Fitness
Get Mom Moving on Mother's Day With These Top Health and Fitness Gifts
Our wellness advice is expert-vetted. Our top picks are based on our editors’ independent research, analysis, and hands-on testing. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
Beats Fit Pro noise-canceling earbuds
For the mom who wants an uninterrupted workout
Hatch Rest Plus Second Generation
For the mom who values a good night’s sleep
Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant 28-Inch Women’s Leggings
For the mom who wants timeless leggings
Bombas Socks
For the mom who likes cushioned workout socks
WithIt smartwatch bands
For the mom who likes accessories
Flipbelt Zipper Running Belt
For the marathon-training mom
If your mom’s idea of self-care includes exercising and overall taking care of her health, we’ve narrowed down some gifts she’ll appreciate. There are endless products out there that would make a great gift this coming Mother’s Day, but you want to make sure that you’re getting Mom something that she will get good use out of.
Being a first-time mom as well as a fitness writer, I’ve come across products that active and health-conscious moms can enjoy and can even amplify their everyday lives. If you need ideas on what to get your fitness-loving mom this Mother’s Day, we hope you’ll draw inspiration from some of these top gift picks.
If your mom is a devoted Peloton rider, then chances are she can never have enough activewear. Peloton has its own activewear line with Lululemon and recently released its spring line — just in time for Mother’s Day. The new collection has shirts, jackets, sports bras, tights and tank tops available in bright colors exclusive for Peloton. Other attire you can pick from is Peloton’s Ford & Wyatt collection, which has T-shirts and sweatshirts with sayings like “Peloton Mama” and “Raising Legends” in muted colors, as well as tees for children ranging from sizes 0 to 24 months and 2T to 12Y.
Battery Life Rated up to 6 hoursNoise Canceling Yes (ANC)Multipoint NoHeadphone Type Wireless earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)
A good pair of noise-canceling earbuds can make all the difference in a workout. The Beats Fit Pro are our top pick for the best buds for working out. If your mom likes to get her workout in without the interruptions, she can benefit from this solid pair of earbuds. They’re essentially built on the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro, but they’ve got a cool wingtip design that wraps around your ear for a secure fit while working out. CNET’s David Carnoy calls them “the sports AirPods you’ve always wanted.”
One of the things I learned to value as a new mother is what a big difference a good night of sleep can make for parents and baby. When I get a good night’s rest, I’m able to have a better workout and overall day. I use the Hatch Rest Plus second generation to help put my son to sleep in our shared bedroom, and it works like a charm. Before using the Hatch, I’d have to rely on my Alexa device for lullabies or white noise and a separate lamp for his bedtime routine. The Hatch is easily controlled by the app on your phone. It can play lullabies, and a new feature called “tuck-ins” lets you leave bedtime messages recorded by you or other family members. This is ideal if you have grandparents who live far away or if you’re a working mom and want to feel closer to your child at bedtime if you can’t be there. I tried out this function when my husband was away on a work trip recently, and our son loved hearing his voice in his absence. To get access to these features, you will need a Hatch subscription, which is $49 for the year or $4.99 a month.
You can’t go wrong by gifting a pair of Lululemon’s Align leggings. The Aligns were the only leggings I was able to wear throughout my entire pregnancy and postpartum. There must be something in the fabric that keeps the shape of the leggings but offers plenty of stretch in the waistband. These soft and weightless leggings come in a variety of lengths and are appropriate in yoga, bootcamp class or lounging. They’re also long-lasting so the mom in your life is sure to get lots of use out of it.
A pair of socks as a gift sounds underwhelming, but a comfortable and cushioned pair can make a difference in your workout experience. Bombas offers socks for different types of activities ranging from running to golf and lifestyle. I like wearing Bombas socks when I go for a run because my feet and ankles feel well supported and the wicking material keeps them dry. They also come in a variety of colors so you have plenty of styles to choose from.
If your mom likes keeping track of her steps or other data on her smartwatch, a stylish watchband can be a good way for her to change up her look. WithIt offers bands for Apple, Garmin, Fitbit and Samsung smartwatches and has a variety of styles. You can select from silicone, mesh, leather, steel and nylon bands to fit the appropriate smartwatch. WithIt also offers AirPod cases, AirTag clips and reading lights if you want to add a little something extra to your gift.
If the mom in your life is known to take HIIT, Crossfit classes or works a job where she’s on her feet all day, chances are she’s frequently sore. A massage gun can be a good tool to have around to soothe those aching muscles. Our top pick is the Theragun Elite, since it’s heavy duty but easy to operate and offers 16 millimeters of amplitude, which means it gets deep into muscles.
The Pilates-loving mom will appreciate a Pilates kit for her home workouts. Jennifer Aniston swears by the Pvolve Method, which is a low-impact Pilates class that states that its method is clinically backed by various experts on its clinical advisory board. Pvolve can be taken in one of its boutique studios or at home. There are various kits to pick from for home use, but the Signature bundle includes the P.ball, P.band, a precision mat and a Pvolve membership, which you can stream at home.
