If 24/7 fitness tracking, AI coaching, and metrics displayed in front of your eyes sound like dystopian fiction to you, you’re not alone. These high-tech fitness tools blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Over the past sixÌýmonths, we tested 54 training-related gizmos ranging from smart treadmills, bike trainers, and hang boards to fitness trackers, apps, and beer. (Beer’s a workout essential, right?)ÌýWhile some products felt like inventions searching for a purpose, others had unique features that proved beneficial.Ìý
TheÌý16 items here allowed us to train smarter, feel better, and ultimately have more fun. But as with any fancy new technology, they come at a cost. Still, despite the often exorbitant price tags, we felt these products wereÌýworth forking over our hard-earned peanuts.
Wahoo Kickr Bike Trainer ($3,500)
Riding indoors has never felt more realistic. The ÌýtrainerÌýconnects to Wahoo Fitness and other popular training apps (including ,Ìý, and )Ìýto simulate real-world rides or guide you through workouts. It automatically adjusts resistance to match the road grade, from -15 to 20 percent. Despite the hefty price tag, our testers thought this trainer was well worth the cost.
NordicTrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill ($2,999)
Hike Mount Fuji, jog around Lake Louise, or run the Boston Marathon—all from your home. This syncs with the Ìýto mimic famous routes the world over andÌýlets you create your own, with live grades (that changeÌýautomatically) from -3 to 15 percent. Kitted out with a 22-inch HD touchscreen display, Bluetooth speakers, and built-in fans, it’ll almost make you forget you’re indoors. It’s even good for small spaces: the tread folds upright whenÌýyou’re not using it.
Moon Climbing MoonBoard Wall ($2,778 and up)
If you had more than 31,000 boulder problems at your fingertips, why would you ever need toÌýgo toÌýa climbing gym again? This offers a lifetime’s worth ofÌýroutes,Ìýfrom V4 to V14, on an eight-by-twelve-foot surface.ÌýA standard DIY MoonBoard (40 degrees overhanging) requires just over ten feet of clearance, and a footprint of about eight by eight feet,Ìýalthough it’s better to have more room in all directions to accommodateÌýdynamic moves. Construction methods will vary depending on your available space andÌýcarpentry skills, and how much you want to do yourself. But that’s aÌýcool part about the board—there are different kits, options, and price points to match your needs.ÌýOnce it’s assembled, simplyÌýturn on the app, pick a project (or set your own), and send it.
Mammut Diamond Finger Hangboard ($450)
The elegance of finely crafted walnut combined with innovativeÌýtracking technology makes the ultimate at-home training tool for climbers who don’t have theÌýspace for aÌýwall. Place your smartphone in the silicone holder and the senses when you weight the board to record reps, sets, and hang time. Design your own workout or choose one of the app library’s freeÌýfour-week training plans, created in collaboration with Mammut athletes for all skill levelsÌýfromÌýbeginnerÌýto 5.14 bone crushers.ÌýThe high-techÌýboard itself isn’t necessarily easier to use than old-fashioned hangboards—you still need to put in the work—but the tracking technology and preprogramed workouts are a huge help to climbers who are new to hangboarding or simply want to turn off their brains and train. It’s like having a personal coach at your fingertips, literally.Ìý
Jaxjox KettlebellConnect Adjustable Kettlebell ($229)
This six-in-oneÌý (from 12 to 42 pounds, in six-pound increments) connects to the Jaxjox app to track your reps, sets, weight, power, and rest time. Use it to set daily and weekly goals and follow your progress. Need exercise guidance? Choose one of the strength- or cardio-based HIIT workout videos for a quick sweat (they range from 10 to 45 minutes) or follow the video tutorials to sharpen your technique and form.
NormaTec Pulse 2.0 Leg Recovery System ($1,295)
These leg sleevesÌýpump up with air like the Michelin Man and targetÌýzones from the feet to the hips by squeezingÌýout the stale blood full of lactic acid and other metabolic byproducts, then deflatingÌýto let fresh blood return. This techniqueÌýis proven to increase circulationÌýand reduce soreness. It can bothÌýspeed up recovery in your legs post-race or warm them up before a workout. The updated pump for theÌý is 27 percentÌýsmaller than the previous generation—roughly the size of a loaf of banana bread—and the entire system fits easily in a 30-liter backpack.
