26 Things That'll Make Your Workout 1000 Times Better

Your workouts are about to be so much better.

1. An agility ladder drill set which’ll help increase your foot speed and coordination.

Amazon

Promising review: "Have used this mainly for my 13U soccer team. They have shown immense improvement in their balance and agility since the beginning of the season. It has startled me that it has been that effective. The product is sturdy to the wear and tear 14–17 boys put on it two to three nights a week. The ladder bars can also be moved to change the pattern of the agility training. Though when the players are being lazy and hitting the bars, the bars can and will move during the drills. But other than that, I am very glad I invested in this and am now using it for my 13U baseball team as well." —Kenneth Srode


Get it from Amazon for $28.50.

2. A set of shoe insoles for some additional padding on your feet during your runs.

Amazon

The set includes two insoles.

Promising review: "I'm a bartender at a high-volume waterfront restaurant. I'm on my feet for 8–10 hours a day on average. I previously used Dr. Scholl's gel work insoles until I bought these Superfeet Greens. There is no comparison. For someone with high arches, the support level of the Greens is unmatched, even after hours of standing. I highly recommend these to all my fellow service industry workers." —Fabio



Get a pair from Amazon 
for $39.95+ (available in sizes XS–2XL and two colors).

3. A doorway pull-up bar you can attach to to a doorway or use on the floor to increase the intensity of your workouts.

Walmart

Promising review: "I don't have the sturdiest door frames, but it still hangs well and is completely steady. I hung it up and use it every time I walk through the doorway. On the first day, I couldn't even do a full proper pull-up. It's incredible how keeping at it helps you improve (as silly as that sounds). It's helped so much with my upper-body strength, but it doesn't take time out of my day like a normal workout does." —Deanna R.


Get it from Walmart for $19.95.

4. A medicine ball to add a little extra weight to your crunches or sit-ups.

Amazon

Promising review: "With a new baby I found myself doing a lot of upper body exercises while holding my little one. While this is a great upper-body and potentially full-body workout, I found the baby to be a little too squirmy to be effective so I decided to pick up this medicine ball. It was a great choice. It's grippy, compact, and effective. It also doesn't have a tendency to spit up on me while doing chest presses, which is a big plus. Best part — this ball doesn't complain if I accidentally drop it. Honestly — this is a great basic medicine ball. The rubber skin provides great grip. No 'heavy spots,' with the weight evenly distributed across the ball. There are plenty of quick exercises you can do at home to do a full-body workout with the benefit of building both slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscle. Ball seems plenty durable and should last a good long time. Great purchase. Thinking of buying another in a different weight." —Todd W.


Get it from Amazon for $21.98+ (available in 10 weights).

5. A tube of BodyGlide anti-chafe balm that'll shield your skin from chafing caused by it being rubbed together.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: "Started getting into longer-distance running with hot, humid weather and quickly realized that chaffing can be a problem in areas you didn't realize! I've been using this all over, from heels to shorts' leg hole area and it has worked fantastic for 6+ mile runs. Even in lighter rain. But it's very light and not distracting, and you easily forget that it's there. Not greasy or slimy. I also use it under bug spray for trail runs, and it still works great with other sprays like that applied after." —Jess


Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes).

6. A tube of Supergoop! lip balm for kissable lips no matter where your workouts take you.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: “I usually fry my lips every summer at the beach and anywhere I am in the sun for a length of time. I wanted a lip balm with good SPF and didn't taste bad or make me nauseous. I searched online and found this and ordered from Amazon. I have to say that this lip balm is amazing! This is the first summer I have not had burnt lips! It goes on smooth, stays on, does not taste bad, and really works!” —JoPo



Get it from Amazon for $9.50.

