Women’s Health Fitness Awards 2020

Extreme weather is no match for this coat, which can also fit an 8-liter water pack.

The compression in these tights will automatically increase or decrease depending on the impact level of your workout. What?!

The refractive glass beads around the ankles on these socks offer wearers high visibility in low-light conditions.

Cup pockets for prosthetic inserts and seams that eliminate rubbing along scar tissue are two reasons we love this bra.

Don’t let these “sneakers” fool you—the clips are just hidden in the soles so you won’t duckwalk to and from your bike.

The winning combo of wool, polyester, and elastane here will keep you warm and cozy while letting you breathe. Score!

These tights are made from a material that’s designed to be durable and to handle *anything* Mother Nature might toss your way. Read: no rips or slips.

An updated nitrogen-infused midsole makes these superfast sneaks both insanely light and cushiony. Did someone say “new PR”? Yes, please.

It’s hard not to fall for leggings that are designed to dry in a flash. Plus, they come in 17 different sizes, including short and long options.

“This is the only sports bra I’m not constantly adjusting.” —Lauren Del Turco, fitness and wellness editor

The lacing system on these low-top cross-trainers ensures your shoes stay tight no matter how much you move. (Guessing that’s a lot!)

Maternity tights specially designed for moms-to-be? (*Praise hands*) The extra-flexy fabric held up in 17 hours of stretching without losing its shape.

Of all the sneakers we put through test runs this year, these new Allbirds were our faves. Their sustainable, cushy midsole (which is made out of sugar cane!) is perf for pounding the pavement sans pain. 

Leave it to Athleta to create a new plush (sustainable!) fabric capable of wicking serious sweat while keeping you warm. Bonus: The added reflective details are ideal for logging miles in low-light conditions.  

Twenty years of data went in to developing the super-supportive soles in these sneakers. The result? Perhaps the comfiest pair of Skechers yet. 

WH‘s health director Jacqueline Andriakos swears by these extra-grippy trainers for hitting the trails. Merrell worked with ultra runners to get the fit just right and ensure they’ll stand up to even the toughest terrain. 

Here for the new noggin-shielding tech and rechargeable light.

“I use the Blood Oxygen app, exclusive to this model, to see how my body responds on hikes in higher altitudes.” —Jacqueline Andriakos, health director

Finally! A face covering that sits away from your mouth so you’re not inhaling the material while you sweat (#Hooray).

Its completely swing-free, body-hugging fit makes this pack comfy on even the most hardcore of runs.

Strap these on your go-to trekkers and stick to the iciest terrain, no prob.

Having a hands-free light source is a godsend in the wild, and this one is both water-resistant and comes with a rechargeable battery.

Retro skates with a very modern twist (they’re made of vegan leather) are an affordable way to get your roll on right now—at the rink or on the streets.

This pack is perf for shorter day hikes or trail runs. Plus, it’s just been redesigned using 100 percent recycled nylon, making it the coolest, eco-friendly carryall to trek with. 

“These electrolytes contain more sodium than most, which means you truly are hydrated from every sip you take. They’re also delicious.” —Lauren Del Turco, fitness and wellness editor

It may not have a touchscreen, but this timepiece uses Bluetooth technology to keep track of all your fitness metrics and then upload them to its accompanying app. Its durable design means you get all that data without worrying about banging it around while you explore.

True, this keychain charm sounds less like a chirp and more like a helicopter overhead when activated, but if you find yourself in trouble on a trek, you’ll be super grateful that it does.

WH‘s editor-at-large Kiera Carter says this inflatable paddle board makes her shortlist of the best outdoor gear any day. Not only is it easy to transport (hello, inflatable), it’s designed to handle both waves and tranquil waters alike. 

These lightweight snowshoes are designed to make walking through a winter wonderland a ‘lil bit easier thanks to their 360-degree super-grip traction and heel lifts that’ll help make trekking uphill feel like NBD. 

More than one WH editor swears that this washable pee cloth is the #1 (it’s not designed for #2) item every badass woman needs to have when nature calls on the trails. TMI? Maybe, but you’ll thank us for it. 

When we asked our outdoorsy editors for the one item they’d never go camping without, it was this sleeping bag, which is basically a cocoon for your bod. It’ll keep you cozy, even in temps as lows as 15 degrees. 

Consider this the holy grail of camping hammocks. Its special slings are made of a fabric that’s 15 times stronger than steel. Plus, the whole thing weighs just about a pound but can hold 500 times that much weight.

On top of tracking your recovery, it now shows you how stress…and that extra glass of wine…*really* affect your bod.

“Pilates moves get a high-energy makeover set to the beat of house music that never leaves me bored.” —Amanda Woerner, executive digital editor

Music to our ears: These wireless headphones are virtually budge-proof, so they won’t pop out during headstands or HIIT.

Hands down, the app-based option closest to sweating with an IRL trainer. From workouts to demo videos, it offers serious support.

Garmin put its gold standard smartwatch technology into its most affordable model yet and we are here for it. 

