GQ Fitness Awards: The 46 Top Fitness Products of 2025#

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Welcome, fellow fitness freaks, to this year's installment of the GQ Fitness Awards. All year long, GQ staffers have been getting their calloused hands and blistered feet on and in the latest and greatest in performance apparel, gym equipment, running shoes, and recovery devices. The best of the best made it onto this list, including some dank recovery cream, the best damn sleep tech you'd want to catch some Z's on, supplements galore, and so much more. Whether you’re a run club regular, home gym warrior, ClassPass king, or squat rack diehard, this gear is bound to help you crush your goals—or inspire your next pursuit. Without further ado, allow us to present the 2025 GQ Fitness Awards.

The Best Apparel and Accessories#

The Best Workout Tee: Y'IWO Big Boy Club Cropped Tee

Y'IWO

Big Boy Club Cropped Tee#

Oh, you work out? Do you really? Yeah, I Work Out, affectionately referred to as “Y’IWO,” is bringing back the aesthetics of ‘80s bodybuilding attire, ditching the stretchy, technical fabrics of the fitness apparel from the now for a return to 100% cotton construction, shorter shorts, and cropped tops. Yes, we’re going back to crop tops, and it’s for improved airflow, unrestricted mobility, and, because we’re all a little vain in the gym, to show off those gains with abandon.

The Best Workout Tank: Beyond Yoga Featherweight Freeflo Men's Muscle Tank 2.0

Beyond Yoga

Featherweight Freeflo Men's Muscle Tank 2.0#

While we don’t necessarily think you need to be getting a sweat on in technical materials for a proper workout, we’d be remiss not to throw some love for Beyond Yoga’s arm-loving Freeflo muscle tank: a lightweight, stretchy, barely there top for when arm day is going to be particularly vascular.

The Best Long-Sleeve Tee: Jacques Natural-Tec Long Sleeve

Jacques

Natural-Tec Long Sleeve#

Find the cheapest T-shirt you have, and go lift something. That’s our motto for a good gym day. However, for a top that’ll withstand a brutal sweat sesh yet somehow flex your fashion bonafides, Jaques manages to be the brand for someone who’d like to casually go from The Row at work to another quiet luxury retailer that can manage to take a beating. Made mostly from Tencel, the Natural-Tec long-sleeve tee offers cooling abilities, antibacterial properties, and a waterproofing to a top could arguably do more heavy lifting than you.

The Best Sports Sunglasses: Cubbits x Soar Running Cirrus

Cubbits

Soar Running x Cubbits Cirrus#

When up-and-coming running apparel brand Soar teamed up with British-based eyewear retailer Cubbits, we nearly tripped over the finish line to see what they had cooking up. The result is the Cirrus, an ultralight pair of titanium-constructed sunglasses that feature a custom RiPel Zeiss shield lens for fighting UV rays and random dust and debris while you’re clocking a 7-minute mile. Did you see us wearing these with our regular going-out clothes? You bet—and it was a dashing outfit.

The Best Workout Socks: Courier LoFi Socks

Courier

LoFi Socks#

Runners know that the socks are maybe the most important of their kit, but it took until recently for a brand to make a pair of feet huggers that actually hold up to hitting the pavement (or treadmill belt). Courier’s LoFi, the alternative to the brand’s HiFi socks, bring plush support to the dogs, offering zoned cushioning to tailor the comfort from the forefront to the heel. If you don’t clock a new PR during your first ride with these, well, maybe you’re the problem. (Kidding.)

The Best Workout Underwear: Ten Thousand A—L Boxer

Ten Thousand

A—L Boxer,#

Do you consider your underwear when you’re working out? You might be immune to swamp ass, and for that, we will forever envy you. From the strong, fit folks at Ten Thousand come the A—L Boxer, a pair of undies that tow the line between boxer briefs and compression liners, that just might be the best spotter for your down-there junk. Oh, and they’re odor-free, because no one wants a blast of stink when you’re mid-hip hinge.

