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1. A set of Bala Bangles, weighted bands that will increase some resistance to your workout. You can put them on your wrists or your ankles and they won't slide! Plus they are super cute and would make the perfect accessory if you just want to wear them out to add a little exercising to your errands run.
"Bala is a woman-owned business that sells various pretty exercise equipment. I have these bands and love 'em! They have super strong loop and hook tape so you can strap them on tight (no sliding weights while punching, lifting, running, jumping, etc.). Best of all, they're just really, really pretty!" —contributor Bek O'Connell
"I recently got the 2-pound weights as a Christmas gift, and as someone who is ~not~ the most enthusiastic when it comes to most forms of exercise, I think these are a great option if you want to get a little more out of even a simple walk around the block. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing with their pretty colors and matte finish, they're also quite comfortable given that they're adding extra resistance to your movements. I highly recommend if you want to make things a little more challenging for yourself while feeling good about wearing them in public (I got several compliments on them while I was out and about!)." —Brittany Ross
Get them from Bala or Amazon for $55+ (available in two weights and five colors).
2. Suavs Zilker sneakers, breathable and moisture-wicking shoes that will hold up against even the sweatiest of feet. Seriously, you'll thank us when you don't have to deal with smelly sneakers after a particularly tough workout.
"Suavs are for anyone who wants to wear sneakers without feeling too constrained. They're very unique in that they're made from very stretchy, breathable fabric that really moves with your foot. They're great to pop on when quickly walking out of the house, and even though I tend to wear them with no socks, they TBH don't smell bad! So that's basically a miracle. They're machine washable, so if they did start to smell, I could pop them in, but they've stayed so fresh I haven't needed to. Their fabric is really durable and feels like it could stand up to anything. If you've been wanting to go the fabric-sneaker route but have been worried you'll stain or ruin your shoes, try these. I think I could jump in a thousand mud puddles and they'd still be fine — I've been caught in the rain in them innumerable times and stepped in some gnarly NYC puddles and they still look like new, even at 2-years-old." —Rachel Dunkel
"I own these and have worn them sooo many times. And as far as washing goes, they wash really well! You'll just have to make sure that you put them in a well-ventilated area to dry because they do take a while to dry. I discovered this a few years ago when I ventured into an extremely muddy corn maze and got my foot stuck in muck. I hosed off my shoes beside the farm's pig pen and expected to have to throw them away. The light gray (which I own in addition to this burgundy hue ^) washed really well, and then nearly a year later I wore them alllll over Athens, including trekking up to and all over the Acropolis where I saw tons of people fall. Did I mention they have excellent traction and you can wear 'em without socks?!" —Elizabeth Lilly
Get them from Suavs for $98 (available in sizes 5–12 and six colors).
3. A stationary exercise bike for days when you want to work out while watching TV, because season 3 of Ted Lasso is not gonna watch itself.
So this actually was my mother's bike that I took during the pandemic when all the gyms closed. I'm so glad I took it. I work from home and do not get a ton of exercise throughout the day. But on days when I am too tired to run around my neighborhood, I can turn on an episode of Supernatural, jump on my bike and get in a good workout while watching TV. I also find myself just sitting on it and mindlessly pedaling away when I am trying to figure something out. The best thing is it can easily fold up, making it amazing to store in a corner. It has resistance bands built in and allows you to control the pedals' resistance. Plus, I feel great after!
Get it from Amazon for $257.99
4. Or an under the desk pedals, for those who sit at a desk all day. Working from home has made it harder for us to move about and combat a sedentary lifestyle, but this will help get you moving without having to leave the comfort of your chair. Plus it's easy to assemble!
"It's got a helpful little display screen you can keep mounted on the machine or bring up to sit on your desk that'll tell you your time, calories burned, speed, and distance. I have one and am using it right now as I type this! I had purchased a super cheap version a long time ago, but finally splurged on this one for my apartment as I work from home. This one is leaps and bounds better than the cheaper model. It's so much smoother and sturdier, and it looks better, too! The rotation is so smooth, it feels like I'm actually on a stationary bike at the gym. I definitely struggle with spending too much time sitting, since my job has me at a laptop for eight hours a day and I usually only feel up to working out in the mornings. (And on weekdays, I'd rather sleep!) This is an absolute game changer and allows me to do what I do best — multitask! There is some assembly required, but I, the least handy person in the world, was able to do it myself without too much trouble." —Katy Herman
Get it from Amazon for $275.
5. A pair of Lululemon Wunder leggings, made of breathable material to last for years to come. Seriously, these last for YEARS without pilling and wearing out.
