Summer’s coming up fast, so now’s the time to lock in, hit the gym with purpose, and work on that beach-ready physique. But keep in mind that solid gym results don’t just come down to your workout plan, the habits you build and the gear you show up with are equally important.

You can follow the best program in the world, but if you’re eating like crap, wearing the wrong sneaks, or running on empty in spin class because you’re not properly hydrated, you’re making things harder than they need to be and leaving huge gains on the table.

Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up a list of gear and supplements that are actually worth adding to your gym routine this year. From pre-workout prep to mid-session performance and post-workout recovery, these items cover every phase, and help you show up feeling more focused, more prepared, and ready to get after it.

1. KURU TRIPLE MAX Ion Sneakers

Before you worry about your lifting program, your macros, or your playlist, let’s talk about the one piece of gear that literally connects you to everything you do in the gym – your sneakers. Most guys grab whatever looks cool or is on sale, and then wonder why their knees ache after leg day or their feet feel wrecked after a long session. The right shoe changes everything.

We’ve been testing out the KURU TRIPLE MAX Ion sneakers for the past 3-4 weeks now, and let me tell you, I absolutely love them! KURU’s secret sauce is their KURUSOLE technology – a curved, heel-cupping design that dynamically flexes with each step to hug and protect your feet, cradling the heel pad (your body’s natural shock absorber) rather than flattening it like a traditional insole. The KURUCLOUD+ midsole contours to your foot, alleviating pressure and supporting natural biomechanics, particularly valuable for anyone prone to foot fatigue or plantar fasciitis. Pair that with the arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES and you’ve got a shoe that’s genuinely engineered for all-day performance.

In the gym, the TRIPLE MAX Ion handles whatever you throw at it. KURU says it’s their go-to for maximum shock absorption and stability during intense training sessions, and I definitely found that to be the case as well, whether I was running on the treadmill or lifting weights.

Not only for the gym, they’re super comfy to wear around town as well. In fact, I wore them to NYC last week for a full day of exploring, logging over 20,000 steps across the city. Pavement, subway stairs, crowded sidewalks, the whole nine yards. My feet felt great even after all of that!

For gym sessions, long walks, and everyday wear where your feet actually need to hold up? The KURU TRIPLE MAX Ion sneakers are hard to beat. ($189)

2. Nuun Electrolyte Tablets

Picture this: you’re 30 minutes into a brutal spin class. The instructor won’t stop yelling, your legs are burning, and your shirt is drenched in sweat. You grab your water bottle and take a big long swig.. but here’s the thing. Plain water isn’t always enough. When you sweat hard during intense cardio, you’re not just losing water; you’re also losing electrolytes. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride. These minerals help regulate hydration, muscle function, and energy production. Skip them, and you might find yourself cramping up, fading out, or just never quite finding your second wind.

That’s where Nuun Sport comes into play. Each hydration tablet dissolves in 16 oz of water and delivers five essential electrolytes: no artificial sweeteners, no junk, and only 1 gram of sugar. Nuun Sport is formulated with sodium for rehydration, potassium to regulate hydration balance, magnesium for muscle and nerve function, calcium, and chloride to maintain proper pH levels. The whole thing comes in at just 15 calories per serving, making it a dramatically cleaner option than sports drinks loaded with sugar and artificial coloring.

The tablets are also portable in the best possible way – a tube fits in your gym bag, your car’s cup holder, or your jacket pocket. Drop one in before your spin class, your run, or your HIIT session, and you’ll notice the difference in sustained energy and fewer mid-workout crashes.

They come in a wide variety of flavors (Lemon Lime, Strawberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, and Tri-Berry are among the most popular), with a light, effervescent fizz that actually makes you want to drink more water. And if you really want to level up, Nuun Sport + Caffeine adds 80mg of plant-based caffeine for days when you need an extra kick before training.

For guys who skip electrolytes entirely, consider this your reminder. It’s one of the simplest, cheapest upgrades you can make to your training nutrition. ($7+)

3. BenjiLock Stainless Steel Fingerprint Padlock

Let’s talk about one of the most underrated pain points in the gym: the locker. Specifically, the lock you forget the combination to, or the key you set down somewhere in the locker room and can’t find. It’s one of those small annoyances that shouldn’t matter, but somehow it always manages to mess with your flow right before or after a workout.

Not to worry, because BenjiLock has solved this problem completely, developing the world’s first traditional padlock with fingerprint technology. That’s right, biometrics baby! Simply touch the sensor, the lock opens, and you’re done. No spinning a dial, no scrambling for keys, no standing in the locker room trying to remember a combination you set three months ago.

