Fitness Gadgets That Work

One of the number one fitness questions of all-time: which fitness gadgets actually work?

The fitness world is never short of a new fad or gadget claiming to get you into serious shape. From the infamous Thighmaster to the downright peculiar Shake Weight, the fitness industry is saturated with products promising big results with little effort. Six-Pack abs in sixty seconds? Only in your dreams. Shoes that tone your legs and butt? Better keep on walking. That’s not to say all gadgets are a waste of your time (and money). There are products out there that actually work, whether by helping you target specific muscle groups or offering a mental boost to push you past physical thresholds. If you’re seeking a little extra motivation, or just itching for something new to play with, we’ve rounded up 10 pieces of gear—from high-tech toys to gym staples– that will actually help you get in shape.

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1. Foam Roller

Styrofoam isn’t just for packing peanuts . Those long, foam logs you’ve probably noticed laying around at your gym are the ticket to preventing muscle soreness–and potentially sidelining injuries. By simply rolling over sore and stiff spots, like your hamstrings, quads and middle back, you’ll break up muscle knots with your body weight. This improves bloodflow, aids flexibility, and can provide serious relief from aches and pains. Think of the foam roller as a personal masseuse–without the hefty price tag.

2. Stability Ball

These gigantic playground balls have bounced their way to gyms around the world as tools for doing everything from improving your balance to whittling your waistline. An easy way to target trouble spots, exercises with a stability ball can work the muscles in your legs, core and upper body.

3. Resistance Band

Don’t get the wrong idea when we say this, but a little bit of latex—or rubber—goes a long way. A recent study showed that using bands–also known as resistance bands or stretch cords–can be as effective at improving strength as weight machines. These stretchy training tools work to build muscle mass and power by adding resistance as you pull, lift, and stretch. Plus, they’re cheap and portable enough to pack anywhere, so you’ll never have an excuse for skipping out on a toning session.

4. Body Bar

Here’s one way to raise the bar on your next workout: Incorporate a Body Bar, a simple but effective tool for increasing strength and flexibility. These weighted, easy-to-grip can be used for resistance training or stretching.

5. Reebok inTouch Heart Rate Monitor

Strap on the Reebok inTouch Heart Rate Monitor to keep track of just how hard you’re working while you go the distance–no chest strap required. All you have to do is touch the screen to get an update on your heart rate and calories burned, while the Fit Zone Indicator feature keeps you on a perfect pace. And unlike many clunky fitness trackers, this version is sleek enough to wear as an everyday watch.

6. BOSU trainer

Short for “both sides up,” the BOSU trainer provides two types of workouts from one piece of gear. Use either side to make upper body exercises–such as pushups, planks, or other abs movements–more difficult by adding instability and forcing your muscles to work harder. But be wary of standing on the ball for exercises–research shows that doing exercises on one leg is a better (and safer) way to build balance and stability. All together, you’ll work your body harder without adding weight.

7. Rebounder

Sure, you can run or walk off fat. But bouncing it off is just so much more fun. With the rebounder–a fancy name for a mini trampoline–you can jump, jog, and just have a good time while torching up to 1,000 calories per hour. Other boosts to bouncing: It can speed up your metabolism, cleanse your body of icky toxins by stimulating the lymphatic system, and give you more energy to boot. Plus, it’s low-impact, so you don’t have to worry about doing damage to your joints.

8. Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale

No fitness gadget obsessive can make do with an ancient set of bathroom scales. What’s needed are wireless smart scales, like these from Fitbit. They won’t just tell you your weight, they’ll track weight changes and monitor your BMI and body fat percentage for up to seven people. The data is uploaded via your WiFi network and available online or in a free iPhone app.

9. Kettlebell

Because all of a kettlebell’s weight (5 to 100-plus pounds) is in the cast-iron ball, not the handle, momentum is on your side during swinging moves, so you can likely hoist twice your typical heft. The quirky shape also creates a long lever, providing unique resistance during static strength moves. It’ll leave your biceps no choice but to get buff!

10. Step

This is no ’80s flashback—the deck popular in high-impact aerobics classes is also a universal toning tool. Add risers to customize the height on this use-anywhere weight bench to add a serious punch to your workout.