The Best Running Shorts: Satisfy Justice 2.5" Distance Shorts

Satisfy

Justice™ 2.5" Distance Shorts#

As hard as the Parisian running rebels at Satisfy work to maintain the label’s off-beat aura, the gear is approaching a level of technical mastery that might soon make it damn near impossible to keep runners of all stripes from buying up the brand’s increasingly scarce inventory. These ultra-lightweight running shorts from Satisfy’s Fall 25 collection represent the summit of thoughtful design. The double waistband offers a convenient way to stash drawstrings, as well as a hidden sweatproof phone pocket and the perfect hideaway for a small set of keys that can be secured with the integrated S-carabiner. Additionally, two external pockets allow for comfortable storage and easy access to up to six gels. But the defining feature is Satisfy’s proprietary Justice performance fabric—super-stretchy and equally resilient—that’s used in both the liner and shell.

The Best Gym Shorts: Nike Project F.R.O.G. Woven Shorts

Nike

Project F.R.O.G. Woven Shorts#

Backstreet is back, and so is the iconic late-nineties style that defined the turn of the millennium. With Project F.R.O.G. (Future Retro Original Garments), Nike hit us with a potent dose of high-contrast Y2K nostalgia with a collection featuring throwback-themed sweatsuits, tech-fleece hoodies, workout shorts, and tees complete with sleeves of the oversized and zip-off variety. But these pieces aren’t your average retro re-releases. Infused with high-performance details like breathable mesh paneling, quick-adjust bungee waistband, and a roomy cut for unrestricted range of motion, these heavyweight above-the-knee gym shorts are future-proofed for the toughest of workouts—and even tougher fits outside the gym.

The Best Hoodie: Everybody.World Trash Hoodie

Everybody.World

Trash Hoodie#

This isn’t the first time we’ve piled praise on Everybody.World’s hyper-sustainable approach to producing premium garments. The brand’s versatile Trash Tee is among our favorite white T-shirts—and, like this hoodie, is as adept at helping you layer a killer fit as it is comfortable setting up beneath a loaded barbell. To address the not-so-obvious: No, this hoodie—and the brand’s broader Trash collection—is not made of gum wrappers and banana peels, but rather manufacturing waste (as in, almost a million pounds of landfill-bound cotton) spun into biodegradable fabrics that feel as good to wear as they do to buy. Moreover, not to, ahem, trash the competition, but this hoodie also happens to be the one we’re reaching for when it’s time to hit a workout. Absent of annoying hood drawcords and complete with a kangaroo pocket for brooding between heavy sets, it just feels right, in more ways than one.

The Best Compression Shorts: 2XU Lightspeed Compression Shorts

2XU

Lightspeed Compression Shorts#

In our experience, compression shorts often end up being suffocatingly tight or mostly performative without adding any real functional value. Obviously, we’re all for looking sharp during workouts, but the right compression shorts can actually make a real impact on your performance by way of reconfiguring how your muscles deal with impact and even fatigue. This pair from compression category frontrunner 2XU are the perfect balance of comfort and support. Taking a graduated approach to compression (rather than uniform tightness throughout—the hallmark of a cheap also-ran), these shorts trace the topography of your quads to dissipate muscle strain while running and even help lighten the load on your knees. While designed primarily for running, the flatlock seams and 360-degree stretch make them ideal for leg day, too.

The Best Waterproof Running Jacket: District Visoin 3-Layer Waterproof Shell

District Vision

3-Layer Waterproof Shell#

The key to designing the perfect waterproof running jacket, much like putting the finishing touches on a piece of art, is knowing when to stop tinkering. With this lightweight, weatherproof jacket, District Vision kept their eye on the prize, maximizing its resistance to the elements while minimizing just about everything else. The three-layer membrane offers the ultimate protection from moisture of all kinds, from low-hanging mist to sideways rain, and the adjustable brimmed storm hood offers extra protection when conditions get particularly gnarly. Even the thoughtful placement of the hand pockets is conducive to keeping precipitation out, complete with waterproof zippers for ultimate peace of mind. Crucially, the jacket doesn’t turn into a sauna blanket the moment a droplet of sweat forms on your skin—a feat made all the more impressive given this sharp-looking shell’s resistance to abrasion from wayward tree branches out on the trail.

