A Beginner's guide to
the world
of sneaker investment
Letting summer go without fully taking advantage of the beautiful outdoors is a tough regret to live with when the fall chill rolls around. That goes for missing out on those outdoors sweat sessions too. Why not reserve the long workouts in a crowded gym for the winter months? Sure, you may not be able to wheel a leg press or squat rack out to the backyard, but there is plenty that you can throw into a backpack that will get the job done. Here are some great pieces of gear that will help you elevate your routine, whether you are hitting it in the field or on the beach.
Editor's Pick (by Steve Bramucci)
Omorpho G-Vest
Price: $399
The Company Line
The Omorpho G-Vest is a secret weapon that raises the challenge (and gains) of your training session. Wear it at the gym, and the difficulty of your workout hits a little quicker. Zip it on before a hike, and you turn an easy out-and-back into a strength and conditioning session. Or wear it at home to give bodyweight workouts a boost. The weight is spread close across the torso, so it feels lighter than its 10 pounds. And with a locked-in fit and pliable feel, there’s nothing holding you back.
Why You Need It
I got my first weight vest at 15. It was huge, made of foam, and chaffed my arms. I swapped it out soon after for a neoprene vest, which was better, but the clunky weights banged every which way and left my ribs bruised after a day of wear. The G-Vest is next-gen. It’s stiff enough not to bang around but flexible enough to move with my body. The weights are distributed throughout, which feels more balanced and doesn’t throw my body out of whack.
In short, this is the perfect weight vest experience — you get the extra weight/ resistance while working out and it’s not so obtrusive that it defines your workout. Run with it. Hoop with it. Then, when you take it off, you feel light and free and everything is easier. It’s an awesome sensation.
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Blaze Pod Kit + 6-Month Pro Plan
Price: $263
The Company Line:
The products from Blaze Pod are perfect for a variety of professional sports coaches, therapists or fitness trainers, as well as everyone else. The set up is championed by coaches like Jamal Liggin, who is known for his work with NFL wide-receiver Odell Beckham Jr., running back Marshawn Lynch, and linebacker Von Miller. The standard kit includes 4 LED light-up pods that can be automated to create engaging challenges, competitions, and tests for anyone looking to improve their on-field abilities.
Why You Need It:
This piece of gear is one of those products that the average person is not going to hear about if they aren’t a training nut or know somebody on the inside of professional athletics. That is why it works as a perfect gift for the sports fan in your circle or a treat to yourself to mix up the workouts. The system, which comes with its own app, uses flash reflex training to increase agility, which benefits a variety of endeavors like soccer, basketball, tennis, and martial arts.
If your hobbies include anything sports-related this might be the tool to help you level up the game.
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XYLsports Jump Rope
Price: $8
The Company Line:
The jump rope from XYLsports is a durable piece of equipment with adjustable length and foam-padded comfortable handles. The ultra-smooth high performance rotation ensures the cleanest of revolutions. Delivered from a Mom-and-Pop business team comprised of fitness enthusiasts, it’s a great addition to any home training set-up.
Why You Need It:
There’s a reason jumping rope is one of the go-to segments for any movie training montage you have ever seen. The practice comes with countless benefits from total-body strengthening to increased agility and bone density. Not only that, but it’s actually one of those routines that can become fun and addicting in its own way once you get the hang of it.
This jump rope is study, comfortable, and durable. That’s all you need.
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Onnit Steel Clubs
Price: $50
The Company Line
Onnit’s supreme quality Steel Clubs are an excellent tool to enhance your primal fitness. Originally developed in ancient Persia as a means for conditioning soldiers and wrestlers, heavy clubs are particularly valuable for grip strength, shoulder work, and rotational core power. With a variety of movements and infinite possibilities, Steel Clubs can be used to train all aspects of fitness, including strength, conditioning, and balance.
Why You Need It
Picking up dumbbells or barbells over and over again for the same old routines can get very monotonous. So finding new and imaginative methods to building up your strength is always a win. In this instance what was once old is now new — bringing an added level of intrigue to the training sessions. The clubs come in a large range of weights, from five to 45 pounds, so no matter your level there is a weapon of choice for you.
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Hayabusa Heavy Bag
Price: $160
The Company Line
This bag was designed to take the most extreme beatings, and is perfect for both home or commercial gym use. The bag was stocked in boxing gyms all over the world, and got the nod of approval from number of legitimate fighters for use during training. The piece is also designed with ultra and soft material, which makes it a great bag to hit all day long.
Why You Need It
There are fewer activities more satisfying than hitting the heavy bag. Not only is it a great way to let off a little steam after a long day, but it is one of the best full-body workouts you can do. If you feel nervous walking into your local boxing gym, there are plenty of great training apps or instructional pieces on YouTube. Getting a few days with the heavy bag every week is a great way to mix up the routine and you might find yourself with a deeper appreciation for the sport.
