The Best Fitness Awards of 2022

Looking to take your fitness routine in a whole new direction? The Brrrn Slide Board, with its emphasis on low-impact, lateral movements, is one to consider. Slide board training has been used by professional athletes for decades (Olympic champion speed skater Apolo Ohno is a Brrrn investor and strategic partner), but now the concept is being targeted at consumers. Once you’re set up with your board, the $15-per-month all-access subscription allows you to choose from hundreds of classes across 10 categories, from bootcamp to high intensity “brrrnouts.” Feel it!

Lab Results. The uniqueness of the Brrrn board was the big appeal for our testers, though some admitted to a learning curve. “A great way to insert some variety into my normal workouts,” one noted. Others talked about the efficiency of the board (“After just 20 minutes I felt like I’d worked out for an hour”) as well as how quiet it was—good if there are neighbors downstairs. Easy storage is another benefit of the Brrrn.

Strength training at home is often limited to smaller free weights, like dumbbells and kettlebells. Those are great starting points, but if you want to take your strength work up a notch, a barbell is key. That’s why we love the Bowflex SelectTech 2080 Barbell with Curl Bar. We’ve seen the “click-weight” deign on dumbbells, but it’s newer to barbells. In this case, you can choose from 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 pounds, adjusted with a simple turn of the selector dial. That allows for a wide range of strength work, including curls, presses, and front-rack lunges.

Lab Results. In terms of setup, our testers noted that the shipping box was a bear to get into the house and that assembly took about an hour. But once the Bowflex was up and running, users were highly satisfied with the experience, with one 5-star review calling the equipment “compact and very useful for a variety of workouts.”

Compression therapy has been around for decades as a treatment for various kinds of swelling. More recently, it’s been embraced by fitness professionals to assist with muscle recovery and pain reduction. The RecoveryAir pneumatic compression system is straightforward: simply zip up the compression boots, set the pneumatic device to the desired time and pressure level, then kick back and relax. The system uses a “true negative gradient,” whereby pressure travels up the limb from the foot to the heart in overlapping chambers for maximum circulation.

Lab Results. Testers described the experience as between therapy and massage, depending on the pressure intensity. As one noted, at low-pressure settings, “the sessions were a very enjoyable stress reliever at the end of the day.” Another told us that she and her husband, a professional athlete, both used the boots and became instant converts. “RecoveryAir does for us in our home what we used to be able to get only by paying a professional,” she said.

If you’ve ever had a good beating and pounding during a massage, you get the idea of percussion-therapy instruments like the Hypervolt Go. Designed for use before and after working out, the handheld device accelerates muscle warm-up and recovery by increasing blood circulation, muscle temperature, and tissue elasticity. Besides preventing injury and improving performance, the 3-speed Hypervolt Go can help relieve the stress and tension of everyday life. It’s easy to take with you too, weighing just 1.5 pounds and measuring 5.5 x 5.5 x 2 inches.

Lab Results. “I love this thing!” one of our testers raved. “It feels so good when you’re sore after a workout.” Others appreciated the quiet motor and the smooth ergonomics, including how easy the Hypervolt Go was to handle and switch speeds on.

Ever wonder what it’s like to stand in the batter’s box and stare down at a 103-mph fastball? With WIN Reality, the Virtual Reality (VR) baseball and softball training experience, you can do just that. Designed for the Oculus VR headset, WIN Reality is geared toward players  who want to improve pitch recognition, like the ability to differentiate the movement of a curveball from that of a split-finger fastball. During batting practice simulations, users get feedback in real time, so they know if they’re late on a pitch or chasing balls out of the strike zone.

Lab Results. Sure, it’s the gamification of an actual game, but our testers got into the WIN experience. Of course there’s nothing like the fear factor of live pitching, and one of our testers who plays college ball did admit that making contact on WIN was “much, much easier.” But he found the pitch recognition drills very helpful and the overall experience highly engaging.

Since its launch in 2017, P.volve has attracted a steady stream of followers to its method, which is based on low-impact workouts designed to tone, sculpt, and strengthen. Our favorite accessory is the p.ball, an inflated rubber ball that sits between your legs, where it targets the inner and outer thighs, abs, glutes, and pelvic floor muscles. The exercise movements are all compact, making ball workouts perfect for apartments, bedrooms, and other small spaces.

Lab Results. Praise for the p.ball was particularly high from testers who already knew and liked the p.volve method. As one put it, “The ball is a great piece of equipment that’s fitted to make the experience easier, with proper resistance.” Others noted that the p.ball’s straps helped it stay in place unlike other stability balls, which can slip around, especially on slick, sweaty skin.

