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The best fitness trackers in 2024 to help you stay active

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The best fitness trackers in 2024 to help you stay active
  • Battery life up to 7 days, charge time 20-80 minutes
  • Water resistant to 100 metres
  • GPS
  • Tracks sleep quality, blood oxygen (SpO2), heart rate, HRV, activity levels, training frequency, body temperature, menstrual cycle.

I’m constantly testing smartwatches, but I’ve never experienced such intense curiosity as when I’m wearing an Oura Ring. “Is that one of those rings that tracks everything?” people ask. I can’t blame them. How exactly can something so small offer all the same tracking features as a smartwatch?

When you order an Oura Ring online from the US (the only way to get it), you get to choose your ring’s design, finish, and size. I opted for the ‘horizon’ design and selected the silver finish. If you opt for a ‘stealth’, ‘gold’ or ‘rose gold’ finish, the ring is considerably more expensive ($349 for silver versus $549 for rose gold). 

The most crucial part, however, is determining the right size for your finger. Oura offer a free sizing kit, which arrived within days of ordering. This kit contained eight plastic rings in different sizes, allowing me to find the perfect fit. Oura recommends that you test the plastic sample rings on your index finger for 24 hours to ensure it’s comfortable when you sleep. If you don’t fancy wearing on your index finger, they say the middle and ring fingers are good alternatives. 

Once I found the perfect size, I downloaded the Oura app on my phone and delved into its world of tracking – and I was impressed. Not only does it keep tabs on basic metrics like heart rate and activity levels; it also digs deep into some pretty vital aspects of health that often go unnoticed. Plus, it boasts remarkable battery life, usually lasting between four to seven days on a single charge and super quick charging times – usually taking between 20-80 minutes.

The sleep tracking feature is a game-changer. The Oura ring assigns a ‘Sleep Score’ (ranging from 1 to 100), that evaluates the quality of your sleep based on various factors including sleep stages (such as how much time you spent in REM vs. deep or light sleep), body temperature and heart rate. It’s amazing to see how a glass of wine or heading to bed just an hour later than usual can mess with your sleep. I particularly liked how the Oura ring offers tips on how to improve your sleep too – with the app pinging notifications on when it’s time to start winding down for bed.

Lots of watches – including Garmin, Fitbit and Apple – offer menstrual cycle tracking for women, but I was impressed with the accuracy the Oura ring offered. For example, on day 22 of my cycle, the Oura app told me that while my ‘readiness level’ was good, my body temperature was slightly elevated – but this may just reflect normal temperature fluctuation across the menstrual cycle. I’ve found this feature really useful – it’s definitely helped me to better understand my body during different phases of my cycle.

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The Oura ring also provides a ‘Readiness Score’, which looks at things like temperature and heart rate variability, to assess how ready you are for the day ahead. It can detect early signs of illness and help you prioritise rest and recovery. It’s like having a personal sleep doctor, PT and GP on your finger, nudging you to make smarter choices.

My only gripe? I found the metal can easily get scratched and can scratch other jewellery. Oura does recommend taking the ring off when strength training or lifting heavy weights, but isn’t the point of the ring to wear it 24/7 so it gets a complete overview of how you exercise?

Overall though, if you’re looking for a fitness tracker that seamlessly fits into your everyday wardrobe, the Oura Ring has accurate tracking capabilities, plus unique features like menstrual cycle tracking. It is expensive though, and for some – especially those training for specific goals like a marathon – you may prefer to have all your data visible on your wrist, rather than depend on your phone.

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Early Black Friday fitness deals: 51% off trackers, equipment | Digital Trends

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Early Black Friday fitness deals: 51% off trackers, equipment | Digital Trends

Update 11/6/24: Though this is our first iteration of such a list for the 2024 Black Friday season, we’re already quite happy with it. Apple showed up with an affordable Apple Watch (which has fitness tracking that, though on the simpler side, we actually like better than some of its more complex siblings) and the Peloton Guide is $100 off. Plus, we were able to find smart tracking in stationary scale format for just $23, an entry-level price anybody can afford. This is a great start and we’re excited to see what is to come…

Despite lingering stereotypes, the tech space and fitness space are quite closely related. And so, for this Black Friday season, we know you may be interested in some great fitness gear. Luckily, while Black Friday officially starts on November 29, you can go ahead and get started on your fitness resolutions way early with early Black Friday deals. That means that if the early Black Friday headphones deal you picked up happens to be a good pair of running headphones, now is a fantastic time to pick up an exercise bike or treadmill. Alternatively, now is also a great time to pick up an excellent fitness tracker with early Black Friday smartwatch deals. No matter what your goals, however, the following deals are ripe and ready now, not in a few weeks, so there is no reason to delay your plans.

