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Trail shoes occupy a unique niche in the footwear pantheon: They’re lighter and (often) more comfortable than burly hiking boots, but they’re also more durable and grippier than running shoes. The Nike Wildhorse 8 is a premier do-it-all trail shoe—I own a pair and I love them—and now’s the perfect time to get them in your closet.
Right now you can score the Wildhorse 8 for just $80 (just make sure to use the code SPORT25 for an extra 25% off), which is a massive 43% off the regular price. Two colorways — White/Alabaster/University Gold/Black and Light Iron Ore/Lilac Bloom/Medium Olive/Anthracite — have that full 43% discount, but the other colorways are on sale as well.
The Wildhorse 8 is a dependable, durable trail shoe with a multitude of uses—I use my pair for trail running, hiking, and even mountain biking. The mesh upper breathes well, so your feet don’t overheat while running, and overlays around the toes boost its durability. They have a super comfy feel and an accommodating fit (the toe box is relatively wide, especially for a Nike shoe).
And I’m not the only one singing their praises. One shopper called the Wildhorse 8 “super comfortable” and loved its “excellent traction on rock and trail.”
“This has to be one of [the] most comfortable pairs of sneakers I own,” said another shopper. “It provides comfort and stability when hiking up the mountain plus they look good on foot.”
Another shopper put the Wildhorse to the test during a 50K ultramarathon, and this “unicorn” shoe was a standout for its comfortable feel and grip. “This was probably the first ultra I’ve done where my feet didn’t hurt at all,” they said, adding that the Wildhorse has “the best Nike trail shoe tread I’ve experienced so far.”
Nike shoes are sought after for a reason: They’re built for elite performance. The Nike Wildhorse 8 is no exception, and with its massive 43% markdown, this is a golden opportunity to try out one of the brand’s best trail shoes. Just don’t wait around: Nike doesn’t offer discounts like this very often.
This article was published in partnership with 5-hour ENERGY
Brisket is the big league. Barbecued pork butts and ribs, in some ways, are laced with so much fat and collagen that it’s almost impossible to overcook them. Brisket is fussier. Even with a mantle of fat covering more than 10 pounds of beef, if you don’t nail the technique, you’ll know it. Undercook it and this naturally tough cut of beef is going to chew like it. Let it rest on the back end too long and you’ll end up with shredded beef that won’t hold up to slicing (which, honestly, is still delicious, but not exactly Instagram worthy).
What Brisket Is and Why You Should Smoke It
Brisket can be a tough cut to smoke properly, but when you do, you are rewarded with mouth-watering meat candy you won’t soon forget.
Brisket pushes everything to the max. It’s just about the most expensive cut you can smoke and even half of one is likely the heaviest thing you’ll ever attempt to barbecue. It takes about 12 hours to cook—not including the rest period after—which means it requires the most attention. If cooking pork butt and ribs is checkers, cooking a proper brisket is chess. Yet, with the right game plan, it is something a home cook can pull off with great results.
Why bother?
Because nothing provides that beefy flavor and simple smoke punch—not to mention considerable braking rights—like a slice of brisket, as thick as a No. 2 pencil, that threatens to fall apart under its own weight when draped over your finger. “I think as long as the cook is open to learning the nuances you need to understand to make brisket better, then I think it becomes more approachable,” says pitmaster Christie Vanover of Girls Can Grill. “You really need to understand how to maintain the grill or smoker’s temperature.”
It also helps to know where brisket comes from. “It has a healthy fat cap on it, but brisket, which is the pectoral muscle of the animal, is lean, because it’s always working,” says James Peisker, chef and co-founder of Nashville-based Porter Road. “But that’s also why it develops great flavor and connective tissue, which is what you’re trying to unlock when you cook it low and slow for hours.”
How to Buy Brisket
You can buy brisket in its whole form—flat and point—or in two pieces, which is often a better move for beginner smokers.
