As CNET’s resident fitness expert, I’ve tested a lot of fitness tech for the past four years. Some I’ve been impressed by and some I’ve been lukewarm about, while others I think aren’t necessary for the average person or could use improvement. Depending on what you’re looking for, fitness tech can make working out more enjoyable, motivational, challenging and even relaxing. I’ve tested smart home gyms and wearables, compression gear and weighted vests.
These fitness tech options can make good treat ‘yo self gifts or would be great as a holiday or birthday gift for the fitness enthusiast in your life.
1. Hyperice Normatec Go Boots
The Hyperice Normatec Go compression boots are ideal if you want to recover on the go after a tough workout. These are TSA-friendly so you can travel with them in a carry-on bag or in your gym bag. I’ve found it helpful to use them after a run and tough leg day. These are also easily rechargeable and have a 3-hour battery life.
2. Apple Watch Series 11
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the newest Apple Watch to hit the market and it has some unique upgrades. The latest version has upgraded features like FDA-cleared hypertension alerts, a longer battery life, sleep score and a more scratch-resistant screen.
“The Series 11 felt like picking up where she left off from the last Apple Watch iteration.”
— Vanessa Hand Orellana, CNET Lead Writer
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. Another important aspect is the longer battery life, which helps you enjoy your phone’s features for multiple days before needing to recharge it.
3. Theragun Mini 2
The Theragun Mini 2 fits in a purse, backpack or carry on for easy transportation. It is a favorite if you want a compact massage gun that packs a mighty punch. The Theragun Mini 2 comes with three massage heads and a soft carrying case. It has three settings and even at its lowest setting, it’s still a powerful device.
4. Theragun Pro (5th gen)
The Theragun PRO fifth generation 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, ensuring you’ll get the right angle each time.
5. Oura Ring 4
The Oura Ring 4 is a smart ring that tracks your overall health by gathering your stress levels, heart rate, and sleep. It takes about a month to get the most accurate results, and from there, Oura gives you a readiness score, which tells you how recovered you are.
6. 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 uses AI through 13 sensors to track your form and technique.
7. Peloton Bike
The Peloton Bike is popular for its motivating community and classes. Peloton delivers and assembles the bike in your home and sets up your account.
8. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 offer excellent audio and noise-cancelling features. The battery life is impressive and can last for weeks at a time before needing to be recharged.
9. Future app
The Future app connects you with a personal trainer right in your home. The app costs $200 a month but if you’re a new member, you pay $100 for the first month with the current deal.
I used the Future app for more than a year and found it well-thought-out and seamless. The workouts for the week are shared at the top of the week, and if you need any modifications, the trainer can adjust your schedule.