If you know a mom who wants the personal training experience, but doesn’t have time to head to the gym, the Future app can be the next best option. The Future app connects members virtually to coaches across the country with different training backgrounds, so you’re sure to connect with one who is the right fit for your needs. I used the Future app prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy and postpartum. The workouts are easy to follow, complete with video demonstrations and coach cues. And if you have any questions, it’s easy to connect with your coach via the built-in chat. This is an attainable way to get a taste of personal training without leaving your home while still having someone hold you accountable.
If the mom you’re shopping for is in full training mode for a race, she’s going to need a running belt that stays in place and can store all of her belongings. I’m a fan of the Flipbelt because it has compartments all around, and the Zipper version keeps your items secure. What makes it appealing is that it blends in with your waistband and isn’t bulky like some other running belts on the market. I’ve been able to store my ID, keys, earbuds, cash and more while out on long runs, short runs and even running errands. They’re also available in various sizes and colors so you can get the most customized fit.
If your mom is always on-the-go but likes having protein shakes or smoothies after a workout, a good blender that takes up minimal space goes a long way. The Nutribullet Pro Plus is one of the newest models of the personal blender. It has more extraction power and a pulse cycle that gives you more control on the consistency of the beverage. It also has the ability to blend up seeds and nuts better, so you have a smooth shake every time.
If your mom loves to hike or other outdoor adventures, she’ll enjoy the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The second iteration of the Apple Watch Ultra is a smartwatch that can do it all. It has all the features of the original Apple Watch Ultra including sensors that can read biomarkers such as your heart rate, blood-oxygen levels and more. Its emergency features include international emergency calling, emergency SOS and crash detection, so Mom will stay safe no matter where she ventures off to. Newer features she can enjoy are the night mode and a brighter screen display.
More Mother’s Day gift ideas
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
This is a tough question to answer because it depends on what kind of exercise bikes you’re into. But based on the popular exercise bikes and the bikes that resemble Peloton the most during testing, it would have to be NordicTrack, BowFlex and Echelon.
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You’ll want to consider cost, size, display screen and whether you want to pay for a monthly subscription. If your main goal is to simulate the experience of riding a Peloton, you’ll want to get a bike that offers similarities, like the NordicTrack S24.
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Indoor cycling is a full-body workout. It targets your core, upper body, back, glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and lower legs. Some bikes also include weights so you can more specifically target muscle groups in your arms.
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The most eye-catching aspect of the Peloton exercise bike is its 21.5-inch HD touchscreen. For a Peloton alternative, you want the exercise bike to have a screen or tablet compatibility. Some exercise bikes like NordicTrack and Echelon come with the large touchscreens, but other brands like BowFlex require you to use a tablet to access classes. The smaller screen may not draw you in as much, but it’s a personal preference whether you want the touchscreen.
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Peloton charges $44 a month for its All-Access membership. As you can tell by the Peloton alternatives list, other brands offer similar memberships through their app subscriptions. You can use any of these bikes independently, but if you want to get the most out of a bike, you may want to consider signing up for a membership as well. The other plus is most of these exercise bikes connect to third-party apps, so there are different ways to use them.
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This depends on the type of experience you’re looking for. An Echelon is a slightly more affordable option ($300 cheaper), and it’s easy to follow like a Peloton. But a Peloton has a rotating screen, and its instructors tend to be more high-energy than Echelon’s. If the classes matter the most to you, an Echelon membership is slightly cheaper than Peloton’s, so you may want to spend the extra money on the classes and bike if it’s in your budget.
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‘Exercise is usually viewed through the lens of physical appearance, the number on the scale and the size of your jeans,’ says Dr Ramon Velazquez, neuroscientist and scientific advisor at Mind Lab Pro. ‘But you cannot move your body without moving your brain. Exercise is not primarily a body intervention – it’s a brain intervention, and the changes you see in your waistline or muscles are side effects of what’s actually going on neurologically every time you move your body with intention.’
Indeed, while a huge body of research shows how crucial movement is for physical health – from protecting our hearts to reducing cancer risk – an increasing number of studies are highlighting the significant cognitive benefits of exercise, from boosting memory and reducing dementia risk to restoring neuroplasticity (the brain’s resilience in adapting to new information, behaviours and sensory input).
But what exactly should that look like in practice? And how should you structure your weekly routine to maximise the brain health benefits of exercise? Dr Velazquez has the answers below.
The workouts
Zone 2 cardio
‘Zone 2 cardio is the most underrated form of exercise. People usually dismiss it because they feel like they aren’t doing enough if they’re not drenched in sweat or gasping for air,’ says Dr Velazquez. ‘It’s a type of activity where you move at a pace that elevates your heart rate, but you can still have a conversation with the person next to you.’
Indeed, a recent review of more than 258,000 people found that even low- to moderate-intensity exercise performed for less than 30 minutes twice a week improved general cognition, memory and executive function (the mental processes involved in planning, focus and decision-making) in as little as one to three months. Dr Velazquez recommends light jogging, swimming and cycling. ‘From a neurological perspective, this type of exercise consistently increases blood flow to the brain over a prolonged period of time,’ he explains. ‘This is important because it helps deliver nutrients to the regions that are most vulnerable to ageing.’
