10 Gadgets to Help You Stay Active

Staying active can be tricky, especially in our modern world. There are so many distractions and attention-grabbing time sinks out there that exercise can often slip down the priority list, and that’s without mentioning how hard it can be to motivate yourself. Fitting in a regular exercise regimen is hard, but it’s definitely worth doing; the benefits to your physical and mental health are almost innumerable. Thankfully, there are lots of companies out there who are offering solutions to assist you in this endeavour. Here are 10 gadgets you should think about getting that will help you stay active!

1. A Fitness Smartwatch

If you haven’t tried working out with a smartwatch on your wrist, you’re missing out. The best fitness smartwatches will track your steps, the calories you’ve burned, and even advanced stats like your heart rate and sleep quality. For our money, the Fitbit Versa 3 is the best fitness smartwatch you can get right now. It’s got a large, colourful display, plenty of tracking options, and great compatibility across the board. If you’re an iPhone user, though, you’ll want the Apple Watch instead.

2. A Massage Gun

You might not have heard the good news about massage guns, but they’re a great way to assist your recovery after a workout. All of the best massage guns can target sore muscles to heal them quicker; all you need to do is apply the gun’s tip to the affected muscle and leave it on for a minute or two. Massage guns can be extremely powerful, so it’s not a good idea to leave them on the affected area for too long. Still, when used right, they’re a great tool for your fitness arsenal.

3. A Sleep Tracker

While it’s true that a smartwatch can track your sleep, you might want a gadget that actually watches you and analyses your sleep from a visual perspective. If that sounds too creepy for you, then you probably won’t want to check out the new Google Nest Hub, which features an advanced sleep analysis function designed to help you optimise your sleep patterns. It’s not for everyone, but if you care about your sleep and you don’t mind being watched, then it’s worth picking one of these up.

4. A Smart Water Bottle

We’ve officially advanced to the point where your water bottle is capable of tracking how hydrated you are. Devices like the Ozmo Active bottle can show you how much water (or coffee) you’ve consumed and give you recommendations to stay hydrated throughout the day. It’s worth getting one of these bottles, because most of us don’t hydrate anywhere near as much as we should. If you want to maximise your workouts, you need to drink plenty, so get one of these bottles to help you do that.

5. A Posture Trainer

As we get older, we often find ourselves beginning to slouch. Posture is a big problem for many of us in our later years, so it’s a good idea to pick up a posture trainer. Smart posture trainers don’t just help you to stop slouching. They also provide immediate biofeedback via connected apps, give you tips on exercises you can do to improve posture, and help you to maintain any positive changes you make. If you’ve ever found yourself stooping while you walk, a smart posture trainer is a good purchase.

6. A Smart Skipping Rope

Skipping is one of the best ways to lose weight and improve your cardiovascular health. There are rather brilliant smart rope options out there that will show you your stats while you’re skipping, sometimes by means of LED lights and other times via connected smartphone apps. Our favorite is Tangram’s SmartRope, which displays LED stats in mid-air while you skip and has a whole bunch of recommendations built into it via its connected app.

7. A Smart Scale

You shouldn’t set too much store by what you weigh, especially if you’re working out regularly. After all, you could be building muscle mass and still burning fat, and the scales wouldn’t necessarily reflect that. However, if you’re not interested in bodybuilding and just want to lose some weight, getting a smart scale is a good idea. Smart scales won’t just show you your weight; they can also calculate BMI, recommend dietary changes, and suggest exercise routines.

8. A Blender

While NutriBullet is pretty much the leading brand when it comes to fitness-adjacent blenders, there are plenty of brands out there, so be sure to shop around. Having a blender means you’ll be able to make some healthy, high-quality smoothies, so you won’t have to resort to empty carbs for your post-workout snack. Some blenders even have smart tech built into them, so you can get recipe recommendations and other stats via your smartphone.

9. A Pair of Headphones

Okay, so headphones aren’t technically required for your fitness journey. Still, you’ll be glad that you have them when you’re out pounding the pavement or the treadmill and you need some entertainment. Good fitness headphones have a secure fit, a sweatproof design, and great sound so you can actually hear them over everyone else in the gym. We’d recommend working out to high-energy music, but you can also listen to podcasts or audiobooks if you prefer to be distracted.

10. Smart Weights

While they might be a little expensive, it’s worth seeking out smart weights if you’ve got money to burn. These weights (our favorite brand is Bowflex) have integrated Bluetooth technology that pairs with your smart device and records reps, sets, and the weight you’re lifting. The app will also show you recommended workouts and ways to take your fitness to the next level. Pick these up if you want a set of weights and a personal trainer all in one.