Adam Bible
While beef cut terminology can change depending on where you shop, brisket terms are pretty universal, so you’ll usually find its two parts—the flat and the point—accurately labeled. The thicker point usually has more intermuscular fat and while you can slice it, cooks often use it to make burnt ends. The oblong slices you picture when you think brisket comes from the flat. Whether you shop online or visit a local butcher, you’ll find brisket sold in one of three ways.
Complete Brisket (Packer)
A complete brisket, called a packer, has the flat and point connected. If you’re an amateur butcher, you’ll enjoy trimming a whole packer brisket until the shape is uniform and the fat cap even. When you’re comparing brisket prices, you’ll want to know if you’re paying for fat, if you need to trim at home, or if it’s already been trimmed for you.
“When you buy an untrimmed packer brisket, you’re going to lose 20 to 30 percent of that weight as pure fat,” says Peisker who suggests buying a trimmed cut of meat, which will be more expensive, but save you time and potential frustration when you get home.
Flat
You can also find the flat or point sold individually if you don’t need the full 20-pound packer, which is what an untrimmed brisket might weigh. “If you’re intimidated and just want to figure out the process, starting with a flat is good because it’s already trimmed for you and, usually, the fat cap on the bottom has been taken down to a quarter of an inch thick,” says Vanover.
Your grocery store will usually have USDA choice brisket, though a butcher, and occasionally the big box stores, carry prime. If you order a brisket online, it might arrive frozen so you’ll need to plan for up to three days for it to thaw in the refrigerator.
Half Brisket
Lastly, you might see a half brisket, which gives you a little bit of both muscles.
Brisket loses weight when it cooks. A 10-pound cut of meat might end up yielding eight pounds of beef. “I tend to stick with a third of a pound of cooked meat per person,” Peisker says.
How to Prep Brisket
If you’re new to barbecue brisket or don’t fancy yourself an armature butcher, have A pro trim the fat for you. You’ll still need to tidy it up at home, but it won’t be nearly as time-consuming. Vanover likes to use a boning knife to clean up any raggedy edges for a more uniform, rectangular shape. While you’re trimming, look at the flat muscle and pay attention to which direction the grain runs. Once the meat is cooked and it’s time to portion it, you’ll need to slice the brisket across the grain for the most tender bite. Like most proteins, slicing with the grain gives the meat a chewier, unpleasant mouthfeel.
Once the meat is cooked, it’s hard to remember which way the grain is running because the muscle fibers are less defined. Vanover likes to slice a little notch on the corner of the flap, running in the direction you’ll want the knife blade to run before serving.
Injecting is a debated topic in the barbecue world, especially when it comes to brisket. It can be a fun experiment to try, at least once. If you want to inject the brisket, fill the needle with beef broth for a little extra flavor and tenderness, especially with a lesser grade of beef. Vanover’s rule of thumb is about two cups of injection liquid for every 18 to 20 pounds of brisket, which she pumps in the night before. With the fat cap facing down, systematically work across the brisket puncturing the meat, pushing down on the plunger while slowly backing the needle out. Then, move over about an inch and repeat the process.
If you skip the injection and go straight to the rub, keep in mind it will still rest in the refrigerator, covered, overnight. Brisket rubs range from simple (salt and pepper) to more complex mixtures of seasonings.
Vanover likes a touch of sweetness and heat in her rub, so look for a blend with some brown sugar and hot pepper. In Texas they tend to keep the rub straightforward: Kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper. Plan on about a ½ teaspoon of rub per pound of raw brisket. Apply the rub liberally to all sides of the meat, paying attention to the edges, then place the beef in a container, cover it, and stash in the refrigerator overnight to let the salt penetrate.
How to Smoke a Brisket—Plus How Long to Smoke a Brisket
After covering your brisket in a good rub, set it fat-side down on your smoker’s grill grate and let it cook at 225 for about 12 hours.
Every brisket is different but Vanover’s found that an 11-pound brisket smoked at 225 degrees takes about 12 hours once you start cooking. When you’re ready to cook, get your charcoal grill, smoker, or pellet smoker to 225 degrees. Vanover likes to place the brisket fat side down to act as a heat shield and protect the beef from drying out. If you only have one probe, insert it about 1 inch from where the point and flat meet, If you have two probes, put one in each end of the roast. Have a spray bottle filled with apple cider vinegar handy and spritz the brisket every two hours.
