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Every January, millions of people make the same promise to themselves: "This is the year I get healthy,” and the statistics don’t lie. Fitness consistently ranking at the top of New Year's resolutions. According to a recent YouGov survey, 25% of Americans say they want to exercise more, 22% aim to eat healthier and 21% of respondents are setting goals to save more money.

Post-pandemic fitness changed the gym membership landscape, with a variety of new options now at a consumer’s fingertips, from hybrid and digital memberships to at-home set ups. Unfortunately, after the sign-up surge in January, many members quit within six months.

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So while those packed fitness centers might seem intimidating at first glance, the reality is that 80% of new gym members abandon their routines by February. The silver lining? Some of the most effective fitness transformations can still happen right in your living room, especially during the challenging winter months when icy sidewalks and snowy conditions make you dread the thought of outdoor exercise.

Whether you're battling sub-zero temperatures, endless rain or simply prefer the privacy of your own home, the key is creating sustainable fitness, health and sleep routines as the building blocks of new manageable habits that fit your lifestyle.

Setting Yourself Up for Long-Term Success

You may want to forget the "lose 30 pounds in 30 days" mentality. Weight loss is a long-term journey, with most people only beginning to notice changes within six weeks, and visible differences within 12 weeks. After the first few weeks of energetic enthusiasm, you may find your interest waning, weight plateauing and self-debt beginning to creep in.

Sustainable health changes start with honest goal-setting. In another article, I discussed 10 sustainable ways to lose weight, including nutrition tips around a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, lowering stress (when possible) and better exercise habits.

Nutrition

For example, instead of dramatic calorie restrictions which can lead to imbalanced eating habits, focus on adding one nutritious meal per day targeting whole grains, vegetables and lean proteins. If grocery shopping or meal prep is too time consuming, consider starting with an easier goal like swapping one processed snack for whole foods.

Exercise

For improved fitness and exercise goals, try to commit to 15-20 minutes of movement daily rather than grueling hour-long sessions. You’ll want to build up to at least 150 active minutes per week.

Sleep

Not getting the proper amount of sleep can lead to some pretty severe and chronic health problems, from heart disease and high blood pressure to lower metabolism and depression. Sleep deficiency can lead to long term negative effects for both children and adults.

13 Products To Help Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions

Remember, your New Year's fitness and health resolutions aren’t a sprint to a finish line, it's the beginning of a journey. Sheer willpower can get you started, but having some help along the way can help keep you motivated even beyond your initial goals.

With that in mind, I asked many of my colleagues what products they’re investing in to continue their own fitness, health and sleep resolutions this year, and here were some of the most popular purchases. We’re breaking them down into four main categories:

• Nutrition support
• Fitness equipment and wearables
• Sleep aid
• Pain relief

Nutrition Support

1. American Heart Association Cookbooks

View all cookbooks: Heart.org

There’s no one method when it comes to healthy eating, proper nutritional support and dieting, so rather than picking one, we suggest taking a look at the American Heart Association cookbook selection. From 800 recipes to satisfy any palate and slow cooker meals, to diabetes and heart health support, there’s a ton of options for those looking to make a nutritional change this year.

2. The Intuitive Eating Workbook: Ten Principles for Nourishing a Healthy Relationship with Food

Price: starting at $14.99 on Kindle

Healthy eating can be a mental struggle that’s just as hard to overcome as a depleted pocketbook. Mindfulness can come in many forms, so if you’ve struggled with your relationship with food, a new perspective could be the game changer you need to start the year off right. This popular workbook claims to reject diet culture in exchange for compassionate, intuitive eating to change how you look at food.

One reviewer said, “This was recommended to me by my dietitian. It truly changed my eating habits and gave me a better perspective when making eating choices.”

Fitness Equipment & Wearables

3. Gaiam Wrist and Ankle Weights (2 lb. set)

Price: $23.06, was $26.99 at Amazon

Alternate option: Gaiam Weight Set (5 lb. set) at Amazon

For those who may suffer from weak gripping strength, whether it’s due to cold temperatures or arthritis, these Gaiam wrist and ankle weights can still provide resistance and weight training without taxing your hands. I used similar ankle weights when recovering from my knee surgery. I used them largely for leg raises, which helped improve my conditioning as well as thigh muscle isolation.

These weights are also ideal for those looking to add a little extra exertion to a Pilates, yoga or cardio workout. They come in a set of two one-pound weights with a soft inner lining and adjustable closure.

