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ACTIVE Best of 2015: Gear and Accessories
Written by
Hunter Hewitt
Fitness trends come and go, but some of the newest gear and accessories leave lasting impressions. Here are our editors' picks for the 15 best fitness items from 2015.
Adidas Ultra Boost
$180
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The self-proclaimed title of "Greatest Running Shoe Ever" is a little excessive, but the Ultra Boost is a quick, dependable shoe durable enough for runs on city streets and frequent trips to the gym. The price is a bit steep, but this shoe was one of the favorites in our triathlon shoe guide for a reason.
The Primeknit fabric and the boost soles combine for a fluid and responsive ride. Even though it's technically a neutral shoe, the Torsion System in the midfoot provides the necessary support for the average runner, and makes for a comfortable gym shoe, too.
Related: 2015 Triathlon Running Shoe Guide
Related: 2015 Fall Running Shoe Guide
The Primeknit fabric and the boost soles combine for a fluid and responsive ride. Even though it's technically a neutral shoe, the Torsion System in the midfoot provides the necessary support for the average runner, and makes for a comfortable gym shoe, too.
Related: 2015 Triathlon Running Shoe Guide
Related: 2015 Fall Running Shoe Guide
BlenderBottle ProStak
$13.99
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Shaker? Check. Mini-tub of protein or pre-workout powder? Check. Bag of supplements? Check.
Tired of bringing these items to the gym separately? BlenderBottle has solved that problem. This company's innovative and budget-friendly products make things convenient for gym-goers who focus intensely on their nutrition.
The ProStak was a top choice for us, as it has customizable options you can screw on or off to fit your needs.
Tired of bringing these items to the gym separately? BlenderBottle has solved that problem. This company's innovative and budget-friendly products make things convenient for gym-goers who focus intensely on their nutrition.
The ProStak was a top choice for us, as it has customizable options you can screw on or off to fit your needs.
Black Mountain Products Stackable Resistance Band Set
$32.99
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If you're one of the millions aspiring to improve your health and well-being, a gym membership is a given. But having some at-home fitness items is an essential piece of the puzzle, too.
These tubed resistance bands from Black Mountain Products come at a low price—especially when you consider the set's versatility. With a door anchor, ankle strap, exercise chart, carrying case and five stackable bands of varying resistance, it's quite the bargain.
No need for tubing? Check out the other fitness accessories BMP offers: stability balls, medicine balls, battle ropes, and much more.
Related: Full-Body Resistance Band Workout
These tubed resistance bands from Black Mountain Products come at a low price—especially when you consider the set's versatility. With a door anchor, ankle strap, exercise chart, carrying case and five stackable bands of varying resistance, it's quite the bargain.
No need for tubing? Check out the other fitness accessories BMP offers: stability balls, medicine balls, battle ropes, and much more.
Related: Full-Body Resistance Band Workout
Dharma Yoga Wheel
$99
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The Dharma Yoga Wheel is a large prop that can help you seriously open your body. Used to draping your back over a bolster? Take it up a notch and lie over this instead.
There are different ways you can use the Dharma Wheel to assist you in poses, but we found the best way was just laying our back over it, arms falling to the side and head back. Of course, you can use it for that, or impress your friends by doing balance poses on it.
Related: Full-Body Resistance Band Workout
There are different ways you can use the Dharma Wheel to assist you in poses, but we found the best way was just laying our back over it, arms falling to the side and head back. Of course, you can use it for that, or impress your friends by doing balance poses on it.
Related: Full-Body Resistance Band Workout
Falco Kaizen 1.0 Shorts
$44.99
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Ever sit down or get up from a bench and your phone or iPod slides out of your pocket? Or maybe you've placed a pair of dumbbells on your thighs and crushed your device, changing the song, or even worse, causing damage?
Initially we thought these training shorts were just great for running—which they are—but they're extremely effective in the gym, too. The Secure-Stretch pockets, located on each hip, make a variety of gym movements convenient, leaving you worry-free throughout your workout. The stretch band along the top also makes products easily accessible, so you don't have to worry about struggling to get your device out of your pocket each time you reach for it.