The Best Tennis Shirt: Nike NikeCourt Slam Dri-FIT ADV Tennis Tank Top

Nike

NikeCourt Slam Dri-FIT ADV Tennis Tank Top#

It seems like every time Carlos Alcaraz lifts another trophy, we find ourselves wondering what sleeves are good for, anyway. But until we can come up with a good enough reason to drape excess fabric over our deltoids, we’ll be stepping onto the clay with the NikeCourt Slam. An updated take on Nike’s original Slam tank—featuring a bold chevron design on the torso accompanied by silky ribbing throughout the shirt’s breezy construction—the NikeCourt Slam serves up supreme breathability and uninhibited range of motion. It’s equal parts class and menace, and available in a striking mint foam hue that pops on any surface.

The Best Waterproof Hoodie: Ten Thousand Tactical Waterproof Hoodie

Ten Thousand

Tactical Waterproof Hoodie#

Neither snow nor rain nor inclement weather may prevent you from getting these gains. If that’s your motto for “getting after it,” then Ten Thousand’s fully waterproof hoodie will help you get out there without getting wet in there. Its fleece interior keeps you warm and cozy, and the “OdorBlock” treatment will prevent any fear of having that wet dog smell in case you’re a over-sweater like some of us.

The Best Lightweight Golf Shirt: Lululemon Mockneck Golf Shirt

Lululemon

Mockneck Lightweight Golf Shirt#

Please enter the Lululemon golf shop, a curated selection of tee time-ready apparel that might not guarantee you a hole in one, but will surely have you looking like a pro. Its mockneck design lets you eschew the typical collared top without losing style points, and the UV protection keeps your skin safe despite the sun’s harmful rays.

The Best Tech Tee: Vuori Strato Tech Tee

Vuori

Strato Tech Tee#

Tech fabrics, for better or worse, may never go out of style. Vuori’s Strato tee is one of our favorites, made from a four-way stretchy fabric that’s as good for working out as it is for lazing around the couch catching up on British Netflix dramas. And the fact that it’s available in every color of the rainbow makes it easy to keep one in rotation for weeks on end.

The Best Joggers: Reigning Champ Stretch Warp Knit Coach's Standard Jogger

Reigning Champ

Stretch Warp Knit Coach's Standard Jogger#

Reigning Champ’s Coach’s Slim Pant is one of our favorite examples of versatile trousers that can pretty much do it all, transitioning seamlessly (and stealthily) from office to golf course and back again. With the Coach’s Standard Jogger, Reigning Champ presents an outwardly sportier option, swapping out the pant’s zippered fly and belt loops for a woven drawcord and gathered cuffs. It’s the perfect pair of joggers to wear to and from the gym, with a paneled construction and sharp tailoring that says, “I have other, more important things to do today.” And no matter how brutal your workout, there’s no need to sweat the prospect of perspiration showing up on these; the fast-drying fabric is quick to dispatch any moisture it comes into contact with.

The Best Workout Shoes#

The Best Gym Trainer: Nike Metcon 10

Nike

Metcon 10#

Whenever Nike releases a new iteration of its Metcons, we know it’s worth the upgrade. The 10 brings the model to peak form, combining stability, durability, and comfort to a pair of do-everything shit kickers. The Hyperlift plate does almost as much work as you do when you’re going after a heavy lift, while added reinforcement along high-touch points of the shoe ensure that you won’t need to buy the next level of Metcons, rather you’ll want to.

The Best Road Running Shoes: Asics Novablast 5

Asics

Novablast 5#

New and advanced runners alike can’t get enough of the Asics Novablast 5 running shoe, beloved for its plush cushioning to help not only with recovery runs but also provide just enough oomph to propel you toward the end of your run with a jolt. The lightweight and breathable upper keep your dogs dry, and though we wouldn’t say they’re the best shoes for the gym, you won’t fall on your ass if they’re your last resort for doing a squat.