Renpho Smart Scale — $23 $29 21% off

Renpho

Considered to be one of the best smart scales for its its ability to track so many metrics (including weight, body fat, BMI, bone mass, muscles mass, and eight others) at an affordable price, the Renpho Smart Scale is down an extra $6 right now. This is a smart scale that will help you track your metrics, no matter what your goals are in the gym.

Peloton Guide — $95 $195 51% off

A hand sets up the Peloton Guide AI-powered personal strength training device.
Peloton

The Peloton Guide gives you the Peloton routine with AI-powered personal training. It gives you a webcam view that tracks your reps and progress alongside over 500 classes that work with its movement tracker. Get it while it is $100 off.

Apple Watch SE 2 (GPS, 40mm) — $189 $249 24% off

A 40mm Apple Watch SE 2 with the Starlight sport band.
Apple

One of the most affordable of early Black Friday Apple Watch deals, the humble SE 2 gets the job done without breaking the bank. In fact, our Apple Watch SE 2 review remarks that this is “probably all the Apple Watch you need” and praises its simplicity as a bonus, not a malus.

Echelon Smart Connect EX-5S-22 — $1,049 $1,500 30% off

Riding an Echelon Connect Bike EX-5s-22 inside a house with a view of flowering bushes.
.

This is considered to be one of the best Peloton alternatives for its premium feel, guided workouts, and excellent guide screen. Compare it at just $1,049 to the at $2,495 to see the savings.

NordicTrack Smart Rower — $1,750 $1,999 12% off

A man working out on the NordicTrack Smart Rower.
NordicTrack

The NordicTrack Smart Rower has a large screen, inertia-enhanced flywheel for smooth movements, and the option to use Bluetooth headphones or listen to the workout programming via its built-in speakers. Great for those that want to row but have no lakes.

How to choose fitness products on Black Friday

Depending on what your fitness goals are, there are several different types of fitness products you might want.

If you’re just looking to track your overall fitness, you’ll want one of the best fitness trackers (which is often just a smart watch). You can see our guide to fitness tracker accuracy for a better understanding of what you’re getting when you get one of these devices. Remember that a fitness tracker is just one part of monitoring your overall physique and health.

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Then, if you’re looking to use your fitness budget on a machine, you might consider one of many popular products that come with a screen and guided workouts. Though they usually require a subscription, many people find these guides motivating and reassuring as they begin their fitness journey with the new equipment.

How we chose these fitness products for Black Friday

The most important thing for us was to deliver you a combination of fitness trackers and exercise products that could fit all of your needs. And, of course, doing so while finding great prices.

We combed through fitness trackers, exercise bikes and other such machines, and other related fitness products to find something that you could confidently use.

Since this is Digital Trends, we also looked for products — when possible — that fit the somewhat digital lifestyle you are likely to have. Little things like being able to connect to your exercise bike via your workout earbuds or headphones was a big boon, for example. In short, this is a curated list for you, our readers.


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Fitness World Canada and Turning Point Recovery Launch Free Exercise Classes to Support Addiction Recovery in Vancouver

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Fitness World Canada and Turning Point Recovery Launch Free Exercise Classes to Support Addiction Recovery in Vancouver

The four-week-long pilot program in November is a continuation of Fitness World’s Active Community Initiative, bringing accessible fitness opportunities to local underserved communities.

VANCOUVER, Canada, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fitness World Canada and Turning Point Recovery Society have partnered to provide a month-long series of free exercise classes for individuals recovering from addiction. Starting November 5th, residents of Turning Point Recovery’s Vancouver location can participate in four weekly fitness classes hosted at the Fitness World Cambie club, creating a supportive space to boost physical and mental health as a part of their journey to recovery.

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Regular and safe exercise plays a vital role in supporting addiction recovery. Studies show physical movement can effectively increase abstinence from alcohol and illicit drugs. This is because fitness has been proven to ease withdrawal and depression symptoms, which are often one of the leading challenges that hinder a full recovery from substance addictions. Incorporating regular fitness into addiction recovery programs offers a holistic approach that enhances both physical and mental well-being, effectively supporting individuals in their journey toward sobriety.

Each 45-minute class features a circuit-style workout that includes a range of adaptable exercises suitable for all the varying fitness levels within the group. The sessions, held in a private, dedicated space, offer participants access to specialized equipment and facilities typically unavailable to them. This setting provides a safe, judgment-free environment, where they can experience the physical and emotional rewards of exercise.

