• Over 36 million Americans practice yoga  — a popular exercise that can have profound benefits to your mental and physical health. 
• Studies show yoga can improve flexibility, which in turn can help treat and prevent back pain.
• Yoga and meditation have also been shown to lower inflammation, which is linked to serious issues like cardiovascular disease and cancer.
• Studies also suggest it might reduce stress by interfering with your brain's ability to release stress hormones.

• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Over 36 million Americans practice yoga, which really can have profound health effects on your body and brain. Studies show yoga can improve flexibility, which in turn can prevent and treat back pain. It also lowers inflammation in the body, which has been linked to serious issues like cardiovascular disease, and like other forms of exercise, yoga may reduce stress.

Following is a transcript of the video.

Narrator: This year is the year that you start doing yoga, and I mean for real this time. You're going to join the 36 million-plus Americans who have taken up this beautiful practice, connecting yourself with a millennia-old tradition and helping you flush out those nasty toxins, or, you know, probably not.

Before you grab a mat, here's what yoga really does to your body and brain. First of all, yoga comes in many, many different styles, but generally speaking, it involves some amount of stretching and meditation. Now, despite what you may have read, there's no scientific evidence to support the idea that yoga will flush out toxins from your colon or anywhere else. But that doesn't mean these techniques can't help your body in many other ways.

Take back pain for instance. An estimated 80% of Americans will suffer from back pain at one point in their lives. But one study found that after just six to 12 yoga sessions, participants reported significantly less pain in their lower back. That's because certain yoga poses stretch out your hamstrings, which, when they're too tight, can yank on your hip flexors and strain your lower back. But the more you practice yoga, the more flexible your hamstrings get.

For example, in a 2015 study, women practiced a type of hatha yoga, which involves positions like downward dog and triangle pose. They practiced 90 minutes each week for around 16 weeks straight. And by the last week, they could reach four centimeters closer to their toes than before thanks to those loose hamstrings. Now, if you're also meditating during those yoga sessions, the flexibility might not be the only benefit. After seven to 16 weeks of meditative activities, participants in one study saw a huge drop in C-reactive proteins in their blood. Those proteins are linked to inflammation, which, when you're overly stressed, can kick into overdrive. And over time, that inflammation may contribute to serious illnesses like cardiovascular disease and cancer. That's where yoga's meditative qualities can help.

Researchers suspect that yoga may reduce stress by interfering with the central nervous system's ability to release stress hormones. Plus, studies show that meditation-focused types of yoga, like yoga asana, boost levels of feel-good hormones like oxytocin in the brain. Plus, yoga is an exercise, and exercise in and of itself is a stress reliever. In fact, the US Department of Health and Human Services recommends two and a half to five hours a week of light to moderate exercise.

That can include workouts like yoga, brisk walking, or swimming. And to be fair, any amount of regular exercise is most likely going to reduce anxiety, elevate mood, and improve sleep and self-esteem. So while yoga might have an edge in the flexibility department and mindfulness department, there are plenty of other activities you can try to get fit. But as long as it gets you moving and maybe gives you some new friends, why not give it a try?

EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published in March 2019.

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• Gyms, forced to temporarily close due to the coronavirus outbreak, could reopen soon in certain states that are lifting restrictions. 
• Gold's Gym CEO Adam Zeitsiff shared with Business Insider the company's plan to reopen locations in phases. 
• In the first phases of reopening, gyms won't be quite the same as before, with reduced capacity and floor markers to indicate the spacing needed for proper social distancing. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Gyms were mentioned among the group of businesses permitted to operate in the first phase of the White House's guidelines to reopen the American economy, announced earlier this month. 

But, the exact timing of when they can open — and what kinds of regulations they follow when they do — will likely depend on the state and local governments where each is situated. 

Gold's Gym CEO Adam Zeitsiff has a plan for this, and like the federal government's plan, it has three phases. 

"We're thankful they'd put [gyms] in Phase One, but that doesn't mean anything until the local states and local governments approve things and get rid of their stay-at-home orders and allow people to go back to the gyms," he told Business Insider. "So we're going to look at it locale by locale." 

Gold's Gym has nearly 700 locations in 29 countries around the world. 

The first phase for getting company-owned Gold's Gyms up and running, Zeitsiff said, would involve reopening strength and cardio areas where they can ensure proper social distancing could be observed. Gyms would limit capacity and alternate which machines could be used while keeping up rigorous cleaning schedules. 

In the second phase, gyms could start holding group exercise classes again. They'd be capped at 50% their usual capacity unless they needed to be reduced further to maintain social distancing. Zeitsiff said the company hopes to reopen kids' clubs in this phase as well. 

The final phase would be getting full operations back to normal. But, Zeitsiff said, no one quite knows what that means yet, and "normal" could be "some time down the road." 

"There is no timeline. I think anybody in this industry would be very happy if we could have our gyms open, cardio open, strength open, classrooms open at 50%, people abiding by the rules, keeping us safe, everything as clean as possible," he said. "And then we'll figure out what full normalcy is."

Georgia is among the first states to start opening gyms— along with hair salons, bowling alleys, spas, and salons — on Friday. Though Gold's Gym does not operate a company-owned location in that state, there are a number of franchise locations there. Franchisees are able to make their own decisions when it comes to reopening protocols, but corporate does share its recommendations. 

"First and foremost, we make sure that they know they need to follow whatever state and local guidelines put out," he said. "We say, 'Here's what we're doing. We strongly recommend doing this.' They are very intelligent business owners. ... They take the best of everything that they can from our work and from their work and bring it together."

What fitness could look like post-coronavirus

Once Gold's locations do reopen, members shouldn't expect them to look the same as they did pre-coronavirus. Zeitsiff said the company is currently printing branded markers to place on the floor to indicate where members should stand in order to be six feet apart from one another. Gold's is also updating its code of conduct to ask members to agree to follow social distancing and wipe down machines after they are done using them. 

"We're role-playing conversations that we never thought we'd have to have," Zeitsiff said. "'I apologize for interrupting you, but you're not six feet apart from this person,' or those kinds of things." 

The coronavirus outbreak has been difficult for the fitness industry as gyms and studios have been forced to temporarily close across the country. Gold's Gym announced last week its decision to permanently shutter 30 locations in the US. 

Many gyms and fitness studios have pivoted to streaming classes online. Gold's started offering its Amp workout app for free to anyone who wanted to use it, not just members. 

Zeitsiff said this could be the beginning of people taking more of a hybrid approach to their fitness routine. 

"I don't think you're ever going to replace a physical gym," he said. "But I think people will realize that, maybe I can get in a little more family time. I can get my two or three workouts a week at the gym at Gold's, in the morning before work, and instead of rushing there Saturday and missing breakfast with the family, because I want to get one more workout in, I'll do it at home."

Zeitsiff also hopes for a newfound appreciation for fitness' benefits, and not just the obvious physical ones. 

"Fitness does have an actual impact, not just on the physical look of a person, but on the actual wellbeing of a person," he said. "Our industry realizes we have an opportunity to continue innovating and make people continue to see that so we can help them in the long term."

SEE ALSO: 24 Hour Fitness reportedly considers bankruptcy options as the coronavirus pandemic continues to squeeze gyms across the US

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• It's important to be comfortable while working out and that starts with making sure you're wearing the correct apparel. 
• Whether it's a pair of shorts designed for runners or a specific fabric that reduces odor, there's a variety of workout clothing fit for anyone's lifestyle or fitness preference. 
• We've rounded up a collection of the best workout clothes for men, with gear from brands like Vuori, Rhone, and Olivers. 

Working out in the right attire makes a world of difference. Though a simple pair of shorts and a sweat-wicking shirt may not seem like a world-beating combination, they are far better than some ratty pair of gym shorts and a cotton tee from your dresser. Put plainly, your workouts benefit from you feeling comfortable. 

And just because a workout kit performs well, doesn't mean it can't also look the part. As brands continue to innovate fit and function, they've kept an eye on design, too. Many of today's best workout apparel brands offer clothing that's not just meant to sweat in but something you'd put on for hanging around the house or running errands. 

Your exercise regimen isn't one-dimensional, so why should your clothes be any different?

The right gear for the right activity

The new wave of men's workout gear wants to help you perform your best by keeping you cool and comfortable. And while your gym clothes certainly ought to be ready for even the most strenuous of activities, they also need to be presentable enough for you to wear outside of your workout environment.

When determining the kind of workout gear you need to accommodate your lifestyle, consider the type of exercise you do most often. Clothing is just another tool to help or hinder you, so be sure you're buying the right gear for the right activity.

A piece of clothing's ability to withstand cycles in the washing machine is also a key quality. You'll likely be sweating through these clothes a lot and (hopefully) putting them in the laundry quite often. If you're buying flimsily made clothing, you'll have to replace them much more often.

You'll also want to consider how multi-purpose you need your gear to be. Are you only going to wear those joggers to the gym, or are they also for lounging around? Is that long sleeve tee just as good for your run as it is for running errands on the weekend?

Today's active gear ought to double as gear for an active lifestyle, so be sure that whatever you're buying is capable of as many reps as you are. That said, regardless of what workout gear you choose from the following options, you'll be in good hands.

Here are the best men's workout clothes in 2020:

• Best men's workout clothes overall: Vuori
• Best men's workout clothes for runners: Wolaco
• Best men's workout clothes on a budget: MPG
• Best men's workout clothes for dispelling odors: Rhone
• Best men's workout clothes for comfort: Olivers

Updated on 4/23/2020 by Rick Stella: Updated the introduction copy and included more about current workout gear trends and technology, focused entirely on in-house testing, checked each brand link, and updated formatting.

The best workout gear overall

Vuori's clothing is both lightweight and comfortable, which makes it a breeze to work out inside or outside during summer.

It's obvious the Encinitas, California-based Vuori takes its inspiration from the beach. The workout gear from this company may just make you think you're on the West Coast, with its comfortable, lightweight fit. 

In particular, we loved the Trail Short, the lightest weight all-purpose pair of shorts from Vuori. The shorts have an elastic waist, supportive Coolmax anti-odor liner, and an athletic fit. The shorts also come with front pockets and a back zip pocket, as well as an iPhone holder in the liner.

Also beloved in the Vuori line is the Tradewind Performance shirt and the company's perennially popular joggers. The Tradewind Tee is the company's most technical in the lineup, featuring micro-perforation for ventilation, flatlock seams, and a front chest pocket. The shirt promises to wick moisture and dry quickly, making it perfect for a run, a hot yoga session, or anything in between.

Pros: Supreme comfort, quick-drying material, great for a wide variety of workouts

Cons: Some customers found that the shorts could be a bit restrictive due to narrow leg holes

The best workout gear for runners

If you're a runner or into tight workout gear, it doesn't get much better than Wolaco.

While guys hitting the gym may want easy, breezy shorts with plenty of room, the same can't be said for distance runners. And that's where Wolaco comes in. The brand has long been a crowd favorite — it did, after all, get its start from the crowdfunding site Kickstarter. Wolaco ultimately raised more than $120,000 from 1,465 backers and has since become a mainstay in the compression wear game.

Now, just three years later, Wolaco's clothes are available at the luxury gym Equinox. Its availability in gyms also gives people the opportunity to feel the fabric and check out the design firsthand, rather than relying on photos and testimonials.

Speaking of testimonials, we can't sing Wolaco's praises enough. Multiple Business Insider folks have tried and loved these compression shorts and pants, lauding both the availability of pockets and the durability of the material.

Aesthetically, the Wolaco compression shorts and tights look pretty damn good, too. They're by no means obscenely tight but do exactly what compression wear is supposed to do — keep everything in place while you get your exercise on.

Wolaco offers its compression wear in four lengths: the North Moore short in a 6- or 9-inch inseam, or the Fulton pant in three-quarters or full length. If you're looking to cover up, the High Line Hood is an excellent option. Supremely comfortable and clearly designed for running on cold days, this hooded long-sleeve shirt boasts  4-way-stretch as well as water, wind, and sweat-repellent construction.

Pros: Great for runners, durable fabric, moisture-wicking and fast-drying design

Cons: Some users reported fit issues, so be careful when reading the sizing guides

The best budget-friendly workout gear

MPG Sport understands that working out shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg, and is creating gear that helps you live a financially responsible lifestyle.

Your gym membership is expensive enough, so your gym clothes don't have to be. Luckily, MPG Sport agrees. Short for Mondetta Performance Gear, MPG offers a wide range of clothing and workout gear that won't break the bank. 

Take, for instance, the Defender Performance Cashmere Shirt. This shirt feels like luxury without the luxury price tag. But it's not just the softness of the shirt that's important — It's the benefits it gives you during your workout.

The mix of Tencel, a recyclable and environmentally-friendly material derived from wood pulp, and cashmere helps you adapt to different temperatures. That means that you'll be warm in the winter but remain cool and dry in the summer. Plus, with colors like Port and Navy Sky, this shirt can transition well from the gym to just about anywhere else.

Also noteworthy is the Premier 1/4 Zip Stink-Free Seamless Pullover, which is made from NILIT fibers to protect against bacteria build-up and sweat stench. Well-fitted and nicely tailored, this was another piece that looks great. And the best part? It's on sale for $24.

If you're looking for shorts or pants, MPG has you covered as well. The Hype 3.0 Essential 7-inch Short promises plenty of flexibility as well as moisture-wicking properties. Alternatively, if you need something a bit longer, you might consider the Industry Essential Fleece Joggers, which are surprisingly warm given how light they are.

Pros: Affordable prices, wide selection of products, fabric that is soft yet ready for a hard workout

Cons: The sheer amount of product might be overwhelming for someone shopping online

The best workout gear for the sweaty workout

It's all about the GoldFusion technology with Rhone, which makes good on its promise to keep you stink-free.

Back in 2016, Rhone managed to raise nearly $113,000 to bring its GoldFusion technology to its line of activewear. And now, that proprietary formula can be found in a wide range of activewear.

Rhone has long been one of our favorite makers of men's workout gear. Much of it is indeed due to the company's GoldFusion technology, a proprietary, eco-friendly fabric treatment that leverages real gold particles to help fabrics dry up to three times faster. In addition, it's UV protective and promises to permanently control odor.

Two new additions to the Rhone GoldFusion line include the 7-inch Swift Lined short and the Glacier Delta tank. The shorts, meant for running, feature a perforated venting system for cooling, as well as two side zipper pockets to hold essentials during a jog. Plus, a soft performance liner promises exceptional fit. As for the Glacier Delta tank, this workout shirt features an evaporative cooling Polartec fabric that helps you cool down as you sweat.

Of course, Rhone also has pieces that don't necessarily have precious metals embedded into them but are no less effective at getting the job done. Take, for instance, the new Mako Unlined short. Available in both 7- and 9-inch lengths, this short is made of lightweight, four-way stretch fabric with plenty of pockets so you can wear them at the gym or anywhere else, too.

Pros: Stink-free technology, comfortable fabric, and great fit  

Cons: Some reviewers note that the shirts can be a bit longer than anticipated

The best workout gear for all-day wear

Workout clothes don't have to feel like workout clothes and that's why Olivers created some of its gear with merino wool.

Merino wool is unlikely to be the first material that comes to mind when you think of workout gear but that's just the sort of innovative thinking that makes Olivers' clothes so comfortable. The highly breathable gear from Olivers is so comfortable, you may never want to take it off.

While Olivers' first well-known article of clothing was the All Over Short, the brand has proven it's capable of creating a wide range of comfortable, functional gear. The Terminal Tech Tee is a particular favorite of the Business Insider team, too. This merino tech mesh tee not only keeps you cool and dry but it also fits well. As Insider Reviews' Amir Ismael noted, "the Terminal Tech Tee..fits exactly as a T-shirt should."

While you can certainly work out in the naturally odor-resistant shirt, it's also just as appropriate for a day full of errands or a casual date night.

Oh, and by the way, Olivers promises your clothes will last for at least a year with its Olivers guarantee. The company will replace or repair any product "with a fault outside of normal wear and tear for up to 12 months" after your initial purchase.

Pros: Superior comfort, great fit, great style without being ostentatious

Cons: Some reviewers noted that the sizing could be a bit different from the website's suggestions.

• Shares of Peloton Interactive jumped as much as 9% on Friday after the company announced they had 23,000 members attend a single virtual cycling class, Bloomberg first reported.
• The company also said it's surpassed 2 million worldwide members.
• As gyms across the country are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Peloton is seeing a surge in business.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Shares of Peloton Interactive jumped as much as 9% on Friday following an announcement that the company had 23,000 members attend a single virtual cycling class on Thursday, Bloomberg first reported.

The company also announced that it surpassed 2 million worldwide members.

Peloton joins a rank of companies that have seen a surge in business due to the coronavirus, such as Zoom and Netflix.

As the coronavirus has closed gyms across the country, exercise enthusiasts have flocked to Peloton's smart exercise machines, which includes a bicycle and a treadmill. 

One indicator of increased demand for Peloton's cycling bike is the expected delivery wait time. What was just a two-week delivery wait time a few weeks ago has since increased to a five- to seven-week delivery wait time, according to Peloton customers who expressed their frustration on Twitter. 

Peloton's virtual live class record was notched as the instructor taught the class from their home.

"This is the first time that Peloton has filmed classes outside of its two studios after the temporary suspension of streaming live classes from its studios in New York and London," the company said.

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• A quality treadmill allows you to workout from the comfort of your home whenever you please and is a great addition to any at-home gym setup. 
• Though treadmill features vary depending on specific makes and models, the most important qualities are power, reliability, and comfort.
• Our top pick, the ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill, is great for racers and casual runners alike, offering interactive workouts from iFit that stream to its 7-inch onboard monitor, a specially-cushioned tread to reduce impact, and an easy fold-up design. 

Editor's note: Due to high demand, many of the selections here are either limited in stock or back-ordered. We will update this piece with new picks or purchase options as best we can. 

When building a home gym, you'll find plenty of strange equipment on the market. There are at-home personal trainers masquerading as mirrors and interactive punching bags that turn your living room into a boxing gym. Some are even reminiscent of ancient torture devices rather than helpful weight-loss machines.

But few at-home options have endured the changing landscape of at-home fitness quite like the treadmill. It's easy to see why, too. They're great for maintaining cardio fitness, preparing for road races like 2-milers or 5Ks, or serving as a complement to your weekly workout routine — especially for anyone who doesn't have time to always make it to a physical gym or run outside. 

Compared to other types of machines, treadmills are also just dead simple to use. You simply run or walk on the belt, and a motor moves the belt under your feet at whatever speed you select. But treadmills offer a whole host of different features that'll help you gain exactly the kinds of training and health benefits you need. Some treadmills are advanced, offering high-tech features like touchscreen displays and live-streamed classes, while others are more basic.

We've included a variety of treadmill types at a number of price points to help you find the best option for your needs. Be aware, though, treadmills are expensive and cheaper models don't always last as long or work as well in the long run.

Here are the best treadmills you can buy:

• Best treadmill for race training: ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill
• Best treadmill for quiet workouts: 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill
• Best high-end treadmill: Peloton Tread
• Best budget treadmill: Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill
• Best shock-absorbing treadmill: LifeSpan TR3000i Folding Treadmill

Updated on 4/24/2020 by Rick Stella: Checked the availability of each pick and updated stock where we could (many are either limited in stock or currently back-ordered), removed the NordicTrack C990 as it's completely out of stock across multiple retailers. Currently testing new treadmill options. 

The best treadmill overall

The ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill is a race-trainers dream that's versatile enough for the casual runner, too. 

Runners looking for a treadmill with good all-around training capabilities and host of useful features will like the reasonably-priced ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill. 

It has a 3.5-horsepower motor, which allows it to stand up to daily use, and it boasts a belt deck that measures 22 by 60 inches, which is perfect for most runners. When you're training for races with hills, you'll appreciate this treadmill's ability to reach a 15% incline and a 3% decline, which better simulates hills than most other treadmills. 

The ProForm treadmill also has a number of techy features, including a 7-inch screen that's compatible with iFit workouts, a music port for iPods, and many workout apps. It also has ProShox Cushioning to lessen the impact for runners. 

Pros: Good motor, large running belt of 22 by 60 inches, includes both an incline and a decline setting, offers good interval training features

Cons: Customer service may be disappointing if you have problems, very heavy treadmill

The best treadmill for quiet workouts

The 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill delivers excellent performance and runs quieter than most treadmills.

Few treadmills made for use at home will deliver the kind of quiet performance that the 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill delivers. It's made for tall or heavy runners looking a tough workout, but you'll pay more than $3,000 for the kind of quality that this 3G Cardio unit delivers.

It has an Ortho Flex Shock suspension system to minimize the stress of impact for runners, and the 22 by 62-inch platform is perfect for running.

The 3G Cardio comes with many pre-programmed workouts and a fitness level test. You have access to speed and elevation settings, heart rate control, and workout customization.  This treadmill also has a 4.0 horsepower motor and 3-inch rollers for great performance.

As you would expect with a treadmill with such a high price point, the 3G Cardio Elite consists of thick steel tubing in the frame. It's also rather expensive, so this is really only for serious runners who want a treadmill that will last a lifetime.

