FitBox Review

I realize I’ve been doing a lot of reviews on nutritional boxes here recently, but bear with me – I’ve found another good one!

Per their website:

FitBox is a new concept in sports nutrition discovery, designed for passionate athletes such as triathletes, cyclists, runners, swimmers and more. FitBox helps these athletes discover better sports nutrition products by delivering a package of sample sized products each month. Inside each FitBox package is a variety of brands and product categories, which changes each month.

The idea for FitBox began when our company founder was searching for the best race-day nutrition for his personal tastes and needs. The variety of sports nutrition products on the market was overwhelming, and he wasted a lot of time choosing the best products based on trial and error. Our founder wished there was a way to sample the huge variety of products on market, and so FitBox was born!



When April’s FitBox arrived at my front door, I was so excited to open it, I hardly contained myself! The box was so jam packed with goodies, the top did not want to stay closed!



When I say jam packed, I mean it!



Inside were several items I’ve been interested in trying – Honey Stingers gel, Nuun, and Propel to name a few!

PowerBar



PowerBar Chocolate Energy Gel - Each Gel is designed with 27-28 grams of PowerBar’s C2MAX dual source energy blend, which can help deliver 20 to 50 percent* more energy to your muscles. Not only that, PowerGel® Energy Gels have the most sodium** of any leading gel on the market.

PowerBar Triple Threat Energy Smores Bar - Triple Threat® bars can help build lean muscle and provide sustained energy. PowerBar® Triple Threat® bars contain high-quality protein, and they’re a good choice for use after high-intensity exercise. Made with natural flavors, they also provide a source of calcium, iron, and vitamin B6.

PowerBar Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Plus Bar - Build lean muscle as you train with the help of PowerBar’s ProteinPlus Bar 22g. A great way to sustain your energy and help limit your sugar intake.

Honey Stinger



Honey Stinger Peanut Butter and Honey Bar - Our best selling flavor, Peanut Butter ‘n Honey will not disappoint. The perfect combination of peanut butter and honey makes this an extremely tasty bar.

Honey Stinger Energy Gel - Gold is the core of the Honey Stinger gel line. If you need a natural boost, Gold will pick you up.

Hydration





Cytomax - CYTOMAX contains electrolytes — including sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium for optimal hydration during fitness activities.

Ultima Replinisher - We call our Orange "Orangey Orange" because it tastes so Orangey.  Along with the standard electrolyte balance led by potassium, Orange contains a citrus fruit blend full of nutrients such as quercetin, rutin and hesperedin. Those specs of deep orange you can see in the powder? Those are tiny pieces of orange peel that make Ultima Orange the Orangiest Orange drink you ever had. (I’m going to drink this in the morning along with my breakfast!)

Nuun - Nuun is hydration, without the sugar – a refreshing alternative to many of the options in the beverage market today. On average, Americans consume 130 pounds of sugar per person, per year. Sugar has been directly related to heart disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Beverages containing large amounts of sugar can accelerate the dehydration process. Sugar requires water from the body in order to be digested, leaving less water to properly fuel muscle and brain function. With zero sugars and only 8 calories in each 16oz. bottle, Nuun is a smart choice for hydration.

Propel Zero - Propel Zero gives you vitamins C, E & B and anitioxidants. So you can replenish, energize, and protect with zero calories and no added color.

Snacks



Oskri Fig Bar - Oskri is a manufacturer of food products located in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Some of the products we offer are; snack bars, crunches, dried fruit, preserves, spices and much more. (This bar was delicious – really reminded me of a Fig Newton bar!)

I still have several products to test but overall, I LOVED this box and the items inside!

FitBox has several different ordering options:
1 month subscription – $19.95
3 month subscription – $44.99
6 month subscription – $84.00
12 month subscription – $167.00

As you can see, purchasing several months at a time saves in cost. I felt as if this FitBox was well worth the mentioned $19.95 and I would definitely consider a subscription to FitBox in the future!
Currently, FitBox does not have a runner referral program.

Disclaimer: All product descriptions were taken directly from each product’s website. The reviews and opinions expressed here are completely my own. I was provided free product by FitBox for review.

What’s the best surprise item you’ve ever received in a monthly box?

RunnerBox Review

My grandfather is having surgery this morning (Wednesday) at 9 a.m. I thank you and appreciate your prayers (and so does he)! His spirits are high and he continues to joke with family and his caregivers. So far, he’s made several new “girlfriends” and he’s played matchmaker for his Doctor. It’s quite humorous, really. I’m hoping for a positive outcome. Please continue to lift him up in prayer!
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As I began to dig deeper into the world of fitness boxes, I discovered RunnerBox! The lovely folks of RunnerBox graciously sent the April box over for me to check out and share with you! Here’s my thoughts….




I loved the packaging…and it included a sweet little note from the Staci at RunnerBox!  I also LOVE the quote at the top of this box – it says, “Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” –T.S. Eliot



Also included was a list of each item in the box complete with item descriptions.



I opened the box and was pleasantly surprised…and incredibly excited!

SO many of the items in this box were items I’ve wanted to try! Score for me!



Let’s start with Cytomax.

 

Ever tried Cytomax? I have! Many of the races I’ve run over the years have had Cytomax instead of Gatorade at fuel stations. This box included 2 samples – Cool Citrus and Pomegranate Berry! I used the Pomegranate sample during one of my afternoon runs a few weeks ago and I loved it! I would definitely use this again!

