Bodybuilding.com Signature Vitamin C
Recommended by Jeff O'Connell, editor-in-chief
As far as antioxidants go, Vitamin C packs a wallop. Antioxidants are critically important because they clean up what are called free radicals, the potentially dangerous byproducts of various metabolic processes in the human body. Intense exercise, while overwhelmingly healthy, does temporarily increase the production of these free radicals. So does stress. So, how do you access this health-supporting micronutrient? You could slug down a glass of orange juice, but in the process you'd also take in 33 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving. As a result, I'm partial to the supplement form. This new offering from Signature is no-frills, no-nonsense, and an inexpensive investment in your long-term health.
The Muscle Donut
Recommended by Hobart Swan, senior content editor
The first thing that pops into my head when someone says "donut" is the warm, feathery kind you get when they switch on the "fresh" sign at the local Krispy Kreme. But cake donuts take a close second—as long as they're not too big and heavy. Muscle Donut is a company close to Bodybuilding.com's headquarters in Boise, Idaho, that sells its protein donuts at the local farmers market. These days, I grab a cup of coffee and a couple very tasty Muscle Donuts (maybe one with some icing and sprinkles that I'll work off later, right?) and head for the nearest shade.
But what if you're not fortunate enough to live in the City of Trees? Muscle Donut also sells protein donut mix, gluten-free protein donut mix, protein pancake mix, and a protein donut kit that includes a silicon donut pan to make the baking process a breeze. Ten grams of protein per donut, lots of fiber, low sugar and carb, mix made from scratch, naturally sweetened, and no added fats makes this a guilt-free way to start—or survive—the day! Muscle Donut ships fresh donuts too, but you'll have to move to Idaho to get in on that sweet deal.
Green Giant Riced Beets
Recommended by Shoshanna Cohen, content editor
Rice, in case you haven't heard, is now a verb. Food companies have wisely realized you can "rice" just about anything and sell it at a markup, meaning a whole new world has opened up for people like me who fervently hate meal prepping. These juicy beet bits are absolutely nothing like rice, but they're super tasty and, once thawed, ready to go right out of the bag. I love mixing them into an epic chopped salad with veggies, cooked ground chicken, and mashed avocado.
The Load Trainer by Rogue
Recommended by Jason Appelman, content editor
The Load Trainer by Rogue is a simple, practical take on the traditional "backpack full of rocks" for overland training. It uses standard Olympic plates, sits securely on your shoulders, looks badass, and was designed by a naval special warfare operator. What more needs to be said? Hooyah.*
*Editor's note: "Hooyah" is a word used in the United States Navy to build morale and signify verbal acknowledgment, as opposed to "Hooah" in the US Army and "Oorah" in the US Marines. Just something to think about while lugging those plates around.
Extreme Ab and Arm Wheel
Recommended by Nick Collias, executive editor
Serious lifters and athletes have known for years that the ab roller is the ultimate cheapo strength gimmick that actually works. Strength coaches love it (when you do it right), helping it land on our 10 Best Muscle-Building Ab Exercises list. You'll also find it in numerous popular workouts like the One-Month Six-Pack Program and Kizzito Ejam's Chiseled. Heck, even notorious equipment-avoider Al Kavadlo is on board with the roller.
So why would anyone want to improve on the original? For one, the grip on the standard store version can be a little narrow and dicey for people with bad shoulders. Even without a bad shoulder, I find myself holding the outside edge of a standard roller for comfort.
This is where the Extreme Ab and Arm Wheel comes in. It's the first neutral-grip ab roller I've encountered, and the instant I did, I wondered why they weren't all built this way in the first place. Basically, the grip is both a bit wider and 90 degrees more upright than the standard ab roller. But the real game-changer is the neutral grip, which provides more strength and stability as your torso nears the ground, where the real ab roll-out magic happens.
Yes, it takes a little practice to get used to this new version but, ultimately, I found myself feeling the strain right where I wanted to feel it, and not where I didn't. Isn't that kind of the point? The old ab roller will still get the job done, but the Extreme Ab and Arm Wheel works better. If you're someone who already knows the power of the roller, consider it for your arsenal.
Motiv Fitness Tracker Ring
Recommended by Heather Eastman, content editor
Available in trendy his and hers slate gray and rose gold, it seems the makers of the Motiv ring have done the impossible: created a compact fitness tracker with the wearable, day and night versatility hitherto only seen in spy gadgets, and cleverly transformed a mundane symbol of matrimony into a fun electronic toy your spouse will never misplace again.
So, what do you get for your not-cheap-for-a-fitness-tracker-but-cheap-for-a-wedding-ring investment of $199? For one, an optical heart rate sensor, which is a first for a ring. It also synchs seamlessly with a phone through Bluetooth, either automatically or on demand. It also tracks all the standard fitness stuff like steps and calories burned, as well as more specific stats on activity duration, intensity, and type. And it's also waterproof. With a three-day battery life and quick recharging, this sure feels like a next-level fitness accessory.