Gear to Get You Primed for the New Year

Active Gear Review is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

With the New Year come the New Year’s Resolutions. Maybe yours is to implement a new exercise routine, add healthier meal choices or just focus on better recovery. Whatever your personal wellness resolution might be, there’s a good chance that a new piece of gear can help kindle inspiration into full swing. Which is why we have been testing out some great gear that can help get you primed for the New Year. The following products are the ones that topped our list of useful and worthwhile pieces that can empower you to get off to a great start in the New Year.

Renpho AI Smart Bike

Jump into your workout from the comfort of home with the Renpho AI Smart Bike. This effective and affordable fitness solution provides the ultimate indoor adventure by connecting with a subscription free app with 70+ courses and 5 different training modes including coach video classes, power training programs, scenic rides and so much more without the premium membership fees attached. It’s a fun, comfortable ride offering an adjustable seat and handlebars, smooth and quiet magnetic resistance, and AI technology algorithmically designed to help you achieve your fitness goals based on your biometrics, automatically adjusting your resistance level for a smooth and effective riding experience. The Renpho AI Smart Bike’s Bluetooth connectivity allows you to immerse yourself in scenic destinations that match your cycling speed and interact in a virtual world that motivates you at every mile. The Smart Bike is designed for fitness enthusiasts of all levels and delivers a fluid, comfortable ride with loads of user friendly features, allowing you to enjoy a cardio workout that strengthens your muscles and burns calories without stressing your joints. MSRP $499 renpho.com

JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0

Reap the benefits of variable strength training with the JaxJox KettlebellConnect 2.0. This digitally adjustable weight replaces six kettlebells and provides resistance ranging from 12 to 42 lbs. in a convenient space saving design, that can fit just about anywhere. The KettlebellConnect 2.0’s unique bullet stacking system features a rotating weight selection core, allowing you to quickly adjust the weight in 6 pound increments with a push of a button. Sync it to the JAXJOX App and it track reps, volume, sets, average power, and workout duration with it’s built in six axis motion sensors. The JAXJOX App takes the guesswork out of your training experience and lets your workout data guide you with a JAXJOX Fitness IQ score that shows your progress over time. And if you want to get unlimited expert guided workouts live or on demand, you can subscribe to premium JAXJOX content for $12.99/mo. (not required, but very useful if you are a first time kettlebell user) MSRP $249 www.bestbuy.com/jaxjox.

LifePro PowerFlow Plus Adjustable Dumbbells

Weight training can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Start small and work your way up with the LifePro PowerFlow Plus Adjustable Dumbbells, which starts at just 5 lb. The plates are forged from premium machine steel making them durable and rugged enough to withstand your frequent workouts. The easy adjustment weight system allows you to simply adjust the weight by lifting and sliding the lever from 5 to 25 lbs. in 5 lb. increments. You’ll never have to drop your weights or disrupt the flow of your reps to change to a different set of dumbbells. The convenience of LifePro PowerFlow Plus Adjustable Dumbbells is unparalleled and eliminates the need for a full rack of weights. All you need is two LifePro PowerFlow Plus Adjustable Dumbbells to transform your body for good and achieve your strength training goals. MSRP $199.99 lifeprofitness.com

Nathan 365 Joggers

Will we be running, lifting, or rowing in the morning? Doesn’t matter. Either way, we’ll be pulling on the Nathan 365 Joggers for that ready to grind vibe and sweat wicking comfort. The ultra soft stretchy material provides freedom of movement as we push through our plateau, while the drop in hand pockets and zippered coin pocket secure valuables. The Nathan 365 Joggers are perfect for any activity and also double as the ideal everyday lounge wear. MSRP $80 nathansports.com

Worn T3 Ankle Socks

Treat your feet to the comforts of Arrowool™ enhanced Merino in a pair of Worn T3 Ankle Socks. Light enough for a HIT workout and cushioned just enough for high mileage runs on pavement, these Arrowool blend socks will carry you through your next workout while wicking moisture and prohibiting odors. MSRP $16 www.huckberry.com/wornbrand.

Altra Solstice XT 2

The Altra Solstice XT 2 is a lightweight, foot-shaped cross trainer that delivers a durable grip in the gym while providing a natural, ergonomic fit that supplies superior comfort, stability, power, and lateral support for the hardest and most demanding workouts. When you’re lifting heavy weights, the wide toe box in the Solstice XT 2 allows your toes to splay naturally for increased stability while the Balanced Cushioning offers stability so you can push yourself even further without losing energy and focusing on your feet. The durable caged upper delivers multi-directional support and flexibility so you can flow through whatever your workout has in store. Weighing in at just 10 oz., the multi-directional lightweight flexibility built into the shoe allows you to adapt and react, no matter how varied the workout. If hard training in the gym is your thing, you’re not going to want to show up without wearing the Altra Solstice XT 2s. MSRP $130 altrarunning.com

