The 2026 Men's Health Fitness Awards

Yes, the Ultra 3 looks like a Guggenheim-worthy work of art. But it’s also built for your toughest distance runs and interval sessions thanks to a powerful motor, a spacious 60-inch running belt, and ultra-smooth cushioning.

The nonmotorized treadmill remains your most versatile treadmill option if you want to mix sprints and distance running, and Assault’s version is the best, thanks to an easy-to-read display that covers all your bases, and a super-smooth but grippy belt that lets you safely accelerate whenever you want to hit the afterburners. Bonus: The position of the handles and supports allows for sled push drills too.

The magnetic resistance remains whisper-quiet, and that lets you focus on the massive 24-inch HD screen while you row, chasing top finishers in the Hydrow community and honing your stroke with the new technique assessment functions.

Welcome to your new home-office buddy. The A1 Pro is a super-smooth walking pad that makes it easy to get in your steps while you’re hammering out emails or stuck in Zoom meetings, thanks to its spacious 47.2-inch belt. Plus: It collapses easily to store under or beside your desk.

With 20 different resistance levels and multiple handles, BowFlex’s Max Trainer is no ordinary elliptical. Instead, it’s a fully customizable experience, with a movement arc that allows for more quad activation and overall hip extension than traditional elliptical experiences (especially at higher resistance levels). A 16-inch HD touchscreen completes the package.

If you didn’t log your run or bike ride on Strava, did it ever really happen? The ultra-popular fitness-tracking app continued to update its offering in 2025, with AI-powered performance predictions, an upgraded route builder, and more detailed maps. But the best feature remains the community of cardio-obsessed individuals who want to share their process with fellow athletes.

Forget fumbling for buttons whenever you want to change speeds on your treadmill. Wahoo’s treadmill lets you run, walk, jog, or sprint at your own natural pace, automatically recalibrating as you accelerate or decelerate. It also boasts a 15-mph top speed and a 15 percent incline, plenty to build that VO2 max.

The Plus hits the sweet spot of the new (and hot!) max-cushioned running space, delivering for most average runners with a combo of extreme comfort and peppy energy return thanks to a full midsole of Nike's ZoomX foam. Consider this your long run secret weapon.

Meet the last jump rope you’ll ever buy. The SR-2 is lightweight, built to last, and has comfortable grips that are made to handle double-unders for days.

Yes, Peloton has a newer option, but the original Cross-Training Bike, with all those Peloton classes and its ultra-sturdy structure and design, remains your best-connected spin experience. The best part: It’s more than $1,000 cheaper than Cross-Training Bike Plus.

Ultra-stylish gloves that fit like, well, a glove, with a dual-strap system and triple-splint wrist support that’ll keep your paws comfortable and safe whenever you hit the bag.

Tonal levels up its cable-machine-meets-big-screen concept to deliver 250 pounds of ultra-smooth resistance and a hybrid cardio workout that functions like a Ski-Erg. The result: an ultra-family-friendly home gym that actually doesn’t seem completely out of place in your living room.

This ultra-durable adjustable dumbbell that can survive hundreds of drops (we know because we’ve tried!) is also extra-user-friendly thanks to large orange tabs to mark off weight changes and a smooth feel when you’re pulling loads in and out of the dock.

At 100 pounds, these precision-machined steel weights are heavier than most adjustable dumbbells, durable, and still feel natural during exercises like biceps curls and dumbbell presses.

The StrengthErg air resistance delivers a near-unlimited load for leg presses (and bench presses and rows), leaving both muscles and lungs gassed after just a few minutes.

Vivobarefoot’s flagship shoe blends the feel-the-ground magic of barefoot trainers with a roomy toebox, the forefoot flexibility you want to run and jog, and just enough stability and support to let you deadlift and squat comfortably.

Weightlifting shoes don’t get better than this Reebok classic, which marries solid heel lift (and support!) with a bounciness that you’ll love during clean and snatch reps—and just a pop of style and personality in the old-school Pump button too.

