At Verywell Fit, we aim to help you live a happier, healthier, more balanced life. So when it comes to purchasing decisions, we take caution and care with every product we research, test, and recommend.
We do market research, interview industry experts, and hands-on test products within a comprehensive methodology to give you trustworthy product recommendations and share reviews you can trust. While we receive an affiliate commission on some of the products purchased through our content, our recommendations are based solely on performance, test results, and hands-on experience.
How We Make Money
We receive an affiliate commission on some, but not all, of the products we recommend—but only if you decide to click through to the retailer’s site and make a purchase. We only recommend trusted retailers with a proven track record for service and dependability.
How We Find Deals
In today’s world, it’s hard to know what a real deal is. That’s why we scour the internet to provide you with the biggest discounts we see in our research and alert you when some of your favorite brands are having their yearly sales. We work around the clock on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Day to ensure you know what to buy on the big sale days.
We monitor shopping trends to bring you the best, most up-to-date offerings, from punching bags and weight benches to runnning shoes, yoga pants, and more. We are your go-to source for the latest and greatest products to keep you healthy, active, and entertained.
How We Test, Evaluate, and Rate Hundreds of Products Every Month
Our Testing Process
Before we test any product, our team of writers and editors exhaustively researches the marketplace and interviews industry experts—including certified trainers, physical therapists, board-certified physicians, and registered dietitians—to get guidance on what to look for and how to evaluate it. Then, we develop a detailed testing methodology to help us rate products based on attributes like ease of setup, value, performance, and more.
Next, we come up with a selection of products for each test. These products cover a range of retailers, prices, user reviews, brand authority, and more. Our jobs require us to spend a lot of time online shopping, and we want to pass along some expert knowledge to you. We also know that everyone has their own unique preferences and tastes, so we like to offer a few vetted options and always consider value when making recommendations. While we may receive some products for free, we purchase the vast majority of the products that we test.
In addition to the objective testing results, we also weigh qualitative insights: How easy is it to adjust an adjustable dumbbell? Does a non-slip yoga mat stay grippy under sweaty palms and feet? We take it upon ourselves to editorialize the performance data to provide easy-to-understand reasons you can trust our recommendations. We highlight the pros and cons of a product so you can weigh the most essential details against your lifestyle, needs, and budget to make the most informed decision.
Verywell Fit / Nick Kova
Hands-on Testing
Before we recommend a product, we want to make sure it actually works and meets our rigorous standards, which is why we take it upon ourselves to hands-on test as many products as possible. Our team of testers, which includes subject matter experts like personal trainers, physical therapists, running coaches, and more, spends months testing every product category in real-world conditions.
Verywell Mind / Nick Kova
During each test, we take detailed notes on the unboxing, setup, and performance of each product, and capture the testing experience through photos and videos to provide you with the most comprehensive and behind-the-scenes look at how the products perform. We vet things like delivery and setup, and monitor how different products hold up over time. How well does the cushioning on running shoes hold up after five miles versus 50 miles? Do the belts on a treadmill maintain their traction? Will Bombas socks lose their moisture-wicking properties with repeated washing?
After testing everything from yoga mats to adjustable dumbbells and meticulously comparing each model, we are able to distinguish between overhyped duds and actually good products.
Verywell Fit / Nick Kova
How We Evaluate Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements may, in certain circumstances:
- Improve overall health by preventing nutrition gaps.
- Replete levels of a diagnosed deficiency.
- Help manage specific symptoms or health conditions.
But while supplements can help do these things, they pose potential risks due to lack of regulation and improper usage. It is possible to take too much, to create a nutrient imbalance from improper use, and for supplements to interact with other supplements or prescribed medications.
It is best to get our nutrients from the foods we eat, and supplementation is only beneficial when they provide nutritional needs that are not being met through a balanced diet. Even if the manufacturer’s website makes big promises, this does not mean their claims are supported by objective research. Supplements are not intended to treat, prevent, or cure conditions or diseases—they will not solve any physical or mental health conditions aside from those caused by deficiencies. There are no recommendations for the general population regarding supplements because each person’s needs and risk of deficiency is different—there are no supplements that are beneficial for everyone.