Pros: Strong steel frame that will support a lot of weight, unit runs quieter than most treadmills, large treadmill belt area for tall runners, includes a large motor to compare favorably to gym treadmills

Cons: Extremely high price point, very heavy equipment that is difficult to move around

The best high-end treadmill

The Peloton Tread has a steep price tag but offers the same high-quality daily workout classes and a deep well of content fans of its popular stationary bike have come to expect.

Editor's note: According to a published blog post, Peloton announced it has immediately suspended any sales and deliveries of the Tread. Anyone waiting for a purchased Tread will have their money refunded and will be notified as soon as Tread sales and deliveries begin again.

Peloton's made its name by peddling (and quite literally pedaling) its popular stationary bike and companion workout classes for the last several years. With the Tread, the company used that same tried-and-true formula to deliver a high-quality treadmill experience. 

Where the Tread differs from traditional treadmills is both with its intuitive design and built-in display. On either arm of the unit are two dials, one to increase or decrease speed and another to increase or decrease the incline angle. Each dial turns smoothly enough that you're able to easily adjust either metric with the speed or incline quickly following suit. 

Peloton's thoughtful design also extends to its low-impact slat belt that works well to absorb shock while also not being terribly loud as you run. This also means that it allows for a much smoother and comfortable run experience.

A Peloton workout unit wouldn't be complete without a massive display sitting front and center, and the Tread is no different, sporting a gorgeous 32-inch touchscreen monitor. The display is where the Peloton magic happens, as it's able to stream the live and pre-recorded classes, shows your in-class stats such as time and distance ran, and is your navigation tool for Peloton's content library. There's even a 20-watt built-in soundbar that flanks the bottom of the screen capable of pumping out impressive quality sound. 

Then there's the price. Starting at $4,295 for the basic package, the Tread is no drop in the bucket. Factor in the recurring $39 subscription package for access to Peloton's content and you end up with quite the investment. Still, if you're able to afford it, the quality of the Tread, as well as the benefit of its workout and wide range of content, make it one of our favorite treadmills on the market. 

Pros: Intuitive design, easy-to-use speed and incline dials, beautiful 32-inch touchscreen display with built-in soundbar, and access to Peloton's deep library of workout content

Cons: Expensive initial investment and recurring subscription fee

The best budget treadmill

Compared to other budget fold-up treadmills, the Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill has nice features and good performance.

Saving space with a fold-up treadmill is a great idea for a lot of people. However, most fold-up treadmills don't offer a lot of power.

So understanding some of the natural limitations of fold-up treadmills, you'll like the Horizon Fitness T101-04 Treadmill, which works well for walkers and people on a budget. However, this model really isn't made for runners looking for high-end workouts.

It has a 55-inch belt length, a maximum 10 mph speed, and a 2.25-horsepower motor, which is good for walkers. The T101-04 treadmill is easy to fold up for storage and is a great value for those who need basic features for walking or light running.

Pros: Very good price point for an entry-level treadmill, will save space with a fold-up design, runs quieter than most budget-priced treadmills, works better for walkers and light runners

Cons: Only a 55-inch belt length, not really made for high-end running workouts, longevity is questionable

The best shock-absorbing treadmill

The LifeSpan TR3000i uses an extensive shock absorption system to take some pressure off your joints while running.

Some people dislike working out on a treadmill because of the pressure it places on their joints. The LifeSpan TR3000i attempts to alleviate some of this pressure by using a shock absorption system in the treadmill's deck.

It has a 20 x 56-inch running surface, 15 incline levels, and a 6-inch LCD screen that shows your time, calories, distance, steps, heart rate, speed, and incline. The eight shock absorber elements in the deck ensure that it's very stable and comfortable to run on. 

Beyond its shock-absorbing capabilities, the TR3000i has a number of fun features to give you variety in your workouts, including a tablet holder, a USB charging port, and compatibility with iPods.

Pros: Good price for a mid-range treadmill, unit folds up to save storage space, extensive shock absorption system, good feature set versus other models in this price range

Cons: Not really designed for high-end workouts, build quality of treadmill is questionable

How to choose the right treadmill for you

Types of treadmills

According to Consumer Reports, treadmills will fit into three basic categories, based on the type of workouts they can handle.

• Basic: The most basic type of treadmill only works for walkers. They will have simple tracking features, such as speed, distance, and time. Most basic units will have a short bed that works better for a walker's stride than for running. And you'll find limited shock absorption features here, which isn't great for runners. Such treadmills will fold up for easy storage (although some more expensive treadmills also can fold up for storage).
• Mid-range: These treadmills will work for walkers or runners. For walkers, a mid-range treadmill should have longer support arms, allowing you to balance yourself easier. The belt bed will be a bit longer than the basic treadmill, but those with long running strides may still struggle. You'll see better tech features in this price range, including a heart rate monitor worn on the chest or pre-set training programs.
• Top-end: The highest quality of treadmills will contain long belt beds with good shock absorption, making them perfect for runners. To gain these features, such treadmills rarely will fold up for storage, meaning they require a lot of free space. They will deliver greater maximum speed levels and greater levels of incline, too. These treadmills will consist of the highest-quality materials. You'll receive Wi-Fi connectivity and extensive pre-set exercise programs with these models.

Key features of treadmills

As treadmills have evolved, companies have added many high-tech features. However, don't let yourself focus only on the bells and whistles on expensive treadmills. Pay attention to the physical parts of the treadmill to find the best possible unit for your needs.

• Exercise programs: Treadmills may have pre-programmed workouts that can help you with weight loss, cardiovascular performance, speed workouts, or hills training. These programs will allow you to set the length of exercise time, but they will automatically change the speed of the treadmill and the incline to match the parameters of the pre-programmed workout.
• Horsepower: Any treadmill motor with a continuous duty measurement of at least 2.0 should be sufficient for most people, says Precor. Smaller motors will work better for walkers and larger motors work better for runners.
• Incline and Decline: To help with training for running on hills or for additional calorie burn, the treadmill needs to offer an incline. Most treadmills can reach at least a 12% incline grade. Some treadmills even give you a simulation of running downhill with a decline grade of around 3%.
• Length: Runners need a treadmill belt bed of roughly 55-60 inches long, while walkers can use one closer to 45-50 inches long. Taller people will need an even longer belt bed. Remember that the length of the treadmill isn't the same as the length of the bed. The treadmill length (and width, for that matter) must accommodate the base portion of the unit that doesn't move, as well as the bed's motor housing at the front of the unit.
• Safety line: Treadmills will contain a safety line that hooks into the unit. You'll clip the safety line to your shirt. Should you stumble, the safety line will disconnect from the treadmill, causing it to shut down immediately. This is a nice safety feature, and it prevents those common TV and movie gags where the person using the treadmill falls and gets launched into a wall. Trust us, this gag looks funny, but it also really, really hurts, so the safety line will save you some pain.
• Speed: The speed with which the bed rotates on the treadmill is measured in miles per hour. Most people don't need anything over 10 mph, but those seeking heavy-duty interval workouts can find speeds up to 15 mph in a top-end treadmill.
• Support rails: A treadmill made for walkers, especially elderly walkers, should have long support rails on the sides that you can grip while using the treadmill to steady yourself.
• Touch screen controls: You should be able to adjust the incline, speed, and program in use through the touchscreen monitor. The screen also gives you information on the time elapsed, calories burned, distanced traveled, your heart rate, and more. 
• Weight limit: Based on the size of the motor and on the shock absorption capabilities, a treadmill may give you a maximum user weight recommendation. 
• Wi-Fi connection: Through a Wi-Fi connection, you can gain access to simulated video workouts. Or you can play streaming movies on the display screen, giving you some entertainment as you're workout out on the treadmill.
• Width: A treadmill belt bed should be at least 22 inches wide for runners which provides plenty of space in case you have a misstep. Walkers can successfully use a narrower bed than runners, such as 18 or 20 inches.

• Messages in the US to "stay home" and "shelter in place" are poorly worded. Health professionals and city officials aren't discouraging people who are healthy from going outside and exercising. 
• When taking precautions, like keeping a safe distance from others and wearing a mask, spreading or contracting the novel coronavirus is highly unlikely in open air. 
• Even passing someone running or cycling within six feet would be an exceptionally unusual way to contract the virus, infectious disease specialists say. 
• The mental health and immune system benefits of spending time outside outweigh the risks of spreading or contracting the virus. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Don McCammon recently went for a run while wearing a mask in an uncrowded area of Orlando. The 40-year-old triathlete stayed not just six, but closer to 15, feet away from any lone passersby.

That didn't spare him from criticism, though.

"I had a walker yell at me that I shouldn't be running during a pandemic," McCammon said. Nevermind that infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci, New York City governor Andrew Cuomo, and other city leaders and public health officials have said they go on regular jogs. 

Roberta Pollack was running down a deserted road in Delevan, Wisconsin, when a driver took her to task. "They yelled that exercising wasn't a necessary thing, and I shouldn't be outside, and that I should get back inside before I get sick," she remembers.

Dozens of other runners, walkers, cyclists, and even open-water swimmers around the country told Business Insider about similar experiences, though just as many reported heartening anecdotes about strangers waving or politely getting out of the way. 

The confusion about if and how you can get outside is understandable. Since the coronavirus outbreak began in the US, public health messaging has been muddy, inconsistent, and constantly changing.

When communities issued "shelter in place" orders, people reasonably interpreted it literally even though the fine print almost always said people can, and even should, go outside to exercise. And when "staying home" became a point of pride, some mental health professionals warned people were missing the point: Mother Earth is home, too. 

"Our research has found that nature is not an amenity — it's a necessity," Marc Berman, a psychologist at the University of Chicago who studies how environmental factors can affect the brain and behavior, said in a UChicago News story. "We need to take it seriously."

Especially now, as many Americans are well into their second month of a lockdown, we need to get outside for the sake of our collective mental and physical health. When taking precautions, the risks of spreading or contracting the virus in open air are slim, and the benefits of sun, movement, and physically distant human interaction far outweigh the virus's risks.  

Transmission from a fleeting encounter is highly unlikely 

There are safe and unsafe ways to get outside. Hanging out on a sidewalk corner with a cluster of people you don't live with? Not safe. Taking a maskless walk when you have symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus? Not safe.

Going for a solo run with a bandana you can pull up if you pass someone? That's pretty safe. Reading in your backyard alone even if you have COVID-19? Also safe.  

"The general principle should be: Outside is better than inside, open is better than closed, fewer is better than more people, and stay away from sick people," Dr. Erich Anderer, a neurosurgeon and a founding member of the North Brooklyn Runners, previously told Insider. 

Even if you do come within six feet of someone else for a fleeting moment, your chances of spreading or contracting the virus that way are slim. 

"I would not worry about walking by someone," Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins University, told Slate. "Even in a health-care setting, contact is defined by being near someone for a certain amount of time. I would not worry about these fleeting encounters. The virus isn't airborne — droplets need to get from one person to another."

As Vox's Sigal Samuel explained, "a perfect sequence of events" would have to occur in order for someone to catch COVID-19 from a passing runner, walker, or cyclist.

You'd need enough particles to jettison out of a passerby's mouth or nose to survive the elements and land in your respiratory tract (or on your hands before you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth). Even then, the particles would need to sneak past your nose hairs and mucus and "dock up with your cells' ACE-2 receptors and use them to enter the cells," Samuel writes. 

That would take a lot of terrible luck to get someone sick. If both parties are wearing masks, it would be more like a freak accident.   

The mental health and immune system benefits of the outdoors and exercise outweigh the risk 

Time outside, and especially exercise outside, has phenomenal benefits for your mental health and immune function.

"I don't need to quote a study to let you know that if you've been inside all day, a little time outdoors will improve your mood," Dr. Jebidiah Ballard, an emergency medicine physician, told Insider. "Vitamin D also plays a role in immune function, and sunlight is needed for our bodies to convert it to its active form."

One study of over 1,000 adults, for instance, found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day five days a week reported 43% fewer sick days than their less active counterparts. Even when the active people got sick, it wasn't as severe or as long-lasting, according to Harvard Health.

Zhen Yan, a professor of cardiovascular medicine who runs a molecular exercise physiology lab at the University of Virginia, has proposed exercise as a recommended measure alongside social distancing since his research suggests it may protect against acute respiratory distress syndrome, a top cause of death among COVID-19 patients. 

"From a big picture perspective, there are many studies in humans showing that cardiorespiratory fitness is inversely related to all-cause of mortality," he told Business Insider. "In another word, the greater the exercise capacity, the greater the chance of survival under all circumstances, which presumably include Covid-19." 

Even simply being outdoors, but not moving much, has impressive health benefits. Group nature walks have been linked with lower depression, less stress, and better mental health and well-being. Other research has shown that ​"forest bathing trips," or long stretches of time in the woods, can boost the number of white blood cells that fight viruses and tumors​.

"Just seeing the blue sky when you've haven't been outside your house for long periods of time has definite effects on mood,"Sue Ann Bell, an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Michigan who studies the health effects of disaster, told Business Insider. "We're under a lot of stress and pressure in these highly unusual times, so going for a walk to clear your mind is really healthy for you — if you can do it safely." 

Not everyone has access to the great outdoors 

Of course, it's easier to get outside safely if you live in a rural area or have access to loosely populated trails than if you live in a crowded city where park systems have closed. 

It's up to city officials t find creative ways to allow residents to get outside while maintaining a safe distance, whether that's by shutting down some streets to cars or opening beaches and parks to walkers, runners, surfers, and swimmers. 

And, it's up to all of us to be smart and safe if and when they do — keeping a distance from others as much as possible, wearing a mask if you may come within six feet of someone else, continuing to wash your hands and surfaces diligently, and staying home if you're sick. 

"When the weather is nice, think twice," Danielle Ompad, an epidemiologist at NYU's School of Global Public Health, told Business Insider when asked for a public-health slogan that, for once, would not be misinterpreted. "Enjoy the sun, but remember to protect yourself and others. We are all in this together." 

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NOW WATCH: How the Navy's largest hospital ship can help with the coronavirus

• Simone De La Rue has been training celebrities including Chrissy Teigen and Jennifer Garner for years.
• We caught up with her at her Body By Simone studio in New York City where she showed us the ultimate 15-minute, full-body workout.
• This quick and efficient workout uses minimal to no equipment, so you can do it wherever you are.

• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Following is a transcript of the video.

Simone De La Rue: Hi, I'm Simone De La Rue. Creator of Body By Simone. Here are five simple exercises that are gonna give you a full body workout.

Let's start off first with cardio. We're gonna do a jump squat. This is working our largest muscle groups in our body. So that's working our quads, our hamstrings, and our glutes. And it's gonna fire up our heart rate so that we're really gonna get in our cardio fix for a nice jump squat, so you start down, you jump up in the air, and lower down. Again, jump up and lower down. Jump up and lower down. Jump up and lower down. And squeeze. Yes, you're gonna do three sets of 10 of those. Heart rate will be up. That is your cardio.

The next exercise, shoulder press. We're working our deltoid and our pecs. I'm using a resistance band, the CLX band. You can use hand weights, or you can use cans or bottles of water. Come back down again into your squat, up to goal post. Reaching up and down. And up and down. Upper body workout. Deltoid, chest. Pull in those abs, keep those shoulders down. If you have hand weights, pushing them up. And up. And up. Excellent. We're also gonna do three sets between 10 and 12 reps.

Third exercise is the plank. So we're gonna come back to our static plank. Elbows over top of wrists, I should say. Kick back, tuck that little booty under. Everything's engaged, and hold. I'm gonna lower my back knee down and lift it up. My front knee down, and lift it up. And both knees down, and up. And down again. Back knee. Nothing's moving off my back. You can have a tray of cookies or a tray of champagne resting on there and they will not spill. And what's really working into your lower abs. And down. Let's do one more time, perfectly still. Lower abs, lower abs. Both and both. And up. And rest. Good. Three sets of 10 to 12 reps of those. You're especially gonna feel that in your lower abs.

Next exercise, booty, yes. We want a nice shapely booty. I'm gonna use the resistance band again. If you don't have this you can use and do these exercises without. You can try putting an ankle weight on. Or you can use this. Foot in a loop. So I'm gonna do a kickback that's gonna work into my hamstring and glute. So I'm coming into tabletop position. Kick my leg up. It's gonna go parallel against the resistance. My foot is flexed, my leg is parallel. Bring that knee into my navel and I kick straight back. Into navel, straight back. Good. Without the resistance band, same exercise. Try an ankle weight. Straight back. And straight back, good. For that one, we're gonna do two sets of 20 reps on each leg.

And now for our outer and inner thighs. So our adductors and abductors. Line up, elbow underneath shoulder, extend both legs. Pull up that waist if you have any shoulder issues, you can do this laying down. If not, stay up. We're gonna work, lift the top leg up. Outer thigh. This underneath leg is the working one. This is the tricky one. You come underneath it, click that heel, place it down and lower down. We do lift and squeeze and down and down. Lift and squeeze. You wanna keep those legs parallel. You're gonna make sure that your hips are stacked on top of each other and that your navel's drawing towards your spine. And you're just lifting the leg to hip height. Parallel and pointed. Close heels, down and up. Abduction, adduction. Whoo hoo hoo. Good. And those will also be two sets of 20 reps on each side. So those five exercises should take you about 15 to 20 minutes in length to do them.

And remember, we don't wanna speed through it. We wanna use correct technique and correct form because that's the way you see results. Good luck.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published in September 2018.

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• High-quality whey protein powders should have a taste you can tolerate, deliver maximum protein with minimal extras, and mix well in both beverages and baked goods.
• For expert feedback and consultation on the best whey protein powders, we spoke to industry experts Jeb Stuart Johnson, a Brooklyn-based strength coach, and Maryann Walsh, a registered dietician and owner of the nutrition consulting company, Walsh Nutrition.
• Our top pick, Cellucor's Whey Protein Isolate & Concentrate Blend Powder, mixes smoothly, tastes great, and only costs three cents per gram of protein, offering a great combination of supplement and value. 

Protein, a macronutrient every cell in your body contains, is essential for your health. If you're an athlete, casual gym-goer, or just want to lose a few pounds, protein also helps you build and retain muscle. Taking whey protein is an effective and inexpensive way to add more of the macronutrient to your diet. 

In short, whey is the liquid leftovers that come from the cheese-making process. This liquid is dried into a powder, which is then mixed with sweeteners while keeping calories, carbohydrates, and fats to a minimum.

Before we get into our picks of the best whey protein powders, let's first cover why it's a solid part of anyone's diet and how it should be consumed. 

What is whey protein, why it's beneficial, and how should you use it?

There are three main types of whey protein:

• Whey protein concentrate (WPC): This is a concentrated protein that keeps more of the nutrients. Most non-isolate proteins are comprised of WPC.
• Whey protein isolate (WPI): This is similar to WPC but most of the carbohydrates, fat, and fat-soluble vitamins have been removed, so the powder has a higher percentage of protein. Typically, isolate is digested more quickly and, therefore, more agreeable for some. For that reason, most trainers and registered dieticians recommend opting for WPI, though it's often more expensive.
• Whey protein hydrolysate (WPH): WPH is considered pre-digested since it breaks down peptides — the building blocks of proteins — to help with quicker absorption.

In addition to our research and experience in testing whey protein products, we consulted two experts for this guide: Jeb Stuart Johnston, the head strength coach at Brooklyn Strong and a nutrition coach at Stronger U, and Maryann Walsh, a registered dietician and the owner of Walsh Nutrition.

How much should you consume? 

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein consumption is about a gram for every 3 pounds of body weight. So, if you weigh 180 pounds, that equates to 60 grams of protein per day. Experts suggest that taking up to twice that still produces benefits.

When it comes to fitness-specific goals, like gaining muscle or losing fat, Johnston recommends ingesting up to one gram per pound of bodyweight. His claim is backed up via a study by the University of Stirling. 

"For someone who's trying to gain muscle mass and work out, taking in more protein helps speed up protein synthesis [the process in which your muscle fibers utilize protein to repair and grow]," Johnston said. "For a person who's strictly trying to lose weight, taking in more protein helps retain the muscle you already have." 

Based on Johnston's recommendations, a 200-pound man would have to consume 200 grams of protein per day. That's equivalent to 2 pounds of chicken breast. Supplementing with whey protein, he explains, is a convenient way to get more protein without grilling up another piece of bland chicken.

About our expertise

The co-author, Andrew Gutman, is a former associate editor at Muscle & Fitness magazine, has competed in a bodybuilding show and two Strongman competitions, and has been lifting weights regularly for over a decade. He's tried dozens of different whey protein powders.

Our guide features powders that have a taste you can stomach, a high protein content, and minimal fat, carbs, and calories. Guides Editor, Les Shu, is a former research chief at Men's Fitness who oversaw the fact-checking of the magazine's nutrition and exercise articles.