Boxing and kickboxing have become part of the craze around cardio-based workout classes. Wearing actual boxing gloves is a way to keep the experience real. Society Nine’s Bia Boxing Glove was created with lady sparrers in mind, with a narrow, shallow fit that prevents smaller hands from floating. The low-profile Velcro won’t snag on performance apparel, and the ventilated mesh palm help with drying.

Lab Results. The gloves landed every punch for our ring-experienced testers. As one noted: “I was afraid the gloves would not fit well because of how small my hands are (a consistent problem in the past), but they were perfect!” Our experts also lauded the Bia’s lightweight design, enabling them to do intense workouts, and confirmed that the ventilation helped with drying and sweat prevention.

Like a cross between a foam roller and a resistance machine, MOTR is a compact piece of workout equipment that allows for a variety of exercises. It’s no surprise that it was developed by a Pilates instructor, since it incorporates elements of the Pilates reformer, the machine used to maximize mobility, strength, control, and balance. But while reformers cost thousands of dollars and can take up half the bedroom, MOTR is relatively affordable and slips under the bed when not in use.

Lab Results. The versatility was a huge selling point with our testers. “It’s like having a whole gym in my apartment,” one tester raved. Others liked the compact design, noting that the MOTR stored easily beside a rolled-up yoga mat.

Cardio and strength training combine to positive effect in this unique weight system from Les Mills, one of the more innovative brands in on-demand, at-home fitness. The Smart Bar & Weight Set is geared for high-repetition training, with a variety of fast-paced workouts available through the $15 monthly subscription. The ergonomics of the bar, including its rotating gator ends, is designed to minimize the risk of injury that can come with too much repetitive motion.

Lab Results. Our testers praised the easy assembly and overall simplicity of the Smart Bar. “Great starter weight set for someone looking to build out their home gym,” one said. Our experts also liked the full-body workout that’s possible with such a compact piece of equipment

No matter what pace you prefer, Ryka’s flexible shoes have a foam pad at the toe to help you speed up and extra cushioning in the heel for shock absorption.

Lab Results: Whether on power walks or running errands, our testers noted how lightweight and breathable these felt. Testers also appreciated that they were comfortable from the very first wearing.

This beloved Brooks option is designed for speed, with soft cushioning that reduces the feeling of impact when the foot hits the ground.

Lab Results: GH reviewers wore them for treadmill and outdoor runs, reporting that they were comfortable and supportive. One raved that she couldn’t even feel the pavement beneath her feet. Our experts like the brand’s commitment to sustainability.

With a cushioned sole on the bottom, a stretchy knit on top and extra stability around the heel, Reebok’s footwear is ideal for quick movement in multiple directions.

Lab Results: Testers liked wearing these during strength and interval training, saying they supported their ankles during high-intensity exercise—and loved how stylish they looked.

Still innovating after all these years, this new Nike shoe combines maximum shock absorption with a breathable upper for runners who like to log a lot of miles.

Lab Results: Our testers raved about the “bouncy” feel of the Flyknits. One went so far to say that the fit was so comfortable—even on hard surfaces—that she forget she wearing shoes at times.

Geared toward runners who care about comfort and cushioning and not necessarily winning the race, this neutral shoe from Hoka is the latest innovation in its popular Clifton 8 Series.

Lab Results: Testers praised the cushioning and support as well as the Hoka’s versatility. One even commented how she liked that she could wear them on a variety of surfaces.

Part of the new trend around “recovery footwear,” this version from Kane was designed with muscle care and healing in mind, combining solid support with ample cushioning.

Lab Results: Testers were impressed by the comfort and the therapeutic effects. One reviewer even wore them the day after running a marathon and said she didn’t have to worry about her feet hurting while wearing them the next day.

The brand best known for orthopedics also makes an impact in the high-performance category, as you’ll find with these Dr. Scholl’s insoles designed specifically for runners.

Lab Results: Exceptional comfort and fit were the key accolades from our testers. “They added extra support to the arch of my foot while I was running as well as working out,” one noted. Dr. Metzl added that the off-the-rack insoles offer excellent value, saying “there’s not much evidence that most patients need anything that’s tailor-made.”

As functional as it is flattering, the buttery-soft, slightly compressive fabric from Nike wicks away sweat and stretches with you like a second skin. The high waistband and opaque fabric give you plenty of coverage.