I’m a Fitness Editor—Here Are My Favorite Black Friday Deals on Training Gear

This weighted vest has really helped me elevate my bodyweight workouts. I’ve had this piece for years, and it gets used no matter the season. This vest is much more comfortable than other options than I’ve tried in the past.

During the winter, bundled up and wearing my Wolf Tactical, I can make a lot out of a little amount of time. The open-sided design helps me stay cool during the summer months, too. This deal is great because it comes with the Wolf Tactical plates included (for a lot of plate carriers, you have to purchase separately).

More Black Friday Weighted Vest Deals

We’ve spent months testing these new adjustable dumbbells from Bowflex, and have been impressed by their performance thus far. They look better and feel better than the previous edition, and this is the first time they’re getting a discount.

The Bowflex Results Series 552s adjust from 5 to 52.5 pounds in 2.5-pound increments, replacing 15 pairs of dumbbells. The weight is adjusted with the help of clearly-marked selection dials on the sides, although be aware that you have to dock your weights and adjust both sides before you can fully tweak your weights. Right now, these are $80 off.

Read More: Our Bowflex SelectTech 552 Results Series Review

Sometimes simpler is better, and it doesn’t get much better than this compact set of hex dumbbells from CAP Barbell. These dumbbells have all the features that I look for: knurled handles for grip, rubber ends so that you can place them on the ground without damaging your floor, and a hex design so they don’t roll away when you do.

Being a Fitness and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, it should come as no surprise that I’ve had a lot of pairs of dumbbells over the years. I especially like these, and bonus points for the convenient little rack they come with to keep them organized.

I’ve never liked too much on my wrists, so in the past I haven’t had much success sticking with a fitness tracker. I would wear a heart rate strap on more intense cardio sessions but that’s about it. That changed when Oura Ring hit the scene, which I wrote about here.

I like keeping track of my biomarkers, and being able to switch fingers keeps me from feeling too constrained. The data I collect from their app helps inform the training decisions I make throughout the week.

The new Oura Ring 4 is great, with some solid improvements that has earned it a spot in our Men’s Health Fitness Awards. This the best deal that I’ve seen on a newly-released and advanced smart ring like this.

Read More: Everything You Need to Know About the Oura Ring 4 Black Friday Sale

Speaking of fitness tracking, smart scales have taken those old school instruments that sat in your parents bathroom and turned them into great tools for gathering health data without being chained to a device.

I’ve tested dozens on dozens of smart scales, and this device from Renpho is a great pick up, especially for this price. There are even cheaper models on Amazon and other retailers, but this is the best discount giving you a better machine for less, with all the tech and software upgrades that come with it. That’s why it earned a spot on our Best Smart Scale guide.

For those true tech nerds out there, like myself, there’s nothing quite like being a part of the Garmin universe. If you’re interested, this member of the Forerunner series is a great place to start.

It’s lower profile than a lot of smart watches, so it’s not a burden to have on the wrist, but still gives you access to all of that incredible data, from heart rate to GPS. There are quite a few good deals going on from Garmin right now, so if you want to jump in with a few more features, check out the Garmin Forerunner 165, which I’ve also enjoyed.

There have been few weight benches that have impressed as much as this AB-3000. You can feel the quality of the bench from the first time you move it. The adjustment system is super easy to navigate, and it’s wide enough to support the bigger guys, which trust me isn’t always the case with benches.

I have also put this bench together quite a few times, for myself and Men’s Health shoots. As far as builds go, it’s pretty simple and it shows up at your door well-packed with solid instructions. There are cheaper benches on Amazon sure, but for a little bit more you can get a bench that you’re proud of, and with this discount, now’s a great time to pick it up.

Read more: The Best Weight Benches, Tested by Us

If you aren’t familiar with TRX, founded by a Navy SEAL, their products have become a favorite of high performance people from all over the world, from the military to professional athletes.

Being someone who likes to train outdoors whenever possible, this easily storable suspension band set has made it possible for me to get a serious workout in no matter where I am. On a regular basis I take this set, which comes with a great amount of programming, to the park to get a dynamic, muscle-building session.

These bands are already more durable than most I’ve tried, which is great when you are constantly using them with trees and other anchor points. They can easily be popped into your gym bag, or if you need one, they come with their own travel pack.