Leave the brisket alone, spritzing it, until the internal temperature hits 160 to 165 degrees. Have a few sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, or butcher paper, spread out on a countertop. Yank the brisket, remove the probe, wrap the brisket, then reinsert the probe. Now place the wrapped brisket back in the cooker and wait until it reaches 200 to 205 degrees.
The rest period is a critical step in the cooking process, so don’t rush it. Once the brisket hits about 200 degrees, pull it from the smoker. Wrap the meat in another layer of foil, then in a towel that you don’t care too much about. Now put that brisket in a large cooler for at least three hours, where it will continue to break down connective tissue and still be plenty hot when it’s time to eat.
When it’s ready, use the notch in the brisket you made earlier as a guide to cut pencil-thick slices of beef that should fold over your finger and almost break apart under its own weight.
Why You Should Use a ‘Texas Crutch’
Spend some time researching brisket and you’ll eventually read all about the “Texas crutch.” Some purists call this cheating, but it’s a technique that Vanover uses with great success to combat what pros call the stall. The water in large cuts of meat, like brisket and pork butt, gets to a point, a few hours into the cook when the meat is at about 150 degrees, that the liquid starts to evaporate and thus cools the meat. It’s literally the meat sweats.
The consequence is the temperature on leave-in thermometers can sit idle for hours while the brisket continues to cook. The result of that extra time on the smoker means a greater chance of drying the meat.
The Texas crutch, which is little more than removing the brisket from the smoker and wrapping it in butcher paper or aluminum foil, creates a sealed environment. The crutch is somewhat similar to braising, allowing the brisket to cook in its juices, powering through the stall and finishing in less time.
Smoking brisket and getting a nice bark on the outside along with a tender, juicy interior can be a challenge, but our how-to makes it a simple, if time-consuming, task.
Adam Bible
The most comprehensive guide to making no-fail smoked brisket from champion pitmaster Christie Vanover.
Ingredients
11-lb brisket
1 cup beef broth
1/3 cup brisket rub or SPG*
Apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Trim excess fat from the brisket.
Inject the brisket with beef broth. Rub it liberally with brisket rub or salt, pepper, and garlic. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Set the smoker to 225 degrees with your favorite charcoal, wood chunks, or pellets.
Smoke fat-side down, spritzing with apple cider vinegar every two hours, until a thermometer placed in the flat end of the meat measures 160 to 165 degrees. Make sure the smoker maintains a steady temp.
Spritz the brisket one more time, then tightly wrap in two layers of foil.
Continue smoking until the brisket is around 203 degrees.
Wrap in another piece of foil and a towel, then place in a cooler (without ice) for at least 3 hours.
Slice the brisket against the grain and serve.
To make burnt ends, after the resting stage, slice the point into one-inch cubes. Place them in a pan with a light sprinkle of rub and enough sauce to provide a light coat. Place the pan on a 275-degree smoker and smoke for one hour.
Best Gear for Smoking Brisket
Winco Heavy-Duty Plastic Cutting Board
A heavy-duty plastic cutting board, like this inexpensive one from Winco, is an essential brisket smoking accessory.
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A full brisket might be the biggest cut of meat you work on in your kitchen, so a large cutting board, which you can toss into the dishwasher after, will help keep things sanitary. Winco Heavy-Duty Plastic Cutting Board is 18×24 inches, though they can be as big as 30 inches, with a groove around the edge to collect drippings. Toss a flattened, wet paper towel under the plastic to keep it steady while working on your countertop.
Cutco Boning Knife
A thin boning knife is stiff enough to carve fat off a brisket, but flexible enough to handle a variety of other meat-related tasks.
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Trimming the fat off brisket is easier if you put down the chef’s knife. Butchers attack the job with two tools, a long-bladed, rigid knife that sort of looks like a saber, and a shorter six-inch boning knife. If you can only have one, go with the Cutco 1761 boning knife. The blade is stiff enough to help carve hunks of fat off brisket, yet is nimble enough to get under silver skin or help you carve a turkey.
