Fitness
Treat Yourself to These Popular Wellness and Fitness Labor Day Deals
Our Experts
Giselle Castro-Sloboda Fitness and Nutrition Writer
I’m a Fitness & Nutrition writer for CNET who enjoys reviewing the latest fitness gadgets, testing out activewear and sneakers, as well as debunking wellness myths. On my spare time I enjoy cooking new recipes, going for a scenic run, hitting the weight room, or binge-watching many TV shows at once. I am a former personal trainer and still enjoy learning and brushing up on my training knowledge from time to time. I’ve had my wellness and lifestyle content published in various online publications such as: Women’s Health, Shape, Healthline, Popsugar and more.
Expertise Fitness and Wellness
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Garmin Forerunner 265S Running Smartwatch
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25% off
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
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The Gym People Thick High Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets
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Amazon Basics Neoprene Dumbbell Hand weights
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The Schwinn spin bike in action. That’s not me in the saddle.
Labor Day is upon us and so are the deals. If you’re trying to stay focused on your wellness and fitness goals, there are plenty of discounts and products to stock up on. Just because summer is almost over doesn’t mean you have to give up on your wellness journey. Instead, you should continue to do what you can to support it. We’ve found everything you need to stay on track if you like to work out at home and prioritize your recovery.
If you’re looking for other Labor Day deals besides wellness, don’t miss out on our other deals before they sell out.
Grab a new pair of running shoes this Labor Day with the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22. Brooks is a reputable running shoe brand, and CNET has named it as the best walking shoes for those with plantar fascitis in the past. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 are road running shoes that are supportive, cushioned and ideal if you overpronate. These can also be used if your job requires you to be on your feet all day and you want to make sure you’re comfortable during your workday.
Allbirds is currently offering 30% off all its shoes sitewide. The brand is known for its comfortable yet sustainable footwear. CNET named Allbirds Tree Runners as one of the best walking shoes for women. Some of the qualities we loved about Allbirds are how light the shoes are and how convenient they are for everyday wear. These shoes are also machine washable, which is always a plus.
Taking care of your scalp and hair has been made easier with Divi products. The clean hair care line is offering 20% off its products this Labor Day with the code LDW20. Shop some of their best sellers like the Divi scalp serum or volumizing shampoo and conditioner if you’re looking to give your hair some TLC.
If you want to step up your home gym with a rowing machine, you’ll want to check out the Hydrow Wave or Hydro Pro. For Labor Day deals, Hydrow is taking over $600 off the two models. Hydrow created a rowing machine with a smooth stride that uses electromagnetic drag technology to mimic the outdoor rowing experience. Both of these Hydrow models topped CNET’s best rowing machines list, so you know they are worth the investment. These are solid options to choose from with the Hydrow Wave being ideal if you have limited space.
Meal prep just got a whole lot easier with Purple Carrot. If you’re plant-based but have a hard time whipping up meals in the kitchen, a Purple Carrot subscription takes the guesswork out for you. Right now for Labor Day deals, Purple Carrot is taking $100 off four boxes with the code FUELUP100. You’ll have plenty of option to pick from for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
When I was four months postpartum, I started losing my hair, which is something that commonly happens to new mothers. Taking Nutrafol supplements slowed the hair loss and improved my hair texture and its growth. You don’t have to be postpartum to enjoy the benefits of Nutrafol’s supplements as the brand has plenty of different options for hair loss. Men can even take advantage of Nutrafol’s supplements.
Supergoop is well known for its sunscreen products. In fact, CNET named it the best facial sunscreen for all skin types. For Labor Day weekend, Supergoop is taking 20% off all of its products, including free shipping. You can purchase items for yourself and the whole family while supplies last.
The runner in your life will love the Garmin 265S Running Smartwatch, which is now $100 off on Amazon. This smartwatch functions as a sleep coach, Pulse Ox sensors and a heart rate monitor and offers race adaptive training plans as well as daily suggested workouts. The Garmin 265s battery life also lasts for up to 15 days in smartwatch mode.
If you’re looking for a trusty water bottle, Hydro Flask has its water bottles on sale during Labor Day deals on Amazon. Take 25% off the 24-ounce bottles, which brings the price down to $30. Users enjoy this bottle because it keeps water cold for up to 24 hours, has an easy-to-use straw, is leakproof and fits just about any cup holder. You can also choose from a variety of colors so you can stock up to have a bottle at home, in the car, at work and for the gym.