The fact that it’s over 30 percent off right now is a deal you shouldn’t ignore.

Read More: The Best Resistance Bands, Tested By Us

There’s nothing I like better than working out outdoors, getting some endorphins and a little natural vitamin D. That includes running and bicycling on the road for hours, even if it’s a bit crisp outside.

No matter whether you live in the city or in the suburbs, it’s dangerous to be on the street with noise canceling headphones stunting your awareness. I like these Shokz OpenDots ONE because I can keep listening to my training playlist while hitting the pavement.

Read More: The Best Marathon Gear, Tested By Us

Like a lot of people, I spent a lot of my day looking at emails and data, which leaves my body idle while my brain works. Being someone who likes to stay active, no matter the circumstances, I like having training tools around my desk like this grip strengthener.

This one from FitBeast is all you need, with multiple tools that can you can use to change up the habit. Grip strength is a big part of improving your upper body power.

This is a great bench to pair with hex or adjustable dumbbells, or whatever weights you have at home. If you are someone who is looking to get the most out of their space, like I am, this bench brings a great variety of exercises that you can do. This includes the typical incline or decline press, but also other great movements like preacher curls and back extensions.

There are a lot of weight benches that out there, but many of them are pretty flimsy. Not the case with this Finer Form bench, which is also pretty comfortable for those long training sessions when you’re putting in the work.

Read More: The Best Rowing Machines, Tested By Us

I have been running on NordicTrack’s new T Series treadmills since they replaced the old EXP models. Sure, the brand has more premium models available, like the Commercial Series, but unless you have a good chunk of real estate for it and a few thousand dollars to burn, you may be looking for other options.

These T Series treadmills are a solid option. I particularly like the T10, and currently it’s sitting in my garage, allowing me to put a few quick miles in whenever I want. It has a good-sized running belt for most runners, as does the T5 version (which is now at $450, after being 25% off for Black Friday). The screen is small, but big enough for me to enjoy some sports or a series I’ve been watching.

EZ bars are a great way to mix up your arm workouts. I have this one at home, which I picked up off of Amazon years ago and it still gets the job done. Sure, there are more expensive bars out there that are a little more refined, but for me this one is all I need.

The benefits to having an EZ bar? Getting to change up the grips on your curls, getting a more full workout of the bicep. I wrote about the benefits to your wrists in this story that I did about Hugh Jackman’s training routine for Deadpool 3. Yes, that’s right, Wolverine uses an EZ bar, too.

Still searching for your perfect training short? If you have tried these from Ten Thousand, I can’t recommend them highly enough. I own them in both the liner and linerless version, depending on what kind of training I’m doing that day.

The fabric is durable, yet light to wear, with a cut that provides you plenty of movement for squats, box jumps, and anything else your leg day session will throw at you. The Interval Short has won honors for everyone at the magazine, because we’re big fans.

These days, I’ve transitioned from longer runs and marathon training into a more regular and shorter running practice. Because of this I’ve moved away from the overly-cushioned super shoes, and into these still-super-comfortable daily trainers.

These shoes were made to run in every day, and I do. The Ghost 16s have popped in our “best shoes” guides quite a few times, as I’m not the only editor who is a fan. This colorway is great too, bringing a little pop into the equation.

I was on a cycling cardio kick until recently, when we were lucky enough to welcome our daughter Rose into the family. She recently turned a year old, and was cleared by our doctor to join me on a run in a jogging stroller.

Now there is nothing I look forward to more than buckling her up in the BOB and going for a jog on the track or on some local trails. The Wayfinder lives up to its name, keeping the ride smooth no matter what terrain we are on. Be sure to select the “single” option when you are purchasing the stroller.

Here’s a pick of us from this year’s Men’s Health Fitness Awards, of which the BOB Gear Wayfinder was a winner.

Everyone is talking about creatine these days. And with good reason. One of the most researched supplements out there, there are muscle recovery benefits that have been proven, and other studies on the cognitive positives that are being done now.

Whether you are taking the daily recommended 5 grams, or doing a super dose of more, it can run out fast. So if you are looking to stock up on a quality brand, this one from creatine is easy to pack and keep anywhere from home to the gym to the office.

I drink a lot, a lot, of water throughout the day. But when you are having the summer that we are having right now, and you like to train outdoors, it’s never enough.