There's no denying that technology has changed the landscape of modern fitness. From wearable activity trackers to connected gym equipment, it seems like there's a gadget out there for everything! And while staying active and consistent is key, having the right gear can help! Here are 5 gadgets/apps that I have personally tested and recommend using!
Wearable Activity Tracker (smartwatch)
Devices like an Apple Watch, Garmin, or Whoop are great to track some important metrics and progress. Don’t get too bogged down in all the data and pay attention to the things that matter most! Sleep quality, daily steps, and heart rate should be the things you pay the most attention to. From there, you can use these devices to track your workouts and assess performance over time.
My Recommendations:
Apple Watch - Best all around general fitness tracker
Pros - Tons of model options and price points
Cons - Battery life sucks, only works with iPhones
Garmin Watches - Best for running and endurance sports
Pros - Battery life is insane
Cons - Cumbersome interface, not a “smart” watch.
Whoop Band - Best for tracking recovery and training readiness.
Pros - Tons of training and health data
Cons - Requires an expensive monthly subscription, no display on device
Smart Scale
These devices are great to track your progress on weight, body fat, and muscle if used correctly. Most of these scales have either WiFi or Bluetooth and easily sync directly to your phone for easy recording.
My Recommendations:
Garmin Index Scale - Best all around
Pros - WiFi connectivity make for easy syncing, great display
Cons - Expensive, not as useful if you don’t use a Garmin watch
Eufy Smart Scale - Best bang for your buck
Pros - Super cheap, easy to use
Cons - No WiFi, only syncs via Bluetooth
Wireless Earphones
If you’re like me, you NEED your music during your workouts. Whether it’s a hype song before a heavy lift, or a nice consistent beat to help along a run, wireless headphones can be a great tool! Just get something that stays in your ear and you don’t have to mess with too much. Nothing is worse than doing a set and having to constantly adjust your ear bud because it keeps slipping out!
My Recommendations:
Beat Fits Pro - Great ear hooks, sound and comfort.
Pros - Ear hooks help keep them in even with the most vigorous activity
Cons - Noise cancellation is just ok, not great
Jabra Elite 7 Active - Really comfortable, customizable sound profiles
Pros - sound and noise cancellation are really good
Cons - no ear hooks can make them difficult to stay in for some people
Workout Journal apps
I remember the days when I would carry around a folder with my printed workout log. After each set, I’d make my notes with a pen and move on. Now, there are so many great apps that can track the important stuff for us! Just start the workout and go!
My Recommendations:
Athlytic (iPhone Only) - Tracks recovery, heart rate zones and more
Pros - Shows you tons of useful data, subscription is cheap
Cons - iPhone and Apple Watch only
Pros - In depth fitness metrics, can connect several different devices to it
Cons - To take advantage of everything you need a Garmin wearable
Food Journal apps
Staying consistent with your nutrition is the only way to achieve optimal results. The problem is humans are notoriously bad at tracking without some help. These apps make it much easier to log your food and hold yourself accountable to your nutritional goals.
MyFitnessPal (Android and iPhone) - Syncs with almost all other fitness platforms, largest food database
Pros - Tons of customizable features, huge food database, free
Cons - Features that were free are creeping behind the “paywall”
Pros - Free, but paid version is much cheaper than MyFitnessPal
Cons - Interface takes some time to figure out
One important element to remember is to not get too bogged down in the data from these devices and apps. While they can be helpful, the key to success is staying consistent and building the habits that take you closer to your goals. No matter what devices and apps you use, make sure they compliment your fitness journey and don’t take away from it!
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