When it comes to fueling my workouts and recovery, I tend to lean toward simple, clean options that don’t require a chemistry degree to decode. So, when I had the chance to test out a few products from Equip, I figured it was time to put the blender to work and see how these powders and bars performed in real-life training and recovery.
Pure Pre
I don’t think I’ve ever actually tried a pre-workout before. That probably makes me sound like an old man yelling at clouds, but the idea of “pre-workout” has always conjured images of bulging biceps, clanging metal weights, and someone psyching themselves up to deadlift a Buick. Not exactly my vibe. But I’ve been wrong before—and this time, I’m glad I was.
My first try of Equip’s Pure Pre came after one of those days where I am in back-to-back Zooms, long-form writing, more “thinking work” than my brain really wanted to handle. By 5pm, I was emotionally tapped. The last thing I wanted to do was get on my indoor trainer for a workout ride. But I had it on the calendar, and I needed to do something.
So I decided to give Pure Pre a go. One scoop. 150mg of caffeine. 3000mg of creatine. A little blueberry lemon flavor to top it off. I gave it about 10 minutes to kick in and hopped on the bike, fully expecting a blah, just-get-it-done kind of ride. What happened instead? A personal best.
Not just “oh that was decent”—but a legit, performance-level PR. And what’s wild is that it didn’t feel like some giant jolt of energy. No racing heart. No jumpiness. I had my heart rate monitor on, and everything stayed in a totally normal range. It was less like flipping a switch and more like… my body just had it that day.
Placebo? Maybe. But I’ll take it.
Now let’s talk taste: Blueberry Lemon. It’s okay. It wasn’t offensively sweet or syrupy, but there was definitely some lingering Stevia sweetness at the end. Since it’s mixed in only 8–10 oz of water, it went down quickly without any gag-factor. Basically: effective, tolerable, not a beverage I’d sip for fun, but it gets the job done.
Overall, Pure Pre has surprised me in all the right ways. I don’t use it before every run or workout, but I definitely have been keeping this in the rotation for those days when motivation is MIA and the couch is calling.
Prime Protein
Speaking of smoothies, having a go-to chocolate protein powder is basically a must if you’re logging serious miles or trying to stay on top of post-workout recovery. I’ve been experimenting with different brands and blends, but Equip’s Prime Protein has recently entered the chat—and it’s a bit different than your usual whey or plant-based shake.
This is a beef isolate protein. Yep, you read that right. Equip uses grass-fed beef and bones as the base of their powder, giving you 21 grams of complete protein per scoop, plus naturally occurring collagen and gelatin. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you might want to check out some of the other plant-based options we’ve reviewed—but if you’re open to animal-based proteins, this is definitely worth a closer look.
The collagen and gelatin components are a nice bonus for anyone thinking about joint health, gut health, and even skin. A lot of people take those supplements separately anyway, and this sort of rolls them right into the recovery shake you’re probably already making.
Now I’ll admit: the idea of a beef protein powder initially gave me some pause. I had very real concerns about sipping something that might taste like liquid jerky. But this chocolate flavor is genuinely good. It’s rich, not overly sweet, and has a dessert-y vibe. Equip has about nine flavors now (including a new Chocolate Mint and Cinnamon Roll that I’ve got my eye on), but starting with chocolate is the safest and most familiar bet in my book.
Each scoop delivers just 100 calories, and I’ve had zero stomach issues—no bloating, no weird digestion aftermath, nothing. That’s a big deal, especially when some protein powders can leave you feeling worse instead of better.
Clean Carbs
I’ve officially crossed into smoothie territory, and there’s no turning back. The investment in a Vitamix was the tipping point—one of those rare kitchen purchases that actually lives up to the hype. I’ve been blending up a storm ever since. Fresh fruit, veggies, nut butter, seeds, powders—you name it. Being in the Northwest makes it pretty easy, too, with fresh produce almost always within arm’s reach.
That said, not every day is market-fresh magic. Some days the fridge is empty, or I’m just in a rush and need a little boost without chopping five different fruits. That’s where Clean Carbs Reds Powder has earned a spot on my shelf.
This isn’t trying to replace fresh fruits and veggies, but it’s a super handy supplement for the days I’m short on time (or ingredients). Clean Carbs packs over 4 servings of fruit from 15+ sources into a simple powder, which would be absolute smoothie madness to recreate in raw form. I’m not about to blend a full fruit stand just to get my antioxidants in, and thankfully, I don’t have to.
What you’re getting is a good hit of natural goodness: antioxidants, immune system support, and—importantly—clean carbs (I mean, its in the name.. That makes this a solid choice post-workout when your body’s asking for some replenishment without needing to overthink it.
One of the best things about it? It’s flavorless. I’ve added it into berry-heavy shakes and even chocolate-based recovery blends, and it disappears into the background without changing the taste. No weird aftertaste, no gritty texture—just a stealthy boost to your nutrition game.
So while I’m still Team Fresh when possible, Clean Carbs is a legit backup (and sometimes main player) in the rotation.
Prime Bars
If you had told me a few months ago that I’d be packing my running bag with protein bars made with beef, tallow, and colostrum, I probably would’ve raised an eyebrow. But here we are—and Equip’s Prime Bars have earned that spot in my rotation. Not only do these bars pack a legit 20g of protein in a compact form, they taste like dessert and have natural ingredients that are often the usual culprits of tummy probs (like whey, soy, gluten, and fiber syrups).
The Chocolate flavor leans rich and brownie-like with a nice texture from the cocoa nibs, while the Berry version adds a little natural tartness that reminds me of a fruit-filled dark chocolate square. Both flavors are surprisingly enjoyable and satisfying and I got no weird chalkiness or dry mouth aftereffects here.
Whether you’re post-workout, mid-road trip, or just need a quick protein boost without the crash or gut grumbles, these are worth trying out and tossing in your gym bag or glovebox.