“FPC’s classes are all led by instructors trained in prenatal or postnatal workouts. You can sign up for live classes via Zoom or—my favorite—join FPC Anywhere for access to dozens of on-demand workouts, with more added each month.” —Robin Hilmantel, digital director

This app is chock-full of high-end fitness experiences from elite boutique studios like Pure Yoga, SoulCycle, and Precision Run, making it one of the strongest virtual workout options in the game.

Barry’s new online platform blew our minds by adding bodyweight and resistance band circuit options to its hard AF bootcamps. Boom!

This first-of-its-kind app uses AI to help women track their menstrual cycles and adjust their training and nutrition schedules accordingly to feel and perform at their best.

iFit’s library includes workouts shot at some of the most epic places around the globe, which means you can take a run through Patagonia or exercise on Easter Island…without leaving your living room.

Akin Akman and Angela Manuel Davis, co-founders of AARMY, inspire a legion of devotees on the daily with training that’s anything but basic. If you’re looking to enlist in a feel-good fit fam that isn’t afraid of hard work, this is it. 

Amanda Freeman, founder of SLT, has managed to figure out a way to replicate the muscle sculpting benefits of her slow-burn Megaformer classes at home sans machine. You’ll still get 100 percent of the core-quaking goodness with zero equipment. 

The latest iteration of this online streaming platform now customizes itself to users based on their behavior, meaning it’ll notify you when new workouts drop in the training styles you like and suggest other fitness modalities you might enjoy.

“Nike Training Club is the one fitness app I keep coming back to—and not just because it’s free. I’ve worked with so many of its master trainers IRL and can attest that their virtual workout programs are every bit as effective.” —Jordan Galloway, fitness director

The sweaty, heart-pumping elation you’ll feel after a Forward Space session is the closest thing to a night spent dancing at a club…minus the hangover.

What sets Alo Moves apart from other yoga apps is how many different types of yoga it offers. Whether you prefer the slower pace of yin or the athleticism of ashtanga, you’ll find your flow here. 

Peloton’s workout platform is in a category all its own. It has thousands of on-demand classes. Plus, new live ones are added every week, making it virtually impossible to get bored. 

This super-cute pair of 3-lb weights is the perf sub for dumbbells when it comes to high-rep muscle endurance moves.

The world’s first digital dumbbells can adjust their load (from 8 to 50 lbs) simply with the push of a button. Magic!

“One loop just isn’t enough for this swirly tool that takes resistance to a fresh new level.” —Liz Plosser, editor-in-chief

Somehow our go-to mat makers created an even grippier one that’s also crazy absorbent for slip-free sweaty flows.

The gold standard of percussive massagers now comes in a compact, waaay less expensive model that’ll still pound out muscle tension like a pro.

Meet the kettlebell’s cooler cousin. The triangular design offers more grip positions for dynamic lifts and swings.

WH’s pullup guru, Angela Gargano, says this is the best doorway bar for beginner up-ers: “I am obsessed with it.”

Leave it to Katrina Scott and Karena Dawn to create the ideal two-for-one piece of workout equipment. Use these as battle ropes to rev your heart rate or resistance bands to strengthen and sculpt.

“This set made me feel like I was at a boutique studio in my living room because each piece of equipment was thoughtfully designed for max burn. I’ve also noticed my posture improving after a few weeks.” —Jennifer Nied, contributing writer

We’re seriously impressed by how many different moves you can master with this simple piece of equipment—from triceps dips to chin-ups to inverted and elevated rows. Phew!

Meet the workout system that’s revolutionizing resistance training. The versatile bands can be anchored to your bod, a door frame, or anything heavy that won’t budge, so you can bust out one of Hyfit’s on-demand workouts pretty much anywhere.

Building healthy habits will be so much easier with this discreet fitness tracker strapped to your wrist. It’ll analyze everything from your sleep to your stress level and daily activity, but you’ll barely know it’s there.

A 180° swivel screen and Auto Follow resistance that adjusts to your effort (no more dial turns!) make this bike perfect for serious pedal pushers.

Pitching a tent atop your car affords you the luxury of hitting any open road and always knowing where you’ll lay your head.

“I feel like I have a full gym’s worth of weights at my apartment with this set.”—Kristin Canning, health editor

The latest version of this do-everything watch gets a battery boost (up to 10.5 days!) from a solar-charging lens.

A display cabinet hides a barbell, dumbbells, and 115 lbs. of plates; grab ’em for the 5- to 60-minute, A.I.-powered workouts.

Prepare to sculpt and strengthen your whole bod whenever you want by hopping on this new connected vertical climber.

Stroke for stroke, this new rower is one lean, mean cardio machine that makes cross-training ridiculously convenient thanks to its virtual class roster of strength training, HIIT, and yoga.

Ready to take your runs to new heights? This tread goes up to a 40 percent incline (most tap out at 15). Hill drills, here you come!

Here’s a home studio that’s basically plateau-proof. It uses AI to ensure you’re always being challenged—be it during resistance training or barre class. (Oh, and celeb trainer Harley Pasternak happens to be its Chief Fitness Advisor, FYI.)

Miss your group boxing classes? This is the next best thing. Get into fighting shape thanks to constantly varied workouts and a competitive leaderboard that lets you go round for round against other online competitors. 

Your next great adventure can only get better with this foldable (uh, huh, yup) kayak that’s built for two people. Genius!