There’s no better feeling than a post-workout orgasm. You feel great, look great, and know you’ve done something positive for yourself. But getting there isn’t always easy. While some people can get by with just a pair of running shoes, some of us need a little more guidance, help, or inspiration.
The right gear can help. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have turned to building a home gym and equipping them with everything from a full gym to smart exercise mirrors and even smart boxing gear. The market has responded to high-tech devices that measure performance, interact with users, and are built to last. The worst of the pandemic may be behind us, but the supply of luxury fitness equipment is still brisk.
So which gadgets are worth the splurge? These are some of our favorite items to take your workout to the max.
peloton bike
initial at-home exercise program
advantage
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energetic trainer
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Many courses to meet your needs
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great music selection
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solid hardware
shortcoming
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Can’t do much without a subscription
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Stylish Ergonomics
If you’re looking for a smart bike, Peloton has become the standard because of its ease of setup, access to enthusiastic trainers, and great metrics. It’s a phenomenal piece of hardware, but as we found out when we reviewed it, you’re effectively paying for top-notch instructors who motivate you to show up, work harder, and keep coming back.

peloton bike
initial at-home exercise program

Hydrow Connected Rower
immersive experience
advantage
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convenient vertical storage
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Video improving rowing form
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exercise variety
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beginner friendly
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Can go boating with friends
shortcoming
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expensive
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Limited workouts without subscription
If you’re looking for a rowing machine, consider the Hydrow, a solidly built machine with a screen to play workouts and, if you’re new to rowing, tutorials to help you master form. We also appreciate its quiet operation, live classes, and ability to store vertically when not in use.

Hydrow Connected Rower
immersive experience

John Velasco/Digital Trends
Mirror
hardly
advantage
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stunning exterior design
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Diverse workout range
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Provide one-on-one personal training
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easy installation
shortcoming
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Heart rate monitor disconnects
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You will need to provide your own fitness accessories
If you don’t want a steel behemoth stuck in your guest room when not in use, consider The Mirror, one of the most discreet home gym devices we’ve tested. It looks identical to its shiny namesake, but comes with a screen and speakers that can guide you through workouts ranging from weightlifting to dance, yoga, and even an armchair.


Yoona Wagener/Digital Trends
Fitbit Charge 5
best indicator
advantage
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Stylish and comfortable design
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solid battery life
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Loaded with advanced health indicators
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Onboard GPS with multiple modes
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Support Fitbit payment
shortcoming
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Sometimes swipe typing is slow
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Lacks some basic fitness/wellness tools
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Certain features require Fitbit Premium
A smartwatch is the best way to measure your workout or run and get tons of important stats and metrics. A watch like the Fitbit Charge 5 (or the Pixel watch with Fitbit built in) measures so many different aspects of your health that it’s almost a mistake not to wear it while exercising. Likewise, the Apple Watch has become the go-to choice for Apple users, and while it’s great for providing a seamless Apple experience, it’s not a dedicated fitness device. We found the Fitbit to be more accurate in tracking, so we like the Fitbit or Google Watch experience.

Fitbit Charge 5
best indicator

Bose
Bose SoundLink Flex
Boom fills any room
advantage
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highly portable
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excellent sound quality
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Acoustics that fill the space
If you’re not at a public gym or on a hiking trail, a Bluetooth speaker is the perfect way to take your music with you while you work out. Investing in a high-quality version like the Bose Soundlink Flex or Bose Revolve II means not only great sound, but room-filling, even outdoors. Plus, a good bluetooth speaker can easily be carried around and set up where you need it to provide an 80s montage (chariot of fire,anyone there? ) when you are sweating profusely.

Bose SoundLink Flex
Boom fills any room

Jo Malin/Digital Trends
Apple iPad Pro (2022)
Papa Mac on Tablet
advantage
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Sleek and modern design
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Bright, Vivid, Gorgeous Display
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The Wild Performance of the M2 Chip
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Apple Pencil hover functionality
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iPadOS 16 is super powerful
shortcoming
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Stage managers need more work
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Lack of luster, clumsy front-facing camera
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ridiculously expensive
Using a tablet is a great idea if you’re going to be doing long stretches on the gym equipment, or want to access video guides to perfect your figure. It can connect to any number of fitness apps or YouTube for guided workouts and coach-focused assistance. Or just set up a device like the new 10th gen Apple iPad and stream your favorite show or movie (you can send the audio to bluetooth speakers or headphones).

Apple iPad Pro (2022)
Papa Mac on Tablet

Simon Cohen/Digital Trends
Google Pixel Buds Pro
Our Favorite Earbuds
advantage
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Small and comfortable
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very good sound quality
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Very effective ANC/transparency
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Wireless charging
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Bluetooth multipoint
shortcoming
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No real EQ adjustments
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No high quality/low latency codecs
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Still no iOS Pixel Buds app
If you’re the type of person who likes to type on the go, consider investing in a good set of waterproof and sweatproof headphones. Gone are the days of bulky ear cups and wires getting stuck on your machine. These days, you can buy a good set of earbuds like the Pixel Buds Pro or Jabra’s Elite Sport earbuds, which are designed with athletes in mind, which means they’re sweat-resistant and stay put.

Google Pixel Buds Pro
Our Favorite Earbuds

larch bottle
Say goodbye to disgusting water bottles forever!
advantage
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keep the water cool
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Using UV light to keep bottles clean
shortcoming
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UV technology requires regular recharging
Remember to hydrate! Smart water bottles like the LarQ Bottle do more than just hold H2O. It neutralizes up to 99% of bacteria and automatically cleans every two hours to keep your water and bottle fresh and odor-free. Just plug it in and let the UV light shine into your bottle. Adding a carrying case also makes the bottle more portable.

larch bottle
Say goodbye to disgusting water bottles forever!
There are many great products designed to help you improve your workouts and measure your progress. We hope we’ve inspired you to splurge on some of these today. Good luck, keep moving and don’t forget to stay hydrated.
Editor’s Choice