ARTICLE – Over the years, I’ve tried dozens of fitness gadgets that are designed to make working out, tracking progress, and even relaxing a lot easier (and more fun). In this article, I’ll share my top 9 favorite products that I use every day to help me stay on track with my fitness goals. Whether you’re a gym pro, just starting out, or looking for smart ways to feel better every day, I think you’ll find something here that’s worth adding to your routine.
A little background first
I’m 61 years old (yeah, I have no idea how that happened!) and found out that I was pre-diabetic back in 2004. I’m also a breast cancer survivor since 2011. Those two events were major wake-up calls for me to get serious about what I put in my body and how to stay healthy, happy, and above ground for as long as I can Ok, with that out of the way, on to my nine favorite fitness gadgets/products.
Withings Body Scan scale
I am starting this list with the Withings body scale because it’s the first fitness gadget I use every morning after showering. I’ve been using a Withings smart scale since reviewing their first WiFi body scale back in 2010. Their Healthmate app has my weight data going back that far, which I think is fantastic because it allows me to see trends. These days, I use their newest Body Scan scale, which not only tracks my weight but also tracks fat percentage, muscle percentage, heart rate, vascular age, and more.
My favorite features of this scale are its long battery life, automatic syncing, and the fact that Withings is a respected fitness brand that has been in the market for over a decade. I’ve been offered other smart scales to review, but I always turn them down because I’m 100% happy with the Withings scale that I already use. If it were to die for some reason, I would immediately order a replacement.
Price: $499.95
Where to buy: Withings and Amazon
SOLE F85 treadmill
This is the second SOLE treadmill I’ve purchased with my own money (no review units involved). My first SOLE treadmill, which I bought in 2011, was incredibly reliable and powered me through my twice-daily walks for years. However, it lacked more advanced features like a touch display and customizable workout programs. Two years ago, I upgraded to the SOLE F85, and I’ve had zero buyer’s regret.
The F85 stands out because it offers both incline and decline settings that give simulated uphill and downhill workouts. I’m not a runner, but I do enjoy jogging during the downhill walking sessions. It makes “running” surprisingly fun for me.
This treadmill feels like professional-grade equipment, and I’m confident it will last for many years to come. Having it in my living room makes it easy to fit in my daily walks and I look forward to getting out of my chair and hitting my step goals while catching up on my favorite shows. If anything ever happened to this treadmill, I wouldn’t hesitate to replace it immediately because it’s become an essential part of my fitness routine.
Price: $2199.99
Where to buy: Sole and Amazon
TotalGym sliding bench trainer
I bought a budget version of the Total Gym over 10 years ago, and it’s still going strong. I use it 4 times a week for strength training because it’s a fun way to keep toned. I never reviewed it, but now I’m considering buying myself one of their newer models that have a few extra bells and whistles, like an adjustable glideboard that can be raised for a horizontal surface instead of angled and a bar that can be attached to add weights. If I do decide to upgrade to a new model, would you be interested in reading a review?
Price: $400.00 for the one pictured here on Mercari, but the prices go crazy depending on the model
Where to buy: Total Gym and Amazon
Mythinglogic Home Gym Storage Rack
I am a little bit of a neat freak and don’t like any part of my life to be disorganized, including my fitness equipment. The Mythinglogic Home Gym Storage Rack keeps all my gear arranged neatly while still being easy to access. It has room for all of my hand weights, resistance bands, and even bigger items like foam rollers and attachments for my Total Gym sliding bench trainer. I also like that it has wheels so that I can roll it out of the way when it’s time to vacuum.
Price: $84.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Apple Watch
I’ve been wearing an Apple Watch every day since 2020. Before that, I wasn’t a watch person, but this smart watch changed that. I use it for all the smart watch things like notifications, navigation, contactless payments, but for fitness, it’s how I keep track of my walks and workouts. I almost feel like if I don’t initiate a walk or workout using the watch, it didn’t happen I also like closing my rings every day. It’s an easy way to stay accountable. Is the Apple Watch perfect? Far from it. I wish it had multi-day battery life for one. But I’ll keep buying them (I am currently two series behind) and I absolutely can’t wait until Apple puts a continuous glucose monitor in one of their watches.