The roomy toebox lets you comfortably squat and deadlift, while the full-knit upper lets your feet breathe during intense HIIT sessions. Bonus: a clean classic aesthetic you can wear out of the gym too.

That rare bench that thinks beyond the basics. Because yes, the Nighthawk is great for bench presses, and it has a super-smooth incline mechanism, but it also feels lighter than most premium benches—and it can store vertically, perfect for small-space home gyms.

This ultra-tiny bench is easy to move around your gym and can be stored almost anywhere (including under your bed!), meaning you can practice Nordic curls (a top bodyweight hamstring move) almost anytime, anywhere.

This barbell is all about versatility, with a soft knurling and finish that makes it great for bench presses and curls, but just enough spin to let you get through cleans and other power moves too.

The perfect anchor to any home gym, REP’s base rack is solid enough for even your heaviest rack pulls and bench press putbacks —and thanks to REP’s ecosystem of accessories (think: jammer arms and storage pins), it can grow with you for years to come. Opt for the 93-inch version if you can; your pull-up game will thank you.

It can be as light as 26 pounds (perfect for overhead presses) and as heavy as 70 (kettlebell swing heaven!), and unlike other adjustable KBs, the weight is evenly distributed, so it always feels natural.

Blends durability with the bounce needed for rainbow slams, the grippiness for hanging leg lifts, and a soft exterior that’s built for catches and throws.

Yes, these straps are as basic as it gets (they’re just cotton with a neoprene wrist pad), but that's actually all you really need when you’re prepping for a heavy deadlift (or even a dumbbell row). The soft cotton also wraps easily around bars, and works with you when you tighten up the strap. The best part: They’re only $15.

A bright, easy-to-read workout timer with 10 presets for common workout intervals (including a tabata mode and a stopwatch setting)–plus an ultra-simple remote to access it all.

The ultra-secure wingtips never leave your ears, whether you’re lifting, running, or doing handstands. Mega bass and full noise-canceling capabilities complete the package.

These open-ear headphones combine both bone and air conduction, with customizable settings that allow you to optimize your sound so you can be locked into your entertainment and your surroundings. Thanks to their ergonomic earhooks and light alloy frame, they don’t bounce around, either.

This single speaker delivers enough full, rich sound to fill a two-car garage gym, and can travel and move with you wherever you go too.

Three Velcro straps, a neoprene inner, and smartly positioned weights lead to an ultra-tight fit that doesn’t shift whether you’re doing box jumps, chin-ups, or mile runs.

Omorpho took its already sleek vest and made it adjustable for all sizes without compromising the form-fitting look and feel that have always made this the go-to vest for on-field training. It’s also perfect for all burpees, box jumps, and plyo drills—and can easily hang during challenging moves like muscle-ups too.

If you’re serious about your rucking, you need to go places where a simple pair of sneakers won’t survive. Reinforced with 2-inch nylon, 1000D CORDURA, and a triple-compound rubber outsole, these boots were built to brave the toughest conditions. So whether rucking is all about the journey or the destination for you, these will get you there in comfort and style.

Tired of loading weights onto your sled? Torque’s M3 has you covered, ditching the need for classic plates for a magnetic resistance dial that automatically delivers a challenge. Translation: You focus more on the “work” of each sled push (or pull!), instead of stressing the work to get set up for each set.

It's perfect for long hikes because it gets all the little things right, delivering plate storage (up to 30 pounds) that sits high and tight on your back, roomy side pockets for snacks, and straps that won’t chafe or bruise your shoulders.

The supercharged S-Works 3.1 engine is this bike’s star, delivering serious torque to crush steep climbs, whether you’re on a trail or in the concrete jungle.

TRX’s classic suspension trainer manages to be both durable and comfortable (thanks to ultra-soft handles), and unlike some suspension trainers, its material won’t scrape your arms.