The Best Lifting Shoe: TRY L-2 Lifters

TYR

L-2 Lifters#

Senior commerce editor Ian Burke has been lifting in TYR’s L-2 Lifters for a few months now, and loves them. They don’t look that different from the L-1s, which we’ve sung the praises about at length, but they’re a little more streamlined with a lot more going on than meets the eye. The new finger loop pull-tab in the back makes it way easier to get on than the previous iterations—no foot-gnashing necessary—and the higher-quality strap and upper material makes a big difference in feeling locked-in while squatting. The toe box is still wide (the biggest selling point of the shoe) but now comes with a protective toe guard, which is a nice touch, especially if you’ve ever had the misfortune of dropping a plate on your foot.

The Best Trail Running Shoes: Hoka Mafate 5

Hoka

Mafate 5#

It’s pretty much unheard of for a running shoe, trail or otherwise, to be equally suited to beginners and elite athletes alike. And yet, Hoka has just gone and done it. The biggest trail shoe release of the season, the Mafate 5 is the latest installment in the brand’s oldest bloodline. (The Mafate was Hoka’s first shoe ever.) While running shoes tend to improve incrementally with each new release, Hoka took a huge swing with the new Mafate, and it paid off. By flipping the shoe’s dual-density midsole and putting the softer foam nearest the ground, the Mafate 5 absorbs the inconsistencies of uneven terrain to create a supremely smooth ride—perfect for fledgling trail runners finding their feet, and a godsend for seasoned ultrarunners looking to minimize variables when every step counts. And an integrated rocker integrity plate ensures the Mafate 5 will maintain its shape and fluid turnover over time, no matter who you are.

The Best Golf Shoe: Puma x Reigning Champ Palermo G

Reigning Champ

x Puma Palermo G#

We’d normally say something like, “This isn’t your dad’s golf shoe.” But, to be fair, we don’t know the guy, and he might be super chill—in which case, he might love these. Either way, this limited-edition release is the ultimate link-up (and that was the ultimate golf collaboration pun), infusing a modified version of Puma’s iconic Palermo terrace shoe with premium athletic elegance, courtesy of Reigning Champ. Thankfully, the designers responsible for this collaboration decided against spikes on the outsole, opting for something more akin to an indoor soccer shoe, giving these suede-heeled beauties a second life well beyond the fairway.

The Best Fitness Tech#

The Best Health Tracker: Oura Ring 4

Oura

Oura Ring#

We can remember when the most sought-after fitness tracker on the market was good for counting steps and, on a good day, providing a half-decent estimate of total calories burned. Obviously, things have progressed at light speed since then, but even more impressive than the years-long arc of this booming category is the amount of ground that Oura has been able to cover just since its last release. Without sacrificing any of the features that put the iconic smart jewelry on the market—including best-in-class sleep tracking—the recessed sensors embedded in Oura Ring 4’s fully titanium body are now not only virtually imperceptible, but powered by smarter technology that dynamically switches between signal paths to optimize the consistency, and therefore accuracy, of your data. This latest model also adds a full extra day of battery life, and a wider range of sizes makes Oura Ring 4 accessible to more people than ever.

The Best Prescription Sports Sunglasses: Meta x Oakley HSTN Performance Glasses

Meta

x Oakley HSTN Performance Glasses#

While some may have been blessed with athletic prowess, 20/20 vision may elude them still. Oakley’s the brand that’s behind some of the best prescription sport sunglasses, and coupled with Meta, you get a pair of do-almost-anything frames that put in more work than you possibly could. Film footage, listen to music, and get real-time AI-powered information all without lifting a finger—especially if your hands are busy doing the real work.