The Gym People is one of Amazon’s top-selling workout leggings that are affordable. For Labor Day, Gym People leggings are on sale for over 20% off. There are a variety of patterns and colors to choose from and they’re all under $25.
If you’re just starting out lifting weights, it helps to have a few sets of weights at home. The Amazon Basics Neoprene Dumbbell Hand Weights are on sale for $30. The set comes with a stand and three sets of two, three and five-pound weights. These fit perfectly under a desk or in a small space and don’t take up a lot of room.
One of my favorite workout tools to have on hand is TRX suspension straps because it’s suitable for beginners and advanced users alike. The TRX GO Straps are now on sale for $114, $25 off the original price. These straps are suitable to use at home, hang up at the gym, at the park or while you’re on the go.
If you have the space to fit a cable machine, a workout bench and other stations in your home gym, you can get Titan Fitness equipment for up to 40% off this Labor Day. You can get a Leg Press Hack Squat machine, now over $200 off, or a Safety Squat Olympic Bar for $100 off.
Recovery is important when it comes to your wellness routine. Chirp is well known for its Chirp wheels that come in four different sizes (6,10,12 and 4 inches). They’re intended to massage and help stretch out your back and shoulders, with the 4-inch wheel meant to massage the neck comfortably as well. This Labor Day, all Chirp products, with the exception of the Chirp RPM Mini, are on sale for 15% off until Sept. 9. If you sit at a desk all day long and your back is looking for some relief, the Chirp may be a good option.
NordicTrack is offering up to $700 off its fitness equipment, including treadmills, studio bikes, ellipticals and rowers. If you’re not sure which to pick from, CNET named the NordicTrack Commercial 2450 the best overall treadmill, and it’s currently $2,499, $500 off during its current sale. Other items that are discounted for Labor Day are the S22i Studio Bike and its latest RW900 and RW600 rowers.
If you’ve been eyeing an exercise bike that isn’t a Peloton, but still a trusted brand, then you’ll want to consider a Schwinn bike. For Labor Day, Schwinn is offering up to $200 off its exercise bikes, plus free shipping. Schwinn exercise bikes that are part of the sale include the IC4 Bike, 130 Upright Bike, 190 Upright Bike, 230 Recumbent Bike and 290 Recumbent Bike. The majority of these bikes are $50 off with the exception of the IC4 Bike, which is $200 off.
Therabody kicked off its Labor Day sale early and is offering discounts on its popular massage guns, the TheraFace Pro and other recovery items until Sept. 7. Standout deals you won’t want to miss out on include CNET massage gun favorite, the Theragun Elite (now $299), which is perfect for beginners or advanced massage gun users. It also includes a free charging stand with your purchase. Another item you’ll enjoy if you want muscle relief on the go is the Theragun Mini 2, now $149.
Most BowFlex equipment is on sale for Labor Day weekend for up to $300 off, plus free shipping. Some popular items that are discounted include the BowFlex Treadmill 22, marked down to $2,499 from $2,799; the Max Total 16, one of the CNET’s favorite ellipticals, now $2,199; and the BowFlex SelectTech 1090 Adjustable Dumbbells, marked down to $599. CNET’s favorite budget exercise bike, the BowFlex C6 Bike, is also on sale for $799. Plus, there are deals on BowFlex home gyms and benches if you’re looking to add pieces to your home gym.
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.
Medical and Mental Health
Exercise Your Demons has been revealed by Vyersoft, and it is a mixed reality fitness game where your coaches are demons. It is coming exclusively to Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro. The game has been developed by Vyersoft and it is set to be released later this year for $19.99. You can watch a teaser for Exercise Your Demons below.
“The hardest thing to do for your fitness isn’t lifting the heaviest weights or running the longest laps,” said Vyersoft founder Matt Conn. “It’s developing a healthy and regular habit. With ‘Exercise Your Demons!’ and its story-driven gameplay, we’ll help our players work up a reliable sweat.”
