From Gym to Goal: The Best Fitness Tools to Elevate Your Routine
Having the right fitness tools is key to making the most of your workouts. The right gear doesn't just improve results it boosts motivation and helps you stay on track. Today's fitness landscape is filled with smart technology and versatile equipment designed to support every fitness goal, whether you're building muscle, losing weight, or simply staying active. With tools tailored to your needs, your gym sessions can transform into steady, measurable progress.
Fitness tools do more than just enhance your workouts—they keep you engaged, consistent, and accountable. Whether you're at home, in the gym, or on the move, having the right tools makes it easier to stay committed. From tracking progress to avoiding injury, they offer support at every step of your journey. Better performance metrics – Monitor real-time progress and improvements.
– Monitor real-time progress and improvements. Personalized workout plans – Adjust routines based on performance data.
– Adjust routines based on performance data. Increased motivation – Visual feedback and milestones keep you driven.
It's easy to hit a plateau, lose motivation, or get bored. Without the right tools, tracking progress and staying engaged becomes difficult. Fitness equipment and technology help combat these issues by making routines easier to follow, more dynamic, and highly customized.
Each fitness goal requires a specific set of tools. Whether your focus is strength, endurance, or flexibility, here are the top picks to elevate your routine:
Devices like the Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Garmin help monitor everything from heart rate to sleep quality and calorie burn. Some even come with GPS to enhance outdoor training. Use trackers daily to monitor progress.
Set movement reminders.
Analyze sleep patterns for better recovery.
For both beginners and seasoned athletes, resistance tools are essential. Adjustable dumbbells save space while offering scalable workouts.
save space while offering scalable workouts. Resistance bands are great for mobility, rehab, and strength training.
are great for mobility, rehab, and strength training. Kettlebells enhance full-body conditioning.
enhance full-body conditioning. Don't forget a weight lifting belt for added support during heavy lifts—it helps protect your lower back and maintain proper form.
A skipping rope is one of the simplest yet most effective cardio tools. It's lightweight, portable, and excellent for boosting endurance, coordination, and heart health. Ideal for warm-ups or high-intensity interval training (HIIT), it's a must-have in any fitness bag.
Apps like Nike Training Club, MyFitnessPal, and Zwift provide structured routines, live classes, and progress tracking. Log meals and workouts for accountability.
Get real-time coaching tips.
Stay connected with fitness communities.
Innovative gear like Peloton, Tonal, and Mirror brings professional coaching to your living room. Train in real-time with interactive classes.
Schedule workouts that fit your day.
Practice strength, cardio, and flexibility at home.
Recovery is critical for progress. Tools like foam rollers, massage guns, and mobility aids help speed up recovery and prevent injuries. Use foam rollers to release tension.
Massage guns improve blood flow and reduce soreness.
Regular stretching boosts flexibility and reduces injury risk.
Start with one or two tools that match your space, budget, and fitness level. Gradually build up as you identify what works best. Set clear, realistic goals for each new tool.
Choose multi-functional gear to avoid clutter.
Track your progress to stay motivated and make adjustments.
Don't underestimate the importance of basics items like gym bags for men or a high-quality gym duffle bag that help keep your gear organized and accessible, making it easier to stay consistent.
Fitness pros suggest customizing your tool use and not rushing to try everything at once. Let new equipment complement your existing habits. Most importantly, stay consistent and have fun experimenting with what works for your body.
The future of fitness is smarter and more immersive. Expect to see: AI-driven personal trainers offering hyper-personalized plans.
offering hyper-personalized plans. Virtual reality workouts for interactive and fun exercise experiences.
for interactive and fun exercise experiences. Smarter wearables that deliver even more detailed, actionable data.
Staying informed on these trends will keep your fitness journey ahead of the curve
Choosing the right fitness tools can turn a basic workout into a strategic path toward your goals. From a reliable skipping rope to a supportive weight lifting belt, from performance trackers to essential gym bags for men—every tool has its purpose. Start small, invest wisely, and watch your workouts evolve. With the right gear and mindset, your fitness routine can become more effective, enjoyable, and goal-driven than ever before.
TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
15 hours ago
- CNET
Smart Home's Secret Tech Is Geofencing: Here's What It Is and How I Use It
If you search through your smart home app or feature list, you'll often run into the word "geofencing" or something like automatic home/away settings. That signals a powerful, useful feature that far too many users don't even bother turning on. I'm trying to change that. My experiments with smart home technology have shown me all sorts of ways to tap into geofencing technology. If you're interested in saving time and finding clever new ways to use your tech, I highly recommend it -- although there are some data tracking details you should know, too. I'll explain Read more: What is a Smart Home, Anyway? Geofencing: Mapping your location Geofencing requires giving an app location data, such as your address. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Geofencing is a mobile technology that taps into location-based data (usually via GPS and other map app tricks). It allows users to fence in a specific spot and create rules about what happens when they leave that spot, as tracked by the location of their phone. Different companies have different types of geofencing methods but the end result is the same. In smart homes, the geofenced area is typically a home. When a user moves away from their home with their phone or other device that's tracking their location, it dings when it reaches a certain distance away, which causes connected devices to do things. More complex geofencing allows users to literally draw on a digital map to set its boundaries but in most cases, you just give the app your address and it does the rest for you. An important note: Consumer-focused geofencing should not be confused with marketing or law enforcement geofencing, which shares the same name but is a completely different practice. In law enforcement, for example, geofencing refers to requesting user data from all mobile devices in a specific area. Courts are currently in disagreement on whether this growing practice is legal. How smart homes use geofencing Smart home apps have a number of ways to get started with geofencing and some are very simple. Tyler Lacoma/CNET So, what does geofencing actually do? It can change how home devices act when someone is away from home vs. when they are at home or arriving home. This has several practical, time-saving capabilities. For example, users may be able to set routines that turn off the lights, lock the door and close the garage when they start driving away from home. Or, if they regularly get home in the dark, they may be able to link up smart lights to turn on as they're approaching the house. That's just the start of what you can do with geofencing and a smart home. Other people may prefer to focus on their smart thermostat, letting it automatically ease off heating and cooling when they leave their home, then make things more comfortable when they get back. Getting started with geofencing capabilities ADT's new hub has a few extra tricks and supports features like geofencing. Tyler Lacoma/CNET You don't have to arrange complex smart home routines or draw lines around a map to take advantage of geofencing. In fact, it's best to start small when first using this feature and see how it works in your own home. One of the easiest ways to begin using geofencing is to get a smart plug that supports home/away modes. The plug will simply turn off a connected device when you're gone, which can help save electricity. You could connect it to a light, a fountain, fan or air purifier and see if it turns off as you leave and starts working again when you arrive home. That may give you other ideas about what technology you'd like to control based on leaving or arriving home. Home and away settings are a particularly easy way to use geofencing, especially when arming security devices. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Or, if you have an existing security system, you can check to see if it supports home/away modes that use geofencing. It can be very handy to set your security system up to automatically arm and disarm based on whether you are out of the house. Plus, you may not even need to purchase any new devices, just change some settings in your app. I recently tested these sorts of services with ADT and the ADT+ platform, which also allows you to integrate smart lock behaviors and more. If you're looking for new tech that includes geofencing, look for devices that support Matter or that work with major platforms like Alexa, Apple Home and Google Home. Geofencing isn't guaranteed, but this makes it more likely. Is geofencing safe and private? Geofencing will let companies know when you're leaving home. RerF via Getty Geofencing is generally considered safe. In my years of smart home testing, I've never heard of consumer geofencing being misused or landing anyone in danger. The worst that can happen is that geofencing stops working because of bugs or app problems, which could leave a security system disarmed or require reboots and patches (as people have reported on Reddit). Well, that's the worst for individual consumers, anyway: If you're a government, geofencing apps may accidentally show secret military bases. On the privacy front, things are more complicated. Geofencing does require enabling various location-based tracking data. That gives apps -- and the companies that own them -- access to info about where you live, when you leave or arrive at a location and possibly other data. They may use that data for internal analysis and marketing purposes, or even sell it to third parties (although that usually requires some kind of warning or consent). Apps generally need to enable location-based data on demand to use geofencing correctly so you can't usually set it to only activate once like you can with other apps. That's a privacy concession not everyone is willing to make. To learn more, visit our pages on the best smart home devices, security practices to keep your home safe and the cheap smart devices CNET editors are still using.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