OXO Good Grips Flavor Injector
Whether you choose to inject your brisket when smoking or not, a solid meat syringe like this one from OXO can come in handy.
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While injecting might not be something you attempt until you’ve had a few brisket cooks under your belt, it can be a useful technique to pump the beef up with flavor and moisture before you cook. OXO Good Grips has a couple of tips for thin or thicker liquids, is easy to grab even with gloves on, and holds up to 2 ounces of marinade or brine.
ThermoWorks Smoke Thermometer
If you’re old school and don’t have a new grill with thermometer ports already available, a wireless unit like this ThermoWorks can help you monitor multiple meat cooks.
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Barbecue is all about managing temperatures so you need to know where the meat is at, especially as it climbs through the stall. ThermoWorks Smoke comes with two probes, one for ambient temperature near the grill grates and another to stick into the meat. You can, and should, buy a spare meat probe and take the temperature of two different meats at the same time or, in the case of brisket, track the temperature climb on both ends. The Smoke sends all of that info in real-time to a receiver so you don’t have to babysit the cooker.
5-hour ENERGY Inspired Energizing BBQ Sauce
Give your barbecue an extra kick with the mood-boosting powers of 5-hour ENERGY Inspired Energizing BBQ Sauce.
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If you’re a fan of the kick you get from 5-hour ENERGY, level up your grilling game with 5-hour ENERGY Inspired Energizing BBQ Sauce. Not only will it help you stay on the ball during a marathon weekend grilling session, the tangy peach-mango sauce gives pork an unexpected zing.
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Whether you’re trekking to the crag, out for a hike, or trying to bag a summit before dark, you’ll need great hiking boots, a good knife, and a good pack. Quality packs are usually a hefty investment, but one of REI’s top-rated daypacks that’s lauded as a reliable backcountry hauler just went down in price by more than $50.
The Mountain Hardwear JMT 35L Pack is now on sale at REI for $125, a 30% discount on its normal retail price of $180. This top style has not received lower than a four-star rating from any shopper, and it’s currently one of the bestselling packs in its category. It’s available in one color (Black Spruce) and it comes in a smaller 25-liter size for those who need to travel lighter.
Mountain Hardwear JMT 35L Pack in Black Spruce, $125 (was $180) at REI
This hiking backpack has a ton of compartments: A zippered clamshell-style opening provides access to the cavernous compartment while a zippered pocket on the flap secures small valuables and side pockets hang on to water bottles. A large mesh flap on the back can hold down bulkier layers, like a jacket, and the exterior loop can carry poles or an ice ax. The body of the pack is made from recycled 210-denier ripstop, and it’s supplemented with beefy 500-denier Cordura at the base for increased durability. An internal spring steel frame flexes for good mobility while also keeping the load stable on your back. It has a mesh back panel that boosts ventilation and works with padded shoulder straps and an adjustable hip belt to help all weight center the pack comfortably on your body.
REI shoppers put the JMT 35L Pack to the test while hiking, fishing, and more, and it held up exceedingly well. Many reviewers pointed to its excellent storage as a standout feature. One called it a “fantastic pack” with “tons of storage inside,” calling it, “My go-to day pack for anything and everything.” Another shopper called it “perfectly sized,” adding, “At 35 liters, this is the perfect pack for 90% of my adventures.”
Others were impressed with its top-tier build quality and comfortable fit. “This provides everything I need and want in a backpack,” a shopper noted. “The features of the pack I like best are the contoured back frame, which fits comfortably in the natural curvature of the spine, and the comfort and adjustability of the shoulder straps.”
The Mountain Hardwear JMT 35L is a superb choice for longer backcountry treks, especially if your main priorities are comfort and storage space. But don’t snooze on this one: The 30% discount is drawing in shoppers, and Mountain Hardwear isn’t making any more of these packs, so once they’re sold out, they’re gone.
Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Full-sized air compressors are overkill for most households, but portable inflators are gaining popularity because they make quick and easy work of filling up everything from bike tires to camping mattresses. And while these good-to-have tools still aren’t quite as prevalent as a cordless drill or a ratchet set, thanks to Walmart, they don’t cost much to add to your collection.
The Ophanie Cordless Portable Tire Inflator is now on sale for $30, a 63% discount on its normal retail price of $80. This portable inflator has stacked up over 1,400 five-star ratings at Walmart thanks to its stellar performance and ease of use—especially when compared with bulkier air compressors.
Ophanie Cordless Portable Tire Inflator, $30 (was $80) at Walmart
This tool is designed to make inflating all kinds of items simple and easy. It has four pressure presets to take the guesswork out of inflating tires, sports balls, and other common items. Just attach the device, select a preset using the menu buttons, and turn it on—it’ll automatically shut off once it reaches the desired air pressure. The rechargeable design makes it super portable—no need to unspool a tangled extension cord—and it also includes a power cord that plugs into a car’s 12-volt outlet, so you can get extended run time on the road.
This portable inflator is a bestseller at Walmart, and reviewers have been impressed with its power despite its size. “This is the best purchase I’ve made in some time,” a shopper said. “I charge it and bring it anywhere I need it.” Another shopper agreed, calling it “an excellent little machine,” adding, “It works hard for a small compressor.”
While reviewers have used the inflator to fill up a wide range of items, many recommended keeping it in the car. One reviewer said it “brings peace of mind” on the road. “It worked great and filled the tire in a relatively short time,” they added. Another reviewer said, “I think all drivers need this.”
“I was able to air up all four tires on a truck, all four tires on a car, and 1.75 tires on a trailer on one charge,” another shopper exclaimed. “You can set the desired inflation level and relax while it fills your tire to the set point and shuts off automatically.”
The Ophanie Cordless Tire Inflator is one of those tools that proves its utility over and over again. Now’s the time to swoop in and grab one: At 63% off, these popular inflators are selling fast, and a deal this good certainly won’t last forever.
Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Golfers know that the best deals on golf clubs are found at PGA Tour Superstore, whether they’re looking for a tried-and-true Titleist hammer or a comprehensive set of TaylorMade irons. But recently, shoppers have been swarming the site to get last year’s revolutionary Ping driver that finally went on sale and is said to crush tee-offs with unmatched forgiveness.
The Ping G430 Max Driver is now on sale at PGA Tour Superstore for as low as $400—a 27% discount on the normal $549 retail price. This is one of the site’s bestselling drivers alongside the Ping G430 Max 10K that debuted this year, but it’s $200 less and owns over 150 five-star ratings from golfers who swear by it, including one who poetically said it’s “as forgiving as a Golden Retriever.” This driver is also highly customizable, with over three loft angles, six shaft types, and six flexes among stock models. PGA Tour Superstore can also build a truly customized model for an extra charge with hundreds of thousands of possible shaft, grip, and wrap options.
While the club head is on the larger side, this Ping driver is said to be the longest and most forgiving from the brand to date, and some even say it’s the leader among all brands. It uses a variable-thickness face to create deflection that improves ball speeds and distance while a new internal build produces a sound you’ll enjoy hearing at tee-off. It also has an adjustable 25-gram tungsten back weight that helps better define the center of gravity of your swing while loft and lie can be adjusted in eight positions to ensure your club works for your natural form.
Ping’s drivers hold up well over time, but those who have shot the G430 Max say it’s in a league of its own. “Absolutely amazing driver,” one golfer exclaimed. “I was going to reshaft my existing driver and hit it ok during the fitting. Then they gave me this thing and I reeled off four drives that were dead straight. It looked like they were right on top of each other! Then the fitter showed me the iPad—all four were longer than anything I hit all day. I ordered this, a fairway wood and a hybrid.”
Many others say this driver was the one that finally made them part with former long-time favorite brands. “Ping’s finest driver,” as one shopper put it. “I recently test-drove the latest offerings from TaylorMade, Cobra, Callaway, and Ping. Long time TaylorMade player, but my experience was that Ping presently has the best combination of accuracy, forgiveness, and distance. I am sold.”
