This Year's Fitness Buys Worth Getting (and The Ones That Aren't)

Fit Bits

In a year marked by lockdown orders and canceled gym memberships, sales of fitness products in the U.S. have skyrocketed. Some of 2020's products pack incredible features, like a bike helmet with automatic turning signals, and a smartwatch that measures your blood oxygen saturation. Other products? Not so impressive. Whether you're looking to get back in the gym or exercise from home, make smart (even surprisingly cheap) purchases by checking out 11 of the best and worst fitness products from 2020.

Best: Jabra Elite Active 75t Earbuds

$150 on Amazon
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Once best known for manufacturing office headsets and hearing aids, Jabra released its Elite 65t wireless headphones in 2019 to rave reviews. The company's new Elite Active 75t headphones improve upon the previous model with a smaller size, longer battery life, and boosted sound quality. With features like active and passive noise cancellation, waterproof protection, and sweat and dust resistance, Jabra's Elite Active 75t headphones give Apple's AirPods a run for their money.

Best: Livall BH51M Neo Bike Helmet

$176 from SIP Scootershop
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In addition to being a sturdy and sleek helmet, the BH51M Neo comes packed with features, including light-up turn signals and automatic brake lights. You can also connect the helmet to a smartphone, enabling you to use a walkie-talkie feature to communicate with other riders, take phone calls, listen to music on Bluetooth speakers, and automatically provide your GPS location to emergency contacts in the event of an accident.

You can also find other innovative helmet models from Livall on Amazon.

Worst: SportLimit Butt Trainer

The promise behind this electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) product is alluring: attach it to your butt, press a button, and let the pad tone your muscles "while reading, watching a movie, doing housework, even during business or leisure." But while research suggests EMS can be marginally beneficial in strengthening muscles, it's generally agreed that the technology doesn't do much if you're not exercising while using it. And considering multiple Amazon reviewers said this EMS product stopped working or shocked them, it's probably best to stick to old-fashioned squats.

Best: Asics Evoride

$70 and up on Amazon
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Evoride is the lightest and cheapest Asics shoe with GuideSole technology, which the company describes as an "ergonomic, precision-shaped curved sole" that helps runners save energy by limiting movement in the ankle joint. Runner's World ranked Evoride as the best model within the GuideSole family, a success earned by the shoe's "reduced weight and increased responsiveness." If you're looking for a versatile trainer for running 10ks or half-marathons, consider this new model from one of the most trusted brands in running shoes.

Best: Yes4All Vinyl Coated Kettlebells

$30 and up on Amazon
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When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Americans wasted no time buying up the supply of one of the most versatile workout tools: the kettlebell, a handled weight with which you can perform dozens of strength-training exercises. With kettlebells now back in stock, one of the most affordable and best-reviewed products you can buy comes from Yes4All, which makes cast-iron kettlebells in a variety of weights.

Best: Theragun Elite

$400 on Amazon
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Theragun, one of the leading names in percussive therapy devices, released its fourth generation of "massage guns" in 2020 to remarkably positive reviews. The Elite model packs 40 pounds of force, customizable speeds, five attachments, and Bluetooth connectivity. At $399, this model isn't exactly cheap, but Theragun is known for building reliable massagers that help soothe sore muscles, so the shortened recovery times could be worth the money.

Find out why the Theragun was one of The Best Things We Bought in 2020.

Worst: Hoo Smart Hula Hoop

Some fitness products never needed a 21st-century update. That's definitely the case with this smart hula hoop, which may count the number of rotations (when working properly), but also seems to be poorly built and hard to use, based on customer reviews. For $22, you could easily buy two regular hula hoops and likely be better off.

Best: Bowflex's SelectTech 2080 Barbell with Curl Bar

$549 from Bowflex
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Want to do barbell exercises at home but lack the space? Consider the SelectTech 2080, Bowflex's new adjustable barbell and curl bar system, which sold out within 24 hours after being released in June. By turning a dial, you can attach between 20 to 80 pounds on the system's curl bar or straight barbell, both of which measure about 5 feet long without the slim weight plates attached. Price: $549.

Best: Apple Watch Series 6

$369 from Amazon
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For fitness and wellness features, it's hard to ask for more from Apple's newest smartwatch. In addition to automatic tracking for exercises like running, swimming, and cycling, the Series 6 offers sleep tracking, fall detection, ECG, handwashing detection, and a sensor that measures blood oxygen saturation. At $369, the Series 6 isn't cheap, but it's arguably as good or better than any other fitness tracker on the market.

Worst: Drone-Clone Xperts XWatch Smartwatch 2.0

This fitness smartwatch may look like an Apple Watch, but don't expect it to function like one. Sure, it offers Bluetooth connectivity, water resistance, fitness tracking, and heart-rate monitoring, but half of Amazon users who reviewed it awarded this $110 smartwatch one out of five stars. As one unhappy reviewer wrote: "Returned this product, and do not recommend to anyone."

Best: Metolius Wood Rock Rings

Buy on $48.95

$49 from Amazon
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Who said you couldn't do rock-climbing training in your bedroom? Metolius, an established name in climbing gear, released this year a new spin on its Rock Rings, which you can hang from your ceiling or door frame for deadhangs, finger curls, and pull-ups. At $35, these independently suspended rings are comparable in price to most door-frame pull-up bars.

Related: 15 Wacky Workouts to Try

Best: Yes4All's Wooden Wobble Balance Board

$22 and up on Amazon
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Even if you're not an athlete, sharpening your sense of balance and proprioception — the awareness of the position of your body in space — can help you save energy and prevent injuries. At $22, Yes4All's well-reviewed balance board strikes a nice balance between sturdiness and affordability. Unlike other balance boards, this product comes with a removable bottom and can be used for ground exercises like push-ups.

Best: Everlast Freestanding Reflex Bag

$62 from Walmart
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There's no shortage of options for at-home cardio workouts, yet few involve burning calories while also improving hand-eye coordination, like reflex speed-bag exercises do. This spring-mounted, height-adjustable reflex bag comes with a sturdy base, and has received high marks from reviewers. All you'll need is a pair of boxing gloves. Everlast offers a handy glove finder to help find the perfect pair.