Podcaster
Author of The 4-Hour Workweek and host of The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek and host of The Tim Ferriss Show, has recommended books including Vagabonding, The Magic of Thinking Big, The Bear and Awareness. His routine includes morning pages, about 20 minutes of morning meditation and The Five-Minute Journal, and he does a twice-weekly kettlebell swing workout. Several products he mentions, including Momentous, AG1, LMNT, Seed, Pique and Eight Sleep, are paid sponsors.
20 sourced items, last checked 9 Nov 2026. Each one links to where Tim Ferriss said it. Paid sponsorships and brands they own are labelled.
Books they've recommended, re-read or credited with changing their thinking.
In his solo episode on must-read books, Ferriss says this is a book he has given away to friends many times.
“I have bought dozens of copies to give to friends.”Tim Ferriss
Source: Books I've Loved: Tim's Four Must-Read Books (#400) (podcast, 18 Dec 2019)
Ferriss included this novel in his 2024 holiday gift guide after reading it quickly over a few evenings.
“I ended up devouring it over 3–4 evenings.”Tim Ferriss
Source: My 2024 Holiday Gift Guide (newsletter, 22 Nov 2024)
One of the books Ferriss recommends in his solo must-read books episode, citing its message about not underestimating yourself.
“don't overestimate others and underestimate yourself.”Tim Ferriss
Source: Books I've Loved: Tim's Four Must-Read Books (#400) (podcast, 18 Dec 2019)
Ferriss credits this travel book with pushing him to take his extended trip overseas, and recommends it on his must-read list.
“This is, in fact, the book that got me to stop making excuses and pack for an extended hiatus trip overseas.”Tim Ferriss
Source: Books I've Loved: Tim's Four Must-Read Books (#400) (podcast, 18 Dec 2019)
Supplements they've said they take, in their own words. Not medical advice.
Featured on Ferriss's favorites list as an all-in-one nutritional drink; marked as a sponsor.
Source: My Favorite Software, Supplements, Apps, Tools, and More! (newsletter, 13 Sept 2024)
Two capsules each morning
Included in Ferriss's favorites list as a probiotic he takes in the morning; the item is marked as a sponsor.
Source: My Favorite Software, Supplements, Apps, Tools, and More! (newsletter, 13 Sept 2024)
Ferriss lists this electrolyte mix among his favorites; it is a starred sponsor item.
“delivers a meaningful dose of electrolytes without the garbage”Tim Ferriss
Source: My Favorite Software, Supplements, Apps, Tools, and More! (newsletter, 13 Sept 2024)
All three taken daily
Ferriss says he takes this bundle daily; it is a starred sponsor item and he says he co-created the bundle with Momentous.
“I take all three daily, and sourcing matters.”Tim Ferriss
Source: My 2024 Holiday Gift Guide (newsletter, 22 Nov 2024)
Training plans and routines they've described publicly: the weekly split, the exercises, the sets and reps.
75 two-handed swings, twice weekly, 53-lb bell
Ferriss describes the minimal kettlebell routine he did from 2005, which he credits with dropping his body fat and boosting his deadlift.
Kettlebell swing minimal routine
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-handed kettlebell swing (53 lb) | 1 (or split into several) | 75 total | If 75 not possible in one set, use multiple sets with 60 seconds rest until 75 total |
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-handed kettlebell swing (53 lb) | 1 (or split into several) | 75 total | If 75 not possible in one set, use multiple sets with 60 seconds rest until 75 total |
Done about one hour after a light, protein-rich breakfast. Later progressed to 50+ reps with a 106-lb kettlebell.
As they described it publicly. Not a training prescription: check with a professional before starting a new program.
“my lowest bodyfat percentage since 1999”Tim Ferriss
Source: The Perfect Posterior: Kettlebell Swings and Cheap Alternatives (article, 8 Jan 2011)
How they say they eat — fasting windows, protocols and staples.
3–6 sticks per day
Listed among Ferriss's favorite products as a protein snack he eats daily; not marked as sponsored.
“I eat 3–6 of these per day.”Tim Ferriss
Source: My Favorite Software, Supplements, Apps, Tools, and More! (newsletter, 13 Sept 2024)
One cheat day per week; ~30 g protein within 30 minutes of waking
In a letter to a friend wanting to get in shape, Ferriss tells him to focus on his Slow-Carb Diet with a weekly cheat day.
“Focus on the Slow-Carb Diet”Tim Ferriss
Source: 2021 Reboot: Letter to a Friend Who Wants to Get in Shape (article, 19 Jan 2021)
Almost every morning
Ferriss says he drinks Pique's pu'er teas most mornings; the item is marked as a sponsor in his gift guide.
“I drink both their black and green pu'er almost every morning.”Tim Ferriss
Source: My 2024 Holiday Gift Guide (newsletter, 22 Nov 2024)
Wearables, equipment and tools they use day to day.
Paired with the Able Brewing DISK reusable steel filter
Ferriss calls the AeroPress his favorite way to brew coffee, quoting his own book The 4-Hour Chef.
“This is now, bar none, my favorite brewing method.”Tim Ferriss
Source: My Favorite Software, Supplements, Apps, Tools, and More! (newsletter, 13 Sept 2024)
Used right before bed
Ferriss says he uses this psoas massage tool at bedtime; linked via Amazon affiliate, not sponsored.
“I use it right before bed.”Tim Ferriss
Source: My 2024 Holiday Gift Guide (newsletter, 22 Nov 2024)
Loads with standard Olympic plates in 2.5 lb or 5 lb increments
Ferriss lists this plate-loaded rucking frame among his favorite tools for training; not marked as sponsored.
“It uses standard Olympic-sized barbell plates”Tim Ferriss
Source: My Favorite Software, Supplements, Apps, Tools, and More! (newsletter, 13 Sept 2024)
Ferriss says he started using the Eight Sleep Pod Cover years ago and credits it with improving his sleep; the item is a sponsor.
“Several years ago, I started using the Pod Cover, and it has transformed my sleep.”Tim Ferriss
Source: My 2024 Holiday Gift Guide (newsletter, 22 Nov 2024)
Morning, evening and recovery habits they've shared.
About 20 minutes seated, plus a ~2-minute decompression
In a video transcript of his morning routine, Ferriss says he meditates for roughly 20 minutes as part of his mornings.
“I meditate for 20 minutes, typically 22 minutes.”Tim Ferriss
Source: The 60-minute morning routine that productivity expert Tim Ferriss swears by (video)
Stream-of-consciousness writing, per Julia Cameron's method, using an Artist's Way companion journal
Ferriss shared what his morning journal looks like, describing Julia Cameron's morning pages as a way to clear his head rather than to be productive.
“spiritual windshield wipers.”Tim Ferriss
Source: What My Morning Journal Looks Like (article, 15 Jan 2015)
Ferriss names The Five-Minute Journal as part of his morning routine, alongside morning pages.
Source: The 60-minute morning routine that productivity expert Tim Ferriss swears by (video)
Everything else they've recommended.
Ferriss recommends Sam Harris's meditation app as a top mind-training program; not marked as sponsored.
“This is a world-class program for mind training”Tim Ferriss
Source: My Favorite Software, Supplements, Apps, Tools, and More! (newsletter, 13 Sept 2024)
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