If you’re looking for an immediate upgrade in accuracy and power off the tee, Ping’s G430 Max Driver is one of the best ways to get there, especially while it’s on sale. We’re not sure if the discount will be going away, so make sure to customize yours and pick it up before the price changes.
Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Most camping gear isn’t as useful away from the campsite—why would you fire up your portable grill on a weeknight when you have a full kitchen in your home? But that’s what makes Rumpl’s camping blankets so special—they’re not just for sleeping outside. This super versatile, super tough insulated blanket has so many uses, both indoors and out, and now’s the perfect time to get one while they’re nearly 50% off.
The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket Print is on sale at Dick’s Sporting Goods for as low as $67, up to 46% off its normal price of $125. This machine-washable blanket is ideal for camping, outdoor movie nights, backyard bonfires, and more, and reviewers love its comfortable feel and warmth—one shopper even called it “the best blanket ever.” It’s on sale in 10 colors, all of which are discounted, though three of them (Rocky Mountain Fade and Rocky Mountain Sunset Fade) are a slightly higher price.
Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket in Arizona Fade, $68 (was $125) at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Rumpl’s all-purpose insulated blankets are constructed with a polyester shell and filled with 3D hollow fiber synthetic insulation, and both the shell and the stuffing are derived from 100% recycled plastic. Loops at all four corners allow you to stake it to the ground and use it as a picnic blanket, and you can use a clip at one end to wear the blanket like a cape and keep your hands free. The shell has a water-repellent finish to slick moisture and prevent stains, and if the blanket does get dirty, cleaning it is super easy: Just toss it in the washing machine on a cold cycle and hang it to dry (you can also put it in the dryer on a low setting).
Reviewers have been raving about these Rumpl blankets, with many highlighting their unique versatility for camping and beyond. One shopper called it “the best and most versatile blanket on the market.” Another said the blanket is “amazing for indoor, outdoor, camping, beach, car travel, campfires at the cottages and just a great comfort layer.”
Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket in Cascade Fade Green, $68 (was $125) at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Another highlight: Rumpl’s effective insulation. “My wife is finally warm,” a shopper said. “She literally wears her blanket all over the house, car trips, hiking…all of it.” Other shoppers agreed, with one noting, “When I wanted an extra layer, it provided a noticeable difference in warmth.”
The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket Print is one of those camping gear items that won’t stay in the closet very often—it’s easy to find all kinds of ways to use this rugged, comfy layer at home and beyond. Just make sure to grab one now—they might be on sale, but once they’re gone, they’re gone for good.
We’ve all heard about standing squats, but an alternative to this popular exercise is wall squats.
As the name suggests, wall squats are performed against a wall. But are they actually effective? Are they worth adding to your fitness routine or should you give them a pass?
To help us answer these questions, we reached out to Jackson Anderson, a PT at Juniper. Here’s what he had to say:
First and foremost, wall squats involve sliding your back down a wall until your thighs are parallel to the ground, forming a 90-degree angle at the knees. This isometric hold primarily targets the quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes.
Wall squats vs regular squats: Comparing the benefits
Before explaining the benefits of these exercises, the most effective exercise is one that you can perform consistently and progressively.
Always consult with a fitness professional or personal trainer to ensure you’re using the best techniques for your individual needs and goals.
Traditional squats: Engage a broader range of muscles, including the core and lower back, improving balance, coordination and overall functional strength.
Wall squats: Intensely isolate lower body muscles, particularly the quadriceps. While they may not activate as many muscle groups simultaneously, they challenge muscle endurance.
Joint and muscle endurance
Traditional squats: Excel at building explosive strength and muscle mass through dynamic movement.
Wall squats: Enhance muscle endurance and stability through isometric contraction, beneficial for sports or activities requiring sustained lower body strength.
Accessibility and injury prevention
Traditional squats: Require proper form to prevent injury, which can be challenging for beginners or those with existing knee or back issues.
Wall squats: Offer a controlled environment, reducing the risk of improper form and joint stress. They’re an excellent option for those new to exercise or in rehabilitation.
