Best Fitness Gadgets of 2012
New Gadgets to Tech Out Your Friend's Workout
It can be hard to shop for your fit friend who has everything, but everyone loves a shiny new tech toy, right? We've rounded up some of the best fitness gadgets from this year; from the new to the new and improved, check out 10 fitness gadgets that make a great gift!
The new video game from celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak takes the workout DVD concept a step further; using the movement-tracking capabilities of your Wii or Xbox Kinect, the Harley Pasternak Hollywood Workout ($30) will make your friend feel like she's got Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Hudson's trainer right in the room with her.
If your friend is always looking for ways to track her stats, gift her with these Nike LunarGlide+ 4 running shoes ($110). The lightweight running shoe comes in eight bright colors (or you can surprise her with her own customized version) and synchs with her Nike+ account to track her steps and then some.
The Pear Mobile Training System ($150) is a one-stop shop for your fit-committed friend. The system includes an iPhone coaching app, workout earphones, and a heart rate monitor, and features audio coaching and stat tracking for many types of workouts.
There are many fitness trackers available out there, but none may be as fun as the Nike+ Fuelband ($149). It turns everyday activities into a game where the object is to rack up as many points as possible.
If your friend constantly complains of her standard-issue iPod earbuds falling out on the treadmill, she'll love these Fanny Wang Wangbuds ($80). They feature a crisp sound and silicone earbuds that are made to stay put while she's burning calories.
This year's Jawbone Up ($130) is new and improved: the waterproof, flexible band comes in three sizes and a myriad of new candy colors, and after less-than-stellar reviews of last year's original, the app and device have both been rebuilt.
OK, giving a scale as a present may not be the best idea depending on who it's for, but if your friend has requested one, why not give the gift of high tech? The FitBit Aria ($130) and the Wahoo Fitness Smartphone scale ($100) both wirelessly upload weight and BMI data (the Aria also tracks body fat percentage) to your friend's online account and smartphone so she can track her weight-loss progress easily and accurately.
Almost any runner who's lost without her playlist will appreciate the simple, affordable iPod Shuffle ($49), which, new this year, comes in eight colors. Load it up with her favorite songs so she can run without the iPhone bulk.
There's another fitness tracker on the market: the Larkllife ($150; available for preorder). The system features a simple blue bracelet for day and comfortable nighttime wristband, both of which track stats like diet, activity, and sleep. The Larklife also features an iPhone app that coaches you toward better health and a vibrating alarm system on the wristband that gently wakes you up.
Got an adventurous friend to shop for? The Camelbak All Clear Water Bottle ($99) isn't just any water bottle: it features UV technology that turns nonpotable clear water into drinkable H20 in just 60 seconds.