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Harder, better, faster, stronger. Whether you’re into at-home elliptical training, trail running, powerlifting, or CrossFit, you want gear to help you work out safely, comfortably, and more effectively. But in 2023, it’s not just about the gear you use to actually train. It’s also about how you recover from that training, how you track that training, and what you wear when you’re training (and, sometimes, when you’re done training, too).
That means taking stock of your workout routine to figure out what gear will help you achieve your fitness goals. Are you a newbie runner looking to improve your personal-best 5K time? Or a competitive lifter who’s looking for the safest weight setup to take your lifts to the next level? Or a fitness-stats geek who looks forward to tracking your every health metric with the latest smartwatch? Whatever your personal fitness obsession, our expert trainers and professional coaches know what you need to level up your game.
That’s why we’re back with this year’s roundup of our top fitness-gear picks. New year, new gear. From the best adjustable dumbbells and Nordic curl stations to next-gen outdoor smartwatches and workout hoodies, we sweat-tested it all so you don’t have to. This is the 2023 Men’s Health Fitness Awards.
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Dumbbells don’t have to be. SMRTFT’s Nuobell easily adjusts from five to 80 pounds, is ultra-durable, and, most importantly, feels like a classic dumbbell for most exercises.
Doing split squats on a traditional bench sucks. Turn your own squat rack into a better, commercial-grade Bulgarian split-squat setup with the Split Squat Pad.
A one-of-a-kind barbell that makes almost every pressing exercise (from benching to shoulder pressing) just a little easier on your shoulders.
Ditch the needlessly thick, bulky weight plates for these sexy, razor-thin alternatives, which are perfect for ultraheavy trap bar deadlifts.
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When low-key, street-friendly style meets top-level recovery, the OOmg becomes one sport recovery shoe to rule them all.
Strengthen your feet by wearing this über-minimalist shoe every day. It’s the next best thing to wearing nothing at all. Rawr.
Ditch your $10 bargain-basement foam roller for a uniquely textured roller that works especially well around your back, IT bands, and calves.
Elevate your at-home cold-therapy regimen with Plunge’s purpose-built plunge tub, which delivers clean, filtered water chilled to as low as 39°F.
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Smartwatches rock; their battery life doesn’t. Garmin solves the problem with the Instinct 2x Solar’s unlimited battery life (yes, really).
Masimo’s W1 is sleek, easy to use, and deadly accurate with your most critical health metrics, from heart and respiration rates to pulse oximetry and perfusion index.
“The most reliable fitness buds ever stay in my ears whether I’m doing handstands or kettlebell swings.” —Ebenezer Samuel, fitness director
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This Dwayne Johnson–approved training hoodie is light on sleeves and heavy on style and comfort, with generously dropped armholes for a full range of motion.
The best training shorts should be invisible—er, should feel invisible. Reebok’s high-performance Strength 3.0 shorts are the next best thing.
These purpose-built shorts are born to run with a clever design that blends a five-inch inseam with a 10-inch liner for maximum breathability and freedom of movement.
With a fitted cut and a soft, stretchy feel, these camo joggers are ready for runs, workouts, and Netflix-fueled couch sessions.
If you like your sweatpants with extra room, Gym Shark’s Essential Oversized Joggers combine a generous fit with an adjustable waistband and biggie-sized pockets.
These Tony Stark–worthy shades combine a pair of premium sunglasses with nearly invisible headphones.
Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., is the fitness director of Men’s Health and a certified trainer with more than 10 years of training experience. He’s logged training time with NFL athletes and track athletes and his current training regimen includes weight training, HIIT conditioning, and yoga. Before joining Men’s Health in 2017, he served as a sports columnist and tech columnist for the New York Daily News.
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