"There's a lot of buzz around Lululemon leggings and if they're worth it. Well, let me tell you that these are one of my favorite pairs of leggings I've ever owned. I also have a pair of their Aligns, which are supposed to be everyone's favorite, and while I like them, I LOVE this style. These leggings are so comfortable yet supportive. I've worn them for every type of workout, including dance classes, weight lifting, and even yoga. And I've had them for more than a year, they haven't pilled at all, which is something I cannot say about my Align leggings. I know these are a bit pricey for leggings, but I think this style is totally worth it." —Abby Kass
Get them from Lululemon for $98+ (available in sizes 0–20, three lengths, and 18 colors and patterns).
6. A reversible yoga mat that will take your yoga sessions to the next level. It's nonslip with a textured surface, so even if it's wet with sweat, you will stay stable. Not to mention that with 6mm of cushion, you will feel super comfy as you stretch into downward facing dog pose.
"I work out at home a lot, so it's important for me to have an exercise mat that's cushy, sturdy, and easy to roll up and put away. I received this Gaiam yoga mat as a sample and really enjoy using it for yoga and Pilates! It's so comfortable to stand, sit, and lay down on and I don't have to worry about sliding around, thanks to a grippy material. It's also fun to flip the sides (my mat above came with light blue and dark blue sides) — I've never had a yoga mat with this design before! And if you don't have a lot of space, no worries, because this mat rolls up to a compact size when you're done exercising." —Genevieve Scarano
Get it from Gaiam for $29.98 (available in four colors) or Amazon for $28.16+ (available in four sizes and 14 colors).
7. An Outdoor Voices exercise dress that can help keep you cool during your workout. This is perfect for any activity and also, it has pockets.
"I wore the exercise dress on a camping trip and absolutely loved it. It's tight enough that you feel agile but not SO tight that it's restricting. It was great for hiking, too! I even scaled some big ole' rocks and exposed mountain faces, and it fared really well. Despite me literally sliding down a giant rock on my butt, the dress never got caught, ripped, or showed wear. It's a trouper." —Rachel Dunkel
"I also own this dress, and I have to agree with everything Rachel says about it. I've worn it a few times to play tennis, and the bodysuit with shorts underneath make it super easy to hold extra balls. It is a bit of a hassle to go to the bathroom — but it's worth it for how cute and comfortable this number is." —Abby Kass
Get it from Outdoor Voices for $100 (available in sizes S–XXL and eight colors and patterns).
8. A pair of comfy Adidas sneakers, if you want want shoes that basically feel like walking on a cloud. Plus they're sustainable and made from recycled materials!
"I own a black pair of these and they're seriously one of the comfiest friggin' sneakers I've ever worn (the other is a pair of New Balance) in my life. The 'Cloudfoam' insole really does make it feel like your feet are walking on clouds. I thought that feeling might go away after several months of wear but the sneakers remain fluffy and relaxing. The sneakers were so comfortable that I started wearing them to the gym, to work, and even matching them with cute dresses for going-out looks. You'll probably want to order two pairs of these babies so you don't wear out a single pair after you fall in love. I bought my mom a pair as well." —Marquaysa Battle
Get it from Amazon for $45.07+ (available in sizes 5–11 and 35 colors).
9. A balance board to engage your core while you're working on your standing desk. Whether you're working from home or just randomly surfing the web, this board will have you feeling the burn.
"I've been using this balance board at my standing desk for a couple of months now and think it's great. It's a low-key piece of workout equipment, but I have def felt the effects in my legs after using it. It's pretty simple to use. Just stand on it and get to work. I love that it gives me the ability to move while I type. I find that I'm much more productive that way. I also do feel the engagement in my core. If you have a standing desk, I highly recommend adding this to your work setup." —Abby Kass
Get it from Amazon for $46.99.
10. A cleansing trio-pack of OffCourt men's body deodorant sprays that are aluminum-free and use prebiotics to help you grow good bacteria, so you can still sit on your couch after your next workout without fear of stinking it up.
OffCourt is cruelty-free and vegan!
"I stink now. I didn't use to, though. I'm getting older and apparently smellier. Having two small children means that somedays I just won't get a chance to hit the shower. Something had to be done, something I never thought I'd ever do: use a body spray. When I got a chance to test out OffCourt's prebiotic deodorant spray, I had some very strong concerns about experiencing what can only be called 'The Axe Effect.'
But OffCourt doesn't smell like a junior-high kid's gym bag. In fact, it actually smells, well, nice. How do I know? My wife told me so (she's also the one who told me I stink, so I totally trust her opinion). Scents include fig leaves/white musk, coconut water/sandalwood, and fresh citron/driftwood. Now anytime I work up a sweat from chasing kids around the house or coming in from running errands, I give myself a quick spritz and the stink (lines) go away!" —John Mihaly
Get a pack of three from OffCourt for $36 or Amazon for $36.99.
11. An interactive fitness mirror that not only displays your workout classes but has a wide variety of workouts to match your exercising need. Then when you're not using it, it just looks like a nice mirror you have!