Price: $249.00 and up
Where to buy: Apple and Amazon
Ultrahuman Air smartring
If you’re curious about how your body is really doing day and night, the Ultrahuman Air smart ring is one gadget that’s made a difference for me. I love how lightweight and comfortable it is; I often forget that I’m wearing it! This ring keeps tabs on things like steps, calories, sleep quality, heart rate, and even body temperature, so I can quickly see if I’m getting enough movement or rest. What makes it stand out is the app that shows all my stats in an easy-to-understand way, with clear charts and bite-sized health tips. Whether I’m tracking sleep quality or checking my readiness score to see if I should work out or take it easy, the Ultrahuman Air keeps everything simple. For anyone who hates fiddly gadgets, this one is a breeze; just charge it once a week, and you’re good to go compared to charging my Apple Watch every night. I don’t even wear my Apple Watch to bed to track my sleep because it’s not as comfortable as a ring.
Price: $349.00
Where to buy: Ultrahuman.com and Amazon
Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)
One of the most eye-opening gadgets I’ve ever tried is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Over the years, I’ve reviewed several models, and each has helped me understand how my blood sugar reacts to different foods, workouts, even sleep patterns. These tiny sensors stick on your arm (or sometimes your belly) and wirelessly send real-time glucose readings to your phone with no finger pricks needed! What’s cool is that you can see right away if that “healthy” granola bar actually spiked my blood sugar, or how my afternoont walk helped even things out. Even if you’re not diabetic, CGMs give you a peek into how your day-to-day habits affect your energy, mood, and fitness progress. For anyone interested in dialing in their nutrition and workouts, CGMs for pre-diabetics like me are so helpful because the feedback is instant and actionable.
Pricing really depends. If you have a doctor prescribe one for you, it’s possible that your insurance might cover it. When I was working at Cummins Inc. I got mine for free. But now that I’m retired, I don’t have that luxury. Now I buy them just every few months so I can see how things are going before I get my yearly A1C test. Companies like Lingo and Ultrahuman offer them without a prescription. I’ve purchased several sensors from Lingo because they have the best price ($49 per sensor).
On sneakers
I’m extremely picky about my shoes. If I find a comfortable sneaker, I stick with it. For years, Brooks was my go-to, but now I’m all about On sneakers. On’s CloudTec cushioning really does make it feel like I’m walking on bouncy clouds, so my feet and knees feel great even after a long walk around a neighborhood or a treadmill session. I also love that the toe box is roomy, allowing my toes to spread naturally, which makes a big difference if you’re on your feet all day or doing lots of walking. On shoes look sleek enough to wear with just about anything. I’ve had people strike up a conversation in waiting rooms to ask me about my shoes since I don’t think On is a widely known brand like Nike, Adidas, etc. Right now I’m wearing On Cloudrunners, but On has a huge variety of styles. Honestly, I don’t see myself switching brands anytime soon.
Price: Varies
Where to buy: Zappos and Amazon
Libernovo Omni chair
After reviewing so many chairs over the years and never keeping any of them, the Libernovo Omni is the one I actually look forward to sitting in every day. This is a good thing because I sit a LOT while researching and writing reviews. This chair is honestly the most comfortable one I’ve ever used. Its soft, squishy cushions that still somehow feel super supportive, no matter how long you’re sitting. The armrests move in pretty much every direction and even pivot, so you can find your sweet spot whether you’re typing or relaxing. The backrest and seat can also be fine-tuned, including adjustable recline modes and a headrest that’s just as customizable.
One of my favorite features is the lumbar support system, which can gently move your back like a slow, motorized yoga stretch that is perfect for taking a quick break or stretching out after a long day. The built-in footrest is icing on the cake for those times when you just want to recline and really relax. If you want to upgrade your workspace for pure comfort and adjustability, this chair has my wholehearted recommendation.
Price: $770.00
Where to buy: Kickstarter
Final thoughts
Finding the right fitness gadgets can honestly make all the difference in sticking with healthy habits. Over the years, these nine products have kept me motivated, organized, and just a little bit more excited to move and take care of myself every day. None of these gadgets are magic. They won’t do the work for me. But they sure help make the journey a lot more fun and way less overwhelming.
If you’re thinking about adding a new tool to your own routine, I hope this list gives you a useful starting point (and maybe saves you from some trial-and-error shopping headaches). Remember, the best gadget is the one you actually use and enjoy. Everyone’s fitness path looks a little different, but having a few trusty sidekicks along the way can turn small steps into real progress.
