Stuff We Like

Caffeine-free dandelion root tea. Soluble fiber from the inulin. Feeds probiotics for good digestive health. Enjoy hot or iced.

If you're craving coffee but you've already reached your caffeine limit, try this. It's perfect at night as a dessert replacement if you're in a cutting phase... or even just an eat-less-crap phase.

Hippies will tell you that dandelion is good for the liver, helps with blood sugar, contains antioxidants, and acts as a mild diuretic. Regardless of whether they're right or not, this is a delicious caramel-flavored drink with only 19 calories. So I'd drink it even without those benefits. – Dani Shugart

Reverse osmosis filtered water, 10 grams of collagen, blackberry juice and hibiscus extract, monk fruit extract. 16 pack.

Ever tried taking glucosamine and chondritin supplements to heal your aching joints? Notice much of anything? Me neither. Studies show that these popular supps just don't help much.

But collagen sure does. If you don't feel like mixing up collagen powder, or just don't like the taste, these grab-and-go bottled waters are handy. Each serving provides 10 grams of collagen along with a hint of fruit juice and no added sugar.

All of the Vital Proteins flavors are good, but the blackberry hibiscus really knocks my socks off... whatever the heck hibiscus is. What's that? It's a friggin' flower? Fine, I drink flowers now. Fight me. – Chris Shugart

Variety pack. Gluten-Free, vegan, protein snacks.

If you're wanting to ditch the snacks advertised to 12-year olds using cartoon cheetahs, but you aren't quite ready to totally give up your cheesy puffs, try these snacks made from garbanzo beans (chickpeas). The portable, portion-sized packets make counting your macros easier too, if you're into that. – Chris Shugart

Vibram outsole with flex grooves, midfoot wrap, high-traction outsoles.

Though technically a trail running shoe, lifters who want to keep things minimal love this design. It's super flexible and light with a 4 mm drop, but the forefoot wrap keeps it secure. I wore these while being trained by Christian Thibaudeau. The shoes survived. I barely did. – Chris Shugart

Synthetic skins at the toe and heel for durability. Drop-in midsole enhances lateral stability.

CrossFitters love their Metcons, as do fitness fanatics who like to do a little bit of everything, from lifting to running to box jumping. This lace-less model is built for general lifting, but has been tweaked for speed drills and agility work. And anyway, who has time to tie their shoes when they're trying to beat the dreaded WOD timer? – Chris Shugart

Flat-soled shoe for bodybuilding, MMA, and wrestling with extra ankle support.

There was a time when you really weren't considered a bodybuilder if you didn't rock a pair of these. All the pros wore them, along with their baggy, Rex Kwon Do "muscle pants." (American flag pattern, naturally.) Well, they're still around and their fans are rabid for them. Lifters love their thin, flat soles and feather-light feel. Are they ugly? You're damn right they're ugly! But man, they feel great under a heavy barbell. – Chris Shugart

Narrow, snug fit. Lightweight, locked-down feel. Lace closure with a hook-and-loop strap. Open forefoot and flexible toe design.

Olympic weightlifting shoes used to be simply designed: canvas, big ugly strap across the top, elevated heel. They were cheap too. Today you can find $200 weightlifting shoes with all the bells and whistles. But do you need that? Probably not. ADIDAS Powerlifts are old school. Their simple, platform-tested design will get the job done. – Chris Shugart

Leather high-top sneakers. Rubber sole and toe cap.

You know this shoe. You probably already own a pair or three. So what sets these Chucks apart? Instead of canvas, they're leather. Studies show that deadlifting in leather adds 20 pounds to your top lift. Okay, I just made that up, but they look cool and I've been wearing the same pair for years without a single sign of wear and tear. – Chris Shugart

Safety razor with waxed canvas travel bag, leather holster, 10 blades, lavender shave cream and aftershave.

It took a group of engineers, ninja barbers, and cleanly-shaven wizards over a year to design the perfect single-blade razor. We're talking about the ideal balance of pivot point and spring force, the right weight, the best Japanese blade steel, and high-end handle materials to make it last forever. All that R&D means you'll get a great shave without irritation or razor burn. Oh, and it'll actually look cool sitting out on your bathroom counter. – Chris Shugart

Ten ounces, lasts three times longer than a wussy bar of soap.

This is not a bar of soap. That's for commies and college boys who want to talk about their feelings. This is a brick of soap. Really, it's almost the size of a brick. What does it smell like? Victory and seagrass. You'll put an inch of muscle on your arms just washing your ass. It was inspired by the rough cut, brick-style of soap used by GIs during the Korean War. (It's actually made in the same American factory.) A portion of all proceeds goes directly to support veterans, too. – Chris Shugart

Stainless steel manual trimmer. Comes with cleaning brush, case, and nail clippers.

I don't have excessive nose hair. Nope, not me. But let's pretend I did. And let's pretend that I tried a half-dozen different battery-operated trimmers over the years and all of them, without fail... failed. Well, if that wasn't just pretend, what I'd do is buy an all-steel manual clipper that works great and lasts forever. No batteries needed, just finger power. Sure am glad I don't have to buy one. – Chris Shugart

Eight ounces, sulfate-free, foaming action.

The best reason to grow a beard? Well, studies show that growing a beard instantly increases your max deadlift. The longer the beard, the more you can pull. (That's a true story I just made up.) But once your beard hits a certain manly length, you'll want to ditch the regular soap and use something that keeps it clean without drying it out. This stuff does the trick. Smells good too. – Chris Shugart