In the United States, the FDA does not regulate or approve supplements for safety and efficacy before they are introduced to the public.
Anastassia Tretiak
We only recommend evidence-based dietary supplements, meaning a substantial number of good-quality studies support a recommendation. If there is research that makes us skeptical about safety, we will not recommend that product. We are cautious about our recommendations and examine these products at the individual ingredient level. Our recommendations do not include claims that are unsupported by clinical research. We never recommend potentially dangerous supplements (beyond the typical risks associated with nutritional supplements) or those claiming to aid in weight loss, sexual enhancement, or exercise performance.
We prioritize products that have been independently verified and certified by one of three reliable organizations—NSF, USP, or ConsumerLab—and we will always highlight whether or not each product is independently verified and certified. Since the FDA does not regulate the supplement industry, independent testing helps ensure that a product contains what it says it does and is not contaminated with other ingredients—though it says nothing about efficacy. These certifications can be expensive, so if a supplement is not independently verified or certified, it doesn’t automatically mean it is not a good product.
In addition to these strict standards, we closely examine the supplement facts label for attributes we value. These include products that are non-GMO, organic, minimally sweetened, or free of unnecessary additives. Our methodology and recommendations for dietary supplements are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding dietary supplements. Read more about our methodology for evaluating and recommending dietary supplements.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
The product recommendations from Verywell Fit are purely editorial. We occasionally receive products to test and review for free, but we purchase the majority of the products we test. And while we receive affiliate commissions on some of the products we recommend, we never let retailers, public relations firms, or salespeople dictate our content and product coverage.
Before we test products, we read the latest studies on product safety and interview experts (including doctors, certified trainers, licensed therapists, registered dietitians, and more) for best practices, frequently asked questions, and the most important things to look for in a given product. Our writers and editors are also experts in their own right. Our associate editorial director is a certified personal trainer, we have a certified running coach who writes running content and designs our testing methodologies for running shoes, and a stable of registered dietitians who write our nutrition and supplement content, all of which is overseen and published by a registered dietitian.
Every article is fact-checked for accuracy and vetted by a member of our team. However, you should consult your healthcare team to determine if a specific product—especially a food, supplement, or medical device—is right for you. Read more about our editorial process and our core values.
After we publish an article, we don’t just forget about it. Our team is relentlessly updating and keeping our recommendations fresh, accurate, and helpful. We also know how frustrating it can be to do your research on a product only to add it to your cart and see that it’s out of stock. We try to mitigate this by having dedicated editors check availability daily to provide you with the best user experience possible.
Safety and Recalls
As the parenting and family space is ever-changing, all products, including those we review and recommend, may be subject to recalls or revised use recommendations. We urge you to monitor announcements from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) related to any products you purchase. We also suggest you register your purchases with the manufacturer to get alerted if a recall is issued.
Meet Us
Ashleigh Morley
Verywell Fit Vice President of Commerce
Ashleigh Morley is the Vice President of Commerce at Verywell Fit. She oversees health, fitness, and wellness content. She is a Certified Barre Instructor and experienced editor who has spent the last 10+ years of her career in the health, fitness, and wellness space. She thoroughly reviews everything she tests to help readers find the exact right product for their needs.
Isabella Broggini, NASM-CPT
Verywell Fit Writer, Associate Editorial Director, NASM-Certified Personal Trainer
Isabella Broggini is a writer and associate editorial director at Verywell Fit. She’s also a NASM-certified personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, and certified senior fitness specialist. Over the years, Isabella has covered many health and fitness topics and tested a plethora of fitness products, from walking shoes and ankle weights to dumbbells and plyo boxes for the brand.
Gabrielle Applebury, MA, LMFT
Verywell Fit Writer, Editor
Gabrielle Applebury is a Verywell Fit writer and editor dedicated to providing high-quality product recommendations based on thorough research and testing. She is currently the Associate Editor for Verywell Fit.
Contact Us
If you have questions, comments, or opinions you’d like to share with our team of editors, please feel free to email us at [email protected]
