The health device market is big, noisy and full of products that promise change and deliver disappointment. Knowing what you should really buy is difficult when every device claims to be a game changer. The most reliable filter is simple: ask people whose job you know. We reached out to fitness professionals, trainers, coaches and movement experts who use the equipment in their careers and recommend it to clients and asked each of them to name one health device they personally use and stand behind. These are their answers.
Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as the preferred Google source in Chrome.
1. Massage guns
Massage guns are licensed by a professional and may be covered by your HSA.
A massage gun is a useful tool to have when you want to relax. I have tested many massage guns and I have them some personal preferences. Certified personal trainer, running coach and massage therapist at Knead Massage, Amanda Grimm recommends investing in one, especially if you exercise regularly.
“Regular use of the massage gun will reduce your recovery time between training sessions, allowing you to train more consistently and with intensity,” he says. Additionally, massage guns can help you improve your range of motion, so you’re ready to take on any workout.
“The most obvious benefit my clients report is a reduction in muscle soreness in the days following a hard session,” explains Grimm. Taking your recovery seriously also has its benefits. The faster you feel recovered, the faster you can get back to your next workout.
Read more: 8 Unexpected Living Devices Your HSA or FSA May Cover
If you’re new to using a massage gun, Grimm recommends using it before and after a workout for just a few minutes at a time. “Using the massage gun at a slow speed before exercise allows us to target the major muscle groups we will be working, improving blood flow and increasing available range of motion,” he explains.
For post-workout performance, Grimm advises targeting the main muscle groups you focus on during your workout. “Using a medium-intensity setting for one to two minutes will help remove excess fluid and inflammation and start the healing process,” she said.
Grimm’s favorite guns include the Renpho R3 Mini Massage Gun and the Theragun Pro. “I like the Renpho R3 because it’s affordable and compact, which makes it a good choice to put in your gym bag,” he says. He notes that it is powerful for its size and price and features multiple speed settings, making it a versatile little tool.
The Theragun Pro is his favorite professional grade massage gun that he uses with all of his clients. “The Theragun Pro is packed with great features, including an impressive 16mm amplitude (which is basically the depth of each ‘stroke’ in your body tissue) and a great ergonomic design, with a really comfortable rotating arm and handle,” he said. This is also CNET best massage gun choose, which we recommend for serious athletes.
2. Apple Watch
Apple Watch SE 3.
As an avid runner, I’ve always loved tracking my runs on an Apple Watch because it’s easy to read and connects seamlessly with my iPhone. Personal trainer, fitness instructor and sports nutritionist Umo Callins of Well Rooted Health and Nutrition, based in Oklahoma City, also swears by the Apple Watch.
“I like the different workout options they have to track, and I recommend it fitness watches for my customers who don’t mind having something on their wrist and benefit from the data, says Callins, adding, “I find that my data-driven customers are more in tune with their lifestyle and physical activity when they wear fitness watches.”
The latest Apple Watch Series 11 added FDA-cleared hypertension warning feature, improved battery life and sleep tracking. Callins likes that the Apple Watch shows his daily, weekly and monthly activity trends. Additionally, on days when he is less active, it motivates him to move. “I also like that it matches mine Oura Ringwhich helps in learning about how my body recovers from day to day, my sleep patterns and overall fitness, which is a big part of what dictates my workouts,” he adds.
3. Under-desk press
An under-desk treadmill can help you get your steps in, even on busy workdays.
I checked walking before and appreciate that they take up less space and allow you to do more things. Certified personal trainer, registered dietitian and owner of One Pot Wellness, Wan Na Chun swears by her under-desk press. “As a person who works from home, the walk pad helps me stay busy instead of sitting for a long time,” he said.
Chun also recommends walking pads to clients, who like how easy they are to incorporate into everyday movement. That’s because a travel pad makes staying active more accessible, regardless of the weather or busy schedules. Chun especially likes to use the Kingsmith Go and Work a walk pad and says he has been using it for years while taking calls, reading or doing work on his computer.
Chun recommends that clients use a walking pad as a low-impact option to help them get their steps in primarily, but says it shouldn’t be their only form of exercise. “The under-desk treadmill is designed to complement your regular activity by keeping the body active in small and continuous ways throughout the day,” explains Chun. He says, on average, he can easily walk about 5,000 steps every day at a slow pace and adds, “I find it especially helpful during the winter months when I don’t do much outside work because of the bad weather.”
4. The Whoop Band
Whoop Band 5.0.
If you’re serious about recovery and want to track that data, Ed Gemdjian, general manager and certified personal trainer at The Gym Venice, recommends The Whoop Club. Gemdjian specializes in working with clients age 40 and older. He says, “It provides a clear daily readiness for work and training by combining heart rate variability, heart rate relaxation and sleep quality.” This allows him to use the data provided by the device to match the training load to recovery for his clients. “This is very important to our more than 40 customers who are thriving with smart development and proper recovery,” he adds.
Gemdjian understands the importance of sleep and recovery, and Whoop gives him a better understanding of his customers’ habits. “We review sleep metrics and provide sleep hygiene training to address common non-medical issues such as inconsistent bedtimes, caffeine timing and screen use before bed,” he says. Whoop is a great wearable option without a screen that provides the health data you need without interruption during sleep or when you’re at the gym.
5. Body composition tracking
A DEXA scanner can provide you with information on your fitness progress.
If you have access to a DEXA scan or an InBody scan, these are some of the best ways to track your progress. This type of testing is usually done at a gym or doctor’s office that carries this type of equipment, as it is not available to consumers. The DEXA scan is considered the gold standard for measuring everything from bone mineral density (widely used in osteoporosis screening), soft tissue, fat mass, hydration levels and much more.
It gives you near accurate data about your body compared to jumping on a scale that just weighs you. Gemdjian uses these tools with her clients to get a baseline in riding and then retests every eight to 12 weeks to see if there are any physical changes. “We train for trends, not just numbers, so if skeletal muscle is up and visceral fat is down, we know we’re on the right track even if body weight isn’t moving that much,” he explains.