Initially we thought these training shorts were just great for running—which they are—but they're extremely effective in the gym, too. The Secure-Stretch pockets, located on each hip, make a variety of gym movements convenient, leaving you worry-free throughout your workout. The stretch band along the top also makes products easily accessible, so you don't have to worry about struggling to get your device out of your pocket each time you reach for it.
Fitbit Surge
$249.99
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According to Fitbit, the Surge isn't a smart watch—it's a super watch.
Wearing this fashionable GPS device on your wrist helps you easily keep track of your heart rate (without the need of an additional strap or accessory), daily steps, exercise results, sleep patterns and more. The elastomer material used on the wristband provides a comfortable, unrestrictive feel, and the watch is water resistant up to 5 ATM.
As an added bonus, you can link the watch to your phone via Bluetooth to read text messages on the fly and control your music. In short, there isn't much you can't do with the Surge on your wrist.
Not interested in such a complex product? Check out some of the other less-advanced activity trackers Fitbit has to offer, such as the Charge HR, Flex and Zip.
Related: 17 Ways to Be More Productive at the Gym
Wearing this fashionable GPS device on your wrist helps you easily keep track of your heart rate (without the need of an additional strap or accessory), daily steps, exercise results, sleep patterns and more. The elastomer material used on the wristband provides a comfortable, unrestrictive feel, and the watch is water resistant up to 5 ATM.
As an added bonus, you can link the watch to your phone via Bluetooth to read text messages on the fly and control your music. In short, there isn't much you can't do with the Surge on your wrist.
Not interested in such a complex product? Check out some of the other less-advanced activity trackers Fitbit has to offer, such as the Charge HR, Flex and Zip.
Related: 17 Ways to Be More Productive at the Gym
KT Tape
$19.99
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If you've watched some sporting events lately, there's a good chance you've seen athletes donning some oddly-placed, vibrantly-colored tape on various parts of their bodies. If the pros are doing it, it must work in some capacity, right?
Kinesiology tape is applied along muscles, ligaments and tendons to provide lightweight, external support and help you stay active while dealing with nagging injuries. It creates neuromuscular feedback (proprioception) that facilitates stronger firing of muscles and tendons without the bulk and restriction of common wraps and braces.
Kinesiology tape is applied along muscles, ligaments and tendons to provide lightweight, external support and help you stay active while dealing with nagging injuries. It creates neuromuscular feedback (proprioception) that facilitates stronger firing of muscles and tendons without the bulk and restriction of common wraps and braces.
Moji Mini Pro and Curve Pro
$29.99; $49.99
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Aches and pains are synonymous with running. Moji has developed a line of hand-held massagers designed to target problem areas by loosening sore muscles and breaking up scar tissue.
Additionally, each can be put in the freezer for a post-workout ice massage.
Additionally, each can be put in the freezer for a post-workout ice massage.
Morph Collapsible Foam Roller
$68
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Packing for a trip is difficult enough. If you have trouble fitting the essentials in your bag, imagine trying to squeeze a foam roller in there, too.
With a simple push against the inside, the Morph collapses into a flat shape, making it easy to slide into a laptop pocket of a backpack, side pocket of a duffel bag, or slim zipper compartment of a suitcase. Once you're ready to take it out and put it to work, simply pull the strings on the outside.
The Morph began with a Kickstarter campaign, and although it has now ended, you can now preorder the product and have it delivered in 2016.
Related: Full Review: Morph Collapsible Foam Roller
With a simple push against the inside, the Morph collapses into a flat shape, making it easy to slide into a laptop pocket of a backpack, side pocket of a duffel bag, or slim zipper compartment of a suitcase. Once you're ready to take it out and put it to work, simply pull the strings on the outside.
The Morph began with a Kickstarter campaign, and although it has now ended, you can now preorder the product and have it delivered in 2016.
Related: Full Review: Morph Collapsible Foam Roller
Moso Natural Air Purifying Bags
$10.95
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Smelly gym bag? Stinky gym shoes? Unpleasant car smell? Moso Natural has a solution for you.
