Equipment

Handheld Trigger Point, Deep Tissue Myofascial Release Tool

Throw away your foam roller and finally make your tight traps, pecs, hip flexors, (you name it) feel better fast. There's a ton of ways to use this to dig into those hard to reach areas.

– Dani Shugart

00 to 350 Pounds Available, Aluminum Knurled Handles

This is NOT the gripper you had in high school. In fact, the "weakest" model provides two or three times the resistance of an average store-bought gripper. You won't outgrow these bad boys. Bring on the calluses!

– Chris Shugart

Up to 30 Pounds, Breathable, Mesh Pocket in Back

Weighted vests don't have to be bulky. This one is form fitting and uses evenly distributed iron pellets, not sand or clunky plates.

– Chris Shugart

Up to 20 Pounds, Durable Neoprene, Duel Storage Pockets

Every home gym needs a simple, sturdy bench that doesn't wobble. This one folds flat and stores easily so you can still get your car into the damn garage.

– Chris Shugart

Wear-Resistant Protective Sleeve, Non-Slip Handle, Anchor Kit

Battle ropes are great for metabolic conditioning, but don't overlook their pumptastic, muscle-building benefits. Chest, back, shoulders, arms, abs... this is one piece of kit everyone needs in their garage gym.

– Chris Shugart

Army PT Sled Pack with Upper Body Strap, Holds Up to 500 Pounds

Build real-world strength, get ripped, and get your metcon on anywhere with this portable sled from Spud Inc. Just strap on some plates, start pulling, and be unstoppable.

– Chris Shugart

Rubber fill, water resistant, 20-100 pounds

We first wrote about sandbag training way back in 2005, and it's still a legit training method. It's also a helluva lot of fun. The problem? The sand. Even the quality bags we've tested tend to leak after a few years of hard use. Enter the Wreck Bag. These tough bags are mess-free and pre-filled with a non-toxic rubber blend, which makes them shock absorbent and stable. The load remains evenly distributed. Clean it, press it, throw it, curl it, squat it, or just toss it over your shoulders and haul your big fat ass up a hill. The bag will survive. You may not.

– Chris Shugart

3" diameter handles, textured steel, integrated hooks and carabiner hole

Have you been hitting the iron hard for years? Then your elbows are probably telling you the same thing mine are telling me: "Hey Chris, we're getting older, we're feeling cranky, and we're not going to let you lift like you used to." We have to out-smart those cantankerous, get-off-my-lawn joints. A proven way to do it? Adopt a fat, neutral grip whenever possible. That's where the Bazooka Bar comes in. Use it for pull-ups, pulldowns, and rows. The hooks fit over any standard bar and it even has a hole for attaching it to cable machines. Your crotchety elbows will thank you, and you'll build some new grip strength and forearm size to boot.

– Chris Shugart

Double-walled, leak proof, BPA-free, mixer ball included

It's time to upgrade your stinky plastic shaker bottle. This is a nice one. It's double walled and vacuum insulated, meaning there's no condensation with cold drinks and no burned fingers with hot drinks. Fits most cup holders too.

– Chris Shugart

Antibacterial, organic

Get a grip... without the messy chalk. Instead of applying it to your hands, you just rub it directly onto your barbell, pull-up bar, or gymnastic rings. It provides just the right amount of tack for a sure grip. It'll even help keep your hands from getting torn up – no sissy gloves required. Rep Wax also has antibacterial properties to help fight off the bacteria left on gym equipment, which might be pretty important these days.

– Chris Shugart

Anti-slip rubber base, fit together for easy storage

I love seeing people doing push-ups using the handles of round dumbbells. It tells me that I should avoid that person... just in case stupidity is an airborne contagion. I'm kidding. Mostly. Doing push-ups with your palms flat on the floor CAN be uncomfortable, especially for beat-up lifters who've lost some wrist mobility. But ditch the wobbly dumbbells and try these blocks instead (recommended to us by coach Lee Boyce). Unlike standard push-up handles, Bear Blocks have a wide, flat hand surface that's angled just right for maximum comfort. No more wrist strain or impingement. Sweet.

– Chris Shugart

Triple stitched, YKK zippers, metal hardware, abrasion-resistant base.

"Why didn't I think of that?!" I said when someone recommend this to me. See, I was griping about how most gym bags can't handle my heavier accessories, like my nine-pound landmine attachment. Then someone made a suggestion: get a tool bag, dummy. Since this soft-sided bag is made for drills and sanders, it can handle anything you'd want to take to the gym. It has an internal metal frame wrapped in a tough water-repellant fabric. Besides the main compartment, this bag has 17 pockets, inside and out. Plenty of room for bands, bottles, collars, phones, chalk, fractional plates, belts, and a 12-inch bowie knife. What? My gym is in a rough neighborhood.

– Chris Shugart