Yeti’s Yonder Water Bottle is an unsung hero of daily hydration. Its BPA-free plastic makes it lightweight and shatterproof, the tether cap makes it easy to clip to any gym bag, and the cap spout provides the ideal amount of water with any sip. This one goes everywhere with us from the office to the gym to flights.

Whether you’re in a concrete-floored garage gym, or a padded indoor gym, or the hardwood of your living room, CAP Barbell’s mat is the perfect place to stretch, plank, and get your V-ups and situps done. It’s made of high-density foam and durable enough to withstand dumbbell and kettlebell drops too.

Running in the winter months is an exercise in running safely in the dark. But you’re not going to be using that bulky headlamp from your camping gear box. At just 2.6 ounces, BioLite’s Range 500 Headlamp fits the bill and then some. The fabric is comfortable and easy to adjust, and it offers zero bounce no matter how hard we push the pace e (whether on the road or the trail).

The upgraded Forefront 3 Mips from Smith has an internal injected roll cage and a Mips safety system directly integrated into the padding for increased comfort (and yes, it makes a difference). Add in the increased airflow (20 vents in total) it’s perfect for e-bike rides, mountain bike trips, and city trips alike.

Whether you're filming your workouts and adventures for reference, memories, or social media, these sporty frames can capture whatever you’re looking at in crystal-clear 4K video. The specs are also surprisingly powerful personal audio, so good that you'll ditch your earbuds to rely on the Vanguard's open-air speakers.

Yes, these Aviators are stylish enough for an afternoon in the park, but they’re also loaded with move-proof tech that can stand up to football field sprints and daylong bike rides alike.

When it comes to technical trails, Hoka’s Mafate 5 is tough enough to tackle anything. Deep 5 mm lugs ensure there’s no terrain too treacherous, and a dual-density midsole means you get an optimal blend of feel, cushioning, and support. From loose gravel to rocky descents, they'll help you push the pace.

Theragun thinks big with this ultra-small massage gun, which now packs in a new heat attachment, and still remains the most comfortable gun for relaxing tight shoulders. Oh, and it still fits comfortably in your winter coat pocket.

Meet active recovery 2.0. These boots loosen tight ankle muscles and relax your feet with heat and air compression—and they can do it all as you’re running and jumping (a.k.a., never slowing down).

Meet the kinder, gentler massage gun you never knew you needed. Rally’s take on the massage gun focuses on rotation instead of percussion, meaning you no longer have to avoid joints, including your elbows and knees, in your recovery protocol.

Yes, it looks like a prop from Michael Bay’s next “Transformers” movie, but the X is far more than that, delivering both heat (up to 121 degrees) and cooling therapies to your knees over a series of preset programs that can warm you up, cool you down, or just feel great after a vicious Friday night leg day.

A lot of recovery shoes bring a heavy amount of cushioning for that walking-on-clouds feeling, but most of them lack support. That’s where VKTRY took its carbon-plate insole technology and inserted it into a pair of recovery clogs. So not only do you get that cushy foam relief, but you also get a feeling that props you up and doesn’t let you sink into the point of putting more stress right back on your feet.

Forget wires and phone apps and annoying Bluetooth pairing. Chirp’s electrical stim unit streamlines, delivering easy recovery goodness with a simple remote and fully wireless pads.

Amazon keeps things basic (pun intended!) with this lightweight foam roller, delivering an effective and ultra-cost-efficient experience that works well whether you’re rolling out large swaths of hamstring muscle or lying back and mobilizing your spine.

By adding a heated attachment, you’ll get an entirely new element of percussive therapy goodness, one that feels particularly good on dense shoulder and quad muscles—and thanks to a quieter motor, you can actually do this without maxing out the volume on your TV.

No ice machine or auxiliary chilling unit required. This luxury plunge is the Mercedes of cold-water immersion therapy with a reengineered filtration system and quick temperature adjustments, so that your plunging practice tests your mental mettle, not your patience.

This beautifully built Canadian red cedar sauna from Sun Home looks good in any one of those settings, but it’s not only about aesthetics. It also delivers effective full-spectrum infrared heat and red-light therapy.

