Popsugar’s 2025 Feel-Good Awards: Fitness Winners – Popsugar

Do you ever notice how a single great piece of gear or a well-designed program can change the shape of your life — not just your workouts?

Popsugar’s 2025 Feel-Good Awards: Fitness Winners – Popsugar

You’re holding a list that’s part recommendation, part mood ring for your fitness life. These picks aren’t trophies handed out to advertisers; they’re small, practical ways to make movement less of a chore and more of something you actually want to return to. You’ll find winners across apps, wearables, shoes, equipment, and brands that are doing the work of making fitness more humane: more accessible, more inclusive, less performative. Below the quick summary, each category gets context you can use to choose what matters to you.

Quick winners at a glance

This table gives you the winners so you can scan and act. After it, you’ll get the why, who, and trade-offs for each.

How these winners were chosen

You want straightforward criteria. Here’s what mattered: efficacy (does it lead to better workouts or recovery?), accessibility (price, availability, ability levels), inclusivity (sizes, representations, adaptations), durability (or software durability), and honest marketing (no over-promising). You’re not paying for buzzy language; you’re paying for something that works for real people in real life.

I’ve considered user reviews, expert tests, product lifespans, updates, and community feedback. You’ll see both luxury items and budget-friendly champions — because your fitness shouldn’t require a small fortune.

Best Overall Workout App — Future

Future wins because it treats coaching like relationships, not transactions. You get a human coach who writes and adjusts your program based on your data and feedback. If you respond to accountability and tailored coaching, this is for you.

• Why it matters: The human coach element keeps you honest. You submit metrics and videos; the coach responds.
• Who it’s for: People who need structure and accountability and are willing to pay for a human connection.
• Price: Premium — typically subscription plus separate hardware discounts.

Future makes you feel seen without being performative. You’ll get workouts that fit into the time you have and modifications that won’t make you feel like an afterthought.

Best At-Home Program — Apple Fitness+

Apple Fitness+ is the winner because it meets people where they are: seamless ecosystem integration, classes for every mood, and instructors who are competent and kind. The production values don’t hurt either.

• Why it matters: If you own Apple hardware, it’s frictionless. Metrics appear on-screen. Workouts are short enough to be doable.
• Who it’s for: People with Apple devices who like varied formats — HIIT, yoga, dance, barre.
• Price: Mid-range subscription, often bundled with Apple One.

The platform is thoughtful about accessibility and diversity among instructors. The downside: it’s locked in to Apple’s ecosystem, which matters if you use Android.

Best Boutique Streaming Class — Obé Fitness

Obé wins for community and charismatic instructors. Their live schedule creates habit-forming rhythms, and their on-demand library is flexible.

• Why it matters: Class variety plus a social feel. You can take the same instructor repeatedly and feel a sense of continuity.
• Who it’s for: People who perform better with live times and a class schedule.
• Price: Affordable monthly subscription for what you get.

You’ll feel like you belong in a class that isn’t built to make you feel inadequate. The production is peppy, and the variety keeps you trying new modalities.

Best Premium Gym (National) — Equinox+

Equinox+ is the win because it’s premium in both facilities and programming. The in-person classes have high standards, and the digital platform complements that with high-quality on-demand content.

• Why it matters: If you value top-level facilities and instructor expertise, this is consistent.
• Who it’s for: People with disposable income who want luxury and community at scale.
• Price: High — memberships and digital tiers are both premium cost.

Expect well-maintained equipment and a culture that favors performance and polish. If you want non-judgmental, low-cost community gyms, look elsewhere.

Best Budget Gym — Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness wins for accessibility and scale. You get affordable access to basic equipment and open hours, which lowers the barrier to a regular routine.

• Why it matters: Price and ubiquity matter. Your barrier to entry should be small.
• Who it’s for: People who want a no-frills place to show up and move.
• Price: Very low monthly fee with promotional rates.

Planet Fitness isn’t for heavy lifters who need specialty machines, but it gives you a place to begin without intimidation.

Best Running Shoe — Nike Alphafly 3

The Alphafly 3 continues to dominate for race-day performance and long runs. If you chase PRs, the energy return and carbon plate tech make a difference.

• Why it matters: It’s engineered to reduce perceived exertion at race pace.
• Who it’s for: Competitive runners or those who want the most efficient energy return.
• Price: High-end shoe price.

They aren’t cheap, and they aren’t ideal as your only daily trainer. But when you want speed, they reward investment.

Best Cross-Training Shoe — Nike Metcon Flux

Cross-training requires stability, traction, and durability. The Metcon Flux strikes that balance and is built to handle lifting, short runs, and rope climbs.

• Why it matters: Versatility for mixed-modal training.
• Who it’s for: People who rotate strength work with short conditioning sessions.
• Price: Mid-range for performance footwear.

They’re not the softest for long miles; they’re designed to be stable and flat so you don’t feel wobbly during lifts.

