Tech-forward gifts perfect for health and fitness lovers
Looking for that perfect gift for that special someone or for yourself? It’s that time of the year. We’ve rounded up some great ideas for health and fitness wearable tech lovers. Christmas and end-year sales are in full swing so you’ll be able to get many of these with sizeable discounts.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
For those who prioritize health and wellness, gifting health and fitness technology can be a thoughtful gesture. It’s a way to show you care about your partner’s health and support their fitness goals. A fitness tracker or smartwatch as a gift can be practical and useful in tracking their fitness progress and monitoring their health.
With a wide variety of products available, you can find something that aligns perfectly with your loved one’s needs and preferences. Thanks to the latest technological advancements, these devices make monitoring health and fitness more accessible, offering an excellent way to encourage and motivate your partner towards a healthier lifestyle.
Read on for our selection.
Jump to
- Fitbit Charge 6/Versa
- Whoop
- RingConn
- AliveCor KardiaMobile Card
- Withings Scanwatch
- Garmin Venu 3
- Blazepod
- Frontier X
- Lumen
- Muse S
Fitbit Charge 6/Versa range
If you are looking for a fitness tracker, you won’t go wrong with a Fitbit. The company is a best selling brand for a reason.
Launched in September, Charge 6 is the most feature-packed fitness band around. It represents a great choice for the average person who does the occasional run here and there and is not looking for a fully fledged smartwatch.
The device comes with a decent sized AMOLED display, water-resistance and up to 7 days of battery life. You’ll find everything you need for 24/7 activity tracking including a heart rate monitor and some more advanced health tracking technology. This includes an ECG sensor, along with an EDA sensor for stress readings. The thing even has built-in GPS which ensures the data on pace and distance is accurate when you’re running.
If you are looking for a smartwatch, one of the devices in the Versa range is the way to go. This is Fitbit’s second smartwatch and its first proper one. The benefit of buying a Versa is that you’ll get something with a bigger display, apps you can install, Alexa control, smartphone notifications and contactless payments. If, on the other hand, you want absolutely everything the company has on offer as far as health and activity tracking, check out the Fitbit Sense line.
Charge 6 – currently $30 off – (Amazon) | Versa 4 – currently $50 off – (Amazon)*
Whoop 4.0
Whoop is something for those that are serious about their athletic pursuits. The main focus of the wearable is on recovery and sleep stats. The device helps you better understand your body and how to properly refuel. The ultimate aim of the wearable is to reduce the risk of injury and predict peak performance.
In our hands-on review we found Whoop to be a really well thought out product. To get the most benefit out of the wearable use the journal to experiment with changes. Vegetarian food? Alcohol? Coffee? Supplements? Adopt your daily routine to find what works for you. WHOOP is a great platform to experiment with changes.
The device offers a great learning experience. A few brands have tried to imitate what it does, but Whoop is still the pack leader as far as sleep and recovery insights. And now, with version 4.0, you have a multiple ways of wearing the band. The two main ones are on the wrist and on the upper arm.
WHOOP (currently 10% off memberships)*
RingConn
RingConn has emerged as a notable player in the smart ring market, especially appealing to those focused on monitoring their recovery metrics. Its design is sleek, ensuring it doesn’t interfere with daily tasks, and its straightforward setup appeals to a broad consumer base.
As noted in our hands-on review, the RingConn app is rich in data, which might initially seem daunting, but it impressively provides detailed insights. Its compatibility with platforms like Apple Health and Google Fit enhances its utility. The ring’s standout feature is its accuracy in tracking recovery statistics, such as resting heart rate and sleep quality, holding its own against established competitors like Whoop. Although its heart rate monitoring during physical activity could use improvement, the company’s commitment to regular updates and community engagement is promising for future enhancements.
Overall, RingConn impresses with its features, design, and performance, positioning itself as a strong contender against the likes of the Oura Ring, but with a more attractive price and no ongoing subscription costs.
Check price on the manufacturer’s website. RingConn is currently running a Christmas/New Year sale – the ring is $30 off on their website, plus you get a free ring protector. At checkout, use discount code BFD50EC113 for a further $10 off.
AliveCor KardiaMobile Card
This is an ECG device like no other. Put a credit card next to KardiaMobile Card and you’ll notice they have exactly the same dimensions and thickness. The look and feel is pretty much identical. Which means you can slip KardiaMobile Card into your wallet, pocket or bag and it will quietly sit there until you take it out to capture a reading.
This is a medical-grade single-lead ECG device that has been cleared by the FDA – meaning you can have confidence in its measurements. It can spot six of the most common heart arrhythmias. There’s no charging and the card should work for a couple of years with the internal battery intact.
Check out our full hands-on review. We enjoyed the whole concept and ease of taking readings and the simple to use smartphone app. The little device presents itself as a complete solution for those suffering from heart issues or those who simply want to keep a closer eye on their heart health.
