If you happened to see one of Kerri Walsh's beach volleyball matches during the Olympics, you were probably wondering what was on her shoulder. Answer? Kinesio Tex Tape ($15). This special tape applies compression to the skin, offering relief from pain, correcting muscle and joint function, and improving circulation. Whether it's an old sports injury flaring up or a sore ankle from chasing around your kid, Kinesio can help.
Like your fine scotch and her cosmopolitan, KY Yours + Mine ($16) work great apart and even better together. These unique lubricants come in a two-pack — one for her and one for him — and offer separate sensations for each, causing an "amazing reaction" when combined. Plus, it gives you another excuse to have sex — and that's never a bad thing.
If you're serious about your training, you should be serious about your gear. And while you won't be able to wear the Nike Ultimate Ignition SS V-Neck ($60) to the mall, it will definitely get the job done in the gym. Designed to provide greater support and mobility, the shirt's seamless, dynamic fit construction improves comfort and freedom of movement. Visible knit-in venting provides maximum cooling.
If you haven't noticed, we like bacon. So it should come as no surprise that we're digging Bacon Floss ($5). This waxed floss is flavored like crispy fried bacon, making the normally tedious process of flossing a little more fun.
Live through the next morning with a little help from Alka-Seltzer Wake-Up Call ($5). These effervescent tablets have ingredients that will relieve the headache and fatigue that comes with the average hangover after a long night out.
If you're trying to track down the most sought after spirits of 2014, chances are you're out of luck — unless of course, you know about Caskers. A one-stop shop for liquor connoisseurs, Caskers tracked down the bottles that you and other boozehounds searched for the most in 2014 — based on millions of searches — and has them available right now, while they last. So instead of driving all over town with no guarantee of finding that small batch bourbon or premium single malt, look no further than Caskers for the best of the best, easy on the wallet and delivered right to your door.
The products you use every day, like shampoo or shave cream, should always be the best. But drugstore pickings are slim, and online shopping is risky when you don't know what you're paying for. That's why Birchbox Man lets you try before you buy. Subscribers receive a monthly box of grooming and style essentials, all tailored to match their personal profiles. Think woodsy beard oil for the urban lumberjack, or a wool knit tie for the sartorially inclined. If you like what you get, you can buy full-size versions in the Birchbox Shop, with perks like free shipping to sweeten the pot. No more letdowns, duds, or compromises: Just a sink ledge stocked with greatness.
Want to add a little spice to your bedroom escapades? The Trojan Vibrating Ring ($20/3-pack) is a great inexpensive option. The disposable rings come with condoms, and provide vibrating stimulation in just the right spot for pleasuring both partners. Need something a little more potent? Check out the Extra Intense version ($18/3-pack). As one reviewer on Amazon said, "My girlfriend and wife both LOVE these things."
If you're a little sore from the pickup game on Sunday like us, you'll know why these guys are essential. The Dr. Cool & Dr. Hot Bags ($16 each) are IV bags filled with techno-chemicals that, when frozen or heated, help ease your pain. Just remember to place the bags on your sore spot, and not hook these up to a real IV setup. Yeah, yeah, we already know you have "ice water pumping through your veins" on the court. Ass.
We're always suspicious of stuff like this, but there are an awful lot of 5-star user reviews for this to be a total hoax. Based on the Bach Flower Remedies — 38 plant and flower-based natural remedies created in the 1930's by an English doctor — Bach Rescue Remedy ($10) combines five flower essences and a good bit of brandy to help you deal with any stressful situation. Mix in some drops to a glass of water or tea, or drop a couple directly onto your tongue. The stuff is apparently also great for calming down pets and crazy kids.
Sign up for the 23andMe Personal Genome Service ($400) and find out more about yourself (besides that you like when this happens). The service sends you a kit, you send back a saliva sample, and they use a special genotyping process to read nearly 600,000 data points on your genome. The result? A better understanding of your personal chemistry, including ancestry, family inheritance, and possible medical genetic dispositions. It's like having a super-accurate palm reader for your DNA.
