Until recently, a fit tech guide would have featured products that counted steps or mapped runs. Now a fit tech guide is about stylish looking wearables that give you a comprehensive real-time health assessment or sleek headsets that monitor your brain waves and guide you through effortlessly optimising productivity and recovery. In other words, we’ve made a giant technological leap forwards.
Our fit tech selection represents the cutting edge of wearables and smart devices, where the power of data, the potential of personal feedback, and the promise of a healthier, more attuned life are at the touch of a button – or even, in the case of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, a the shake of a wrist.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 represents Apple’s most robust and feature-packed offering in the wearable space. It has been created specifically for outdoor adventurers and athletes who need a little more resilience from their gear than is standard.
What is the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a premium smartwatch that builds upon the original Ultra model. The key update is the Double Tap control. This innovative new gesture allows you to do things like begin workouts or answer calls hands-free, which can be useful when you’re clinging one-handed to a cliff face. It’s not just about toughness; the device is also packed with advanced health, fitness, and navigation features.
How can an Apple Watch Ultra 2 improve my health and fitness?
This is a smart bit of kit. It has a wide array of sensors to track heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and even take an ECG. The Workout app can track a wide range of exercises, while metrics such as running power and stride length help serious runners accurately track in their training efforts.
What are the key Apple Watch Ultra 2 features?
- Double Tap gesture: Make a double tap gesture with your wrist instead of having to tap with your other hand.
- Advanced health sensors: Capable of monitoring heart rate, blood oxygen, and taking an ECG.
- Precision dual-frequency GPS: Provides accurate location tracking for navigating remote terrains.
- Water resistance: Water-resistant up to 100 meters, suitable for water sports and diving.
How to get the most out of your Apple Watch Ultra 2
To fully exploit the capabilities of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, you should explore the WatchOS world. Customise the watch face to have the most critical information at a glance and use the Action Button to instantly access your most-used features. You’ll also want to embrace the Double Tap feature – it’ll change the way you use the watch.
Apple Watch Ultra 2, £799 from Amazon
WHOOP 4.0
Few fit tech brands have sparked as much conversation as WHOOP, even if half of that is users explaining to other people that, no, they can’t give them the time. The screenless sensor zeroes in on your physiological data to offer a comprehensive look at not just workouts, but also recovery and sleep – aspects of health that are just as crucial as exercise.
What is a WHOOP?
Whoop is a high-end fitness tracker that prioritises continuous health monitoring. It’s a screenless device, which sets it apart from competitors, ensuring that it doesn’t distract during workouts or daily activities. Instead, it collects data 24/7, monitoring your heart rate, heart rate variability, ambient temperature, motion, and skin conductivity. The lack of a screen reflects a more holistic, less obsessive approach to health tracking.
How can a WHOOP improve my health and fitness?
One of the key benefits of WHOOP is its focus on recovery. While most fitness trackers tell you how hard you’ve worked, WHOOP also tells you how well you’ve rested, measuring your sleep performance, disturbances, efficiency, and consistency. By analysing your effort and recovery data, WHOOP gives you personalised recommendations on how hard to push on any given day and when it’s time to rest.
The WHOOP Journal feature allows you to track how different behaviours (such as alcohol consumption, meditation, or diet changes) affect your recovery and performance.
What are the key WHOOP features?
- Strain score: A metric that quantifies how much stress your body takes on during the day and during workouts, based on cardiovascular output.
- Recovery score: Calculated during sleep, this score tells you how ready your body is to perform each day.
- Sleep coach: Provides personalised sleep recommendations based on the quality of your sleep and your daily performance goals.
- WHOOP journal: Allows you to track additional data points that can impact your performance and recovery.
How to get the most out of your WHOOP:
Integrate the WHOOP Journal into your routine. And be honest and consistent with your entries; the more accurate your inputs, the more tailored your health insights.
WHOOP 4.0, £229 from Amazon
Withings Body Scan
The Withings Body Scan is more than just a scale; it is a comprehensive health and body composition assessment tool.
What is the Withings Body Scan smart scales?
Withings Body Scan scales go beyond traditional body weight measurements to offer a detailed analysis of your body composition and cardiovascular health. Using advanced biometric sensors, the scale provides readings on body fat, muscle mass, water percentage, and bone mass. It also measures vascular age, which gives an indication of cardiovascular health by assessing arterial stiffness. It even offers a segmental body composition reading, assessing the fat and muscle distribution in different parts of the body.
How can the Withings Body Scan improve my health and fitness?
The power of a tool like the Withings Body Scan lies in its ability to track changes over time, giving you a clearer picture of your health and progress on fitness goals. For instance, by monitoring changes in muscle and fat mass, you can fine-tune your diet and exercise routines to achieve specific objectives, such as increasing muscle mass or reducing body fat.
What are the key Withings Body Scan features?
