New year, new you? We’re just about to hit what I like to call “Th Resolutions Zone,” that period of time after the start of a new year when your best-laid plans are either already toast or well on their way to being. What nobody tells you about resolutions is that they can be made any time of the year. Is it July and you’ve resolved to spend more time outdoors? Surprise, resolution! Is it November and you’ve resolved to not eat all the sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving dinner? Yep, you guessed it, resolution. Heck, make the same resolution every morning when you wake up if you want. You. do. you.
This list is all about workout gadgets that will at least help you with your fitness and weight loss resolutions. I’m talking about an all-in-one yoga mat with built-in poses, gear that will make your early-morning or late-night runs safer, and an ingenious gadget that’ll turn your dumbbells into kettlebells. Make a resolution to check out the list below and add some new workout gadgets to the new year.
Get a Death Grip
If you’re looking to max out on your deadlifts, you’re going to want to grab these Death Grips gloves! They give you that grip you need to keep your wrists and hands secure while you’re getting your workout in.
Make A Run For It
You’re headed out for a run and trying to take only what’s important … but where do you put it? This running belt works for men or women and is thin enough you’ll barely notice it but efficient in its design with pockets for your house key, phone, and cash or debit card. It also features a dedicated headphone port and reflective striping for added safety.
You’ve Been Carded
If you think getting a good workout in requires an expensive gym membership or cumbersome at-home equipment, think again. These fitness workout cards come in a variety of versions from bodyweight to foam roller to resistance bands so you can break a sweat whether you’re at home, traveling for business, or vacationing in an Airbnb. Each set includes 50 cards so you can change up your workout each time.
Let Things Slide
Get to the core (see what I did there?) of your workout routine with these core sliders that help you get a complete workout — from your arms to your abs to your legs. Tone, sculpt and challenge yourself with these dual-sided disk gliders that work on any surface from carpet to tile. These are portable and lightweight enough to toss in your bag and they come with an included workout guide.
Strike Up These Bands
Who doesn’t want a better booty? I mean, honestly, that’s a solid excuse for wanting to get your workout on in the new year. These non-slip resistance bands come in three resistance levels from light to strong to function as a thigh toner, glutes activator, and muscle builder. Your purchase includes access to videos with more than 80 different workouts.
A Gymnast’s Grip
If you’re working on your pull-ups and you just can’t quite get a grip, these Death Grips gloves were made for you! They offer the grip you need so you can get those reps in without damaging your hands or falling off the bar.
Have A Ball
This balance ball may look innocent enough but hidden in its buoyant design is a killer full-body workout. The half-ball balance trainer is ideal for people of all fitness levels with exercises that work for all muscle groups. Whether you’re tackling coordination exercises, push steps, squats, lunges, crunches, or burpees, this slip-resistant tool can handle it all. Each ball comes with a downloadable workout guide, a pump for easy inflation, and clip-on resistance bands.
Take A Knee
If you’ve ever practiced yoga or attended a class, you know there’s quite a bit of floor time between bridge pose, downward dog, and boat pose. This yoga cushion is marketed as a pad for your knees but it works equally as well to protect your elbows, hands, and more. This cushion is a whopping one-inch thick and comes with a mesh bag for travel and storage.
Up In Arms
I think arms are one of the trickiest things for women of all ages. Get a total arm workout with this resistance band system that easily gets rid of problem areas by toning and sculpting arms, back, traps, and hard-to-reach areas while burning calories. Three interchangeable resistance bands — 15, 25, and 35 pounds — are included for all fitness levels.
Put The Pedal To The Metal
Work out while you’re working with this under-desk bike pedal exerciser. Believe it or not, you can do some serious damage with this bad boy including making yourself more limber, following through with physical therapy orders, or just getting more active overall. This DeskCycle is easy on your joints and is whisper-quiet so it won’t disturb those who might be working around you.
Take The Stairs
Exercise equipment doesn’t have to be enormous and take up all the room in order to be effective. This mini stair stepper with resistance bands is small enough to stash in a corner or closet when not in use but effective enough to give you a diversified whole-body workout. An included LCD monitor will tell you exactly how long you’ve been exercising and how many calories you’ve burned.
Protect the Problem Areas
These golf grips are the perfect way to protect those problem areas without having to commit to the entire glove. Or you can use them to support those thick gloves to ensure your hands stay as safe as possible while you’re practicing your swing.
Do You Workout? Ab-solutely
I’m pretty sure when God was handing out abs, I must have been absent. That’s why I really need one of these ab wheel rollers — to give me what I clearly wasn’t born with. This ab wheel is sturdy, smooth-rolling, and has comfortable non-slip handles for safe gripping. Video instructions for making the most of your ab roller are also included.