Roll Recovery R8 Plus Massage Roller

We hate sitting around just as much as the next person, so we’re not going to let a brutal leg day in the gym put us out for longer than we want. That’s why we love the Roll Recovery R8 Plus Massage Roller. The revolutionary, spring-loaded configuration provides the right amount of dial adjustable pressure to work out the toughest knots and rejuvenate our sore legs while eliminating the hassle of traditional foam rolling. Massaging with the R8 Plus also improves blood flow that helps flush toxins and reduce inflammation left behind by workouts. This roller technology self-adjusts for different body sizes and targets the IT-bands, quads, hamstrings, calves, shins, gluteus, arms and more. It truly takes the work out of recovery rolling and delivers the therapeutic relief sore muscles need. MSRP $169 www.amazon.com/rollrecovery.

iLive Portable Cordless Massage Gun

With the increased awareness of muscle fatigue becoming more and more prevalent in training, it’s important to trust that you are doing the most you possibly can to maximize your effort by maintaining your body. The Portable Cordless Massage Gun is iLive’s user friendly cordless massager and is designed to enhance the effectiveness of your recovery by relieving knots, trigger points, muscle cramps and soreness. The Massage Gun includes four uniquely shaped tips to provide you with every tool you might need to relieve different areas of the body from muscle fatigue. With four intensity levels and interchangeable massage heads, the iLive Portable Cordless Massage Gun can be used before training to activate muscle groups and get the blood flowing and more importantly after a workout to help accelerate recovery time. MSRP $69.99 www.walmart.com/ilive.

Shokz OpenRun

Designed with the needs of runners in mind, the Shokz OpenRun brings total awareness of surroundings and comfortable listening to your daily run, all without worrying about tangled and catchy wires. Delivering the ultimate in comfort, convenience, and performance, you will want these bone conduction headphones to accompany you during all of your workouts. The OpenRun was made for the most heart pumping and strenuous pursuits, due in part to their IP67 waterproof rating that delivers the ultimate water and sweat protection during the toughest workouts. They’ve got a full eight hours of playtime ensuring that you can stay ready for both short and extended runs. But all this talk about functionality wouldn’t mean much if the sound quality wasn’t up to par and thanks to Shokz’s 8th Generation Bone Conduction Technology, music produced by the OpenRun delivers a powerful bass with clear sound and impressive volume. MSRP $129.95 www.amazon.com/shokz.

Speaqua The Barnacle Pro

Take big sound with you wherever you decide to workout with Speaqua’s versatile designed speaker The Barnacle Pro. It features bold styling and a rich sound profile in an ultra portable package. With its eye catching edgy design and expressive details this is an essential audio accessory for any training session. With 8 GBs of on board music storage and Bluetooth audio connectivity, you can play that motivational workout music with or without your smartphone. The Barnacle Pro is also 100% waterproof so you can keep listening rain or shine, and with its integrated GoPro Mount and tool free universal mounting capabilities, you can take it anywhere. The rechargeable battery can run for up to 8 hours, so you can rock out it in the gym and keep the party rolling to the hot tub afterwards. MSRP $64.99 www.amazon.com/speaqua.

RTIC Jug and Lunch Container

Staying hydrated is important, and having cool water to do that with is priceless. That’s why we never go to a workout without our RTIC Jug in hand. The Jug holds enough liquid to keep you hydrated all day, so if your day calls for a long gym session you can count on it to keep your vital hydration cold. The stainless steel construction delivers rugged durability, and the Jug is double-wall vacuum-insulated to keep your water crisp and cold. It is also capable of hauling around hot liquids, so you’re able to bring along hot coffee or tea on those early morning sessions. The extra wide opening makes for easy filling and cleaning, while the carry handle leak-proof lid keep drinks locked in and fresh. MSRP $34.99

From preparing meals for the coming week to controlling portions of food to achieve a healthy diet, the RTIC Lunch Container is the ideal choice for keeping up a thriving lifestyle. This 5-piece container features multiple storage compartments to maximize your meal options in a convenient compact design. Enjoy easy access to mid-meal snacks stored in the top compartments or keep toppings fresh to add separately to the main course stored in the spacious base compartment. The RTIC Lunch Container is lightweight, packable, and the perfect size to bring enough food to work, school, and even the gym. MSRP $7.49 rticoutdoors.com

Venga CBD Endurance System V2

As we up our training, it gets harder to bounce back as quickly from workouts, maintain the miles, or the hours of weekly exercise. Which is why we implement CBD into our recovery regimen. For those that don’t know, CBD is an all-natural remedy that targets aches, pains, swelling, and so much more. And while CBD has taking the country by storm with an incredible amount of fanfare. You have probably even noticed new variations of CBD infused products showing up almost everywhere from gas stations to grocery stores. And as it is with most things, they are not all created equal, having tried a multitude of different CBD products and brands, I can confidently say that the Venga CBD Endurance System V2 tops the list in terms of effectiveness. The Endurance Bundle V2 includes all the CBD products designed to cover all training, racing, and recovery needs. The Venga CBD Ultra Gels are designed to be a core part of a daily training regimen. The Venga CBD Aid Station Gummies give a boost of discomfort fighting CBD on the go. While, the Venga CBD Super Sleep gives a performance boost by getting relief from sleeplessness. And the Venga CBD Recovery Balm helps soothe the aches and discomforts with an infusion of lavender and eucalyptus oils. Whether you’re an experienced CBD user or just want to get started, this free guide is packed with very useful information that can help you make the most informed decisions about CBD. MSRP $264.99  vengaendurance.com

