Tried and tested: the best fitness gadgets

Virtual personal trainers, pneumonic pressure, massage guns and surprise health sensors are powering a new generation of fitness gadgets. We’ve put the best to the test.

From massage guns to artificially intelligent personal trainers, fitness gadgets have come a long way.

THERAGUN PRO

This top-of-the-line smart massage gun earns its title

$899, therabody.com

The Theragun Pro features five levels of power and up to 27.2kg of force.

PROS

– Powerful massaging device

– Useful guided exercises

– Full accessory kit

CONS

– Expensive pro model

– Makes some noise

– Heavy for travel

Theragun has developed a cult following for its triangular muscle massagers and this Pro model, at the top of the range, demonstrates why. The fourth version of this device features a powerful motor with 27.2kg of force, five power levels, an adjustable arm, and a 2.5-hour battery life. It also smoothly connects to an app where users can choose warm-up or recovery routines that automatically sync to the machine. Given its power, it does make noise (though not as much as you’d expect) and weigh 1.3kg, but it also comes with a carry case, two batteries, and six attachments for specific therapy.

VERDICT: ★★★★★

WITHINGS SCANWATCH HORIZON

This well-connected wearable looks like a luxury timepiece

$700, jbhifi.com.au

PROS

– Subtle, luxury watch design

– Captures cardiovascular data

– Exercise and sleep tracking

CONS

– Small text screen

– Fleeting notifications

– No built-in GPS

Withings is going to win the prize for ‘smartwatch that looks like an actual wristwatch’ with its new wearable device: a dive watch with health-tracking features hidden inside. Like its predecessors, the ScanWatch Horizon captures details about the wearer’s heart rate and rhythm, oxygen saturation, sleep disturbances, and their exercise patterns and progress. But it also looks like a luxury watch, has a days-long battery life, and comes with two bands, including a stainless steel model with adjustment kit. Users can check their daily step count progress on a subtle dial, and phone alerts appear on a small screen at its top, though only in passing. Preorders will be delivered form July 14.

VERDICT: ★★★★½

RECOVERYAIR PRO

One of the most unusual ways to recover from a workout

$1829, therabody.com

PROS

– Reduces muscle soreness

– Boosts recovery time

– Customised with an app

CONS

– High cost

– Large device

– Specific use

Hikers, cyclists, joggers, martial artists and tennis players pay attention: this intense exercise gadget could get you ready for your next sporting feat quicker. Therabody’s RecoveryAir Pro has to be one of the wackiest sporting gadgets on the market but it’s well designed, solidly built, and effective. Two boots zip over your legs and, when hooked up to its control unit, blow up with pneumatic compression to increase the circulation in your legs from your feet up. Each cycle can be customised in an app by pressure chambers, and five guided treatment programs are available.

VERDICT: 4.5/5 stars

PELOTON GUIDE

It’s not all about the bike: Peloton’s Guide goes for strength

$445, onepeloton.com.au

PROS

– Huge range of strength workouts

– On-screen guidance, metrics

– Discreet TV gadget

CONS

– High outright price

– $35/m ongoing subscription

– Basic body tracking

Naturally, Peloton is best known for exercise bikes but its Guide device is something totally different. The fitness gadget plugs into a user’s TV and features a camera that uses artificial intelligence to track a user’s movements. Users can choose from a huge selection of strength workouts to use with the device, focusing on everything from their core to lower body, and the device will show their image on screen alongside the instructor for reference. The Guide does require an ongoing Peloton subscription, however, but it will provide detail of the muscle groups you work out as well as personalised recommendations.

VERDICT: ★★★★

JABRA ELITE 4 ACTIVE

Small, sporty earbuds that won’t fly out as you jump and spin

$179, jabra.com.au

PROS

– Comfortable, small design

– Noise-cancellation and pass-through

– Advanced water-resistance

CONS

– Buttons are impractical

– No control customisation

– Must download app

Jabra’s new earbuds are designed for sport and you can tell. The small Elite 4 Active earbuds sit surprisingly snugly within the ears and won’t move when you do. They’re also sweat and water-resistant, feature active noise-cancellation technology to block the noise of other gymgoers, and pass-through sound for when exercising outdoors. Users must download an app to unlock some features, including equaliser settings and a way to find them if lost. Button controls on these devices are uncomfortable to use and you can’t change controls but the sporty sound machines are uncommonly comfy.

VERDICT: ★★★½

Originally published as Tried and tested: the best fitness gadgets