Here are the best whey protein powders you can buy:

• Best whey protein powder overall: Cellucor Whey Protein Isolate & Concentrate Blend Powder
• Best sugar-free whey protein powder: Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydrowhey
• Best-tasting whey protein powder: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder
• Best fat-free whey protein powder: Myprotein Impact Whey Isolate Protein
• Best digestion-friendly whey protein powder: Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder

Updated on 4/27/2020 by Rick Stella: Updated the introduction to include more on the benefits of protein, how much people should take, and the different types of whey, checked each pick for availability, and updated the prices, links, and formatting. 

Is whey protein consumption safe?

Before you increase your protein intake significantly, check with your health-care professional since people with certain maladies, such as calcium deficiencies or low blood pressure, could experience adverse effects from whey protein. 

It's also important to note that protein powders aren't regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and some companies dilute their protein with useless fillers, which is why certain brands subject themselves to third-party testing as a way to verify the quality of their product.

To know if a protein is tested, look for a seal from either NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Choice. This doesn't mean that untested proteins are a subpar product but it's good to be aware. You are, after all, putting this stuff into your body. Other than looking for brands that are third-party tested, here are different ways to spot a quality protein:

• Ensure that protein is the first ingredient on the label. "When you look at a label, it's in descending order so the ingredient in the highest amount will be found at the top of the list," Walsh told Business Insider. "Look for labels that have protein at the beginning with fewer ingredients accompanying them."
• Typically, you want a whey powder that contains at least 20 grams of protein per serving. All of our picks do.
• Try to steer clear of excess sugar. As for artificial sweeteners, research on how they affect our weight and health is mixed.

The best overall whey protein powder

If you're looking for a powder that mixes easily and tastes great, Cellucor Whey Protein Isolate & Concentrate Blend Powder is one of the best and most affordable options.

The Cellucor Whey Protein Isolate & Concentrate Blend Powder not only tastes good and has 24 grams of protein per serving, but it's also the most affordable option in our guide at 71.4 cents per serving and 3 cents per gram of protein. Each serving also only has 1.5 grams of fat, 4 grams of carbs, and 120 calories.

There are seven flavors to choose from, including whipped vanilla, molten chocolate, and cinnamon swirl. Cellucor recommends mixing two scoops with five to six ounces of your preferred beverage, but you can adjust the amount of liquid to fit your tastes. The company also suggests mixing the powder with yogurt, oatmeal, and pancakes. — James Brains, reviewed by Andrew Gutman

Pros: Great taste, affordable, mixes smoothly, 24 grams of protein per serving, excellent for baking, third-party tested

Cons: 130 mg of sodium per serving, contains artificial sweeteners

The best sugar-free whey protein powder

The Platinum Hydrowhey by Optimum Nutrition may be expensive, but it mixes well and boasts 30 grams of protein per serving with zero grams of sugar.

A single serving of Optimum Nutrition's Platinum Hydrowhey yields 140 calories, 30 grams of protein, one gram of fat, 3 grams of carbs, and no sugar. It's made of hydrolyzed whey protein, which breaks down the protein into smaller pieces for better absorption and easier digestion. 

You can choose from seven flavors: cookies and cream overdrive, chocolate mint, velocity vanilla, chocolate peanut butter, supercharged strawberry, turbo chocolate, and red velvet cake, which was the highest-rated flavor on Bodybuilding.com. I think that turbo chocolate tastes great, too.

There is no sugar in this product but Optimum Nutrition does use artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and high-fructose corn syrup.

Optimum Nutrition claims you can easily mix this protein with just a spoon and I can confirm this is true. While this may not seem like a strong selling point, I've forgotten my shaker bottle at home many times and have had to mix my protein with a spoon or knife at work. When I tried this with other brands, I always got clumpy, gross-tasting shakes. — Andrew Gutman

Pros: 30 grams of protein per serving, third-party tested, superb mixability, no sugar

Cons: Contains high-fructose corn syrup

The best-tasting whey protein powder

The Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder packs 24 grams of protein into each serving and is one of the better-tasting powders according to experts and buyers.

The Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder gets its sweetness from a little bit of sugar (1 gram per serving) and acesulfame potassium, which is an artificial sweetener also known as Ace-K.

Each serving has 120 calories, a gram of fat, three grams of carbs, and most importantly 24 grams of protein. Optimum Nutrition has also curated a number of recipes in which you can use the powder. — James Brains, reviewed by Andrew Gutman

Pros: Tastes good, relatively affordable, safe ingredients, third-party tested

Cons: Complaints about the formula changing, contains an artificial sweetener

The best fat-free whey protein powder

The Myprotein Impact Whey Isolate Protein is a great option if you want as much protein packed into each scoop as possible without extra fat, carbs, or calories.

Depending on the flavor you choose, the Myprotein Impact Whey Isolate Protein fits up to 22 grams of protein into each 25-gram serving.

It does this with little or no fat or sugar and only 90 calories per serving. The sodium content is also low at 25 mg per serving. 

Labdoor independently tests dozens of whey protein powders, and the site recommended the Myprotein Impact Whey Isolate because it scored high in Labdoor's ingredient safety, nutritional value, and product purity tests. The testers found there were 21.9 grams of protein in every 25-gram serving.

There are a few complaints worth mentioning, too. Make sure you buy the whey isolate and not just the whey concentrate (If you follow our links, you should be fine). — James Brains, reviewed by Andrew Gutman

Pros: Safe ingredients, excellent product purity, a high concentration of bound protein, fat-free, low in sodium

Cons: Concerns about quality control, contains artificial sweetener, not third-party tested

The best digestion-friendly powder

If you've found protein powders leave your stomach feeling queasy, consider the lactose-free Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder.

The Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder is the only lactose-free option on our list but it's not the only one that uses hydrolyzed isolate protein—the Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydrowhey does, too—which is supposed to help with digestion and absorption.

Each serving has 25 grams of protein, less than a gram of fat, 120 calories, and 2 grams of carbs, including less than 1 gram of sugar. There are 13 flavors to choose from, including cinnamon bun, fudge brownie, gourmet chocolate, and chocolate coconut. 

Labdoor recommends the Dymatize ISO 100 as one of the best whey protein powders. In its tests, the powder had high scores for nutritional value and product purity, including less than one part per million of six harmful substances. Around 91% of the calories in this powder come from its protein content. — James Brains, reviewed by Andrew Gutman

Pros: Lactose-free, 91% of calories are from protein, less than a gram of sugar and fat, third-party tested

Cons: Complaints of foreign objects found in the powder, contains an artificial sweetener, 160 mg sodium per serving

What else we considered

Animal Whey: I like Animal because the company doesn't make gimmicky claims or rely on pseudoscience to sell its products. What you see is what you get and what you get is 120 calories, one gram of fat, 2 grams of carbs, and 25 grams of protein per serving. Animal uses whey protein isolate as its primary protein source, it's moderately priced, and it's third-party tested.

This wasn't included, however, because it's no better than any other pick. Compared to Optimum Nutrition or Dymatize or Cellucor, it's slightly more expensive and isn't as lauded by fans. It barely missed the cut. 

Pro Jym Protein Powder: A fan favorite, Pro Jym is comprised of four different proteins: whey protein isolate, micellar casein, egg albumin, and milk protein isolate. According creator, Dr. Jim Stoppani, Ph.D., this extends the rate of digestion for better protein synthesis. It comes in three flavors: chocolate cookie crunch, cookies and cream, and s'mores, and contains 150 calories, 3 grams of fat, 7 grams of carbs, and 24 grams of protein per serving. 

Pro Jym missed the mark for two reasons:

1. You pay more for three times the amount of fat and carbs as Optimum Nutrition's Platinum Hydrowhey, so it doesn't fit into our minimum fillers criteria.
2. It's not a pure whey protein powder. 

Performix ioWhey: I personally like this protein powder because it tastes great (my favorite flavor is fruity cereal), it's easy on the stomach, and there are minimal extras. One serving of Performix ioWhey is 100 calories, zero grams of fat, 2 grams of carbohydrates, and 22 grams of protein. 

My major issue is that Performix claims ioWhey is absorbed 36% more efficiently than other brands, which is why their protein per serving is low. That sounds great but since the product isn't third-party tested, there's no way to know if this is true or if the company's selling you less protein per serving. For the price per serving, you're better off buying Optimum Nutrition or Dymatize ISO 100 if you're willing to shell out for a premium protein. — Andrew Gutman

Where to buy whey protein?

When it comes to buying protein, one convenient ordering option is Amazon's "Subscribe & Save" program, since it can save you up to 15%. You're able to cancel your subscription at any time, too. What's great about this program is that it automates ordering products that you replenish regularly.

For instance, if you take a serving of protein powder every day and there are 30 servings in a container, you can have a new tub delivered every month without lifting a finger.

Personally, I like to buy my protein from Bodybuilding.com. I usually try a different brand of protein each time I order more, so Amazon's "Subscribe & Save" program doesn't make sense for me, although it's a smart option for many people. Bodybuilding.com has reliable customer reviews and it routinely offers deals on popular brands. As a bonus, it offers free shipping on orders over $75.

To figure out the cost per serving on your own, take the product's price and divide it by the number of servings in the container. Since the amount of protein per serving varies by brand, it's also useful to look at the cost per gram of protein. This is easy to calculate by dividing the cost per serving (as calculated above) by the number of grams of protein per serving. — Andrew Gutman

• A high-quality e-bike should provide you with as much pedal- or motor-assistance as you want, have enough range to cover commutes to the store or for errands around town, and be comfortable to ride.
• The Schwinn Monroe Single-Speed Electric Bike is an enjoyable e-bike because it has a range of up to 45 miles, features five levels of assistance, and is perfectly built for my body.
• Not only is it affordable at $1,349 but Schwinn backs it with a lifetime warranty on the frame and fork, along with a two-year warranty on the battery and electric-assisted parts.

I've been hesitant to test an electric bike for years. The way I viewed it was that I ride bikes for exercise, so why would I ride one that does all the work for me? Even the term e-bike sounded gimmicky enough for me to want nothing to do with them — it's like how everything these days comes with the label of smart.

So, it was with much trepidation that I tried the Schwinn Monroe Single-Speed Electric Bike— and I have a confession to make; I'm a convert. Not only did it readily allow me to be as lazy as I wanted but I found myself actually enjoying the ride.

As much as it pained me to consider becoming an e-biker before I tried one, I'm now fully hooked. 

Specs

The Schwinn Monroe 250 gets its 250 moniker from how many watts the hub drive puts out. This power level proved more than enough for me and my lifestyle, though there are models from other brands with 500 watts should you need even more.

The bike comes in three sizes: Small for individuals between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-8, medium for 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10, and large for 5-foot-11 to 6-foot-3. Currently, it's only available in black with mint lettering and orange accents (of which looks clean). 

Schwinn includes a battery charger with the bike, which plugs into any standard wall outlet you'd have in your home, apartment, or office. To take the battery out of the bike, use the included key to release it, then plug the charger into the battery and then into the wall.

Here are some of the bike's most important specs:

• Frame material: Aluminum
• Frame sizes: 54 centimeters (small), 56 cm (medium), 58 cm (large)
• Brakes: Tektro mechanical disc with motor cutoff levers
• Tires: 35 millimeters wide with Rhino Skin puncture protection
• Wheels: 700c/27.5-inch
• Weight: About 45 pounds
• Assist speeds: 5, or you can choose to have no assistance

Set-up process

I've put bicycles together on my own in the past and tend to be good at putting the bigger pieces together correctly like the handlebars, wheels, pedals, and so on. The part I have the most trouble with is the fine-tuning, which is one of the most important aspects of the set-up process.

Instead of fumbling with it myself, I go to my favorite local bike shop, Spin Bicycle Shop, in Lansing, Michigan. For $70, the shop put my new Schwinn e-bike together and offered to make any tweaks after I rode it for a little bit. 

Amazon also offers bike assembly services depending on your area. Where I live, the cost is $94.99. If that sounds a bit steep or you'd prefer to choose who puts your bike together, consider coordinating with a local shop to have your bike sent directly to it for assembly.

But if you're particularly adept at bike assembly, you may want to give it a shot yourself and save a few bucks. Keep in mind that you might be on your own since it likely won't come with instructions — at least mine didn't. 

What makes the e-bike stand out

When buying a bike, it's important the one you purchase fits you correctly.

I didn't have the opportunity to try out the Monroe before it arrived, so I went on faith. I was also sent the medium frame version, which turned out to be slightly small for me but fortunately, the build ended up being just right for how I like to ride. 

My review bike didn't come with a user manual, so I had to play around with the bike for about five minutes before I figured out how it worked. Basically, the bike turns on once you hold down the power button for a few seconds and the key is meant to release the battery for easier charging — not for ignition.

When I finally started riding, I discovered that I couldn't be completely lazy. You can't just sit on the bike and have it zoom you around town — you actually have to pedal to engage the electric motor. This plants it in the territory of pedal-assisted e-bikes rather than full-on motor-assisted.  

There are five speeds you can adjust via the bike's thumb pad controller located on the left handle. The LED display shows you how much assistance you're getting, as well as how much battery life is left. When you want to stop, just squeeze the brake levers and the motor cuts off. 

At first, I was nervous about the bike going 20 miles an hour. On my long rides on a hybrid bike, I averaged 15 mph but once I got going, I realized 20 mph isn't a big deal. Similar to how you can change gears on a multi-speed bike, you can choose how much the motor assists you, too. If you're having trouble going up a hill, just increase the assistance to maintain your speed.

When I pedaled hard, the bike was able to get up to 20 mph in about 10 seconds on smooth, flat surfaces. Pedaling uphill was a bit different, maxing out at roughly 15 mph. Lighter people may be able to get it going a bit faster, though (I weigh 250 pounds for context). 

Despite my weight and the strain it put on the motor, I found that the bike really does have a 45-mile range on a single charge. I didn't have a chance to precisely time how long the battery takes to charge from empty but it recharged completely overnight or during a full workday.

Cons to consider

As mentioned above, you do have to start pedaling to engage the electric assistance though you don't have to pedal much to approach max speeds. Nonetheless, I wish there was a way to zip around town without having to pedal at all. Despite my desire to only bike for exercise, I do admit I get lazy sometimes.

The Monroe 250 is also quite heavy at nearly 45 pounds. For comparison, my main bike — the REI Co-op Cycles CTY 2.1— is bigger and weighs just over 30 pounds. The added weight makes the Monroe a pain to lug into my basement for storage. Fortunately, when riding, I can't tell that it weighs more than my other bikes. Some of the added weight is attributed to the battery, which checks in at about six pounds. The on-board motor also weighs another six pounds. 

Unfortunately, Schwinn doesn't outfit the Monroe 250 with any accessories you'd typically want for commuting, such as fenders or racks. To be fair, not many competing e-bikes tend to come with these extras anyway, so with its comparatively low price, you'll have extra money to pick out the accessories you want.

The bottom line

I really enjoyed my time with Schwinn's Monroe 250 Single-Speed Electric Bike and was sad when it came time for Pacific Cycle — Schwinn's parent company — to take it back. It was such a joy to ride around and truly turned me in favor of e-bikes (something I never thought would be possible).

The bike offers a smooth, comfortable ride, enough assist options to either get a workout or just cruise, and plenty of range to get me around town. That it's also one of the more inexpensive e-bikes on the market makes the Monroe 250 an excellent choice for anyone buying their first e-bike or looking to add to their lineup. 

• Should you buy it? If you're considering an e-bike, or any bike for that matter, we'd recommend taking it for a test drive first. I'm incredibly picky about what bikes I like and the Monroe 250 passed my tests. Plus, it's more affordable compared to others that start at $2,000. As I rode it, I kept thinking that it'd be a great alternative for people who are sedentary but are trying to get into exercising — it's a great transition bike. It's also an ideal bike for commuters thanks to its different assistance gears. 
• Which model should you get? If you're between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-8, get the small. If between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-10, try the medium. And if you're between 5-foot-11 and 6-foot-3, go with large. At 6-feet tall, I found the medium was just a touch too small for me but it didn't end up being horrible. If you're on the cusp between sizes, I'd go with the smaller option.
• What are your alternatives? Though I don't have much frame of reference for e-bikes, check out our list of the best e-bikes if you're looking for other options. It's worth noting that each e-bike in that guide is more expensive, planting the Schwinn Monroe firmly in beginner/entry-level territory. 

Pros: 45-mile range on a single charge, speeds up to 20 miles per hour, adjustable electric assistance, attractive design, comfortable frame, relatively affordable, lifetime frame and fork warranty via Schwinn

Cons: Heavy, doesn't come with many extras for commuting, only two-year warranty on the battery and electric-assisted parts

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• The right backpack can often spell the difference between a comfortable or pain-inducing trek, no matter if you're only out on a day hike or embarking on a longer backpacking trip. 
• Since women's bodies are different, so, too, are the backpacks that work best for them — thankfully, many brands understand this and design packs specifically to fit women.
• Some of the most significant differences are with the shape and contour of a pack's shoulder straps and hip belt, along with a harness designed to fit shorter torsos. 
• We tested several packs across various backpacking and hiking trips to find the best from brands like Mammut, Mystery Ranch, and Osprey. 

Not all bodies are created equal and furthermore, women are not small men. Thankfully, backpack manufacturers get that. The days of brands deciding to just "shrink it and pink it" is over. Today, women's backpacking packs are designed specifically to fit a female body — and they're a game-changer. 

There are a few key differences between the design of a men's pack compared to that of a women's. The shoulder straps and hip belt are shaped and contoured differently to accommodate a woman's structure and anatomy while its harness is built to fit shorter torsos.

Though some gear categories see women's products made from lower-quality materials and technical innovations compared to the men's, the design and quality of women's backpacks are top-notch. So, whether you're on the trail for a quick overnighter or heading out on a multi-day expedition, here are a few of our favorite women's hiking backpacks. 

Here are the best women's hiking backpacks:

• Best durable backpack: Mammut Trea Spine 50
• Best backpack for overnighters: Deuter Futura Pro 38 SL
• Best load hauler backpack: Mystery Ranch EX Glacier
• Best for travel backpacking: Osprey Fairview Trek 50
• Best affordable backpack: Kelty Redwing 50
• Best backpack for big trips: Granite Gear Blaze 60
• Best backpack for fast and light adventures: Salomon Out Night 28+5 W
• Best versatile backpack: The North Face Women's Griffin 65
• Best backpack for your money: Gregory Maven 65
• Best everyday pack suitable for backpacking: Mountainsmith Mayhem 45

Updated on 4/28/2020 by Rick Stella: Added more product information and testing data to each pick, updated the piece to reflect both hiking and backpacking, checked each pick for availability, and updated the prices, links, and formatting. 

The best durable backpack

If you scramble or squeeze through tight trees and rocks while hiking, there's nothing better suited to resist wear and tear than Mammut's Trea Spine 50L. Its weather-resistant, water-shedding fabric is coated Cordura that showed no signs of damage even after scrambling through slot canyons in Utah. It's also one of the most comfortable packs I've worn.

The shoulder straps and hip harness move independently — a welcome feature for when you want your movement to be unrestricted. Regardless of how awkwardly I hiked up a hillside or rock slab, my load always felt stable, and I never felt pulled off balance.

I used the Trea Spine for summer backpacking, though it didn't sit just in my closet for the rest of the year. Ski-carry straps and ice axe fasteners also make it winter adventure-ready, allowing me to use it on a ski touring trip loaded with axes and crampons for a day of ice climbing.

I loved the flexible loading options, too. Its contents are accessible via the top collar or a full-length side zipper, and I felt there were just enough pack pockets (including an oversized hip pocket) to keep me organized. There's even a gear-racking harness loop on the right hip that proved handy on a rappel — it was also a great place to attach a dog leash. 

Weight: 4 lb, 10.4 oz

The best backpack for overnighters

Escape for a night or two with Deuter's Futura Pro. At 38 liters, it's best suited for warm-weather backpacking but it's plenty big to fit all the gear for a weekend in the woods. Deuter's signature hammock back keeps the pack away from your body, allowing sweat to evaporate and creating an overall more comfortable fit.

It's a top loader with long, tubular side-zippered side pockets, as well as a stuff pocket that I used to carry lunch, a jacket, and a dog leash, to name a few. If you only need a bag for a quick overnighter, the Future Pro is your best choice. 

Weight: 3 lbs, 8 oz.

The best load hauler backpack

When you need maximum capacity for carrying the heaviest and biggest loads, Mystery Ranch's EX Glacier manages it better than any pack we've tested. The company makes packs specifically for hunters and military personnel who use their gear harder than anyone else, and they've used that experience in designing the EX Glacier.

The pack is relatively heavy at more than 5.5 lbs. but with that extra weight comes an abundance of space. The top-loading design makes it easy to stuff all your gear, though we do recommend using packing cubes or stuff sacks to organize it all. The winged sleeping bag compartment at the bottom also has a divider to help separate part of the load, too. There's even a full side zipper to allow easy access to what's packed. 

Its vertical torpedo pockets on the front are larger than they look, and front daisy chains let you clip on more gear. Water bottle pockets keep hydration handy, while side compression straps cinch in your load as it gets smaller.

