Health's Fitness Awards 2023

We've done the research and found the top fitness gear on the market—from workout equipment, sneakers, and apps to innovative tools that make exercising easier.

For many of us, the start of a new year comes with the prospect of tackling a serious exercise regimen. Our intentions may be good, but we often lose steam for various reasons, among them lack of time, bad weather, and fatigue.

Fortunately, every day brings a renewed sense of possibility, and with it the ability to start over and try again at your own pace. And what better season than spring to reset your fitness clock? It doesn’t need to be difficult. "One of the biggest misconceptions about fitness is that your activity has to be extreme, complicated, and time-consuming to make a difference," said ACE-certified fitness instructor Aimee Nicotera.

One of the keys to success, of course, is consistency. To ensure you maintain your exercise regime, pick activities that you love, can easily access, and don’t need to take too long to do. "Walking for 30 minutes at a moderate pace four times a week, in addition to engaging in three 20-minute strength training routines each week, would make a world of difference for most people," Nicotera told Health.

It helps if you view exercise as a part of your lifestyle, not as something you are doing temporarily. "Try to stop thinking about what it does in the present and realize that it pays off in every aspect of your life going forward," said celeb trainer and Chief of Athletics for F45 Gunnar Peterson, CSCS, CPT. "It's a savings account, a bond, an investment that pays daily dividends... it will give back everything you give it and more.”

While you don't need fancy equipment to exercise, you should wear the proper footwear for the activity that you are doing. "Most times, when I see foot or ankle injuries in my office, the person did not bother to warm up, and the injury occurs shortly after beginning the activity," said Asim Sayed, DPM, a podiatrist at HCA Midwest Health. "To protect your feet and ankles, look for shoes with proper support and stability, in addition to always warming up and stretching.”

It is essential to remember that it takes more than motivation to stay the course. "It's more about discipline than motivation," agreed yoga instructor Cassandre Titus of Coolidge Yoga, in Brookline, Mass. "Motivation can only get you so far, but if you've built the discipline in getting to whatever goal you have, it creates a consistent habit.” Always check with your healthcare provider before starting any new workout routine.

Here are 35 products that can help you start and maintain your fitness journey.

To select the products, we relied on a panel of fitness and medical experts who shared their insights based on years of experience, the advice they would give clients, the products they themselves use, and suggestions for building a fitness routine. We also conducted extensive research, editor testing, and fact-checking to ensure that we’re bringing you quality items that enhance your health and wellness, with tips to help you on your fitness journey.

Treadmills are a great way to get a quick workout, no matter the weather. Plus, they allow you to work out at your own pace. At the same time, many models are available, some with subscriptions you may not need. Although the Horizon 7.0 AT Treadmill doesn't come with those bells and whistles, it does allow you flexibility since you are not tied to a contract. You can use it with apps like Peloton, Zwift, Studio, and Nike Run Club or no app at all. The setup is pretty easy, and the feel of the treads as you walk or run is comfortable, and this editor's favorite didn't cause heel pain. It inclines smoothly if you want to push yourself, and even though it only partially folds, it still is a space saver.

Perfect for apartments and homes short on space, the Mobvoi Home Treadmill is a slim but powerful piece of equipment. With speeds up to 8.7mph and an incline of 15%, it’s sturdy enough for the 12-3-30 and quiet enough to use as a walking pad when working from home. This editor’s pick is easy to move and store and pairs with your smartwatch for additional training and data features.

If you want to get your core in shape, the Lagree Fitness Micro is the way to go. It is challenging but a great piece of equipment for anyone wanting a low-impact, high-intensity full-body workout. Plus, because of its size, weight, and shape, you can roll it under your bed to keep it tucked away between use.

While rowing machines can be tricky, the Hydrow Wave Rower is a snap to operate. Even if you don’t choose the subscription service—which lets you view exotic locales as you tone up—the machine moves so smoothly that you never feel like you’re pulling against resistance. It works your legs, back, arms, and abs. But like any workout machine, you have to use it to benefit from it!

Echelon bicycles are often compared to Peloton bikes, and the EX-15 makes for a perfect no-frills cousin. While it doesn’t have a lot of extras, you can’t beat the price. It is sturdy but surprisingly agile, and if you want to ride along with trainers or groups from other fitness apps, just pop your iPad or other smart devices in the holder and go.

The Peloton bike has many devotees, and Dr. Sayed is one of them; he uses his bike “almost daily.” While biking naturally offers great cardiovascular benefits, one of the biggest draws with the Peloton is the sense of community it offers when you work out from the comfort of your home. If you subscribe to classes, the instructors will keep you motivated, and you can participate in the leaderboard, which allows you to see where you and your friends rank.

Billed as a total gym, the Tonal is Dr. Sayed’s go-to for strength training. It adheres to your wall and offers thousands of workouts, including HIIT, cardio, and yoga. After you take a strength assessment test, it will determine what weight is best for you and offer up to 200 pounds of resistance-based training that adapts as you work out—all with just a push of your thumb. It can help you bend, stretch and curl your way to a healthier you.