7. A Bosu Balance Trainer — which includes a workout DVD — to guide you through workouts that’ll help you reach your cardio and strength-training goals.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review:  "Omg...I love this. I just did a 5K race with my son and his friends, it's called The Inflatable5K, meaning you run three miles while having inflatable obstacles to run, jump, or climb upon. I did it, but I have to say it was harder then I thought to balance on a balloon! I bought this wanting to improve, but I was not expecting all this FUN. I really love it! It's so easy on my joints — in fact when I use this in place of my step for aerobics DVDs, my knee pain is gone...for real! Unexpected bonus!!" —Kat


Get it from Amazon for $99+ (available in 30 styles).

8. A gym bag with a compartment to keep your shoes separate from the rest of your workout gear.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: "The shoe compartment is big enough for most people — I wear a men's 11.5 and my shoes fit into the compartment just fine. It keeps your shoes away from your clean clothes. The bag is durable enough and I have not had any problems yet with jammed zippers or tears. As you should expect, if you put shoes into the shoe compartment, this will intrude some on the interior space of the bag, but there is still more than enough room for enough clothing for a day or two and lots of room to spare if you are only taking a set of workout clothes. The handles and straps on this bag are durable and I have had no issues with them. Outside pockets are ample for keys, wallet, or any number of things." —Jay


Get it from Amazon for $22+ (available in five colors).

9. A kettlebell that’ll be perfect for squats, rows, swings, and several other exercises.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: "This is actually a great kettlebell for the price. It's also much smaller than other coated kettlebells I have, so great space-wise. The handle is a perfect size for two hand grabbing, not all of my kettlebells are. I was worried the handle might not be smooth, but it is powder coated and has a great feel when I swing it. I'm going to order more before they disappear." —The Great Buzzwami


Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in 10 weight options).

10. A water-resistant phone arm band can house your iPhone 8, 7, or 6 during your runs.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: "I got it yesterday in the mail and went out for a walk. It's made out of good, sturdy material. There is a top flap made out of what feels like a neoprene material that holds the phone in securely with a couple cutouts for headphone jacks. You can use the screen of the phone through the plastic. The band is about an inch and the buckle part is about two inches. I used it on the outside buckle and attached it to my left arm. I used to be over 300 pounds and then lost 100 pounds so my arms are pretty floppy and big. This fit securely and didn't cut into my arm. Honestly — it fit." —Amazon Customer


Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in 10 colors).

11. An After Bite treatment stick that'll take some of the power away from pesky bug bites you get while exercising outdoors.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: “These sticks worked fantastic at calming the itch and inflammation of bites from mosquitoes and flies that I got on safari to Mozambique. So I was glad to find more of the sticks on Amazon. They are the best treatment to calm horrible itching and inflammation that can bother you all day and keep you awake at night. Dab this on and you’ll feel better quickly.” —Alaska Granny



Get it from Amazon for $9.73.

12. A bottle of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunscreen, which'll be your first line of defense against UV rays and sunburn during those runs outside.

Amazon / Via Amazon

The pack includes two bottles.

Promising review: “This is a great product. I put a good amount of lotion on right before I run. I run in the middle of the day, sometimes for up to an hour. I can't reapply in the middle of my run because I don't carry the bottle with me. Under these conditions, I have not gotten sunburned even once, not even mildly, since I started using this lotion. So it works. It's not greasy, it doesn't smell bad, and it doesn't make you feel like you dipped your head in Crisco. It's just a really great sunblock.” —Ryan P. Long



Get them from Amazon for $13.27.

13. An ab roller you can use on basically any surface to strengthen your abs, shoulder, arms, and back.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: "The little ab wheel is deceptively simple and sturdy. It looks like a kid's toy, but with proper daily use, it will give you a serious workout. It will strengthen not only your core (abs and lower back) but your arms, shoulders, legs, and entire body, as well. In addition, it will give you an aerobic workout, because your heart and lungs will want to join in the fun!" —S. J. VOLK


Get it from Amazon for $13.50.

14. A Columbia Omni-Freeze ZERO which is designed with UPF 30 sun protection and cooling technology to react with your sweat, lowering the temperature of the fabric and keeping you cool during physical activities.