Stick It To ‘Em
Tell me one thing that feels better after a hard workout than a massage … O.K., fine, a shower is pretty great. But, have you ever had one of these massage sticks? It doesn’t look like much until you start using it to target tight and sore muscles and discover fewer cramps and less tension. Sturdy and lightweight, it rolls smoothly and has comfortable handles.
Follow Directions
I love this yoga mat for several reasons, not the least of which is its large size and shock-absorbing cushioning. But, the real kicker for me is the 70 yoga illustrations printed right on the mat. Right. On. The. Mat. You won’t need a class, a video, an app, or a television; just grab your mat and you’re ready to roll … or pose.
Balance It Out
Life is all about balance… although I don’t think this balance board trainer was what the person who came up with that saying had in mind. Use this to help improve balance, body control, agility, and strength but also engage all muscle groups. Crafted with strong poplar wood, non-slip tape, and an easy-glide roller, this trainer comes with a mobile-friendly workout guide, too.
Weight It Out
Do you even lift, bro? I’m not talking about a few pounds here or there; I’m talking about 500, 600 pounds in the form of squats and deadlifts. This weight lifting belt will give you the support you need to break through to another level … without, um, breaking anything of yours. Strong and comfortable, this belt gives you extra power, strength, and support to improve your lifts.
Stay Safe While Running
My mom enjoys running outside and, yes, I think she might be adopted. I always worry about her not being seen, thanks to distracted drivers and poor lighting. At first glance, this reflective running vest might look more like you’re on a construction crew but don’t worry about that. This vest is lightweight, breathable, adjustable, and has two reflector bands for visibility. Snag it in yellow, pink, or orange.
Take It To The Head
I know some women “sparkle” or “glisten” or whatever other cute word you want to call it. Me? I sweat, like wet hair, wet clothes, full-on sweaty mess. These non-slip sports headbands would be essential for me to keep the sweat out of my eyes and my hair out of my face. Comfortable, lightweight, and durable, these bands dry quickly to keep you fresh.
Measure Up
If you’re not familiar, let me introduce you to this tool of torture known as a body fat caliper. And, yes, you use those little tongs to measure your body fat by gauging your skinfold thickness… mean, you pinch your fat and observe the reading. This set also comes with a traditional measuring tape so you have multiple means of feeling really bad about yourself. (Just kidding!)
Have A Seat
Have you looked at bike seats lately? They’re so tiny, like Barbie’s butt tiny. Where are the bike seats for regular-sized gals (and guys)? This memory foam bike seat is a good start since it’s compatible with both outside bikes and the stationary variety like Peloton. This bike saddle is made with thick, wide-seat padding to ensure a completely comfortable riding experience.
Band Together
There’s nothing wrong with learning something new every day, which is exactly what happened to me when I came across these occlusion bands. Who knew that restricting blood flow could increase muscle protein synthesis and lead to better gains? I certainly did not. Anyway, these bands are made of extra thick and durable elastic with numbered increments to ensure you’re getting equal pressure on both arms.
Sock It To Me
Some yoga poses are tricky and others can be downright dangerous if you don’t have good footing. These non-slip grip socks have a ton of great features in addition to steadying your stance: cushioned soles for comfort, ventilated arch bands for support, and seamless toe seams for extra coziness. These are a perfect addition to your gym bag for everything from yoga to Pilates to martial arts.
Make A Trek
Hiking. I mean, I could probably get into it if it weren’t for the bugs … and the walking… and the potential falling. These trekking poles will take care of that last issue, providing extra support in fresh snow or on rugged terrain. A cork grip molds to the shape of your hands while absorbing sweat to keep your hands dry and you can adjust the height in just a matter of moments.
Easy Phone Home
If you didn’t catch the “E.T” reference in this heading, we can’t be friends. This phone bag bike mount means you can keep your smartphone within reach when you’re hitting the road while also keeping it protected from the elements with its waterproof zippered seal. This bag also has extra room for your other personal items such as a wallet, keys, and more.
Cut The Cords
Confession time: I can’t jump rope. I’ve tried… multiple times. It’s just not in me. Don’t judge. But, even I could use this cordless jump rope, which requires no hand-eye coordination while also tracking your number of rotations, time exercised and calories burned. Skip rope inside or out, in good weather or bad, whenever you want. The ergonomic handle grips are comfy, too.
Throw In The Towel
Workouts mean sweat and sweat means that sticky, salty residue left on your skin… unless, of course, you have one of these cooling towels. Packed up, it’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand but unfolds to deliver sweat-soaking, body-cooling action. To activate the cooling function, simply run it underwater, wring it out and snap it for two hours of cooling relief.