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Beastmaker 2000
Price: $90
The Company Line
The Beastmaker 2000 has been designed with the help of the best climbers in the world. The result is a hangboard which tests the limits of finger strength and will help you towards your high-grade goals. There are a large variety of holds which will let you specifically target your weaknesses and get stronger, comfortably, in all of the grip types. The wood is also far superior to resin in terms of its natural properties of grip, porosity and texture, making it the best training material available for finger strength.
Why You Need It
There are more people taking up climbing than ever and what people are discovering is that it requires a whole lot of strength in a piece of anatomy that is regularly ignored in training—the fingers. Picking a hangboard to put up in your backyard or garage is an easy way to build up that endurance without needing to hit the rock climbing gym. Even if you aren’t planning on taking on any mountains, it’s a fun way to diversify your routine.
This particular piece comes with the added bonus of getting to say it’s the favorite of Alex Honnold, the subject of the Oscar-winning doc Free Solo.
Buy Here
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Rogue Fitness Resistance Bands
Price: $12-$17
The Company Line
Rogue’s Echo Resistance Bands are made from a durable latex rubber, and are perfect for all ability levels from beginner to expert. Customers can order the band or bands best suited to their needs, whether they are just trying to find a better way to stretch in their home gym, or need to fully equip a legitimate training facility for strength work. These bands are a go-anywhere accessory for customized resistance training—from mobility work and pull-up assistance to banded squats and bench presses.
Why You Need It
The beauty of resistance bands is being able to take your workout anywhere, and in the summer that is a great ability to have. Bodyweight training is extremely invigorating and freeing, and when partnered with a few heavy-duty bands it can be just as effective as anything you can do in your neighborhood gym. Not to mention, once you get in the habit of training with bands you can take your routine on the road as well.
Buy Here
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Lumen
Price: $249-$349
The Company Line
Lumen is the world’s first hand-held, portable device to accurately measure metabolism. Once available only to top athletes, in hospitals and clinics, metabolic testing is now available to everyone. Lumen is scientifically proven to meet the gold standard of metabolism measurement (RER) in multiple validation studies. See how your metabolism is affected by your sleep, physical activity, and nutrition.
Why You Need It
This little item is a useful piece of technology that the majority of people in your life probably haven’t heard about yet. Getting metabolic data used to be a big undertaking, but the Lumen crew has endeavored to make it easily accessible to anyone. This piece helps you learn how you are burning fat and carbs based on a little breath into their device. This information is delivered through your phone so that you can use it to improve your eating habits and sleep patterns.
Bonus Expert Opinion: Don Saladino
“Getting into carb cycling is difficult for most people. Every day your body needs a certain amount a fuel and it’s difficult to know exactly how much. What I love about Lumen is it was learning as I used it more. Personally, I have had a lot of fun getting to learn how difficult elements affect my energy levels. I use it first thing every morning, about ten or 15 minutes after I wake up, and having a tool like that accessible every day is crazy.
Buy Here
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On Running Cloudventure
Price: $170
The Company Line
This waterproof trail-worthy shoe is made with a number of high-tech fabrics and materials to construct the perfect running companion. Run any path in any condition, with extreme traction and welcomed cushioning . The mission grip outsoles feature solid high-grip rubber fused over Zero-Gravity foam that provides ventilation and durability. The precision heel fit also ensures much-needed security when moving downhill at fast paces.
Why You Need It
For much of the world, it’s not always a pleasant time to run outdoors, especially in the cold winter months. But breathing in the fresh air is one of the most healing elements of hitting a sprint at the track or doing a jog through the woods. So grabbing those miles out in nature while it’s possible in the summer can’t be recommended highly enough. These shoes are fit for service no matter what the conditions or ground surface, from pavement to dirt to stone.
Buy Here
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Ice Barrel
Price: $1,199
The Company Line
Ice Barrel is a cold therapy training tool that offers an easy way to add ice baths to your routine. With a lightweight design and functional features, Ice Barrel is portable, durable, compact, and looks cool. The barrel is built with a 105-gallon capacity designed for most body types to sit in an upright position, which allows the body and mind to focus and relax. There are many athletes who have incorporated cold water therapy into their recovery routines, but you don’t need to be a professional to experience the benefits that come with it.
Why You Need It
There are few things more invigorating than slipping into an ice-cold bath, especially on a hot (late!) summer’s day. Starting the practice when cold water therapy is a welcome respite from the high temperatures outside is the best way to introduce yourself to this restorative therapy. There are great physical benefits to submerging into freezing water on a regular basis — from alleviated pain to reduced swelling to stimulating weight loss and increased brain function.
