14 health and fitness wearables and gadgets worth giving
Health and fitness gadgets are some of the hottest items on the market right now, and it’s hard to sift through what’s just a gimmick and what’s actually helpful.
But worry not, holiday shopper. We’ve rounded up a collection of gift-worthy options that will help loved ones stay healthy and feeling good — especially in the wake of Thanksgiving and as we head into the season of eggnog, holiday parties and overeating.
From a web-connected tennis racquet and fitness tracker accessories to heart-rate tracking headphones and a gadget that helps you sit up straighter, here’s a look at some of our top picks.
After all, nothing says “happy holidays” like a gift that reminds someone you care about their health.
Gift Giving: Health and Fitness Wearables, Gadgets
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1. Lumo Lift
This little gadget nudges you to stand up straight. The Lumo Lift which comes in a variety of colors, detects your body’s positioning and when you start to slouch, the device vibrates and reminds you to adjust your stance. The Lift can be clasped to an undershirt, collar or bra strap. Price: $99.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier Hansen -
2. Jabra’s Heart-Rate Tracking Earbuds
The Jabra Sports Pulse Wireless Earbuds comes with a built-in biometric heart rate monitor that tracks and evaluates your workout. This is a smart gift for anyone who’s training for a marathon or other high-intensity activity.
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3. June Braclet
The June bracelet ($99) — from Netatmo, known for its personal weather station monitors — measures the sun’s impact. The jewel on the wristband syncs with an iOS device and alerts users when the skin has had too much exposure to the sun. It also monitors UV intensity, tracks daily habits and advises women how to better take care of their skin.
And as an added bonus: it’s a wearable that’s actually attractive.
Image: Mashable, Nina Frazier Hansen -
4. Mimo Baby Monitor
This smart baby onesie is a good pick for new parents: it monitors the respiration, skin temperature, body position, and sleeping and activity levels of infants. The data is then sent to a smartphone app in real time — and users can set up alerts if there are any changes. This means parents don’t have to get up and check on the baby throughout the night any more than they need to.
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5. Babolat Play
This Babolat Play ($399) tells you why you keep hitting the ball out of bounds. Sensors on the handle collect data about the player’s swing, power, endurance, technique and ball impact. That information is then sent to its accompanying app, so users can analyze their skills and ultimately improve how they play. A fun gift for both beginners and advanced players.
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6. Fitbit Charge
The Fitbit Charge ($129.95) is the replacement to the Fitbit Force that was recalled six months ago after users reported allergic reactions to the wristband. Just like its predecessor, it comes with a display (tells time, highlights steps taken, calories burned and so on), but it has a neat new perk: it has caller ID too, showcasing who’s calling you on your smartphone in real time.
The design is slightly different than the Force too; it’s lighter, the clasp works better and it comes with a cool-looking texturized wristband. There are software updates too, specifically gamification features that let you compete against friends, and you no longer have to put it in sleep mode for it to tracking your sleeping patterns.
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7. Tory Burch Fitbit Accessories
For those who already have a Fitbit Flex — in which the core tracking piece pops out of the wristband — designer Tory Burch has a beautiful line of high-end accessories for fashionable fitness fans. The collection brings a refresh to the unattractive fitness tracker design market. Items in the line include a silicone printed bracelet ($38), a pendant necklace ($175) and a hinged bracelet ($195). The pieces are stylish to wear alone, so the fact that these disguise a fitness tracker is an added bonus. Note: the accessories don’t work with other Fitbit products, including the Charge.
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8. Microsoft Band
If you’re willing to splurge a little more for a fitness wristband tracker, the Microsoft Band ($199) is your best investment. In addition to monitoring steps, workouts, calories burned, sleep cycle and heart rate, it displays calendar alerts, call and text notifications (the Fitbit Charge only does the latter) and even your tweets. It acts more like a smartwatch than most fitness trackers we’ve seen so far.
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9. ShoePouch for Fitness Trackers
This shoe pouch ($14.99) from tech accessory company Griffin fits small fitness trackers like the Misfit Shine. The shoe pouch straps on to shoelaces and lets you track your runs, without wearing a clunky wristband device.
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10. Fitbug KiQPlan
Fitbug has a whole line of Bluetooth wearables, but its new 12-week program called KiQPlan is 12-week program called KiQPlan aims to really get you in shape. Consider it a virtual, modern-day Jenny Craig that works with other trackers and apps like Fitbit, Jawbone, MyFitnessPal and your smartphone. The virtual coaches help you lose baby weight or shed beer belly pounds — eventually, the company will offer plans for helping people run their first 5k or marathon. Activation cards ($19.99) are sold in Target and online — downloadable codes are available too, if you don’t want to send a tangible card to someone.
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11. Muse Headband
This $300 brain-sensing headband the Muse, which was born out of a popular Indiegogo campaign, works with a series of calming exercises that are supposed to chill you out in a few minutes yet give you the effects of a nearly 30-minute yoga session. The Muse syncs with an app and focuses on training your breathing, so you can unwind from anywhere, from the office to an airplane. And it actually works: we felt the results after just one three-minute session.
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12. Oral-B Toothbrush
This web-connected toothbrush from Oral-B syncs with an app and gives you real-time data about how well you’re brushing and if you’re missing some key spots. It’s also a good tool for kids too — parents can monitor just how well they’re doing and how they might need to improve. Price: $160.
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13. Withings Aura
This sleep-tracking device is undoubtedly pricy ($299.95), but for the right person, it could change their life. The device tracks REM light and deep sleep, makes suggestions on how to improve the quality of your snoozing and it emits a light that helps you both fall asleep and wake up. What’s nice is that it’s not a wearable you have to sleep with — those are often uncomfortable at night — and it also serves as an alarm clock.
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14. Vanhawks Valour Smart Bike
If you’re willing to pony up, the Vanhawks Valour smart bike ($1,199) is a worthy option: it connects with a smartphone app and brings tech like GPS directly to the handle bars. The concept is part of a greater effort to help bikers keep their eyes on the road. Although the smart bike is available for pre-order now, it doesn’t ship until March, so gift recipients have to sit tight a bit past the holidays.
Image: Vanhawks Valour
What wearable are you hoping for this year? Tell us in the comments.