Fitness

Fitness Awards 2024: Top Products and Insights To Support Your Fitness Goals

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2024

Fitness Awards 2024: Top Products and Insights To Support Your Fitness Goals

While the health benefits of exercise are hard to deny, staying motivated can be challenging, even when you know that it can lead to better sleep, cognitive performance, weight management, and a lower risk for certain chronic conditions and diseases. To stay the course, try to focus on the things and people that matter to you most.

“I want to be well for as long as possible, and feel good in my skin,” said celebrity fitness trainer Jillian Michaels, founder of The Fitness App. The wellness expert, who has partnered with iTouch Wearables, is also motivated by her future grandkids: “I want to be able to snowboard with [them] when I am 75.”

Michaels tries to work out four times a week, and knows there are things people get wrong about exercise. That being said, “the reality is that any exercise is better than none,” she emphasized. Plus, it complements other healthful behaviors. “I’m diligent on other fronts like sleep and nutrition, allowing for some leeway with my workouts,.” Michaels said.

With that in mind, we have curated a selection of accessible and user-friendly products, with input from top experts. Here are the winners of Health’s 2024 Fitness Awards.

To select our products, we assembled a panel that included a podiatrist, fitness experts, and an athlete who shared their insights based on years of experience, the advice they would give clients, and the products they themselves use. 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.

Image courtesy of Ergatta Water Rowers

This rower is a top pick for Kristina Cañizares, a celebrity trainer, mobility coach, and the owner of Fit & Bendy in Los Angeles. She often uses Ergatta rowers in her clients’ home gyms, and it’s easy to see why. There are two versions: One that’s lighter in weight, crafted from oak, and ideal for space-conscious setups, and another that’s made of cherrywood with a weight capacity of 500 lbs. and the ability to accommodate users up to 6′ 8″. The rowers are powered by water-based technology and allow for smooth, effortless movement. Pair with an Apple Watch, Polar, Garmin HRM-Dual, or Whoop device to keep tabs on your heart rate during workouts.

C3 Lifecycle Exercise Bike

Image courtesy of LifeCycle

Podiatrist Alissa Kuizinas exercises at least five days a week to stay fit. “I am usually motivated by how my body feels and want to maintain that,” she explained. “I have a Life Fitness Lifecycle stationary bike that I chose based on quality and reviews that I use a few times per week.”

Peloton Bike

Image courtesy of Peloton

Being an athlete takes strength and stamina, and no one knows that better than former NASCAR driver Matt Tifft, who “loves” his Peloton Bike, which he uses four to five days a week during race season. “I will go on the treadmill, but I get bored quickly. But with the Peloton bike, I stay locked in with the classes for the entire session,” he said.

NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill

Image courtesy of Nordic Track

Using a treadmill is a great way to improve your cardio. When he exercises, run coach Eric Orton, author of The Cool Impossible and Born to Run 2, is always looking to enhance his performance—and he prefers a NordicTrack. “I run to compete with myself at races and complete my personal, lifelong run goals,” he said. Running also inspires him in other areas of his life: “I am an author, and I often use running to craft my writing, spark ideas, ignite creativity, and quiet my brain.”

The NordicTrack Commercial 2450 treadmill features a 22-inch HD pivot touchscreen, trainer-led workouts, and an incline that adjusts from 12 percent to -3 percent. It folds up when you’re done.

Stakt Mat

Image courtesy of Stakt

Stakt’s The Mat can maximize your limited space. This foldable and lightweight fitness mat offers functionality and versatility for various workouts. Lie it flat on the floor when practicing Pilates or yoga, or fold it at different levels to accommodate tricep dips, planks, push-ups, and mountain climbers without sacrificing its cushy feel.

BowFlex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell

Image courtesy of Bowflex

Improve your muscle strength, balance, and coordination with the BowFlex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell. Its dial-controlled weight range of 8 to 40 lbs. makes it the perfect addition to your home gym.

Crossrope

Image courtesy of Crossrope

Jumping rope, which many of us did as kids, is a good practice to continue into adulthood. It not only burns calories but also improves balance and coordination and potentially has a positive effect on bone density. Moreover, it’s an excellent option if you have limited space. “I live in a tiny cottage, so I have no home gym equipment,” said Cañizares, who uses a Crossrope. “I jump rope and do bodyweight exercises and mat Pilates at home.”