Theragun Elite MassagerÌý($399)
Not your typical massage gun, the fourth-generation pairs with the Therabody app to adjust the speed (1,750 toÌý2,400Ìýpercussions per minute), select guided treatment presets, and follow real-time recommendations based on your usage. The device is powerful, with up to 40 pounds of force, and 75 percent quieter than the previous version. It comes with five different closed-cell-foam massage heads that are firm but forgiving.
Hyperice Hypersphere Mini Vibrating Massage Ball ($99)
Small yet powerful, the softball-sizeÌý is a TSA-approved,Ìýthree-speed vibrating massage ball that eases muscle tension on the go or at home. The silicone exterior is grippy, durable, and feels like a lacrosse ball with added texture.
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WhoopÌýStrap 3.0 Fitness Tracker (Free with $30 Monthly Membership)
Navigating the knife’s edge between under- and overtraining has never been easier. This and accompanying app record and analyze metrics for sleep Ìýand track strain and recovery to provide personalized suggestions for optimal times to work out and rest. It has a five-day battery life, and the low-profile wrist bandÌýis waterproof and comfortable. One caveat: the monthly membership requires a six-month minimum commitment.
Upgraid Organically Daily Supplement ($39)
Turmeric has long been touted for its . Upgraid’s special Ìýformulation claims to increase the bioavailability of curcuminoids (the main active ingredient in turmeric)Ìýby 24 times. Combined with organic ashwagandha, ginger, and tart cherry for an even bigger anti-inflammatory kick, this t willÌýhelp you feel better and recover faster.
Sufferfest Shred Beer ($11Ìýfor Six)
Brewed for athletes by athletes, this with a hint of cayenne and honey is gluten removed, low carb, low calorie—and tastes great. Crack a cold one after a race, a hard session, or a long day in the mountains. You deserve it.
Healist Extra Strength Body Relief Lotion ($55)
This is loaded with CBD (300ÌýmilligramsÌýper 2.8-ounceÌýbottle), menthol, camphor, arnica, and other botanicals to temporarily soothe aches and pains. Slather itÌýon for a powerful cooling sensation and quick-actingÌýrelief that lasts forÌýhours.
Onyx App ($15 per Month or $99 per Year)
The trouble with video workouts is that if you miss a beat, you fall behind. uses your phone’s camera to capture your motion, track reps and pace, and provide real-time feedback on your form. The iOS app features individual workouts, challenges, and multi-week training programs for all fitness levels, so you can train at your own pace whenever you want. It’s almost like having a personal trainer in your living room.
StraffrÌýSmart Resistance Band ($109)
Leave it to the Germans to engineer a with an integrated sensor that measures force, reps, and time under tension while providingÌýreal-time feedback on pace. The free StraffrÌýapp that launched in AugustÌýincludes easy-to-follow workouts and stretching routines designed by trainers and physiotherapists. The versatile 6.5-foot looped band will be available in SeptemberÌýand is made from a durable medical-grade silicone, giving it a much longer lifespan (1.5 to two years)Ìýthan typical latex or rubber bands. It comes in two resistance levels: medium (22 pounds) and strong (44 pounds).
FormÌýSmart Swim Goggles ($199)
Who says technology and water don’t mix? Strap on , jump in the deep end, and see your stats right before your eyes. They track and display metrics for distance, split times, total time, and more, whether you’re in a pool or open water. Pair themÌýwith a Garmin or Apple smartwatch to show heart rate in real-time. Once you dry off, you can sync the data to your phone for record keeping.Ìý
HidrateSpark Steel Smart Water Bottle ($60 and Up)
Get a leg up on dehydration with this that tracks your water intake and lights up when you fall behind. The app sets a daily goal based on your personal parameters, such as age, weight, activity level (you can sync it withÌýfitness trackers), and local weather. The vacuum-insulated stainless-steel bottle comes in two sizes (17 or 21 ounces) and hasÌýtwo lid options (straw or chug top).