Best of 2024

Welcome to another edition of Wellworthy. As the year wraps up, we’re looking back on the best of the best.

This week:

• 2024’s top brands according to 40+ experts

• Four trends that defined the year 

• Plus, the year’s most-clicked product drops 

Thanks for spending some time with us each week. Happy holidays — We’ll see you in 2025! 

- Ash Read and Joe Niehaus

Health Stack: 2024’s most recommended brands

Each week, we tap into its network of health and fitness experts to offer personal insights and recommendations.

This week: We’re recapping the most recommended wellness brands of 2024, according to interviews with 40+ health and performance experts Here's what they can't live without:

• Oura: The smart ring that revolutionized sleep and recovery tracking with medical-grade accuracy. "I can't sleep without my Oura ring! I like knowing my HRV and deep sleep percentage over time," Superpower's Jacob Peters told Wellworthy.

• Hyperice: Recovery tools used by both elite athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts. Two-time CrossFit Games champion Annie Thorisdottir uses her Hypervolt "almost every day."

• LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drinks that deliver essential minerals without artificial ingredients. "It wards off fatigue and helps me feel more energized and focused," wellness expert Kimberly Snyder says of her morning LMNT ritual.

• Garmin: Performance-focused GPS watches that serve everyone from weekend warriors to elite athletes. CEO Woodie Hilyard relies on his Instinct 2 to "keep me honest when it comes to overloading my body or having a rest day."

• Momentous: NSF-certified supplements backed by 200+ pro sports teams and the U.S. Military. "I love how high quality these supplements are... I take their Magnesium L-Threonate every night before bed," says Jonathan Levitt.

• Plunge: Smart cold plunge tubs that maintain 37°F water for at-home cold therapy. For Levels co-founder Casey Means, it's about "increasing mental resilience, boosting brown fat production, and improving mood."

• AG1: A comprehensive daily drink combining 75+ high-quality nutrients, from multivitamins to functional greens. "Keeping this with me as nutritional insurance gives me peace of mind," Woodie Hilyard notes.

• WHOOP: Advanced wearable tech delivering personalized insights for recovery, sleep, and training optimization. Taylor Cohen has been a loyal WHOOP user since her pro soccer days: "I still use WHOOP every day for tracking recovery, sleep, strain, and behavior insights."

• Eight Sleep: Smart mattress technology that regulates temperature and tracks biometrics, trusted by pros like F1 stars Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Tim Rosa credits the Pod and app for "maintaining my sleep quality throughout the night."

• Rogue Fitness: Premium strength equipment maker and official supplier for the CrossFit Games and World's Strongest Man. "The Rogue Echo Bike is my favorite fitness tool—it's the first thing I do upon waking for cardio," Ryan Rossner explains.

Go deeper: The 10 most recommended brands of 2024

The year in wellness: 2024 recap

In 2024, wellness evolved to prioritize balance, connection, and prevention. Here are four key trends that shaped the year:

Seeking balance

The relentless pursuit of wellness could be making us unwell. lululemon's Global Wellbeing Report found 61% experience unrealistic expectations from society, while 53% struggle with conflicting information.

"Often, the pressure to improve our well-being causes us to overthink and fixate on what's lacking in our lives," explains Dr. Murali Doraiswamy of Duke University. 

The solution? Focus on sustainable habits over perfection. Studies show even light activity and mindful movement can significantly impact physical and mental well-being.

The social revolution 

Combating the "loneliness epidemic," recovery studios, run clubs, and sober bars emerged as new social hubs. Run club membership soared 25%, while 51% of Americans sought alcohol-free social venues.

"There's a significant trend away from alcohol for a number of reasons, mainly because people want to be healthy and happy," notes Myles Farmer, Othership co-founder. 

Mind over matter 

As more people seek stress management, breathwork, outdoor exercise, and mindful movement surged.

Research shows outdoor exercise improves reaction times, working memory, and attention span. Pilates also gained popularity for its ability to sharpen mental focus through controlled movements, attracting everyone from actress Jennifer Aniston to Texans' wideout Stefon Diggs.

Prevention takes priority 

"Half of Americans have at least one chronic disease, and it's climbing," says Justin Mares, Truemed CEO. This reality has sparked a shift toward proactive health.

Through testing, brands like Lifeforce, Superpower, Stride, and ZOE are helping us better understand our bodies, while wearables like WHOOP and Oura provide day-to-day insights.

The Bottom Line: 2024 marked a return to fundamentals: balance over perfection, community over isolation, and prevention over treatment. As we look ahead, these principles will continue to shape the future of wellness in 2025.

Just Dropped: 2024’s most-clicked products

We covered more than 200 new product drops this year.  Here are some of the most-clicked products and launches of 2024. 

• On-the-go carbonation. Aerflo debuted a reusable water bottle that lets you carbonate water on the go. The bottle is made of BPA-free plastic and stainless steel, plus it's designed to fit in cup holders. Order the Aer1 System for $99.

• Chef-crafted oils. Algae Cooking Club introduced the Gochugaru Chili Oil and Shiitake Mushroom Oil, the brand's two new additions to its family of 100% chef-grade culinary algae oils. They were created in partnership with Michelin-star chef Daniel Humm. Get them here.

• Active style. Legends launched its first women's collection. The initial release is focused on lifestyle and athleisure wear, including a range of leggings, tank tops, tees, pullovers, and more. Shop the collection.

• Home fitness. Rogue, the popular gym equipment manufacturer, introduced the Echo Rower, a new indoor rowing machine made with a space-saving aluminum frame and performance display screen. Check it out.

• Supporting gains. David protein bars are available in four flavors — Blueberry Pie, Double Fudge Brownie, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Cake Batter. Each bar contains 28 grams of protein, 150 calories, 0 grams of sugar, and 1-2 grams of net carbs. Pick up a pack.

• Training gear. Micro-weighted apparel brand OMORPHO introduced The Heather Collection, a capsule of apparel and vests for an extra challenge during your workouts. Check it out here.

• Run tech. Nike's Rival Fly 4 running shoe is designed to help you push the pace with a lightweight, low-profile design. Grab a pair.

• Performance style. Luxury fashion house LOEWE and On Running came out with the LOEWE x On capsule. It consists of a range of limited-edition sneakers, apparel, and accessories. Shop men's. Shop women's.

• Smart nutrition. GPT Food Cam counts how many calories are in your food — all within a simple, free iOS app. Learn more here.

• Better snacking. Jeni Britton Bauer, founder of Jeni's Ice Creams, launched Floura, a first-of-its-kind "kombucha bar" with at least six super fibers. Grab a box here.

• Staying hydrated. Instant Hydration introduced its first product, Premium Electrolyte Drink Mix, made with hand-harvested salt from France. It's available in three flavors and an unflavored version. Buy here.

Today’s newsletter was brought to you by Joe Niehaus and Ash Read.

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