If you have ever been to a group workout class, had a personal trainer, or used a fitness app, you have heard an instructor remind you to engage your core—and you will have to do that to get the most out of the StrongBoard. On the plus side, it can take your squat and push-ups to another level.

Peterson, who exercises every day without fail, told Health, “Sometimes the intensity [of working out] is world-class; other times it’s a walk in the yard with the kids. It all adds up over the long term.” On the days that he opts to exercise at home, Peterson often goes for his Klink dumbbells.

They are appealingly sleek, and the lighter set allows you to create pairs weighing 2, 4, 6, or 8 kilograms; you can also make a single dumbbell weighing 14 kilograms. The heavier set starts at 8 kilograms; it allows you to make pairs that weigh up to 20 kilograms or build a single dumbbell totalling up to 32 kilograms.

Bowflex launched in 1986 with the Bowflex 2000X and has been delivering at-home workout equipment such as bikes, treadmills, home gyms, and weights ever since. Their customizable dumbbells are perfect for those who have limited space. With the simple twist of a dial, the SelectTech 552 Dumbbells increase from 5 to 52.5 lbs and can replace 15 sets of weights, making your strength training goals easier to achieve. .

Although you can complete yoga moves without a mat, having one that can provide a cushion between your body and the floor—especially on tiled or wooden surfaces—makes sticking to a practice easier. The Gaiam mat can reduce your odds of developing joint pain, especially in your knees (think of the hero pose). It’s reversible, latex-free, 6 MM thick—and sure to help you find your Om.

If you have ever felt that your legs were off your mat when you tried to relax your way through savasana—or even when doing any of your warrior stances—the Manduka Yoga Mat Pro is a great option for you. It is available in both a standard length and at 85” x 26”, which is just right for those of us with long legs.

If you are looking for an affordable and straightforward multi sport tracker (designed for basketball, baseball, football, and soccer) an ITouch Air 3 is a good choice. While you won’t be able to reply to text and you can’t make calls from this device as you can with some other trackers it has good athletic features and does measure heart rate and oxygen levels while you engage in activities such as running, elliptical training, cycling, and hiking.

Use the touchscreen on the Polar Ignite 3 to check how many calories you have burned during your workout. This streamlined, lightweight device doesn’t have that obvious ‘tracker watch’ look, which gives it a more stylish appeal. Its low-profile design allows it to sit more comfortably on your wrist, allowing you to easily check your heart rate as you exercise and move throughout the day. The clear, bright display also makes it easy to see in most lighting.

A favorite of Peterson’s, the Whoop methodically analyzes your heart rate and the stress you put on your body from exercise, work, and everyday life—and it does so 24 hours a day. This helps it to create a daily recovery score. With no screen to distract you, it helps limit distractions while you complete your activities—especially workouts. The app that you sync it with is simple and easy to navigate, and provides metrics on sleep, stress, and the strain that you put on your body. Based on that info, it helps you decide how much or how little to work out.

Along with the Whoop, Peterson ranks the Oura ring as a top-tier product. An associated app tracks your behavior and helps you focus on readiness, sleep, and activity. It even highlights areas in which you may need improvement and reminds you what activities will help you feel your best. You can access meditations and track your daily steps to know if you have hit the much-desired 10,000 for the day.

Getting a free workout is fantastic, and that is just what FitOn gives you. Users never feel short-changed as the app offers a variety of workouts, including cardio, yoga, barre, and kickboxing. In addition to choosing what type of routine you want, you can also pick each session’s' length. Full courses, boot camps, and motivational challenges are available. If you opt for the annual payment option, you'll have access to premium music, personalized meal plans, offline downloads, and more connected device support.

Once you subscribe to Apple Fitness+, you can access thousands of videos on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. Stream workouts like cycling, HIIT, strength, and dance, or come down from a stressful day with meditation. You can listen to motivating words from celebs like Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jason Segel, or Becky G as you walk. Find the newest workouts available on the app’s home page or choose from the tab on top based on the type of workout you want to perform. You can even select a quick session that lasts as little as 10 minutes. To enhance the experience, pair it with an Apple Watch, which helps you track your daily progress based on pre-established goals.

For those entirely devoted to Pilates or who want to add breath work to their regimen, the Lindywell app is created with you in mind. You can find a library of over 250 online classes led by certified trainers or browse through recipes like Lemon Almond Flour Pancakes, Roasted Sweet Potato and Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner, or Red Velvet Smoothie. Users can parse food and beverage options based on dietary restrictions or meal time.

Working out can feel tedious, but that’s when you need to break out in dance. Founded by celeb trainer Megan Roup the TSS method combines sculpting exercises with dance cardio for an exhilarating addition to your regimen. Stream 400 on-demand workouts and LIVE classes weekly for beginner to advanced users or stream on mobile devices or platforms such as Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire, and Roku.

