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Feb 21

Prevention’s 2020 Fitness Awards – Best Fitness Gear to Buy This Year – Prevention.com

Fitness Comments Off on Prevention’s 2020 Fitness Awards – Best Fitness Gear to Buy This Year – Prevention.com

Mike Garten

Sometimes the hardest part of working out is just putting on your shoes, or so goes a modern-day exercise adage. But knowing you have the right gear can make getting started a heck of a lot easier. To help you get motivated and benefit the most from your workouts, we tried dozens of pieces of fitness gear: Podiatrists weighed in on shoes, and everyday exercisers worked out at home, outdoors, and in gyms. After four weeks of testing, our team has determined these to be best in class. Now lets get moving!

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BEST TRAIL RUNNERS

These trail runners have a roomy toe box, allowing feet to splay naturally (it accommodates bunions and hammertoes too). Grace Torres-Hodges, D.P.M., noted that they have good heel counters, a sturdy shank (the supportive material between the insole and outsole), and great tread traction for tough terrain.

BEST RUNNING SHOES

While your best pair of kicks depends largely on you and the features of your feet, our podiatrists, who evaluated the materials and the overall level of support in the shoes we selected, said these had especially great cushioning and motion-control features for running. Dr. Torres-Hodges said they had firm heel counters that would cradle feet to prevent pronation (rolling inward) and sturdy midsoles to help keep feet in place while in motion.

BEST CROSS-TRAINING SHOES

$129.00

Whether youre lifting, running, or climbing, these sneakers stand up to high-intensity activity thanks to their abrasion-resistant uppers. They also boast medial guardsa hallmark of good cross-training shoesto prevent ankle injuries during side-to-side action, says Jay Bhuta, D.P.M. Another standout feature: their versatile soles, which offer traction for indoor and outdoor workouts.

BEST WALKING SHOES

$75.00

Ever wonder why your knees and lower back get achy? It could be from wearing unsupportive shoes. Dr. Bhuta liked these sneakers for their heel-to-toe cushioning, which helps absorb shock, and because their roominess will accommodate orthotics, which can add further relief for feet and knees. They have built-in stability features in the midfoot and forefoot so feet will stay aligned with each step.

BEST GYM BAG

$155.00

The organizing compartments in this duffel bag made it a clear winner with our testers: The shoe bag, laptop sleeve, interior zip pocket, mesh pouch, and exterior phone pocket are specifically made to fit everything you need to get to the gym and home again.

BEST SMART WATCH

$249.00

This next-level smart watch can track everything from your steps to your heart rate, but standout features include the ability to give you insight about your stress level.

BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES

With high-quality sound and a comfy fit, these wireless headphones will stay on even when youre running up and down steps and on uneven terrain. They also are resistant to sweat and provide up to six hours of tunes.

BEST WATER BOTTLE

Swells eye-catching designs are proof that you can work super hard and look great doing it: The insulated walls in this stainless steel water bottle help keep liquids cool for up to 24 hours. Testers also liked how this bottle was slim enough to fit into many compartments, from a gym bag pocket to a car cup holder.

BEST WORKOUT TANK

$65.00

It turns out theres a happy medium between a full-length tank and a crop top, and this is it. It hits just above the waist without exposing your midriff, making it feel light and breathable. The mesh material around the neck and the racerback design increase airflow to the chest and underarms, the areas in which people tend to overheat most.

BEST SPORTS BRA

$24.97

Designed with a supportive and comfortably snug fit, this sports bra was easy to slip on and take off (big plus: no struggling to peel it off after a sweaty workout!). Testers also liked how it absorbed moisture during intense hot-yoga classes and kept their girls in place while they did box jumps, side hops, and other high-intensity moves.

BEST LEGGINGS

One tester said she wanted to live in these high-waisted leggingsand that she wasnt exaggerating. They are particularly soft and smooth against the skin, even during the sweatiest workouts. Petite women liked that the 7/8 length hit their ankles perfectly, and they were flattering for a variety of body types.

BEST SOCKS

The sweat-wicking material in these socks helps keep feet dry and odor-free, while the cushioning in the heels and arches provides support to these shock-absorbing areas. Testers liked that they didnt slip and that the cuffs stayed secure around their ankles.

BEST JACKET

This warm yet breathable half-zip pullover, made with polyester and spandex, is perfect for outdoor walks or runs. The side pockets can easily store keys, some cash, and a smartphone, and the thumbholes on the sleeves help seal in heat.

BEST DUMBBELLS

$329.00

Ranging from five to 52.5 pounds, these adjustable dumbbells replace 15 sets of weights. Heres how it works: Keeping the weights on their plates, simply turn the dial to choose the amount of weight you want to lift. Then remove them from the plates to start exercising. Theyre great for working out at home without feeling as if your living room is a gym.

BEST RESISTANCE BANDS

$9.99

Testers loved that these resistance bands were soft to the touch and didnt irritate their skin when they did lower-body exercises like squats and glute kick-backs. Theyre light and small enough to pack too.

BEST KETTLEBELL

While there are plenty of kettlebells out there, we chose this model for its smooth grip and easy-to-maneuver design. Its conventional shape lends itself to practicing proper form with moves like the dead clean, the swing, and shoulder presses.

BEST YOGA MAT

$57.98

This yoga mat has a textured design that provides extra grip, cushioning, and durability for high-impact exercises. Its dense material offers support for sensitive knees and other joints and absorbs sweat easily, keeping the surface safe for free movement.

BEST POST-WORKOUT MASSAGER

$79.95

Excellent for targeting harder-to-reach areas of the body, this massage ball has three levels of vibration that helped loosen our testers stiff muscles and relieve cramps.

BEST FOAM ROLLER

Foam rolling helps relieve tension and prepare the body for exercise, and it works to alleviate soreness post-workout as well. This foam roller is medium density (somewhat firm with some give), making it easier to apply pressure to relieve knots in muscles and work on trigger points. Its 18-inch length is enough to let you foam-roll your upper back and shoulders as well as your glutes, quads, and calves.

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Prevention's 2020 Fitness Awards - Best Fitness Gear to Buy This Year - Prevention.com

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