The story Matt mentions is set around the Demonomicon tricking the player into opening a portal between the human world and the Netherworld. As part of this players sign up to the Infernal Gymnasium to train up with Zephyr and Ash to fight against the demon hordes. Outside of the gym players will be fighting against Brimstone Bikers, Hellfire Hooligans, and Infernites in various locations using DeGauntlets to punch back to hell.
Vyersoft’s other projects have included God of Riffs: Battle for the Metalverse and Demons At My Neighbors!
Source: Press Release
Hula hooping is a mood-boosting way to benefit your health, mentally and physically. Cardio exercise has been associated with improving strength and flexibility, coordination and motor skills and burning fat. The movement calls on the full body, toning the abs but also strengthening the back, shoulder, glutes and thighs.
Fitness
‘Ten minutes a day will make you significantly fitter’: personal trainers on the best home exercise kit
Who among us hasn’t bought a piece of exercise kit only for it to gather dust in a corner, or start a new life as a clothing rack? That’s because, if trainer Dalton Wong is to be believed, we’ve been buying the wrong stuff.
“Only buy equipment that you’re going to use as part of your lifestyle,” says Wong, who trains everyone from award-winning actors to elite athletes. “We should do most of our cardiovascular training outside because we spend so much time inside. At home, work on strength, flexibility and mobility.”
Ty Paul, who gets Olympic athletes and Premier League footballers in peak condition, as well as running fitness classes for the over-60s, says that when it comes to home equipment, we should “buy something versatile that can be used for multiple fitness goals – and generations”. Here’s what the experts recommend you invest in, whatever your fitness level.
1
Best for basic home workouts
“At home, you need three things: a form of resistance (weights, resistance bands or gliders); something restorative (a yoga mat); and something regenerative (a tennis ball, a foam roller or, if you have lots of money, a massage gun),” says Wong.
Weighted vest
“To burn extra calories, wear it throughout the day,” says Wong. “If you have a lighter vest, use it for low-intensity cardio, such as your bike ride or dog walk, to increase the demand on your body. Lastly, wear it to do resistance training. If you have a 5kg vest, with 2kg dumbbells in each hand, that’s 9kg of work you’re doing from squatting, lunging or push-ups.”
Buy: Hyper Vest weighted vest, from £67
hyperwear.com
Tennis ball
“A lot of people get problems such as plantar fasciitis, sore feet and sore calves. Rolling a tennis ball under your foot is a great way to release that tissue. I also use it to roll my glutes out, so I sit on my bum, put my right ankle on my knee, put the tennis ball under the left side of my glutes and roll them out to break any knots. Lastly, with your back against the wall, put the tennis ball where your scapular – or shoulder blade – is and roll up and down. That releases the muscles between your shoulder blades through the middle part of your back.”
Buy: Tennis-Point Premium 3 ball tube, £3.90
tennis-point.co.uk
AVOID: Muscle-stimulating machines
“You cannot put on an ab-stimulating machine while eating Doritos and watching Love Island, and expect to look like the contestants on Love Island,” says Wong. “There is science behind the medical-grade versions, but six sessions at a private clinic will cost you in the region of £3,000. People who use those machines – such as Rafael Nadal – are already in great shape.”
“You need to make sure you’re performing exercises correctly, so if you’re following online videos, look for people who are renowned for their fitness knowledge,” says Michelle Griffith Robinson, a former Olympic triple-jumper, who’s now a trainer and specialist in fitness for perimenopausal and menopausal women. “Check their qualifications, and look at how long they’ve been in the business.”
Perimenopausal and menopausal women need to focus on building muscle. “Strength-train first using your bodyweight by doing press-ups against the wall, squats, step-ups on your staircase, single leg lunges. Once you can do that, add weights.” Also tune in to your body. “During this transition, energy levels are depleted. Get into the fresh air to exercise two or three times a week and the endorphins will help. But sometimes, with the greatest will in the world, exercise is a tall order, so be kind to yourself.”
Set of stackable weights
“Weight training helps prevent osteoporosis and makes us feel stronger so we can do our daily activities: gardening, cleaning, bending, lifting,” says Griffith Robinson. “With weights, start off with your own bodyweight, then add on weights to do some squats and presses, assisted lunges, and compound movements like a shoulder press into a deep squat and back into a shoulder press.”
