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. Black Friday Week sales are over but there are still some great discounts available.
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 Gen 2 Smart Ring
- Bob & Brad Q2 Pro Massage Gun
- Amazfit T-Rex 3
- Form Smart Swim 2
- Blazepod
- Frontier X2
- Pulsetto vagus nerve stimulator
- Muse S
Fitbit Charge 6/Versa range
Fitbit Charge 6 is still 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, Versa 4 is the way to go. The benefit of buying something like this is that you’ll get a device 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 $15 off – (Amazon) | Versa 4 – currently $30 off – (Amazon) | Sense 2 – currently $20 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. Unlike your typical smartwatch, you have a multiple ways of wearing the band. The two main ones are on the wrist and on the upper arm.
WHOOP (10% off until December 20th)*
RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring
RingConn has emerged as a notable player in the smart ring market, especially appealing to those focused on monitoring their recovery metrics. Now on Gen 2, the design of the device 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. Use discount code BFD50EC113 for a further $10 off on Gen 1 ring.
Bob & Brad Q2 Pro Massage Gun
The Bob & Brad Q2 Pro builds on its predecessor’s strengths by introducing heat and cold therapy, making it more versatile for both pre- and post-workout recovery. Compact and travel-friendly, it provides effective muscle relief while being accessible at an affordable price point. Its thoughtful design ensures it remains practical without compromising performance.
Compared to full-sized massage guns, the Q2 Pro excels in portability, ease of use, and convenience. It is quieter, lighter, and easier to handle, with a user-friendly design that includes multiple speed settings to accommodate various intensity preferences. Despite its small size, the battery life is surprisingly robust, ensuring consistent use without frequent charging.
Portability is where the Q2 Pro truly shines. Its compact size makes it easy to slip into a gym bag, backpack, or even a desk drawer, allowing for quick muscle relief at home, the office, or on the go. While it may not match the power of larger massage guns, its combination of features, convenience, and compact design makes it an excellent choice for regular use and those seeking reliable muscle recovery wherever they are.
$89.99 (Amazon)*
Amazfit T-Rex 3
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 stands out with its rugged design, long-lasting battery, and a comprehensive suite of fitness and health features. It offers exceptional value, packing a wealth of functionality into an affordable package, making it hard to find a competitor at its price point.
The watch’s bold and durable design features a bright 1.5-inch AMOLED display, ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. Outdoor adventurers will appreciate the Glove Mode and offline maps, which enhance usability in challenging environments. Despite its sturdy build and military-grade durability, the T-Rex 3 is surprisingly lightweight and comfortable for prolonged wear. With 10 ATM water resistance and a robust sensor array, it’s a dependable companion for hikes, runs, and other outdoor activities.
However, the T-Rex 3 has a few limitations. Its large size might not suit smaller wrists, and it lacks advanced training metrics found in premium sports watches. The absence of a speaker limits its functionality for calls or audio feedback, and its third-party app ecosystem is more restricted than that of major smartwatch brands. Even so, it delivers core functionalities, exceptional durability, and reliable battery performance, making it a strong choice for users prioritizing value and practicality.
$280 – view on Amazfit / Amazon*
Form Smart Swim 2
Form’s second-generation smart swim goggles combine sleek design, enhanced comfort, and innovative features to elevate your swimming experience. A built-in heart rate monitor sets them apart, offering accurate exertion tracking without requiring additional devices. With an improved display and refined eye seals, these goggles are as functional as they are comfortable.
Though the battery life has slightly decreased compared to the original model, the added features and convenience more than compensate. The intuitive app, robust data tracking, and personalized coaching features make the Form Swim Goggles 2 a top choice for swimmers. However, some advanced coaching tools, like HeadCoach, require a premium subscription after the two-month free trial, which may deter budget-conscious users.
For swimmers seeking an upgrade, the Form Swim Goggles 2 deliver exceptional performance and valuable insights for intermediate and advanced users. Casual swimmers, or those watching their budget, may find the first-generation goggles a better fit. They lack the built-in heart rate monitor but remain a cost-effective option, particularly when paired with a separate monitor, offering versatility and excellent value.
Form Smart Swim 2 can currently be picked up for $199 (down $50) (check price on Amazon, Form website)*.
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)*
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 %20 off on manufacturers website)*
Pulsetto vagus nerve stimulator
Pulsetto provides an innovative approach to managing stress and improving sleep through vagus nerve stimulation. In testing, my experience has been positive, particularly in terms of better sleep and reduced stress. It offers a compact, minimalist design that’s user-friendly and easy to operate, making it an appealing option for those seeking a straightforward solution.
The app is intuitive, and the device features short, manageable programs ranging from 4 to 10 minutes, tailored to needs like stress reduction or anxiety relief. However, the requirement to apply electrode gel may be a minor drawback for some users. Despite this, Pulsetto’s sessions are easy to incorporate into daily routines, offering a practical way to enhance relaxation and well-being.
In terms of results, I noticed immediate improvements in sleep quality, even though I didn’t see changes in HRV like some other users. It’s important to recognize that results can vary, and it may take up to a month to see the full benefits. While Pulsetto isn’t a substitute for traditional practices like meditation or yoga, it provides a quick and convenient alternative for those struggling to maintain consistency, making it a valuable tool for improving stress management and overall health.
Black Friday Week discount available on Pulsetto.tech / view on Amazon*
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 20% off on manufacturer’s website)*
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