Gnarly Sports Nutrition

Whey Protein

Choosing between the bevy of protein powder options on the market can seriously get in the way of your training time, so opting for Gnarly Sports Nutrition Grass-fed Whey Protein is a good way to simplify one of the most complicated aspects of recovery. Inside a serving of Gnarly’s Grass-fed Whey Protein, you’ll find 25g of protein sourced from grass-fed cows that delivers healthy fats, omega-3 acids and other nutritional essentials that support muscle synthesis and immune health, perfect for replenishing your body after a tough workout. All of which work to speed up recovery time and help with muscle repair after you put yourself through a brutal workout or a punishing session on the track. You won’t find any added sugar, gluten, or GMO’s in the powder, so you can mix it up post effort without any guilt, then be primed and ready for the next thing on your agenda. MSRP starting at $17.49

PRE Workout

Not in the mood to work out in the morning? Stop making excuses and mix up some Gnarly Sports Nutrition PRE Workout to give your gym time a much needed boost. This natural drink mix features Caffeine and Ginseng to bring the intensity (Decaf version available), Beta Alanine to delay fatigue, Citrulline Malate and BCAAs for performance and recovery to help you shift into gear to handle some of your toughest, most intense workouts. Plus, it’s completely GMO-free, gluten-free, and NSF Content Certified to help put you at ease when it comes to where the ingredients are coming from. MSRP starting at $7.50

BCAA

Known to initiate protein synthesis and delay fatigue during endurance efforts, branched-chain amino acids are an essential supplement for the dedicated athlete seeking a leg up on the competition. Pick up the Gnarly Sports Nutrition BCAAs to gain the benefits of these essential building blocks of protein, so you can reap the benefits of your hard training routine and endurance sports. Each serving contains 5 grams of vegan branched chain amino acids in a 2:1:1 ratio (2.5g leucine, 1.25g isoleucine, 1.25g valine). BCAAs can be taken any time of day, but Gnarly recommends taking it prior to training and following up with some protein to prevent the breakdown of muscle tissue. MSRP starting at $8 gognarly.com

Bowmar Butter High Protein Nut Spread

Bowmar Butter from Bowmar Nutrition is a high protein nut spread that is a great and delicious way to add more protein into your diet. These spreads all have 10g of Whey Protein and are an excellent alternative to other butters and spreads that are filled with sugars and artificial sweeteners. Bowmar Butter is a great addition to snacks, breakfasts, or protein shakes. Bowmar Nutrition has multiple flavors available in cashew butter, almond butter, peanut butter, and hazelnut butter, and all are easy replacements for sweeteners. With 12+ flavors, you would be hard pressed to not find a flavor that appeals to you. MSRP $9.99 bowmarnutrition.com

Super Coffee

Brain feeling sluggish? Grab a Super Coffee and pep it up. Every Super Coffee product contains natural ingredients along with vitamins and minerals that are a healthy, delicious alternative to sugary coffee drinks like Frappuccino and energy drinks. The Super Creamer and Ready to Drink Super Coffee provide additional protein and are great when you’re on-the-go, and in need of protein and an energy kick. Super Coffee is a high performance coffee blend with good natural ingredients that can be enjoyed either hot or cold any time of the day to help boost your mood and even your metabolism. MSRP Varies www.amazon.com/supercoffee

Kenetik

Topping off a busy day at work with a quick gym session, a hard row, or a yoga class is your favorite way to end the day. But you’re usually feeling pretty foggy by 6pm and you often haven’t eaten since lunch, so even though you know you want to work out, your body isn’t all in. Rather than weigh yourself down with a sugary candy bar or greasy bag of chips, give yourself a quick burst of energy for a workout with Kenetik. What is Kenetik, you ask? It is a delicious ketone beverage that can provide the brain and body the boost it needs to meet the demands of a busy day or training session. The source of the ketones comes from pure D-beta-hydroxybutyric acid, which is the same ketone molecule our bodies make, only this one is made from renewable plants through a sustainable process. One bottle of Kenetik has the equivalent ketone power as 10g of ketone ester. Kenetik works similar to being in Ketosis by boosting energy and mental clarity while preventing you from bonking midway through your workout. Kenetik can be used whenever you need a lift of energy, clarity, and well-being, but works especially well before and during activity. MSRP $53.99 drinkkenetik.com