It’s one thing to proclaim bold new goals for 2020, it’s quite another to jump out of bed every day and do the grunt work necessary to make them a reality: prepping meals, going to the gym, and doing the rehab and prehab work to keep your body in fighting shape. Having the right tools in your belt can make a big difference between getting it done and falling off the wagon by February. Here’s what we’re using to hit our own resolutions head-on!
BodyFit by Bodybuilding.com
Recommended by Jeff O’Connell, editor-in-chief
What better time to embark on a fitness journey than the beginning of a new year that also happens to be the beginning of a new decade? If you’re ready to take your fitness to the next level, BodyFit can help you get there. While it won’t actually lift your weights or cook your healthy meals, it does just about everything else imaginable.
The BodyFit Elite tier is like having a personal trainer in your pocket, with workout programs, meal plans, and everything else you need to transform your body and life. The BodyFit Plus tier provides access to enough individual workouts to last you a lifetime, as well as entry to our new and improved exercise database of over 3,500 exercises. BodyFit is brought to you by Bodybuilding.com and backed by 20 years’ worth of expertise in changing lives. Are you next?
Brooks Launch 6
Recommended by Shoshanna Cohen, content editor
Two of my New Year’s resolutions are to declutter my house and to balance running (which I love) with gym training (which is good for you). These awesome shoes are going to help me accomplish all of that. Technically running shoes, they’re still lightweight enough for strength training and mobility work, so I can get away with having only one pair of workout shoes in lieu of the usual heap that takes over my mudroom.
The Launch 6’s firm, responsive cushioning infuses energy into runs, plyometrics, and other dynamic exercises. I love the fit, too, with a secure, locked-down feel but still plenty of toe room. They even have decent enough traction for trails, so I don’t need a separate pair of trail shoes either. Basically, they’re the perfect shoe and I want them in every color—except, oh right. Decluttering.
CanDo Full Body Massager
Recommended by Frieda Johnson, copy editor
Getting a massage is wonderful and can be an incredibly beneficial addition to your recovery routine, but sometimes you don’t have the time or money, or you have a knot you need relief from now and you don’t want to wait until you can schedule a massage.
This is when the CanDo Full Body Massager is a lifesaver. The ergonomic design allows you to massage your own shoulders, back, and other hard-to-reach places, and the knobs allow you to easily target knots and trigger points with as much or as little pressure as you like. It’s a great addition to your home gym but is also lightweight enough to take with you pretty much anywhere. I currently have one at my desk here in the office and it’s perfect for a little midday muscle-tension therapy while I’m working.
Fit & Fresh Lunch On The Go Container
Recommended by Heather Eastman, senior content editor
You can’t eat healthy if you don’t have healthy food with you, which is what makes the Fit & Fresh Lunch On The Go Container a must-have accessory to any fitness resolution. With three stackable modular containers and matching ice pack, this convenient and affordable meal prep system fits easily into a lunch bag or backpack for healthy meals on the go.
The large, 8-cup container is the perfect size for heart-healthy veggies, salads, and tasty leftovers, while the smaller 1-cup containers are ideal for high-protein snacks like jerky, cottage cheese, and nuts. Use them separately or stack everything together to store, transport, reheat, and enjoy leftovers anytime, anywhere.
Tight seals ensure smells and liquids won’t escape, and the reusable ice pack helps your food stay cool and fresh until you’re ready to eat. Buy one for lunch or a dozen for meal prep, and take control of your nutrition so you can reach your fitness goals.
Kettlebell Kings Competition Kettlebell—Fitness Version
Recommended by Nick Collias, executive editor
It’s logical to think that at this point, there’s not much room for innovation in kettlebell design. The differences in most companies usually come down to things like quality of powder coating, and of course, price. But the Fitness Edition bell from Kettlebell Kings features a few subtle innovations that make it stand out even in this increasingly crowded equipment space.
It’s made in the traditional Russian competition bell style, which means that different weights are all the same size—about as big as a 70-pound cast-iron bell. But competition bells usually bring a couple of big drawbacks: narrow handles, slick grips, and discomfort when resting on the forearm.
The Fitness Edition bell addresses each problem head-on. The handles are significantly wider than other comp-style bells and even most cast-iron bells, allowing for relatively easy two-handed grips for swings. The handles are also made of pitted steel rather than slick steel, so they feel stable in the hand and take chalk well. This model also has small flat spots on four sides to help them rest comfortably on the forearm when in the rack position.
Another advantage of this bell is that is has a solid, wide base that can support your torso during push-ups or renegade rows, even with the lightweight models. Plus, you don’t have to learn how to dance with an entirely different dimension of metal coconut each time you step up or down in weight.
I’ll freely admit I’ve been a cast-iron-bell guy for years. But this high-quality steel bell is one I’ll be recommending from now on.