Life
20 Weird But Brilliant Exercise Products That Help You Work Out More Easily
Amazon
I’m going to get honest with you for a second: for someone who deeply believes in health and wellness, I’m surprisingly lax when it comes to exercise. It’s not that I don’t think it’s important — I’m just way more inclined to do it when I'm taking advantage of hacks that make working out easier. After all, running long distances for the heck of it has never been a favorite pastime of mine, and if the choice comes down to a Soul Cycle class or an extra hour of sleep on a weekday, full disclosure: I’m probably choosing the sleep.
That said, I also believe that if you’re looking to change anything from your mental state to your fitness levels to your overall lifestyle, a good health and exercise routine is the most effective place to start. And thank goodness, shortcuts do exist! From a balance board that can fit under your bed to a self massager and more, there are so many simple boosts to your fitness routine that make it more comfortable and more successful.
Exercise equipment is getting more innovative by the day, and even though these things might look a little weird in your home gym, the time and strain you save is totally worth hearing your houseguests occasionally ask, “Umm, what is that thing and how does it work? If you’re looking to cut a few corners, but still get the most out of your workout, check out this strange yet brilliant exercise equipment to make things a little easier.
This Plank Of Wood Delivers A Solid Workout
Ivation Wooden Balance Board, $26, Amazon
The Ivation Wooden balance board might just look like a plank of wood on a rubber base, and that’s because that’s exactly what it is — and that's why it's so fantastic. Balancing on it improves focus, core strength, and coordination, and can help you relieve stress and recuperate quickly after an injury, all for just 26 bucks.
A Giant Ring That Supports Your Yoga Positions
Rolling With It Yoga Wheel, $25, Amazon
Essentially an oversized ring, the Rolling With It yoga wheel makes an awesome addition to your yoga practice. It helps you safely deepen your positions by providing support and cushioning, and it’s durable, eco-friendly, and comes with a complimentary yoga block.
These Moon Boots Made For Low Impact Running
Gmax Jumping Boots (88lbs - 220lbs), $129 - $219, Amazon
Whether you’re looking to reduce knee pain or make running significantly less boring, or just looking for a present to get your favorite fitness enthusiast, Gmax jumping boots are worth a shot. They’re easy to adjust to any size, and they absorb the shock for a low-impact workout that burns tons of calories.Best of all, it feels like you’re jumping on a trampoline (or the moon) while you jog.
This Partial Bike For Under Your Desk
Platinum Fitness Pedal Exerciser, $54, Amazon
Why buy the whole bike when really all you need are the pedals? The Platinum Fitness pedal exerciser lets you get in a little cardio in the most convenient of places, like while at your desk or while watching TV on the couch. It also comes in five attractive colors, so you can easily match it to your decor.
This Shaking Platform Actually Tones Your Whole Body
Confidence VibeSlim Vibration Fitness Trainer, $160, Amazon
The Confidence VibeSlim Vibration Fitness Trainer gives you a total body workout in 10 minutes — just by vibrating. Sound too good to be true? Here's how it works: It causes your body to work overtime by upping your muscle contraction cycles, and it has adjustable straps and 50 speed settings to personalize your workout.
This Surprisingly Complete Collection Of Equipment
Sporty&Fit Home Exercise Kit, 15, Amazon
Separately, it looks like all you've got is a bunch of stretchy bands, some slippery disks, and a string. However, together, you’ve got a full home exercise kit. The jumprope is entirely adjustable, the resistance bands are really durable, and the gliding disks have one side for hardwood floors and another for carpets.
Easily Add More Weight To Your Workout
Tone Fitness Weighted Vest, $30, Amazon
Whether you’re a runner, walker, or dancer, this Tone Fitness weighted vest adds a little something extra to your workout. It’s 12 pounds in total, and has a few other awesome features like a pocket for your cell phone and reflective safety strips in case you’re out at night.