My favorite deals of the weekend — 11 sales I'm shopping from $4 on Apple, Stanley, Garmin and more
There's only two weeks left until spring transitions into summer — and I'm definitely ready for some beach trips, barbecues and of course, pre-summer sales. Whether you're looking to start your Father's Day shopping, refresh your shoe game or stock up on the latest tech, this weekend brings no shortage of great discounts worth a second look. Father's Day is June 15 — and Carhartt, Garmin and Stanley are hosting epic sales with the perfect gifts for Dad. Looking to upgrade your tech? Best Buy is hosting a huge Apple Shopping event with discounts on everything from MacBooks to AirPods. And if you're in the market for a new cooler, you can't go wrong with YETI, which is offering up to 25% off now on Amazon. The deals certainly don't end there! Keep scrolling to check out all the best sales I recommend shopping this weekend. Apple Shopping Event: up to $500 off @ Best BuyBest Buy is currently hosting a huge sale on Apple products. You can shop MacBooks, AirPods, iPads and more sporting epic discounts. The Apple Shopping Event is happening from now through Sunday, so don't wait! Carhartt sale: deals from $4 @ AmazonIf you're in need of the perfect gift for Dad, there's a massive Carhartt sale happening right now at Amazon. He is sure to love a rugged wardrobe refresh — and with deals starting from $4, you'll love the prices, too. Father's Day sale: deals from $6 @ AmazonFather's Day is June 15 — and if you're looking to shop something special for Dad (without breaking the bank), Amazon has tons of great deals that he'll love. From clothing and coolers to grills and tech, there's plenty of gifting options to choose from. Garmin sale: deals from $99 @ AmazonI have to admit: I wasn't expecting to see a surge in Garmin deals this week. That said, Amazon has various Garmin watches and some accessories on sale from $97. It's easily the best Garmin sale I've seen this year with discounts on some of our favorite models like the Editor's Choice Forerunner 55 on sale for $166. Greenworks sale: deals from $19 @ AmazonSpring is the best time to check those pesky household chores off your list. And whether you're hoping to boost your home's curb appeal or tend to some necessary home improvement projects, Greenworks has the tools to help you get the job done right — many of which are now up 50% off on Amazon. Shop all the best yard tools, including lawnmowers, drills, leaf blowers, chainsaws and more. Grill sale: deals from $89 @ AmazonAmazon is offering one of the biggest grill sales we've seen with prices across the board. Brands on sale include Blackstone, Weber, Pit Boss, and more. After discount, deals start as little as $89 for a charcoal-based grill. Hoka sale: deals from $11 @ HokaReady for outdoor runs this summer? If you need to revamp your wardrobe or retire an old pair of sneakers, Hoka is having a massive sitewide sale on some of the best running shoes we've tested, as well as comfortable apparel for all conditions. The sale includes deals on running shoes, long sleeve tops, tees and tanks starting at $11. Stanley sale: up to 40% off @ AmazonSummer is almost here — and as temperatures rise, staying hydrated is an absolute must! Fortunately, some of our favorite Stanley cups and tumblers are now up to 40% off on Amazon. They even have a section dedicated to Father's Day deals! Timberland sale: up to 40% off @ TimberlandIf you're interested in adding a pair of high-quality workwear boots or trail-ready kicks to your spring shoe game, look no further than Timberland. The footwear brand is currently hosting a spring sale with deals on hiking boots, sneakers and more that will help you hit the trails comfortably. Walmart Patio and garden event: up to 50% off @ WalmartFrom upgrading your outdoor furniture to warming up those cool spring evenings with a fire pit, Walmart can be your one-stop shop for all things outdoor living. In fact, Walmart is hosting a huge spring sale as we speak! The retailer is knocking up to 50% off a wide variety of outdoor items, including string lights, pizza ovens, rocking chairs and more. YETI sale: up to 25% off @ AmazonIf you're a fan of YETI, you know that a sale doesn't come around often enough. That's why now is the perfect opportunity to save big on drinkware and cooler deals starting at just $15. If you're still in need of a Father's Day gift, YETI makes plenty of items that Dad will appreciate. So don't wait — snag a new cooler or water bottle before these discounts disappear!
