WINTER FITNESS
NEW YEAR’S RAD SOLUTIONS
Whether you’re determined to get to the mountains or just want to avoid maxing out your elasticated trousers, here’s the best winter fitness kit
OPTION 1 STAYING IN
Oyo Nova Gym £199 / novagym.co.uk
Despite its sci-fi weaponry aesthetics, the Nova Gym isn’t a futuristic killing machine… although it has been to space, and it will murder your paunch. This, boys and girls, is a NASA-approved new take on the traditional chest expander – one that can put your muscles to work in 100 different ways.
Oyo’s SpiraFlex tech, a combination of cables and coiled weights, has been used to maintain muscle mass on the International Space Station, with results suggesting it works just as effectively as free weights at building lean muscle. In practice it’s impressively easy to knacker yourself with just a few reps (although that could just be us); and the ability to increase resistance incrementally up to 40lb (18kg) means it has the potential to take your muscles from knots-on-cotton to reality-show-ready, all from a contraption that’ll fit in your luggage.
Stuff says ★★★★✩
A smooth all-body workout with enough resistance to keep you interested
NOW ADD THIS
Sharp PS-919 Party Speaker
Exercise is tedious until the endorphins kick in, so keep yourself entertained (and drown out your grunts) with this portable Bluetooth powerhouse, which has LED party lights and a 14-hour battery.
£110 / amazon.co.uk
HOME DISCOMFORTS
Tempo Studio
It’s all about connected gym kit in 2021, and the new kid in town offers expert workouts through its 42in vertical HD touchscreen with AI sensors powered by 10th-gen i5 processing, plus Bluetooth-enabled 60W stereo speakers. Oh, and if you open the base you’ll find a whole suite of weights plus a heart-rate monitor, workout mat and foam roller.
$1995 / shop.tempo.fit
Apex Rides
A British alternative to Peloton, Apex is a stylish, high-quality Wi-Fi-connected bike that offers live and pre-recorded classes from leading London spin studio Boom Cycle. There’s no built-in screen, just an iPad/iPhone holder and an iOS app (sorry, Android fans), which helps keep costs down without compromising on the smartness of your workout.
£1200 + £30/m / apexrides.com
Xiaomi WalkingPad A1 Pro
Hitting 10,000 steps won’t do much for your guns but it should help you live longer, and this ultra-slim fold-up walking treadmill means you can get the miles in whatever the weather. It’ll only manage 4mph and you’ll need to be less than 100kg, but it’ll bring a new dimension to work Zoom calls.
£604 / gearbeast.com
Nexersys N3 Elite Trainer
Your very own MMA sparring partner, and the only legal way to try your secret Street Fighter moves: this interactive personal trainer delivers super-physical HIIT workouts and sessions against animated avatars as you perfect your striking and defence, as well as enduring Rocky-worthy core sessions with real-time feedback.
£2244 / amazon.co.uk
Bowflex SelectTech 840
The ultimate adjustable kettlebell gives you more workouts without turning your living room into a prison yard. You get a choice of six weights, from 3.5kg all the way up to 18kg, all available at the twist of a dial. Combine that with 24 online workout videos and you can master your swings, rows, squats and twists.
£249 / fitness-superstore.co.uk
Kenko Home Sets
A gorgeous alternative to macho home gym equipment, this collection of minimalist Japanese-inspired fitness kit will enhance your decor with dumbbells. Made from natural materials including solid wood and cork, the range includes dumbbells, ab-rollers, expanders and massage balls, all kept tidy in a wall cabinet or birch plywood storage box.
from €629 / kenkostores.com