I packed on 22lbs of muscle — these are the Black Friday fitness deals I used to do it
These six Black Friday deals on strength training tools and supplements helped me build lean muscle
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Over the last 18 months, I've built over 22 lbs of muscle. I had a consistent resistance training schedule and carefully planned diet, but having the right supplements and equipment helped.
Most of the essentials have found their way into this year's Black Friday fitness deals (opens in new tab), so I thought it was about time I shared the products that helped me make these gains, even if it was far from easy.
When I stepped into the gym as a skinny 16-year-old, I fell down nearly every fitness pitfall going, with minimal progress as I ate too little in an attempt to see my abs or overtrained some muscles (chest, biceps, I'm looking at you) while neglecting others in my legs and back.
But after dedicating countless hours to the task, I started to make some muscle-building headway. And now, ten years on from my first foray onto the gym floor, I sit at just shy of 210 lbs – some 55 lbs heavier than my teenage self. And these are the items I used to get me there.
- Amazon: Pick up home workout essentials, including half price weights (opens in new tab)
- Best Buy: Massive 60% savings on JAXJOX dumbbells and other fitness equipment (opens in new tab)
- Walmart: Big discounts on exercise machines and apparel (opens in new tab)
Black Friday deals on equipment
JAXJOX DumbbellConnect| Was $499.99, now $199.99 at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
I have a pair of these adjustable dumbbells at home and use them for accessory movements like dumbbell box step-downs and lateral raises. These help build muscle and can also be used to strengthen the working joints and aid injury prevention in the future. What’s more, they’re now down 60% at Best Buy, saving you $300.
Bowflex SelectTech 2080 Barbell with Curl Bar | was $599, now $449 at Bowflex (opens in new tab)
The focus of all my workouts is compound moves like the squat, deadlift, and bench press. I also train with Olympic lifts like the snatch and clean and jerk, using bumper plates so I can drop the bar safely. This barbell and curl bar package from is $150 off right now, and it has everything you need for a great workout.
BLK BOX Cast Iron Kettlebell 2.0 24kg | was $67, now $60 at BLK BOX (opens in new tab)
It was important to me that I maintained a functional, working body. So, while it’s not optimal for all-out growth, I continued some conditioning work alongside my strength training. Kettlebells are fantastic tools for working into a high-intensity workout that will have your muscles and lungs working overtime. I own this BLK BOX weight, but any item from our roundup of the best kettlebells will do the trick.
Black Friday deals on nutrition
Myprotein Weight Gainer Blend | was: $54.99, now $22.49 at Myprotein (opens in new tab)
I’ll do some formal exercise most days and tend to be active outside the gym, too, with hobbies including cycling, wild swimming, and walking the dog. So this weight gainer shake is ideal, with 50g of carbohydrates, 370 calories, and 30g of protein in every serving. It helps my body recover from hard workouts and gives me the fuel to perform at my best. Save 50% right now with the code DEAL at checkout.
Myprotein Creatine Monohydrate Powder | was $34.99, now $17.49 at Myprotein (opens in new tab)
After introducing creatine into my diet a couple of years ago, I quickly found I felt stronger in the gym. You can mix it into your post-workout protein shake or even take it with water. While you can get some from your diet, this supplement helps you stay topped up to hit your goals. Save 50% today with the code DEAL at checkout.
Natrol Vitamin B12 | was $9.99, now $7 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
As a vegetarian, I use vitamin B12 supplements like this one from Natrol to make up for possible deficiencies in my diet. Among the benefits of B12 are its role in forming DNA and red blood cells and its ability to help us use the protein we eat. But it isn’t found in many plant foods, so it can be worth supplementing for those following vegetarian and vegan diets. Don't miss out on this 30% saving.
It's not been an overnight transformation, but I've learnt a lot about how to get the most efficient workout in the process. These weights and supplements have played a key role in getting me to my target.
If you're after a bit more variety, plus a range of equipment for every budget, this year's Black Friday weights deals (opens in new tab) include massive discounts on premium adjustable sets and fixed-weight options for under $50.
Plus, the best protein powders for weight loss (opens in new tab) are ideal if you're looking to build lean muscle. They're packed with protein but low in added sugar and fat, making them ideal for your next post-workout shake.
Harry Bullmore is a fitness writer covering everything from reviews to features for LiveScience, T3, TechRadar, Fit&Well and more. So, whether you’re looking for a new fitness tracker or wondering how to shave seconds off your 5K PB, chances are he’s written something to help you improve your training.
When not writing, he’s most likely to be found experimenting with a wide variety of training methods in his home gym or trying to exhaust his ever-energetic puppy.
Prior to joining Future, Harry wrote health and fitness product reviews for publications including Men’s Health, Women’s Health and Runner’s World. Before this, he spent three years as a news reporter with work in more than 70 national and regional newspapers.
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