{"id":80924,"date":"2026-02-08T07:16:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T10:16:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tech.einnews.com\/article\/890456257"},"modified":"2026-02-08T07:16:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T10:16:39","slug":"as-a-fitness-expert-this-is-the-fitness-tech-i-actually-use-and-what-i-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/08\/as-a-fitness-expert-this-is-the-fitness-tech-i-actually-use-and-what-i-ignore\/","title":{"rendered":"As a fitness expert, this is the fitness tech I actually use (and what I ignore)"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve had the opportunity to test a lot<\/em> of fitness tech over the years. Most of it gets quickly relegated to a cupboard or drawer, never to see the light of day again. Some kit does stick around, though, and actually manages to motivate me to get out the door, pack a gym bag, or feel good enough to work up a sweat.<\/p>\n

This is the fitness tech I actually use on a regular (and often daily) basis, plus some kit I\u2019ve yet to be won over by.<\/p>\n

Fitness tech stuff I actually use<\/h2>\n
\"Garmin\"Garmin<\/figure>\n

Garmin Forerunner 970 or Apple Watch Ultra 3<\/h3>\n

Having a fitness-first smartwatch<\/a> is a must, and for me, it\u2019s a 24\/7 commitment. I currently rotate between the Garmin Forerunner 970<\/a> and the Apple Watch Ultra 3<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Garmin has more in its favour when it comes to training insights. Its daily summaries are more useful, and it does a better job of offering glanceable guidance on what my training and recovery should probably look like that day.<\/p>\n

The Watch Ultra 3 can match the Garmin in most performance-tracking areas, while also being a much nicer smartwatch to use day to day. It\u2019s better for slick music controls during workouts, Fitness+ classes without losing Move ring progress, and effortless payments.<\/p>\n

\"Form\"Form<\/figure>\n

Form Smart Swim 2 Pro<\/h3>\n

The smartwatches<\/a> above have no problem tracking my swims reliably. What I love about these connected swimming goggles with an AR display (and have done since the first version) is that I don\u2019t have to break my stroke to see how I\u2019m performing.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re accurate first and foremost, but they go beyond simple tracking. Form\u2019s HeadCoach feature aims to help you become a better swimmer, offering real-time advice and coaching data on an easy-to-view display that doesn\u2019t distract during swims.<\/p>\n

\"Garmin\"Garmin<\/figure>\n

Heart rate monitor chest strap<\/h3>\n

Smartwatches are better than ever at tracking heart rate during exercise. While the wrist is more convenient, it\u2019s still not the most optimal place to measure it. That\u2019s why I still wear a heart rate monitor<\/a> chest strap for most workouts when I really want to understand the level of effort I\u2019m putting in.<\/p>\n

I currently use the Garmin HRM-Pro Plus<\/a> or the Polar H10<\/a>, which is widely considered the gold standard for heart rate tracking during exercise. Both connect easily to the devices I use, whether that\u2019s a watch or an indoor bike. Paired with a watch, they noticeably improve the reliability of training insights by providing more accurate heart rate data.<\/p>\n

Therabody JetBoots<\/h3>\n

Before compression boots entered my life, I relied on a massage gun and foam rolling to reduce soreness after long runs and tougher lower-body workouts. Once I realised I could get a similar effect while putting my feet up on the sofa in front of the TV, there was only ever going to be one winner.<\/p>\n

There are wireless versions now, but I still use the wired ones, which means staying close to the not-so-svelte main console. That slightly clunky setup hasn\u2019t stopped me putting them to good use, knowing those air chambers pummelling my legs are helping speed up recovery during another Netflix binge.<\/p>\n

\"Pulsio\"Pulsio<\/figure>\n

Pulsio Tens Pod<\/h3>\n

A far more portable and travel-friendly recovery device, the Pulsio Tens Pod is small enough to disappear into a bag \u2014 or even a trouser pocket. It\u2019s a TENS machine, a technology that\u2019s been around for a long time, delivering electrical current to nerves to help ease pain.<\/p>\n

Pulsio\u2019s design lets you stick the pods onto different parts of your body and still move around while they do their thing. The textured buttons make it easy to adjust intensity and switch modes, including using them to warm up muscles before a workout.<\/p>\n

\"Beats\"Beats<\/figure>\n

Beats PowerBeats Pro 2<\/h3>\n

I need music in my life pretty much all the time, especially when I\u2019m looking for motivation or a distraction from repetitive routines. I\u2019ve tested hundreds of sports headphones<\/a> over the years, and these are the ones I keep coming back to.<\/p>\n

They stay put during more rigorous exercise, connect reliably across devices, and remain comfortable during long workouts. Most importantly, they sound great across genres, and the ANC is more than capable of blocking out gym noise. I don\u2019t use the built-in heart rate monitor, but everything else makes these feel like the complete sports earbuds.<\/p>\n

\"Pliability\"Pliability<\/figure>\n

Pliability app<\/h3>\n

My phone\u2019s home screen is littered with fitness apps, but one I genuinely use and regularly return to is Pliability. It\u2019s all about mobility and flexibility \u2013 something I\u2019ve become more mindful of as niggles and tightness creep in.<\/p>\n

The app offers a strong range of workouts and programmes, uses your phone\u2019s camera to assess form and tailor routines, and can even draw on workout data from other apps to make better recommendations.<\/p>\n

Fitness tech stuff I ignore<\/h2>\n
\"Smart\"Smart<\/figure>\n

Smart rings<\/h3>\n

This one\u2019s slightly controversial, because I do think smart rings<\/a>, like Oura, are good. Much of the data and insight they provide can already be delivered by watches like the Forerunner 970 or Apple Watch Ultra.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m also perfectly comfortable wearing a watch to bed. While smart rings offer a more discreet and elegant way to track recovery and sleep, smartwatches do a solid job of that, too.<\/p>\n

AI fitness apps and coaching<\/h3>\n

I\u2019ve yet to come across an AI-powered fitness app or coaching feature that feels genuinely worth using. I\u2019m sure that will change one day. Right now, though, AI and fitness still suffer from a communication problem and lack the personalised touch needed to convince me they\u2019re offering meaningful help.<\/p>\n

Red light therapy recovery devices<\/h3>\n

There are supposed benefits to shining red light on muscles to speed up recovery, but it\u2019s a technology I struggle to be convinced by. You don\u2019t really know if it\u2019s working. With massage guns or recovery boots, at least you can feel the tech doing something. It\u2019s a recovery trend I remain sceptical about.<\/p>\n

\"Vibrating\"Vibrating<\/figure>\n

Vibrating foam rollers<\/h3>\n

Foam rollers are great. Everyone should have one. They\u2019re cheap, simple, and effective for reducing post-workout soreness. I\u2019m not sold on paying significantly more for one that vibrates as you roll it across your calves or quads. Does it really make it more effective? Plus, it\u2019s just one more thing you need to remember to charge.<\/p>\n

Liked this? The tech I used to lose 40lbs and ditch belly fat \u2013 plus the gadgets that didn\u2019t work<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/strong> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

… be won over by. Fitness tech<\/span> stuff I actually use Garmin … to make better recommendations. Fitness tech<\/span> stuff I ignore Smart rings … recovery, but it\u00e2\u0080\u0099s a technology<\/span> I struggle to be convinced … to charge. Liked this? The tech<\/span> I used to lose 40lbs …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-80924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80924\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=80924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=80924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}