The hip belt doesn't have side pockets but molle attachments allow compatible pouches to be added. Its hip belt and shoulder straps are a bit overbuilt, though that's to be expected with something designed for the military and hunting crowd.

Weight: 5 lbs, 9.6 oz

The best for travel backpacking

Not every backpacking trip takes you through the backcountry. Sometimes you're moving from plane to train to rickshaw, with stops at a hostel or two before hitting the trail. Osprey added features to its Fairview pack that make it as good for peak-bagging as for priority boarding.

Inside the top lid in a pocket marked "Aircover," there's a duffel bag style cover that fully encases the pack when you need to check it, store it at a hotel, or stash it under a bus. It not only protects the pack from wear and tear but also serves as a theft deterrent of sorts. Plus, if you overshop at a local market, the cover doubles as an extra duffel.

This panel loading pack also has built-in compression in the main compartment to keep your gear from shifting. When that's full, the pack stands up thanks to an extra frame built into the bottom. The sturdy waistbelt, articulated shoulder straps, and venting are comparable to what Osprey uses on its most core backpacking packs.

As is the harness adjustment system, which lets you change the bag's torso length with a simple pull of a tab. Hip pockets, oversized stretch side pockets, and a hydration sleeve complete this travel-ready pack.

Weight: 4 lbs, 1 oz.

The best affordable backpack

Not every backpacker needs all the bells, whistles, or brand name fabrics but the downside to shopping cheap is sacrificing the quality necessary for a successful trip. Kelty's Redwing pack not only sports an inexpensive price tag but it's got the comfort, durability, and space of a pack that's typically much more expensive.

The bucket-style main compartment peels back to allow for hybrid top and panel loader packing, opening up halfway with a long zipper that makes the main compartment easy to access. Four large external pockets organize everything from food and cookware to toiletries and camp shoes.

Oversized daisy chains down the pack double as haul straps while its mesh side pockets are big enough to hold a sleeping pad and a lite Nalgene-style water bottle. The shoulders and back are comfortably padded and the back is also vented, for comfortable carrying. A universal Velcro torso adjustment system means one-size-fits-all.

Weight: 3 lbs, 11 oz.

The best backpack for big trips

Vermont's Long Trail is a two-week, 273-mile trek with nearly 70,000 feet of climbing. A trip like this requires a unique setup and Granite Gear's Blaze 60L was the bag that allowed me to set out on the trail with confidence. Getting the pack fit perfectly to my body was a little complicated but after toying with the plastic pack frame and its tethered clips, I was able to set it and forget it.

When properly adjusted, it's one of the most comfortable and functional packs available. I packed it with a little over 30 pounds of gear and it rested comfortably on the articulated, well-padded hip belt and shoulder straps. Granite Gear says it's even able to carry up to 50 pounds and still maintain a high level of comfort. 

The pack's custom nylon pack fabric is also extremely durable. I threw it, sat on it, and even scraped it and it survived. When I took a side excursion and didn't want to bring the whole bag, I appreciated its fully removable lid. The pack's organization was simple and practical, too. A big lid pocket held my headlamp, extra snacks, sunscreen, and wallet while a tip to tail front stuff pocket held extra layers.

Side pockets accommodated a tent and sleeping pad, leaving plenty of space in the main compartment for kitchen and clothing. The main compartment closes with a rolltop to ward off weather and when I accidentally packed my map at the bottom of the bag, I appreciated its hidden side zip access.

Weight: 3 lbs

The best backpack for fast and light adventures

Sometimes less is more, even when you're backpacking. Minimalists will appreciate Salomon's frame-free, fast, light, and streamlined Out Night pack.

Its most notable and unique feature is the way the pack attaches to its harness. It's fixed, not adjustable, so it's important to figure out your exact size before buying. The harness is sewn to the pack bag but not to the edges, meaning that when the pack is stuffed to capacity, it won't feel like you're carrying something torquing on your shoulders or hurting your back.

Despite its minimum weight, it's able to carry everything you'd need for an overnight summer trip. It can also be used for day trips when you need more pack space than what a hydration or day pack provides — or technical features, like the ability to carry an ice axe or trekking poles.

Weight: 1 lb, 10 oz.

The best versatile backpack

Loading your pack is an art, and experienced backpackers often have strong opinions about whether a panel loader (a pack with a front that fully unzips) or a top loader (a pack you load like an open-top barrel) is preferable. With The North Face's Griffin, those on the fence about which is best will be happy because it offers both.

A curving zipper gives full access to the main compartment for panel-style loading, or you can load the pack through its weather-resistant, cinching collar. Another thing I love about the Griffin is that instead of a removable lid that awkwardly converts to a hip pack, it has a quick-release "flying squirrel" daypack that clips off in seconds.

The pack also has an oversized four-pocket lid, big stretchy hip pockets, and on-the-fly harness adjustments that let you tweak your load carrying without removing the pack. The hip belt and shoulders pivot independently for unhindered movement, too and the back panel foam has a breezy channel that was particularly welcome on hot and humid summer hikes.

Weight: Not provided.

The best backpack for your money

It's hard to pigeonhole this top-loading, side-access pack because it does so many things right. It's light considering all it offers, from a stable and supportive frame to a sturdy, well-padded and easily adjustable harness. But most of all, this pack just feels great when worn, regardless of how heavy or light I packed it.

Where many backpacking packs have a few standout features, this pack's specs read like a wishlist of features such as its spacious side pockets, its roomy sunglasses holder, and multi-pocket lid. One of its most clever features is a hydration reservoir that converts to a fast and light daypack with a shoulder harness and accessory pocket. Another is how easy it is to adjust to find the perfect fit.

If you want to lighten the pack and leave the floating lid behind, the sleeping bag divider toggles in and turns into a lightweight top flap. Six pockets help organize gear, while a hidden rain cover helps protect against unwanted precipitation.

Gregory engineers designed this pack to have plenty of harness ventilation, too, and they did it without cutting into its capacity. The trekking pole loop worked just as well for a mountaineering axe and the pack itself has enough space to be used year-round. Thankfully, Gregory even made the zipper pulls and straps glove-friendly.

Weight: 3.37 pounds.

The best everyday pack also good for backpacking

Campus pack, crag pack, weekend bag, and backpacking bag, Mountainsmith's Mayhem 45 does it all. This zip-top pack has plenty of space for the gear you'll need for an overnighter and clever features that let you overstuff it, including stretchy side pockets, an expanding front pocket, and sturdy lash points.

Side compression straps secure your gear in each of the side pockets, as well as a tent or sleeping bag you might have strapped to the outside. The Mayhem's Spectra pack fabric is unbelievably tough, too. Drag it, scrape it, and use it hard for weeks, months, and years — it'll hold up to almost anything.

But nothing about this pack, from fabric to subtly integrated ice axe holders, looks too tech-centric to not use it as your daily driver. The main compartment held books and a jacket as well as a sleeping bag and pots. The harness is fixed, so measure your torso before you buy to make sure you get the right size. 

Weight: 3 lbs, 8 oz.

• Many people in the US are well into their second month of staying home almost all day, every day, due to restrictions aimed at controlling the novel coronavirus. 
• While these practices save lives, they come with uncomfortable, even devastating, mental-health effects. 
• Physically, they make people understandably restless too. 
• Here's the psychology and physiology of what happens to your body and brain when you're quarantined, and how to cope. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

FOLLOW US: Insider is on Facebook

You'll likely be in an "unpleasant state" after a period of social isolation, since humans thrive, and survive, on interaction.

Humans don't just like to be social, we need to be.

In fact, people who have weaker social relationships are 50% more likely to die over a given period than those with more robust connections, according to a 2015 meta-analysis including more than 308,000 people. 

Put another way, being lonely seems to be as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 

That's why depriving yourself of social connections, even temporarily, doesn't feel good: Your body is trying to tell you to mingle so that, long-term, you stay alive.  

"If we think about loneliness as this adaptive response kind of like hunger and thirst, it's this unpleasant state that motivates us to seek out social connections just like hunger motivates us to seek out food," lead study author Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, told Business Insider. 

Of course, she said, in a situation like a pandemic that requires you to reduce or eliminate your face-to-face contact, that discomfort needs to be endured to stave off more dangerous, immediate effects. 

The disruption of routine, including the activities that usually boost your mood, can also feel like an uncomfortable "jolt."

Not going to work, school, social events, or the gym means lacking "social rhythm reinforcers" and causing stress, Simon Rego, chief psychologist at Montefiore Health System and an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, told TODAY.

"The removal of those things that normally lift our mood — like connecting with others, feeling we had a good productive day, getting out and exercising, moving about — when you take those things away … it can potentially have an impact on people's mood," he said. 

Feeling frequently bored can also be a new, and uncomfortable, experience.

If, like many Americans, you're used to being busy— often, too busy — the boredom of quarantine can also be a new, and depleting, experience. 

While boredom is a normal and even healthy human state, people who experience it more often experiencing it more often tend to have more anxiety and are more prone to depression, research has shown. 

Fortunately, the study authors found, how you react to boring situations makes all the difference in how distressing it is. Experts recommend keeping or creating some routine, including perhaps new hobbies, to help while away the time. 

The effects of not physically moving as much can mess with your mind, too.

Whether you're confined to a room because you've been exposed to the virus or simply working from home because your office or jurisdiction requires it, this reduction in physical activity can affect your mind.

Look to injured athletes for an extreme example. Athletes may experience"emotional upheaval" when they're injured, in large part because they no longer have the coping mechanism that may have kept these feelings at bay. 

That may manifest as sadness, irritation, frustration, anger, and other uncomfortable emotions.

Reducing or virtually eliminating your physical activity can also cause your muscles to atrophy.

"Use it or lose it" is a cliche for a reason: It's true. 

A study in the Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that just two weeks of inactivity can begin to negate gains to your heart and muscle mass, according to US News & World Report. 

Another study found that obese adults who worked out for four months and then took a month off lost most of the improvements to their aerobic capacity, insulin sensitivity, and cholesterol.

While elite performance coach and human movement specialist Luke Worthington told Insider's Rachel Hosie"strength and aerobic conditioning are actually pretty resilient," he did admit that after about four weeks of inactivity, you'll start to soften. 

The effects of a quarantine can be psychologically damaging in the long term.

According to February research in the Lancet that included 24 previous studies on the psychological effects of quarantines during disease outbreaks, the experience can lead to post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, confusion, anger, fear, and substance misuse.

The most vulnerable people, the study authors said, are those who have or have had mental health issues. 

More recent research suggests these negative effects are playing out in the current pandemic, with 55% of respondents in a survey by the Benenson Strategy Group saying the coronavirus has affected their mental health.

Many mental health professionals have warned the isolation will lead to a serious mental-health crisis, skyrocketing depression rates, and even increases in suicide. 

Of course, how severe the effects are depend on your situation, personality, and history.

How affected you are by a period of social isolation, or just reduced physical interactions, is also influenced by your personality. 

"If you're a massive extrovert who thrives on social contact" the experience is going to hit harder "than if you're an introvert who's very comfortable curling up on a couch with a book," psychologist Dr. Sherry Benton told Business Insider. 

To help ease stay-at-home restlessness, take a solo walk or run or try some at-home workout plans.

Even in jurisdictions with "stay-at-home" or "shelter-in-place" orders encourage residents who are healthy to get outside for the occasional walk or run. Just do so alone, don't linger, and keep your distance from others. 

"I don't need to quote a study to let you know that if you've been inside all day, a little time outdoors will improve your mood," Dr. Jedidiah Ballard, an emergency-medicine physician, told Insider. "Vitamin D also plays a role in immune function, and sunlight is needed for our bodies to convert it to its active form."

If you must or prefer to stay home, all you really need is your body to do pushups, squats, lunges, crunches, and burpees. A chair too can serve as a bench for tricep dips. 

If you have a resistance band, you can work even more variety into your at-home exercise plan. Try squats or "fast feet"— squatting low and stepping quickly in place — with the band around your legs above your knees to create tension and build power.

Try to eat healthy to help fend off feeling too sluggish.

Alyssa Pike, registered dietitian and manager of nutrition communications at the International Food Information Council, previously told Insider you don't have to rely on soup and saltines for weeks straight. 

Rather, stock up on canned and frozen vegetables, grains like rice and pasta, and try some uncomplicated but nutrient-rich recipes like pasta salads and vegetarian chilis. 

Make sure you have a can opener. 

Eating a healthy and nutritious diet, WHO's director-general said, "helps your immune system to function properly." He also recommended limiting alcohol and sugary drink consumption, and not smoking. 

To mentally and emotionally cope with a quarantine or reduced social contact, virtually reach out to others.

Being quarantined today is less socially straining than just a decade ago.

Tools like FaceTime and Skype "may help relieve some of those short-term unpleasant responses to help us still feel and maintain those connections without potentially putting ourselves at risk of being exposed to the virus," Holt-Lunstad said. 

She recommended being proactive about reaching out to others and asking how they're doing — you'll boost your mental health as well as theirs, since they'll at least experience the perception of support, which research shows can reduce stress. 

Holt-Lunstad added that the silver lining to something like a directive to stay home is the ability to slow down and connect with the people closest to us.

"When you're having people still express love and support in a variety of ways, it can make those periods of relative confinement more bearable," she said. 

• Amazon is experiencing major stock outages on essential products and delaying the delivery of nonessential items. You may have to wait up to a month on any products you need right now. 
• We found 40+ online stores that offer fast and free (or very affordable) shipping and generally have a better stock of products. Some may also offer curbside pickup in case you need your order more urgently. 
• The list is divided into categories like tech, household essentials, and pet supplies, so you can quickly find the best Amazon alternative for your needs. 

Amazon, once the go-to destination for nearly everything you could ever need, may no longer be the ideal place to shop online. 

The mega-retailer has been hit with a combination of struggles because of the coronavirus. As brick-and-mortar stores nationwide closed in March and people started preparing for life at home, shoppers turned to Amazon more than ever and bought up household essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer. This, in turn, caused significant stock outages and price gouging by third-party sellers on all types of products. 

Amazon has also pushed back delivery times of "nonessential" items. Products you could normally receive within a few days now come with an expected delivery date three to four weeks out and the explanation: "We're temporarily prioritizing the delivery of some items in order to serve our customers in need and ensure the safety of our associates. As a result, some delivery times are longer than usual."

To help you buy everything you need right now — whether it's cleaning products, pet food, or cooking tools— we've compiled a list of online retailers that may be faster and more reliable than Amazon. 

These stores offer fast and free (or very affordable) shipping, generally have a better stock of products, and are ready to step up in place of Amazon. Better yet, some also offer curbside pickup. In case you need something the same day, you can drive up to the store and receive your order safely and quickly, without ever stepping foot inside the store.

For this roundup, we focused on retailers that ship nationwide, but we also encourage you to support local businesses by checking their websites and social media pages for their shipping policies at this time. Depending on its product availability and shipping speed, a local shop may be a better option for what you need. 

We've divided the list into categories and included important information such as order minimums, shipping policies, and potential delays. 

Shop these stores instead of Amazon for better product availability and faster shipping. 

Tech

• B&H Photo: Free expedited shipping (1-3 business days) is included for most orders over $49. 
• Adorama: Free shipping is available for thousands of items. 
• Target: Free shipping is included on all orders over $35. Target RedCard holders get free two-day shipping on most orders, although some lower-cost products only ship with a $25 minimum order. Target also offers curbside pickup. 
• Best Buy: Free shipping is included on all orders over $35. Shipping times currently vary by product. All physical store locations are closed, but you can also opt for contactless curbside pickup when you place your order online or in the app.
• If you can't find what you're looking for at a big-box retailer, try buying directly from Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and other tech brands that have their own retail websites.

Home

• Grove Collaborative: The household essentials seller offers free shipping for orders over $49, and orders should arrive within 2-7 business days. Learn more about Grove Collaborative here. 
• Verishop: Given the current environment, Verishop is shifting its baseline offering to free two-day shipping (was one-day) to ensure it can continue providing a convenient, reliable experience for its customers. The retailer will also continue its 30-day free return policy and price matching. Subscribe to Verishop's mailing list for 10% off your first purchase, and through May 5, all customers can use the code "LOVEMOM15" for 15% off their order. Learn more about Verishop here.
• Wayfair: Free shipping is included for orders over $49. No-contact deliveries are operating on schedule, although Wayfair says delays caused by local regulations are possible. In-home assembly and installation services have been temporarily paused until further notice.
• Overstock: Free shipping is now included for all orders, even large furniture, to the continental US. State-level and national-level closure decisions may affect some orders.  
• Crate & Barrel: Longer-than-usual delivery times are possible, but packages should arrive within 7-9 days of your order.
• Bed Bath & Beyond: Free shipping is included for orders over $39. All retail locations are closed until further notice. Learn more about the company's safety precautions here. 
• Quill: Free shipping is available on all orders, no price minimum required. Orders placed before 3 pm local time should be delivered within 1-2 days. 
• The Home Depot: Free 2-day delivery is available for thousands of items, and free standard delivery is available for over one million items. Curbside pickup is available until 6 pm daily through mid-May. 
• Staples: Free shipping is applicable to all orders with no minimum purchase amount required. The estimated delivery date will be provided at checkout.
• Office Depot: Free standard shipping is available for orders over $50, and orders over $60 qualify for free express shipping. Shipping times may be delayed beyond the typical 3-5 day window.
• Dropps: All orders should be fulfilled for shipping within 24 hours, with an expected 5-7 day delivery window. 
• Also, we recommend checking for home products you typically buy on Amazon at similar big-box retailers like WalmartandTarget.

Kitchen

• Williams Sonoma: Free standard shipping is included on orders over $49 with the code "SHIP4FREE." All retail locations are closed through at least May 3.
• Made In: Free shipping is included on orders over $50. Made In says that on average orders arrive in three days. All cookware, knives, and accessories (new or used) can be returned within 45 days of the delivery date for a full refund, exchange, or store credit. The company will cover return shipping for the continental US.
• Verishop: Given the current environment, Verishop is shifting its baseline offering to free two-day shipping (was one-day) to ensure it can continue providing a convenient, reliable experience for its customers. The retailer will also continue its 30-day free return policy and price matching. Subscribe to Verishop's mailing list for 10% off your first purchase, and through May 5, all customers can use the code "LOVEMOM15" for 15% off their order. Learn more about Verishop here.
• Boxed: Free shipping is included for orders over $49, and free shipping is included for Express orders over $99. Due to high demand, you may see that certain items will have a limit as to how many you can order at a time. Read more COVID-19 FAQs here. 
• Wayfair: Free shipping is included for orders over $49. No-contact deliveries are operating on schedule, although Wayfair says delays caused by local regulations are possible. In-home assembly and installation services have been temporarily paused until further notice.
• Overstock: Free shipping is now included for all orders, even large furniture, to the continental US. State-level and national-level closure decisions may affect some orders.  
• Thrive Market: Free shipping is included for orders over $49. Learn more about Thrive Market here. 
• Sur La Table: Free shipping is included for orders over $59. Sur La Table's distribution team is processing orders as quickly as possible, but it may take 8-12 days for your order to arrive. All retail locations are closed until further notice. 
• OXO: A 5-day delay is expected for all shipping (which typically takes 3-5 days total). Sign up for OXO's mailing list for 15% off your first order. 
• Also, we recommend checking for kitchen products you typically buy on Amazon at similar big-box retailers like WalmartandTarget.
• If you're looking for an alternative for groceries, check out our guide to the best grocery delivery services. 

Beauty, grooming, and personal care

• Grove Collaborative: The household essentials seller also sells personal care items and offers free shipping for orders over $49, and orders should arrive within 2-7 business days. Learn more about Grove Collaborative here. 
• Sephora: Free standard shipping is included for orders over $50. Standard shipping is usually 1-3 days but may currently be delayed. Your expected delivery date is shown at checkout. 
• Ulta: Free standard shipping is included for orders over $35 and takes 4-10 business days. Curbside pickup is also available.
• Verishop: Given the current environment, Verishop is shifting its baseline offering to free two-day shipping (was one-day) to ensure it can continue providing a convenient, reliable experience for its customers. The retailer will also continue its 30-day free return policy and price matching. Subscribe to Verishop's mailing list for 10% off your first purchase, and through May 5, all customers can use the code "LOVEMOM15" for 15% off your order. Learn more about Verishop here.
• Dermstore: Free standard shipping typically takes 5-8 business days. Dermstore has extended its return policy to 90 days. Subscribe to Dermstore's mailing list for 15% off your order and free shipping for 30 days.
• Cos Bar: Free shipping and three free samples are included with every order, and orders should arrive within 2-8 business days. 

Pets

• The Farmer's Dog: The Farmer's Dog is currently offering 50% off your first order, and orders are expected to arrive between Tuesday and Sunday of the intended shipping week. Learn more about The Farmer's Dog here.
• Chewy: Free shipping is included for orders over $49. Current delivery times are running considerably longer than usual on food and supplies, and orders should arrive within 7-10 days.
• Petco: Free 1-2 day delivery is included for orders over $35, and curbside pickup is also available.
• Ollie: Currently, all orders qualify for two-day delivery, and new customers get 20% off their first box. 
• Spot and Tango: Receive 20% off your first order, and all orders qualify for free 2-day shipping. 
• Nom Nom: Nom Nom is offering 20% off customers' first orders, as well as keeping an up to date blog as the novel coronavirus progresses. Learn more about Nom Nom here.
• Also, we recommend checking for pet supplies and toys you typically buy on Amazon at similar big-box retailers like WalmartandTarget.

