During the last four years at CNET, I’ve tested the best treadmills, smart rings for tracking health, the best smart home gyms and more. Before that, I was also a personal trainer helping people with their fitness. With all the experience and testing under my belt, there are several fitness tech items that have made an impression on me to the point where I find myself often recommending them to other people. And with the holidays coming up, they would also make great gifts.
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1. Hyperice Normatec Go Boots
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the newest Apple Watch to hit the market and it has some unique upgrades.
Although I haven’t had a chance yet to test the Apple Watch Series 11, I am familiar with the brand and am a loyal Apple Watch owner. The latest version of the Apple Watch has upgraded features like FDA-cleared hypertension alerts, a longer battery life, sleep score and a more scratch-resistant screen. CNET Lead Writer Vanessa Hand Orellana reviewed the smartwatch and said the Series 11 felt like picking up where she left off from the last Apple Watch iteration. Although the Apple Watch already tracked sleep, this is the first time you’ll get quantifiable data that follows clinical guidance to grade your quality of sleep based on sleep duration, bedtime and interruptions.
The stand-out health feature on the Series 11 is the new FDA-cleared hypertension notifications. It tracks your blood pressure and alerts you to potential irregularities. You should double-check this data with a proper blood pressure monitor and your doctor, because the Apple Watch reading isn’t meant to be used as a diagnostic tool.
Another important aspect to highlight is the longer battery life, which helps you enjoy your phone’s features for multiple days before needing to recharge it. This is a great option if you’re looking to upgrade an older Apple Watch model or are new to smartwatches.
3. Theragun Mini 2
The Theragun PRO fifth generation is the massage gun serious athletes will appreciate.
On the other hand, if you want a standard-size massage gun, the Therabody Pro 5th generation will quickly become your favorite gadget. The Theragun Pro is designed with serious athletes in mind, with various customizable and preset programs, plus a long-lasting battery life. This heavy-duty massage gun comes with six attachments (standard ball, thumb, micro-point, super soft, dampener and wedge), so you’ll get the right angle each time.
Most massage guns are designed to be recharged on their own, but this one comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery instead. If you love to work out hard and take recovery seriously, this massage gun is the best gift you can buy yourself.
5. Oura Ring 4
The Tonal 2 replaces all your strength training equipment with this one device.
If you’re serious about strength training and have the budget and space in your home, you’ll love owning the Tonal 2. The Tonal 2 is a smart home gym that uses up to 250 pounds of resistance and is designed to replace dumbbells, barbells and other strength training equipment. It resembles a cable machine with a screen in the middle and adjustable arms on each side.
Tonal 2 uses AI through 13 sensors to track your form and technique, which helps you correct it. Accessories like the smart handles and bar accessories (an optional, additional $495) have a gyroscope motion sensor that also keeps track of your reps. I’ve tested both the Tonal 2 and its predecessor, The Tonal, and was impressed by the thought process that went into designing this machine. It offers strength training as well as some cardio with its new Aero feature, keeps track of your workouts, functions like a personal trainer because it can determine if you need to scale it back or challenge yourself and also offers thousands of on-demand and live workouts for all fitness levels. The price tag is hefty at $4,295 but if you’re dedicated to strength training and want everything you need at your fingertips, this is the machine for you.
7. Peloton Bike
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 offer excellent audio and noise-cancelling features, so you can enjoy music while doing various activities.
I take listening to my music seriously during my workouts. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are by far some of my favorite earbuds to wear when breaking a sweat. The battery life is impressive and, in my experience, can last for weeks at a time before needing to be recharged. This can vary as it also depends on how often you use them.
The noise-cancelling aspect of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is impressive, so your music will always feel immersive whether you’re at the beginning, middle or end of your workout. I’ve also been able to receive phone calls while wearing them, and never had connection issues. I’ve used these earbuds during strength training sessions, outdoor and indoor runs and my daily walks. If you’re looking for a pair of earbuds that stay put (thanks to the ear hook design), have crisp audio and are stylish, these are my top pick.
