Everyone wants to stay fit and healthy, but sometimes the gadgets and devices that are marketed to help you achieve your goals can cost a fortune. From smartwatches that track your every move to high-tech fitness devices that promise to revolutionize the way you work out, because it’s connected to the internet, it’s easy to get sucked into the latest health trends and overspend on fancy equipment.
But what if you didn’t have to break the bank to reap the benefits of a hit product? Let’s explore some cheaper alternatives to expensive health gadgets that are just as effective.
1. Smart yoga mat
There are many types of smart gadgets you can use to upgrade your yoga practice, one of which is a smart yoga mat. For example, the Yogifi smart yoga mat is designed to enhance your practice with features like guided workouts and real-time posture correction available in the companion app. However, since it’s available via a monthly subscription ($50 signup fee, then $15/month), the price quickly exceeds the cost of “clumsy” alternatives.
You can reap most of the benefits of yoga by choosing a traditional yoga mat and following one of the free workouts available on dedicated apps or YouTube. By opting for a mock yoga mat, you’ll be able to use your extra cash to invest in some comfortable yoga clothing or some high-quality yoga blocks.
While smart yoga mats might offer some extra functionality, they won’t magically turn you into a bouncy yogi, so probably not worth the added cost. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to find a yoga mat that makes you want to practice.
Consider a yoga mat that is thick enough to provide cushioning for your hands and feet, has a non-slip surface to prevent slipping, and is made of environmentally friendly materials. Then, download a free app like Yoga Studio, which provides guidance and information on how to master each pose and get the most out of your yoga session.
2. Sleep aid headband
If you’re having trouble getting a good night’s sleep, you can probably do almost anything to help yourself fall asleep and stay asleep. You may also have seen hypnotic gadgets like the iBand+ or the SmartSleep deep sleep headband.
These gadgets claim to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer by doing all sorts of fancy things like monitoring your brain waves and using audio cues to guide you into deeper sleep. However, the example mentioned above sells for around $400, and there are other gadgets you might want to try out before making such an investment.
A cheaper alternative might be to use a smart wake-up light, like the Amazon Halo Rise, for less than half that price. The device’s smart alarm clock monitors your sleep stages throughout the night and wakes you during your lightest sleep cycle, when you are most likely to wake up.
It’s also not something you have to wear on your face or head. I mean, come on, who would find it easy to fall asleep with a device strapped to their head?
While hypnotic headbands like the iBand+ and the SmartSleep Deep Sleep Headband may help some people, there’s no guarantee they’ll do anything. For this reason, it probably makes the most sense to invest in one of these only after you’ve established a regular sleep routine: exercise during the day, relax without looking at a screen before bed, create a dark, cool space, and just do other things sleep.
3. Smart Water Bottles
Have you heard of smart water bottles? Unlike regular water bottles, gadgets like the HidrateSpark PRO are equipped with sensors that track how much you drink. With built-in LEDs, they can also remind you to drink more water throughout the day, and can even sync with a companion app on your smartphone to provide personalized hydration recommendations.
The purported benefit of smart water bottles is simple: improved hydration. Of course, the results of improved hydration include improved skin, improved mood, increased energy levels, and more. But do you need a smart water bottle?
While smart water bottles can help some people stay hydrated, they’re not a panacea for dehydration. At the end of the day, the best way to stay hydrated is to drink enough water. And there are plenty of ways to do it without spending $80:
- Set reminders on your phone.
- Track your water intake using post-it notes that stick to your computer monitor.
- Refill the bottle at the end of every 25-minute Pomodoro focus session.
- Use a water tracking app, such as Waterllama.
4. Air purifier
Some pricey air purifiers use advanced technology to filter out the tiniest pollutants and improve air quality. Meanwhile, smart air purifiers, like the $650 Coway Airmega 400s, connect to Wi-Fi and send notifications to your smartphone when air quality drops.
For most people, however, cheaper options are just as effective at improving air quality. There’s a lot to consider before buying an air purifier, but all you need is something with a HEPA filter, like the $270 Honeywell HPA300. HEPA filter traps pollutants, dust, pollen and mold spores. Many makes and models in this price range also include activated carbon filters that can help remove odors and chemical pollutants from the air.
If you’re a DIY enthusiast, you can also build your own for under $100. If you still want to be cheaper, try improving the ventilation where you live or work before buying anything. Just by opening doors and windows and using exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, you can remove most allergens and pollutants from your home.
save money and stay healthy
Expensive health gadgets aren’t the only way to improve your health and well-being. Cheaper alternatives like setting reminders on your phone, combining a regular yoga mat with free YouTube videos, maintaining good sleep habits, and opting for a HEPA-enabled air purifier can all help you achieve your goals just as effectively, without draining your wallet.
While these high-tech gadgets may offer some added benefits, it’s important to remember that there are no technological shortcuts to health and well-being. So the next time you see an ad for high-tech hardware designed to help you live a healthier, happier life, ask yourself if the device is truly innovative, or if it’s just a gimmick to get you out of a rough life . Earned cash.