Baby and kid

• BuyBuyBaby: Free shipping is included for orders over $35. Orders typically arrive within 3-6 business days. Curbside pickup is also available. Learn more about the company's safety precautions here. 
• Yumble: Save up to 25% and get free shipping on your order. Learn more about Yumble here.
• Bed Bath & Beyond: Free shipping is included for orders over $39. All retail locations are closed until further notice. Learn more about the company's safety precautions here. 
• Barnes & Noble: Free shipping is included for orders over $35, though Barnes & Noble says shipping times may be slower than normal. Curbside pickup is also available. 
• Also, we recommend checking for baby supplies and toys you typically buy on Amazon at similar big-box retailers like WalmartandTarget.

Fitness

• Patagonia: Patagonia is currently offering sitewide free ground shipping on all domestic orders. Learn more about shipping timelines here. 
• REI: Free shipping is available to US customers, and standard shipping estimates are about nine days. 
• Dick's Sporting Goods: Free shipping is included for orders over $49. Curbside pickup is also available. 
• Backcountry: Receive free shipping on orders over $50, and sign up for Backcountry's mailing list for 15% off your first order. Orders should arrive within 4-6 business days. 
• Moosejaw: Free shipping is applied to orders over $49, and receive a $10 for filling out Moosejaw's customer survey. Orders are expected to arrive within 4-6 days. 

• Adidas is making a strategic shift to a more focused online presence to cope with falling sales as the coronavirus pandemic stops customers from being able to visit stores
• The sportswear brand aims to digitize its entire value chain and revamp its 'Creating the New' business plan first introduced in 2015.
• From using AI in its supply chain to 3D printing sneakers, here's what we know about Adidas' digital acceleration plan.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

German sportswear giant Adidas plans to bolster its lagging performance by shifting strategy to focus on its digital platform.

The fitness brand reported a 19% sales decline this week as more than 70% of its global stores remained closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Over an earnings call with company executives, Adidas zeroed in on plans for "digital acceleration" and said it would pivot to a greater focus on its digital presence now that it has limited capacity to operate out of physical stores.

Business Insider got some insights from Adidas into what its revamped digital focus involves: 

• Introduced in 2015, Adidas' five-year-strategy 'Creating the New' is being remodelled by digitizing processes along its entire value chain, the company said.
• It plans to use artificial intelligence to help in its supply chain management. Previously, the brand found it tedious to estimate demand for various shoe sizes before orders were received since numbers vary from market to market. AI helps the brand carry out size distribution within a matter of minutes based on reliable data.
• Use of additive manufacturing — using 3D design-printing to add layers of material — to produce the midsoles of the Adidas 4D running shoes.

Adidas also says it is investing in its digital retail infrastructure, and is reaping the benefits during the coronavirus as its online stores, as well of those of partner retailers, are open all the time. Its physical stores and other sporting-goods retailers remain closed in most parts of the world.

The brand's ecommerce sales saw the highest growth rate on record last year, a jump of 34%. That spurt accelerated even further as sales for ecommerce grew by 35% in currency-neutral terms with 55% growth in March this year.

The firm aims to support this trend by connecting experts from its retail teams, mobile-fitness app Runtastic, and the IT team, all working towards building up ecommerce. Adidas is also extending partnership programs with digital pure players — companies that only run virtually — such as Zalando, Asos, Zappos, and Tmall.

As well as focusing more heavily on ecommerce, Adidas is also promoting heavily products that are selling well while people are stuck at home. The brand is increasingly promoting products like the Adilette Slides— a favorite among consumers working from home — as they have enjoyed high demand on the brand's channels. Adilette sales went up by a 'triple-digit percentage' rate in April, the company said.

For its sports apps "adidas Running" and "adidas Training", the brand has been offering free premium access since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, hundreds of thousands of athletes have used more than 250 training videos, workouts and training plans to continue keeping fit from home.

Adidas has also focused its marketing investments and efforts towards digital and social media channels and an increase in digital storytelling under the hashtag "#hometeam."

Over the past few weeks, the brand has shared inspiring home stories from the daily lives of numerous brand ambassadors around the world who demonstrate creative ways to "make the most of time at home and, of course, to continue to exercise."

SEE ALSO: Adidas CEO doubles down on ecommerce as 70% of its global stores remain closed

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• Gold's Gym filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday.
• The gym chain had temporarily closed locations during the coronavirus pandemic. It later announced it would close 30 company-owned locations for good.
• "We want to be 100 percent clear that Gold's Gym is not going out of business," President and CEO Adam Zeitsiff said in a press release. "The brand is strong, and we'll continue to innovate and grow our digital business, our licensing program and our global footprint as we focus on serving our millions of members across the world."
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Gold's Gym filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, becoming the latest business to pursue restructuring amid coronavirus-related business disruptions.

"We want to be 100 percent clear that Gold's Gym is not going out of business," President and CEO Adam Zeitsiff said in a press release. "The brand is strong, and we'll continue to innovate and grow our digital business, our licensing program and our global footprint as we focus on serving our millions of members across the world."

The company referred to difficulties brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and said it hoped to reemerge from bankruptcy proceedings by August 1.

It said the bankruptcy filing would affect only company-owned locations, which represent about 10% of the company's roughly 700 locations around the world.

The gym chain was forced to temporarily close locations across the US in March in response to states' restrictions on businesses. In April, it announced it would close 30 company-owned locations for good.

In a recent interview with Business Insider, Zeitsiff outlined the company's plans to reopen gyms under new protocols including reduced capacity and enhanced cleaning procedures.

"We have been working with our landlords to ensure that the remaining company-owned gyms reopen stronger than ever coming out of this pandemic," the company said in a statement on Monday.

"To be clear, the filing should not impact our licensing division, it is not associated with any of our locally-owned franchise gyms, nor will it prevent us from continuing to support our system of nearly 700 gyms around the world. While the COVID-19 pandemic certainly impacted our company-owned gym operations, we expect the filing will have no further impact on current operations."

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• An exercise bike is a great way to keep your heart healthy and muscles toned, and it could help you lose weight or maintain it where you want it.
• Having a stationary bike at home allows you to work out at any time you like without having to commute to the gym or worry about if it's nice enough outside to ride your bike.
• Our top pick, the NordicTrack's S22i Studio Cycle, is a high-quality at-home bike that offers a deep library of on-demand content like instructor-led courses and digital rides across the world, that you'll love jumping on for a workout each day. 

Exercise bicycles, also known as stationary bikes or spinning bikes, have a surprisingly long history, dating back to the 16th century. Francis Lowndes invented a device approximating the function of an exercise bike in the late 1790s. His creation, the Gymnasticon, predated even the earliest riding bicycles by several decades. By the end of the 19th century, as bicycles took their modern form, stationary bikes used for exercise became a more common sight in homes and gymnasiums.

For much of the 20th century, exercise bikes and treadmills were essentially the only stationary devices suitable for cardiovascular exercise. Toward the late 1900s, equipment such as the NordicTrack, the elliptical trainer, and stair machine gained in popularity. Exercise bikes almost seemed passé, used more for hanging laundry than for fitness in the home.

Then the spinning craze hit and exercise bikes surged into style once again. Led by familiar faces in NordicTrack and newcomers like Peloton, the current wave of exercise bikes have become an incredibly popular part of anyone's at-home fitness setup.

And why shouldn't the exercise bike be popular? On those days when it's too cold for a run or when there's no time for a trip to the gym, a home exercise bike is a great way to get your heart rate up and your leg muscles pumping. When you utilize its various seated and standing positions, as well as the interval training approach of a spin class, you can even get what amounts to a total body workout.

Compared to larger cardio machines like an elliptical trainer or treadmill, many exercise bikes are relatively affordable and compact. Some even fold away to stash in a closet or under the bed.

Our guide includes exercise bikes to fit every budget and every home. Some are small enough to tuck under a desk, while others require a few square feet of real estate. But all of the stationary cycles included will help you hit those cardio fitness and weight management goals.

Here are the best exercise bikes you can buy:

• Best exercise bike overall: NordicTrack's S22i Studio Cycle
• Best exercise bike for comfort: Exerpeutic 5000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike
• Best high-end exercise bike: Peloton
• Best budget exercise bike: Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycle
• Best folding exercise bike: XTERRA FB150 Folding Exercise Bike
• Best pedal exerciser: Vive Pedal Exerciser
• Best smart exercise bike: Schwinn Classic Cruiser

Updated on 5/4/2020 by Rick Stella: Addded the NordicTrack's Commercial S22i Studio Cycle as the best overall exercise bike, checked the availability of each pick, and updated the prices, links, and formatting. Due to fluctuating stock, several of the bikes are either low in stock or currently back-ordered. We'll update this with new information when we can. 

The best exercise bike overall

NordicTrack's S22i Studio Cycle offers a high-quality ride experience and some of the best streamable workout content via its iFit program. 

Exercise bikes outfit with a large color touchscreen that streams on-demand workouts is a growing trend in the at-home fitness industry. Though Peloton's name tends to come up first in any conversation about them, the NordicTrack brand has been delivering a high-quality at-home cycling experience for far longer.

With its S22i Studio Cycle, NordicTrack continues that trend by offering a feature-heavy at-home bike with a deep offering of on-demand fitness content. There are the instructor-led courses but also a library of rides capable of digitally taking you around the world — think biking through Australia one minute then across Moab, Utah the next. This mode features Google Map integration, so it's not just some randomly generated scenery but instead, the real thing. 

The bike also features incline and decline control, and up to 24 different levels of resistance. Each class is designed to make use of these and they'll automatically adjust as an instructor changes them during a routine. 

If you're not an all-bike-all-the-time kind of person, the iFit platform even offers cross-training routines like yoga or free weight workouts, adding to the bike's versatility. You'll have a hard time finding an at-home bike that offers more.

Pros: Deep well of content to support a high-quality at-home ride experience, can choose between trainer-led classes or free rides in places across the world

Cons: Expensive, iFit requires a monthly subscription fee

The best exercise bike for comfort

From its padded armrests and seat cushion to an ergonomic backrest and customizable workouts, the Exerpeutic 5000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike proves you can burn calories in comfort.

Who said a fat-blasting cardio workout session had to be unpleasant? No one who's ever eased themselves into the plush seat of the Exerpeutic 5000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike, certainly.

This superlative home exercise stationary bike has a generously padded seat that cradles your core while promoting airflow, a mesh backrest that offers plenty of support while keeping you cool, and padded armrests to keep your elbows and forearms comfortable as you churn away at the bike's magnetic tension system.

The Exerpeutic 5000 offers 24 different levels of tension, so whether you're just starting to exercise for the first time in years or you're looking for a way to stay fit between century rides, this bike will offer just the right level of challenge for you.

It also comes with 12 workout programs, so you can tailor your exercise sessions to suit your fitness goals and your personal preferences. While you're using the bike, an onboard computer will track metrics including distance, RPMs, your heart rate, and even the watts of power generated.

And while this is a larger bike that will take up some room in the home, it's lightweight enough to be rolled into the corner (or the garage) after each use.

Pros: Comfortable seat design, multiple fitness programs, large weight capacity

Cons: Poor manual makes initial setup frustrating

The best high-end exercise bike

Peloton's name is synonymous with at-home stationary bikes, and for good reason — its high-quality bike offers a library of immersive and intense workouts led by motivating trainers. 

You don't even need to be a fitness fanatic to recognize the Peloton name when you see it — the company's done an incredible job making its at-home exercise bike an absolute star ever since it burst on the scene years ago. The attention is deserved, too, as the Peloton bike offers users an interactive workout experience that replicates the feeling of a spin class from the comfort of their home. 

Like NordicTrack's S22i, the Peloton bike features a huge built-in screen that displays each of its workouts, as well as a rider's progress and stats. The workouts themselves are high-energy, trainer-led courses that are either streamed via Peloton's on-demand library or taken live. 

Each Peloton class offers a bit of variety, too. Instead of just wailing away on the pedals for 30 minutes, there are classes for varying skill levels and themes, as well as those set to specific types of music. What they all have in common is delivering a sweat-heavy workout anyone can enjoy from the comfort of their home. 

The bike itself is a compact stationary bike that doesn't require a ton of room to setup and use. Its seat is adjustable to accommodate for a range of riders, and it runs quiet enough to not bother anyone else nearby. 

Though it is expensive at $2,245 for its basic package, it's well worth the investment. 

Pros: Peloton's bike is an incredibly interactive home cycling experience, the bike runs quietly, it offers a variety of on-demand and live classes, and its large touchscreen isn't obnoxious

Cons: Expensive, recurring monthly charge for access to the video library

The best budget exercise bike

The Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycle exercise bike costs less than half the price of many similar bikes without notable loss of quality.

Let's be clear here: the Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycle is a pretty basic stationary bike. The onboard "computer" tracks time, speed, distance, and approximates likely calories burned, but it's not going to offer you customizable workout programs as you get with many more advanced, expensive exercise bikes. But what this low-cost bike will do is help you burn calories, lose weight, and tone your muscles, which is all those other bikes do anyway, just with fancier features.

The Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycles offers eight different intensities of magnetic resistance, so it suits people of varying fitness levels. Using these eight settings, you can create your own workout program by switching up the difficulty during the session. While in operation, the Marcy Recumbent bike is quiet and stable, suitable for use while you watch TV or with kids sleeping in the room next door.

While this is a more basic option than many exercise bikes, its low cost makes it a great choice for those on a budget or who aren't sure they'll use it much and thus hesitant to make a large investment.

Pros: Great low price, easy to mount and dismount, quiet operation

Cons: Computer is basic and limited

The best folding exercise bike

The XTERRA FB150 Folding Exercise Bike provides a fine cardio workout when it's set up for use, then folds away into a compact package.

Ironically, the best thing about the XTERRA FB150 Folding Exercise Bike is how little you'll see of it most of the time. When folded up, this bike occupies just 17-inches by 18-inches of floor space, so it can be stuffed in a closet, tucked behind a door, or even laid flat and slid beneath a bed that sits well above the ground.

Not only can you stash this folding stationary bike just about anywhere, but you can use it almost anywhere, too. Even when deployed for use, the bike measures only 18-inches wide and 32-inches in length, so it will fit even in a smaller room.

The XTERRA FB150 Folding Exercise Bike has an adjustable padded seat so it can accommodate riders of varied height, and its curved, multi-grip handlebars allow you to grasp on wherever is most comfortable. When you take hold of the pulse grips set at the sides of the handlebars, you can keep track of your heart rate, helping you achieve ideal cardio intensity.

The bike's small onboard computer also tracks time, speed, distance, and calories burned. A simple dial adjusts the resistance difficulty, which is spread across eight settings.

Pros: Compact bike folds away for storage, low price tag, easy assembly

Cons: Too small for many users

The best pedal exerciser

The VIVE Pedal Exerciser is small enough to tuck away under a desk or table, letting you pedal away and burn calories and tone your legs and core at any time.

No, the VIVE Pedal Exerciser is not a stationary bike, exactly. But the type of exercise it fosters and the benefits therein gained are quite similar to those achieved with a standard exercise bike, and this from a unit that costs a fraction of the price and stows away in any home, office, dorm room, or that can be loaded into the trunk of a car and brought along on the road.

At just 12.5-inches in height, the VIVE Pedal Cruiser slips under a desk or table with ease, allowing you to exercise while you work, watch TV, read, surf the web, or any of the other countless activities we do while seated in the course of our modern lives. An LCD screen set into the compact unit tracks metrics including RPMs, speed, distance, and approximate calories burned.

But perhaps the best thing about this unique pedal machine is that it doesn't have to be used only as an under-desk leg exerciser; the VIVE Pedal Exerciser can also be set up on your desk or table for an arm workout. Just grab the pedals with your hands, set the right resistance level, and spin away to build arm muscles and burn calories as part of a complete body workout.

Pros: Compact and portable, works legs or arms, low cost, low impact exercise

Cons: Not as effective a workout as a standard stationary bike

The best smart exercise bike

Besides the fact that the Schwinn Classic Cruiser fitness bike is Bluetooth ready and works with popular cycling apps, this retro-styled bike simply looks great.

I have a Schwinn Classic Cruiser stationary bike, and I love it. Everyone who sees this bright red vintage-style bike perched there in a corner of my basement remarks on its great looks, and having used the bike plenty, I can tell you that this thing not only looks great, but it works great, too. Once you get past the unique looks, in fact, you get to the actual stuff that matters here.

The Schwinn Classic Cruiser stationary bike offers seven levels of resistance that are controlled by a lever set atop the right handlebar. On the left handlebar sits a manual timer, the kind you twist to set and that clicks along then dings when the time is up.

But when the bike is plugged in and connected to your tablet via Bluetooth, you'll quickly realize that it's vintage only in styling. The bike works with multiple popular fitness and cycling apps, including a proprietary Schwinn Classic Cruiser App and the celebrated Ride Social app.

With an iPad or other tablet set into the bike's attached media shelf, you can connect with riders around the globe and/or take a virtual ride through lands including the Australian Outback, the plateaus of Tibet, or numerous major metro areas.

Using an app, you can also enjoy myriad pre-programmed workouts that will maximize the enjoyment of and benefits derived from using this handsome exercise bike.

Pros: Charming retro style, works with multiple apps, sturdy and durable

Cons: Rather expensive option

• Business Insider asked three professional athletic trainers to debunk 17 of the most common exercise myths.
• They explain that crunches don't give you abs, that women won't get bulky if they weight lift, and that cardio isn't the best way to lose weight.
• Perhaps the biggest myth of all is that there's just one way to workout. Anything that gets you moving that you can also sustain over the long term, they said, will help you reach your fitness goals.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Following is a transcript of the video.

Sean Kuechenmeister: One of the most common myths that I hear is that, if unused, muscle tissue converts into fat. It's really important to say that muscle tissue has muscle cells and fat tissue has fat cells. They are not interchangeable. By no means is it chemically or physically possible for muscle tissue to convert over to fat and vice versa, fat into muscle.

Narrator: That's —

Kuechenmeister: Sean Kuechenmeister. I'm a clinical athletic trainer at the New York Sports Science Lab in Staten Island, New York.

Narrator: And he's one of three athletic trainers we brought into our studios.

Janeil Mason: My name's Janeil Mason.

Andy Stern: My name is Andy Stern.

Narrator: To debunk 17 of the most common exercise myths.

Kuechenmeister: It really depends on your goals. Training fasted in the morning is more conducive to losing fat. Because when you wake up, you're in a fasted state.

Narrator: And that means ...

Kuechenmeister: Your body is basically consuming itself. So it's looking at fat storage. It's looking at muscle storage. That's the time where, if your goal is to lose weight and just slim down, lean down, that's the best time to optimize that window for training.

Narrator: But ...

Kuechenmeister: In terms of effectiveness of training in general, I don't think it really matters. You just need to make sure that, if you are training at night, you are not fatiguing yourself throughout the day.

So, when most people think stretching, they're thinking static stretching. You achieve a certain position, you hold that position, and your goal is to increase your range of motion. The problem with that is, you can end up really loose. And if you follow that type of stretching with something explosive or something ballistic or something strength-based, you now have a loose tissue, or you have a lax joint, and you're not gonna be able to produce as much force and you could also potentially lead yourself to being injured because you're not as stable.

Stern: So, one of my favorite is when it's the holidays, right, and you have that aunt or uncle that's just like, "Yeah, I'm just trying to lose it, like, right here," and they start pinching the lower abdomen. I'm like, "Oh, great, you can't spot-reduce the part that you want." And in good news, it doesn't go the other way either. It's not like, when I eat a cheeseburger, it's going to go right to my right hip.

Narrator: And if you are trying to lower your body fat, cardio isn't the best way to do it.

Kuechenmeister: Cardio doesn't burn fat; cardio burns calories. So if your goal is to lose weight, you want to be in a caloric deficit. So as a part of getting into that caloric deficit, doing cardiovascular exercises is helpful. But if you're not eating a diet or if you're not monitoring your caloric intake on top of that and making sure that you are in that deficit, no amount of cardio that you do, you can't outrun a bad diet.

Narrator: And, in fact, doing to much cardio can actually be a bad thing.

Kuechenmeister: If all you're doing is cardio with the goal of losing weight, you can start to burn into that muscle tissue. So if you're burning into your lean muscle tissue now, you could actually be slowing down your metabolism, you could be decreasing your bone density, and you could be making yourself weaker. Well, that's why I think this myth is potentially the most dangerous and damaging one for the general population.

Narrator: But it may not be as common as the belief that ...