Buy Here
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Beastmaker 2000
Price: $399
The Company Line
The Beastmaker 2000 has been designed with the help of the best climbers in the world. The result is a hangboard which tests the limits of finger strength and will help you towards your high-grade goals. There are a large variety of holds which will let you specifically target your weaknesses and get stronger, comfortably, in all of the grip types. The wood is also far superior to resin in terms of its natural properties of grip, porosity and texture, making it the best training material available for finger strength.
Why You Need It
There are more people taking up climbing than ever and what people are discovering is that it requires a whole lot of strength in a piece of anatomy that is regularly ignored in training—the fingers. Picking a hangboard to put up in your backyard or garage is an easy way to build up that endurance without needing to hit the rock climbing gym. Even if you aren’t planning on taking on any mountains, it’s a fun way to diversify your routine.
This particular piece comes with the added bonus of getting to say it’s the favorite of Alex Honnold, the subject of the Oscar-winning doc Free Solo.
Buy Here
6
Rogue Fitness
Resistance Bands
Price: $8
The Company Line:
Rogue’s Echo Resistance Bands are made from a durable latex rubber, and are perfect for all ability levels from beginner to expert. Customers can order the band or bands best suited to their needs, whether they are just trying to find a better way to stretch in their home gym, or need to fully equip a legitimate training facility for strength work. These bands are a go-anywhere accessory for customized resistance training—from mobility work and pull-up assistance to banded squats and bench presses.
Why You Need It:
The beauty of resistance bands is being able to take your workout anywhere, and in the summer that is a great ability to have. Bodyweight training is extremely invigorating and freeing, and when partnered with a few heavy-duty bands it can be just as effective as anything you can do in your neighborhood gym. Not to mention, once you get in the habit of training with bands you can take your routine on the road as well.
Buy Here
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Lumen
Price: $263
The Company Line:
Lumen is the world’s first hand-held, portable device to accurately measure metabolism. Once available only to top athletes, in hospitals and clinics, metabolic testing is now available to everyone. Lumen is scientifically proven to meet the gold standard of metabolism measurement (RER) in multiple validation studies. See how your metabolism is affected by your sleep, physical activity, and nutrition.
Why You Need It:
This little item is a useful piece of technology that the majority of people in your life probably haven’t heard about yet. Getting metabolic data used to be a big undertaking, but the Lumen crew has endeavored to make it easily accessible to anyone. This piece helps you learn how you are burning fat and carbs based on a little breath into their device. This information is delivered through your phone so that you can use it to improve your eating habits and sleep patterns.
Bonus Expert Opinion: Don Saladino
“Getting into carb cycling is difficult for most people. Every day your body needs a certain amount a fuel and it’s difficult to know exactly how much. What I love about Lumen is it was learning as I used it more. Personally, I have had a lot of fun getting to learn how difficult elements affect my energy levels. I use it first thing every morning, about ten or 15 minutes after I wake up, and having a tool like that accessible every day is crazy.
Buy Here
8
On Running Cloudventure
Price: $50
The Company Line
This waterproof trail-worthy shoe is made with a number of high-tech fabrics and materials to construct the perfect running companion. Run any path in any condition, with extreme traction and welcomed cushioning . The mission grip outsoles feature solid high-grip rubber fused over Zero-Gravity foam that provides ventilation and durability. The precision heel fit also ensures much-needed security when moving downhill at fast paces.
Why You Need It
For much of the world, it’s not always a pleasant time to run outdoors, especially in the cold winter months. But breathing in the fresh air is one of the most healing elements of hitting a sprint at the track or doing a jog through the woods. So grabbing those miles out in nature while it’s possible in the summer can’t be recommended highly enough. These shoes are fit for service no matter what the conditions or ground surface, from pavement to dirt to stone.
Buy Here
9
Ice Barrel
Price: $160
The Company Line
Ice Barrel is a cold therapy training tool that offers an easy way to add ice baths to your routine. With a lightweight design and functional features, Ice Barrel is portable, durable, compact, and looks cool. The barrel is built with a 105-gallon capacity designed for most body types to sit in an upright position, which allows the body and mind to focus and relax. There are many athletes who have incorporated cold water therapy into their recovery routines, but you don’t need to be a professional to experience the benefits that come with it.
Why You Need It
There are few things more invigorating than slipping into an ice-cold bath, especially on a hot (late!) summer’s day. Starting the practice when cold water therapy is a welcome respite from the high temperatures outside is the best way to introduce yourself to this restorative therapy. There are great physical benefits to submerging into freezing water on a regular basis — from alleviated pain to reduced swelling to stimulating weight loss and increased brain function.
Buy Here
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