Wall squats provide a controlled environment to build foundational strength and muscle endurance with reduced injury risk. They are particularly effective for those recovering from injuries, offering a safer way to strengthen the lower body without the strain that traditional squats might impose.
For strength and muscle gain
Traditional squats and their variations are superior for overall strength development and muscle hypertrophy. Exercises like barbell back squats, front squats, Bulgarian split squats, and goblet squats allow for heavy loading and a full range of motion, essential for significant lower body strength and muscle mass.
For sports-specific training
Wall squats can be beneficial for sports requiring sustained lower body strength, like skiing or cycling. The isometric hold helps build endurance and stability, crucial for these activities.
Wall squats are an effective exercise for targeting lower body muscles, improving muscle endurance and providing a low-impact option for those with joint concerns or recovering from injuries.
While they may not engage as many muscle groups as traditional squats, they offer significant benefits, particularly for building endurance, stability and rehabilitation purposes.
Including wall squats in your fitness routine can enhance your overall lower body strength and complement other exercises for a well-rounded workout. In this case, they are effective but to a varying degree in comparison to regular squats.
So, TL;DR: both wall squats and traditional squats are effective movements to include in your fitness program. Wall squats offer a safe, effective way to build muscular endurance and are particularly valuable for beginners, those in rehabilitation, or as a complementary exercise.
Traditional squats, however, remain unparalleled for comprehensive lower body development and functional strength, and as such should be your go-to option when choosing which type of squat to include in your routine.
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The Blackstone 1935 Griddle is on sale at Walmart for $270, a 29% discount on its usual price of $380. This portable, propane-powered griddle has earned nearly 2,500 five-star ratings from customers who’ve used it for backyard cookouts, camping, and tailgating. In addition to its tidy size and extreme portability, the flat-top surface makes it super versatile—you can make breakfast, lunch, and dinner all on one surface.
Blackstone 1935 Griddle, $270 (was $380) at Walmart
The Blackstone 1935 Griddle is a propane-powered flat-top grill designed for easy transportation. It features a 22-inch cooking surface with two cooking zones, each powered by an H-style burner; together, they pump out 24,000 BTUs of heat. A side shelf gives you a convenient staging area and a place to hang utensils, and the griddle is designed with Blackstone’s proprietary “grease management system” that makes cleanup a snap: Just scrape grease and food residue off the cooking area directly into a receptacle at the back of the griddle. Its scissor legs, dual wheels, and large grab handles will also help you maneuver the griddle into place, and the legs fold down, so the whole package takes up very little space when packed in a car or tucked into a garage.
With thousands of glowing reviews from Walmart shoppers, it’s safe to say this Blackstone griddle is well-loved. Many have pointed to its portability and size as major selling points. “This is every dad’s dream,” one shopper said. “A griddle that is just the right size for the family, but also portable and low maintenance.” Another shopper called it “great for camping” and said, “Couldn’t be happier with how easy and convenient this is to use on our camper.”
Of course, a griddle is only as good as the meals it cooks, but reviewers say the Blackstone offers stellar performance in that department. “You can literally cook anything and everything on these,” one shopper said. Another reviewer uses theirs to cook breakfast every week and loves it. “I now cook outside every Saturday on my Blackstone,” they said. “It’s a pleasure doing so, no more messy kitchen stove top and a pile of frying pans!”
Whether you’re an accomplished grillmaster or looking for your first flat-top grill, you can’t beat the portability and versatile cooking power of the Blackstone 1935 Griddle. Make sure to order yours from Walmart ASAP—this 29% discount surely won’t last long.
Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
A tent is one of the most necessary pieces of camping gear anybody could own, but they can often be expensive. Thankfully, Coleman makes coolers, camping chairs, and everything else needed for a successful camping trip without exhausting your wallet, and right now, you can score the brand’s most popular tent for under $70.
The Coleman Sundome 4-Person Camping Tent is now on sale for $67—a 26% discount on the normal $90 price. This basic but quality tent is an Amazon No. 1 bestseller with over 19,000 five-star ratings from shoppers who say it’s “perfect” for summer car camping. It’s also available in 2-, 3-, and 6-person builds and comes in green, but the blue 4-person tent offers the best value right now.