Kuechenmeister: I love this one. One myth I hear all the time is that muscle weighs more than fat. A pound of bricks weighs the same as a pound of feathers. So it's not that muscle weighs more than fat; it's that muscle is more dense than fat. So in terms of you building muscle, you can add weight on the scale. The scale isn't necessarily the best indicator of progress when we're trying to develop our physique. And oftentimes, at first, you can add muscle and the scale will reflect that you're heavier. But over time, understanding that for all the lean muscle you have, you're increasing your resting calories burned per day. That's long-term sustainable change in your body as opposed to just doing cardio sessions and going into caloric deficit and starving yourself.

Narrator: Of course, building muscle isn't just for men.

Mason: Women think that they'll bulk up if they start working out. And if that's the look you're going for, I think that's great. 'Cause you're doing something that you want to do. But if you are working out for general wellness and health, I don't want you to be afraid to lift heavy weights. You're not going to get bulky, by nature.

Narrator: And, in fact, weight lifting is especially important for women.

Mason: As we age, we become more prone to getting osteoporosis. So we definitely need to be doing resistance training, where our muscles are feeling that stimulation so that the bones nearby can remain strong.

Narrator: And whether you're a man or a women, you don't actually need weights at all to build strength.

Stern: I mean, the myth being that you have to go to the gym to be doing strength training is crazy. All right? Your body is a weight. So, body-weight exercises have been around forever, and they're so important. To be able to push up your body, or crunch, or squat, or pull up.

Narrator: And if it's a six pack you're after, the muscles themselves aren't even that important.

Mason: Getting a six pack is not about doing tons of crunches. A lot of it has to do with your nutrition.

Narrator: And Stern agrees.

Stern: Abs are made in the kitchen. The abs are a muscle. If you're gonna target the muscle by doing crunches, leg lifts, bicycle crunches, oblique twists, you're essentially building the muscle. So think of it as, you're building the engine of the car, and then the outside is your body fat. And how do you show off the inside of the car? You've got to reduce that body fat.

Kuechenmeister:"Sweating a lot means you got a really great workout" is something I hear all the time. Unfortunately, that's not true, either. Some people are just naturally more prone to sweating. Some people just have underactive sweat glands. So it means that you're healthy in your filtration system, but it doesn't necessarily reflect the effectiveness of your workout.

Narrator: But if you do sweat a lot, how should you replenish?

Kuechenmeister: I would not say that most commercial sports drinks are the most efficient way of rehydrating following a workout.

Narrator: But plain water isn't going to cut it, either.

Kuechenmeister: If you are just consuming water, too, that's also not the most effective way of hydrating because hydration is not just water. There's also trace minerals that act as electrolytes, which help with nerve conduction, they help with brain function, they help with muscular contraction.

Narrator: So if you're looking for the best way to rehydrate post workout?

Kuechenmeister: It could be very beneficial to add just a dab of pink Himalayan sea salt to water. The pink Himalayan sea salt has over 60 trace minerals, all of which are found naturally in human sweat. So when you consider something like a Gatorade or a Powerade, they may have four or five different electrolytes in their blend. So they're falling drastically short in terms of overall hydration when it comes to all the minerals in your body.

Narrator: And after a workout, you should also eat protein immediately, right? If you already have a protein-rich diet, you don't need to worry so much about downing a protein shake right after your workout.

Kuechenmeister: Now, what you are gonna be depleted of, though, especially if you're doing anaerobic exercise, you're gonna be depleted of glycogen. Glycogen is the immediate form of energy for muscle contraction. And that comes in way of simple carbohydrates and sugars. So post training, it's important to replenish that glycogen.

Narrator: But even if you're fueling muscles with a proper diet, they still need time off.

Stern: Hashtag #NoDaysOff. The old myth that we should not take a day off is an extreme. There's a huge value in letting the muscle repair itself. Right? So every time you do, let's go back to the bicep curl, if I'm doing a bicep curl, a small tear is gonna happen in my bicep, so the body is going to repair itself. Because, again, it's a machine, and it knows how to survive. And if I continue to do it, I don't have a window of opportunity for the body, the soldiers to jump in and be like, "All right, let's fix this tear," because it's just constantly being worn. So it needs some of that downtime to heal itself.

Narrator: Especially if you're sore.

Kuechenmeister: That's a myth, for sure. Soreness is the breakdown of muscle tissue. It's the chemicals released during that breakdown. It's not an indicator of, "Oh, I'm getting stronger" or "Oh, I'm getting weaker." But if your soreness persists for longer than 72 hours, that could be a sign that you're underrecovering or overtraining. One month is not enough to undo a lifetime of bad habits. So, it's important to start slow, find the things that you enjoy, find the physical activities that make you feel good, make that a daily habit.

Narrator: And there's no one-size-fits-all approach.

Mason: There's not one type of movement that you should be doing that is better than the other. So if you enjoy dancing, go out and dance. Go out dancing three times a week or do a dance cardio class or something that gets you moving. If you like to jump on trampolines, do that. I think the best movement for anyone to do is something they enjoy. Because the only way that you're gonna stick to your workout being a lifestyle for you is for you to be doing something you enjoy.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published in August 2019.

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• Yoga is one of the best ways to improve flexibility, center your mind, and achieve a beneficial sense of relaxation and calm. 
• Before starting in on any yoga routine or practice, you'll want to make sure you have the right gear and that starts with getting a proper yoga mat. 
• The best yoga mats are able to make your sessions more enjoyable by allowing you to balance better through your poses while providing a cushioned area to exercise.
• Our top pick, the Manduka ProLite Yoga Mat, features a closed-cell surface that keeps out sweat and has a dotted texture that keeps your hands and feet from slipping out of position.

If you've ever practiced yoga, you know that not all yoga mats are created equally. Each style and material caters to a different set of needs, goals, and specific types of yoga. Subtle design changes between mats can also help or hurt your unique movement patterns and may cause unusual aches or pains in any pose.

What to look for in a yoga mat

There are a number of factors to consider when shopping for a yoga mat that best serves your needs. Size and portability are important to many yogis, mainly because you'll often tote your mat along with you — unless you do your practice in the comfort of your own home. Some mats are longer than others, so keep that in mind, especially if you're taller. 

While certain people like sticky mats that help their feet from sliding around, others find them annoying, providing too much hold when they want freedom of movement. The same goes for a mat's relative thickness or thinness. Most yoga mats are relatively slim but others are thick for extra protection and cushion for your joints. 

Consider the durability and the types of materials used, too. You want a mat that's going to last, isn't made with harsh or harmful chemicals, and is easy to wipe clean after a sweaty session of hot yoga.

To help make your purchasing decision easier, we tested a number of the top yoga mats available, and compiled this guide to finding the best yoga mat for you, depending on your priorities, from perfect pose alignment to eco-friendly materials.

Here are the best yoga mats:

• Best yoga mat overall: Manduka ProLite Yoga Mat
• Best yoga mat for perfectionists: Liforme Yoga Mat
• Best eco-friendly yoga mat: PrAna E.C.O. Yoga Mat
• Best affordable yoga mat: Gaiam Print Premium Yoga Mat
• Best lightweight yoga mat: Manduka Eko Superlight Travel Yoga Mat
• Best travel yoga mat: YoGo Travel Yoga Mat

Updated on 5/4/2020 by Rick Stella: Revised the introduction copy and included the section on what to look for when shopping, checked the availability of each pick, and updated the formatting, links, and prices. 

The best yoga mat overall

The Manduka ProLite Yoga Mat provides just the right amount of padding without being too thick and clunky, and the price stays low even with its sustainable materials and no-slip grip.

When it's time to trade in those bargain yoga steals for a yoga mat that's built to last, the Manduka ProLite Yoga Mat is the way to go. Whether you're practicing yoga daily or just stretching out once in a while, the 4.7mm thick padded mat keeps your hands, knees, and feet cushioned against any hard floor and supports your back as you relax into savasana.

In comparison with the Manduka Pro's 6mm of padding, the ProLite mat sheds thickness without sacrificing comfort. It's much easier to roll up and take with you than the thicker Manduka Pro mat.

If this is your first investment in a well-made yoga mat, you might balk at the price tag. However, the Manduka ProLite mat comes with a lifetime guarantee, so you're safe from losing your mat to flaking, peeling, and fading. Whereas some mats deteriorate over time, Manduka promises that this one will only improve like a well-seasoned cast-iron pan.

In my 13 years of practicing yoga, I much prefer a mat that wicks away moisture, sweat, and dirt instead of absorbing it into the material. The Manduka ProLite's closed-cell surface does just that, and the mat is easy to clean and treat. Vinegar and sea salt is recommended to help break in the mat's texture and restore grippiness to the surface.

The more serious you get with your yoga practice, chances are a non-slip surface rises to the top of your priority list. Contrary to what you might see on Instagram, even yogis sweat, and there's nothing quite like sliding out of downward-facing dog into a flat pancake because you can't keep your hands in place on your mat. Manduka boasts that its "proprietary dot patterned bottom" prevents the mat from sliding across the floor, no matter how hot your yoga room gets.

Manduka makes the ProLite mat in two lengths — 71 and 79 inches — so that more height-gifted yogis can stretch out without fear. Plus, the icing on the cake is that the mat is completely non-toxic, 100 percent latex-free, and even promises a clean manufacturing process.

When you're ready to invest in a mat that will last a lifetime and treat your yoga body along with it, the Manduka ProLite is your best bet.

Pros: Just the right amount of padding to cushion knees and hands in tough poses, and the no-slip grip texture and eco-friendly materials are all covered under Manduka's lifetime guarantee

Cons: Although it's thin in comparison to the Manduka Pro version, the Manduka ProLite is still a pretty thick mat; the ProLite does take some maintenance and attention

The best yoga mat for perfectionists

The Liforme Mat has a printed alignment system on the surface that will help you find your symmetry, balance, and proper footing in any pose.

No matter what kind of yoga you do, proper alignment is an important part of learning the poses and their transitions. The first thing you'll notice about the Liforme mat is that discreet lines, shapes, and markers are etched into its surface to help you place your limbs accurately and mindfully as you move through your practice. Liforme's mat is also slightly longer and wider than most traditional yoga mats, so you'll never feel cramped or confined.

Alongside alignment, the Liforme mat's other major benefit is the grippy surface. Through its commitment to eco-friendly materials, Liforme created a proprietary "GripForMe" material blend of natural rubber and sustainably-sourced felt to cushion your knees, hips, and hands with 4.2mm of padding. The mix also keeps you from slipping and sliding when the sweating starts.

Continuing the eco-friendly trend, each layer of the PVC-free mat is heat-bonded to avoid toxic glues and adhesives, and even the alignment marking system is etched into the surface to avoid synthetic dyes.

The surface of the Liforme mat is so grippy, you won't be able to glide into downward facing dog anymore, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. So if a sticky, non-slip surface is your idea of the perfect yoga mat, the Liforme mat will do the trick.

If you're not the most flexible of yogis or if you're on the shorter side, you may have trouble hitting the alignments recommended by that pattern on the mat, but if your limbs happen to line up with the printed system and you're looking to go deeper into perfect alignment, the Liforme mat is the one for you.

Pros: Eco-friendly, PVC-free mat is extremely sticky to help avoid that unintentional slip-n-slide feature that happens as other yoga mats get sweaty and wear over time

Cons: Normalized alignment in this one-size-fits-all system won't work for everyone, this is one of the more expensive mats out there

The best yoga mat for the eco-friendly yogi

The prAna E.C.O. Yoga Mat is made from 100% thermoplastic elastomer, which means it's non-toxic, sustainably made, and completely recyclable.

Synthetic materials and unnatural rubbers used in mats fell out of favor in the yoga community as the practice spread internationally alongside global concerns about the state of our environment.

Since it's made from 100% thermoplastic elastomer or TPE, all the environmental costs of manufacturing synthetic rubbers and plastics are eliminated from the prAna E.C.O. Mat equation. Once you're ready to toss your mat out, the material is completely recyclable so it won't clog up a landfill somewhere.

TPE is also UV resistant, so your E.C.O. Mat won't fade or deteriorate with sun exposure. It's completely latex-free, chloride-free, and PVC-free. The best benefit of TPE is that it's extremely lightweight: a 72-by-24-inch mat with a thickness of 5mm still weighs in at only 2.2 pounds.

On the yoga benefits side, the E.C.O. yoga mat is known to be super sticky so your hands and feet won't slide, but the TPE material may not be the most cushioning option for those looking to protect their knees and backs from the hard pressure of the floor. The mat is double-sided, though, so you can rotate front-to-back and top-to-bottom to get a seriously long-term, even wear on your mat even with heavy use.

Even if you're just looking for a lighter mat or an eco-friendly option to shake things up, the prAna E.C.O. Mat is a low-cost way to try something new.

Pros: Good for the environment from production to deterioration, this mat is made of eco-friendly thermoplastic elastomer that is non-toxic and recyclable

Cons: Everyone has their own idea of the best non-slip sticky surface, and some users reported the eco-friendly material was stretching instead of sticking

The best yoga mat on a budget

The Gaiam Print Premium Yoga Mat is highly affordable and features a ton of fun design options to bring a smile to your face while you practice.

The first thing you'll notice about Gaiam Print Premium Yoga Mats is the selection of colors and prints you can choose from. There's something soothing about practicing on a mat printed with peacock feathers or a perfectly symmetrical mandala pattern, in bright pastel greens and pinks or soothing shades of grey. Of course, the main benefit of this mat is the price point. It's an affordable option compared to some of the other top-ranked yoga mats out there.

Even so, this mat bears the Gaiam name which is respected and trusted in the yoga community. The mat is 5mm thick so you'll feel cushioned and padded but the PVC material keeps it lightweight and portable. Although PVC is often looked down on in the yoga community, this mat is free of the six specific PVC materials that have been banned, so you don't have to worry about health risks.

One thing to plan for: This mat won't last forever. In addition to your basic yoga mat wear and tear, both the material and the printed design are susceptible to sun damage. 

The Gaiam Print Premium Mat's non-slip surface works well for most casual users but if you sweat a lot during your practice, you may need more traction and a grippier surface than this mat offers. As an introduction to your yoga practice without a hefty investment, or even as a backup choice for when your heavy-duty mat is drying, the Gaiam Print Premium is a solid option. 

Pros: Serious affordability and fun designs make this mat a good fit for a casual yogi or someone just beginning their practice

Cons: Durability isn't guaranteed with a budget yoga mat, and even though Gaiam is a trusted yoga brand these mats won't last forever

The best lightweight yoga mat

Manduka's Eko SuperLite Travel Yoga Mat is slim and lightweight enough to bring with you no matter how far you roam.

When you're on the go, roughing it with a borrowed or rented yoga mat can be awkward, a little stinky, or just down-right gross. Travel mats hit the scene so jet-setting yogis and nature-lovers alike could pack their mats without the bulk of thick, padded mats they might use when practicing at home. The Manduka Eko SuperLite Travel Mat is the lighter, thinner version of Manduka's top-ranked Eko option, so it's a winner all around.

The Manduka Eko SuperLite Travel Mat is made of a woven scrim material that won't tear or stretch either with use or in your suitcase. It's thin enough to be foldable, so you can tuck the mat away into your backpack or your carry-on without added weight or bulk. The woven material still features a sweat-resistant closed-cell design so your mat will stay drier and cleaner for longer, without soaking up sweat or environmental moisture from wherever you happen to be traveling.

Speaking of environmentalism, the Manduka Eko SuperLite is made from natural rubber that is specifically not harvested in the Amazon — do yoga, protect the rainforests. And while you're practicing yoga in the rainforest on your natural rubber travel mat, you'll benefit from Manduka's trademark grippiness.

It's an affordable option but the mat isn't perfect for every environment because of its lightweight flexibility. If you're a heavy sweating yogi, the Manduka Eko SuperLite may not grip enough to keep you from slipping. 

Pros: If borrowed hotel yoga mats give you the creeps, this is a great lightweight and foldable option to tuck into your carry-on or checked luggage while you're on the road

Cons: Thin yoga mats don't provide the cushion and support of more padded options, so if you have knee, wrist, or ankle injuries (or if you just like a little more padding), stay away

The best yoga mat for travel

The real rubber YoGo Travel Yoga Mat folds up into a compact package that you can stow in your suitcase when you travel.

When you need to travel but you don't want to leave your yoga mat behind, you need one that's compact enough to stow in your suitcase or throw in your backpack. The YoGo Travel Yoga Mat is just the one for the job.

It's a full-size yoga mat when you open it up but it folds to a very manageable size. For those of you who remember the Sunday edition of newspapers, that's about how big it is when folded up. The real rubber mat weighs 2.5 pounds and measures 24 by 68 inches when it's unfolded. It may not be as lightweight as other travel yoga mats, but it certainly is more compact.

You can fold it up like origami when you're done with your practice, and the durable straps and buckles keep everything in place securely. You can also use the handles to hang it up when you wash it clean. I use this mat regularly in my small apartment and love how easy it is to store. I never quite mastered the folding technique, so I fold it in half and roll it up tightly, but it still works.

Because the mat is made from eco-friendly natural rubber with a cotton mesh heat bonding technique, it is a very sticky mat. You won't slip or slide around on the mat at all, which is great if you get sweaty hands and feet like me. 

It's also reassuring to know that YoGo plants a tree in Central America for every mat it sells, so you don't have to worry about contributing to deforestation. YoGo also gives training in organic farming to local communities so as to encourage sustainable farming practices.— Malarie Gokey

Pros: Easy to carry when folded, real rubber, sustainably harvested materials, excellent grip, perfect for travel

Cons: Expensive, initial rubber smell

Additional yoga coverage from Insider Reviews:

The best yoga blocks

Yoga blocks are an important tool for yogis at any level. Whether you're looking to deepen your flexibility, venturing into new pose territory, or just trying to go easy on your joints and muscles, yoga blocks are key.

The best yoga socks

Built for form and function, yoga socks provide extra stability in your yoga poses, which is especially helpful when you start to sweat during hot yoga. 

The best workout clothes for women

With moisture-wicking fabric, cleverly-placed mesh panels, and thoughtful cut-outs, much of today's athletic clothing is truly meant for athletic pursuits. It's a far cry from our days of grabbing the oldest shirt in our closet, cutting off the sleeves, and calling it a top.

• Since the release of films like "Free Solo," more people have started to get into the sport of climbing either as a hobby or a unique way to stay active and build upper body strength. 
• Most indoor gyms provide rentals on shoes and harnesses but if you're serious about the sport, it's wise to purchase a bundle for yourself. 
• If you plan on climbing more often, be it at a gym or outside, a harness is the first significant purchase you'll want to make.
• Our top pick, the Wild Country Mission, is comfortable to wear for long climbs, has room enough for plenty of gear, and costs less than $80, making it one of the finest beginner climbing harnesses available. 

When you first start climbing, whether indoor or outdoor, you'll likely opt to rent your gear before buying. Between a pair of climbing shoes, a harness, or even a chalk bag from the gym, it's natural to go the rental route before investing in your own gear. It's smart to get a feel for what you do or don't like. 

But once you do graduate from the ranks of rentals, the most important upgrade is your own personal harness. Though a standard gym harness gets the job done (and is often quite safe) the market is full of options that are lighter, more adjustable, and just much more comfortable than the gear found at most gyms.

What to look for in a harness

Before purchasing your first climbing kit, it's important to know what you're looking for. All harnesses have a waist belt and leg loops, as well as belay loop and two tie-in loops — the former for belaying and the latter for climbing. Leg and waist belts should be adjustable and well-padded enough so as to not bite into your legs and waist. Most harnesses also come in sizes, so be sure to double-check waist and leg measurements.

When shopping for a harness, consider what you want to do with it. If you intend to climb outside, you'll need gear loops on the belt of the harness to hold your rack, otherwise known as the equipment you carry to protect yourself from falling. Most harnesses have four individual loops, though it is possible to find those that have more. If you go the ultralight route, these harnesses come standard with fewer.

Another consideration is a drop-seat harness. These feature removable leg loops that stay tied into the harness for long alpine routes. Sport or gym harnesses are often stripped down, light, and have fewer gear loops. Trad harnesses have more gear space and often come with more padding. Alpine harnesses offer fewer gear loops but typically carry a pack. They also tend to be thinner and more packable for when you're not wearing it. 

Once you have an idea of the kind of climbing you intend to do, then you can focus on the specific harness that's best. To help, we've tested a handful of beginner climbing harnesses from brands like Black Diamond, Petzl, and Mammut to find the best currently available. 

Here are our picks for the best beginner climbing harnesses:

• Best overall: Wild Country Mission
• Best harness for beginners: Petzl Corax
• Best harness for an indoor gym: Mammut Alnasca
• Best all-around women's harness: Mammut Togir 3
• Best upgraded harness for new climbers: Black Diamond Momentum

Updated on 5/5/2020 by Rick Stella: Added a section on what to look for in a climbing harness in the introduction, updated the copy on each of the selected harnesses, updated the images, checked the availability of each pick, and updated the formatting, links, and prices. 

The best climbing harness overall

The Mission harness from Wild Country has space for loads of gear, features comfortable waist and leg bands, and still costs under $80. 