AliveCor (currently 10% off)*
Withings Scanwatch 2
This is the most advanced hybrid you can buy today. Its headline feature is the ability to spot a serious form of irregular heart rhythm that can lead to heart failure and is a major risk for stroke. Scanwatch has a PPG sensor that is capable of spotting the condition plus you can take an ECG. The wearable also has a blood oxygen monitor and has Sleep Apnea detection, alongside the usual sensors to help users track their activity day and night.
ScanWatch 2 is for those looking for something that doesn’t look like a fitness tracker yet performs the functionalities of one. For those that want powerful health tracking but with a touch of class.
Garmin Venu 3
The Garmin Venu 3 series, succeeding the Venu 2 Plus, introduces a variety of enhancements, positioning it as a great gift for fitness and tech lovers. This new series is available in two sizes, catering to a broader range of wrist sizes, and features a lighter, fiber-reinforced polymer design for enhanced comfort. The display on the Venu 3 is notably larger and offers higher resolution, providing a more vibrant and user-friendly experience.
One of the most significant upgrades in the Venu 3 series is its extended battery life, offering up to 14 days in smartwatch mode. This improvement is particularly appealing for those who prefer less frequent charging. Additionally, the series debuts new health-focused features such as Sleep Coach, Nap Detection, and Jet Lag Adviser, enhancing its utility for health and wellness tracking.
Overall, the Garmin Venu 3 series stands out as a thoughtful gift choice. Its blend of improved aesthetics, long battery life, and innovative health monitoring features make it a versatile and practical option for anyone interested in maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. The Venu 3 series combines functionality and style, making it a suitable accessory for both fitness tracking and everyday wear.
Blazepod
Your mom or dad might be one of the 80% statistic that don’t make use of their gym memberships. However, there’s a great alternative. Blazepod is an innovative system allowing anyone, from fitness enthusiasts to elite athletes, to improve their fitness level.
The wireless, portable system uses lights and sensors with pre-programmed exercises to help you increase agility, reaction time and more. You essentially get a Flash Reflex Training system designed to supercharge your workouts.
We really enjoyed our time with Blazepod. The best part about the product is that it makes exercise fun!
Blazepod (currently 10% off your first order)*
Frontier X2
As good as wrist watches have become, at high intensity exercise they are still not as good as heart rate chest straps when it comes to accuracy. That is why many people opt to pair their sports watch with an external monitor when working out.
But there is something that goes beyond the standard heart rate chest strap. Frontier X spits out metrics such as Breathing Rate, Step Cadence, Training Load, Body Shock and Heart Rate Variability (HRV). But of more use is its advanced heart info – namely ECG, cardiac rhythm and cardiac strain. You’ll get real-time vibration alerts if you cross pre-defined thresholds. This enables you to find out in real time if your training intensity is causing undue stress to your heart.
Check out our hands-on review of the gadget. This is a wearable that sits somewhere between a sports and a health device. Those who train with mild heart conditions, those who are recovering from surgery or COVID might benefit from the device.
Frontier X2 (currently $120 off on manufacturers website)*
Lumen
Lumen is a breath analyzer that wants to reinvent weight management by monitoring your metabolism and providing a customized nutrition plan. It really is a one-of-a-kind device.
You might think your metabolism is the same each day, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. It all depends on what and when you eat, how much you exercise, how much you sleep and other factors.
Our bodies tap into two main sources of energy: carbohydrates and fat. Knowing the ratio at which these two are being used at any point in time is important to achieving your health, weight and exercise goals. With each use, Lumen tells you what you’re using for energy. Having this type of data at your fingertips will help you learn how your body processes food, and fine tune your metabolism for the better.
The personal nutritionist in your pocket can be picked up on Lumen’s website. You can get 10% off by clicking on this link. Just make sure to use the code Gadgets10 at checkout (plus up to $100 off for the holidays). Our full hands-on review can be found on this link.
Muse S
Rounding off our ten health tech gift ideas is Muse S. This is a a meditation and sleep combination gadget.
Use it during the day to help you focus. There are EEG sensors in the headband, a heart rate monitor, along with an accelerometer and gyroscope to monitor body movement and breath. You can choose from a range of meditation experiences and all of this will be tracked for you in real-time. It definitely makes meditation more interesting.
At night Muse S can be used as a sleep wearable. Choose from a range of meditation experiences to help you fall asleep. Or opt for sleep stories, ambient sleep soundscapes and biofeedback sound soundscapes.
The latest update is something called a “Digital Sleeping Pill”. It plays sounds and knows when to tune them out thanks to Smart Fade technology. If you wake up during the night it will kick into gear once again until you fall back into slumber. The gadget works great – check out our full hands-on review on this link.
Amazon | Choosemuse (currently $60 off on manufacturer’s website)*
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