The Best Running Watch: Suunto Run

Suunto

Suunto Run#

In an age where you can buy movie tickets, call an Uber to the theater, and scroll through a Rotten Tomatoes review on your way there all from your wrist, we’ve recently found ourselves yearning for a more minimal smartwatch experience, particularly when it’s time to head out for a head-clearing run. The Suunto Run is not the most advanced running watch out there, but that’s precisely why we love it. Sure, you can turn on call or text notifications, but don’t expect to be able to pick up or text back—so you may as well just go ahead and turn those off. This watch is for getting lost in a flow state without, well, getting lost. In fact, at just 35 grams, it barely even exists—and yet, it’s loaded with best-in-class running features like dual-band GPS, interval coaching, and heart rate-based recovery tracking. And with well over a week of battery life—including runs—it’s about as low-maintenance as they come.

The Best All-in-One Gym: Tonal 2

Tonal

Tonal 2#

The highly anticipated sequel to Tonal’s blockbuster smart home gym is everything we’d hoped for, complete with the latest in computer vision technology (to spot opportunities to improve your form and nuanced lifting modes to replicate the kinds of classic techniques (like drop sets) that, until now, would only be possible in a traditional weight room. Tonal has also gone ahead and increased the maximum weight for all 240 of its available exercises to a knee-shaking 250 pounds, just in case anyone out there still thinks smart home gyms can’t go as hard as an old-fashioned barbell. And if heavy iron isn’t your thing, Tonal’s deep library of follow-along workouts—displayed on its crisp, 24-inch interactive touchscreen—includes everything from mobility sessions to sport-specific conditioning for boxing, golf, and more.

The Best Workout Headphones: Apple Airpods Pro 3

Apple

Airpods Pro 3#

With Apple’s latest batch of boundary-pushing tech, the brand is pushing even further into the fitness space—and no product embodies this more than the new AirPods Pro 3. The first AirPods to include integrated heart-rate sensors, the iconically bold buds allow you to track your HR and calories burned during workouts, removing the need for a dedicated HR monitor. To take things a step further, you can enable Apple’s new AI-powered Workout Buddy feature, which uses these real-time metrics, combined with your previous workout data, to provide you with generative voice-based motivation and situation-specific insights to power you through tough sessions—no matter how sweaty, thanks to the buds new IP57 water resistance rating. As expected, sound quality gets a noticeable bump as well, along with 33 percent better battery life and double the active noise-cancelling power of the previous ’Pods.

The Best Cable Trainer: Beyond Power Voltra

Beyond Power

Voltra#

Home gym trend predictions can be tough—but if we had to bet, we think we’re going to be seeing a lot more garage and basement fitness setups incorporating Beyond Power’s VOLTRA in the next few years. While the price is pretty steep, you’re essentially getting a functional trainer (with variable resistance capability) that you can mount onto your power rack. In fact, some of the biggest IYKYK names in the home gym space are lauding the use cases for this thing—others are literally making attachments for it—and if you win over the most seasoned of home gym nerds, you know you’re doing something right.

The Best Recovery Gear#

The Best Massage Gun: Therabody Theragun PRO

Therabody

Theragun PRO#

There are massage guns, and then there are Theraguns. The name of the game when it comes to handheld massagers, the TheraGun PRO still reigns supreme in its fifth generation. Blasting away soreness has never been easier, more effective, or higher tech than this. There are four pre-loaded massage routines (Sleep, Warm Up, Recovery and Theragun Break) that you can choose from using the LED screen, or you can just let it rip using one of the six included attachments. One of our editors has been Theragunning his sore muscles for years, and swears by the power of percussive recovery.

The Best Heated Massage Device: Hyperice Venom 2 Back

Hyperice

Venom 2 Back#

If you’ve ever been sidelined by a lower-back injury resulting from an ambitious deadlift attempt (or perhaps, if you’re over 30, something less heroic like unpacking the dishwasher), you probably know the frustration of being temporarily benched from doing the activities you love. The original Hyperice Venom Back was a total game changer, with three heat settings and just as many vibration patterns combining to melt away tension and soothe stressed-out muscles. Thankfully, for this latest iteration, Hyperice mostly followed the if-it-ain’t-broke-don’t-fix-it playbook, delivering all the functionality of the original, but with a surface area twice as large. If we had any gripe with the first model, it would have been the clunky, prototype-esque user interface—now a moot point thanks to the Venom 2 Back’s refined, more intuitive console.