The harness packs five individual gear loops, a haul loop for pulling another rope, and accessory loops for ice screws, meaning it can grow as you grow as a climber. It's also comfortable, light, and easily adjustable for the gym. Should you progress to trad, sport, or ice climbing, it's still a suitable option. 

The Mission uses lightweight 12mm and 16mm webbing, along with well-padded waist and leg loops. I found it comfortable to hang and fall on, and it's able to haul plenty of gear. I did find the leg loops for the medium size to be slightly large for my legs but leg loops don't always need to be extremely tight on harnesses.

The buckles can be a bit tough to use, especially in gloves but they do allow for a wide range of adjustments. The waist and leg straps don't fold or pressure point on any one area, which is welcome on hanging belays when your weight is placed directly on them. The gear loops on the harness are also well-placed, allowing you to avoid reaching very far back for draws.

Wild Country used Dura Weave fabric in the harness that's both flexible and durable despite my attempts to grate it against Joshua Tree's most abrasive chimneys. I also found it very breathable, even during triple-digit days in the desert. A lower back sweat patch often develops when I climb, though I found this to not always be the case with the Mission. 

Overall, the wide waistband and breathable construction made this my go-to harness. I keep a lighter harness for the gym but in my outdoor climbing bag, the Mission lives with my rack, rope, helmet, and snacks. I'm often picky about climbing gear, so the fact this harness worked its way into my bag so quickly — and remained there so long — is high praise. Wild Country may best be known for its protective gear but this harness is a great buy.

Pros: Comfortable, light, breathable

Cons: Tough to use straps (especially when wearing gloves)

The best climbing harness for beginners

Petzl's Corax is comfortable, adjustable, durable, and has plenty of gear storage. It delivers everything we want from a harness at a great price. 

My favorite aspect of Petzl's Corax is that I don't have to think too much about it. I pull it on, adjust the waist and leg straps, clip-on my sport rack, and get on with climbing. It's that easy and one of the main reasons I keep grabbing it for quick sport climbs.

It's also far from the most expensive harness on this list — or the lightest, for that matter. But if you're not hauling gear up long approaches, the extra 200g won't hurt all that much. The two rigid and flexible gear loops carry plenty of gear on sport climbs and there's also a haul loop on the back to carry ice screws, a chalk bag, or an extra rope. The rigidity of the front loops makes it easy to clip gear on and off, too.

The double waist buckles mean the harness always sits centered on your waist and this, combined with the well-padded waistband, makes the Corax a great pick for comfort — especially for larger climbers.

I did find the leg loops to be uncomfortable on long top-rope belays but given the great value of this harness, I can't complain. Petzl also offers the Corax with a belay device, chalk bag, chalk, and locking carabiner. This should provide everything a beginner needs to get started aside from shoes. 

Pros: Adjustable and comfortable, great value

Cons: Some leg strap issues on belay

The best gym and sport climbing harness

This light and comfy harness from Mammut performs with the best sport competition harnesses but is plenty comfortable enough for long days at the crag. 

The first thing you'll notice when you pick up Mammut's Alnasca is how light it is. This isn't a harness for trad multi-pitch routes but rather for gym and single pitch sport routes when you want to pack light and travel fast.

Unlike other lightweight harnesses, this one doesn't lack comfort. The lightweight and breathable waist and chest bands don't cut into your legs or waist thanks to its clever use of a laminate material which evenly distributes pressure on contact points.

A simple one buckle waist strap and elasticated leg loops allow it to go on easily and the two stable gear loops provide enough real estate for sport climbing quickdraws. There are also two smaller loops for longer routes. There's a coating on the tie-in loops that prevents wear and a simple stitched belay loop that stood up to months of use. I find the harness to be extremely comfortable on belay and it's become my go-to for gym climbing and shorter sports routes.

At under 300g, the Alnasca isn't going to hold you back on the approach or climb, and sport climbers will appreciate the barely-there feel it offers. The Alnasca harness also interfaces directly with the Alnasca chalk bag, without the need to use a carabiner or waist loop — which is a great way to save weight. Overall, the system is well designed and if it weren't nearly twice the price of others on this list, it would be my number one pick

Pros: Comfy, light, quick to put on and off

Cons: Expensive

The best all-around women's harness

The Mammut Togir 3 Slide is a great all-around harness with excellent fit in both women's and men's variants. 

The Togir 3 Slide is a feature-rich harness that's a great all-around option for climbers of any discipline. The buckles on the waist and legs easily adjust for use inside in shorts or when used over layers outside. There's a drop-seat buckle for longer routes, four reinforced and easy access gear loops, ice clipper attachments, and a reinforced pair of tie-in loops. 

Though the feature list may be long for those climbing top rope routes in the gym, you'll still appreciate its mobility and light weight. My wife, who is just over five feet tall, found the harness to be comfortable on both long belays and sport routes. She also tends to use it for the gym where she appreciates the comfy waist strap and the belt-like loops for tucking in the waist strap to keep it out of the way.

The plastic molding around the tie-in loops is a great piece of design that helps prevent wear while also doing a great job of keeping the rope centered. This helps even out the load and reduces any chance of failure — it also makes falls a bit less painful. 

If you climb long trad routes or carry a larger rack, you might find the four gear loops insufficient. The harness isn't as light as sport climbing harnesses but it is much more durable and practical than most superlight models. If you want just one harness and aren't sure what kind of climber you want to be, the Togir Slide is a great choice. 

Pros: Nice fit, easily accessible gear loops

Cons: Some climbers found the gear loops to be too recessed

The best upgraded harness for new climbers

Black Diamond's Momentum is robust, comfortable, and a huge upgrade from any rental at the gym. 

It's easy to write off the Black Diamond Momentum as a simple beginner harness. Sure, it comes as part of a bundle with a chalk bag and a belay device, two extras that make it perfect for first-time harness buyers, but it's fully capable of sending big routes and long days outside. It can even hold its own transitioning from 5.7 to 5.10 in the gym. 

Though its bulky waistband isn't exactly light, it is comfortable and uses two strips of webbing at the top and bottom to disperse the load. The leg loops are simple and easy to adjust and feel comfortable in shorts for the gym, as well as in more robust gear for outdoor and cold weather climbing.

The waist belt did run up a bit while hanging, though this was likely due to the fact I'm on the small side of medium. However, the padding on the waist and leg straps meant the Momentum was pleasant to hang in for long periods. I recommend sizing up if you feel you're between two sizes.

There are four well-placed and easily accessible gear loops, each covered in plastic to ensure gear's able to come off quickly. The four loops might not be enough for longer routes but I found them to be sufficient for sport climbs.

If you want to transition from a gym harness to something more comfortable, lighter in weight, and great for beginning sport climbing, the Momentum is your harness. Climbers who struggle to adjust their own leg loops will love the innovative buckle system on the Momentum and any climber will appreciate its great value.

Pros: Easily adjustable leg loops, great value

Cons: Not enough gear loops for long trad routes

• Camping trips require extensive planning to ensure you'll have everything you need whether you plan to go off-the-grid or drive to a nearby campsite. 
• If you're opting to head out on a serious backpacking trip and carrying all of your gear while hiking miles for days on end, you'll likely need to pack lighter than this list and bring a few more heavy-duty items.  
• However, for car campers or those doing a short hike to a designated campsite, this list will help guide you through an easy checklist of necessary items so you're fully prepared, from campsite gear to cookware to clothes and toiletries.
• Read all Business Insider outdoors reviews.

There's nothing like the feeling of sitting around a campfire, roasting marshmallows with friends or family, and looking up at a blanket of stars before snuggling into a cozy sleeping bag and being serenaded to sleep by nature's symphony. Whether you're itching for some time away from a big city or just want to connect with nature, camping is the ultimate reminder that sometimes simple and rugged living can be the most enjoyable.

Growing up in New Mexico, I spent many weekends of my childhood pitching a tent with my family and making homemade breakfast burritos on a camp stove in the morning. My love affair with the outdoors has continued and as I've gotten older, I've gone on more ambitious trips, tackling long treks in Patagonia and rafting down the Grand Canyon. While every trip is different and requires its own specific items, I've gotten my go-to starter packing list down to a science.        

What to consider

Who's all camping? 

This list is a great starting point for car campers and tent-pitching newbies but you'll want to make sure you create your own specific list based on several key factors.

First, think about how many people you're going with. If it's a family camping trip, you may want a four-person tent or two separate tents so adults and kids can still have separate spaces. If you're heading out on a solo experience, a smaller one-person tent works just fine. 

Where will you camp?

What type of campsite you're going to and how long you plan to camp are both vital considerations. Will the campsite have running water or will you need to bring your own jugs of water? Is it off a main road or deeper into the backcountry where cell service may be nonexistent?

If it's the latter, you'll want to factor that in when making decisions like how extensive your first aid kit should be. It's also smart to plan out meals and snacks ahead of time to make sure your food needs are covered no matter how long you're gone.

What's the weather forecast?

The season and weather also make a world of difference when it comes to what you're packing. Most casual campers generally go during warmer months when lighter layers and less heavy-duty gear is preferable.

If you plan on camping in the winter, or somewhere that still has snow, you'll want to add items like snow pants, gaiters, and warm gloves to your list. Packing an extra pair of socks and spare blankets won't hurt either.

What do you plan on doing? 

Finally, don't forget to think about the activities you might want to do. If you're headed to a river where fishing is permitted, throw in a fishing rod and a tackle box. If you're camping with friends, consider bringing a deck of cards or other easily portable games. If extensive hiking is on the agenda, be sure you've broken in your hiking boots beforehand and have trail maps on hand.

If this sounds overwhelming, don't sweat just yet. This extensive camping list will help you cover all the basics. From campsite gear and cookware to clothing and toiletries, check off the items on this packing list and you'll be plenty prepared to hit the great outdoors.

Here's everything you'll want to pack for a camping trip: 

• How to set up your campsite
• What to wear
• How to prepare your meals
• Don't forget toiletries and health supplies

SEE ALSO: The best coffee makers for camping

SEE ALSO: The best hiking socks

How to set up your campsite

Durable and lightweight tent

2-Person Sundome Dome Camping Tent, available at The Home Depot, $46.14

Ideal for the warmer summer months, this two-person tent is easy to assemble and will keep you comfortable even on hot, sticky nights thanks to its ground vent. It even comes with a rainfly to keep you dry if any storms pop up. Pockets inside make it easy to keep your essentials organized and e-port accessibility along with a hanging hook for an LED light means you can bring electrical power inside, too. Fiberglass stakes are included so there's no need to purchase any separately.

However, if you are camping during the winter or with the family, you may want to consider a larger and/or hardier option.

Read Business Insider's guide to the best backpacking tents

Stake hammer that doubles as a bottle opener

MRS Tent Stake Hammer, available at REI, $29.95

If you don't want to wander around your campsite in search of a large rock to get the stakes firmly in the ground, bringing a stake hammer is a good idea. This one is durable but lightweight and comes with the added benefit of doubling as a bottle opener.

Cozy sleeping bags

REI Co-op Magma 30 Sleeping Bag, available at REI, $329

A warm sleeping bag is key to keeping cozy all night. This bag is light but still suitable for evenings that get windy or chilly (its ISO comfort rating is 39 degrees). Made from Downproof Pertex, its water-resistant 850-fill-power goose down means it's super soft and highly durable. The contoured hood and trapezoidal footbox ensure you're swaddled in warmth and comfort from head to toe. 

For winter trips, it also comes in a heavier, warmer option. 

Read Business Insider's guide to the best sleeping bags

Supportive sleeping pads

Klymit Static V2, available on Klymit, $64.95

It's tough to say you'll get your best sleep ever when practically sleeping on the ground, but this sleeping pad ensures you won't miss your bed too much. The unusual V-shaped design delivers support and built-in side rails help keep you centered. Best of all, it's easy to inflate and packs up to be small and compact for easy storage. The only downside is that it isn't super insulated, so this is another product best used during warmer months.

Inflatable pillows

Sea to Summit Ultra-Light Aeros Inflatable Pillow, available on L.L. Bean, $39.95

You'll need a cushy pillow to go with your sleep setup. This one is slightly curved for better head and neck support. It quickly inflates with just a few breaths and doesn't lose air or sink throughout the night. It's super lightweight at just 2.1 ounces and it easily packs up into a small stuff sack when you're not using it.

Compact flashlights

4 AAA COB LED Rubberized Flashlight (4 pack), available from The Home Depot, $15.99

While you might want a hands-free option if you plan to do a lot of hiking or set up a more elaborate campsite, these compact flashlights are just the trick for casual camp use. They're bright, durable, weather-resistant, and easy for kids to use during family trips. The wrist lanyard is also an easy way to make sure they don't get lost. 

Don't forget to pick up extra batteries, too.   

Read Business Insider's guide to the best flashlights

Comfy camp chairs

Yeti Hondo Base Camp Chair, available at Yeti, $299.99 

This chair is a splurge, but it's well worth the higher price if you can swing it. In typical Yeti fashion, they've created a seriously superior product sure to last years even if it gets banged around. Not only is it incredibly durable, but it's also supportive, feeling more like an office chair than your usual uncomfortable folding chair. While it's not great for carrying on long treks, it is ideal for sitting around the fire or stargazing on car camping trips.  

Read Business Insider's guide to the best camping chairs

Folding camp table

Pack-Away Outdoor Folding Table, available at The Home Depot, $53.93

There's nothing worse than having to lug around and set up a heavy table. Luckily, this folding table is super lightweight and has luggage-style handles so it's extra easy to carry. Don't worry, it's still plenty sturdy and won't blow over at the first sign of a light breeze. It comfortably seats four people and is ideal for enjoying a meal or playing a round of cards.

Reliable tarp

Outdoor Products All Purpose Tarp, available at REI, from $5

A solid, every day tarp is a must-have on any camping trip. Whether you need something to sit on, want to use it as an extra layer under your tent, or use it to shield your campsite from an unexpected downpour, this classic all-purpose tarp will certainly come in handy. Choose from three different sizes to best suit your needs.

Easy fire starter

Zünden Fire Starter, available from Überleben, $22

A lighter is the easiest way to start a fire, but it never hurts to have an old-fashioned fire starter with you in case your lighter stops working or you run into an emergency situation. Even if you're a camping newbie this fire starter is easy enough to use you won't have any problems. The premise is simple: Prepare the right kindling and then use the striking tool on the rod of ferrocerium. That's it. As an added bonus, the striking tool on this fire starter doubles as a miniature multitool.   

Read Business Insider's guide to the best fire starters

Portable power station

GOAL ZERO Yeti 400 Portable Power Station, available at B&H Photo, $449.95

You don't have to say goodbye to all your electronics just because you're in the great outdoors (unless you want to). This solar-generated power pack will keep small electronics charged up, including phones and laptops. Unlike many of its competitors, this one is also environmentally-friendly and quiet.   

Read Business Insider's guide to best portable power stations

What to wear

Warm pair of long underwear

Patagonia M's Capilene Thermals& W Capilene Thermals, available at Patagonia, $59

No matter what season you plan to camp, a warm base layer is a smart idea. They're a necessary extra layer on unexpectedly cold or windy days and they double as easy pajamas on crisp evenings. These Capilene thermals for men and women are extra soft and moisture-wicking. Not to mention the HeiQ Fresh durable odor control comes in very handy after a long, sweaty day. 

Moisture-wicking t-shirt

Nike Dry-FIT Miler for men, available at Nike, $35& Nike Dry for women, available at Nike, $25

When you're out on the trails and working up a sweat, nothing is worse than a cotton tee, which can stay damp and stick to the skin. Instead, opt for a moisture-wicking option like these from Nike. The breathable fabric will help keep you cool, dry and comfortable.

Sturdy hiking boots

Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots for men, available at Merrell, $110& for women, available at Merrell, $110

These are not ultra-sturdy hiking boots meant for 15-miler treks. However, for easy day hikes and wearing around camp these boots are optimal. They feature suede and mesh for durability plus comfort, and a cushy footbed for added support. A waterproof option is also available.

See more of the best hiking boots for men and women

Quick-dry trail pants

Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Pant for men, available at Columbia, $41.25& Saturday Trail Pants for women, available at REI, $44.99

A good pair of trail pants should be water-resistant, sweat-wicking, come with UPF protection from harmful UV rays, have some stretch to them for comfort, and have a zip pocket or two. These Columbia pants for men and women check all the boxes.    

See more of the best hiking pants for men and women

Lightweight and ultra-soft fleece

Eddie Bauer Cloud Layer Pro for men, available at Eddie Bauer, $42& First Ascent for women, available at Walmart, $55.97

A fleece is the ideal layer to throw on over a t-shirt or base layer for extra warmth. You'll want to live in the aptly-named Cloud Layer for men and women. It's ultrasoft with a little bit of stretch and is anti-pill, so it will last for years. It comes in 1/4 and full zip options and deep zippered pockets offer a place to store a phone or other important items securely. 

See more of the best fleece jackets for men

Athletic shorts with zippered pockets

lululemon Pace Breaker Short for men, available at lululemon, $68& Track That Short for women, available at lululemon, $58

Lightweight, sweat-wicking, four-way stretch fabric, and zippered pockets. What else could you want in a trail short? These lululemon athletic shorts deliver on all fronts.  

Breathable rain jacket

Patagonia Torrentshell for men, available at REI, $149 and women, available at REI, $96.73

Of course, you hope for ideal weather conditions on any camping trip, but it's best to be prepared for rain, sleet, or any other unexpected elements. These rain jackets from Patagonia are waterproof (not just water-resistant) but still highly breathable so they don't feel stuffy. Pit zips add extra ventilation for those hot summer showers, and the adjustable hood ensures your head stays dry too. 

Read Business Insider's guide to the best rain jackets for men and women

Wool socks

Smartwool Hike Medium Crew Socks, available at REI, $19.95

Keep your feet happy with moisture-wicking wool socks blended with nylon and elastic for comfort and fit. The cushy bottoms will keep you comfortable whether you're on a long hike or just hanging out in your tent.

Read Business Insider's guide to the best hiking socks

Classic warm beanie

Patagonia Beanie Hat, available at REI, $19.95

Even during the summer, many mountain campsites can get cool in the evenings and early mornings, making a warm hat an essential any time of year. This classic beanie is a staple among campers and comes in 10 different patterns and colors to choose from.  

Read Business Insider's guide to the best winter hats

Sweat-wicking baseball cap

Brooks Sherpa Hat, available at REI, $28

A baseball cap is another must to keep the sun off your face throughout the day. This simple black hat is made from breathable, quick-drying fabric and features a sweat-wicking headband. The UPF 30 fabric further protects from harmful UV rays and the adjustable back makes it easy to get the perfect fit.  

Athletic sandals

Teva Universal Trail Sandals for men & women, available at REI, $100

Having solid hiking boots is imperative on a camping trip, but it's also smart to bring a sturdy pair of sandals to wear around camp. Your feet will also thank you for the alternative option of footwear after a long day out on the trails. These trail-ready Teva's balance comfort with durability for the ultimate combo. 

Read Business Insider's full review of Teva's Universal Sandal

Polarized sport sunglasses

GAMMA Ray Polarized Wraparound Sports Sunglasses, available at Walmart, $31

The key when picking out sunglasses is to make sure they are polarized and protect against UVA and UVB rays, like these sporty frames do. The wrap-around style helps keep them firmly on your face even during vigorous activity, though it's not a bad idea to also attach them to a neck cord as an additional loss-protection measure. 

Read Business Insider's guide to the best polarized sunglasses

Lightweight daypack

Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack, available at Osprey, $25.95

This ultralight pack is ideal for throwing in a few key items before heading on a short day hike from camp. Despite its compact size, it has plenty of space inside and includes a stretchy side pocket handy for carrying a water bottle. It also folds up into a tiny included carrying case so it barely takes up any space when you're not using it. 

Read Business Insider's guide to the best packable daypacks

How to prepare your meals

Insulated water bottles

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle, available at Dick's Sporting Goods, $42.95

If you're car camping at a campsite without running water, you'll want to bring large jugs of water with you, too. But you'll still need a water bottle for filling up and taking out on the trail. This 40-ounce option keeps beverages hot for up to six hours and cold for up to 24 hours.

Read Business Insider's guide to the best water bottles

Portable camp grill

Coleman RoadTrip 225 Portable Tabletop Propane Grill, available at REI, $170

For those who plan to do more serious backpacking, you may want to consider a backpacking stove. But if you have the room in your car and are pulling up to a campsite, a portable tabletop grill like this one can make for a fun and easy cookout. Its instastart ignition button allows for matchless lighting, and you can easily select your heat for a precise temperature.

Read Business Insider's guide to the best grilling tools

Reliable cooler

Coleman Performance Portable Cooler, available at Walmart, from $24.99

This 48-Quart cooler is a classic hard-shelled option that's plenty durable (read practically indestructible) and has multi-day ice retention that can withstand 90-degree temperatures. It also has a built-in drain on the bottom so you can easily let out any spilled beverages or ice melt.

