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‘I’m a Fitness Instructor and These Are the 10 Products I Swear by to Get the Most out of My Workouts’
By Brittany Hammond,
11 days ago
If it seems like there's a product or supplement for everything these days, it’s because there is—and it’s really hard to know what’s legit and what’s snake oil.
But I've been a fitness instructor for the last seven years, and with some trial and error, I've found a number of tried-and-true products I now can’t live without. These are the best health and fitness products I recommend to my clients the most when they ask me for advice, and now I’m sharing them with you, too.
Though these are my personal favorite products, you'll want to find products that fit your goals. Whether you're trying to build muscle, become a stronger runner, sleep better, or recover faster, your individual needs will lead you to the products that are best for you. All that's to say, it's important to remember that just because something works great for me, doesn’t mean it will be the same for you. But this list is definitely a great starting point!
Sizes: 5 to 12 (also available in wide) | Colorways: 20 | Fit: True to size | Weight: 8.90 oz
I had never paid much attention to the shoes I wore when running until I got my Hokas. Up until then, I just picked a running shoe that looked cute, was comfortable enough as I walked up and down the aisle of the store, and was labeled as a “running shoe.” This resulted in quite a bit of knee pain for me by the third mile of my runs.
It turns out all running shoes are not created equal. The Hoka Bondi 8 has the most cushion I’ve found in a running shoe, which initially made me trip over my own feet a little. But once I got used to them, I was finally able to run pain free.
“Having a shoe specifically designed for running is essential for several reasons, including injury prevention, performance, comfort, and durability,” says Bekah Broe, senior performance product director at Hoka. “Running exerts unique stresses on your body, and the right footwear can significantly reduce the risk of injuries while enhancing your overall running experience.”
Important to note: It’s recommended to replace your running shoes every 250 to 400 miles for the best experience.
Pros:
Seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
Cushioned midsole
MetaRocker to drive you forward
Cradles your feet securely
Love it or return it guarantee
Cons:
The thick sole may be too much for some
Not water resistant
2. Oura Ring — $299+
Sizes: 6 to 13 | Colors: Gold, silver, rose gold, stealth, black, brushed titanium | Battery: 5 to 7 days
Because of my work schedule (I wake up at 3:55 a.m. three days a week, and I coach until 7 p.m. five days a week), sleep is something I don’t get a lot of. I’m very aware how important sleep is for body recovery, cognition, and energy, so I’ve been trying to make it a priority in my life.
To track my sleep, I invested in an Oura ring. I chose the ring because it’s comfortable to sleep in—I don’t even realize I’m wearing it.
Not only does the Oura ring track my sleep but it also tracks heart rate variability (HRV), body temperature, readiness, stress, activity, and provides period prediction, to name a few things.
Thanks to all these measurable metrics, I’m able to see how well-rested I am and know how I should go about my day. If the ring tells me my readiness is low based on my numbers, I adjust my workout for the day to something my body can handle so I don’t overtrain.
“Readiness is your main Oura score and is designed for you and only you, helping you discover what works for your body and lifestyle,” according to the Oura Ring’s website. “Readiness is a holistic picture of your health—taking into account your recent activity, sleep patterns, and direct body signals (like resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and body temperature) that can signify if your body is under strain.”
It can be difficult for me to listen to my body, but when I see the data right in front of me, it’s hard to refute what it’s telling me.
Pros:
Stylish
Comfortable
Can be paired with other apps
Long battery life
Water resistant up to 100 meters
Pinpoint accuracy for heart rate and heart rate variability
Cons:
Expensive
Requires a membership ($5.99/month)
Not great at tracking activity
3. Momentous Creatine — $37
Size: 15.8 oz | Servings: 90 (5 grams of creatine per serving)
I must admit, creatine was something I thought was only for bodybuilders. Even with the knowledge I have as a trainer that lifting weights doesn’t make you bulky, I thought creatine was what people used to build bulk.
After a lot of Googling—it turns out creatine is one of the most researched supplements on the market—I learned creatine actually has a lot of benefits for the everyday lifter, as well as other benefits that have nothing to do with muscle gain.