The Best Cold Therapy Device: Hyrdagun Supertub

Hydragun

Supertub#

There’s a reason why we don’t really call them “ice baths” anymore. Gone are the days of needing to stop at the gas station on your way home to pick up eight bags of ice, just to freeze your ass off in a steel trough for three to five minutes. The latest and greatest cold plunges now come with fast-acting chiller units that control the water temperature, allowing you to hop in whenever the urge strikes (and before you can psych yourself out). And the best of the best, like this compact tub from Hydragun, include a built-in filtration system, saving you the hassle of having to drain and refill the water every few days. That means you can even use it indoors—something that was virtually impossible before. We love the rounded design of this tub, which lets you rest your head comfortably on the edge, and the height is just right for easily stepping in and out. Oh, and did we mention you can get the temperature down to 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit? We get chills just thinking about it.

The Best Pain Relief Salve: Papa & Barkley 1:3 Releaf Balm

Papa & Barkley

3:1 Releaf Balm#

Papa & Barkley

1:3 Releaf Balm#

GQ's wellness director Alyssa Bereznak says that, “A career’s-worth of sitting at my desk has made me susceptible to an especially achy neck and back. It’s nothing that a little bit of yoga can’t address. But when I find myself in a pinch—that is one of the particularly painful nerve variety—I whip out Papa & Barkley’s 1:3 Releaf Balm. That 1:3 is the ratio of THC to CBD in the salve, which makes for an especially potent form of topical pain relief, (one that thankfully does not get you high). It also contains a weed-green mixture of eucalyptus, tea treat, peppermint, and lavender oils. For the eight years or so that I’ve been using it, I’m never not amazed at how instantly it can quell a throbbing shoulder. It makes me eternally grateful that I live in a state where weed is legal. (But if you don’t, there’s always the effective, but slightly weaker 3:1 Releaf Balm.)”

The Best Sleep Recovery System: Eight Sleep Pod 5 Ultra

Eight Sleep

Pod 5 Ultra#

When it comes to optimizing the way we sleep, Eight Sleep has been in a league of its own for quite some time now. So it should come as no surprise to see the brand coming out on top of this category with the new Pod 5 Ultra, which expands Eight Sleep’s innovative product suite to include a self-adjusting base that manipulates the angle of your mattress to reduce back pressure and mitigate snoring. As if that weren’t enough, the base also features an integrated speaker to play soothing soundscapes, white noise, and even guided meditations. But for many, the biggest selling point will still be Eight Sleep’s temperature-regulating mattress cover, which uses integrated sensors to track relevant vitals—including temperature, heart rate, and even heart-rate variability—to meticulously manage your sleep and recovery.

The Best Neck Tension Reliever: Restcloud Neck and Shoulder Relaxer

RESTCLOUD

Neck and Shoulder Relaxer#

Bereznak explains that, “Too much of modern living requires craning your neck forward and down to fix your face on a screen, which, over time, can lead to a neanderthal-like slouch and, as you are probably already know, neck pain. I’ve begun to treat this fact of life with a foam neck stretcher called the Restcloud. It’s essentially a soft little pedestal for your neck that allows you to stretch it backward, and correct your spine’s alignment. While I have no idea if it’s doing the latter, I can tell you it’s a great excuse to treat yourself to a 10-minute shavasana on your living room floor at the end of the day, and since I bought it a few months ago, most of my ambient shoulder and neck soreness has disappeared.”

The Best Supplements#

The Best Creatine: Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate

Nutricost

Creatine Monohydrate#

As long as you’re buying from a reputable brand, when it comes to creatine—one of the most-studied and efficacious sports supplements of all time—you only need to look for a few things: ingredients, dose, taste, and price. Creatine monohydrate is the name of the game, and you want about five grams (5000mg) per day, though new studies are popping up all the time suggesting that higher doses might be the move for cognitive benefits. Nutricost creatine checks the first two boxes, and does so on a budget and with a slate of tasty(ish) flavors that do a pretty decent job of helping you choke down the chalky powder. Our in-house meathead Ian Burke tests a ton of creatine, and Nutricost is his all-time fave.