Columbia / Via Columbia

Promising review: "These are great as an underlayer or single layer. They work

great for workouts and for hot weather use. And they are also perfect for repeated use when traveling. They are totally worth the price.” —Shkell




Get it from Columbia for $24.99+ (available in nine colors).

15. A jump rope that'll help you work on your coordination and add a new cardio option to your routine.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: “This rope is made of very good-quality materials, starting from the steel rope, which is encased in some sort of heavy-duty, slightly clear plastic to the smooth bearings. The finish of the rope is very slick and seems like it'll hold up a long time. If you grab the handle and spin it, the bearing will go 10 revolutions easily, speaking to the quality of the bearings. I've only had it a couple of weeks and it is holding up great. For $10, probably one of the best ropes you can get. And from what I read about the owners of the company and their warranty, seems like these folks will be more than happy to get a new rope over to you ASAP if your current one breaks for whatever reason." —Roman


Get it from Amazon for $10.

16. A space-saving Weslo treadmill – it can easily fold up so you can save space while reaching your fitness goals.

Amazon / Via Amazon

The treadmill features six personal trainer workouts and a two-position incline.

Promising review: "It’s a great treadmill! The price is amazing, and it works just as well as any other treadmills I have used at the gym. The only negative thing is that it has a manual incline, but you get used to it. :)" —Amazon Customer


Get it from Amazon for $385.94.

17. A foam roller to help relax sore muscles after an intense workout.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: "This gives you amazing results! I was upping my running game and started to really get tense muscles in my left leg. I ordered this based on all the reviews. When it finally arrived, I tested it out immediately after a long run. I followed the instructions that came with the unit and WOW! It really works! The tension was immediately gone. So, tried it out over several days of running and same results. I highly recommend this roller." —SABell


Get if from Amazon for $21.35 (available in 11 colors).

18. A set of resistance bands perfect for working your glutes, shoulders, abs, and arms.

Amazon / Via Amazon

The set includes five tube bands — 5lbs, 15lbs, 20lbs, 30lbs, 35lbs. All the bands are 48" in length and stackable in any combination up to a maximum resistance coefficient of 105lbs. The set also comes with two cushioned soft-grip handles, one door-safe anchor, two soft ankle straps, and one waterproof carrying bag.


Promising review: "I have had these for a few weeks now and I must say I'm thoroughly impressed with the packaging and quality of these bands. You get everything you see in the product pictures and it is exactly as advertised. There is an instructional pamphlet that details several different exercises possible with these bands with images of the different setups. The foam bars are sturdy and I had no trouble getting a good workout from using the bands with the bars. There isn't really anything I can fault this product on. It is truly a terrific exercise product that will get you results if you put in the effort of using it. A plus is that it is so mobile and compact in the storage bag that I leave it by the television set so that I can get in a little exercise while I am watching" —W. Kwok


Get it from Amazon for $20.98.

19. A pair of no-show running socks with a heel tab so they won’t slip down into your shoes.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: “I love these no-show socks. They fill out my sneakers, making me feel more stable. I have thinner feet. And these socks hug my feet and make my shoe feel part of foot. There’s no sliding around and no rubbing or burning on the sole of my foot.” —RuthR 



Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in sizes S-M and seven colors).

20. A BlenderBottle for mixing up your smoothies, supplements, and protein shakes.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: "This is a great little shaker cup. I've used it daily since it arrived. It hasn't leaked ever. It's easy to clean, and there's no plastic taste. I will definitely be purchasing a few more for my other supplement needs while training." —Kaylin Hines


Get it from Amazon for $8.70+ (available in 27 colors).

21. An exercise ball that’ll be ideal for all types of core workouts

Amazon / Via Amazon

The ball includes one hand pump, two air plugs and a valve remover tool.


