The 2011 Readers' Choice Awards winners are here. We took nominations for your favorite home treadmill, pedometer, activity monitor, walking shoes and trail shoes (see categories below). Our experts chose five nominees for each category for voting, then the readers voted The prize: bragging rights.
1. Best Fitness Walking Shoe: Ryn Shoes
Courtesy of Pricegrabber
The finalists include performance fitness walking shoes, comfort shoes, and two different kinds of toning shoes. The winner was Ryn shoes. Ryn makes rocker-soled toning shoes with a difference. Unlike the instability built into Skechers, EasyTone, and MBT shoes, the Ryn shoes are stable rocker shoes. They have a wide toe box which can be extra comfortable. The rocker sole enforces good posture. Winner of the 2011 About.com Walking Readers' Choice Awards.
2. Best Motion Control Shoe: New Balance 927
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Walkers who overpronate need a motion control shoe. While motion control shoes are usually less flexible, the best walking shoe still has some forefoot flexibility and a low heel. The New Balance 927 is a very stable motion control walking shoe. It's available in full leather for great durability. While the appearance is mundane old-school walking shoe, isn't that due to make a comeback? Winner of the 2011 About.com Walking Readers' Choice Award.
3. Best Trail Walking Shoes: Kuru Chicane
© Kuru
When walkers go off-road, they need a stable shoe that can tackle the trail. This category ranges from hiking boots to lightweight trail running shoes. Some are waterproof. The best trails hoes have a gusseted tongue to keep out trail debris and a sole rugged enough keep you from sliding on loose gravel or dirt.
4. Best Pedometer: Walk4Life Elite Pedometer
© Walk4Life
Walkers appreciate the large number display on this multi-function pedometer . It counts steps and walking time, and calculate calories burned and distance. A study found it to be 99% accurate in counting steps on a treadmill, less so for wearing all day. The other finalists include a couple of time-tested designs, two advanced pocket pedometer models, and a fun pedometer aimed at the youth market.
5. Best Computer-Linked Pedometer/Activity Monitor: Fitbit
Wendy Bumgardner © 2010
The Fitbit itself is a small pedometer clip that is easy to wear on your waistband or carry in a pocket. It displays steps, distance, calories and a flower that grows as you achieve your daily goal. But it also uploads wirelessly to a web site where you can enjoy graphs and charts of steps, active steps, distance, sleep quality and to track your diet, heart rate, blood pressure, glucose. It works with both PC and Mac and had no additional subscription fee to track your activity online. Plus, it will Tweet your weekly averages if you wish. Winner of 2011 About.com Walking Readers' Choice Awards
6. Best Home Treadmill Under $1500: LifeSpan TR3000i Treadmill
© Lifespan
Budget treadmills can be a great fitness purchase, or a waste of money when buying something that isn't up to the task. What we need is a treadmill that is stable and has a motor as powerful as can be found at this price point. The LifeSpan TR3000i has a step count display and exercise programs that include heart rate control workouts. LifeSpan brings its treadmills into the modern era with a USB port to use to save your workout data so you can upload it to your private health management account. And you can plug your iPod or other MP3 player into its high quality speakers. If you need a lower price point, the TR1200i was also nominated.
7. Best Home Treadmill $1500 - $3000: PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR
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The PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR has an orthopedic shock absorbing treadbelt and a mighty 3.0 HP motor. The VR is for its virtual reality workouts, including Lombard Street, Steeple Chase, Appalachian Trail, Summit Climb, Coastal Path and Tahoe Rim. It also has heart-rate controlled workouts called the Thigh Shaper, Glute Toner, Waist Reducer and Hill Intervals. Winner of the About.com Readers' Choice Award for Mid-Price Treadmills.
8. Best Home Treadmill Over $3000: LifeSpan Pro 5 Treadmill
© LifeSpan
When walkers decide to invest top dollar in a home treadmill, they need to get the very best. The Pro 5 has an oversized deck -- 22" x 63" and can handle users up to 400 pounds. It has five speed programs, five incline programs, 5K and 10K programs, two user-programmable programs and one heart rate control program. It was voted the best premium treadmill in our Readers' Choice Awards 2011.
9. More Readers' Choice Awards Categories
About.com
The 2011 About.com Readers' Choice Awards have winners categories from technology and sports to health and hobbies.