If you love clubs such as Pure Barre, CycleBar, StretchLab, STRIDE Fitness or YogaSix, Xponential+ can give you a taste of all of them. You get daily live classes that you can book and create a schedule for or pick an on-demand session based on a trainer, type of workout, or brand you are most interested in. The descriptions of the classes are a good way of knowing what’s ahead and the equipment needed. Access the courses via the web portal, mobile app (iOS and Android), and Apple TV.

With all the options available, buying sneakers should be easy, but it can still be tough to figure out what’s best for you. You need to wear the right shoe for the activity you're doing, yet good old-fashioned trial-and-error also comes in handy, said Dr. Sayed. "My best piece of advice is to try the shoe on before you buy it, [to] get a good feel for it," he added. "Each person's foot and biomechanics are different, so what works for some may not be appropriate for others." One of Dr. Sayed’s favorites is the Adidas Ultra Boost, which he described as "very supportive and top on my list when it comes to shock absorption.”

For some women being pregnant means that their foot size increases, and whether that change is temporary or permanent, the pregnant person has to shoulder that cost. Well, not anymore with Saysh Ones. The brand, created by seven-time Olympic champion Allyson Felix, vows that if a Saysh customer is an expectant mother and contacts the brand, they will be sent a new pair of sneakers in their new size. An added bonus is that while they were being editor tested, even after 10,000 steps, they were just as comfy and cushy as the first.

Most slip-on sneakers don’t hold your foot firmly in place, which makes it hard to run or exercise without your shoe coming loose—or worse, flying off. Thanks to Nike’s Flyease technology, these sneakers stay firmly in place, allowing you to move swiftly and safely. There’s no need to bend over or tie any laces, making it an excellent fit for people with disabilities, older adults, and those who are constantly on the go.

Reebok says that the Floatride Energy X is designed for marathon racing and long-distance training. That makes sense, since this favorite gave our editor a feeling of propulsion with the way it gently rolled forward at every step. Made with at least 30% recycled or repurposed materials, it’s also lightweight and breathable, which is great for outdoor runs on a warm day.

Outdoor runs are an excellent form of exercise, and time spent in nature has been proven to help manage stress levels. These trail runners from Reebok are cushioned and absorb impact to make trail running a more enjoyable experience.

Although New Balance lists the 1080v12 as a running shoe, it also proves comfortable on long walks and during other forms of exercise. New Balance sneakers can sometimes feel a little wide across the front, and the brand’s website suggests ordering down a size, but these were snug and made working out on the treadmill a comfortable experience.

These running shoes with a patent-pending fit and fit predictor to match the consumer to the right shoe were explicitly created for women. Founded by Brooke Torres, a passionate runner and RRCA coach, Hilma shoes are made with sugarcane-based EVA with buyers in mind and are comfy on a run or an afternoon spent doing errands.

This brand made its debut on Shark Tank in 2013 with barefoot sandals. Aa a favorite of Nicotera, she said" These help people actually feel the ground and give the toes lots of space." If you are a fan of strength training/weight lifting and CrossFit, these are worth trying as the straps keep your feet secure, and the heel's non-elevated "zero drop" allows you to firmly plant yourself and complete your weight-bearing moves.

If you have ever yearned for a massage after hitting the gym, gone for a run, or lifted weights to the point where your muscles felt fatigued, consider the Theragun PRO Gen 5, which was created to help with recovery. As a matter of fact, Peterson uses his TheraGun daily.

After a hard workout using a foam roller can be a valuable part of your recovery plan. In fact, Titus keeps one in her “self-care toolbox.” The TP Therapy Trigger Point is an editor favorite as it was beneficial in soothing sore muscles after calf raises and squats.

An essential part of working out and recovering is making sure to rehydrate. And the best way to do so is to have water at the ready. And while there are many options on the market, the Beautiful No Drippy Sippy Stainless Steel Tumbler from actress and talk show host Drew Barrymore is a scene stealer. The colors are calming and cute, the straw is reusable, and your beverage will stay cool for up to 24 hours.

Who doesn’t love a little bling? And not only do these tumblers catch your attention, but they are also great at keeping your beverages cool beyond 24 hours, especially when you add ice. Bonus: They’re made with 100% BPA-free materials and snap tight to reduce your chances of spillage.

If you have an affection for our national parks and plan on hitting one this summer, the Wondery Parks of the USA Bucket List Water Bottle can be a good companion piece. The images on the matte stainless steel container features engraving of all 63 US Parks. It keeps liquids cold for a full day and hot for 12. Plus, 5% of every purchase of all Parks of the USA bottles will go to the National Parks Conservation Association to keep us educated about these public spaces.

Glass water bottles can be heavy and clunky and not fun to tote around. However, the Porter Water Bottle is lightweight and enveloped in a silicone sleeve that staves off slippage and condensation. It is made with food-grade glass, so there is no aftertaste, and the wide mouth allows you to sip on a smoothie easily. Its size makes it easy to toss it in your bag and go.

Furuyashiki A, Tabuchi K, Norikoshi K, Kobayashi T, Oriyama S. A comparative study of the physiological and psychological effects of forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) on working age people with and without depressive tendencies. Environ Health Prev Med. 2019;24(1):46.