Amazing Grass Green Superfood Detox & Digest
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Recommended by Heather Eastman, senior content editor
It’s hard to argue with the notion that eating more greens can lead to better health. Not only do leafy greens and superfoods like ginger, papaya, and turmeric help aid with digestion and alkalinization, they also supply nutrients you need to build muscle and feel great. The problem is that fresh veggies and herbs are expensive and perishable, which means you could end up wasting your money if you don’t eat them in time.
My new favorite greens supplement solves this issue by offering the same I-forgot-to-pack-a-lunch convenience of a protein powder, but with a superfood twist. Instead of boosting macros like its better-known protein cousin, this greens powder replaces the micronutrients of an entire plateful of veggies in one simple scoop. It eliminates all the unpleasantness of prepping and eating your veggies—washing, chopping, chewing, tasting—by giving you all of the benefits with none of the trouble. So this March, don’t just wear green, drink it!
Fat Gripz Extreme (2.75-Inch Diameter) Orange
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Recommended by Nick Collias, executive editor
Fat Gripz aren’t just a secret weapon of world-class bodybuilders anymore. The 2.25-inch blue model was named Gym2k.com’s accessory of the year in 2018, and it’s increasingly spotted in the wild. But the 2.75-inch orange model remains a more elusive sighting, mostly just in training videos for elite grip athletes like Adam Glass. However, after trying Fat Gripz Extreme for the first time, I’m convinced that anyone who is experienced with the classic blue grips should shake hands with the beefier orange, as well.
In addition to improving grip strength, using these grips to increase the width of dumbbells, barbells, and cable handles increases muscle activation, leading to more muscle and strength. The smaller blue version may be more comfortable for presses and pulls, but for direct arm work like dumbbell or cable curls, the Extreme is beastly. Yes, you’ll have to use lighter weights. Get over it. It’ll be worth it. And while there are quite a few thick-grip options on the market these days, Fat Gripz remain the sturdiest and best feeling, hands down.
Want to go for extra credit? Use the orange Fat Gripz with blood flow restriction bands for biceps and/or triceps. They’ll light up your arms from fingertip to shoulder like nothing else you’ve ever tried.
Revel Energy
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Recommended by Kailan Kalina, content editor
It can be hard to find legitimate supplements made for women that aren’t wrapped in girlish labels and promoted exclusively by lean models. No hate—I just don’t relate. And those products never did anything special for me. But Revel has changed my mind about what I can expect from products made for women. Revel not only celebrates women who work hard to build a strong body, but they set a standard for ingredients that fit the needs of strength and performance athletes. As a powerlifter, I can get 100 percent behind that.
I’m picky about pre-workouts since some contain ingredients disallowed in certain federations, but I also don’t want to waste my money on nothing but straight-up caffeine. The differentiating ingredients in Revel Energy are Peak O2, Nitrosigine, Teacrine, and coconut water powder. Peak O2 intrigued me most, as it is an adaptogen blend that can increase energy production, power output, and oxygen utilization. Adaptogens are also known to combat stress, which could help with recovery. And I appreciate the unique flavors with no artificial colors—love the blackberry lime! Highly recommend.
Unstoppable on Gym2k.com All Access
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Recommended by Shoshanna Cohen, content editor
As a 110-pound former runner with injuries aplenty, I have to modify a lot of classic lifts down to something I can handle. Kettlebell deadlifts feel way less sketchy than a bar for this reason, and I was progressing quickly with them—until I ran out of kettlebells and had no idea what to do next.
Then I realized we had an All Access resource that seemed like it was written for me. Unstoppable is a toolkit for tailoring the big lifts to your individual level of strength and mobility. It features movement pyramids that order lift variations from safest to most challenging, providing a roadmap for progression. I located the kettlebell deadlift halfway up the deadlift pyramid. Next step: single-leg Romanian deadlift, a more challenging but still doable hinge variation. Problem solved.
Unstoppable is packed with other great tools, like smart warm-up routines and best practices for training around back, knee, and shoulder pain. If you’re working around injuries, enjoy building your own programs, or just aren’t ready for a loaded bar, Unstoppable is an invaluable guide. I’ll be referring back to it again and again as I continue to build strength.
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