"This is one of those things I'd seen ads for and honestly thought I'd never buy, but I finally caved in and splurged on The Mirror after realizing I seriously needed to ramp up my fitness routine. I've been using it in my little New York City apartment ever since and am *so* grateful to have it for my at-home workouts — the nearest gym is a 20-minute walk, so it's been such a game-changer to be able to jump into a workout 10 feet away from my work desk. There are more than 20 different types of workouts you can load up using The Mirror's companion app, including boxing, Pilates, barre, yoga, cardio bootcamps, and even meditation, and I've had a blast trying out a bunch of new workouts I've never done before.
Thankfully, you don't need to be a longtime gym-goer to get use out of The Mirror, as there are a ton of beginner- and intermediate-level classes that really focus on helping you practice proper form and build endurance — and new classes are added all the time. The trainers are super personable and encouraging, and I've found it so much easier to follow along to them and actually learn new moves compared to just watching YouTube videos — they really coach you through each move to ensure you're doing it properly, even if you're just watching a playback instead of joining a live class.
It's a pricey investment to be sure, but you get a ton of value out of The Mirror, especially if you're just beginning your fitness journey. The fact that it's so sleek and leans (or hangs) flat against your wall *and* doubles as a normal full-length mirror when you're not working out is a nice plus." —Jenae Sitzes
Get the basic package from The Mirror for $1,495+ (also available in various bundles with workout supplies from Lululemon, though personally I just got the basic package). Do note that shipping and installation are free! When I got my Mirror, they carried it up three flights of stairs to my apartment and set everything up so it was immediately ready to go.
12. Or a rowing machine that's definitely worth the investment and will save you long term on gym membership fees.
"The rowing machine is one of the things I miss the most from the gym — the Hydrow Rowing Machine is the perfect way to fill the void. This machine has a full screen attached to it that'll provide an immersive experience to make anyone feel like they're *really* chopping water while breaking a sweat. It can be used with or without a subscription, making it a great gift option. I have one and my husband and I have made great use out of it over the last year or so! The instructors are great and there are so many fun themed classes you'll never get bored of (you can catch me rowing to Ariana Grande or The Jonas Brothers, hehe)." —Heather Braga
Shipping info: Standard delivery (without set up support) is about two to three weeks.
Get it from Hydrow for $2,495.
13. A Stealth core trainer for those looking to gamify their workouts. All you need to do is download the free app for access to mobile games you can play with the balancing board, because exercising doesn't have to be a chore.
"Getting a Stealth board was the very best thing that has happened to me during quarantine. Mixing the fun of games on your phone with the natural endorphins you get from exercising is, to put it lightly, genius. I have two in my home and my husband and I compete daily to see who can last the longest. My favorite game is the paragliding challenge, he's into the planet-blasting space adventure. Nerd." —Mal Mower
Get it from Amazon for $149.
14. A Girlfriend Collective Paloma bra that provides a ton of extra support, so you can do your workout without having to constantly adjust yourself. It's comfortable, affordable, and size-inclusive!
"This brand is so good that I need to profess my love for this sports bra. I've tried a number of different bras from this brand, but this one is my tried-and-true favorite. It's simple yet highly effective. I can wear it for both cardio and weight lifting classes and feel comfortable the entire time. Plus, it's super cute and the longer length really does add some extra support. It's so easy to grab with the matching leggings and be ready for my workout in seconds. I will shout my love for Girlfriend Collective from the mountain tops because it really is that great. Seriously, go get yourself this bra." —Abby Kass
Get it from Girlfriend Collective for $46 (available in sizes XXS–6XL and 12 colors).
15. A slick treadmill that folds up for when you need to put it away. This is great if you're limited on space and need to move it out of the way for a bit. No more having to hide your workout equipment underneath a curtain while guests are over.
"I used this exact folding treadmill for the first two years of the pandemic, and only recently sold it because I moved and didn't feel I needed it as much anymore. (I like to run outside when I can!) If you're looking for a small yet reliable treadmill, though, I can't recommend the Xterra TR150 enough. The track is large enough to run on at 50 inches long and 16 inches wide. There's a little rack below the LCD screen that I always found useful for holding my phone or iPad to watch videos while I ran. Its speed goes up to 10mph, and it's not overly loud while you run on it. Now, just because it's a smaller treadmill doesn't mean it's not heavy — it weighs just over 100 pounds, so you won't want to be moving it around every time you use it, even though there are wheels on the bottom to assist with transport. It's bulky enough that I suggest finding a dedicated place for it, but it certainly is movable if needed. As far as assembly, it was fairly straightforward and easy to do on my own.
Btw, you'll want to consider picking up a treadmill mat to put underneath to not only protect your floor but also prevent dust from entering the belts and mechanical parts — this is the one I used with the Xterra TR150 (the medium size) and it held up well for me over the years." —Jenae Sitzes
Get it from Amazon for $387.23.