Tried and tested: the best work out gadgets

We’ve tried the smartest fitness gear and here is our tech editor’s pick on what will help you deliver your best workout.

Fitbit Charge 5

Finally, a gadget to tell you if you should just go back to bed

$270, fitbit.com/au

PROS

Even more fitness sensors

Clear, colour screen

Helpful “readiness” score

CONS

Small screen for alerts

No voice assistant

Some features require subscription

This is the first Fitbit to judge whether you’re really ready to face the day. After wearing it for four days, the Charge 5 can crunch your data to estimate how fit, focused and refreshed you are in a score out of 100. The advanced yet low-profile tracker can also assess your heart rhythm, blood oxygen, skin temperature and even stress in addition to its regular step-counting, workout-tracking skills. Its screen is on the small side and some features require a subscription.

3.5 stars

Whoop 4.0

A fitness tracker with no screen, no alerts, but so much data

From $264, whoop.com

PROS

Detailed health data

Comfortable to wear

Connects to fitness equipment

CONS

No screen or alerts

Requires a subscription

Just one function

The Whoop 4.0 is a fitness tracker with no display. Inside, its sensors collect a lot of information – from your pulse and heart rate variability to your respiratory rate and skin temperature – and analyse it to give you insights into your fitness, daily recovery and even whether you’re falling ill. This thorough analysis is available on a subscription and users will need to sign up for six months to get a Whoop.

4 stars

NordicTrack Commercial Treadmill 1750

This well-connected workout machine could squash your travel bug

$3999, nordictrackfitness.com.au

PROS

Built-in tablet for virtual tours

Lots of incline and speed options

Bluetooth for pulse
monitors and earbuds

CONS

Big, heavy machine

Subscription fee for workout app

In high demand

This treadmill lets you imagine you’re scaling Mt Snowdon in Wales, trekking to Everest Base Camp, or squeezing through crowds in New York City when you’re probably just in your garage. The NordicTrack machine achieves this with a 10-inch Android tablet and iFit workouts filmed in exotic locations and synchronised with the machine so you must climb mountains or stairs when your guide does. The sturdy treadmill also comes with Bluetooth for connecting earbuds or a heart-rate tracker, offers a built-in fan and will fold up to suit smaller rooms.

5 stars

Twelve South ActionBand

The most comfortable way to wear an Apple Watch

$50, twelvesouth.com.au

PROS

Seriously comfortable

Provides extra security

Keeps sweat off the watch

CONS

Only for Apple Watches

Not compatible with new model

One size for all

If you find it hard to wear a smartwatch while working out, this gadget could help. The Twelve South ActionBand is a fluffy, cotton sweatband with a moulded Apple Watch mount that leaves space for its crown and button. While in one size, this band should fit most wrists and prove particularly useful in demanding, jarring sports like tennis, basketball, and martial arts.

3 stars

Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic

One of the very smartest smartwatches on the market

$549-$649, samsung.com/au

PROS

Best Samsung Watch to date

Advanced health sensors

Improved Google software

CONS

Large on small wrists

A pricier option

Works best with Samsung phones

Arguably the most advanced health-tracker for your wrist, Samsung’s flagship smartwatch will measure your heart rhythm, blood oxygen level, sleep, workouts, muscle mass and blood pressure using new sensors. The Watch4 Classic also comes with Samsung’s addictive rotating dial for selections and the LTE model, for an extra $100, will keep you connected with calls and texts.

4.5 stars