“Turning Point Recovery Society is very happy to have partnered with Fitness World to provide free exercise classes for the residents at our Vancouver location,” said Rune Mikkelsen, Director of Operations with Turning Point Recovery Society. “Exercise aligns with the counselling and group work we facilitate in-house, creating a holistic approach to our recovery programs.”

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This partnership marks the third community organization that Fitness World has collaborated with in 2024 to grow its Active Community Initiative- a program dedicated to creating accessible fitness opportunities within marginalized groups. By partnering with local community leaders, including Retirement Concepts and Covenant House Vancouver, Fitness World has successfully delivered exercise programs for vulnerable youth and elderly who face significant barriers to regular physical movement.

“Our Active Community Initiative is designed to make fitness accessible to everyone, and we’re proud to help create an empowering space for Vancouver’s recovery community,” said Chris Smith, President and CEO of Fitness World. “This partnership with Turning Point Recovery Society reflects our commitment to meaningful wellness support across BC, and we look forward to helping participants build resilience through physical and mental health.”

Fitness World and Turning Point Recovery’s partnership is grounded in the two organizations’ shared commitment to improving the lives of British Columbians. Both partners are keen to explore a continued collaboration in the future to accelerate the impact of the Active Community Initiative.

About Fitness World Canada:

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Fitness World is a high-value, low-cost gym with 16 locations across the Lower Mainland. Committed to helping people reach their fitness goals, Fitness World offers inclusive spaces, state-of-the-art equipment, personalized programs, and numerous amenities starting at just $9.99 bi-weekly. Visit fitnessworld.ca for more information.

About Turning Point Recovery:

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At Turning Point, its evidence-based approach to addiction recovery goes beyond abstinence. They understand that recovery involves addressing the underlying causes of addiction, which often stem from mental health challenges, past traumas, and developmental legacies. Recovery is a comprehensive process that requires more than just stopping substance use; it requires healing from the root causes of addiction, which are almost universally linked to unresolved mental health issues and experiences of trauma or childhood adversity. Turning Point helps individuals build a foundation for lasting recovery and personal growth by addressing these underlying factors.

Contact:

Yulu Public Relations

[email protected]

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+1.604.558.1656

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Legacy Champions Conquered the 2024 Rogue Invitational

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Legacy Champions Conquered the 2024 Rogue Invitational

The Rogue Invitational went international this year, taking the strength sports competition extravaganza from U.S. soil overseas to Aberdeen, Scotland. The contest, which took place from November 8 to 10, saw athletes from around the globe in different disciplines don kilts and test their fitness and fortitude in what has become one of the premier events for both CrossFit and strongman in its sixth year. Organisers took full advantage of the locale and its legacy in the strength world, staging traditional Highland Games events alongside more contemporary Strongman and functional fitness fare.

The CrossFit podium was filled with familiar faces in both the men’s and women’s divisions. CrossFit Games 2023 champ Jeffrey Adler of Canada won the men’s side with consistently strong performances, placing outside the top five in only two of the eight events and winning one outright, a brutal combo of wall walks and back squats dubbed “Braveheart.” He was joined in the winner’s circle by countryman Brent Fikowski (who recently announced his retirement, making the Invitational his final event) in second and US competitor Jayson Hopper in third.

Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr added yet another championship to her long list of accolades on the women’s side in a dominant performance. The Australian CrossFit GOAT won her fourth Rogue Invitational by sweeping the first four events, then finishing outside the top two in only one of the others. She was followed by 2023 CrossFit Games winner Laura Horvath of Hungary, who won each of the events that Toomey-Orr did not, and American athlete Arielle Loewen in third.

The Strongman competition featured a tight contest between two titans of the sport. Canada’s Mitchell Hooper took his second Invitational title, edging out Iceland’s Hafthor Björnsson, who returned to Strongman in 2023 after an early retirement and a few years spent focused on boxing and powerlifting. Björnsson won two individual events (including the deadlift ladder, his specialty) to Mitchell’s single victory (in the Yoke Escalator, a brutal sprint/lift combo race), but Mitchell posted strong finishes across the board, coming in second in every other event but one, which he finished third. Scotsman Tom Stoltman, the reigning and three-time World’s Strongest Man winner competing on his home turf, finished the event in third place to round out the podium.

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Brett Williams, NASM-CPT, PES, a senior editor at Men’s Health, is a certified trainer and former pro football player and tech reporter. You can find his work elsewhere at Mashable, Thrillist, and other outlets.

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