Best Walking Shoe — Hoka Bondi 9

If your primary mode of movement is walking, the Bondi 9 cushions with confidence. High stack, soft foam, and a forgiving ride make long walks actual therapy.

• Why it matters: Walking is underrated for its physical and mental benefits; this shoe makes it comfortable.
• Who it’s for: People who log miles on pavement or need joint-friendly footwear.
• Price: Mid-range.

It’s a maximalist shoe that helps reduce impact without feeling sloppy. If you prefer minimal footwear, these will feel overly cushioned.

Best Strength Equipment (Home) — Bowflex SelectTech 840

Adjustable dumbbells save space and range in weight without a rack of plates. The 840s go heavy enough for most home gyms and click between increments quickly.

• Why it matters: Space-saving and scalable weight options are practical for home lifting.
• Who it’s for: People building a compact home strength setup.
• Price: Mid-to-high depending on set options.

They’re not substitute for serious barbells and plates if you’re powerlifting, but for general strength progress, they’re massively convenient.

Best Home Treadmill — NordicTrack Commercial X32i

The X32i wins for a treadmill that feels like a studio experience. A steep incline, interactive classes, and a large screen turn your hallway into a potent training space.

• Why it matters: Incline and programming expand the type of workouts you can do at home.
• Who it’s for: People who run often and want a machine that doesn’t feel like a basic piece of gym equipment.
• Price: High — this is an investment.

It’s heavy and requires space and sometimes subscriptions for maximum functionality. But it reduces excuses when weather is bad.

Best Recovery Tool — Theragun Pro

Theragun Pro is a top-end percussion device that’s durable and powerful. If you’re serious about speeding muscle recovery and attending to knots, it’s comprehensive.

• Why it matters: It provides targeted, effective percussion therapy you can use at home.
• Who it’s for: Athletes and people with chronic tension who want a reliable tool.
• Price: High-end.

It’s noisy and strong — not an automatic pick if you prefer gentle recovery methods. But it’s professional-grade for a reason.

Best Massage Gun (Budget) — Hypervolt Go 2

You can get effective percussion therapy at a lower price with the Hypervolt Go 2. It’s lighter, quieter, and portable for travel.

• Why it matters: Good-enough recovery on a budget.
• Who it’s for: People who want mobility and value.
• Price: Budget-to-mid range.

It won’t replace a professional sports therapist, but it improves circulation and eases tightness for everyday use.

Best Smartwatch — Apple Watch Series 10

The Series 10 stands out for the seamless combination of health metrics, workouts, and the richness of third-party fitness apps. If you want reliable heart-rate metrics and a polished experience, it’s the go-to.

• Why it matters: Integration into your daily life makes it a health hub, not just a fitness watch.
• Who it’s for: People who use iPhones and want advanced features like ECG, oxygen saturation tracking, and more.
• Price: Premium.

If you’re on Android, the experience isn’t the same. Battery life is better than earlier models, but still not a weeks-long affair.

Smartwatch vs fitness tracker comparison

This table helps you weigh characteristics if you’re choosing between watches and non-watch trackers.

You don’t need the fanciest device to get better. You need the one you’ll actually wear.

Best Fitness Tracker (non-watch) — Oura Ring Generation 4

Oura’s ring gives you deep sleep and recovery insights in a package that doesn’t clutter your wrist. If metrics about readiness guide your training schedule, this device helps you make better decisions.

• Why it matters: Sleep and recovery are often the missing variables for progress; Oura makes them visible.
• Who it’s for: People who want actionable recovery data without a bulkier wrist device.
• Price: Mid-to-high.

It won’t replace GPS-based training for runs, but it’s an excellent complement.

Best Sustainable Activewear — Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective wins for transparency and materials. They make activewear from recycled materials with honest sizing and a commitment to less waste.

• Why it matters: Sustainability is meaningful when it’s not performative.
• Who it’s for: People who want eco-friendly basics and size-inclusion.
• Price: Mid-range.

They do essentials very well, and you can buy without feeling like the brand’s ethics are a marketing afterthought.

Best Inclusive Sizing Brand — Universal Standard Active

Universal Standard brings sizing that actually fits diverse bodies and builds gender- and size-inclusive messaging into their product development.

• Why it matters: Inclusion is a safety net. If you can find clothes that fit, you’re less likely to quit.
• Who it’s for: People frustrated by limited size ranges and poor fit.
• Price: Mid-range to premium.

This is about more than prices; it’s about feeling welcome in fitness spaces through clothing that actually accommodates your shape.

Best Postpartum Fitness Resource — Matrescence Program (digital)

Matrescence is designed by professionals who understand postpartum bodies. It focuses on functional movement, pelvic floor, and the mental transition of motherhood.

• Why it matters: Postpartum is not a single event; it’s a process that needs careful, compassionate programming.
• Who it’s for: New parents returning to movement who need medically informed progressions.
• Price: Reasonable subscription or course fee.

You’ll get programming that respects the fragility and power of a body that has just done heavy, meaningful work.

