All posts tagged: fitness

Best Sports Bras for Women, Tested and Reviewed (2025)

Best Sports Bras for Women, Tested and Reviewed (2025)

Published by skeptic

Women’s sports bras were the bane of my teen existence. Few things are as humbling as struggling to wriggle out of a sweaty one post-workout. I’ve contorted, clawed, nearly dislocated a shoulder—and I once triggered what I can only describe as a sports bra-induced locked jaw. They were too tight, flattened my chest (and soul), and, on a bad day, gave me a decent dose of body image issues. Somewhere between my fourth fitness renaissance and the realization that I hadn’t worn a regular bra since pre-pandemic, I became a convert. After years of trial and error, I discovered the bra styles that worked (thank goodness for adjustable straps). Now I wear them to work, to work out, and sometimes to do absolutely nothing at all. The right sports bra should be soft but structured, snug but breathable, and—for me—cute enough to pass as a top, like the Vuori AllTheFeels bra ($58). After testing dozens over the past few months—during runs, lifts, rides, and flows—I found the best sports bras worth your attention. Photograph: Klaus …

12 Best Workout Hats for Men 2025, Tested and Reviewed

12 Best Workout Hats for Men 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Published by skeptic

If you’re working out without some sort of head covering, we tip our hat to you. Actually, we misspoke—we have a tip: Wear one of the best workout hats. Sure, you’ve likely invested in the perfect set of shoes, shorts, and shirts, but donning an excellent hat for working out could mean the difference between setting a new PR or pulling a muscle. Dramatic? Maybe, but if you’ve ever been mid-rep and had a strand of hair with an accompanying drop of sweat fall into your eye, you’ll get what we mean. Workout hats are the perfect intersection of both form and function. While cotton hats certainly have their time and place, workout hats are constructed from moisture-wicking material that keeps you cool during those intense moments of training. Cotton caps, while great for accessorizing any other look, soak up that sweat and actually leave you feeling hotter as a result. Additionally, workout hats still give you all that great protection from the sun you’d typically get wearing a ball cap, so let’s call it …

A personal trainer shows how five functional fitness moves can keep you active and healthy as you age

A personal trainer shows how five functional fitness moves can keep you active and healthy as you age

Published by skeptic

Rather than training for mirror muscles or picking up another fad workout routine, why not train to support your everyday life? Functional fitness is all about exercises that mimic natural, real-life movements. According to Michael Betts, a NASM-qualified trainer and director at Trainfitness: “functional fitness workouts build strength, stability and mobility in ways that translate to daily activities, from lifting shopping bags to playing with kids or balancing on uneven surfaces.” Unlike traditional training, functional training focuses on multi-joint, multi-plane movements rather than isolated exercises. “While a biceps curl will build arm strength, a farmer’s carry builds grip strength, core stability and full-body coordination all at once,” says Betts. The benefits? Better coordination, improved joint stability, reduced risk of injury and increased calorie burn as compound movements engage more muscle groups at once. Most importantly, functional training builds mobility and strength, keeping you independent and active as you age. Michael Betts Social Links Navigation Director of TRAINFITNESS Michael Betts is a director at TRAINFITNESS and a personal trainer with overof 30 years experience.He has contributed …

Ten Thousand Surplus Sale 2025: Save up to 40% on Workout Gear

Ten Thousand Surplus Sale 2025: Save up to 40% on Workout Gear

Published by skeptic

We ran, we lifted, we burpeed. That’s how we confirmed Ten Thousand is one of the best athletic brands around—and why this Ten Thousand surplus sale has us doing jumping jacks of joy. With savings up to 40% on all the workout gear you need, this is the perfect opportunity to stock up on the essentials that’ll help you achieve those health and wellness goals you set for yourself just a few short weeks ago. For the uninitiated, Ten Thousand is known for its commitment to pumping out the greatest tops, bottoms (especially its Interval shorts), and post-workout gear that won’t get in the way of hitting a new personal best. Its fabrics are some of the lightest and breathable in the business—no sweat stains or smells here—and the silhouettes help you get a fit off even when you’re red-faced, mid-chest press. Sizing is pretty spotty, and you’ll find steeper discounts if you’re looking at sizes that start with an “X,” but there are some pretty excellent deals throughout, nonetheless. Here, we did all the …

Best Running Underwear to Beat Burn on Your Bits (2025)

Best Running Underwear to Beat Burn on Your Bits (2025)

Published by skeptic

Why should you trust me on chafing? Well, I once ran the equivalent of 67 marathons in 67 days with a 25-pound backpack on. This is my toolkit for anyone trying to avoid pain. Lube up: Anti-chafing products like petroleum jelly or specialized balms are your best anti-chafe defense. Even if your carefully selected fabrics let you down, generous coatings of lube can save the day. You can’t afford to be shy. Particularly downstairs. You want to make sure you’re getting into the places even you rarely go. Go seamless: I choose shorts, leggings, base layer shorts, tees and running underwear that are either seamless or have flat–lock seams. I always check the seams of the built-in twin shorts and I rarely trust the inner-briefs built into regular shorts. If in doubt, layer up with your own trusted undies. Tighten up: I choose tighter, body hugging layers over loose fit gear. It sounds counterintuitive but fabric that stays in one place, close to the skin works better than loose-hanging fabrics that move around more. Avoid …