The Stainless Steel Series model is the most robust version BenjiLock has. It features a 40mm stainless steel body with a corrosion-resistant shackle and a double ball locking mechanism that resists prying and tampering. The IP68 waterproof rating means it can handle splashes, sweat, and steam without issue – which matters more than you’d think in a gym locker room environment. It comes in a striking matte royal blue finish that looks sharp and is easy to spot.

The biometric sensor stores up to 10 fingerprints, so you can register multiple fingers. Pro tip: register the same finger from a few different angles for faster, more reliable print recognition. There’s no app required, no Wi-Fi dependency, and no Bluetooth to fidget with. Battery life is exceptional, up to six months on a single Micro USB charge. That means you’re not thinking about charging your padlock every few weeks. It just works, every time you show up.

You’re getting a lock you will never lose the combination to, never need a key for, and that will genuinely outlast cheaper alternatives. It’s one of those purchases where the premium pays for itself in pure convenience over time. ($70)

4. Wireless Sport Earbuds

Studies have shown that music increases motivation, reduces perceived exertion, and improves workout performance. Your playlist isn’t just background noise, it is part of your training stack. Which means earbuds that fall out, get wrecked by sweat, or die mid-session are genuinely costing you performance. If you’re still using regular wireless earbuds at the gym, it’s time to upgrade to something built for the job.

For iPhone Users: Apple AirPods Pro 3

If you are an Apple user, the AirPods Pro 3 are one of the best gym earbuds you can buy right now, and it’s not even close. Apple completely overhauled this generation recently, and the upgrades are meaningful for athletes specifically.

Lets start with fit. Apple analyzed over 10,000 ear scans and spent more than 100,000 hours of testing to redesign the AirPods Pro 3 from the ground up. The result is the most secure, stable AirPods ever made — each earbud is slightly smaller, the ear tip geometry was recentered for improved stability, and the new foam-infused tips now come in five sizes including a new XXS option. Whether you’re doing HIIT, running, or yoga, these are engineered to stay put.

The Active Noise Cancellation is up to 2x more effective than the already excellent AirPods Pro 2, and 4x better than the originals. That means the guy grunting next to you at the squat rack essentially disappears. Battery life has also jumped meaningfully, with ~8 hours of listening with ANC on, and a quick 5-minute charge in the case gets you about an hour of playback.

But the standout gym feature this generation is built-in heart rate sensing. The AirPods Pro 3 use an infrared sensor that pulses 256 times persecond to measure your heart rate during workouts. It integrates directly with the iPhone Fitness app, tracking over 50 different workout types, calories burned, and letting you close your Move ring. It also carries an IP57 sweat and water resistance rating, handling everything from dripping sweat to an unexpected downpour.

For Android Users: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

Not on iPhone? No problem. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 comes highly recommended for Android users who want the best workout earbud experience, and it’s earned that reputation legitimately.

The over-ear hook design is the defining feature. Where in-ear buds rely on a tight canal fit to stay put, the Powerbeats Pro 2 physically hooks around your ear, making them essentially fall-out-proof no matter how intense your session gets. Box jumps, sprints, burpees – these aren’t going anywhere. The hooks were redesigned for the second generation and are notably more comfortable than the original, making them well-suited for longer gym sessions.

Like the AirPods Pro 3, the Powerbeats Pro 2 includes a heart rate monitor and active noise cancellation, a first for the Powerbeats line. Battery life stretches up to 10 hours per charge with up to 45 hours total from the case. Sound is punchy and bass-forward, exactly what you want when you need to push through the last few reps. And while they’re built on Apple’s H2 chip, they work well with Android via the Beats app, with most key features intact.

5. Resistance Bands Set

If you’d ever dismissed resistance bands as something for rehab clinics or beginners, it’s time to rethink that take. My personal trainer turned me onto them a few years ago, and I have been using them ever since. A quality set of resistance bands might be the most versatile piece of fitness equipment you can own, and you can bring them with you anywhere.

At the gym, bands are excellent for warming up joints before heavy lifts, adding resistance to movements like squats and bench press, and isolating smaller muscle groups that barbells tend to miss. They’re also really useful for mobility and flexibility work post-session, which most guys skip entirely but really shouldn’t.

Whether you’re at home or on the road, a full set of resistance bands can replicate a surprising range of exercises: rows, chest presses, curls, lateral raises, pull-aparts, face pulls, hip thrusts, and more. For guys like me who travel frequently, a set of bands means you have no excuse to skip training just because you’re staying somewhere without a gym.