The Best Protein Powder: RAW Nutrition Whey Isolate

RAW Nutrition

Whey Isolate#

We test a lot of protein powder here at GQ, and we’ve choked down our share of chalky, clumpy, and generally not-so-great formulas. Rest assured, RAW Nutrition’s Isolate Protein is none of those things. Easy-mixing, gentle on the stomach, and delicious enough to convert one of our resident dyed-in-the-wool chocolate haters (insane, we know), this stuff is the real deal. Plus, it’s Informed Sport certified for athletes and made with grass-fed, micro-filtered whey protein isolate.

The Best Nutrition Innovation: IM8

IM8

Essentials#

IM8—or what we dubbed “The Best Greens Powder That Isn’t Green”—made waves when it launched with David Beckham as the company’s spokesperson. The welcoming shade of red is the first big difference between it and other “essentials” powders. The second is the flavor. This stuff tastes good—and not just “good for a supplement,” either. The Daily Ultimate Essentials blend was developed in conjunction with Oxford University and The Mayo clinic, has NSF certification, and is packed with (deep breath) 92 nutrient-rich ingredients, greens, clinical doses of CoQ10 for heart health, B vitamins, and MSM for joints and muscle.

The Best Hydration Powder: Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier

Liquid IV

Hydration Multiplier#

Another year, another award for the GOAT of hydration supplements, Liquid IV. The brand’s Hydration Multiplier has quickly become the gold standard for getting your electrolytes in, and whether you’re using them for post-gym nutrition or post-night-out recovery, the grip of high-quality flavors, balanced electrolyte profile, and portable package are all best in class. One GQ staffer and former college wrestler swears by this stuff for rehydrating, saying it’s even better than Pedialyte—a bold statement, but we stand by it.

The Best Pre-Workout Supplement: Transparent Labs BULK Black

Transparent Labs

BULK Black#

Pre-workout is a divisive category, since a “good” formula is different for everyone. Generally, though, you’re looking for something that helps with pump and energy. We chose Transparent Bulk Black as our winner this year for its range of flavors, ingredients list, and extensive third-party testing. With eight different flavor options and hefty doses of citrulline malate, beta alanine, and betaine, the pumps and fatigue resistance you get from this stuff are nuts. Not only that, but the 325mg of caffeine—the equivalent of around four cups of coffee or a little over two white Monsters—gives you a boatload of energy to power you through even your toughest workouts. (Or at least talk the ears off your fellow gym rats.)

The Best Home Gym Equipment#

The Best Adjustable Dumbbells: NÜOBELLs

SMRTFT

NÜOBELL 80lb Matte Black#

If all you had in your home gym were an adjustable bench and a pair of these NÜOBELLs, you’d be in pretty good shape. You can do pretty much everything you need to get jacked and stacked with a rack of dumbbells, but that’s the issue: For home gym owners, buying and storing an entire wall of weights isn’t usually practical—or possible. That’s why adjustable dumbbells are so handy. They pack 16 pairs of dumbbells into the space of a single 80-pound pair, and the quality is top-tier. With a twist-and-go adjustment system, knurled steel handles, and a quiet, low-tolerance construction, the NÜOBELLs are a must-have for any home gym, no matter how much space you’ve got.

The Best Abs Workout: Vinsguir Ab Roller Wheel

VINSGUIR

Ab Roller Wheel#

Before you write this off as some sort of gimmick, allow me to make the case for the humble ab wheel. You’re not wrong for having a discerning eye and a healthy level of suspicion when it comes to ab training gadgets, but the ab wheel—we assure you—is not a “buy it, use it once, leave it in the basement forever” situation. Any seasoned gym bro or old-school strength and conditioning coach will tell you that if you’re using a regular ol’ ab wheel like the one we’ve linked here (which has a nearly perfect Amazon rating) and not one of the bastardized models with automatic rebound, you’re in for a world of abdominal soreness and pain you’ve probably never experienced. You can do a ton of different ab wheel variations to match your strength levels, too, so it’s great for everyone, whether you’re just starting out on your fitness journey or you’re an iron veteran.