Buy: Neoprene dumbbell hand weights, £64.99
proiron.com
Skipping rope
“They can travel with you anywhere. Ten minutes a day will improve your fitness significantly and is great way to control your pelvic floor. This is a good replacement for running when it’s terrible weather.”
Buy: Opti 9ft skipping rope, £7
argos.co.uk
AVOID: Abdominal rollers
“Strengthen your core naturally,” says Griffith Robinson. “Double up your skipping rope and hold it out in front of you, nice and taut, and go into a squat position. That will work your core, rather than an ab roller, which is going to shorten your muscles and your hip flexors. Planks on your elbows or hands are fantastic too. Imagine someone has a ruler across your back so you cannot dip. Hold that for 30 seconds on, 15 seconds off; or build up from 15 seconds to 20, 25, then 30.”
3
Best for older exercisers
When it comes to older clients, Ty Paul is clear: “They are a lot fitter than people think.” He suggests working on range of movement and flexibility “because we stiffen up as we age”. Strength training is also crucial “for bone density, but you don’t need to go heavy – my over-60s group use a resistance band, and some people use two tins of baked beans”. Ensure your workout is suitable for you and is age-appropriate. “But also find something you enjoy, so you’re more likely to sustain it,” says Paul.
BlazePods
Beloved by professional athletes across sports including tennis, basketball and football, this is a “flash reflex training” system, where you use your hands, knees or feet to tap pods that light up in a variety of colours, for drills and games.
“I use them with Premier League footballers to improve reaction times, decision making, agility and core stability,” says Paul. “I also use them with over-60s; it helps with coordination. If you’re improving that, you’re preventing falls.” The pods link to an app, so you can track progress. “A lady I train has Parkinson’s, and her doctor said there was no point exercising as it was better to stick with medication. We gave BlazePods a go, and after a year, she’s fitter and stronger than ever.”
Buy: Starter kit, £349
blazepod.eu
NOHRD SwingBells
“These are like kettlebells, but more luxurious, says Paul. “They consist of a wooden handle and a leather bag filled with iron pellets, and they’re beautiful to look at. You can use them for cardiovascular fitness, muscle toning and core stability, as well as all dumbbell and kettlebell exercises . They help range of movement and coordination; you can isolate parts of your body, and do all-round body fitness. SwingBells aren’t cheap, but they stand the test of time.”
Buy: SwingBells Set Club, £98
nohrd.com
AVOID: Medicine balls
“A medicine ball – a weighted ball – provides you with a limited number of options as it’s mainly used to perform one exercise: Russian twists, whereas SwingBells, kettlebells or dumbbells have multiple uses. I have a vintage leather medicine ball in my gym, but it’s an ornament. I’ve been in that gym for 18 years and I’ve never once taken it off the shelf,” says Paul.
4
Best for targeted improvement
When working out at home, says Kerri Major – a Glasgow-based personal trainer and sports dietitian – it’s important to enjoy what you’re doing, but also make progress. “A lot of people come into a gym and randomly pick what they like doing, but random training is only going to give you random results.”
Kettlebells
“You can buy different weights of kettlebell, allowing you to progress from a strength point of view. They’re useful for functional training too, because they allow us to use our own body to support our balance.” In terms of moves, says Major, “you can do goblet squats with one kettlebell or, if you have two, front squats with one in each arm. You can also do Romanian deadlifts or conventional deadlifts from the floor. For lunges, hold them in different positions to challenge you in different ways. For the upper body, you can do overhead presses, rows, presses from your chest, and biceps and triceps options, where you can load in different ways.”
Buy: Primal Pro Series Cast Kettlebell, £19,99
primalstrength.com
Pull-up bar
“A lot of people struggle to do vertical pulls at home,” says Major. “Pull-ups aren’t all about bragging rights: you can do different variations depending on how you have your hands, which helps us to target lots of different muscle groups. Often, people think it’s just squats and deadlifts that matter, but your upper body is so important in everyday life, for everything from reaching up to carrying heavy shopping.”
Buy: Universal door pull-up bar, £39.95
gravity.fitness
AVOID: Vibrating weights
“Power plates came first and were marketed as a way to tone up and lose weight, because you need to use your core strength to make sure you’re not wobbling. Then came vibrating hand weights, but there are more far more useful ways to train.”
