Let’s get one thing straight – the start of a new year isn’t the only period to establish fitness goals. As we snap out of our summer-induced daze, many of us are stepping off flights at Dublin Airport, focused on shedding the excess weight gained during our holidays in Bali and Fiji. After a summer filled with luxuries, marking our days with lazy lounges by the pool and copious meals, the hard reality of education, employment, and the exercise regime looms ahead. With only a few months before the festive season overwhelms us with overindulgence once again, the uphill task of regaining our pre-holiday physique awaits us.
Among the potential solutions, many individuals are choosing to integrate home workouts into their routines, assisted by the progressive advancements of technology. The increasing trend is to convert spare rooms into a makeshift gym or a blended office and workout space. Nevertheless, considering the limited space, the emphasis is on obtaining compact and effective fitness equipment that can aid us in our pursuit of healthier bodies. We’re talking about intelligent rowing and cycling machines that are feature-packed, unobtrusive cardiovascular monitors, reliable fitness and diet tracking systems, and sleep enhancement technologies that won’t interrupt our sleep out of concern for proper functioning.
In light of this context, we’ve compiled a selection of the most impressive health and fitness technologies available in 2024. All that’s left is for you to designate the perfect home gym spot.
Rowing within view
For those of us who admire and aspire to match the golden success of Paul O’Donovan, the commitment required to train regularly on water might seem daunting. Just like all sports, rowing necessitates a substantial level of devotion, especially if matching the prowess of Olympic athletes is your goal. But remember, even these champions spend considerable time on dry land with the ergometer, honing their technique and gauging their speed, all to better their performance during actual events.
Immerse yourself in a global rowing experience right from your living room with the NordicTrack RW900 Rower. This sophisticated machine brings you a comprehensive, low-impact total body workout, featuring 28 resistance levels and advanced technology that automatically adjusts your training sessions to match your fitness level. Elucidating quaint graphics on tiny screens, it presents a 22-inch HD monitor coupled with a 30-watt audio system that can transport you to some of the world’s most breathtaking lakes and rivers.
Once you join the iFit training scheme, you get access to workout routines designed by elite fitness trainers around the world, customised according to your individual needs. While you can forgo the monthly membership that costs roughly €98, embracing iFit unveils a plethora of training resources that enhance the workouts in your home gym.
You get a 30-day free trial of iFit with the RW900 to explore all its aspects before you finalise your decision. The RW900 Rower from NordicTrack, initially priced at €2,299, is now available for €1,999 on mcsport.ie.
If the stationary exercise bike you want is the Peloton Bike Plus, but you can’t find it in Ireland, don’t fret. NordicTrack has quite an appealing alternative – the SS2i Studio Cycle. It offers compelling features such as automatic incline and resistance adjustment, recreating a cycling journey that takes you uphill and downhill right in your indoor gym. Its features also include a 22-inch HD touch screen providing you access to top training instructors globally via iFit, who guide and motivate you through various breathtaking global locations. And you will hardly tell the difference between this and an actual outdoor ride.
The SS2i accommodates your real-life cycling fashion, thanks to its easy-to-adjust handlebar system and two-sided SPD pedals that keep your feet firm whether you click or strap in.
The SS2i Studio Cycle from NordicTrack, originally priced at €2,999, is available for €2,449 on mcsport.ie.
“Offer her a ring”.
Gaining popularity amongst fitness fanatics is a tiny circular metallic device known as the Oura Gen3. This compact accessory, akin to a wedding band’s size, keeps health and fitness data readily available with a glance at your hand. The Oura allows for a comprehensive understanding of your personal health by decoding your body’s signals. It can make sense of over 20 biometrics such as sleep cycles, resting heart rate, body temperature fluctuations and even your blood’s oxygen levels.
Constructed from hypoallergenic, durable titanium, the Oura is equipped with a battery lasting seven days, achievable with a full charging time of between 20 to 80 minutes. It comes in two designs – the sleek, round Horizon and the traditionally designed Heritage with a plateau design. The device is water-resistant, Bluetooth-enabled and is supplied with a USB-C cable and charging dock. Oura membership costs €5.99 monthly and ensures continuous access to health and wellness features that are constantly being upgraded. This helps users reach their health goals without any fuss. The Oura Gen3 rings start from €329 and can be purchased on ouraring.com.
Would you like to see a fitter version of yourself every time you look in the mirror? The Echelon Reflect is a fitness mirror capable of recording your training achievements, with the goal to motivate you towards your fitness objectives. This touchscreen workout mirror that can hang subtly on your wall, aids daily with workouts, and ensures that you keep moving towards achieving your fitness objectives. Furthermore, it also doubles as a tasteful piece of home decor.
Think of it as your personal wall-mounted coach, available to you at your convenience. It provides access to over 2,000 studio-level fitness classes, spanning workouts from yoga to Pilates, kickboxing and high intensity interval training (HIIT), to core exercises.
The Echelon Reflect Touch 50″ smart fitness mirror provides in-depth information about your exercise regimes via its built-in high definition touchscreen. This includes the option of viewing a variety of full-body workout plans at varying degrees of difficulty. Additionally, it also features an interactive leaderboard, to challenge friends and family in fitness contests. Data from the mirror can be synchronised with multiple wellness applications, including Strava, Apple Health, and FitBit. The mirror requires a subscription, however, the first month of premier membership is complimentary upon choosing your plan. The cost of the mirror is currently reduced from €2,199.95 to €1,599.95 on the arnotts.ie website.
On the more traditional side, the Fitbit Charge 6 fitness tracker has a variety of noteworthy capabilities for those seeking to keep an eye on their physical activity levels. It has integrated Google functionalities such as Google Maps for navigation during outdoor exercise, and Google Wallet for straightforward payments. It also comes with YouTube Music controls to accompany your routines. Connecting the Charge 6 to compatible workout equipment allows real-time pulse monitoring and provides accurate stats during high-intensity workouts. The Sleep Score section will ensure you’re getting the appropriate amount of sleep.
The Charge 6 also includes features such as heart rhythm irregularity alerts and instruments to help manage and keep track of stress levels. Mindfulness sessions, including yoga and meditation, are available for users with a Premium membership. Buying the Charge 6 includes a six-month complimentary Premium membership. It’s priced at €159.99 on did.ie. Bear in mind, prices may fluctuate and are accurate as of the time of writing.