Forget Your Yoga Mat — Grab These Socks Instead
Toeless Yoga Socks, $26, Amazon
Ditch the mat entirely with these Toeless Yoga Socks. With toe cutouts and an open-foot design, they’re a definite fashion statement, but the non-slip bottoms make them great for yoga, Pilates, or at work. They come in a set of four, and they’re made from 100 percent natural cotton.
These Dice For The Indecisive Exerciser
Strength Stack Fitness Dice, $38, Amazon
Not sure where to start today? Keep your body guessing with these Strength Stack fitness dice. It comes with three sets of dice — beginner, normal, and advanced exercises — as well as an instruction booklet, video demonstrations, and a sleek carrying case.
Basically Suction Cups That Perfect Your Pushup
Perfect Fitness Perfect Pushup Elite, $25, Amazon
Whether you love pushups or hate them, the Perfect Pushup Elite can help. These little handles grip securely to your floor, offer you a comfortable ergonomic handle, and rotate slightly, engaging more muscles and pressure points to give you a fuller workout.
This Oversized Flapping Stick For Performance Training
Bodyblade Kit, $69, Amazon
The Bodyblade may look like just an oversized stick that flaps back and forth, but it targets specific parts of the body through performance training and coordination, and people seriously love it. This kit comes with the blade itself, a Power 10 DVD, and a wall chart to ensure that you’re doing the exercises correctly.
A Colorful Weighted Hula Hoop That Disassembles
These Rolling Coasters That Help You With Pikes
Core Coaster, $40, Amazon
Reminiscent of high school gym class, Core Coaster comes with two mini carts that you can use to replace your crunches, pikes, and ab rolling. They work on any surface, and they’re made from durable plastic with a padded area on top, so they feel comfortable underneath your hands and knees.
Straighten Your Back; Look Like A WWE Champion
Fire Team Fit Weightlifting Belt, $29, Amazon
If you’re worried about your form while you’re lifting weights or training, the Fire Team weightlifting belt can definitely help. It’s designed to support your back while allowing for ample mobility, and it’s lightweight, comfortable, and sturdy.
Get Abs Like You’re Rolling Out Dough
Adjustable Ab Wheel, $26, Amazon
If you’re looking to build muscle while using a dough-rolling motion, this Adjustable Ab Wheel is especially innovative because you can move the handles around to make your workout easier or harder. It’s also lightweight, portable, and super durable, so you'll have it to keep you in shape for years to come.
A Slightly Awkward Way To Tone Your Arms
Shake Weight, $14, Amazon
Can’t have a weird exercise equipment roundup without the Shake Weight — even Ellen’s had a field day with this one. In actuality, though, the shaking motion helps you to tone and strengthen the muscles in your arms in less time with less effort, and this one comes with a body toning DVD.
These Rolling Weights For Your Hands And Feet
What is OmniBall, you ask? It’s a set of weighted balls that attach to your hands or feet during your workout to make it more effective and efficient. The balls themselves rotate and roll 360 degrees, so you can engage your muscles in new and challenging ways you never thought of before.
This Belt Weighs You Down In The Water
All Pro Aquatic Exercise Belt, $71, Amazon
If you’re a swimmer, then the All Pro Aquatic exercise belt can help with your training. The belt itself is vinyl coated and comes with ten removable weights that you can use to get better endurance and strength while in the water.
The Mat (For Your Mat!) You Never Knew You Needed
Youphoria Yoga Towel, $20, Amazon
If you tend to sweat a lot during your yoga routine — and consequently slip a lot during your yoga routine — then the Youphoria yoga towel is totally necessary. It’s made from a really absorbent but slip-resistant material that stays in place over your mat to keep things dry, sanitary, and easy to wash.
An Oversized Cylinder For Self-Massages
Nordic Lifting Foam Roller, $20, Amazon
Incredible for stretching out stiff muscles after a workout,the Nordic Lifting foam roller has a textured hard foam exterior that targets pressure points, increases oxygen flow, and helps with muscle recovery and rehabilitation.
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