Scopius model – this pool table is a decent option in its own right and on the high end of the toy table pricing range. However, what sets it apart from the other options on this list is the two-piece table tennis top that slides under the main body of the pool table, giving it added flexibility for other types of games. The Rack Scorpius pool table features…
Pros:
Allows you to play games besides pool
Comes in a stylish red-and-blue color scheme
Uses oversize leg levelers
Cons:
The table tennis part weighs about 70 pounds, making it hard to set up alone
Does not support angles table tennis play
Conclusion
The Olhausen billiards table is easily the best product on this list. It’s full-sized, sturdy, and designed for regular use over decades of play. However, it’s also much heavier (and more expensive) than most people want for a man cave. If you’re looking for a “regular” table instead of a premium option, look at the RACK Draco instead. If you’re looking at turning in that old foosball table for a new billiards table, we have you covered there too.
About the author
The staff at ThatHelpfulDad says thanks to our friends at Beyond Yard for writing this guest post article. Beyond Yard is a site all about grilling and backyard fun so if you enjoyed this write-up be sure to check out their site to learn more.
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