DeskCycle

Image courtesy of DeskCycle

Too many of us spend hours of our lives seated, plugging away in front of our computers. It’s no substitute for a brisk and refreshing walk, but the DeskCycle can add a little activity to the day. Bonus: Its low noise level won’t interfere with those all-important Zoom calls.

Omala Reverb Block & Bands Set

Image courtesy of Omala

Crafted from lightweight ultra-firm foam, cotton, and rubber, the pieces in the Omala Reverb Block & Bands Set can help you maintain balance and stability as you stretch and build core strength during yoga sessions. Use it to customize your practice and stay within your comfort zone while performing half moon, camel, downward dog, and fish poses.

Brooks Ghost Max

Image courtesy of Brooks

Experience the comfortable feel and rocking ability of the Brooks Ghost Max running shoe. This editor’s pick is perfect for running and walking, providing absorption and protecting heels. Certified CarbonNeutral, it boasts an upper made from over 56 percent recycled materials, and helps to divert nine plastic bottles from landfills.

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13

Image courtesy of New Balance

Cañizares cites the cushiony comfort of her New Balance Fresh Foam X shoes as one of the reasons that they are among her top choices for workout footwear. This style offers a smooth transition from heel to toe, earning it the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association, which recognizes its benefits for foot health.

Icebug Aura RB9X

Image courtesy of Aura

Made to withstand rugged surfaces such as asphalt and gravel, the Icebug Aura RB9X offers a soft, bouncy interior that contours to the feet. It is ideal for those who relish the feeling of the wind hitting their face.

Nike Zoom SuperRep 4 Next Nature

Image courtesy of Nike

Tifft opts for his Nike shoes for daily walks or running errands. Darnell Cox, a healthy aging coach and gerontologist, praises the versatility of these among her top picks: “I wear my Nike SuperRep Go for everything from long walks with the dog to strength training in the gym.” For this editor’s pick we say: Slip on the Nike Zoom SuperRep 4 Next Nature when you need stability and power during HIIT or other fast-paced workouts.

On Cloudpulse

Image courtesy of On Cloud

Both Cox and Tifft are fans of On Cloud sneakers. The professional car driver says that he wears them when he plays sports, does floor work, or engages in strength training. Designed for the gym, the On Cloudpulse appeals to a wide variety of sensibilities. They’re ideal for supporting lateral movement and bolstering stability and flexibility.

Altra Escalante 3

Image courtesy of Altra

Our experts favored several Altra shoes, but we settled on the Escalante 3, which is a workhorse. It has a snug fit, but its toe box is still roomy enough to let your digits move comfortably instead of jamming them against the front of the shoe (so important when you’re running or walking downhill). The shoe’s zero drop also helps you feel grounded during workouts.

Vivobarefoot Primus Lite Knit

Image courtesy of Vivobarefoot

Maria Pro, a certified personal trainer, prefers Vivobarefoot for its greater range of motion and a more natural foot movement during training. She notes that the shoes improve her proprioception and posture while reducing the impact on her joints, thanks to their wide toe box and zero-drop shape. “I find my weightlifting form improves when I train in barefoot shoes,” she said. A great option from the brand is the Primus Lite Knit, which has a flexible upper (made from recycled plastics) and a two-millimeter outsole.

HOKA Arahi 7

Image courtesy of HOKA

Michaels and Tifft favor Hoka sneakers. He wears his for running, while she embraces a range of outdoor activities. We chose the Arahi 7 for its supportive upper and midsole, extended heel pull, and durabrasion rubber, which aids stability and traction.

Fitbit Charge 6

Image courtesy Fitbit

Keep track of your fitness goals with the easy-to-operate Fitbit Charge 6. This wearable device helps you monitor your heart rate and lets you know how long you’ve been in the target zone while on the treadmill, bike, or rower. It can also offer info on the quality of your sleep, and provide you with a stress management score (among other things), and it’s water-resistant. There’s no need to worry if you forget to charge it at night, either: Its battery life lasts up to seven days.

Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5

Image courtesy of TicWatch

If you are the type that loves to hop on a bike and explore the great outdoors, the TicWatch Pro 5 can function as your guide. It comes nicely equipped with a barometer, compass, and turn-by-turn GPS navigation, and has the ability to monitor your heart and respiratory rate, blood oxygen, and stress level. It also comes with altitude calibration (vital for trail running) and more than 100 workout modes, including one for open-water swimming. At the end of a long day, you can use it to track your sleep stages.

Polar H10 Heart Rate Sensor

Image courtesy of Polar

As important as it is to work out, it is equally important to make sure that you do not push yourself to the point of exhaustion and injury. “I use a Polar Pacer watch with GPS paired with a Polar H10 chest-strap heart rate monitor so that I can keep track of my workout zone, ” said Cañizares. “This keeps me from over-training and tracks my progress.”

COROS HR Monitor

Image courtesy of COROS

Withstanding pressures up to a depth of 50 meters, the COROS Apex 2 Pro connects to all five major satellite systems, has global offline maps and nutrition and sun alerts, and is made for extreme conditions. Orton said he loves his because it “helps me not only perform appropriately, but helps me navigate mountain trails and recover well.”

Saris H3 Direct Drive Smart Indoor Bike Trainer

Image courtesy of Saris

Turn your outdoor bike into a stationary bike with the Saris H3. Recommended by Orton, this trainer is made with a cast aluminum frame and precision balanced flywheel, able to withstand 2000 watts and replicate a 20 percent climbing grade, aided by an internal cooling system.

Stryd Duo

Image courtesy of STRYD

If a running coach says that there is a device he uses to improve his running power, you listen— and Orton assigns that ability to the foot pods that comprise Stryd Duo. They clip to your shoes and pair with your running watch or phone to let you know when you need to slow down or speed up, which supports training and recovery.

Neutrogena Sport Face Oil-Free Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70+

Image courtesy of Neutrogena

As crucial as it is to stay active, shielding your skin from the damaging effects of the sun when you exercise outdoors is just as vital. Neutrogena Sport Face is an oil-free broad-spectrum SPF that won’t clog your pores and is sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Apply it 15 minutes before sun exposure and at least every two hours thereafter to remain protected.

Oars + Alps 100% Mineral Antioxidant Sunscreen Spray with SPF 30

Image courtesy of Oars + Alps

A common complaint about mineral sunscreen is that it leaves behind a white cast—and no one wants that. Oars + Alps 100% Mineral Antioxidant Sunscreen Spray offers protection from the sun while helping to hydrate the skin with sunflower and jojoba seed oils. No chalky complexions here!

Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Antiperspirant Stick

Image courtesy of Dove

Antiperspirants are designed to keep you dry throughout the day but they can also be drying. That’s not the case with Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Antiperspirant Stick, which combats odors during tough workouts but also contains moisturizing ingredients such as dimethicone and castor oil.

Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant Spot Luxe

Image courtesy of Lavanila

For aluminum-free odor protection, put Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant Sport Luxe at the top of your list. This lightly scented paraben- and propylene glycol-free product tamps down bacteria with its blend of lemon and tea tree oil.

Ban Thigh & Body Rub Remedy Anti-Friction Stick

Image courtesy of Ban

Reduce the risk of chafing during long walks or runs by applying Ban Thigh & Body Rub Remedy Anti-Friction Stick to your arms, thighs, or anywhere else that can get raw. Formulated with skin-protecting ingredients such as glycerin, aloe, and calendula, and sweat-absorbing tapioca starch, it will make your workout sesh far more comfortable.

CastleFlexx

Image courtesy of CastleFlexx

Proper stretching and recovery is critical after any workout, regardless of intensity. Preventing injuries and maintaining flexibility are crucial to keeping your joints moving as they should. CastleFlexx’s stretching and strength tool can help release tension in your calves, thighs, hips, back, and other areas. It also comes with a removable two-lb. magnetic weight for increasing core strength.

Breethe

Image courtesy of Breethe

Focusing on your breathwork with this app can reduce stress in just five minutes. It features nature sounds, relaxing music, sound therapy, meditations, and even bedtime stories that help you fall asleep so you can rest, restore, and heal.