“It has been shown to increase explosiveness, power, build lean muscle mass, support a more efficient recovery from a concussion, and improve rate of injury recovery,” says registered dietitian Jenna Stangland MS, RD, CSSD, CLT.
I’ve personally seen drastic results when it comes to adding creatine to my diet: My lean muscle mass has increased, but more importantly, I find I’m no longer sore all time post-workout like I was prior to taking creatine.
Creatine has cognitive benefits, too, according to Strangland.
“There’s also a relationship between creatine metabolism in the brain and depression,” she says. “When there are smaller amounts of white matter creatine and phosphocreatine in the brain, more severe depressive episodes occur. Previous research reveals that incorporating daily creatine enhances cell health and survival, which positively impacts creatine levels in the brain.”
Pros:
NSF certified for sport
Builds muscle mass
Boosts cognitive function
Improves rate injury recovery
Cons:
Can be unsafe if you have kidney problems
You may retain water in the beginning, causing uncomfortable bloat
4. LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix — $21
Flavors: citrus salt, raspberry salt, orange salt, watermelon salt | Size: 0.21 oz | Electrolytes: sodium, potassium, magnesium
When you sweat a lot like I do, you want to make sure you’re replenishing your electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals that help to balance the amount of water in your body, and being properly hydrated benefits athletic performance.
If your hydration and electrolytes are low, you can experience headaches, fatigue, constipation, cramps, and irregular heartbeat.
“Dehydration leads to lower blood volume, lesser cardiac output, and worse aerobic capacity,” according to LMNT’s website. “Your heart is working harder and under delivering.”
LMNT is made up of 1,000 milligrams of sodium, 200 milligrams of potassium, and 60 grams of magnesium, creating a great mix for refueling your body.
One of the main reasons LMNT is my top choice even though there are so many options on the market is that it’s not overly sweet. Because it’s high in sodium, the sweetness is cut with the salty flavor. I like to compare it to a non-alcoholic margarita with a salt rim when someone asks me what it tastes like.
Sizes: 5 to 22 | Colorways: Black, Stardust, Navy, White, Slate, Cosmic Gray | Weight: 4.9 oz | Fit: Size up if you’re a half size
It wasn’t until recently that I learned about recovery shoes, and now I couldn’t live without them.
I used to put on my gym shoes at my house, travel to the gym in them, wear them to work out, then wear them back home. Now after I exercise, I change into my recovery slides by OOFOS so my feet can have a much-needed break. I also wear them after long days of coaching because I’m on my feet for about 10 hours a day.
“Feet are the foundation of the body,” says Dan Hobson, head of product design for OOFOS. “They often endure significant stress and impact, especially during physical activities. Maintaining good foot health is crucial as it directly impacts overall well-being, prevents injuries, and enhances performance.”
What makes OOFOS different from other foam-based shoes is that they’re made with OOfoam™, which absorbs 37 percent more impact than other foams. This reduces stress on your joints and more evenly distributes pressure.
Pros:
Absorbs impact
Reduces stress on joints
Evenly distributes pressure
Cons:
Open-toed, may not be good for certain types of weather
6. On Cloudpulse Training Shoe — $150
Sizes: 5 to 11 | Colorways: White/Frost, Black/White, Black/Eclipse, Lavender/Seedling, Pearl/Blossom, Lima/Savannah, Ivory/Fade | Weight: 10 oz | Fit: True to size
I’ve worked and worked out at Orangetheory for my entire career, and for all but the last few months, I’ve been wearing a running shoe during class. The Cloudpulse was the first time I ever wore a dedicated training shoe, and I love it. It feels really light on my feet, but also gives me the support I need to take on interval training.
In addition to the treadmill and rower at Orangetheory, there are often a large amount of power movements on the floor, and these shoes allow me to do it all. I’ve never liked wearing a running shoe for the floor portion of class because they’re thick and don’t allow me to feel the floor. They’re also often too thick to fit in the rower. The Cloudpulse shoes are cushioned enough to run in for 25 minutes and also perform well on the floor.
Los Angeles-based running coach Rusty Sarhn explains why the shoes you run in are not the best to lift in: “Running shoes are often sloped and shaped specifically for a linear heel-to-toe motion—they’re cushiony to absorb the high impact of gait cycle. However, lifting shoes are flat with a rubbery outsole allowing you to grip the ground and be stable. The closer you are to the ground, the more stability you have.”
