Issue No. 36: Strong Is In - Why Women Are Lifting in 2025

April 17, 2025

Good Morning! Welcome to this week’s edition of Morning Cowbell. Let’s take a look at the top stories and coolest trends shaping fitness and health.

💪  Why Women are Lifting in 2025: In gyms across the country, something powerful is happening. More women are stepping away from the treadmill and heading toward the barbell — and it’s changing the fitness world for the better.

IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Landmine - Make Barbell Workouts More Dynamic
2. Red Light Therapy & O2 Chambers Effectiveness
3. The Withings Body Comp Scale for Home
4. The Hidden Risks of 'Low-Level' Drinking
5. The 10 Fittest Cities in the U.S.

🐄 🐄 🐄 — John, Nolan and Josh

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now

Landmine University

Landmine - Make Barbell Workouts More Dynamic

The landmine — a deceptively simple gym attachment that transforms basic barbell work into dynamic, explosive movement magic.

  • The big picture: The landmine is an attachment that anchors one end of the barbell to the floor, letting you move in new, explosive, rotational directions—think hybrid between kettlebell swings and power cleans Who’s using it? Athletes like fighters and football players love it for building rotational power and core strength. Trainer Alex Kanellis, founder of Landmine University, swears by it as a smart alternative to Olympic lifts. Why it matters: It’s easier to learn than Olympic lifts, offers real-world movement benefits, and works great as a 10–15 minute add-on to your current routine. Movements like the split jerk and screwdriver build athleticism, posture, and punch power.

  • The verdict: While landmine training is not yet mainstream, it serves as a valuable supplement to traditional workouts, offering versatility and functional benefits that can enhance overall fitness.​

Red Light Therapy and Oxygen Chamber Effectiveness

Experts weigh in on red light therapy and oxygen chambers, revealing that while they might offer some benefits, they're not the magic bullets they're often touted to be.

  • The big picture: Red Light Therapy: This treatment promises everything from reduced inflammation to muscle repair — and some small studies do show a bit of promise. Athletes and wellness influencers are all in, but experts point out the science isn’t conclusive. The wavelengths might stimulate cell function and boost recovery... or it might just be fancy mood lighting. Oxygen Chambers (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy): While these are well-established for medical uses (like wound healing or treating decompression sickness), their role in post-exercise recovery is murkier. Yes, breathing in oxygen at higher pressure could possibly reduce fatigue or soreness, but the science isn’t strong enough yet to declare it a go-to recovery tool for athletes.

  • The verdict: Red light therapy and oxygen chambers might offer a slight recovery boost — but they’re best seen as extras, not essentials. You’re still better off prioritizing the fundamentals before investing in futuristic gadgets.

Body Comp

The Withings Body Comp Scale for Home

This isn’t your average bathroom scale — it’s a clinical-grade health monitor designed to give you a comprehensive view of your body composition and cardiovascular health, right from your home.

  • The big picture: ​Deep Dive into Your Body: The Withings Body Comp goes way beyond weight by measuring visceral fat, muscle mass, body water, and bone density with multi-frequency bioimpedance tech—basically, it knows what you’re made of. Heart-to-Heart Technology: It assesses your cardiovascular health by estimating your Vascular Age, standing heart rate, and even the sweat gland activity in your feet. Smarts That Stick: Paired with a 3-month trial of Withings+, it includes behavior-change tools, personalized insights, habit tracking, and health goal badges to help turn tiny wins into lifelong routines.

  • The verdict: The Withings Body Comp is a scale for people who want more than just numbers — it’s for those ready to geek out on health stats, take control of their well-being, and maybe brag about their “vascular age” at brunch.

The Hidden Risks of “Low-Level” Drinking

A fresh study has just walked into the bar and slammed down a sobering reality check: even low-level drinking might be quietly dialing up your risks of cancer and heart disease.

  • The big picture: AA study conducted by the Behavioural Insights Team for Alcohol Change UK looked at over 4,000 UK adults and found that even those who drank within guidelines had an increased risk of both cancer and cardiovascular disease compared to non-drinkers. Cancer risk rose from 1% to 4%, and heart disease from 1% to 5%. That's a hefty jump for “moderate” drinking. The damage wasn’t just biological. Low-level drinkers were also more likely to report poorer sleep, lower energy, worse day-to-day functioning, and even dodgier dental health.

  • The verdict: So yeah, moderation isn’t the get-out-of-jail-free card we thought it was — this research pours cold water on the myth that low-level drinking is safe, making a strong case for rethinking what we call “normal.”

The 10 Fittest Cities in the U.S.

Arlington, Virginia, leads the pack as the fittest city in America, with nine other cities hot on its heels, all showcasing stellar health and wellness vibes.

  • The big picture: Arlington, Virginia takes the crown – for the sixth year in a row. This city checks all the boxes: walkability, endless parks and trails, and a population that seems to think running a 10K before work is totally normal. Residents are highly active, obesity rates are low, and access to fitness-friendly infrastructure is off the charts. Urban living is helping people stay fit – Cities like Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. cracked the top spots thanks to public transit, walkable neighborhoods, and a culture that values wellness. Basically, these places make it easier (and cooler) to walk, bike, and shop organic.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now