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I swapped my Apple Watch for the Galaxy Watch 7 — here's what I liked and disliked
Smartwatches have become an essential bit of kit for many, with features like fitness tracking, notifications, sleep monitoring, and heart-rate checking that were once novel and impressive. Now? They're expected. For years, I've been mostly in the Apple Watch camp. As my usual go-to everyday smartwatch, it's proven to be sleek, responsive, and — since it's tightly-knit with my iPhone and other Apple gear — it just works. Until now, I hadn't found a good enough reason to switch. But with Samsung's latest wearable, the Galaxy Watch 7, launching alongside the feature-rich Galaxy Watch Ultra and the much-hyped Galaxy Ring, I was curious. Was it time to try the other side? Could Samsung's circular contender pull me away from the Apple Watch Series 10? As someone who tests gadgets for a living, I decided it was time to find out. I've been wearing the Galaxy Watch 7 day in, day out — at the gym, pottering around the yard, walking around the block, shopping trips, in bed, and everywhere in between — to see how it stacks up against Apple's polished powerhouse. Here's everything I liked, and what I felt didn't quite hit the mark. Let's start with looks because, in my opinion, that's still what matters most on your wrist. Swapping from Apple's distinct rectangular slab to Samsung's traditional round face was — I have to say — a bit of a relief. I've never really been a fan of the Apple Watch's angular design, so it didn't take long to get used to, and prefer, the Watch's 7's more traditional circular face design. Samsung's latest wearable comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes, and the version I wore (the former) struck a great balance — not too chunky, not too delicate. The aluminium case keeps things lightweight, and I really liked the muted khaki finish of my review unit — it's subtle, modern, and goes with anything. The sapphire crystal glass is also a win, sporting a premium feel and a level of scratch resistance the aluminium Apple Watch 10 can't quite match without going up to the stainless steel model. Samsung's bezel is minimal and sleek, and the buttons are well integrated — I never once missed Apple's Digital Crown. If you're into traditional watch styling, Samsung's rounded aesthetic will feel more at home. The Apple Watch Series 10 features a bright and responsive touch screen, a comfortable and lightweight case and more smart functions than you'll know what to do with. Some of my favorites include on-wrist translations and global tide tracking. You also get useful safety tools and lots of holistic-tracking tech. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 provides in-depth, AI-backed, holistic insights into everything from sleep quality to fitness training and recovery. A handsome and easy-wearing watch, the touchscreen is bright and responsive, smart features and third-party apps are plentiful, and battery life is good for a full day. While the Galaxy Watch 7 does a decent job on the design front, its display doesn't quite dazzle in the same way the Apple Watch Series 10 does. Don't get me wrong, it's bright, colourful and sharp, and outdoors in the sun it's still clear and visible. But Apple's display just has the edge here — it feels more vibrant, especially when it comes to viewing angles and responsiveness. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. And then there's haptics. The Apple Watch is the gold standard here with crisp, tight vibrations that never miss a tap. The Galaxy Watch 7, in contrast, just isn't quite as responsive. It's by no means an issue, but it's just not as refined or as satisfying as on Apple's wearable. One of my unexpected highlights was the sheer joy of swapping bands on the Galaxy Watch 7. Sure, Apple's proprietary band system is clever, but it's also rather limiting — and not to mention expensive. Samsung's choice to use a quick-release system compatible with standard 20mm or 22mm bands means I could use all sorts of third-party straps without it putting a big dent in my wallet. From sporty silicone to classic leather, you could quite quickly build up a new mini collection of different styled straps for the Watch 7. And while Samsung's own bands are decent, it's the freedom to personalize without Apple's markup that does it for me. Lovely stuff! If only I had a dollar for every time a smartwatch brand promised 'all-day battery' and failed to deliver. Unfortunately, despite its promises, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 