Such exercise, adds Dr Velazquez, also supports the glymphatic system – the brain’s waste clearance system that removes proteins and cellular waste linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Strength sessions
‘Strength training is also extremely important for longevity. Strong muscles produce and release hormones and signalling molecules that directly influence the brain,’ says Dr Velazquez. ‘Muscle mass starts declining from your mid-thirties via a process called sarcopenia, and as the muscle disappears, so does the neurological signalling it produces.’
Two to three weekly sessions is the minimum needed to make a difference, he adds. ‘The sessions don’t need to be long – 45 minutes of focused, compound movements is enough.’ Think: squats, deadlifts, rows and presses – ‘exercises that recruit large muscle groups and produce the strongest possible neurochemical response’.
VO2 max training
‘VO2 max – the maximum amount of oxygen your body can consume and use during intense exercise – is now one of the most powerful predictors of long-term survival ever identified in the research,’ says Dr Velazquez. ‘Most people assume that blood pressure and cholesterol are the numbers worth paying attention to when it comes to how long they are going to live, but VO2 max is more predictive than either of those – a low VO2 max is not just a fitness problem, it’s a mortality risk.’
To improve this metric, Dr Velazquez advises introducing high-intensity exercise – where you’re working at near-maximum capacity for short bursts – once or twice weekly, adding that ‘a simple and highly effective routine would be 4-6 intervals of one minute at hard effort followed by two minutes of recovery’.
‘It will be uncomfortable, but that’s the feeling you need to chase to make this exercise effective, and the physiological stress of those intervals drives adaptations that are cardiac, vascular and neurological.’
Example weekly workout routine
‘Zone 2 is the base of the pyramid, VO2 max training is the peak. You cannot build a high peak without a wide, solid base, which is why all three pillars work together,’ says Dr Velazquez, who gives an example of an effective weekly routine below.
Monday
30-45 mins strength, eg, squats, deadlifts, rows, presses.
Tuesday
Zone 2 workout, eg, light jog or swim.
‘The key is finding an enjoyable activity that raises your heart rate, but not to the point where you’re gasping for air.’
Wednesday
30-45 mins strength.
Thursday
Zone 2 workout.
Friday
30-45 mins strength + VO2 max training afterwards.
Saturday
Longer zone 2 workout (around 60 mins).
‘I would suggest working out in nature, since a natural environment and exercise are a perfect combination for lowering cortisol.’
Sunday
Rest day.
‘Rest is not the absence of progress, it’s a necessary part of keeping the progress going.’
‘The brain responds to every single session. It’s tracking the pattern, not the performance. And the earlier in life you establish that pattern, the more of your brain you get to keep.’
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Hannah Bradfield is a Senior Health and Fitness Writer for Women’s Health UK. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Hannah graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. She has been covering sports, health and fitness for the last five years and has created content for outlets including BBC Sport, BBC Sounds, Runner’s World and Stylist. She especially enjoys interviewing those working within the community to improve access to sport, exercise and wellness. Hannah is a 2024 John Schofield Trust Fellow and was also named a 2022 Rising Star in Journalism by The Printing Charity. A keen runner, Hannah was firmly a sprinter growing up (also dabbling in long jump) but has since transitioned to longer-distance running. While 10K is her favoured race distance, she loves running or volunteering at parkrun every Saturday, followed, of course, by pastries. She’s always looking for fun new runs and races to do and brunch spots to try.
Although it may seem straightforward, there are some key steps you should follow when using an elliptical. Elyse Miller, an iFIT trainer and elliptical class instructor, shared some insight on the key things to keep in mind when hopping on one of these machines.
Stand up straight: You must remain upright while on an elliptical. Miller says you should stand in a tall, upright position with an engaged core by tucking your hips forward. This will also activate your glutes and keep tension away from your lower back. Your upper body should be relaxed as well. “Relax your shoulders and leave elbows soft without locking them,” Miller said.
Additionally, your front leg should feel like a natural stride forward and your heel will slightly lift as you rotate ahead. “Your hands should remain neutral while holding the handles on the elliptical, but don’t squeeze them tight,” she said, adding that once you have the form down you can mix things up. “For example, angling your toes out will work your inner thighs or moving your hands up and down the handlebars will target different muscles in the upper body.”
Hold onto the handles: One of the unique aspects of an elliptical is that it lets you work your full body at once. To get the most out of your workout, you’ll want to make sure you’re holding onto the handles as you pedal. This will allow your upper body to get the blood flowing as well. “Since elliptical arm handles are long, you can easily change the hand placement as needed for different heights or to target different upper body muscles,” Miller said.
Don’t slouch over: If the resistance is too high that it’s causing you to sacrifice your form, change up the intensity. “Reduce the resistance to maintain a strong, confident posture,” Miller said, adding, “don’t get stuck in the circling rut — make sure to try out intervals, resistance changes and level shifts rather than zoning out and going through the motions.”
Keep your feet on the pedals: Naturally, your body is going to move with the forward motion of the elliptical when your arms and legs are involved. Make sure to keep your feet sturdy and flat on the pedals as you go through the motions.
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