4. TheFitLife Resistance Bands with Handles

Price: $25.98 at Amazon

Resistance bands are a universal staple when it comes to at-home gym accessories, and are especially handy when you don’t want to shell out the big bucks for handheld weights. Available with a variety of resistance levels, from 10 pounds to 40 pounds of resistance, the kit also comes with a set of handles, door anchor and ankle straps.

To increase the weight resistance, these lightweight bands can be stacked for an intensity increase up to 110 pounds. Reviewers find them easy to use for total body and muscle strengthening workouts.

5. Gaiam Essentials 2/5-Inch Thick (10mm) Yoga & Pilates Exercise Mat

Price: $20.24, was $23.98 at Amazon

Alternate option: Amazon Basics Yoga Mat

I’ve used the Gaiam yoga mats for years, including the 10mm thick option as well as the Gaiam Dry Grip yoga mat. I tend to get slippery feet, so having extra traction has been helpful when stretching.

This 10mm high-density foam mat is very soft, and with the extra padding it offers a little more shock absorption. The company also claims it's made from odor-resistant, eco-conscious materials and can be wiped down with a cloth – no special cleaning required. It comes with a carrying strap for easy transport if you’re hitting up a yoga class or heading to the gym.

6. REVO Walking Pad Treadmill

Price: $249 at Amazon and Revomadic.com

I’ve written about under desk treadmills, which are a great walking pad option for those looking to get their 10,000 steps in without the need for speed and space. If you’re looking for something that “gets the job done”, the REVO walking pad could be a great New Year’s addition to your home office.

It comes with a remote for 12 different workout controls, walking speeds up to 4 mph, and even a step, calorie, distance and time tracker via a small LED dashboard. The company also offers a two year warranty. It’s worth noting that it has a 265 pound user weight limit.

One reviewer called it a “game changer for home fitness” while another said it was “impressive for the price point.”

7. NordicTrack T Series

Price: $479, was $599 at Amazon (limited time deal)

Alternate option: NordicTrack T Series 16 Treadmill at NordicTrack.com

If the walking pad doesn’t quite suit all of your needs, and you’re in the market for a more robust beginner-friendly treadmill, the NordicTrack treadmill series are a reliable option and currently marked down under $500 on Amazon. So while a slightly heftier upfront investment, with years of use, you’ll certainly get your money’s worth compared to a typical gym membership.

The NordicTrack T series treadmill goes up to 10 mph and 10% incline. It comes with a five-inch LCD display and device shelf that you can use to access an iFIT Train Membership (at additional cost). Clocking in at 130 pounds, you may want to pay the extra $130 for shipping and assembly offered at Amazon.

8. Apple Watch Series 11 GPS + Cellular 42mm Smartwatch

Price: starting at $399 at Amazon and Walmart

I own the Apple Watch Series 10 and can say with certainty that the Apple Watch Series is definitely worth the investment if you’re looking for a performance and health tracking wearable device to pair with your other Apple products.

I was a longtime Fitbit user, especially since most of the fitness tracking options were free to use with the app, and performance tracker could be combined with a specialty smart scale as well. However, I found the reliability of the Fitbit had sharply declined over the years, and finally made the switch to the Apple Watch.

It tracks my steps and activity, heart rate, sleep schedule, medication reminders and of course, sends me regular alerts connected to my iPhone. The only drawback to the Apple Watch is that you need to sign up for the Fitness+ program to really see health insights and get the full scope of use, but I haven’t made the leap to pay for it.

Better Sleep

9. Manta Sleep Mask

Price: $39 at Amazon

If you’re a frequent traveler, light sleeper or work the night shift, take a look at the Manta sleep mask. This is a light blocking and adjustable sleep mask designed to be fully customizable for pretty much any face. You can move the eye cups closer together or away, as well as the angle of the cups and strap tightness to best fit your eye width, placement and head size.

The deeply molded cups are also a better option than a flat mask for those with sensitive or longer lashes. It’s machine washable for easy care and cleanup. One reviewer noted it’s very soft, cushioned and designed in a way to alleviate pressure on your eyes, summing it up as a “great sleep mask” after months of use.

10. Dreamegg White Noise Sound Machine And Sunrise Wake Up Alarm

Price: $59.99 at Walmart

We’re a fan of combination tools, and this Dreamegg sound machine and sunrise alarm clock might just do the trick when it comes to reasonably-priced sleep aids. With 29 sound options you’ll have your pick among nature sounds, meditations, lullabies for the littles, white noise and every other color noise in between.