Fuel/Recovery


I was SO excited to see Huma Energy Gel and Agave #9 in this box and can’t wait for my next post-injury long run to try them!

Clif Shot Blocks Energy Chews – The latest nutrition option for endurance athletes. Shot Bloks come in chewable, 33 calorie cubes, making it easy to customize and track caloric and electrolyte intake during long outings and races. I LOVE Shot Blocks, but not during races. When I’m trying to push myself, it’s hard for me to take time to chew blocks. Honestly, I prefer gels myself – but I know everyone is different!

Huma Chia Energy Gel – Don't like gels that taste like cough syrup? Neither do we. Now you can enjoy your gel with Hüma, the great-tasting, all-natural energy gel based on Chia. 100% real fruit for a 100% real taste, with zero artificial or "natural" flavorings. Real food and easy to digest carbohydrates make even the most sensitive stomachs happy. Unlike eating other energy gels, Hüma doesn't take a gallon of water to get down. Hüma gels are based on Chia seeds - finely blended - and mixed with only all-natural, healthy ingredients – AND they are gluten free!

Chocolate #9 Agave Gel is different because it is sweetened only with organic agave, contains no refined sugar or other HIGH glycemic index sweeteners, and has been – tested and certified – as a “LOW” glycemic index (GI) item. Chocolate #9 LOW GI gel reduces the negative effect of repetitive insulin “spiking” during sustained exercise, won’t cause a sugar high or a sugar low – bonk, is an excellent energy choice for endurance athletes, is suitable for most diabetics, is an excellent choice for those not wanting to eat refined sugar, is vegan, low fat and gluten free, contains no synthetics – no unpleasant aftertastes – tastes great, contains no “mystery” ingredients, colorings, or preservatives, is easy on the stomach, and best of all — Chocolate #9 tastes great! Tastes so good you’ll want to run just so you can eat it! (I’m definitely looking forward to my next long run!)

Accel Recover is an all natural recovery bar that incorporates a unique blend of three carbohydrates, three proteins and medium-chain triglycerides, which are converted into energy rather than fat. No other bar activates as many essential metabolic activities critical for total muscle recovery. I tried 1/2 of the Accel Recover bar after Saturday’s 5K and I loved it! The flavor was Chocolate Peanut Butter and it was really good!

Energy


Energy Bits are something I’ve been interested to try! According to their website, Spirulina is nature’s equivalent to an energy drink – but its even better because it’s 100% natural, 100% green, is carbon neutral, has only ONE calorie per tab and contains no sugar, no caffeine, no chemicals, no gluten and no soy. It is the richest source of protein in the world (60% - 70%), has more beta carotene, more antioxidants, more iron than any other food  and is second only to mothers milk in its concentration of GLA – an essential fatty acid that is critical to brain health and behaves like an Omega 3.

Skin Care


Also included in the box were a few sample sized items of Skin Strong: Slik, Slather, and Silk Dust. The combination of all three items helps prevent chafing and hot spots. I’m looking forward to using these items during the hot summer months here in Louisiana, I know they will come in handy! This company also has a complete line of Sun Protection that I’m interested in trying.

Detergent


Do you wash your athletic clothes separate from your regular day clothing? I do. Enter: WIN Sports Detergent!  This detergent is fabulous for tech fabrics, making garments last longer, smell fresher, and perform longer! Longer wear out of my athletic clothing? Hello!  I will definitely check into this detergent for future reference!

Body Wear


Was anyone else ever a huge funky sock fan growing up? When I think of toe-socks, I think of my crazy sock collection from high school. Let me erase that memory from your mind completely –

Injinji socks are nothing like that! Injinji socks are the original performance light weight performance series toe socks. They also help prevent blisters! I wore these during an afternoon walk with my puppy dogs and they were incredibly comfortable – so comfortable in fact, I forgot I was wearing them!

SiMbi is a product that gives back – each SiMbi band sold purifies 1 gallon of water per day and creates jobs for the people of Haiti! Each hair-bracelet sold keeps Haitians employed and helps raise money to install water filtration systems throughout the country, saving lives. A portion of their proceeds is dedicated to this cause. I have worn this hair band many times since receiving this box and I really like it! I have super thick hair and I have to wrap this band around my hair three times, but it holds tight and doesn’t slip! When exercising, that’s definitely something I look for! If it doesn’t slip, I’m sold! :0) Go check out their website – there’s so many colors/options to choose from!



Along with all of the goodies already mentioned, this RunnerBox also included several certificates for discounted products!

When purchasing a box, there are three options to choose from: RunnerBox, TriBox, or GiftBox. They even offer a Gluten Free box option!

Currently, there is no runner referral program for RunnerBox, but they are looking into one so keep checking for that in the future!

Also, RunnerBox frequently holds discounts/promotions on both subscription boxes and gift boxes. A regular monthly box costs around $20.00, but as you can see, I received well over $20.00 worth of product in this box!

To keep in the loop of their specials and promotions, check out RunnerBox on:

Twitter

Facebook
I would like to thank RunnerBox for the opportunity to review their product! If you are looking for a box service that is full of awesome items, this is definitely a great one!

Have you ever tried a monthly  box service? If so, share your thoughts/opinions!