Issue No. 58: GLP-1 or Gym Time - Which One Wins?

September 25, 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.

💪  GLP-1 or Gym Time: Which One Wins? GLP-1 medications can deliver faster weight loss on the scale, while exercise offers slower but deeper benefits for overall health. The strongest results often come from combining both approaches wisely.

IN THIS ISSUE:
1. The Walking Workout That Outsmarts Running
2. Apple’s Hypertension Alert Just Got the FDA Green Light
3. Train Hard, Stay Safe: Athletic Protection in Style
4. Chill Out with L-Theanine
5. 10 Biceps Rules to Live By

🐄 🐄 🐄 — John, Nolan and Josh

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The Walking Workout that Outsmarts Running

There’s a way to walk using intervals or incline that mimics running’s calorie burn without the harsh impact on your joints.

  • The big picture: Interval and incline walking can rival running in calorie burn. By walking faster in bursts (intervals) or going uphill/incline, you push your heart rate into zones where your body works harder - similar to running - without the pounding. Lower risk of joint pain and injury. Since walking - even brisk or inclined walking - is far gentler on knees, hips, ankles (and all those precious connective tissues), it’s a smart option for people who want the benefits of cardio without the wear and tear. You can tweak intensity. Want more burn? Increase incline or alternate between fast and moderate walking. Want gentler work? Stick with flatter ground or shorter intervals. The flexibility lets you adapt based on your fitness, energy, and any joint issues.

  • The verdict: If you want to burn major calories and protect your joints, this walking trick is your new best friend - giving you the perks of running, minus the pain.

Apple’s Hypertension Alert Just Got FDA Green Light

Apple’s new hypertension notification feature, now FDA-approved, will roll out soon (with watchOS 26) on certain Watch models and will monitor blood vessel responses over 30 days to flag potential high blood pressure.

  • The big picture: What it does & how it works: The feature uses the Apple Watch’s optical heart sensor to observe how your blood vessels respond to your heart’s beats over a 30-day span; if patterns suggest possible high blood pressure, it sends you an alert. Which devices & when it’s available: It’s not just for the brand-new watches: Apple Watch Series 9 and later, plus Ultra 2 and newer, will get it with watchOS 26, in over 150 countries. Accuracy & limits: In clinical testing with over 2,200 people, the feature showed high specificity (i.e. few false alarms) but moderate sensitivity (i.e. it won’t catch every case of hypertension). Also, it’s an alert system, not a replacement for traditional blood pressure measurements with a cuff or medical advice.

  • The verdict: This is a promising and helpful safety net that could help many people catch hypertension early, as long as users understand it has limits and follow up with real measurements when alerted.

Train Hard, Stay Safe: Athletic Protection in Style

The Athletic Band is a wearable safety device that blends fashion and high-tech features - SOS alerts, location sharing, ADT monitoring - all tucked into a stylish band you’ll actually want to wear.

  • The big picture: The band includes invisaWear’s InvisaChip technology, which supports sending SOS alerts, contacting 9-1-1, sharing your GPS location, and accessing 24/7 monitoring by ADT agents. It doubles as a fashionable accessory: there are several colors, finishes (gold plated, silver, etc.), sizes, and it even comes with a charm. The design also incorporates a hidden zipper pocket and multi-wear options (on your wrist, around your bottle, etc.). There is a subscription requirement (for full services), plus customer support, guarantees (30-day satisfaction), free shipping over $100 in the U.S., and North American emergency service compatibility (though 9-1-1 features are limited to U.S./Canada).

  • The verdict: If you want a safety device that doesn’t scream “panic button,” invisaWear’s Athletic Band strikes a balance between looking good and staying protected.

Chill Out with L-Theanine

L-Theanine is a natural, non-sedating amino acid that helps reduce stress, boost focus all while being gentle and safe for many people.

  • The big picture: Relaxation without sedation: L-Theanine calms your nervous system by modulating glutamate (a rev-up neurotransmitter) and increasing the release of GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, helping you feel relaxed yet alertno grogginess. Enhanced focus (especially with caffeine):
    when paired with light caffeine, L-Theanine improves alertness, attention, and task performance, while also softening the jittery or overstimulated side effects caffeine alone can bring. Sleep, mood, heart, and beyond: It can help people fall asleep easier and sleep more soundly (especially when stress is high), reduce feelings of anxiety, support mood stability, buffer acute stress responses and even promote immune and brain health.

  • The verdict: If you want a gentle, natural tool to dial down stress, sharpen focus, and support restful sleep (without crashing), L-Theanine is a solid addition to your wellness toolkit.

10 Bicep Rules to Live By

Here are 10 science-backed, beginner-friendly rules to build bigger, stronger biceps from training frequency and volume to grip variation, patience, and technique tweaks.

  • The big picture: Progressive overload & smart volume: Growth happens when you gradually increase weight, reps, sets, or reduce rest, and when you keep your total weekly work for biceps in the optimal range (about 10-20 hard sets per week depending on your experience). Train more often & from different angles: Hitting your biceps twice a week helps more than one once-in-a-blue-moon session, and mixing up angles (arms in front, beside, behind torso) ensures all portions of the muscle get worked. Put emphasis on form, tempo, and other muscles too: The lowering (eccentric) phase, the often ignored brachialis muscle, integrating compound moves (like rows and chin-ups), and varying rep ranges all matter - and so does being consistent and patient.

  • The verdict: If you follow these rules - ramping up load smartly, training frequently, emphasizing good form, and allowing time - your biceps will strengthen and grow

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