This sound machine also pulls double duty as an adjustable night light with customizable colors and brightness. It can also be customised for a more gentle wake-up experience simulating sunrise along with soothing natural sounds.

And for those looking for a simple set up, look no further – no phone connection required. Reviewers on Walmart noted it was “easy to customize”, creates a “restful environment” and many love the all-in-one utility of the machine.

11. Oura Ring 4 Ceramic

Price: $499 at OuraRing.com

This is definitely a “hear us out” type of purchase, but the Oura ring isn’t merely an activity tracker. It’s designed to be worn “24/7” with a battery life that can last between five to eight days, with the Smart Sensing technology delivering continuous data. It tracks heart health, activity and movement, sleep, stress levels, metabolic and women’s health.

This particular ceramic version is crafted with high-performance zirconia ceramic, according to the company, giving it a smooth, polished finish that is available in four different color options. The original Oura Ring 4 is made of titanium.

It’s also water-resistant up to 330 feet, so it can be worn while showering, swimming, sweating or even snorkeling. It can operate in temperatures between 14-125 degrees Fahrenheit.

The one drawback is that the Oura Ring really cannot be used without the additional membership subscription, which provides the app access and personalized health insights.

My colleague purchased the Oura Ring and mentioned she largely purchased it for better sleep habits. She went on to say, “The simple design makes it easy to wear every day. Unlike other watches and wearables I've tried, this has significantly improved my ability to track sleep and activity levels. The insights into the previous night's sleep guided me to make strategic changes, and after recognizing trends in my sleep patterns, I’ve achieved better, longer rest.”

Pain Relief

12. ProsourceFit Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set

Price: starting at $14.99 at Amazon

This was a suggested item from another colleague, and comes highly recommended for those who struggle with back pain. She originally purchased the ProsourceFit Acupressure Mat for her family, and they haven’t skipped a day since starting it. Simply lay on the mat for about 15 minutes per day and it claims to help stimulate circulation, relieve aches and pains, and release endorphins.

My colleague mentioned that rather than using the neck rest, they use it instead for their feet. The “spike mat” doesn’t puncture the skin, but is designed to apply pressure and act as a massager for pain relief.

Other reviewers noted it feels like laying on a heating pad, with many saying that the first few minutes are very uncomfortable before the warming sensation spreads along their back and the pain subsides. “I’m shocked, it actually works,” one said.

13. TheraGun Therabody Handheld Percussion Massage Gun

Price: $159.99 at Amazon

Alternate option: Theragun Prime 6th Gen at Therabody.com

The TheraGun handheld percussion massage gun has been universally praised, originally pioneered by chiropractor Dr. Jason Werseland in 2007 before it became a hit with consumers in 2016. Designed for pain relief, muscle recovery and increased mobility, it can be used by both athletes and elderly alike.

The TheraGun option on Amazon comes with three attachments, three speeds and a simple one-button control. If you decide to check out the slightly more costly Prime 6th Gen option at Therabody.com, it comes with two massage attachments, a USB-C charging cable, app control, coach access and five speed options.

Another colleague regularly used the TheraGun when she worked with athletes, ideal for muscle soreness and pain relief. A little use goes a long way, and be sure not to use it on very sensitive and delicate areas like the neck.

How We Made Our Decision

First-hand testing

There’s a handful of items on this list (from the ankle weights and wearables to the pain relief items) that were recommendations from myself and colleagues at weather.com. We make sure to include products that have been tested and well loved, and that we would feel comfortable recommending to friends and family.

Functionality

When setting health, fitness and sleep goals, we make sure to include a variety of products servicing functionality criteria for each category. For example, when it comes to exercise equipment, it should be user-friendly to set up and use, durable and long-lasting for the price point. For sleep aid products, we wanted to ensure it would be useable across all sexes and age ranges.

Price

There’s a fine balance of “you get what you pay for” and “why pay more for less”. While the goal of this article was to keep the prices reasonable, if you’re hesitating between spending a little more for a longer-lasting product, it depends on your budget and your long-term use case.

Reviews

We let the reviewers speak for themselves. We strive to highlight the pros and cons of each product based on user feedback and the feature list. If a product has few (or no) verified reviewers, or the complaints outweigh the purpose and price of the product, we won’t feature it in our lists.

Price accurate and item in stock at time of publish.