How We Test and Review Fitness & Tactical Products

Our Promise

HardentFU is independent and mission-first. Every review is based on measurable performance, field-proven durability, and real-world safety — not on advertiser influence. We will always tell you when we earn money from a link and we will never let commerce change our conclusions about whether a product performs when it counts.

Who We Are

HardentFU is led by Marcus Webb, a former U.S. Army Ranger and a strength and conditioning coach who has spent more than a decade training elite military units and civilian athletes. Marcus has designed and run physical preparation programs for combat deployments, special operations selection, and competitive strength athletes, and he brings that operational lens to every product he tests: if it doesn’t work on a ruck, in a field training exercise, or under a heavy barbell, it doesn’t pass.

Marcus heads a small, multidisciplinary test team that includes coaches, military vets, and sport scientists. We combine field testing (rucks, circuits, tactics-based work), strength and conditioning metrics (1RM, reps-to-failure, sprint and agility tests), and lab verification (ingredient and material analysis) so the reviews reflect both real-world performance and objective data.

How We Select Products to Review

We choose products for review using a structured research pipeline that blends market visibility, user feedback, and operational relevance:

• Market signals — best-sellers and trending items on Amazon and specialty retailers, new product launches, and items recommended by unit procurement lists and strength coaches.
• User intelligence — aggregated customer reviews, recurring complaint patterns, and verified buyer feedback to surface products that require independent testing.
• Expert input — recommendations and flagging from strength coaches, military physical training leaders, and sports nutritionists.
• Technical triggers — ingredient innovations (e.g., new dosing of citrulline or novel stimulant blends), construction or material changes in tactical gear, new home-gym designs, and program approaches claiming rapid gains or operational readiness.
• Manufacturer submissions and independent buys — we test both items we purchase anonymously and samples provided by brands, but all are evaluated to the same standards.

Our Testing Protocols

Different products require different tests. Below are representative real-world scenarios we use depending on the product category:

• Supplements & Pre-Workouts: acute and chronic testing. Acute (first-dose) tests for onset, stimulant effects, and immediate performance (vertical jump, 3 x 5RM back squat, sprint repeats, time-to-exhaustion runs). Chronic tests (4–12 weeks) for protein powders, creatine, and sustained pre-workout use to measure strength gains, body-composition changes, and tolerance. We keep symptom logs (sleep, GI, jitter, mood) and record performance sessions to quantify benefits and side effects.
• Ingredient & Purity Verification: We send representative supplement batches to independent labs for label-claim verification and banned-substance screening (NSF/Informed-Sport checks when available or third-party analytical labs for purity, heavy metals, and accurate dosing).
• Tactical Fitness Gear: field and stress testing. We run ruck marches (35–55 lb loads), obstacle and wet-weather drills, and accelerated wear cycles. We test retention systems, MOLLE compatibility, water resistance, seam and hardware durability, and comfort under load. We also simulate environmental exposures: mud, salt spray, sand, and repeated loading/unloading.
• Home Gym Equipment: assembly time, build quality, max-load testing (pull/tension/weld inspection), repeatability (50–100k cycles on moving parts in accelerated tests), stability under heavy lifts, and ergonomics for common lifts (squat, bench, deadlift). We measure deflection, audible wear, and hardware loosening over extended sessions.
• Workout Programs & Strength Protocols: we run programs with cohorts (novice, intermediate, tactical athlete) for 6–12 weeks measuring baseline and post-program metrics: 1RM, rep-max endurance, timed ruck pace, VO2 or time-trial changes, and body-composition when possible (DXA or skinfold). We track adherence, injury/overreaching signals, and transfer to combat tasks (loaded movement, casualty drags, timed carries).

Our Testing Criteria

Performance Under Operational Load

For supplements we measure whether the product increases work capacity — e.g., more reps at a given weight, faster sprint repeats, or increased time-to-exhaustion. For gear and equipment we test with loaded rucks, heavy carries, and high-repetition circuits to see if performance or handling degrades under realistic mission loads.

Ingredient Transparency & Effective Dosing (Supplements)

We check labels for full disclosure (exact ingredient amounts, not proprietary blends) and compare dosages to published clinical research (e.g., effective citrulline malate, creatine monohydrate, whey protein leucine content). Products that under-dose key actives or hide quantities fail this criterion.

Safety, Side Effects & Banned-Substance Risk

We log adverse effects (GI distress, elevated heart rate, sleep disruption, anxiety) during acute and chronic use, and send samples for third-party screening where indicated. For military-use recommendations we assess banned-substance risk and verify any claims of “military-safe” certification.

Durability & Field-Ready Construction (Gear & Equipment)

We test stitch integrity, hardware strength, materials (Cordura denier, polymer specs, weld quality), and fatigue under repeated loading and environmental stress. Tactical items must hold up to ruck miles, abrasion, and wet/dust conditions; home-gym gear must endure high load cycles without safety compromise.

Ergonomics, Fit & Usability

Fit and adjustability matter for plate carriers, backpacks, and equipment seating/knurling. We test across body types and measure comfort during long rucks and high-volume lifts. For programs, this includes clarity of instruction, scalability, and time demands that affect real-world adherence.

Programming Specificity & Measurable Progression (Training Programs)

Programs are evaluated for periodization, progressive overload, recovery windows, and specific tests tied to operational tasks (e.g., ACFT-style events, ruck pace). We prefer programs with clear progression markers and measurable outcomes within a realistic timeframe.

Our Rating System

We use a 1–5 star scale. Ratings include both an overall star score and category-specific notes so you can see strengths and weaknesses at a glance.

• 5 stars — Exceptional: Exemplary performance in multiple real-world scenarios, transparent ingredients/specs, and no significant durability or safety issues. A top pick for mission or training use.
• 4 stars — Very Good: Strong performance, minor trade-offs (e.g., slightly pricier, minor fit issues) but no deal-breaking problems. Solid recommendation for most users.
• 3 stars — Good / Situational: Works well for specific use-cases or users but has notable limitations (under-dosed ingredients, limited durability, or narrow fit). Consider only if it meets particular needs.
• 2 stars — Below Average: Shortcomings in performance, durability, or safety/sourcing concerns that limit usefulness. We only recommend with caveats and alternatives.
• 1 star — Poor: Fails to meet baseline performance or safety expectations; we do not recommend.

How We Score: Transparency in Numbers

Each product review explains which tests were run and shows raw or summarized data when possible (e.g., average strength changes, time-to-exhaustion improvements, lab results). We publish the sample size, test duration, and whether the product was purchased anonymously or supplied by the manufacturer.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some links on HardentFU are affiliate links. If you buy through those links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate income helps fund independent purchases, lab tests, and time in the field. Affiliate relationships never influence our star ratings or whether a product is recommended — our editorial team makes that call based on the tests and data described above.

Last Updated

February 24, 2026