The Fitness and Recovery Tech I Swear By as a Wellness Expert

Using the right fitness and wellness tech can help you to achieve your goals and also help with recovery. As CNET’s resident fitness expert, I’ve tested everything from the best treadmills to smart rings and smart home gyms. As great as some of these products are, there are a few I keep coming back to — and recommending to friends and family. If it’s in your budget and you’re looking to upgrade or improve your workout routine, there are some gadgets I recommend investing in. These are the pieces of tech that you may want to consider to step up your workout and recovery game.

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1. Hyperice Normatec Go Boots

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

Although I haven’t had a chance 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. 

3. Theragun Mini 3

The Theragun Mini 3 is tiny yet powerful, and it is a favorite of mine if you want a compact massage gun that packs a mighty punch. Massage guns are helpful to have on hand when you have sore muscles. However, most are on the larger side, so a smaller option is always a good idea. 

The Theragun Mini 3 is quieter and lighter than its previous versions and comes with three massage heads (standard ball, dampener and thumb attachments) and a soft carrying case. It’s TSA-friendly and small enough to fit in your purse or backpack. Other factors that make it appealing are that it has three settings and even at its lowest setting, it’s still a powerful device. You can even pair it with the Therabody app to give you recovery plans to follow. You can’t go wrong with a Theragun Mini, whether you’re looking for one for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member.

4. Theragun PRO Plus

On the other hand, if you’re an athlete putting yourself through tough workouts, the Theragun PRO Plus will quickly become your favorite recovery tool. The Theragun PRO Plus is designed with serious athletes in mind, with various customizable and preset programs, including near-infrared LED light, hot and cold therapy to soothe sore muscles. This heavy-duty massage gun is quieter than the previous model (Theragun PRO-5th Generation) and comes with six attachments, so you’ll get the right angle each time. Additionally, if you want to use the cold therapy function, you’ll need to purchase the PRO Plus cold attachment separately.

If you love to work out hard and take recovery seriously, this massage gun is the best gift you can buy yourself.

5. Oura Ring 5

If you ask me, the Oura Ring is still the best smart ring on the market. It’s most recent version, the Oura Ring 5 quickly won me over because it’s 40% smaller and lighter than the Oura Ring 4. The smart ring tracks your overall health in a holistic manner by gathering your stress levels, heart rate, cycle insights if you menstruate and your sleep. This ring is best known for its ability to track your sleep habits and provide insight to help you improve them based on that data.

The design itself is scratch-resistant, which is a step up from previous models because they would easily get scuffed up. Oura’s original symptom radar, which could detect if you were getting sick, has been updated to be called Health Radar and can detect blood pressure trends. Additionally, if you like to work out, the ring has an automatic workout detection function and can record your workouts. It takes about a month to get the most accurate results, and from there, Oura gives you a readiness score, which tells you how recovered you are, based on sleep and stress levels, to take on the day.

Although it isn’t necessary to own a smart wearable, it’s sometimes helpful to know details about your day-to-day habits that you may be unaware of or how they may be affecting you. For example, as a mom to a toddler, I don’t always get restful sleep, and the Oura Ring was able to detect that and support me as I adjusted my sleep schedule based on its recommendations.

6. Tonal 2

If you’re serious about strength training and have the budget and space in your home, you’ll love owning the Tonal 2. The Tonal 2 is a smart home gym that uses up to 250 pounds of resistance and is designed to replace dumbbells, barbells and other strength-training equipment. It resembles a cable machine with a screen in the middle and adjustable arms on each side. 

Tonal 2 uses AI through 13 sensors to track your form and technique, which helps you correct it. Accessories like the smart handles and bar accessories (an optional, additional $495) have a gyroscope motion sensor that also keeps track of your reps. I’ve tested both the Tonal 2 and its predecessor, The Tonal, and was impressed by the thought process that went into designing this machine. It offers strength training as well as some cardio with its new Aero feature, keeps track of your workouts, functions like a personal trainer because it can determine if you need to scale it back or challenge yourself, and also offers thousands of on-demand and live workouts for all fitness levels. The price tag is hefty at $4,295, but if you’re dedicated to strength training and want everything you need at your fingertips, this is the machine for you.

7. Peloton Cross Training Bike Plus

The smart bike that took the fitness world by storm during the COVID-19 pandemic is popular for good reason. I’ve tested many exercise bikes — including Peloton alternatives — and the Peloton is still the best option. In 2025, Peloton overhauled its equipment and introduced its Cross Training Plus line. This included the new Peloton Cross Training Bike Plus, which replaced the Peloton Bike Plus. The latest version of the bike comes with a movement-tracking camera and Peloton IQ — Peloton’s AI coach — which can count reps, correct your form and identify when to increase weights during a strength-training class. Other cosmetic updates include a new seat, a three-speed fan and a phone holder.

Peloton delivers and assembles the bike in your home and sets up your account, so you don’t have to do much but hop on the bike and ride. You can connect with other Peloton members and have friendly competition on the leaderboard. The instructors are high-energy, and each offers something different and motivational to their classes. I’m personally partial to Alex Toussaint and Robin Arzon because every time I take their classes, I’m always inspired to push myself more. Not to mention, Peloton is always revitalizing its workout program offerings (like with kettlebell classes) and challenges, so you won’t ever get bored.

Peloton Cross Training Bike Plus

8. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

I take listening to my music seriously during my workouts. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are by far some of my favorite earbuds to wear when breaking a sweat. The battery life is impressive and, in my experience, can last for weeks at a time before needing to be recharged. This can vary as it also depends on how often you use them. 

The noise-canceling aspect of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is impressive, so your music will always feel immersive whether you’re at the beginning, middle or end of your workout. I’ve also been able to receive phone calls while wearing them, and never had connection issues. I’ve used these earbuds during strength training sessions, outdoor and indoor runs and my daily walks. If you’re looking for a pair of earbuds that stay put (thanks to the ear hook design), have crisp audio and are stylish, these are my top pick.

Best new wireless sports earbuds with ear hooks

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

9. Future Pro app

As a fitness writer, I’ve reviewed a bunch of fitness apps, but one that I particularly enjoyed is the Future Pro app. It’s the ideal app if you’re looking for a virtual personal trainer who can create a workout program for you based on your fitness level and whether you work out at home or the gym. 

The app costs $50 a month to start and $199 thereafter. When you sign up, you fill out an assessment intake form, which basically asks you about your goals, workout history, how often you’d like to work out, and what motivates you. Based on your responses, the form offers a selection of trainers to choose from. 

I used the Future Pro app for more than a year and loved how well-thought-out and seamless it is. I was paired with a trainer whom I enjoyed checking in with daily through the app chat portal. This app got me through my pregnancy and postpartum period, so I could resume exercising safely. The workouts for the week are shared at the top of the week, and if you need any modifications or if you plan on taking a vacation, the trainer can modify your schedule as needed. The workouts are easy to follow, and the exercises are accompanied by video demonstrations in case you need them for reference. If you want a personal trainer at your fingertips, this is the app to download on your phone. 

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/fitness myths. In my free time I enjoy cooking, going for a scenic run, hitting the weight room, or watching a documentary. 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.

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