Read Business Insider's guide to the best coolers

Cookware set that does it all

GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cookset, available at REI, $149.95

A cookset made for the outdoors that has it all and then some. The set includes four polypropylene plates, four bowls, four insulated mugs, two- and three-leader pots with lids, a frypan, pot gripper, and a welded sink/stuff sack. All the items neatly nest and stow in the welded sink for easy packing.

Read Business Insider's guide to the best camping cookware

On-the-go cutlery

TOAKS Titanium 3-Piece Cutlery Set, available at REI, $19.95

This handy spoon, knife, and fork set features a removable carabiner so you can easily keep the set together for packing and take the utensils apart for eating. The cutlery is made of pure titanium so it's resistant to corrosion and high temperatures.  

Wash bins for easy clean up

Coleman Folding Double Wash Basin, available at Walmart, $11.97

In order to safely clean up after cooking in the outdoors and make sure you don't leave any food bits behind, you'll need wash bins. This foldable option is easy for on-the-go and the two bins mean you have one bin for soapy suds and one for a final rinse.   

Biodegradable soap

Campsuds in Nalgene Bottle, available at REI, $5.95

The soap you take for washing the dishes is equally important to ensure you're practicing proper leave-no-trace practices and being kind to the environment. A biodegradable soap like this one is the best option. Just a few drops provide plenty of suds for camp cleaning. 

Quick-dry towel

REI Co-op Multi Towel Lite (Medium), available at REI, $14.95

A quick-dry towel or two will make short work of drying off dishes (or yourself if you go for a river swim). The Multi Towel Lite is uber absorbent and dries in no time so you don't have to leave it out drying in the sun for hours before packing up. It also comes with its own carrying case and is available in multiple sizes.   

Need to buy groceries for camp cooking?

• The best places to buy groceries online
• A running list of where to buy groceries when your local store is out of stock
• The best backpacking food you can buy

Don't forget toiletries and health supplies

Sunscreen with plenty of SPF

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 55), available at Target, $7.99

Pack sunscreen with a high SPF (and reapply often throughout the day) to keep from getting any bad burns. This option from Neutrogena is non-greasy and doesn't leave that dreaded white film coating. It's also water-resistant up to 80 minutes and gentle enough to use on your face, too. 

Read Business Insider's guide to the best sport sunscreens

Flip-cap hand sanitizer

PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer Soothing Gel with Aloe and Vitamin E, 4 Oz Flip-Cap Bottle, available at Walmart

Keep hands clean and kill bacteria before handling and cooking food with hand sanitizer. Aloe and Vitamin E keeps skin from becoming dry and cracked. Be sure to opt for a flip-cap bottle instead of a pump bottle to make sure leaking doesn't occur when you pack it. 

Freshening deodorant wipes

Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes, available at REI, from $4.50

A nice way to freshen up and get rid of sweat and body odor when showers aren't available is with the quick swipe of a body wipe. These have the added bonus of containing aloe vera and vitamin E to give skin a gentle, refreshing boost.

Quality first aid kit

Coleman All Purpose Mini First Aid Kit, available at Walmart, $8.78

Stay safe and prepared for emergencies by making sure you have a first aid kit with you. This affordable kit is good for short car camping trips and will treat minor injuries like cuts and scrapes, burns and bites, and the occasional puncture wound. However, if you plan to be seriously off-the-grid or doing extreme backpacking, you'll want to go with a more serious kit. 

Read Business Insider's guide to the best first aid kits

Toiletry bag to stay organized

REI Co-op Travel Kit (Small), available at REI, $16.95

Keep toiletries organized (and out of the dirt) by packing them in a toiletry bag. This one is light but durable and features a strap that makes it easy to carry or hang inside your tent for accessibility.

Heavy duty insect repellent

OFF! Deep Woods Bug Spray, available at Walmart, $5.88

If you plan on camping anywhere in the backwoods where mosquitoes and bugs could be a serious issue, do yourself a favor and bring along some heavy-duty bug spray to keep them at bay. OFF! Deep Woods contains 25% DEET so use it sparingly, but effectively. It also repels ticks, mosquitoes, biting flies, chiggers, and gnats. 

Read Business Insider's guide to the best bug sprays

Easy wipes

Fragrance Free Baby Wipes, available at Target, $1.39

It's important to note that baby wipes are not effective at killing germs and shouldn't replace hand sanitizer or other disinfectant wipes. However, they are great to bring along as an easy way to clean up any spills and quickly wipe down surfaces before packing up. Opt for a fragrance-free version so you don't attract any animals.   

Medications

The last thing you want is to be deep in the woods when you realize you forgot your meds or are running low and need a refill. Make a checklist of all medications ahead of time to double-check before you leave, and get any necessary refills in advance.

Easily get a refill with these pharmacy delivery services

• Finding a sports bra that looks good, fits well, and gives you enough support for your workout is really hard.
• We've done the heavy lifting to find the best sports bras for every size and budget.
• Sweaty Betty and Zensah make the best sports bras for A to B cups, Brooks and Champion make the best sports bras for C to D cups, while Panache and Syrokan make the best sports bras for DD cups and up.
• The most important factors to consider are size, comfort, and support. Here's what you should be looking for when shopping for a sports bra.
• See also: The best workout clothes for women

The first prototype of today's modern sports bra was invented over 40 years ago in 1977. Not so surprisingly, traditional lingerie bras just weren't cutting it on runs, so two women named Lisa Lindahl and Polly Smith took matters into their own hands. Thanks to them, we've come a long way from the "jockbra" and now there is an overwhelming number of styles and sizes of sports bras to choose from. 

Besides your running shoes, as a woman, your sports bra is the other most important — and personal — piece of workout gear that you shouldn't do without. It keeps your chest supported during your workout, minimizing any bounce and jiggle. This is important because while your breasts don't have any muscle, the skin and ligaments that give them their shape can stretch over time without proper support.

With so many styles and sizes to choose from, you're bound to find your perfect fit so you can run happy and bounce-free. Below are some important factors to consider when it comes to finding your perfect bra.

There's plenty to think about when searching for the perfect sports bra to add to your running wardrobe, but we've done the testing and read the reviews to find you well-performing sports bras for every size.

Here are the best sports bras:

• Best sports bra for A/B cups: Sweaty Betty Stamina Workout Bra
• Best budget sports bra for A/B cups: Zensah Seamless sports bra
• Best sports bra for C/D cups: Brooks Rebound Racer bra
• Best budget sports bra for C/D cups: Champion Spot Comfort sports bra
• Best sports bra for DD+ cups: Panache Women's Underwire sports bra 
• Best budget sports bra for DD+ cups: Syrokan Front Adjustable sports bra

Prices and links are current as of 5/4/20. We are currently testing new products, so we'll update this guide soon.

SEE ALSO: The best fitness trackers you can buy

The best sports bra for sizes A/B

The supportive under band, wide straps, and waffle detailing for extra ventilation make the Sweaty Betty Stamina workout bra an all-around winner when it comes to support and performance.

Just because you're petite on top doesn't mean you should go without a sports bra. While you may not need a high impact bra with extra padding and underwire, a medium impact compression-style bra that helps restrict any extra movement is always a good idea.

With a compression-style bra, the band and material are especially important, as these are the things that will provide you with the comfort and support you'll need. The Sweaty Betty Stamina delivers in both departments, with a wide under band and sweat-wicking, seamless fabric.

The wider band makes this an ideal bra for high impact sports like running, and if you cross-train, on the days you aren't running, it will do double duty. It's comfortable enough for other types of workouts like spinning and yoga. Workout gear isn't always cheap, so versatility is a great thing to have, giving you the most value for your money.

The Sweaty Betty Stamina is on the more expensive side, but its multi-use functionality does help justify the price, as do its features. The seamless design adds comfort and reduces chafing on longer runs, and the strategically placed waffling in the fabric provides extra ventilation where you'll need it most. The wide straps won't dig into your shoulders, and the tight-knit fabric and added elastane give this bra a soft, yet supportive feel.

The Stamina comes in several different colors. It's available in sizes Small, Medium, Large, and XL instead of cup sizes, so you'll want to refer to the bra guide to find your perfect fit. Some buyers do wish that an extra small was offered, but otherwise found the Stamina comfortable, and like that it washes well.

According to the product description, it will give medium support up to a C cup, but for adequate running support, most reviewers with up to a B cup felt that it provided them with the support they needed for higher impact workouts. Those with larger busts loved the comfort of this bra, but don't recommend it for running.

If you're looking for a sports bra that can take you from the road, to the yoga mat, and then go the extra mile with you on your weekly errand running, this is the must-have that can help you do it all in comfort.

Pros: Wide under band for support, seamless design, wide straps for added comfort, waffled fabric detailing for extra ventilation, washes well, multiple colors to choose from

Cons: Expensive, some reviewers wished it came in extra small

The best budget-friendly sports bra for sizes A/B

The Zensah Seamless is a no-fuss, affordable sports bra that has a seamless design, making it a favorite among distance runners who want chafe-free runs.

Even some of the most well-designed sports bras will start getting uncomfortable once you're five miles into a run, but this isn't the case with the Zensah. At first glance, it looks almost too simple, but for those with smaller chests looking for compression support, simplicity wins out.

There are no hooks, plastic, metal, or tags on this pullover bra, and the seamless design means nothing will be jabbing you repeatedly while you log your miles. The fabric is sweat-wicking and odor resistant, so you can stay comfortable even as the temperatures rise and the sweat starts to pour.

The racerback design won't hinder your motion, and there are plenty of fun colors patterns to choose from, making this the type of bra you could wear alone or under a top.

While it may look simple, the Zensah is anything but. Most of its features are knitted directly into its fabric. The wider fabric knitting in the back allows for ventilation, while the more sturdy ribbing on the sides and in the band itself offer more structured support without the use of underwire or additional padding.

The simplistic, clasp-free style also lends itself well to mat workouts on the days when you're giving your muscles a rest, so you can do your Savasana without anything digging into your back and distracting you from your state of mindfulness. If yoga isn't your thing, the Zensah's support also lends itself well to other high impact cardio workouts.

This bra is best suited to those requiring an A or B cup for running, but those with a C cup have also had good results while running with the Zensah. 

There are few downsides to this bra, but if you're looking for extra coverage on those cold days, be aware that the material across the chest doesn't have any additional padding.

Pros: Seamless design, sweat-wicking fabric, ribbing on the sides and in the band for extra support, affordable

Cons: Not as much coverage across the chest

The best sports bra for sizes C/D

The Brooks Rebound Racer is a high impact bra that delivers support without extra padding and has adjustable straps for comfort and a customizable fit.

While Brooks is a well-known brand when it comes to reliable running shoes, the company also makes some great running apparel. The Rebound Racer bra is a perfect example. Finding a high-impact sports bra that provides enough support without any padding can be a challenge, but this sports bra does just that.

I was able to test the Brooks Rebound for myself and can attest to both the comfort and support it provides on a run. While those with A and B cup sizes would be fully supported in this sports bra, its design is also fantastic for those with a little more up top.

Compression style bras don't always provide enough support for those with C or D cups, but the molded, compressive cups keep everything in place while creating a flattering silhouette. In short, you get compression-style support without the dreaded "uni-boob" effect that can sometimes occur with this style of bra.

The sweat-wicking fabric and strategically placed mesh ventilation keep you dry and comfortable. Adjustable straps, as well as an adjustable rear enclosure, add to the comfort of the Rebound Racer, provide a more customized fit, and make it easier to get it off after a long, sweaty run. 

I've taken this bra on multiple runs without any issue. While running, I felt completely supported and didn't notice any chafing. The adjustable straps were one of my favorite features, allowing me to find my perfect fit, and preventing the straps from cutting into my shoulders — an issue I've had with many other sports bras I've tried in the past.

I liked that the fabric used was thick enough to provide coverage with no additional padding needed, giving this bra a less cumbersome feel. It was also nice not to have to remove any padding before washing. I've washed the bra multiple times, and it's held its shape completely, making it feel like new every time I put it on. I've never put this in the dryer, which isn't recommended as drying will shorten the lifespan of any sports bra, but it also air dries very quickly thanks to the sweat-wicking material.

Some reviewers did feel that the sizing was a little off, and did need to size up to find their perfect fit. It's important to note that this is a compression style bra, so the fit will be snug, but it shouldn't be snug enough to make you uncomfortable. 

Pros: High impact support without padding, adjustable straps and rear enclosure for a customized fit, sweat-wicking fabric, washes well

Cons: Some reviewers feel that the sizing runs small

The best budget-friendly sports bra for sizes C/D

With gel-cushioned straps, wire-free molded cups, and targeted ventilation, the Champion Spot Comfort sports bra provides comfort where you need it most. 

A more affordable option than most, the high impact Champion Spot Comfort bra features molded cups, making it ideal for C and D cup ladies that need a little extra support but don't want any underwire. While compression can be an effective form of support, for those with a larger bust size, a combination of encapsulation (individual cups) and compression provides all-around motion control and a more flattering shape.

Instead of having a racerback design, the Spot Comfort clasps in the back and is adjustable so you can find your perfect fit. Being able to completely unclasp the bra allows for easy removal — a major plus after a sweaty run when you can easily give yourself a workout just by trying to get out of your sports bra.

Along with an adjustable rear enclosure, the straps of the Spot Comfort are also adjustable and are gel-infused, giving you freedom of motion, and preventing any shoulder chafing. Mesh paneling is placed along the top and in between the cups, giving you ventilation where you'll need it most on your runs. The material is sweat-wicking and quick-drying, so you'll stay comfortable even on summer runs.

The inside of the bra features a smooth lining for additional comfort, and the back is tag-free to minimize any chances of chafing. There are plenty of color combos to choose from, so you can find the one that goes with your favorite running top. This is also a bra that looks stylish even on its own for the hot summer days when you want to ditch as many layers as possible.

The Spot Comfort goes by traditional bra sizing (band and cup size) for a more tailored fit and goes up to a DDD cup size. Some people have found the back clasp difficult to reach, and others don't care for the stitching on the inside on the top of the bust, finding it itchy. Overall, though, the Spot Comfort is a good and affordable option.

Pros: Molded cups for additional support and more natural silhouette, adjustable gel-cushioned straps, targeted ventilation, sweat-wicking material, hook and eye closure for easy on and off, multiple colors to choose from

Cons: Back clasp can be difficult to reach, some people found the flat stitching in the interior of the bra itchy

The best sports bra for sizes DD and up

If you have a large cup size and need a sports bra that will keep bouncing out of the equation, the Panache Underwire sports bra is for you.

So often, women find themselves sacrificing style when it comes to larger clothing sizes because the options become more limited, and it's a sacrifice that shouldn't have to be made. Luckily, more brands are finally starting to see the light and provide stylish options in a wide range of sizes.

Athletic wear especially has seen changes in recent years, and it shows in sports bras like the Panache Women's Underwire, which is specially designed for women with a full bust. Notable for its ability to eliminate bounce, this sports bra combines both function and style, creating a flattering shape in multiple colors and patterns to choose from.

The options don't end at colors, either. The Panache also has adjustable straps and an adjustable hook and eye closure so you can create a more customized fit. The wide padded straps are designed for comfort and are convertible so you can choose if you want a racerback style.

The underwire gives extra support and shaping and is completely encased so you won't feel any uncomfortable jabbing during your run. The cups are lined with sweat-wicking material for additional comfort, and mesh paneling built into the bust will eliminate sweat build-up, keeping you dry and eliminating the chances for chafing to occur.

There is a science behind the bounce-free design, as it encapsulates instead of simply compressing your breasts against your chest, making for a far more comfortable (and flattering) fit while reducing movement in all directions.

The Panache Underwire comes in a wide range of sizes and goes up to 40H. Some people have found that sizing runs small for them, and found a better fit by sizing up. Others report that the metal rings on the straps tend to squeak when worn as a racerback.

Pros: Bounce-free design, plenty of colors and patterns to choose from, wide adjustable straps, adjustable hook and eye closure, mesh paneling for added ventilation, encapsulation-style support for a more comfortable and flattering fit

Cons: Expensive, the sizing ran small for some people, metal rings on straps can squeak when worn as a racerback

The best budget-friendly sports bra for sizes DD and up

Women with a DD+ bust will appreciate the comfort the affordable Syrokan Women's Front Adjustable sports bra offers, with its wire-free, full coverage.

It can be hard to find a sports bra that truly keeps everything in its place, looks flattering, and provides options for a more customized fit for an affordable price. The Syrokan Front Adjustable is a sports bra that rises to this challenge.

Available in sizes ranging from a B cup to an F cup, it checks off all the boxes so you'll be able to conquer your runs in comfort. True to the name, the straps are completely adjustable, and they can also be undone. The wide under band offers full coverage and support and prevents the bra from riding up during high impact workouts like running.

The straps aren't the only adjustable feature on this sports bra. The racerback has a rear enclosure, giving the band a more customizable fit, and allowing for easier removal. Though it doesn't have any underwire, this bra uses more than compression for motion control.

Molded cups allow for encapsulation support, with limited stretch to keep everything in its place. Sweat-wicking fabric will keep you dry, and the mesh inserts on the sides of the bra and in the back provide additional ventilation.

It may not be the flashiest sports bra, but the Syrokan does offer a good number of color options, and its simple style allows it to look good under any running top. It also has just enough padding so it will also look flattering worn on its own.

Some people find it tricky to reach the rear enclosure or wish for even more separation, but, despite some downsides, the Syrokan is a worthwhile purchase, especially at the affordable price.

Pros: Velcro adjustable straps, adjustable rear enclosure, sweat-wicking fabric with mesh inserts for additional ventilation, encapsulation for additional support, affordable

Cons: Some people find the rear enclosure hard to reach, some wished there were more separation for an even more flattering fit

What to look for in a sports bra

Size

Starting with the right-sized sports bra is the key to having comfort and support during your workout. Unlike 40 years ago, there is now a wide range of sizes to choose from whether you're on the petite side or rocking a curvier figure. Women come in all shapes and sizes, and sports bras finally reflect that fact. 

Comfort

Once you've determined the size you'll need, you'll be able to find a comfortable fitting sports bra. Material and style can also determine how comfortable a bra will be. Sweat-wicking synthetic materials are best, since they'll dry more quickly and reduce the chances for uncomfortable chafing during a run. Style is very much a personal preference, but features like adjustable straps, mesh paneling, and seamless designs can all contribute to comfortability.

Support

Even if it feels comfortable at first, there's no point in wearing a sports bra that doesn't give you adequate support once you put your body in motion. If you feel any jiggle up top, or have to do any adjusting, it likely means your bra isn't fitting correctly and isn't supportive enough.

A sports bra's support comes more from the band than the straps. For running, you'll want to look for a medium to high impact sports bra depending on your size. Save the low impact sports bras for workouts like yoga or barre, when you aren't hitting the pavement. With medium and high impact sports bras, the only bounce you should feel is in your step.

Sports bra care

Once you've found a sports bra you love, the last thing you want to do is shorten its lifespan by washing it incorrectly. Doing so can cause it to lose its elasticity, and in turn its support. While no sports bra can last forever, with the proper care, you'll be able to get the most mileage out of it, and make the most of your money.

The best practice is to hand wash and air dry your sports bras, but if you do have to machine wash them, avoid using fabric softeners which ruin the effectiveness of sweat-wicking fabrics. The one thing you should avoid at all costs is putting them in the dryer with high heat, as this can ruin the elasticity of the fabric.

What else we considered

• Under Armour Infinity Sports Bras ($35-$60): Under Armour's Infinity Sports Bras are available in three support levels (low, medium, and high) and range in price from $35-$60 and sizes XS-3X. The company worked with a breast health expert to design a sports bra that moves the way that women's breasts do during exercise — which led to its internal infinity symbol design. The sports bra is relatively lightweight, supportive, and affordable, but we have a few reservations. Its low-support style still has more padding than alternatives which may not be necessary for you, and one reviewer noted that the high impact sports bra has a thin band that occasionally rolled up and flipped up on itself. 
• Outdoor Voices Zip Bra ($75): Outdoor Voices' Zip Bra has wide, adjustable straps and an easy zip closure that makes taking it off a breeze. The molded cups are also nice. But, the material is a little thick and the price is pretty steep. 

Check out our other great workout gear guides here

The best workout clothes for women

With the right clothes, you'll actually want to get to the gym and show off your style before meeting friends for a much-deserved drink afterward. These are our top picks for the best women's workout clothes.

The best running shoes for women

Whether you're beginning your running journey, or you're an experienced runner looking for a new shoe to try, finding a quality pair of running shoes is the first step to guaranteeing your future running endeavors will be enjoyable. These are the best women's running shoes.

The best running belts

If you want to carry anything on your run, a good running belt can be a useful piece of gear to have. No matter what your needs are, you'll want a belt that fits you comfortably, and one that will stay securely in place with minimal bouncing. These are the best running belts.

The best running socks

Running doesn't need a lot of equipment. While the fancy gear is fun and can make runs more enjoyable, some would argue that all you need is a good pair of running shoes. However, there's another key piece that shouldn't be forgotten no matter how many miles you log: a good pair of running socks. These are the best running socks.