Look for a quality set that includes multiple resistance levels (light through heavy), durable latex construction, and you can even get one that comes with handles, ankle straps, and a door anchor for maximum versatility. Expect to spend $30+ for a quality set, it’s some of the best return on investment in all of fitness equipment.

6. Muscle Recovery Tool (Spray, Roller, Percussion Device)

Most guys will train hard, go home, sit on the couch, and then wonder why they’re always sore, tight, and never quite recovering fast enough for their next session. The workout is only half of the equation. Recovery is the other half, and it’s the half that most people completely ignore.

A quality recovery tool, whether it’s a cooling muscle spray, a foam roller, or a massage gun, is the finishing touch to a smart training routine. Muscle fascia needs to be worked on between sessions to reduce tightness, improve circulation, and accelerate repair. Ten minutes with a foam roller or massage device after your workout can meaningfully improve how you feel 24–48 hours later.

Cooling muscle sprays are a great low-effort option. Menthol-based sprays provide fast topical relief to sore areas and are easy to use immediately post-workout. Foam rollers are the classic choice and work well for large muscle groups like quads, hamstrings, and the thoracic spine. And if you want to go a step further, a compact percussion massage gun gives you targeted, deep-tissue relief in a portable format.

Whatever format you choose, just make recovery a non-negotiable part of your routine. Train smarter means recovering smarter. The guys who are consistently making progress aren’t just training harder; they’re taking better care of the machine between sessions.

7. Level Up Your Nutrition: GNC AMP Supplements

Upgrading your gear can move the needle, but it only gets you so far. Eventually, what you are putting into your body becomes the real bottleneck. If you’re showing up consistently and still not seeing the strength or size gains you want, it’s time to take a hard look at your nutrition – especially your protein intake and creatine.

For most guys who are serious about building and maintaining muscle, two supplements form the non-negotiable foundation: a high-quality whey protein and a clinically studied creatine. GNC’s AMP line covers both, and the science behind these products is more substantive than the typical marketing fluff you see in the supplement space.

GNC AMP Wheybolic

Not all protein powders are created equal, and Wheybolic makes that case convincingly. The formula is built on a clinically proven whey-leucine core that has been shown in an 8-week randomized study to increase muscle strength and size. Not just theoretically, but in an actual controlled trial, tested twice. Each two-scoop serving delivers 50 grams of ultra-pure, fast-digesting whey protein (isolate and hydrolysate), enhanced with added leucine and BCAAs beyond what standard whey typically contains.

The addition of Velositol – a complex of amylopectin and chromium – further boosts muscle protein synthesis, making the amino acids you’re consuming work harder and absorb faster. It’s Informed Protein and Informed Choice-certified and regularly tested for over 285 banned substances in sports, which matters whether you’re a competitive athlete or just want to know exactly what you’re putting in your body.

Wheybolic works pre-workout, post-workout, or first thing in the morning. Flavors include Chocolate Fudge, Classic Vanilla, and Strawberries & Cream, among others. For the best results, GNC recommends two scoops (for 50g of protein) in combination with a resistance training program. ($50)

GNC AMP Creabolic

As you might know, creatine is one of the most researched supplements in existence. The evidence for its role in increasing strength, power output, and muscle endurance is about as solid as it gets in sports nutrition. But GNC’s new AMP Creabolic takes the standard creatine formula and evolves it significantly.

Creabolic is a triple-action muscle builder that combines three ingredients in one formula: 5g of creatine monohydrate to drive strength and performance, 3g of myHMB to reduce muscle breakdown and aid repair, and 2.4g of PeptiStrong, a fava bean peptide complex that supports muscular endurance and accelerates recovery. Together, they address the full training cycle: performance before and during your session, and muscle protection and repair after it.

It’s gluten-free, soy-free, contains no artificial colors, and no added sugars. Timing is simple, take it consistently every day, whenever it’s convenient, regardless of whether you’re training that day. ($50)

To keep updated on all of GNC’s newest and best innovation in supplementation, be sure to visit their The Drop page regularly.

The Bottom Line

Consistency is king when it comes to fitness, and the biggest enemy of consistency is friction. Every time you wear the wrong shoes and end up with aching feet, fumble with your locker lock post-workout, or bonk halfway through spin class because you forgot to hydrate properly, it’s one more small reason to dread the gym rather than look forward to it.

You don’t need to upgrade everything at once. Pick one or two items from this list that address your biggest pain points and start there. A better shoe, creatine, or maybe some new earbuds. Small changes compound over time, just like training does.

That’s the whole game, really. Train smarter. Recover better. Show up consistently. The gear just makes it easier to do all three.

* As with all dietary supplements, consult a healthcare professional before beginning use. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.