GQ’s Tonal 2 Review (2025)

GQ’s Tonal 2 Review (2025)

Published by skeptic

I started running when I was 15—and I haven’t stopped since. One of my favorite things about running is that as long as I have sneakers, I can workout whenever I want. I don’t need a bike. I don’t need weights. I don’t need the optional yoga block that I never seem to be able to find. That low barrier to entry is what keeps me incredibly consistent as a runner. However, it’s also kept me from venturing into strength training, something I know I need to do (especially as I get older) to support the miles that bring me so much joy. Enter: Tonal, which in many ways provides the same no-fuss, no-other-equiment-necessary as running. Tonal is a piece of smart fitness equipment that was initially launched in 2018 and became a mainstay in many athletes’ homes during the pandemic, reaching unicorn status with help from pro athlete investors including Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Maria Sharapova, Mike Tyson, Sue Bird, Serena Williams, Stephen Curry, and others. Today, the brand launched the Tonal 2, a …

Fitness Trackers Are Coming for Your Pet

Fitness Trackers Are Coming for Your Pet

Published by skeptic

One dreary November Monday as I was enjoying a morning cup of tea, my phone alerted me that my cat, Avalanche, was exercising less than usual. For the past six weeks, Avalanche has worn a sleek black-and-gold collar that tracks her every move—when and how often she sleeps, runs, walks, eats, drinks, and even grooms. This notification told me that her energy was lower than typical, so I should keep an eye on her food and water intake. As a veteran hypochondriac, I wondered for a second whether this might be the first sign of some horrible and serious condition. Then I opened the smart-collar app, where I found reassurance: My lazy seven-year-old tabby had exercised for just 45 seconds so far that morning, compared with one whole minute the day before. These days, Americans treat our furry pals like members of the family, shelling out for premium food and expensive drugs to keep them healthier longer. There are pet treadmills and supplements and luxury spas. The U.S. pet market is poised to reach about …

SaltDrop Founder Dino Malvone Shares Why Greta Gerwig Loves His Flowy and Dynamic Mat-Based Workouts

SaltDrop Founder Dino Malvone Shares Why Greta Gerwig Loves His Flowy and Dynamic Mat-Based Workouts

Published by skeptic

Work it out! SaltDrop founder and fitness instructor Dino Malvone opened his mat-based workout studio in 2022 in New York City, and ever since, celebrities including Greta Gerwig have flocked to the space to experience his beat-driven classes that combine low-impact cardio, strength training, and rhythmic movement. “I started SaltDrop because I felt like there was a gap in the fitness world for something that was intense, but didn’t punish the body. … Our classes are different because they are not about pushing through or obsessing over the physical, they’re about feeling, both in your body and in the moment,” he tells ET. SaltDrop This approach is part of why stars love to get their sweat on with Malvone. “Greta is an artist and I think she connects to the creativity and energy of SaltDrop. It’s not rigid or repetitive; it’s flowy and dynamic. Plus, the focus on music and rhythm makes it feel more like a moving meditation, which I think resonates with her,” the fitness guru notes. As for how the classes accomplish …

Fitness apps can reveal your location – updated laws would help plug this hole in our personal security

Fitness apps can reveal your location – updated laws would help plug this hole in our personal security

Published by skeptic

Fitness apps have revolutionised the way we approach health and exercise. They provide users with the ability to track their workouts, monitor their progress towards fitness goals and share achievements with a like-minded community. However, these benefits come with significant privacy and security risks, particularly regarding the disclosure of users’ locations. Recent articles in the Guardian and French newspaper Le Monde, reported that fitness apps, such as Strava, had revealed the locations of some world leaders, posing a potential security risk. This situation spotlights the gaps in legislative measures that fail to evolve at pace with technological advancements. But it also underscores a critical need for users themselves to adopt a more vigilant approach when engaging with such platforms. While legal frameworks lay the foundation for protecting user privacy, they are not foolproof against breaches. This necessitates a dual responsibility. Both regulatory bodies and users must collaborate to ensure robust data security. Fitness apps often require access to location data to provide accurate tracking of activities like running, cycling and walking. While this functionality is …

We Tested and Reviewed the Best Home Treadmills (2024)

We Tested and Reviewed the Best Home Treadmills (2024)

Published by skeptic

Buying a treadmill is a big commitment. Even the more affordable models are pricey. They take up a lot of space, and if you’ve ever come across a busted belt or a broken screen, you know how frustrating they can be. That being said, having a cardio machine in your house that works makes exercising so much more convenient. I definitely run more (and stick to my marathon training plans better) throughout the winter months because of various treadmills I’ve had at home over the years. They can also make interval training a bit easier, and help you practice hills if you don’t have access to much challenging incline outside. If you’re in the market for one, you probably know there are tons of options at all kinds of price ranges out there, and it can be hard to know what’s really worth splurging on. To help you narrow down your search, we tested all the treads below, seeing how they held up through countless long distance runs, hill workouts, and sprinting intervals. Here’s what …