Zwilling Thermo Travel Bottle

Image courtesy of Zwilling

Use the Zwilling Thermo Travel Bottle to store your smoothie or protein shake for pre- or post-exercise replenishment. Its safety lock prevents spillage, and its double-walled insulation keeps your beverages cold for 12 hours.

Hydros Water Filter Bottle

Image courtesy of Hydros

Staying hydrated before, during, and after a workout is essential—and the Hydros Water Filter Bottle makes it easy to do. With its compact design, it fits nicely into the cup holder of a treadmill, bike, or elliptical and is light enough to carry if you decide to go for a walk outside instead. Its carbon filter is made of 100 percent coconut shell and housed in a BPA-free plastic bottle, providing clean, fresh-tasting water.

Jillian Michaels, celebrity fitness trainer, health and wellness expert, author, and founder of The Fitness App
Matt Tifft, racecar driver
Darnell Cox, IIN, gerontologist and healthy aging coach
Maria Pro, certified personal trainer and bodybuilder
Kristina Cañizares, celebrity trainer, mobility coach, and founder of Fit & Bendy, a flexibility fitness company in Los Angeles
Eric Orton, run coach and author
Alissa Kuizinas, DPM, podiatrist with Wellness in Motion Boston

Fitness

Study finds 5 more minutes of exercise could reduce your risk of death by 10%

Published

3 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Study finds 5 more minutes of exercise could reduce your risk of death by 10%

The universal quest for immortality continues, and new research has hinted at a small lifestyle change that could reduce overall death rates in countries if we start taking our movement more seriously.

Conducted by a global research team, the study named ‘Deaths potentially averted by small changes in physical activity and sedentary time: an individual participant data meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies’ was published in The Lancet and suggested that adding five more minutes of physical exercise a day to your life could reduce death rates by 6 per cent.

Conducted on cohorts wearing on-person devices from Norway, Sweden and the USA, scientists analysed activity and sedentary levels to deduce what was causing higher death rates and found that a little change could go a long way.

With the help of the study’s author and additional experts from the field, we delved into the details and uncovered exactly what we need to do to make sure we are maximising our health before it’s too late.

A little change makes all the difference

We already know that we should all be getting out and exercising to ensure everything in our bodies is running smoothly, but just how important is that daily movement and could it be contributing to national mortality rates?

Professor Ulf Ekelund works in the Physical Activity and Health department at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and was one of the authors of the study. He broke down the data for HELLO!.

The professor explained: “We estimated the number of deaths potentially prevented by five and ten-minute increases in moderate intensity physical activity if all individuals in the population adhered to this increase.

“We analysed the data using two different approaches:

‘High-risk approach’ comprising the least active 20 per cent of the population
‘Population approach’ comprising 80 per cent of the population (excluding the most active 20 per cent).

He continued: “We found that six per cent and ten per cent of all deaths might be prevented in the two different scenarios, respectively, if all individuals made these changes.

“If an individual is completely inactive, every little move counts. For example, the least active 20 per cent in our study sample were only active for an average of about two minutes per day of moderate intensity. If all these individuals increased their activity by five minutes per day, it might reduce the number of deaths by six per cent annually.”

Dr Darren Player, a professor in Musculoskeletal Bioengineering at University College London, who was not involved in the study, shared his interpretation of the data with us and added: “The key finding was that an increase in Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) by only five minutes per day for the least active individuals prevented 6 per cent of all deaths. This effect could extend to as much as 10 per cent in all individuals, except for those who are already very active.”

Adding five minutes of exercise on to your day could have massive results

Exercise versus moderate intensity

In terms of how to achieve the correct level of activity and movement, we have to understand the difference between physical activity and moderately intense movement. They are different and will yield different results.

Professor Ulf explained: “There is a clear distinction between moderate intensity activity and exercise. Brisk walking is an excellent type of moderate intensity, whereas exercise is defined as something people do with the purpose to enhance fitness and/or health. It is structured and repetitive. Exercise is only a small proportion of all the physical activity people do.