Pros:
Lightweight
Supportive enough for lifting and HIIT movements
Fits in a rower
Comfortable to run in
Cons:
Not as comfortable for longer runs as shoes made for running
Faster wear and tear than other similar shoes
7. Dynamic Health Organic Tart Cherry Juice — $28
Size: 32 oz | Servings: 15 (29 grams of organic tart cherry juice per serving)
If you’re looking for something quick and easy to add to your recovery, look no further than tart cherry juice. I take a tablespoon per night, and it helps with both my sleep and my muscle recovery.
Ever since I began taking it, I feel better in the mornings after having a big workout. These are my own personal results, and it is important to note that any health claims are based on individual results.
“[Tart cherry juice] is particularly rich in phenols that have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect on your body, and since fitness creates inflammation, which can create soreness, tart cherry can come in, reduce that inflammation, and help us recover better,” says registered dietitian Erica Giovinazzo, RD. “Tart cherry juice also gives us an added benefit to recovery that most other antioxidant-rich foods don’t: It’s high in melatonin and tryptophan, both of which can help us get a better night’s sleep.”
Pros:
High in antioxidants
High in melatonin and tryptophan
Affordable
Cons:
May cause stomach distress
More research needs to be done to prove health benefits
8. Vital Proteins Protein Powder — $27
Size: 1.29 lbs | Servings: 14 (20 grams of protein per serving)
The one thing I’ve been most well versed on since beginning my fitness journey is protein. I know protein helps to build lean muscle mass, and I’ve seen that adding more into my diet has helped me see significant improvements in the strength of my lifts and the ability for my body to recover. I consume one scoop a day mixed with my creatine,
“Eating protein with carbohydrates a couple of hours before working out is helpful for providing the energy necessary to perform well, feel strong, and to do the work required to build muscle. Taking protein after working out helps to support the muscle recovery process,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and certified personal trainer Kathleen Garcia-Benson, RDN, CSSD, CPT.
Size: 81-count | Servings: 27 (6 grams of fiber for every three gummies)
Gut health is a topic that’s been at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds lately—and I’m one of those people. I started taking a daily fiber supplement to help heal my gut, and though it might not seem like gut health and fitness go together, they do.
“A healthy gut improves digestion and nutrient absorption, ensuring your body gets the essential vitamins and minerals needed for sustained energy and endurance during workouts,” says registered dietitian nutritionist Valerie Agyeman, RDN, founder of Flourish Heights. “This supports balanced blood sugar levels, which is key to maintaining peak performance. Additionally, a well-functioning gut helps regulate hormones, which can support mood, metabolism, and overall well-being.”
These fiber gummies have helped me stay regular and feel my best—in and out of the gym.
Pros:
6 grams of fiber per serving
Great taste
Sugar free
Cons:
May cause stomach discomfort
Make sure to drink enough water to avoid constipation with increased fiber
10. Tempo Home Gym — $80+/month
Memberships: Move Home Gym Bundle, Studio Suite Bundle, Core Bundle
As a trainer, I have access to gyms, but sometimes I just want to be away from crowds and lift weights in the comfort of my own home. Sometimes when I’m at the gym, my mind goes blank and I don’t know what I want to do. I still want to be coached and even suffer from gymtimidation at times.
Tempo is a really amazing system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to give you your very own personal trainer at home. There are different set-ups you can purchase, and each one comes with adjustable weights. Your phone tracks your movement to help train you, and the technology provides personalized training recommendations based on your own health data.
“Tempo tracks your form and gives you feedback on form when helpful so you can be sure you’re working out smarter, not harder,” certified personal trainer and Tempo head coach Melissa Boyd, CPT, explains. “We use tools like range of motion meters and PR classes to help you keep moving forward with your goals just like you would in person.”
For someone who loves to lift weights, wants accountability, and wants to do it all from the comfort of their own home, this is the perfect product.
Pros:
Easy to set up
AI counts your reps and checks your form
Aesthetically pleasing
Weights and reps change automatically as you get stronger
Cons:
Expensive
Requires a membership
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