7 also falls into that camp. It claims 'up to 40 hours of battery life' — and yes, in some cases it'll stretch a full second day — but in reality, with notifications on, GPS use, and a bit of music control, I was plugging it in nightly. Sigh. Still, it's still a little better than my Apple Watch 9, which Apple claims lasts 18 hours (and, in my experience, often hits that mark). Nevertheless, the Galaxy Watch 7's charging speed doesn't match up. It'll give you about 40% in 30 minutes, which is fine, but Apple's fast charge still has the edge, especially when you're in a rush to leave the house. This was the big one. Apple Watch is only focused on iPhone users. If you live in the Apple ecosystem, it's seamless. But it's also a walled garden with zero Android support, no Google Maps native app, and limited options for third-party customisation. The Galaxy Watch 7, on the other hand, is a Wear OS 5 device, and it plays nicely with a huge array of Android phones and also can be used by iPhone users (although more limited than on Android). The Google Play Store access on your wrist also works super well — I could download Spotify, Google Maps, WhatsApp, and even control my smart home with the Google Home app. The interface feels smoother than on past Galaxy Watches, and while Samsung's own One UI Watch skin adds a few quirks, it's generally very intuitive and responsive. The new Exynos W1000 chip seems to help, too, with everything from app launches to swiping around feeling faster and slicker than on older models. Okay, so it's time to talk money. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7's prices start at $299 for the 40mm Bluetooth model and $329 for the 44mm version. If you want LTE connectivity, it's an extra $50 on top for either size, so you're looking at $349 and $379, respectively. Compare that to the Apple Watch Series 10, which starts at $399 for the 42mm GPS version and jumps to $499 if you want the same size with cellular. Opt for the larger 46mm model and you're looking at $429, or $529 if you want it fully connected. So, if we're comparing like for like, Samsung's pricing undercuts Apple at almost every level, and you're still getting very similar top-notch features. Add in the fact that Samsung often offers deals and trade-in offers, too, makes it even more tempting if you're already in the Android ecosystem. Annoyingly, you can't pair a Galaxy Watch with an iPhone in a way that gives you the full experience. While the Galaxy Watch 7 technically can work with iOS, some features and health metrics — like ECG, blood pressure monitoring, and Samsung Health's more advanced tools — are either stripped back or unavailable entirely. The same goes for certain third-party apps and watch face options, which are much more robust when used within Samsung's own ecosystem. To get the most out of the Galaxy Watch 7, you really need to pair it with a compatible Android phone, ideally, a Samsung one. I tested mine with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, and it was a seamless, enjoyable experience. It boasted fast pairing, full feature access, and top-notch integration with Samsung Health, SmartThings, and the new Galaxy Ring ecosystem. On top of that, the Galaxy S25 Plus' big, bright AMOLED screen made it a joy to manage watch settings, workouts, notifications, etc and it felt like both devices were built to work with one another — probably because they are. Of course, it's not easy to move away from iMessage, but if you're fully onboard the Samsung train, the S25+ and Galaxy Watch 7 combo is as slick and functional as it gets on Android. After two weeks of using the Galaxy Watch 7, I can honestly say it's a strong rival to Apple's popular wearable. The design is smarter than I expected, the software is powerful and flexible, and the price is right. It's a great option for Android users — and for once, Apple fans may have something to be envious of. Still, it's not perfect. Battery life is still just okay, the screen's responsiveness isn't perfect, and the tighter integration of the Apple Watch with iPhone still can't be beaten if you're fully invested in that ecosystem. So, did I switch for good? Not yet, but I'm seriously considering it. I've gone back to my Apple Watch for now, mainly because I'm a creature of comfort (and you gotta love the seamless iOS experience), but the Galaxy Watch 7 did make a huge impression on me. If I were to move to a Samsung phone full-time (and after using the Galaxy S25+, I'm genuinely tempted) the Galaxy Watch 7 would be my go-to wrist wearable.
