Our 2021 Fitness Awards Winners Will Help You Crush Your Wellness Goals This Year

To set you up for a fit year, we asked podiatrists and personal trainers for their favorite gear and best advice, then got everyday folks to try the top choices during yoga sessions, HIIT workouts, neighborhood runs, trail hikes, and more. The result: these 24 fitness products that’ll motivate and challenge you to meet your workout goals this year.

Meet Prevention’s expert panel:

• Jill de Jong, a celebrity trainer, health coach, and podcast host
• Tatiana Firpo, a certified personal trainer and instructor at Fithouse, Soho House and Everybody Fights
• Adele Jackson-Gibson, a certified fitness coach, model, and writer
• Amanda Margusity, a certified fitness coach and former competitive cheerleader
• Kymberly Nolden, an exercise specialist and body diversity activist
• Miguel Cunha, D.P.M., founder of Gotham Footcare in NYC
• Rebecca Pruthi, D.P.M., board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon
• Ami Sheth, D.P.M., board-certified podiatrist and fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

Athleta

athleta.gap.com

$49.00

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Trainer Amanda Margusity swears by this tank: It’s breathable and flattering, and it won’t chafe. Testers loved the fit, how well it controlled odors, and the hidden rubber grips that kept it from shifting during workouts.

mizunousa.com

$30.00

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Nobody wants to be readjusting their shorts mid-stride. These mid-rise shorts, made from soft but sturdy material, put an end to tugging. And good news: Though these are form-fitting, the flatlock seams prevent annoying chafing.

Prana

backcountry.com

$58.95

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It can be tough to connect with your inner self while wearing an uncomfortable bra, no? This one seems barely there thanks to its soft material and wire-free design, but the stretchy material and thick band keep everything in place, even in downward dog.

Outdoor Voices

outdoorvoices.com

$24.00

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Extremely supportive, adjustable, and seamless, this hardworking bra impressed testers during running, jumping jacks, and other intense activities. Getting it on and off was struggle-free, and it was so comfy that a tester described it as “a perfect hug.”

Old Navy

oldnavy.gap.com

$19.97

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Buttery soft but great at wicking away moisture, these super-stretchy leggings (available in 21 colors) are great for cardio or strength workouts (or, let’s be honest, errands— they have pockets!). What more could you want?

VTER

Uniqlo

$14.90

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A face mask is the new workout essential, and this one has all the qualities you need: Testers said it fit well, wicked away sweat efficiently, and was easy to breathe in. Three layers, including a built-in washable filter, mean you can feel confident that it’s safe.

Dickies

amazon.com

$13.74

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Made with moisture-wicking materials and ventilation channels, these crew socks keep feet dry, says Rebecca Pruthi, D.P.M. (so you’ll be comfortable and less stinky!). She loves the arch support and the stability provided by the reinforced heel and toe.

AT

asics.com

$150.00

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Our expert panel agrees that these sneakers are worth the investment. The gel-cushioned footbeds mitigate pain by contouring to the shape of your feet and protecting the plantar fascia. The breathable shoes also have extra cushioning in their midsoles for comfort and shock absorption. Bonus: They’re made
with recycled materials.

KEEN

rei.com

$139.95

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The large toe boxes in these hikers let toes spread out without hitting the fronts of the shoes or causing painful rubbing, says Ami Sheth, D.P.M. (That’s important when going up and down on trails.) Messy terrain is no problem thanks to the waterproof and mud-resistant design.

Brooks

zappos.com

$129.95

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Pruthi is a fan of this brand’s Progressive Diagonal Rollbar, which offers maximum support for arches and helps with natural body alignment (making it helpful for those with overpronation). These shoes are particularly slip-resistant and also have shock- absorbing cushioning to protect joints.

dsw.com

$119.99

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These versatile shoes hold feet in place during side-to-side movements and have flat, wide soles that support quick-action movements, both of which are needed for cross-training workouts, says Miguel Cunha, D.P.M. The grippy soles add stability.

hiki.com

$10.50

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Made from biodegradable materials with odor-neutralizing probiotics, these large body wipes relieve sweaty bodies of odor and stickiness with a couple of swipes. The result is refreshed skin that makes you feel as if you’ve just hopped out of the shower—you can quote our testers on that.

Jaybird

amazon.com

$159.00

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Music can energize you during a workout—but not when your earbuds repeatedly fall out. Trainer Adele Jackson-Gibson says these are the only wireless earbuds that stay in place securely— and, happily, they have great sound quality.

Fitbit

amazon.com

$228.95

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This latest Fitbit has built- in GPS, so you can leave your phone at home and still know exactly how far you’ve gone. Plus, the new Active Zone Minutes feature helps you track all your movement: Testers loved knowing when they were in fat burn vs. cardio zones.

TREAD BANDS

amazon.com

$17.99

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This headband can be customized for different hairstyles and head sizes. Testers noted that the grippy strip wasn’t too tight and didn’t leave marks.

ZULU

amazon.com

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The Zulu stands out from the water bottle crowd for being super easy to clean: The silicone mouthpiece has an antimicrobial coating to prevent bacteria buildup, and the bottom is removable.

ativafit.com

$2.00

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Don’t want 20 sets of dumbbells in your home? With this, all you have to do is turn the dial to your preferred weight. It’s super simple, and the rubber grip handle makes it comfortable to use.

Bosu

amazon.com

$89.15

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It’s not a ball, but this compact, dome-shaped version has a sturdy flat surface on one side that provides stability as you tackle crunches and side planks. Trainer Kymberly Nolden loves how versatile it is—you can flip it over to challenge yourself on push-ups and leg lifts.

moveofitco.com

$40.00

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Bands are a great, lightweight way to do strength training—but they often don’t stay put, especially for those with larger or athletic body types, Nolden says. Testers loved that these didn’t roll up during workouts thanks to the material and the anti-slip barrier.

Epitomie Fitness

amazon.com

$31.86

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The fitness trainers on our panel agree: Your jump rope needs to be adjustable, and this one has two attachable speed cables to customize your workouts. It spins seamlessly and is designed without screws, which means you won’t lose one mid-workout.

Bala Bangles

amazon.com

$49.00

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Who knew ankle weights could be so stylish? Trainer Tatiana Firpo likes these silicone bangles for their versatility: You can wear them on your ankles or wrists to make walking the dog and doing the dishes workouts too.

Learn more

amazon.com

$299.00

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Percussion therapy gets deep into tight and sore muscles to alleviate pain, says Cunha, and testers found this tool easy to use. You can choose from five speeds and four attachments. Plus, it’s much quieter than other massage guns we tested.

Dr Teal's

ulta.com

$5.99

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Pouring Epsom salt into a warm bath soothes sore muscles, relieves achy feet, and helps with recovery after workouts. Our trainers and podiatrists agree that Dr Teal’s is the best soak because it’s made with natural ingredients and essential oils.

Trigger Point Performance

amazon.com

$34.99

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This foam roller is beloved by trainer Jill de Jong for its durability and quality; its multifaceted surface pattern warms up muscles, massages knots, and increases mobility. At just 2 lbs., it’s easy to move around, but strong enough to hold up to 500 pounds.