Promising review: "I can't even begin to say enough good things about this stability ball! My back has gotten so much stronger since I started using it as an office chair for one or two hours per day! I work from home and my back had gotten incredibly weak, to the point that I could only walk 1/4 mile before the pain would get EXTREMELY bad and unbearable. After two weeks of using the ball, I can now walk 1 mile before pain begins — that is a HUGE improvement and has made an even bigger impact on my happiness and quality of life. I might add that it is REALLY fun to bounce on it! I having been having a ball with it (pardon the pun)." —Valerie


Get it from Amazon for $7.90+ (available in six colors and two sizes).

22. A set of Goody no-slip bands which’ll keep your hair secure during your time at the gym.

Amazon / Via Amazon

The pack includes 10 hairbands. 


Promising review: "I have long, straight hair that is very fine and my hair slips out of EVERYTHING. I recently ran a 5K and a few hours later taught a Zumba fitness class — I didn't have to readjust this hair tie even ONE TIME. I’m completely serious. These are, in a word, amazing." —Sophie Austen


Get them from Amazon for $3.83.

Check out our full review of Goody SlideProof Hair Ties here (#3).

23. A dope pair of sweat-proof Phaiser bluetooth headphones — which feature handy magnetic earbuds — for a welcome upgrade to your struggling earbuds.

Amazon / Via Amazon

The set includes a carrying case, three pairs of earphone tips, one pair of memory foam tips, three pairs of wing attachments, two pairs of cable management clips, two collar clips, one charging cable, one user manual.


My Phaiser headphones are truly my best friends. They provide quality sound and have a comfortable fit. PLUS, the magnet feature on the earbuds offers me a little extra protection from accidentally losing them when I have them hanging around my neck while browsing in a store or running to catch the subway. I have two pairs — one for daily use and one for working out, and they work well for both. When for working out, they stay put in my ears while running or lifting, and are easy to wipe down after a really intense session. They charge quickly and I can typically get close to around seven hours out of them on a full charge. 



Get them from Amazon for $29.98+ (available in five colors).

24. A sturdy pair of Under Armour SpeedForm Amp 3.0 sneakers – they'll offer tons of support and comfort while lifting weights or running.

Under Armour / Via Under Armour

I just returned to working out after several years off and have been using these sneaks as my workout shoe. I do running, as well as lifting and boot camp classes in these, and after two months of working at least three days a week in them, they are holding up perfectly. The knit toe box offers me tons of comfort and ventilation during my sessions, and the shoe has a low enough heel that I feel very secure and grounded when doing exercises like goblet squats. They fit true to size for me and are very lightweight, making them perfect for transitioning from a warm-up run on the treadmill to lifting weights, jumping rope, or even doing burpees and excesses that require a great deal of foot movement. If you are looking for a comfortable, quality, sturdy shoe to wear for cross-training, these are a great option. And I consider them worth the price for a trainer I know will likely hold up longer than a less-pricey workout shoe, especially with all the wear put on them at the gym


Get them from Under Armour for $100 (available in sizes 8–14 and eight colors).

25. Or a more affordable pair of mesh running shoes to take workouts to the next level.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: “I ordered a size 9, as there was no size 8.5. It fit just like an 8.5, which was perfect! My husband says that these shoes are extremely comfortable. Normally when buying a new pair of shoes, the heel can be stiff or too thin. These shoes have padding where the heal is to give you that extra bit of comfort.” —BH&H


Get them from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in sizes 6–12.5 and 11 colors).

26. A set of pushup stands which rotate as you use them, engaging more of your muscles.

Amazon / Via Amazon

Promising review: "I did pushups the regular way for years. I hurt my wrist in an unrelated accident, and the residual pain prevented me from being able to do pushups the regular way. I tried the Perfect Pushup at my gym, and I fell in love right away. I could resume pushups without wrist pain. Then to top it off, the Perfect Pushup enhanced my workout so much. The added definition to my chest, arms and core are so VERY noticeable. You must try them!!!" —Wayne E Clark


Get it from Amazon for $26.99.

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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Allison Krausman / BuzzFeed