On The Right Track
You don’t have to spend eleventy billion dollars to get your hands on a good fitness tracker. C’mon, this is 2022, after all. This activity fitness tracker does all the things the one your friend at the gym is wearing but for less than half the cost. This one runs less than $40, has a 15-day battery life, is water-resistant, and monitors things from your heart rate to your stress levels.
Get The Upper Hand
I know this photo looks like she just got the wishbone from the turkey at Thanksgiving and she’s trying to snap it but it’s actually the UB Toner, which tones your arms and chest, lifts the breasts, and strengthens posture. The best news is probably that you can do this while binge-watching that new season of Ozark on Netflix.
Raise The Bar
Is it a Pilates bar or a yoga stick … or both? I’m not entirely sure since the product page says both but I do like this fitness bar, which comes with resistance bands to deliver a complete workout of the muscles in the buttocks, legs, waist, and arms. Weighing in at less than three pounds, it can be completely dissembled and reassembled on a whim, making it a perfectly portable workout gadget.
Roll The Dice
If you really like to roll the dice with your workouts or you just need something to spice things up, these exercise dice offer a unique way to make your workout session even more fun. Exercise includes strength training, cardio, HIIT, and CrossFit WOD workouts in a set small enough to fit in your pocket. Each die represents beginner, intermediate, and expert workout options.
Roll With The Punches
This desktop punching bag has as much promise as a daily stress reliever as it does for a workout that packs, well, a punch. Relieve stress, improve hand-eye coordination and increase your speed and agility in a desktop gadget that requires only 60 seconds of set-up. One reviewer called it “impressively strong,” citing two teenage boys at home who had put it through its paces.
Fits Like A Glove
You don’t have to be a powerlifter to appreciate a good pair of workout gloves, you just have to not want calluses and blisters all over your hands. These are made from a breathable Lycra material and features padding on the palms and double stitching to withstand even the most intense workouts. The low-profile construction was designed with your smartwatch or fitness tracker in mind, too.
Carry A Tune
If you can work out without music, you might be some kind of crazy robot person. For the rest of you, you’re going to want a pair of these wireless earbuds that come in black, blue, green, pink, and khaki. These feature an LED power display so you know just how much “juice” you’ve got, an ergonomic design that’s comfortable in the ears, and hands-free calling. Not bad for less than $40l.
Hone Your Reflexes
As soon as I saw this, I immediately thought, “Why would I want to punch myself in the face?” Because I would definitely, but accidentally punch myself in the face with this boxing reflex headband set. Simply place the headband on your head, attach the corded ball to the sturdy D ring and start improving your hand-eye coordination immediately. You can also improve your reaction time, agility, punching speed, boxing, fighting skills strike precision, and more.
You Can Ring My (Kettle) Bell
If you have dumbbells at home but wished you had kettlebells, don’t be dumb and buy all new gear, just grab this kettle gryp. The kettle gryp turns your existing dumbbells into kettlebells to better diversify your workout without spending a ton of money or taking up more space in your house. Weighing less than one pound itself, it can convert dumbbells up to 55 pounds into the killer kettlebell for the workout of your dreams.
Shoot For This Hoop
When I look at this smart weighted hula hoop, my first reaction is “that looks like it hurts.” Reviewers, on the other hand, call it “not hard at all” and “pretty fun once you get the hang of it.” The weighted gravity ball adds an element of challenge while the hoop itself can help you burn body fat while doing nothing more than shaking your hips.
These Dumbbells Are Smart
And, when I say “smart,” I mean smart. These steel dumbbells are ultra-compact and feature foam handles, but that’s not the cool part. The cool part is that these dumbbells are entirely adjustable; a 10-pound weight, for example, can be adjusted to five, seven, eight, or 10 pounds. If you’ve been looking for a truly customized workout that won’t take up a ton of space, look no further.
Pull Up For This Pulldown
Exercise your arms, back, shoulder, and abdomen with something as simple as this cable pulldown system. It can be set up into three different kinds of exercise systems by changing handles or the way you utilize it. This has a 360-degree rotating silent pulley and gym-level durable nylon braided tricep rope. One reviewer called it a “compact home gym must-have.”
Don’t Waist This Opportunity
Some of you weirdos enjoy sweating; I think we’ve established that I do not. Thousands of people who also enjoy sweating (who knew?!) swear by this Sweet Sweat waist trimmer. Equipped with a hook and loop closure, it is naturally flexible to allow for the complete range of motion and has a grid inner lining that repels moisture. Just like the manufacturer said, “Sweat like you mean it.”