Producing reviews our readers can trust has been central to Fitness Drum since 2014. This page sets out exactly how we approach product reviews – what we test, how we score, and how we ensure our process remains independent.

We do not accept input, direction, or approval from brands in relation to our reviews. Commercial relationships do not influence how we evaluate or score any product or service.

Our Review Process

Every review follows the same process, regardless of the product or whether we have an affiliate relationship with the brand.

1. Hands-on use – Where possible, we try and use any product we review for a meaningful period before forming conclusions. This gives us genuine firsthand experience rather than surface-level impressions.
2. Scorecard evaluation – We apply our category-specific scorecard (detailed below) to ensure reviews are assessed consistently and against the criteria that matter most to users.
3. Broader research – We compare our experience against user feedback, third-party reviews, and brand claims to understand whether our assessment is representative and to surface any issues we may not have encountered ourselves.
4. Internal review – Every review goes through an internal editorial and fact-checking process before publication, ensuring it meets our standards for accuracy and quality.
5. Ongoing updates – Products change — particularly apps and software. We review published content monthly and update reviews whenever a product changes in a way that affects our assessment.

Fitness Apps

This category covers fitness, workout, and exercise apps. The scorecard below reflects the factors most likely to influence whether an app is genuinely useful to someone looking to improve their fitness.

Fitness Equipment

This category covers physical fitness equipment, from cardio machines to strength training kit. Products can vary significantly in price and purpose, but the core factors that determine quality tend to be consistent.

Professionals

This category covers products and services aimed at fitness industry professionals and businesses – including software, education, certifications, and professional tools. The scorecard reflects what matters most to professionals evaluating an investment in their practice or business.

Questions About Our Reviews

If you have a question about how we reviewed a specific product, or about our process more generally, please get in touch via our contact page. We also link to our Editorial Integrity page for a broader overview of our standards across both editorial content and our platform.