Our favorite fitness technology: Powerblock dumbbells, Saucony sneakers and Yoga with Adriene

Keeping fit is difficult for many people, especially if you still avoid gyms (or have never been a fan). A year after many of us started staying at home, we are still looking for ways to stay fit and healthy.

We ask the staff of The Verge what they were using to stay in shape and healthy during the pandemic and got the following answers.

Fitness websites and videos

Yoga with Adriene

If you want to try yoga, I really recommend the 30-day challenges offered by Adriene Mishler’s YouTube channel, Yoga With Adriene. She is very welcoming and makes my wife and I, who are totally new to yoga, feel that we are doing a great job whenever we get to the mat. In addition, in later videos, his incredible dog, Benji, appears and moves. – Jay Peters, news writer

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305 Fitness

I have never been as sedentary in my life as I was last winter. If I had a tracker monitoring my conditioning / movement, the last few months would be a sad and low point on the chart … thanks, New York winter! Sometimes, when I gathered some energy, I would do a 305 aerobic dance video with the instructor, Sadie. Her energy made me smile and dance alone in my apartment made me laugh, which is an advantage at that time. The music is great and the 40 minutes go by quickly because you’re basically just dancing. – Alix Diaconis, director

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Walk Project

I have always enjoyed hiking and other outdoor activities, but the pandemic has made them all the more attractive – it is easy to maintain social distance when there are less than 20 people around and you have every side of a mountain to explore. The Hiking Project (and its counterparts and alternatives like MTB Project, AllTrails and Trailforks) was instrumental in helping me find new and longer hikes to do – and in preventing me from getting lost while doing them. I have also used the Guthook Guides app as an exercise in daydreaming. – Mitchell Clark, news writer

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Fitness equipment

Saris Fluid Indoor Bike Trainer

I wanted to do indoor bike exercises, but I don’t have room for an indoor bike, so I wanted to use a bike that I already have. My setup is Apple Fitness Plus and a Saris Fluid trainer – I have the original model, but there is a slightly updated model that comes with a smart sensor that can communicate with some smartphone apps. Apple Fitness Plus can’t read, but other indoor bike apps, like the Zwift or Garmin, can.

Saris is great because I don’t need to remove my wheel to use it, it’s not terribly noisy and it’s made in Wisconsin. If you are looking for something like this, my very strong advice is to buy it at a local bike store. I did, and they gave me great advice on compatibility with my bike, including directing me away from a more sophisticated and incompatible trainer and connecting me with a new axle from the Robert Axle project to make my bike work with the Saris. – Dieter Bohn, executive editor

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Exercpeutic vertical folding exercise bike

Although walking is a good way to do at least a few daily movements, it is very easy to shrug and let the thought go if the weather is wet, cold or just unpleasant. I decided that an exercise bike could help, but we don’t have much space in our small, crowded house. Finally, I decided on the Exerpeutic folding upright exercise bike. It’s not nearly as flashy as Peloton – it’s not “smart” – but now I can pedal in my living room while watching the streaming content on my TV, folding it and saving it until tomorrow. – Barbara Krasnoff, review editor

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The Stick Original Muscle Massager

An embarrassingly large part of my life before the pandemic was massages. Cycling and running in New York makes you sore! And apparently, sitting in my apartment also makes me sore, somehow. This hard foam roller is not a massage, but it is a great substitute and much cheaper as well. It is difficult, but flexible, which is very effective for working out. In addition, it is easy to use because of the handles, unlike traditional foam rollers that are just Styrofoam cylinders. – Alix Diaconis

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PowerBlock Sport 24 Adjustable Dumbbell

Although I missed all the machines at the gym, I knew I would never be able to put any of them in my apartment. However, the PowerBlock Sport adjustable dumbbells allow me to continue doing at least a certain amount of strength training, without taking up the enormous amount of space that a regular set of weights would occupy. Having access to weights is a lifesaver for me – I have found that the only reliable way to avoid repetitive strain injury is to row with dumbbells. The only downside is that I opted for the non-expandable version and, to not literally flex, after using them for a year I will probably need to update them – I am starting to use the heaviest configuration available. – Mitchell Clark

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Fitness footwear

Saucony Peregrine 11 trail runners

I invite you to click and look at these Trapper-Keeper-cu shoes. Seriously, just get their vibe. I spent a good part of the hiking pandemic – hell, I even started running – and these Saucony trail runners are very, very good. They have grip on uncertain terrain without being too heavy or rigid, so if I want to run on some dirt or go for a long walk, these are my tips. Obviously, the shoes that work best for you vary depending on your foot, your stride, and so on, but if you’re thinking about hiking, trail runners are lighter than hiking boots and generally more comfortable. In addition, you can use a genuinely shocking neon. – Liz Lopatto, assistant editor

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Cairn Pro II adventure sandals

If you want to go hiking and, like me, find hiking boots unbearably uncomfortable (especially in the summer), I can give the thumbs up to Bedrock Sandals as they are ultra-comfortable and durable walking shoes that will remain comfortable Even after crossing the river or five (and because it’s versatile enough to ride a bicycle and use to go to the beach or the supermarket). – Mitchell Clark