Stuff We Like

1.25" heel, nylon ripstop upper, adjustable hook-and-loop instep strap

The athletic shoe market is weird. On one side, you have extreme specialty shoes made for one specific sport or style of training. On the other side, you have do-anything cross trainers. The FastLift 335 is somewhere in the middle. At first glance, it looks like an Olympic weightlifting shoe. And yep, that's mostly what it's made for given its external heel cage. But unlike other weightlifting shoes, these have some flexibility built in too, meaning you can keep them on for the rest of your non-snatching workout.

– Chris Shugart

Slip-on, two Zoom Air units in the forefoot, Cushlon foam at the heel

Another shoe designed specifically for HIIT workouts and circuit training. And man, they thought (over-thought?) of everything. This futuristic-looking shoe has "brake pads" to help you cut hard from side to side, and even a "burpee break" – a small groove right where your foot flexes. This is designed to help your foot flex properly when doing push-ups, planks, short sprints, and of course burpees... if you actually enjoy those. The duel Air Zoom cushions absorb your energy and shoot it right back—springing you into your next move. Yeah, a minimalist shoe this is not... but it sure is comfortable.

– 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

Adjustable incline calf stretcher with non-slip surface.

Whenever I allow my calves and ankles to stay tight, it always leads to pain further up the body. (Lookin' at you, knees and hips.) And for some reason, doing a calf stretch on the flat ground just doesn't hit the spot. But this slant board does. You can change the angle and make it as steep or shallow as you need to get the right stretch. The grippy material keeps your feet in place whether you use it with or without shoes. Sometimes I'll get on it barefooted first thing in the morning and the stretch feels glorious. You can also grab some dumbbells and do some standing calf raises with it when the mood strikes.

– Dani Shugart

All steel construction, fits 2" Olympic barbell, 3 grip positions.

Landmine-style attachments are becoming more and more popular. Why? Because they're challenging, versatile, and add a new angle (literally) to tons of different barbell exercises. This attachment ramps up the versatility even further. Now you can do strongman-style Viking presses, neutral-grip floor and shoulder presses, and much more. If your wrists and elbows are bugging you, just switch grips. This attachment gives you three different options. Bonus: It has wider spaced handles so you don't smack your noggin when doing incline presses and shoulder work. Smart.

– Chris Shugart

1.75 inch diameter, made from a military-grade compound similar to heavy-duty rubber.

I bet you already own a classic pair of blue Fat Gripz. You know that thick-grip lifting activates more muscle fibers, builds your forearms and crushing strength, and adds a challenging progression to basic lifts. But did you ever wish they could be just a little LESS fat? That would be great for certain exercises... or for those of us who don't have paws like Andre the Giant. Enter the One Series. Instead of the standard 2.25" outer diameter, these are 1.75". That just feels better for some movements, and you'll still get all the benefits of thick-grip training.

– Chris Shugart

5mm neoprene bonded to a 4-way-stretch synthetic backing.

I'm done with scabby shins. I know, bruised and bloodied shins prove you're a hardcore deadlifter, right? And chicks dig scars. (Pro tip: Not attractive chicks.) But I'm over it. So I picked up a pair of these neoprene guards. RockGuards give you just enough padding to make deads, box jumps, Olympic lifts, and rope climbs less ouchie. Hey, your workout is supposed to hurt a little, but banging your tibias is distracting. That type of pain doesn't make you stronger, it just gives you a staph infection.

– Chris Shugart

Soy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo

Siete Foods has an interesting backstory. When one member of the Garza family was diagnosed with severe autoimmune issues, all seven (siete) family members adopted a low inflammation, grain-free diet to support her. But this was a Mexican-American family from Texas; they weren't about to give up their tradition-rich meals. So they came up with their first grain-free recipe: these tortillas. I don't have autoimmune issues, but I do like to avoid wheat, so flour tortillas are off the table. This almond flour version fits the bill, and honestly, they taste better than flour tortillas.

– Chris Shugart

Hormone Free, No Nitrates or Nitrites

Unlike most beef jerky out there, this brand doesn't use added sugar. Instead, Epic adds a smidge of golden raisins for sweetness, along with a dash of organic chia seeds for texture. But let's talk about what's really important: it's bison AND bacon! It's like a rugged ol' cowboy married a cute hippy gal and they came up with this recipe after getting hammered on peyote.

– Chris Shugart

True Cold Pressed, High Heat Stable

"Mac nut" oil has been called the new olive oil. It has all the health benefits of olive oil with a practical bonus: you can cook the hell out of it without damaging the healthy fats. It's heat stable up to 515 degrees Fahrenheit. The flavor? Kinda buttery. Use it for baking in place of butter if you're avoiding dairy. Make a heart-healthy salad dressing with it. Or just use it to fry up your morning eggs. Versatile stuff!

– Chris Shugart

Organic, Grain Free, Paleo

You know what's missing from a lot of healthy diets? Crunch. Unless you're talking raw vegetables, most crunchy foods are made from some variation of fried flour... and that's probably not on your regular menu. That's why I like this stuff. Think of it as panko without the bread. It's made from a single ingredient: chickpeas (garbanzo beans). Try this: Brush your chicken breasts with an egg white. Coat both sides with chickpea "bread" crumbs, and your favorite herbs and spices, then toss them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes. It's pretty darn close to fried chicken... or at least close enough for people who don't want to be fat.

– Chris Shugart

Small Batch Crafted, Gluten Free

I like this seasoning so much I tried making it myself by blending my own cumin, oregano, chili pepper, white pepper, salt, and garlic. But it just wasn't the same. Maybe it's because Urban Accents uses chunky dehyderated garlic. Or maybe it's because they tried a thousands different ratios of herbs and spices until they perfected it. Regardless, now I just leave it to the experts. Slather this calorie-free combo all over your fish or chicken. It'll knock your pants off, so don't skip leg day.

– Chris Shugart