Best Dance/Movement Platform — STEEZY Studio

STEEZY wins for making dance classes approachable without dumbing them down. Their stepbacks, mirror modes, and clear sequencing make learning feel doable.

• Why it matters: Movement should be joyful. Dance does that efficiently and ridiculously well.
• Who it’s for: People who respond to rhythm, creative expression, and learning choreography.
• Price: Mid-range subscription.

If you think dance is only for the naturally flexible, STEEZY will prove you wrong with patience and structure.

Best Mental Health + Fitness App — Calm Move

Calm Move won because it marries brief movement sessions with breath work and mental health prompts. It recognizes that your relationship to your body includes what your mind is doing.

• Why it matters: Exercise alone doesn’t equate to mental health; programs that integrate both are rare and necessary.
• Who it’s for: People looking for movement that acknowledges the emotional heft of life.
• Price: Subscription with trials.

It’s deliberately anti-hyperbolic and helpful for when you want movement that isn’t a performance.

Best Nutrition/Supplement — Transparent Labs Lean Series

Transparent Labs wins for clarity. They publish ingredient amounts, avoid proprietary blends, and focus on evidence-backed supplements that complement training.

• Why it matters: You deserve to know what you’re ingesting and why.
• Who it’s for: People who want supplements that are straightforward and effective.
• Price: Mid-range.

Supplements aren’t mandatory, but when you commit, don’t let marketing fog your judgment.

What these winners say about fitness in 2025

You’re seeing a pattern: the best products treat you like a person, not a KPI. They offer nuance, respect your time, and provide options for different bodies and budgets. In a world where fitness can feel performative, these winners prioritize practical support over spectacle.

• Human support matters. The coaching models that work are relational.
• Accessibility still matters. Budget options and inclusive sizing were not afterthoughts.
• Data is a tool, not a verdict. Wearables that help you rest are as valuable as those that push you harder.
• Sustainable and transparent brands are not niche anymore; they’re expected.

How to pick what’s right for you

You’re not obligated to follow a trend; you’re obligated to choose what moves you forward. Here’s a short checklist to help:

• What is your primary goal? (Strength, endurance, mobility, mental health)
• How much time can you sustainably commit per week?
• What’s your budget for initial and ongoing costs?
• How important is convenience vs. specialized performance?
• Do you need inclusive sizing, postpartum adjustments, or accessibility features?

Answer these, and you’ll narrow the list quickly.

Budgeting for fitness that lasts

Fitness purchases are often front-loaded: you buy gear, then stop using it. Consider cost-per-use before you spend. A $200 subscription that keeps you moving three times a week for a year becomes cheap. A $1,000 treadmill that sits in storage is not.

• Prioritize durability and support you’ll actually use.
• Use trials whenever possible.
• Consider secondhand markets for equipment and footwear to cut costs and waste.

You’ll learn quickly what’s a good investment by tracking whether you actually show up.

Safety and privacy considerations

Your devices collect data. Heart rate, sleep, location — it’s all valuable. You should ask: who owns this data? How long is it stored? Can you delete it? If you’re using a platform or app, check privacy policies and opt-out options.

On the safety side, remember that online instructors can’t see you perfectly. If you have chronic conditions or are returning from injury, consult a clinician before starting intense regimens.

Small habits that compound

You don’t need perfection. You need consistent action. Try to:

• Move daily, even if for ten minutes.
• Sleep intentionally; it’s non-negotiable.
• Prioritize protein and vegetables in basic meals.
• Use recovery tools after heavy sessions.
• Keep a record of workouts so you can measure real progress.

These small acts reduce the need for extreme solutions.

Final notes on marketing and the fitness industry

You’ll notice brands pushing “transformations” with dramatic before-and-afters and breathless promises. Be skeptical. Real change is incremental and messy. The products above earned recognition because they’re honest about trade-offs and useful for a range of people. A bright ad doesn’t replace a well-designed program.

If you’re trying something new, allow yourself the space to fail. You don’t owe anyone a PR, a photo, or a streamlined Instagram story. Fitness should improve your life, not be another platform for comparison.

Closing thought

If you take anything from this list, let it be this: pick something that helps you show up. Whether that’s a human coach who texts you insults that actually motivate, a shoe that makes your runs joyful again, or a sustainable pair of leggings that fit well, choose tools that reduce friction. Fitness should be a means to a more livable, more generous life — not a punishment.

You’re already doing the important work when you prioritize movement, rest, and honest tools. Use these winners as a map, not a mandate.

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihAFBVV95cUxPT21MV254MDBCREJIYS1aZ3ptek5nUEpYVXdYbDlOTFA3bnBqbXRYeUx3LXdkOGNma3pEdzNHRDMxZW5MNUF6Y1hIRzR4R1hKaEIzNXB6dUhLQ1hLN1dKR1kwV3RPM3FvSGxpbHJ1cGNPUXBJMjNpSUNGMXFzek1lTzVjd2g?oc=5