- Multi-frequency BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis): Provides detailed body composition analysis.
- Vascular age: Uses pulse wave velocity measurements to provide insights into cardiovascular health.
- Segmental body composition: Measures specific body parts for targeted analysis.
- Health Mate App: Syncs data and provides clear trends, objectives, and insights.
How to get the most out of your Withings Body Scan:
Consistency is key. Weigh yourself at the same time each day, preferably in the morning, to get comparable results. Integration with third-party apps also means that data from the Body Scan can be used alongside other health metrics you may be tracking, providing a more complete picture of your activity and health.
Withings Body Scan, £349.88 from Amazon
Lumie Task desk lamp
The Lumie Task light therapy desk lamp addresses a crucial health issue, not through wearable tech or biometric feedback, but by enhancing a fundamental aspect of wellbeing: light exposure.
What is the Lumie Task Light Therapy desk lamp?
The Lumie Task lamp is a desk lamp designed to deliver therapeutic benefits through light. While we typically associate light therapy with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the benefits don’t end there. The Lumie Task lamp provides high-quality light to help regulate circadian rhythms, boost mood, increase alertness, and improve overall energy levels. It’s particularly useful during the winter months or for those who spend long hours indoors.
How can the Lumie Task desk lamp improve my health and fitness?
Light exposure has profound effects on mental health and circadian rhythm synchronisation. Regular use of the Lumie Task lamp can mitigate the effects of SAD, enhance cognitive focus, and potentially improve sleep quality by helping to regulate the body’s internal clock.
What are the key Lumie Task desk lamp features?
- Adjustable brightness: Allows you to set the light intensity according to your needs, which can range from gentle background lighting to intense light therapy sessions.
- Blue-enriched white LEDs: Mimics natural daylight, stimulating the body’s response to sunlight while being gentle on the eyes.
- Touch controls: Simplify operation and add to the lamp’s modern, sleek design.
- Timer function: Enables users to set session lengths easily, ensuring that light therapy is received for the optimal amount of time.
How to get the most out of your Lumie Task desk lamp:
Start with short sessions (15–30 minutes) and gradually increase the exposure time as needed or based on how you respond to the therapy. Morning sessions tend to yield the most beneficial results if you’re looking to energise your day and reinforce a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
Lumie Task desk lamp, £249 from Amazon
Therabody SmartGoggles eye mask
The Therabody SmartGoggles are the convergence of relaxation technology and smart design your under-recovered body is crying out for.
What is the Therabody SmartGoggles eye mask?
This isn’t your typical sleep mask. The Therabody SmartGoggles are a high-tech eye mask designed to alleviate stress and tension. They offer a combination of heat, vibration, and massage tailored to reduce eye strain and promote relaxation. Integrated biometric sensors can detect your heart rate and customise the relaxation experience in real-time.
How will the Therabody SmartGoggles improve my health and fitness?
The eye mask is a tool for recovery and mental well-being, which is as crucial as physical recovery. By reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation, the SmartGoggles can help to lower cortisol levels which, in turn, leads to better recovery and muscle repair. Use it before you turn in for the night and it could also enhance your sleep quality.
What are the key Therabody SmartGoggles features:
- Heat compression: Offers a soothing warmth to ease tension around the eyes, a common area for stress accumulation.
- Vibration massage: Utilises therapeutic vibrations to provide a gentle massage, aiding relaxation.
- Smart relaxation modes: Features several modes, from a focus mode that helps with concentration to a sleep mode that prepares the user for rest.
- Heart rate sensor: Personalises the experience by syncing the device’s rhythm with your heart rate.
How to get the most out of your Therabody SmartGoggles eye mask:
Don’t just think of it as a downtime tool. Use them during a work break (you may want to warn your colleagues first) to recharge and boost productivity then strap it on in the evening to wind down.
Therabody SmartGoggles, £174 from Amazon
Briiv air filter
This is an ingenious product that we are incredibly glad made it off the concept board and onto the shelves. It’s basically a forrest of air-purifying benefits in your front room.
What is the Briiv air filter?
The Briiv Air Filter is a biodegradable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional air purifiers. Its unique selling point lies in its green credentials: the filter media are made from natural materials, such as moss, coconut, and wool, which are as effective as artificial filters but are completely sustainable and reduce plastic waste.
How can I use the Briiv air filter to improve my health and fitness?
Clean air is a cornerstone of health and well-being. The Briiv Air Filter aims to improve indoor air quality by removing common airborne pollutants, allergens, and particulates.
What are the key Briiv air filter features?
- Sustainable materials: Utilises natural materials that are renewable and have a lower environmental impact than traditional filters.
- Smart home compatibility: Connects with smart home systems for easy control and monitoring.
- Low energy consumption: Designed to be energy-efficient, it has a low carbon footprint.
- Quiet operation: Functions quietly, making it suitable for use in bedrooms or study areas.
