Optimizer | The Verge

Peloton, stay in your lane

2026-04-17T09:04:23-04:00

People keep trying to make Peloton more than what it is, when the product itself is enough.

This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent every Friday from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest gizmos and potions that swear they're going to change your life. Opt in for Optimizer here.

The camera zooms in on two well-formed cheeks clad in white shorts. These buns of steel belong to one Hudson Williams, star of the steamy hockey romance Heated Rivalry. As the camera pans up, a bead of sweat drips down his chin toward his clavicle. Sweaty abs are shown. The music swells. Hollywood's mega-hunk of the moment is swaying his chiseled visage back and forth, semi-gyrating on… a Peloton treadmill. A $6,695 …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Why your Whoop might tell you to up your testosterone

2026-04-21T12:08:40-04:00

Whoop is popular among congressional staffers.

Last week, our editor-in-chief Nilay Patel messaged me about his new Whoop band, which he'd gotten thanks to a generous yearlong offer from Chase. A few days later, he sent a cursed screenshot. The Whoop AI coach had recommended several ways in which he could dramatically improve his testosterone levels. Not because he was deficient, but because they were at "not sick" levels. Whoop optimizes for performance levels. …

Read the full story at The Verge.

How the Apple Watch defined modern health tech

2026-04-09T08:44:42-04:00

In my humble opinion, the Series 4 was a watershed moment in wearable tech history. | Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images

You can trace the state of health tech today to a single gadget: the Apple Watch Series 4.

Back in 2018, smartwatches and fitness bands focused on a handful of things: step count, heart rate, some light sleep monitoring, and activity logging. As a result, they were much more focused on fitness rather than overall health. Handy if you were trying to increase activity levels or lose a few pounds, but not a device th …

Read the full story at The Verge.

These ‘clinically tested’ gummies may or may not help you poop

2026-04-05T08:49:21-04:00

Clinical testing is turning into a product of its own. | Image: Cath Virgina / The Verge, Grüns

Influencer after influencer says the same thing about Grüns. The gummy vitamins are delightful, chockful of whole organic ingredients, and much tastier than icky powders or pills. One of my most indelible childhood memories is the chalky, gritty, vaguely fruit-flavored taste of a Flintstones vitamin. I hated those cursed tablets so much, I learned how to swallow pills to avoid having to chew them. So I get the whole …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Much ado about protein

2026-04-17T13:51:40-04:00

Why is my local Target selling protein powder in the tampon aisle? An investigation.

This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent every Friday from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest gizmos and potions that swear they're going to change your life.

Wellness crazes come and go, but protein is forever. At least that's how it feels as the algorithm subjects me to the latest protein-related wellness trend: a video of a gym bro whipping up a piping hot plate of boy kibble.

Boy kibble is not complicated. According to influencers and trend pieces alike, it's a humble meal of ground beef and white rice. Yes, that's it. The beef provides fat and protein, while the white rice provides carbs. Ea …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Trump’s surgeon general nominee is running the wellness grifter playbook perfectly

2026-03-12T16:42:27-04:00

Means uses a common wellness influencer playbook that uses selective science to discredit institutions. | Getty Images

On the surface, the wellness to MAHA pipeline can appear baffling. How does one get from wanting to be healthy to eschewing vaccines, drinking raw milk, and opting for beef tallow over sunscreen? The simple answer would be: widespread misinformation on online platforms, particularly from influencers.

I'd argue the real answer is slightly more nuanced - and …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Huel tries to solve the ‘burden’ of eating

2026-04-17T13:52:02-04:00

It’s Slim Fast for chads.

In 2017, I was at rock bottom. My dad's health was rapidly failing; my relationship with my mom was on the rocks. I was in a not-so-great place in my career. My undiagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome was wreaking havoc on my health. I was already in a dark place when a situationship broke my heart, my roommate notified me they were moving out, and I received a surprise $5,000 vet bill for my dog. Stressed, depressed, and a hot mess, I stopped …

Read the full story at The Verge.

The latest skincare fad is rubbing salmon sperm on your face

2026-02-27T13:59:53-05:00

I, too, have bought Rejuran because it’s human to want a shortcut to beautiful skin. | Image: Kristen Radtke / The Verge; Getty IMages

While scrolling through my TikTok feed, I often find myself thinking of Elizabeth Báthory. Legend has it that Báthory, a powerful 16th-century Hungarian countess, would kill virgins and bathe in their blood to retain her youth. Historians have debated whether Báthory really was a serial killer, though most agree she probably didn't actually bathe in blood. Still, she's what I think of anytime I see how far vanity wi …

Read the full story at The Verge.

‘Wellness’ feels like it’s losing all meaning in health tech

2026-02-20T12:15:08-05:00

Oura has taken to Washington to lobby for relaxed wearable regulation.

For the past week, I've been thinking about the fact that Oura has gone to Washington.

The Oura Ring has always had an influential clientele, but it's apparently now a popular accessory in Capitol Hill. Earlier this week, Politico ran a story about how the smart ring maker is lobbying legislators for less wearable regulation. Specifically, the article notes that Oura has floated the idea of creating a "digital heal …

Read the full story at The Verge.

AG1 is a lot less science-y than it sounds

2026-04-17T13:52:21-04:00

Science washing is afoot. | Image: The Verge, AG1

I'm willing to bet you've been served an ad for Athletic Greens - also known as AG1. It's impossible to escape them in podcasts, and it seems like almost every wellness influencer on every social media platform has done an ad for them at some point.

AG1 is a greens powder containing over 70 ingredients. Most of it is freeze-dried vegetable powder blends. Basically, instead of taking a multivitamin or eating an actual vegetable, greens powder …

Read the full story at The Verge.