Coleman Sundome 4-Person Camping Tent in Navy Blue, $67 (was $90) on Amazon
This Coleman dome tent measures 108-by-84-by-59 inches, offering a ton of space for both sleeping and standing. It can comfortably sleep two or three campers on a queen-size inflatable mattress or sleeping pad, but a family of four could just as easily pile in if storage space isn’t needed. It features welded corners and inverted seams that allow it to dodge rain, but it also comes with a handy rainfly to protect the well-ventilated screened portions of the tent. It’s also very easy to set up and take down with minimal components and it packs into a compact zipper pouch that takes up little space when not in use.
Shoppers like this tent because it’s backed by Coleman quality and doesn’t cost too much, but many grow to appreciate its versatility over time. “Ideal for camping, festivals, and more,” a shopper said. “I bought this tent about three months ago, and I’ve been camping almost every other weekend since. This tent is super easy to set up, comfortable, and durable, making it a fantastic choice for various outdoor activities. It is really worth more than what you pay.”
Others commend this tent for its durability, even after years of use. “I’ve used this tent since 2017 all over Washington across three seasons,” a shopper said. “It isn’t the most high-tech or extreme-quality tent, but it simply works well. It has withstood heavy rain and harsh Eastern Washington summer sun/heat and continues to provide great value and space for one to four people.” Another shopper agreed, noting, “Its sturdy construction and high-quality materials ensure durability, even in adverse conditions.”
If you’re looking for a reliable tent that won’t break the bank, Coleman’s Sundome needs to be at the top of your list. Make sure to pick up one of these Amazon bestsellers soon, though, because the discount may not last.
The EF Ecoflow River 2 Pro Portable Power Station is still on sale on Amazon for $379—a 37% discount on the normal $599 price tag. This top-selling unit has earned 400-plus five-star ratings from shoppers who have called it a “game changer” for camping and powering up when the electricity goes out. It’s also been purchased over 3,000 times in the last month. And, if you don’t want to have to rely on charging it in a wall socket, it’s available in a package deal with a 160W solar panel for $220 more—the same price as the power station without the discount.
EF Ecoflow River 2 Pro Portable Power Station, $379 (was $599) on Amazon
The River 2 Pro is an 800-watt power station that is capable of pumping out 1,600 watts of power thanks to EF Ecoflow’s X-Boost tech. On a full battery, it can charge up a phone 57 times and even run small appliances like a blender for up to an hour. It features 11 total ports, including four AC outlets, three USB-A ports, two DC outlets, a USB-C port, and a car outlet. You can recharge the unit with solar panels, a USB-C cable, and even with the car, but if plugged into an AC outlet, it’ll charge from 0-100 in a lightning-fast 70 minutes.
EF Ecoflow makes a variety of power stations, but one shopper who compared it to the bestselling Delta 2 model said the River 2 Pro might be the best one. “Amazing compact powerhouse for true remote work and adventures,” they said. “It was awesome to see that you can use all the ports at the same time and have it chug along with no problem. I was able to charge my iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, Asus G14, Panasonic Camera, Phone, a small battery bank, 12-volt fridge, and even a toaster…Its power capacity, portability, and versatility make it an essential addition to any remote work setup, weekend camping, or emergency preparedness kit.”
Many shoppers have turned to the River 2 Pro to keep appliances running in the face of outages. “This battery provided enough power to run a French door refrigerator that my neighbor owns who did not have any backup power during the Houston hurricane power outage,” a shopper shared. “This battery provided power for their refrigerator for approximately 5 hours and then they brought it back over to us to recharge it, and back and forth it went for several days. I also used it on a camping trip to supply power for my Bi-PAP machine and it worked great.”
Whether you’re planning a camping trip or expecting a power outage as summer rages forward, having a fully-charged portable power station like EF Ecoflow’s River 2 Pro can make a world of difference. This one won’t be on sale forever, so make sure to scoop yours up before it shoots back up in price.
