During the last four years at CNET, I've tested the best treadmills, smart rings for tracking health, the best smart home gyms and more. Before that, I was also a personal trainer helping people with their fitness. With all the experience and testing under my belt, there are several fitness tech items that have made an impression on me to the point where I find myself often recommending them to other people. And with the holidays coming up, they would also make great gifts.
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1. Hyperice Normatec Go Boots
The Normatec Go compression boots are TSA-friendly and compact enough to fit in a backpack. Hyperice
The Hyperice Normatec Go compression boots are ideal if you want to recover on the go after a tough workout. These are TSA-friendly so you can travel with them in a carry-on bag or in your gym bag. As a petite woman, the standard Normatec legs tend to be too big on me so I like that these compression boots are short enough to target the calves. I’ve found it helpful to use them after a run and tough leg day. These are also easily rechargeable and have a 3-hour battery life.
2. Apple Watch Series 11
The Apple Watch Series 11 is the newest Apple Watch to hit the market and it has some unique upgrades. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET
Although I haven’t had a chance yet to test the Apple Watch Series 11, I am familiar with the brand and am a loyal Apple Watch owner. The latest version of the Apple Watch has upgraded features like FDA-cleared hypertension alerts, a longer battery life, sleep score and a more scratch-resistant screen. CNET Lead Writer Vanessa Hand Orellana reviewed the smartwatch and said the Series 11 felt like picking up where she left off from the last Apple Watch iteration. Although the Apple Watch already tracked sleep, this is the first time you’ll get quantifiable data that follows clinical guidance to grade your quality of sleep based on sleep duration, bedtime and interruptions.
The stand-out health feature on the Series 11 is the new FDA-cleared hypertension notifications. It tracks your blood pressure and alerts you to potential irregularities. You should double-check this data with a proper blood pressure monitor and your doctor, because the Apple Watch reading isn’t meant to be used as a diagnostic tool.
Another important aspect to highlight is the longer battery life, which helps you enjoy your phone’s features for multiple days before needing to recharge it. This is a great option if you’re looking to upgrade an older Apple Watch model or are new to smartwatches.
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