Garmin has finally made a GPS watch that doesn't make it look like you've got a clock radio strapped to your arm. The very wearable Forerunner 405 ($300) is a fitness watch that runners can use to track speed, distance, calories, heart rate and location. When you're back from your jog, the 405 will wirelessly send the data to your computer. There's even a Virtual Partner feature that lets you "compete" when running alone.
Whether you're training for a race, or would just rather use your real bike for workouts, it helps to have the best stationary trainer for the job. The Cycleops Fluid2 Trainer ($330) is a bike accesory that attaches to the rear wheel so you can "ride" in the living room while catching up on some Battlestar Gallactica. It offers an infinite resistance curve and a larger flywheel for a more familiar road feel.
If you're ready for some serious free weight training — and ready to save some space — you should check out the new Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Dumbbells ($599). These futuristic dumbbells replace 17 pairs of normal ones, allowing you to quickly change your resistance from 10 lbs to 90 lbs with just the turn of a dial. A handy Bowflex SelectTech workout DVD is also included. We've been beefcaking it up with these bad boys for the last two weeks, and we're definitely not disappointed. The SelectTech 2-in-1 Stand ($149) and SelectTech 5.1 Series Bench ($229) are equally as awesome.
Even though flu season over, there's still many of us that cringe at the thought of what lurks on public door handles. If you don't mind looking a little OCD, The Handler ($11) is here to save you from the germs. This keychain-size device lets you open doors without skin contact, and is made with Nano Silvers that instantly kill most bacteria and viruses.
If you're gonna be spending some time outdoors this Summer, you might want a few of these. The Don't Bug Me Patch ($8/10 pack) will keep insects like mosquitos, gnats, ticks, and sand fleas away for up to 36 hours. Instead of spraying yourself with nasty-smelling bug repellent, Don't Bug Me uses a transdermal patch which releases an excess of Vitamin B1 into our bloodstream. The same vitamin is excreted through our pores, masking the CO2 mosquitos are drawn to and making us quite unappealing to biting insects.
The benefits of spending time in the sauna are fairly well-known, but what's not well known is that you can get those benefits from your own home. The Infusion Three-Person Infrared Sauna ($2300) features healing infrared heat, a magazine rack, reading lamp, AM/FM stereo with CD player, and a digital control panel for adjusting the temperature or setting the timer — all from a standard 110-volt outlet. [Thanks, Andrew]
As if you needed another reason to stay safe in the sack, Kama Sutra Condoms ($25/10 pack) are a set of 64 condoms featuring different sexual positions described in the bible of boinking. Made from latex by Atypyk, they make a great excuse to try some kinky moves with your partner. Move fast if you want them though — as a Charles & Marie Soupe du Jour, they're only available today.
Just in case you've never had your blood typed, or simply don't know, find out whether you're A, B, or O with the DIY Blood Typing Test Kit ($9). The set comes with everything you need to find out what antigens you carry with you in your blood, and even has a laminating sheet so you can carry your results with you — making things much easier on the EMTs if you get into a nasty brawl at your neighborhood bar.
If you like using your gym's treadmill, but don't like making strange grunting noises in front of complete strangers, check out the Life Fitness T9e Treadmill ($7000). The home version of their high-end commercial model, the T9e features a 12.1" LCD, the FlexDeck shock absorption system, wireless heart rate monitoring, a 4 HP motor, and 16 pre-programmed workouts. With the calorie-filled holidays quickly approaching, it never hurts to get a head start.
We've all seen commercials for Crest Whitestrips and the like, but having one of those things in your mouth for the recommended time is not only uncomfortable, it's a little gross. We've been trying out the Go Smile Advanced Formula B1 ($90), and it performs well without the inconvenience of strips. Professionally formulated by Jonathan B. Levine, D.M.D., the formula comes in little portable bottles with brush-tip ends so
you can customize your whitening and do
it on the go. Plus, it'll make your teeth
between 4-10 shades whiter in just seven
days, perfect for getting your teeth in
shape before the holidays.
