Andrew Massey

These books have helped transform me into who I am today. I’ve always been interested in books that explore consciousness, human behavior, and our mind. If we all want to rise up and increase our level of consciousness together, we all need to understand what these books talk about. It’s extremely rare to be born as a human. It’s rarer to survive long enough to seek truth. It’s even rarer to become consciously aware of consciousness itself. And it’s extremely rare to be drawn to material that teaches awakening or higher levels of consciousness. If you’re even reading this kind of material, your consciousness is already operating above the usual collective level. Choose your next read: Habits, discipline and focus · Presence, perspective and self-understanding

My master directory of gym gear, home workout equipment, supplements, and practical fitness extras. I explain where a product fits in my routine when I have personal experience, and flag options to compare when a recommendation is for research. Start with the problem you want to solve rather than buying everything here. Shop by goal: Starting the gym · Gym bag essentials · Squat-day gear · Home gym setup · Small-space workouts · Supplements and shakers · Mobility and recovery tools · Fitness gifts

Looking for an exercise to add to your next gym session? These are my favorite movements for building muscle and strength, organized by muscle group, with warm-up ideas, cardio options, stretches, and a few useful training tools. Browse legs, glutes, core, chest, back, shoulders, and arms for setup tips and cues you can put into practice. Treat this as an exercise library: choose movements that fit your routine, equipment, and experience rather than doing the whole list in one workout.

Choose a paper training log by its interior layout. A blank sets-and-reps tracker, guided workout journal and broader wellness planner serve different readers. These are researched recommendations, not books I claim to have used. Preview the pages and choose something easy to keep alongside the routine you already follow.

Choose cable attachments by the movement and grip you need, not by how many pieces are in a bundle. Compare ropes, bars and individual handles, with a small lower-body section for ankle attachments. Check the cable station and gym rules before buying. Many readers will only need one or two of these researched options.

Choose a kettlebell format around your exercises and the loads you need. Fixed bells are simple; adjustable systems can reduce storage but add a locking or plate-changing step. Soft-body and competition-style options have different shapes and handling. Compare the actual set contents and selected weight rather than a lowest-price variant. These are researched options, not a set you need to buy together.

Start with the installation your home can support: a suitable doorway, structural wall or ceiling mount, or a freestanding tower. Then compare grip layout, working clearance and storage. These are researched options, not universal fit recommendations. Follow the exact product’s mounting and use instructions before deciding a bar belongs in your space.

Choose the floor surface for its job. A personal yoga or exercise mat is different from modular foam tiles or dense rubber beneath equipment. Compare material, area, storage and care rather than treating every mat as interchangeable. Verify compatibility with the underlying floor and avoid assuming a mat will soundproof a room. These are researched choices, not a bundle to buy together.

Compare shaker bottles by the feature you will use: simple manual mixing, separate powder storage, insulation or an electric base. I use VELOMIX bottles; the other choices are researched comparisons. More features also mean different cleaning and charging routines. Choose one suitable format and check the exact capacity and care instructions.

Choose a bag around your shoes, clothing and lifting accessories. Compare smaller everyday duffels, larger organized bags and backpack or tote carry styles. Some provide dedicated shoe storage; others use general pockets. These are researched model comparisons. Check the exact layout, packed dimensions and locker space rather than choosing by capacity or appearance alone.

Compare grip assistance for rows and deadlifts by how it connects you to the bar. Conventional straps, figure-eight straps, hooks and palm grips have different setup and release characteristics. My Nordic strap experience is identified separately. Buy an accessory only when it fits your routine, and learn the manufacturer’s technique before using it.

Choose strength-training shoes by the movement and the fit you prefer. Dedicated weightlifting shoes, general gym trainers and flat casual shoes solve different needs. I use TYR L-1 lifters and have trained in Metcons, but newer models are researched comparisons. Check your size and return terms rather than assuming one shoe suits everyone.

