Gainz Box Subscription Review + Coupon – September 2016

Gainz Box is a monthly box of fitness apparel, supplements, equipment, snacks, and more. Gainz Box is a veteran-owned business and donates a portion of their proceeds to charities that support US veterans.

This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

The Subscription Box: Gainz Box

The Cost: $32 + $6 shipping on a month-to-month basis, save with longer subscriptions

The Products: Women or Men's apparel (in your size), equipment, snacks and supplements, and other fitness items. (Gain[z] Box markets to a CrossFit audience, but I do not think you absolutely have to be into CrossFit to enjoy this box – many of the items are suitable for general fitness enthusiasts!) They promise a $75 value in every box.

Ships to: US

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There was a full color fold-out information card featuring Krissy Mae Cagney, who takes part in competitive powerlifting, CrossFit, and bodybuilding and is also an educator on performance nutrition. I like it when fitness boxes feature female athletes and recognize that women lift weights, too!

There was also an insert with more information and coupon for one of the brands in the box.

Callus Quench (0.15 oz) – Value $2.40

This is a lotion stick that moisturizes and protects your hands. You do not have to be an athlete to use it! But, I am starting to get some calluses on my hands from kettlebell workouts so I tried it out after last night’s workout. Probably I need to use it for a few weeks to see an effect, although I had a favorable first impression. (Please note this is not a vegan product.)

Ironclub Pink Liquid Chalk (2 oz) – Value $10

This is a special edition liquid chalk in a BRIGHT pink color. You apply this to your hands and let it dry and it counteracts the effects of sweaty palms. I am always worried about launching a kettlebell into the TV, especially as I start working with heavier kettlebells, so this will be helpful since I am about out of the last liquid chalk product I received in a subscription box. (I have linked to the 2 ounce size that is not pink up above.)

HVIII Brand Goods Koozy – Value $6

I can find lots of items from this brand online, but not this koozy, so I have taken the value from the information card. I have only shown the front of the koozy because there is a suggestion slogan on the back that I think is supposed to be motivational but may not be considered appropriate by all MSA readers. You can see the saying by clicking here if you are really curious. I do drink soda from cans at work although this item is probably not work-appropriate and it will be gifted.

Caveman Coffee 100% MCT Coconut Oil – Value $10

I am not clear on the size of this sample so I have taken the value from the information card. It is believed that medium chain triglycerides (which are present in high amounts in coconut oil) are more immediately available for energy. This is intended to be put in coffee in place of cream (kind of like Bulletproof Coffee) but I don’t drink coffee so we will probably use this for cooking. It is a refined liquid so measurement is easier than with room temperature (solid) coconut oil.

Gnarly BCAA in Berry Lemonade (13 g) – Value $1.53

I like to drink BCAA supplements while I work out. I find them more interesting than water, and I think the branched chain amino acids really help out with delayed onset muscle soreness after a workout. (They are also important for vegans and vegetarians to prevent muscle loss while eating at a caloric deficit, which I am currently doing.) Anyway, this has natural colors from beet, grape skin, and blackberry, which is nice (many similar products have garish artificial colors). It has some minerals (electrolytes) and is naturally sweetened. Although this is not particularly sweet, it was largely “lemon” and not so much berry, and it was a little tart for my taste, even at half strength.

Gnarly Vegan Plant Protein Meal Replacement in Vicious Vanilla (50 g) – Value $3.75

I think this packet is one serving so that is how I’ve calculated the price. When I get supplements like this, I do appreciate the “vegan” label right on the front. Since I am a vegetarian, I know I don’t have to worry that there will be something weird like gelatin in it! I am not so much into meal replacement shakes, but I do like putting a bit of extra protein in my morning smoothies, so that is how I have been using this. This has fairly well-balanced macronutrient levels (7 grams fat, 9 grams fiber, 20 grams protein), which is great since so many protein supplements have zero fiber.

Doughnuts and Deadlifts Tank – Value $26

Doughnuts and Deadlifts is a brand marketed towards lifters who are flexible about dieting (e.g., using doughnuts as carbs to fuel a workout). I do like the focus on no food being “good” or “bad.” (I have been counting calories this year and have lost 38 pounds so far. Mostly I eat healthful, whole foods, but sometimes I eat candy. So I can relate.) Anyway, it is hot in my basement where I work out so this will be nice. I am thinking I should change my size to extra small, though. (Men received a t-shirt and women got a tank.)

Verdict: I calculated a value of about $59.68 for the September Gainz Box. That is below the promised $75 value but is still comfortably above the cost of the box. I liked the curation, with several items useful for lifting (callus quench, liquid chalk), a focus on nutrition (BCAAs, protein shake, MCT oil), and apparel. This box is going to be best for people who lift weights, whether that is related to CrossFit or not.

What did you think of the September Gainz Box?