We're Closing Out 2020 With These Health and Fitness Products For December

"Baking is one thing that has always brought me joy, not only because of the delicious treats I get to create, but because I get to share them with everyone I love! And as a vegan, after being sent the Baked With Love cookbook ($36), it easily became my favorite! It has gorgeous, inspiring photography, and a picture to go with every recipe (the sign of a truly good cookbook, in my opinion). I've tried the vegan s'mores brownies, the chocolate babka, and both the almond butter blondies and the kitchen sink blondies — all have been outstanding! But the vegan challah was my favorite recipe so far — so soft and tender and easy to make. Aside from being vegan, many of the recipes are also gluten-free and Paleo, so it's perfect for those with dietary restrictions. With over 100 recipes, I'm excited for more baking this month!" — Jenny Sugar, staff writer, Fitness

"I hike with my dogs in the woods a few times a week because they need time in nature just as much as I do! So when I gear up to go outside in the freezing cold, I want them to be warm, too, so I love this Ruffwear Overcoat ($60) that was sent to me to test out. The outer shell is weather- and abrasion-resistant, and the inside is cozy fleece. It buckles on in less than a minute, and as you can see, my dog Reuben looks comfortable and happy! And for fellow dog owners who know rolling in gross stuff happens, it's much easier to wash this coat than to wash my dog. Bring on the snow!" — JS

"I love lighting candles for some ambiance and to make my tiny 400-square-foot apartment smell fresh. But my husband and I rarely agree on what scents to use to fill our small space (I like citrus, he likes woodsy). Luckily, he was on board when I lit each of the three candles in the JABfit Signature Scent Candle Trio ($22). The candles are designed to get you energized for a workout (Electric Citrus), calm and balanced during yoga or a stretch sesh (Deep Roots), or feeling calm and stress-free after a tough workout (Magic Hour). I like the different scents for different moods, but my favorite is the Deep Roots ($25) — perfect for my postworkout bath." — Christina Stiehl, senior editor, Fitness

"As someone who gets paranoid about whether or not I took my daily birth-control pill, I've loved using the Emme Smart Case ($99), which the brand sent me to test out. It's a case for your pills that uses sensors to automatically record the exact time you take your birth control when you remove the pill pack. It's connected to an app where all of that info (plus more!) is stored. You can read my full review of Emme here." — Sam Brodsky, assistant editor, Fitness

"I take biotin daily, and when I ran out of the normal pills I have each morning, I decided to mix it up with some biotin in gummy form. These VitaFusion Extra Strength Biotin Gummy Vitamins ($11) taste like the juicy fruit snacks I used to love as a kid. Each two-gummy serving has 5,000 micrograms of biotin, three grams of sugar, and 15 calories." — SB

"My dad convinced me to get a pair of running sunglasses when I was in high school, and let's just say I was way ahead of the fashion game. I'm not sure what happened to those glasses, but I recently decided that I should invest in some as the sun can be super harsh while running. After a long search, I opted for the District Vision Koharu Eclipse running sunglasses ($249) and was able to find the last all-black pair at a local boutique in New York City. They're beyond lightweight, they have a futuristic feel to them, and they make me feel like a badass when I'm wearing them." – Tamara Pridgett, associate editor, Fitness

"I'm a major fan of Merrell's shoes, so I leaped at the chance to try out a sample of its new collaboration with Outdoor Voices on the Moab 2 ($140) hiking boot! I love the vibrant color, and the waterproof design makes them perfect for a hike." — Genevieve Farrell Roston, fitness and wellness director

"My Hypervolt massager is my favorite at-home wellness tool, so when the brand sent me its newest launch, the Hypervolt Go ($199), to try, I was so curious to see how it would help with my tight muscles. The Hypervolt Go is ultralight at 1.5 pounds and 30 percent smaller than the Hypervolt, while still packing major power to relieve sore muscles. The most affordable of the Hypervolt models, this would be an excellent holiday gift for a very special person in your life." — GFR

"If we're talking game-changing home workout products, the Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell ($179) is the place to start. Bowflex sent me this adjustable kettlebell to try out, and it has gotten me through these long gymless months, especially after dumbbells basically went extinct. It adjusts from eight to 40 pounds, and I've been using it for deadlifts, glute bridges, bicep curls, and Russian twists. Living in a tiny apartment, the small size is a plus too." — Maggie Ryan, assistant editor, Fitness

"For this extrastressful holiday time due to the pandemic, I really appreciate this Calm Gift Set ($116 and up) that Charlotte's Web sent to me, which has the naturally relaxing power of CBD to offer relief. You can choose the price point by the size of each product. The set includes CBD gummies, extract oil, and a hemp-infused roll-on. It's such a practical gift you can offer to a loved one, or to yourself!" — JS

"One standout item in my Black Friday fitness splurge was this gorgeous Alo Yoga Lavish Bra ($54). First, the functionality: despite being lightweight, it gives me good support during yoga and low-impact workouts, and is soft and comfortable all over. And I can't get over how pretty it is, with a twisty back and wraparound mesh band. Gotta love it when a sports bra this comfy also looks this good." — MR

"I'm always excited to try products that can improve my sleep, and the Pluto Pillow ($95), a customizable pillow, definitely allowed me to get a more restful night's sleep. The process involves filling out a short questionnaire of body stats, how you sleep, and your preference. A pillow is then created to make the ideal pillow from 35 variations. Once I received the sample to try, I was so impressed that this pillow felt so much more luxe and comfortable than my previous pillow. " — GFR

"I don't drink a lot of juice, so when Cherbundi sent me its Natural Tart Cherry Juice ($23 for an eight-pack) to try, I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Not only is it tasty and in a convenient 240-milliliter bottle, but it is packed with antioxidants and supposed to help reduce inflammation. The cherry color also makes a festive addition to my drink rotation." – GFR