Compare adjustable dumbbells by usable range, increments, changing method and future expansion. A compact pair can replace several fixed pairs, but the right maximum depends on your exercises. My existing PowerBlock experience is separate from these researched model comparisons. Check whether the price includes a pair, one dumbbell or only an expansion kit.

Looking for a book that helps you step back from mental noise and understand yourself more clearly? These are reads that shaped how I think about presence, approval, relationships, and meaning. Start with The Power of Now for presence, The Untethered Soul for observing thoughts, or Man's Search for Meaning for perspective. My original notes explain what I took from each book so you can choose a useful next read.

Build a walking-pad workspace around clearance and compatibility first. Compare the walking machine and desk only if you need them, then consider an equipment mat, screen positioning and a few practical accessories. These are researched, optional choices. Measure the whole setup, account for desk travel and follow the machine’s operating instructions.

Make movement playful with games that fit your family’s ages and available space. I use workout dice with my kids; the other ideas are researched options. Compare stepping and balance play, simple course markers and outdoor games. Choose activities that suit each person, and follow the manufacturer’s age and supervision guidance.

Choose an adjustable weight bench by the positions you use, your combined working load and the space available around it. Compare simpler flat-incline models with decline and attachment options. Some suit a permanent gym, while others store more easily. These are researched comparisons: check the exact configuration, dimensions and manufacturer load limits before buying.

Pack for the workout you are likely to do while traveling. Compare compact bands, a suitable suspension system, thin mats and small floor-work accessories. These researched options help you choose a few useful pieces rather than filling luggage with a second gym. Hotel doors and floors vary, so use only equipment that suits the available setup.

Organize a home gym around what you own. Rated dumbbell storage is different from a cart for towels or a pegboard for bands. Compare footprint, supported equipment and installation before choosing a rack. These researched options help you start with the items creating clutter; a small accessory collection rarely needs a large modular system.

Choose resistance bands by format first: long loops for assistance or added resistance, handled tubes for a portable routine, and short loops or flat strips for specific drills. This guide compares 15 researched options, with notes on material, resistance and setup. Choose the level for your exercise and follow the manufacturer’s instructions; tension labels are not fixed weights.

Build a workday meal kit around the food you actually bring. Start with a container and a way to carry it, then compare optional portioning tools, utensils and cold-storage extras. These are researched choices rather than a bundle to buy together. Check container dimensions, care instructions and food-storage needs.

Useful small gifts for someone who already lifts: bottles and everyday essentials, compact training accessories, and simple ways to make a gym visit easier. Choose one item that solves a real problem for the recipient. These are researched picks unless my note describes personal use. Compare the exact size or pack before ordering, and include delivery charges in your gift budget. Prices can change.

A practical guide to the TORQ Wedge V2 squat wedge system, with the product first and official setup videos below. Learn the magnetic and U-hook options, then choose the guide for your machine or free-weight movement: leg press, hack squat, pendulum, belt squat, barbell or goblet squat, split squat, and more. Each note explains what to check and which video to watch. Several floor variations share one official tutorial; they are labeled so you can find the movement you need. Start with setup, then practice one suitable variation with a light load.

These are the books that helped me think differently about habits, attention, and how I spend my time. Start with Atomic Habits for everyday systems, Deep Work for focused work, or Essentialism if your main problem is trying to do too much. My notes explain what I took from each book so you can choose the next read that matches the change you want to make.

Build a gym bag around the training you actually do: a practical bag, refillable water bottle, shaker and shoes first, plus a lock if your gym requires one. Compare optional belts, sleeves and straps for specific lifting sessions, then browse compact warm-up tools such as hip bands, a stretching strap and massage ball. My original notes explain the gear I have used; newer additions are researched options with fit, care and buying considerations. Use this as a checklist of choices, not a bundle you need to buy all at once.

Build a home workout space around the training you actually do. My PowerBlocks and adjustable bench are a starting point for strength work; the power tower and folding treadmill suit different goals and space requirements. I own the main pieces described in my notes. The smaller add-ons are options to compare when your routine calls for them. Measure your room and start with a few versatile pieces before expanding.