The Best Rucking Carrier: GORUCK Rucker 4

GORUCK

Rucker 4#

The weather is finally cooling off a bit, and for any ruck-curious folks out there, now’s a great time to give rucking—or walking for distance while carrying some kind of weight—a try. Our pick for the best in class this year is the Rucker 4.0, for its versatility, special features, and range of sizes and colorways. Complete with a space for a water bladder for on-the-go hydration, and the functionality of an actual backpack (a.k.a. not just a weighted vest or plate carrier) for schlepping your gear, this piece of equipment is all you need to get a brutal sweat in no matter where you are.

The Best Kettlebell: Rogue Fitness Kettlebells

Rogue

Kettlebell#

We’re not going to tell you that you need to use kettlebells to get jacked and stacked—however, they’re certainly super helpful in that pursuit. Rogue is the best of the best when it comes to home gym equipment (and a lot of commercial gym equipment, too), and their kettlebells are no exception. Made with ductile iron—some of the strongest and most durable you can get—we can pretty much guarantee that under normal use, these kettlebells will outlive any lifter that uses them. Literal strength heirlooms in the making!

The Best Rowing Machine: Hydrow Arc Rower

Hydrow

Arc Rower#

Few exercises are as good for blasting your whole body and cardiovascular system as rowing, and when it comes to rowing machines, we’ve given Hydrow enough of their flowers. But the new Arc has us giving them another hurrah for the implementation of HydroMetrics, a new way to gamify working out that just might persuade to get after it day after day after day. This new technology lets users track how strong they’re getting the more often they use the Arc rower, the machine offers real-time feedback that’s as close to having a personal trainer by your side, minus the self-conscious feeling that may come with it.

The Best Tennis Racket: Yonex Ezone 98

Yonex

Ezone 98#

The current racquet of choice for professional thwackers Ben Shelton and Madison Keys, the 2025 edition of Yonex’s storied Ezone 98 model doesn’t require much of an introduction. But, whether you’re vying for the US Open title, picking up a racquet for the first time ever, or rejoining the ranks of tennis players in your area to banish those pesky pickleballers to whence they came, there’s actually no better all-around racquet for all levels. Most notably, it incorporates Yonex’s famous Isometric design, which the brand says increases the size of the racquet’s sweet spot by seven percent. And while we have no way of actually verifying that, the (near) absence of tennis balls floating in the Hudson river right now leads us to think it just might be true.

The Best Exercise Mat: Hercule Studio Archy Mat

Hercule Studio

Archy Mat#

If you can tell your tadasanas from your trikonasanas, you might be the exact yogi who’s been eyeing the Hercule Studio Archy, a luxury yoga mat that’ll have the rest of your class wondering why you aren’t the one leading the flows for everyone else. The PVC-free mat features a larger surface area than your typical fare, accommodating not only larger bodies but also allowing for more freedom of movement (given your wingspan won’t cause you to bump your colleagues). You already tapped into your daily lunch budget for your ClassPass account, so might as well dig a little deeper for a bougie yoga mat.

The Best Smart Treadmill: NordicTrack Ultra 1 Treadmill

NordicTrack

Ultra 1 Treadmill#

When it comes to treadmills, NordicTrack very may well be the first brand to come into mind. The latest from the brand is the Ultra 1, a smart treadmill that adapts itself to create the feeling of running in the actual terrain of wherever you may choose and with the assistance of a trainer, who can guide not only your running workout, but strength training, Pilates, or yoga. The machine itself is stylish, making you more likely to use it rather than transforming it into a pseudo clothing rack, making this quite possibly the only piece of home gym equipment that you need.

CONTRIBUTORS:

Ian Burke, Tyler Chin, Dean Stattmann, Alyssa Bereznak