“Physical activity [PA] is any bodily movement that increases energy expenditure above resting levels. It can be conducted with different intensities from very low to very strenuous. Exercise is a subset of PA which is planned, structured and done with a specific purpose.”

Woman and her dog running towards the sunset on a country road — It matters what kind of exercise you do, so we need to understand the difference between physical exercise and intense movement

Could any of this add years onto our lives?

While this study was specifically about reducing death rates through exercise and movement, it made us wonder how it would affect the number of years we could all expect to live. Would incorporating an extra five minutes of movement add any time to the general life expectancy?

Dr Darren referred to data from the UK Biobank to share his estimations. He said: “This is quite a difficult question to answer, but there is some evidence. The following paper suggests that there could be an increase in life expectancy of 0.9 years for inactive women and up to 1.4 years for inactive men.

“The increases are dependent on the nature of physical activity, with higher intensity and greater volume (total amount of exercise) being the key factors. This is a large UK Biobank study, which does have some strengths for the analyses.”

He continued: “However, the factors that contribute to life expectancy and mortality are complex and varied, with further studies required to understand the picture fully. Particularly, the effect of resistance training combined with other forms of physical activity is likely to have a greater effect than one type of activity alone. Further research is required in this area to provide suitable evidence.”

What type of exercises can I do during my five extra minutes a day?

According to the NHS, there are a variety of movements that you can incorporate into your routine to make sure you are hitting the target of five extra minutes of exercise per day to increase your longevity.

These range from simple activities like making a cup of tea to pushing a lawnmower and dancing around your living room for fitness, depending on the intensity you are able for. While the study suggested five minutes of moderate intensity exercise, the health service broke down its recommendations into sections based on vigour:

Light activity:

Getting up to make a cup of tea
Moving around your home
Walking at a slow pace
Cleaning and dusting
Vacuuming

Moderate activity:

Walking for health
Water aerobics
Riding a bike
Dance for fitness
Pushing a lawnmower
Hiking

Intense activity:

Running
Swimming
Football
Hiking uphill
Martial arts

It also suggested some easy-to-do strength exercises that involve using a kitchen chair or filled bottles of water as props:

Sit-to-stand
Mini squats
Calf raises
Standing sideways leg lift
Standing leg extension
Wall press-up
Bicep curls

Fitness

Fitness Class Volume Tied to Exercise Intensity Perception

Published

15 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Fitness Class Volume Tied to Exercise Intensity Perception

About The Study: In this comparative effectiveness study, reducing music volume in group fitness classes did not lead to meaningful reductions in perceived exertion and may reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. These findings support implementing safer sound practices in fitness environments and underscore the need for increased awareness and education on hearing protection.

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.

Fitness

Reward yourself by exercising regularly at One to One Fitness | CWRU Newsroom | Case Western Reserve University

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Reward yourself by exercising regularly at One to One Fitness | CWRU Newsroom | Case Western Reserve University

Now is the time to recommit to your health in time to feel your best for all your summer activities! One to One Fitness Center offers several ways to save in March.

Members of the Case Western Reserve University community can take advantage of sign-up specials designed to reward themselves for creating healthy habits.

Individuals can get 50% off the initiation fee (regularly $50 plus tax) and earn back what they do pay by exercising eight or more days in both April and May. Learn more online about this deal on initiation fees.

Students also can get additional savings:

Graduate students who are enrolled for the spring semester receive summer membership free.
With Spartan Shape Up memberships, affiliate students pay just $40 per month for membership from now through May, and no initiation fee or security deposit is required.
Students also can pay $44 plus tax per month with a month-to-month, ongoing plan. No initiation fee or security deposit required.

One to One Fitness Center, owned and operated by CWRU, is known for offering personal, professional, friendly and clean services. Memberships include full access to the 28,000-square-foot fitness center, group exercise classes, validated parking in Lot 53, towel and locker service, and member discounts on programs and services.

Members also can add their spouse or partner to their account for $30 plus tax per month. The center also offers personal training, Pilates Reformer, massage therapy and sound bath therapy, swim lessons, and more.

Visit the One to One Fitness Center website, email onetoone@case.edu or call 216.368.1121 for more information.