As a new father, staying healthy is more important (and harder) than ever. I no longer have the time or energy to hit the gym every day, so instead, I need to find solutions to stay in shape from home. Thankfully, the smart health gear space has exploded with options to lose weight and get healthy. If you’re looking for solutions for staying active from home, this roundup is for you!
Peloton Bike + ($2,495)
I bought my Peloton during the pandemic when it was the “it product.” Years later, Peloton no longer has the hype it once did, but I honestly still love it. Peloton has the same magic that Apple products do. The interface feels like I’m going to a spin class that I can start any time without having to leave my house. Peloton offers live classes throughout the day where you can ride with people from around the world and even see your performance on a leaderboard. You can also attend recorded classes on demand to fit your schedule. If you have friends who own a Peloton you can compete against them. My sister and I will race each other from across the country.
The bike syncs with your Apple Watch to display your heart rate on the screen and show which zone you are in. It also automatically adjusts its resistance to match the instructions. Finally, you can swivel the screen around and use it not only for spin but also for a wide range of workout types, including yoga and strength training.
Echelon Row-S ($1,299)
I love rowing because it offers an excellent cardio and strength workout while being low-impact. Echelon offers a similar experience to Peloton but is more budget-friendly. The Row-S has a screen mounted to the front of the rower so you can go through a guided rowing class. You can attend live classes and compete with others attending the class. Scenic rows make you feel like you’re out in nature, rowing on a river.
The Row-S was easy to assemble and folds up to store without taking up a lot of space. While Peloton and Echelon are big investments, both offer financing. Rather than paying for everything up front, you can pay a monthly fee similar in amount to a gym membership.
Withings Body Scan ($399.95)
I have mixed feelings about regular use of a scale, because weight alone tells an incomplete story and is not a good measure of health. That’s why I love the Withings Body Scan. The scale has an attached handle that performs a full body scan and gives you a much richer analysis with a wide range of health metrics. You can see the fat and muscle percentage for arms, torso, and legs individually. It also scans for heart health and Electrodermal activity. The Withings Body Scan gives me a wealth of insights into my health instead of just my weight. It will even tell me if I’m drinking enough water and what my vascular age is. The Body Scan syncs with the companion app so you can view your analytics on your phone.
I’ve used Withings scales for years now and love the ability to track how the metrics change over time. Many of these metrics change slowly, so the ability to see a long-term view has helped me identify trends in my health that I would have otherwise missed. (Full disclosure, this is a product from an iPhone Life sponsor. I chose it because it’s a personal favorite; our editorial and ad department act independently!)
Apple Watch Series 10 (from $399)
If you invest in one health device, the Apple Watch would be a great place to start. The Apple Watch serves a lot of purposes, but health tracking is one of its most powerful. Having the ability to track and log my workouts has helped motivate me to stay active. In addition to logging workouts, the Apple watch comes with valuable health monitoring. It has an ECG built in and will notify you if you have a high or low heart rate or an irregular rhythm. You can wear the Apple Watch while sleeping to get overnight metrics, including sleep apnea detection. Finally, the fall detection provides important peace of mind for anyone at risk!
Apple Fitness+ ($9.99/month)
Fitness+ might be Apple’s most under-the-radar product. The service has a range of workouts, including strength, core, and yoga, that you can stream from your Apple devices. They also have workouts for exercise equipment such as treadmill and rowing, so if you don’t want to invest in smart exercise gear, this is a great option. The quality of workouts is excellent, and the instructors are trained in ASL which is really great to see. Fitness+ syncs with your Apple Watch so you can see your health metrics on the screen as you’re working out.
In case it wasn’t obvious by now, I love a guided workout. The structure helps me remain motivated throughout a workout and on a good workout schedule. For $9.99 a month, Apple Fitness+ is an excellent option for people wanting to skip the gym.
Apple TV 4K ($129)
The best way to use Fitness Plus is through the Apple TV app. This allows me to watch the workouts on a large screen and work out from my living room. The Apple TV 4K is another underrated Apple device. While there are a host of cheaper smart TV options, such as Amazon Firestick and Roku, none of them are as user-friendly as the Apple TV. The integrations with the rest of Apple’s ecosystem make it a no-brainer for any iPhone owner. My TV has smart features built in, and I still bought an Apple TV box because it was so much easier to use. In addition to streaming Apple Fitness+, there are also a ton of excellent fitness apps available and fitness content available free on YouTube.
Oura Ring 4 (from $349)
The Apple Watch isn’t for everyone. The Oura Ring is a great alternative for those who want a lower-profile health device. Packed inside the ring is a wide range of health sensors. While there is a large overlap of features between the Oura Ring and Apple Watch, the Oura Ring is focused on overall health metrics, including sleep, stress, and readiness. It’s more comfortable to wear at night and has a more accurate temperature sensor. A charge lasts for up to 8 days, as opposed to the Apple Watch, which needs to be charged daily. If you want a smartphone assistant, the Apple Watch is amazing, but if you want something less bulky that is focused on health insights, the Oura Ring is an excellent option as well.
