Exercise

  1. Health and fitness
  2. Exercise
Looking for the best exercise equipment and fitness gear? We’ve tried it all. We’ve run on treadmills, swung kettle bells, stretched on yoga mats, jumped rope, balanced on balls, and recovered with foam rollers—all to find the best products to help you stay in shape.
  • Our four picks for best running belt, shown with a number of convenient items poking out of the pockets.

    The Best Running Belts

    by Seth Berkman

    A good running belt should keep items secure and not cause discomfort. After testing more than 50 different belts, we recommend the Tune Belt SP2.

  • All of our picks for best running shoes, placed side by side.

    How to Choose the Best Running Shoes for You

    by Seth Berkman and Ingrid Skjong

    The best shoes for you are the ones you won’t think about much once you’re on the road. Finding them may involve trial and error. Here’s how to get started.

  • Numerous water bottles of different brands and styles.

    The Best Water Bottles

    by Kit Dillon

    The Hydro Flask 24 oz Wide Mouth with Flex Chug Cap is our choice to keep your water cold for hours, wherever you may take it.

  • Five jump ropes neatly placed together.

    The Best Jump Ropes

    by Seth Berkman

    Jump ropes are great tools for cardio workouts. After testing 12 ropes, we recommend the KSY Jump Rope. We also have picks for trick and speed jumping.

  • Our five picks for best foam roller, in different colors and shapes suited to their target task.

    The Best Foam Rollers

    by Ingrid Skjong and Amy Roberts

    For most self-massage applications, the AmazonBasics High-Density Round Foam Roller gets the job done. We have picks for different preferences too.

  • Five of our picks for the best gym bags, shown next to each other.

    The Best Gym Bag

    by Kit Dillon

    The KNKG Plus Duffel is a versatile, durable bag for most gym goers. We also have options for those who prefer other types of bags, such as totes and backpacks.

  • Different cleaning products with a microfiber cloth on top of a yoga mat.

    How to Clean a Yoga Mat

    by Ingrid Skjong

    Here’s how to keep your mat fresh, clean, and primed for your practice.

  • Our three top picks for the best adjustable dumbbells.

    The Best Adjustable Dumbbells

    by Seth Berkman and Ingrid Skjong

    After months of lifting, we recommend the compact, easy-to-use Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set for at-home strength training.

  • A pile of black sports bras sit together on a blue background

    Workout Clothes Stink. Here’s How to Clean Them.

    by Ingrid Skjong and Gabriella DePinho

    Performance fabrics can present unique laundry challenges. Follow these tips to keep your workout clothes fresh, clean, and in good shape for the long haul.

  • Two different pull-up bars pictured with a water bottle and towel.

    The Best Pull-Up Bars

    by Seth Berkman

    After doing hundreds of pull-ups in doorways, we’ve found that the Ultimate Body Press Elevated XL is the best pull-up bar.

  • A person riding an electric scooter on the sidewalk in a downtown area.

    The Best Electric Scooter

    by Nick Guy

    If you’re looking for a fun way to commute or do light errands, we recommend Segway Ninebot’s KickScooter Max G30LP electric scooter.

  • Our three top yoga mat picks, rolled and stacked.

    The Best Yoga Mats

    by Seth Berkman

    After testing 49 yoga mats and using our picks for years, we’ve determined it’s worth investing in a quality mat that will last. The JadeYoga Harmony Mat is our top pick.

  • Our three picks for best fitness tracker shown next to each other in front of a yellow background.

    The Best Fitness Trackers

    by Seth Berkman

    After putting 46 fitness trackers through their paces—on the move and at rest—we like the reliable, easy-to-use Fitbit Inspire 3.

  • runningheadphones-2048px-0748-2x1

    The Best Headphones for Running

    by Lauren Dragan

    When it comes to running headphones, one size definitely doesn’t fit all. So we have multiple recommendations based on style, features, and price.

  • Four pickleball paddles lined up next to each other, with two yellow pickleballs sitting at both ends.

    The Best Pickleball Paddles

    by Seth Berkman

    We tested eight pickleball paddles for players looking to buy their first serious paddle. The Paddletek Bantam EX-L is our top pick.

  • Our picks for best workout headphones displayed in a row, next to a pair of exercise hand weights.

    The Best Workout Earbuds and Headphones

    by Lauren Dragan

    The JBL Reflect Aero TWS are our favorite earbuds for the gym. We love their secure fit, simple controls, waterproof design, and ability to block noise.

  • two people standing side by side wearing our pick for the best leggings, the Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Legging.

    The Best Leggings

    by Ingrid Skjong

    We assessed the fabric, fit, performance, and style of an array of workout leggings to find six excellent pairs for whatever moves you.

  • A person walking on a paved walking path in a park filled with trees and wooden benches.

    The Best Gear for Going on a Walk

    by Elissa Sanci

    Take a walk. No, really—it’s good for you. And these Wirecutter picks will make it even better.

  • A person, wearing a New York Times logo shirt, testing a treadmill to find the best.

    The Best Treadmill

    by Seth Berkman

    We’ve tested 34 treadmills since 2017. The stable, spacious, easy-to-use NordicTrack Commercial 1750 is our top pick.

  • Two of our picks for best jogging stroller, shown side by side, in front of a blue background.

    The Best Jogging Strollers

    by Jenni Gritters and Katharine Gammon

    If you’re a runner who wants to bring a kid along for the ride, you’ll want a stroller that can keep pace. After testing 18 models we settled on three top performers.

  • A person walking on our pick for the best under-desk treadmill, the Goplus 2 in 1 Folding Treadmill.

    The Best Under-Desk Treadmill

    by Kaitlyn Wells

    The Goplus 2 in 1 Under Desk Treadmill is our under-desk treadmill choice because it’s easy to set up and use while working, and it's smooth to walk on.

  • A person wearing jogging equipment, stretching their leg in a park as they get ready to run.

    The Best Running Gear

    by Ingrid Skjong and Seth Berkman

    The right running gear can help you make the most of your training. After extensive research and testing with passionate runners, here’s what we recommend.

  • A group of people wearing our picks for best sports bra in front of a blue background.

    The Best Sports Bras

    by Christina Colizza, Anna Perling, and Ingrid Skjong

    To find the right sports bra, your best bet is to try as many as possible. We recommend 13 options to kick-start your search.

  • A Schwinn IC4 exercise bike that has been set up inside a bedroom environment and is currently being used by a person.

    The Best Exercise Bikes

    by Ingrid Skjong

    Whether you want to ride at a moderate pace or tackle intense workouts, an indoor-cycling bike that fits your goals can help set you up for success.

  • A pair of kettlebells next to a pair of athletic shoes, earbuds, and a water bottle.

    The Best Kettlebell

    by Seth Berkman

    Kettlebells are basic yet versatile exercise equipment, useful for both resistance training and enhancing cardiovascular fitness. We tested 14 to find the best.

  • The author using resistance bands that are attached to a door frame.

    The Best Resistance Bands

    by Amy Roberts

    We spent 25 hours testing 10 sets of resistance bands. With a unique safety mechanism, the Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands are the best for most people.

  • Three pairs of insoles placed side by side in front of a pair of running shoes.

    The Best Insoles for Running and Walking

    by Seth Berkman

    Insoles can add cushion in your shoes and even relieve some lower-body ailments. We’ve tested over three dozen pairs to determine which insoles offer the most support.