As an AlphaNerd - and more specifically, a fitness and health nerd - I am constantly looking for new technologies and gadgets to improve my workouts, nutrition, and overall health and sense of well-being. With technologies such as wearables and wireless gear becoming smaller and more affordable, many consumers becoming more health-conscious, and companies big and small competing over this growing market, there is plenty of new fitness tech to get your hands on (or your ears, chest, food, etc). With the holiday season upon us, you might be searching for the perfect gift for the fitness nerd in your life. Or perhaps you have a New Year's resolution in mind and want a little help. Either way, getting one of these goodies will be sure to put a smile on the face of anyone looking to improve their fitness and health.
1. Jaybird's Bluebuds X Wireless Headphones
There are a variety of wireless headphones on the market, and more seem to be coming out every day. It's important to find a set with the right features so that they can be comfortably worn from the office to the kitchen and especially to the gym or on a run. The Bluebuds connect to your smart phone via Bluetooth, and have no wires or clunky attachments, which is an issue with some models when laying on a bench or putting a barbell on your shoulders. They feature high-quality audio and can be worn comfortably for hours at a time. Luckily, you can wear them for hours at a time since you get 8 solid hours of music playback. The Bluebuds can also be used to make and take calls on the go (but please don't be that guy on his phone at the gym). To top it all off, the device comes with a lifetime warranty against damage from sweat.
Jaybird Bluebuds X Wireless Headphones
2. Polar H7 Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor
I've been using the Polar H7 Bluetooth heart rate monitor for about a year now, and I consider it a must-have for those serious about their health. After all, it's very difficult to improve something if you're not tracking and measuring it, and your heart health is paramount. The H7 Bluetooth comes with a comfortable chest strap and the detachable sensor/monitor. The H7 constantly monitors your heart rate while connected, and transmits the data to a Bluetooth-enabled device (such as your smart phone) or many of the bikes and treadmills at your gym that are Polar-friendly. Polar also offers a free app that keeps track of your workout length, your average and max heart rate during a workout, and even your distance traveled and calories burned. Being able to track this information and make informed decisions based on this data is crucial to getting the most out of your workouts. Stay tuned for posts on how I specifically use the H7 and Polar app to make the most out of every visit to the gym.
Polar H7 Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor
The Jawbone UP Move is an activity tracker that can be used to keep tabs on the number of steps you take during the day and monitor your sleep quality. This gadget comes as a wearable that you can put on your wrist, or clip on your waistband or anywhere else on your body. As long as it’s on you, it will help you track your day-to-day lifestyle habits helping you make more informed decisions to live healthier. The tracker comes in a wide range of colors with many accessories to choose from, so you can wear it proudly for everyone to see, or keep it discretely tucked away in your pocket.
Jawbone UP Move
If you have the ability to spend a little more on an activity tracker and want some more robust features, then the Jawbone UP24 is a solid upgrade from the UP Move. The UP24 monitors a lot more aspects of your life including how long you have been sitting idle, more insight to how you are sleeping, your diet and workouts. It is the indispensable partner for those who want to take control of all aspects of their life in order to become healthier. Once it's on your wrist, it counts your daily steps, tracks your sleep, takes count of the calories you consume, wakes you up in the morning with a subtle vibrating smart alarm, and notifies you with a gentle vibration when you have been idle for too long. This makes it perfect for those who spend too much time in front of a computer. The UP24 does not have a screen, but it does connect wirelessly and automatically with your smart phone via Bluetooth to display reports and progress. I have found the UP24 band to be lightweight and comfortable - enough so to be worn around all day and while sleeping. It is also water-resistant, so it doesn't have to be removed while in the shower. My only complaint with the UP bands were issues I had with the battery, but those seem to have been addressed by Jawbone in the latest version.
Jawbone UP24
Eating a healthy diet is the foundation of looking, feeling, and performing your best. Prep Pad acts like your virtual personal nutritionist to help you better understand what you are eating and track the nutrients you're consuming. The device consists of a smart pad which you place your food on for analysis. The pad connects wirelessly to your smart phone or tablet via bluetooth through the Countertop app. Prep Pad accurately breaks down the food it's weighing into proteins, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and of course calories. With the Countertop app, these insights into your diet help you make ingredient adjustments to reach your goals. Prep Pad is also compatible with Jawbone UP24 and UP Move and syncs with them to get a more comprehensive view of your overall health.
Orange Chef Prep Pad
6. FitBit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale
It’s time to step off your old scale and step into 2015. Not only will the FitBit Aria Smart Scale measure your body weight, body fat percentage, and body mass index (BMI), but it will also give you a better overall picture of your fitness and health. The data collected by the smart scale is uploaded automatically using Wi-Fi. From there, you can view your current measurements and progress over time by reading the charts and graphs online or on your mobile device. You can set goals, receive motivation to achieve them, and acquire badges for forward progress. Stop manually entering your measurements into a journal or app, and let this scale automate that part of your life.
Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale
I hope that these suggestions help you find the perfect gift for that fitness nerd in your life (or for yourself). As someone who is obsessed with health and new technology, I am confident that someone with similar interests will love receiving any of these new high-tech tools designed to help improve their life. I am not endorsed by any of these companies or products, but own them or have tried them and stand behind their usefulness and quality. I included links to the manufacturer's websites in the name of each item for you to learn more or do some last minute shopping. Happy Holidays and good luck reaching your health goals, or helping a loved one reaching theirs!