I hope I’m not the only one who thinks this way, but I don’t think you should just sign up to be a T-Jack reviewer just to get a freebie. I mean, I would love to try all the gadgets and everything for free, of course, but I think there are people out there who “need” certain things more than others. Since they only give out a couple of these items and a thousand people sign up just to get a freebie, it takes away from the people who would really benifit from these products!
For instance, it would be cool to get Joe D’s video, but I’m 28 and I’m not trying out for the combine, so I didn’t apply for it. I think a kid who’s still in college playing football trying to make it into the pro’s should be deserving of the video more than anybody, and so many people sign up it gives them a remote chance of getting it!
The only one I signed up for was the x-vest since I’m trying to get on the fire department and I’m trying to go in a bodybuilding competition and after reading LL’s post on these things, it would be a great benefit to me. Same goes for the rest of the stuff. I think other people deserve it or would make better use of it than I would so I don’t apply to hopefully give someone who “needs” it better odds.
Hopefully everybody will start thinking this way to give the person who needs it the most a better chance of getting it.
I agree. I’ve only signed up for one so far (the heavy grippers because I love to deadlift and my grip is weak right now). The one I really wanted to sign up for I missed. I’m currently in the process of shedding fat and still have quite a ways to go. I was thinking about getting it measured with calipers by someone as well as doing the digital reader just to compare. Also, with me anticipating my continued losses it would show how accurate it could be at different levels of bodyfat… of course that’s all based on me accomplishing my goals.
I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I see where you’re coming from. It is a little selfish to sign up for products you can’t use, or will have to find a reason to use, especially when others may need them. For those reasons, I have signed up only for things I need so far.
On the other hand, I’m not ruling out the possibility that I may sign up for things I don’t need. Here’s the catch, though: I’m not doing it for the freebie. I have other reasons.
The first reason is knowledge. I’m fascinated by weightlifting, bodybuilding, and exercise in general, and anything I can do, use or try to learn more about it is a good thing.
The second, more important reason is the experience of writing the review. I’m a teacher, but I have an interesting in pursuing writing as a career. I’m looking for opportunities to freelance right now, and writing these reviews would be a great way for me to hone my skills.
Granted, these are both still selfish reasons, and I can probably fulfill both goals by only signing up for products I need. But I’m just pointing out that signing up for something you don’t need isn’t necessarily just a desperate attempt to get some swag.
Well hopefully you or someone who would greatly benefit from the grippers wins them instead of someone who will use it for a week, send in a review, and then throw them in their closet to collect dust…
I’m just gonna be hella pissed if someone gets those bands and flat out doesn’t use them or even write a good review, and responds with, “Yeah they’re cool, thanks suckers.”
TBoner wrote:
The first reason is knowledge. I’m fascinated by weightlifting, bodybuilding, and exercise in general, and anything I can do, use or try to learn more about it is a good thing.
I totally understand and agree, but, if for some reason you don’t really need or are not going to keep using the product, then I would do what Phil did and send it to someone who will use it.
T-Boner wrote:
The second, more important reason is the experience of writing the review. I’m a teacher, but I have an interesting in pursuing writing as a career. I’m looking for opportunities to freelance right now, and writing these reviews would be a great way for me to hone my skills.
Granted, these are both still selfish reasons, and I can probably fulfill both goals by only signing up for products I need. But I’m just pointing out that signing up for something you don’t need isn’t necessarily just a desperate attempt to get some swag.
I understand, but again, you can just apply to the one’s that would benefit you and not take away from someone that could really use the product.
Also, you can always send in freelance articles to T-Nation and see if they use them…TC tells people all the time to do that.
I wish T-Nation would do what they originally said they were gonna do with the T-Jack reports. They said they were gonna put a product up for review and people would have to post why they should be picked to review the item. They would pick the T-man/vixen who gave the best answer. If not that, then narrow it down to the 10 best posts and randomly pick from there…at least that way a person who deserved it would get it.
Overall, I’m in agreement with you. I admitted I could achieve both of those goals without signing up for things I don’t need. I was just trying to point up some other possible reasons for someone signing up for these items.
As far as sending in freelance articles, I don’t have any certification or training background, just experience and things I’ve read/studied on my own.
No matter what, there will be people who sign up for everything just b/c it’s free. I signed up for the vest, clubbells, and bands b/c I would incorprate those things into my training.
If I decided I did not like a product and would not use it in the furure I would be more than willing to send it to someone else.
Hopefully, T-Jack will be around for a while, which would help weed out the selfish, unhelpful reviewers.
And even though I was selected as a tester for the bands, I will still sign up for future products IF they interest me. Hey, when it comes down to it, all it costs you is an honest review of the product. Now, that’s what I call a sore dick of a deal.
As far as sending in freelance articles, I don’t have any certification or training background, just experience and things I’ve read/studied on my own.[/quote]
So what? If the article is good, they will let you know and put it on the site, or do a guest atomic dog…whatever! It’s up to you! It’s worth a shot, especially if thats what you really want to do…If they don’t like the article, they will just come to your house and kick you in the nuts for sending them crap…lol…nah, just kiddin’
Agreed, I really would like to get my hands on some calipers, I probably end up buying some but they won’t be as good. Most of the stuff I really don’t have a real need for and why sign up if I’m not going to give an honest review!
I got the one thing I signed up for which was the X-Vest. I think the reason I got it was I was one of the only ones in my size 22-28" waistline, lol. All I saw post on the forum were guys. I’ll really use the vest though, and I don’t have a job or anything and can’t get one, so I really can’t afford any training stuff.
No one in my family is into training either, which bites. I’ve bought every piece of equipment I own with reportcard money, lawn mowing money, and dog walking money. Training is all I spend money on. Lol. Pretty weird for an 11 year old girl =/.
We’re not so much worried about “morals” but rather some people not reading carefully.
Example: I just put the BOA jump ropes up for grabs in the T-Jack section. The models we have are for those 6’ and under. I’d hate to see a 6’3" guy apply, get chosen, then write a poor review because the rope didn’t fit him.
Basically, read every thread closely and only apply for what you’d need and use.
Unfortunately, the system does need to be automated so we can no longer individually choose each reviewer.
I got the calipers/measuring tape, which is the only thing I have signed up for. I couldn’t be more stoked! The timing is perfect as I am currently dieting and I just got a lifecycle as an early b-day present so I can do my cardio at home. It will be the first time I have been able to diet and consistently measure BF while doing so.
I, too, got the calipers. I’m about to start a dieting stage, so it worked out nicely. I agree that it’s better to leave items to people who will actually use them.
22-28" waistline, lol. All I saw post on the forum were guys. I’ll really use the vest though, and I don’t have a job or anything and can’t get one, so I really can’t afford any training stuff.