5
Best for during and after pregnancy
“The safest way to alleviate pregnancy symptoms is with exercise,” says Kira Mahal, personal trainer and founder of Motivate PT, who specialises in pregnancy and postpartum fitness. “In your first trimester, movement will help with sickness; in your second, your energy levels peak so you can increase strength training; then in the third, up the ante by strengthening your pelvic floor.”
Mahal points out some important rules for pregnancy fitness. “Don’t get too out of breath, because that can restrict airflow to the foetus,” she says. “Don’t do deep abdominal twists; and don’t lie on your back, because that will restrict blood flow. Avoid overstretching, because pregnancy makes us more flexible as we have relaxin in our bodies [a hormone produced by the ovaries and placenta]. And finally, pregnancy is absolutely not a time for rapid weight loss.”
Postpartum, wait six weeks after a vaginal birth, or 12 weeks after a c-section, to exercise. “Then it’s all recovery work. The idea of ‘snapping back’ is nonsense; our bodies change forever, and that needs to be embraced. But I’m in the strongest physical shape of my life after two kids.”
Resistance bands
“These are the holy grail for anyone, and a gentle way to build strength,” says Mahal. “You can incorporate a resistance band into almost any exercise: put it above your knees for a banded squat, do reps in and out with your knees pulsing, or do biceps curls holding the handles and curl upwards with one end around your foot.”
Buy: Mini resistance-band set (pictured), £7.95
mirafit.co.uk
Set of five resistance bands, £12.50
johnlewis.com
Swiss ball
Also known as a stability ball, yoga ball or balance ball, a Swiss ball is like a space hopper but without the horns. It is used for core stability and strength exercises. “Sitting on it you find your centre of balance, which you lose when you’re pregnant,” says Mahal. “It’s a nice way to incorporate stability exercises, balance exercises and pelvic tilts. It helps to rock back and forth on it at the end of your third trimester when you can be very uncomfortable. You can also use it to assist exercises, so for a wall squat, put the ball underneath you for some added safety.”
Buy: Exercise ball, £15
johnlewis.com
AVOID: Anything high-impact
“We don’t want pregnant women skipping, sprinting on a treadmill, or jumping on a trampoline. Also avoid online Hiit classes. Women come to us injured all the time because they shouldn’t be doing certain exercises. Postpartum, women are doing abdominal crunches at six weeks, when they might have abdominal separation, and crunches will make that worse.”
6
Best for people with disabilities
“I tend to see a fear of exercise with my clients, because in the past they have had trips and falls, which result in injuries,” says Dom Thorpe, who provides personal training for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. “I see people with fatigue-based conditions who have gone too hard too fast. Managing intensity is important, but so is ensuring that exercises are performed safely, with fallback plans. If you have bad balance, for example, do things seated or where you have your sofa behind you, so if you fall, you fall safely.”
Adjustable dumbbells
“These look like one massive dumbbell, but they have a little dial that you twist to select the weight you want, so when you pick that up the rest are left on the floor. You can have something that ranges from 2.5kg to 25kg in one set of dumbbells rather than having an entire rack, so it’s a space saver, too.” Moves-wise, says Thorpe: “You can squat or do a sit-to-stand for the lower body, with the dumbbells dangling in your hands beside you. For the upper body, push forwards in your seat to work your chest and triceps. Pull backwards to target the upper back and the biceps, and push upwards, directly above your head.”
Buy: BodyMax 25kg Selectabell adjustable dumbbell, £189
fitshop.co.uk
Active Hands
“When people attempt to lift a heavy weight, it’s not necessarily their arm strength that gives up on them, it’s their grip strength. With active hands, a Velcro strap holds the dumbbells in place and fastens it, limiting the risk of injuries. The only downside is you usually need someone else to fasten them.”
Buy: Active Hands general purpose gripping aid, £73.42
amazon.co.uk
AVOID: Vibration platforms
“My university led the research into these, and I participated. Scientists had me stand on a vibrating platform in a squatted position, with electrodes attached to my muscles, and measured whether it was more stimulating than me just standing in a squatted position. It was, but it was no more stimulating than me holding some weights and doing squats. Similarly, doing press-ups on the vibrating platform is more challenging than a standard press-up, but not more challenging than doing a bench press, or a dumbbell press.”
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