Best New Independent Gym
Soho Strength Lab
Filled with kettlebells, ropes, sleds, and iron, the NYC gym of MH Next Top Trainer Andy Speer has the tools you need to muscle up.
Or order The Anarchy Workout to train with him at home. $30, theanarchyworkout.com
Best Big-Box Gym
Equinox
For the second year in a row, Equinox impresses (and crushes its competitors) with a combination of cutting-edge facilities, comprehensive fitness options, and a commitment to staying on top of the latest tech and trends.
Case in point: In 2014, it became the first fitness chain to partner with Apple, using the tech giant's HealthKit to power its own fully loaded smartphone app.
With the ability to pull information from wearable devices and other smartphone apps, the Equinox app can help members do everything from track their workouts to reserve a spot in their favorite class. equinox.com
Hottest Female In Fitness
Rita Benavidez
She can deadlift 300 pounds, squat 255, clean and jerk 205, and fire off 30 pullups in a row. What did you do in the gym today?
This 5'5", 130-pound CrossFit athlete and trainer is strong enough to put most guys to shame--and hot enough for them not to care.
Indeed, Benavidez's Instagram page provides plenty of inspiration for you to hit the gym and work up a sweat (or just skip right to the cold shower). Follow her: @wittlespoon.
Best Workout Scene
American Sniper
Unlike the film's baby, this part was for real: Bradley Cooper dead-lifts 425 pounds from blocks using a hex bar. That's 74 pounds more than an intermediate lifter should be able to do.
(Read more about how Bradley Cooper Gained 40 Pounds of Muscle for American Sniper.)
Best Cardio Machine
Peloton Bike
If you like the burn of a spin workout but feel awkward in a class full of women, this bike is for you. A 21 1/2-inch screen streams live classes with expert instructors, including pro cyclists, to your home.
Can't fit a live class into your schedule? Choose one from a prerecorded library or head "outdoors" on a virtual ride. $1,995, pelotoncycle.com
Best Twitter Feeds
Follow These Leaders
Expert training and nutrition advice delivered in 140 characters or less.
@BodyForWife
Journalist James Fell hunts big game in the fitness world, with targets ranging from the Biggest Loser to militant paleo dieters.
Fell's goal: to expose the b.s. that's holding you back.
@joedowdellnyc
Trainer, gym owner, and Manhattan restaurateur Joe Dowdell, C.S.C.S., dispenses training tips and nutrition advice that can put anyone on the fast track to a leaner, stronger body.
@whsource
You know a Twitter feed is worth following if researchers use it to stay current. Stephan Guyenet, Ph.D., tweets links to health, nutrition, and weight-loss studies before anyone else.
Smartest Fitness Watch
Apple Watch Sport
Monitor your heart rate, track calories, make calls, access email, check weather--this watch does it all.
The sport version has a lighter aluminum case and a more durable Ion-X glass display. Starting at $349, apple.com
Best Weight-Loss Trend
Betting On Yourself
The surging popularity of sites like dietbet.com, which lets you wager on hitting your fitness goals, proves that money motivates.
Rather not bet with strangers? Order Men's Health Workout War to do your own thing. $27, MensHealthWorkoutWar.com/mh
Best Transformation
Chris Pratt
Pratt dropped 60 pounds to play Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy, transforming himself from the lovable lump in Parks and Recreation to a certified action hero. (There's a reason we picked him as one of our Most Ripped Action Stars of All Time.)
Up next: lead roles in Jurassic World and (so the rumor goes) the fifth Indiana Jones film.
Strength Trend Of 2015
Body-Weight Training
When the American College of Sports Medicine asked 3,400 health and fitness pros to pick this year's top trends, body-weight training came out on top.
Why? Because the ability to work out anywhere can be more valuable than a gym membership.
(Related: Build Serious Upper-Body Muscle without a Gym.)
Best Fitness Podcasts
Tune In, Muscleup
These three audio programs can help make you stronger, fitter, and leaner.
The FitCast
Who says exercise can't be entertaining? Host Kevin Larrabee, C.S.C.S., interviews the leading minds in fitness, with digressions into beer and video games. thefitcast.com
Barbell Shrugged
Although it sticks close to its CrossFit roots, this weekly podcast offers valuable advice for anyone trying to build muscle and become more athletic. daily.barbellshrugged.com
Evil Sugar Radio
Covering everything from supplement scandals to New Year goal setting, this weekly health and nutrition show helps listeners live lean and strong. evilsugarradio.com
Most Popular Workout
Insanity
People are crazy for Shaun T's high-intensity DVD training programs.
According to Google's annual Year in Search report, Insanity was its most searched workout in 2014.
Runner-up: T25, also from Shaun T. To order his latest DVD, Insanity Max30, go to MensHealth.com/max30.
Cardio Trend Of 2015
Single-Mode Sweatshops
Curated playlists. Expert instructors. No iron.
The rise of spin gyms like SoulCycle and Flywheel has inspired a new generation of cardio studios focused on single machines: Rower (RowZone), treadmill (Mile High Run Club), and VersaClimber (Rise Nation).
(Related: The Best Cardio Workout for People Who Hate Cardio.)
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