To become a better runner, of course you need to clock time on your feet. But that’s not the only way to improve. Building strength and endurance off the road, along with prioritizing recovery, eating foods that fuel you, and simply moving more throughout the day all support your pursuit of a PR and more efficient miles—not to mention enhance your health. That’s why we test the best tools out there to optimize the training you do when you’re not wearing your running shoes. Here, the best picks for a performance boost.
Mallory Creveling, an ACE-certified personal trainer and RRCA-certified run coach, joined the Runner's World and Bicycling team in August 2021. She has more than a decade of experience covering fitness, health, and nutrition. As a freelance writer, her work appeared in Women's Health, Self, Men's Journal, Reader's Digest, and more. She has also held staff editorial positions at Family Circle and Shape magazines, as well as DailyBurn.com. A former New Yorker/Brooklynite, she's now based in Easton, PA.