Ten Thousand heard our cries for a harder-wearing shirt built for the most grueling upper-body days and delivered. The Rep Shirt features a much more durable 190 GSM made from a blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex. While thicker and more heavy-duty, it still is comfortable and provides plenty of stretch for moves like overhead triceps extensions, military presses, and jumping jacks.

Lululemon's Metal Tech Vent tee is a gym classic, and every element of it has been tuned for performance, from the breathable, lightweight fabric to the seamless construction, perfect to avoid chafing.

Looking for that perfect polo that keeps you looking and feeling cool on the golf course? Look no further than this performance-focused shirt from TravisMathew, so lightweight that you don’t need to worry about it compromising your swing.

The true test of great training shorts is whether you can squat and sprint in them. This unlined offering from Rhone passes with flying colors, and adds in strong, quick-drying fabric for ultra-tough leg days, too.

Gym joggers don't get better than this. Vuori's Sunday Performance Joggers have just enough stretch to survive Cossack squats and deep lunges, but they still move with you during jogging and agility drills. Add in a few functional pockets and an aesthetic that looks great even when you're running errands, and you have a perfect set of joggers.

The YPB NeoKnit sits at the nexus of aesthetics, comfort, and performance, moving with you during lunges and squats (and even light treadmill runs) and managing to feel breathable despite the mostly cotton material. The finishing touch: These look good, whether you’re hitting the gym or the corner store.

Rhone took all the things we love about its workout tees (stretch, made for motion, lightweight, and antimicrobial) and input them straight into a hoodie that holds up in the gym for light cardio days and heavy leg workouts alike (and works great for casual wear, too).

The quintessential workout tank, with a classic drop-arm style that lets you move freely for everything from dumbbell snatches to chin-ups, and a loose, breathable fit that still wicks sweat away from your torso.

Bandit’s boutique-run brand vibes and limited collections should not taint how seriously good the quality is. The Vento 5-Inch Run Short is the brand’s flagship short and it’s handled every single mile we’ve thrown at it. The phone pocket on the side of the liner is great and sweatproof, while said liner never rides up thanks to grip tape that keeps the bottom in place.

Quick-drying. Classic-looking. Moisture-wicking. Temperature-regulating. This shirt has it all. Whether you are looking for a top that feels like a second skin, or a base layer to deliver compression on the DL, this venerable style from UA has you covered.

What do you call a smartwatch that has everything, can stand up to everything, and goes with everything? This refined timepiece from Garmin features a bright AMOLED screen that allows you to see the time, tracking data, and GPS, no matter how sunny it is outside. All in a handsome, minimalist case.

Oura continues to perfect the fitness-tracking ring with this aesthetically pleasing model. The best part (and this is critical for workouts): Thanks to a scratch-resistant shell, you don't need to be delicate with it.

With nearly two full days of battery life, new satellite connectivity, and a display you can see from almost any angle, the Ultra 3 crushes for everything from workouts to trail runs to day-to-
day errands.

It may take its name from a dinosaur that had short, stumpy arms, but there isn’t much that this rugged smartwatch falls short on. Constructed with grade-5 titanium and scratch-resistant sapphire glass, it can take a beating. And for the price, it’s packed with features like dual-band GPS, offline mapping, a built-in mic, and even an LED flashlight.

Despite its slim and stylish design, this smartwatch delivers giant-sized performance and strong, consistent tracking, thanks to a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip, Cortex-M55 co-processor, upgraded sensors, and Fitbit technology. All comes with an elegant, curved dome emitting 3,000 nits of brightness, so you can read all your data even in direct sunlight.

The new APEX 4 is an outdoors juggernaut. It boasts an extremely fast processor that renders maps and directions lightning quick, while the big 1.3-inch display is easy to read in any light. The battery life is pretty exceptional, as it didn’t need a charge for over two weeks despite daily use for runs and workouts.