How to get the most out of your Briiv air filter:
Position the unit in the room where you spend most time, such as your home office or bedroom. You’ll also need to regularly maintain the device by changing the natural filters to ensure it operates at peak efficiency.
Briiv air filter, £329 from briiv.co.uk
FocusCalm headband
The FocusCalm EEG Headband is a wearable device at the cutting edge of neuroscience and technology. It’s designed to give you real-time feedback on your brain activity and help you learn how to manage your mental state for improved focus and relaxation.
What is the FocusCalm EEG headband?
The headband uses EEG (electroencephalogram) sensors to monitor brainwave patterns associated with calm and focus. By reading these electrical signals, the device, paired with an app, provides you with a tangible score that represents your real-time state of mind.
How can I use the FocusCalm EEG headband to improve my health and fitness?
By using the headband, you can improve your mental resilience, reduce stress, and potentially enhance cognitive function. You can also use it before sporting events because it enhances your ability to enter a state of calm focus that can directly translate to improved performance. That’s one of the reasons this kind of device is being embraced by the elite athlete world.
What are the key FocusCalm EEG headband features?
- EEG sensors: Track brain activity to provide feedback on your level of focus and calm.
- FocusCalm app: Offers a variety of games and exercises designed to train your brain for better focus and relaxation.
- Real-time feedback: Provides immediate scores and insights into your mental state, allowing for on-the-spot adjustments.
- Progress tracking: Keeps track of your scores over time so you can see how your focus and calm levels improve.
How to get the most out of your FocusCalm EEG headband:
The exercises and games in the app are not just for passing time during the commute to work. They have been developed to enhance your cognitive skills. Pairing the headband with other wellness practices, such as mindfulness meditation or breathing exercises can potentially enhance the benefits of that activity.
FocusCalm EEG headband, £207 from focuscalm.com
Oura ring
Don’t be fooled by the lack of screens and buttons. The Oura ring is a discreet yet powerful device, offering a sophisticated way to monitor sleep, track activity, and gauge overall health and wellness.
What is the Oura ring?
The Oura ring is a compact, titanium ring embedded with advanced sensors that measure various physiological signals to provide insights into your health, such as sleep quality and physical readiness.
How can you use the Oura Ring to improve your health and fitness?
The Oura ring offers in-depth sleep tracking, which includes metrics on sleep stages, disturbances, latency, and efficiency. Additionally, it tracks your body temperature, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV) to give a comprehensive picture of your recovery status. It also tracks activity levels and offers suggestions for optimal times to train based on your body’s readiness, promoting balance between activity and rest.
What are the key Oura ring features?
- Advanced sleep tracking: Delivers detailed analysis of sleep patterns, including REM and deep sleep stages.
- Readiness score: Provides a daily readiness score that helps you decide how to approach your day in terms of physical activity and mental exertion.
- Temperature sensor: Monitors minute temperature variations, which can be indicative of changes in your body, such as the onset of illness or fatigue.
- Heart rate variability (HRV): Measures HRV during sleep, which is a key indicator of recovery and overall health.
How to get the most out of your Oura ring:
Use the Oura ring’s trend features to see how changes in your lifestyle affect your long-term health data. This can be especially helpful for experimenting with different sleep hygiene practices or dietary changes.
Oura ring, from $299 from ouraring.com
Apollo Wearable – Stealth
The Apollo Wearable – Stealth is a pioneering wearable wellness device. It uses the power of touch therapy to manage stress and improve resilience by engaging with your sense of touch to influence the way your body responds to the world.
What is the Apollo Wearable – Stealth?
This device can be worn on your wrist or ankle and uses gentle vibrations to help your body recover from stress. It’s grounded in the science of touch and how certain frequencies of vibration can influence the nervous system’s stress response. Apollo aims to help you feel more relaxed, focused, and energised even without changing your routine.
How can you use the Apollo Wearable – Stealth to improve your health and fitness?
Excessive stress can seriously harm your wellbeing, potentially affecting sleep quality, mood, and even metabolic health. The Apollo Wearable – Stealth is designed to improve your body’s resilience to stress, thereby enhancing focus, sleep, and the ability to relax and recover.
What are the key Apollo Wearable – Stealth features?
- Touch therapy technology: Uses gentle, soothing vibrations to signal safety to the brain and help regulate the body’s stress response.
- Multiple modes: Features modes such as Energy and Wake Up, Relax and Unwind, Meditation and Mindfulness, Sleep and Renew, which are designed to support various aspects of daily life.
- App integration: The accompanying app allows you to customise and control the device, fine-tuning the experience to your preference.
How to get the most out of your Apollo Wearable – Stealth:
Experiment with the different modes and intensities through the app. Each person’s response to sensory input is unique, so what works best for you might be different from others. By customising the settings, you can discover the most effective patterns for your own relaxation and focus.