The bags, filled with non-toxic, chemical-free and fragrance-free moso bamboo charcoal, remove odors, allergens and harmful pollutants. They also absorb excess moisture to prevent mold, mildew and bacteria from forming.
What's more, the bags are reusable for up two years with simple maintenance tactics. With different sizes available, you can keep your shoes, gym bags, car and even rooms fresh, dry and odor-free.
Related: 14 Gym Pet Peeves
The bags, filled with non-toxic, chemical-free and fragrance-free moso bamboo charcoal, remove odors, allergens and harmful pollutants. They also absorb excess moisture to prevent mold, mildew and bacteria from forming.
What's more, the bags are reusable for up two years with simple maintenance tactics. With different sizes available, you can keep your shoes, gym bags, car and even rooms fresh, dry and odor-free.
Related: 14 Gym Pet Peeves
Nike Vision Sunglasses
Prices Vary
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Not all fitness is done indoors. And if you're one who prefers to exercise outdoors, sunglasses are a must.
The Nike Vision line has something for every kind of athlete. Whether you're looking for sunglasses tailored to snowboarders, skiers, skateboarders, runners, cyclists or other athletes who train outdoors, this collection has what you need.
Glasses come in a variety of fits, styles and colors, and boast features such as 100 percent UVA and UVB Protection, lightweight nylon frames and Nike Max Optics Lens technology.
The Nike Vision line has something for every kind of athlete. Whether you're looking for sunglasses tailored to snowboarders, skiers, skateboarders, runners, cyclists or other athletes who train outdoors, this collection has what you need.
Glasses come in a variety of fits, styles and colors, and boast features such as 100 percent UVA and UVB Protection, lightweight nylon frames and Nike Max Optics Lens technology.
OGIO X Train-2 Gym Bag
$89.99
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That decade-old backpack might get the job done, but the zippers get stuck every other day, it's fading in color, and you can smell it from inside a closed locker.
If it's time to upgrade your gym bag, do it the right way. Turn to OGIO, a leader in bags and backpacks.
The X Train-2 Gym Bag has features you can't even imagine—side cinch straps that can hold a towel or mat, a tube port for your hydration needs, an internal hanger and a crush-resistant valuables pocket.
Related: How to Minimize Gym Distractions and Have an Awesome Workout
If it's time to upgrade your gym bag, do it the right way. Turn to OGIO, a leader in bags and backpacks.
The X Train-2 Gym Bag has features you can't even imagine—side cinch straps that can hold a towel or mat, a tube port for your hydration needs, an internal hanger and a crush-resistant valuables pocket.
Related: How to Minimize Gym Distractions and Have an Awesome Workout
Speedo Deluxe Ventilator Mesh Bag
$17.99
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Looking for a simpler (and cheaper) gym bag with a more portable feel?
This product is designed for swimmers, but convenient for all. It features open weave mesh, which provides breathability while allowing gym clothes and accessories to dry quickly. The bag maintains a smaller feel while still providing multiple pockets, allowing you to separate your gear and accessories before and after workouts.
This product is designed for swimmers, but convenient for all. It features open weave mesh, which provides breathability while allowing gym clothes and accessories to dry quickly. The bag maintains a smaller feel while still providing multiple pockets, allowing you to separate your gear and accessories before and after workouts.
TriggerPoint Performance Collection
$129.99
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The Performance Collection focuses on increasing mobility in the back, legs and feet. The kit includes a Quadballer, Footballer, two TP Massage Balls (with sleeve) and a Baller Block. Combine these items for a variety of muscle therapy exercises that will improve circulation and flexibility while also addressing muscle tightness. Insider tip: The Massage Balls hurt so good.
Onnit Legend Kettlebells
Prices Vary
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Tired of those boring black kettlebell? How about one carved to look like a mythical creature?
Onnit's line of legend kettlebells are perfect for goblet squats, swings and many other exercises. Plus, they look pretty awesome.
Onnit's line of legend kettlebells are perfect for goblet squats, swings and many other exercises. Plus, they look pretty awesome.