New Year Resolution Ideas: The Gear You Need for All Your Workout and Wellness Goals – GQ
Come the turn of a new year, resolutions are as popular as Zion come the last NBA draft. Maybe you’re jumping on the ever-popular I-want-to-lose-a-few-pounds bandwagon, or perhaps your 2020 goals are more about organizing the bedroom room closet (finally). Whatever it is that you’re hoping to check off your to-do list this January (and beyond), we’ve got the picks you need to get a jumpstart.
If You Want to Lose Weight
No matter what your big targets are for 2020, the Apple Watch likely has an app to help you out. From MyFitnessPal and Lose It! to Gymaholic and Carrot Fit, these picks won’t execute a workout for you, but they will make the whole I’m-ready-to-be-my-best-self schtick a bit easier with tools like calorie counting and step tracking. Better yet: Pair up with a friend to share activity, and find some motivation when you see they’re hitting the gym.
If You Want to Build Muscle
Whether you live in a mansion or a small New York City apartment, no one has the patience for gobs of workout gear all over the place. This dumbbell set can be adjusted from 10 to up to 55 pounds, making it perfect for everything from biceps curls to deadlifts.
If You Want to Chill TFO
I’m the first person to say that the world of CBD can be hella confusing. But the team at Beam lays it out in a way that I can understand. Made with all organic hemp plants and free of any THC, this tincture can help you improve focus and find your chill—plus it promotes better rest.
If You Want to Get Off the Injured List
Running is hard enough as it is. It’s really overwhelming to pick the “right” sneaker to do it in, especially when there are a gazillion to choose from. Enter Nike’s new React Infinity Run. In an external study by the British Columbia Sports Medicine Research Foundation (BCSMRF) of 226 runners, wearers confirmed that they felt less pain in their knees and feet when wearing this option versus a motion-controlled shoe. Ideal for the two-or-three runs per week guy, this shoe is designed for middle distance—think six to 10 miles.
If You Want to Run More
There’s nothing that helps shift an ugh-do-I-really-want-to-do-this mood when it comes to a run like a stellar workout playlist. Turn up the tunes with a solid pair of workout-friendly headphones, like these Powerbeats Wireless, and you’ll enjoy the miles more, according to Brunel University research. Plus, there are no wires here to get in the way—an added perk.
If You Want to Eat Better
The meal prep game will change completely for you once you own an Instant Pot, mostly because it cooks chicken from frozen in 11 minutes flat (seriously). Think of it as an upgraded version of the Crock Pot your mom adored when you were growing up, because the all-in-one machine can do literally everything from act as a rice or slow cooker to make yogurt or cakes.
If You Want to Be More Organized
Yeah yeah yeah, digital is king, but when was the last time you took some time to write things down? Start each week with a fresh slate, literally, by penning some thoughts in this Mountain Pro Planner, complete with daily pages featuring sections for you to list things you’re grateful for, plan out your schedule, set priorities, and set a mission.
If You Want to Travel More
With the whole Away scandal aside, the company employs a lot of good people and makes a great product. I’ve been using my carry-on for just over two years now, and took 24 flights in 2019 with it in tow. The luggage comes complete with a removable battery pack (essential, thanks to new TSA regulations) that you can use to juice up your devices when you’re on the move, and its hard shell case makes smashing all of your items inside a relative breeze (I suggest sitting on top for the zipping process in a pinch).
If You Want to Work on Your Posture
Maybe you’ve got a desk job that has you constantly hunched over a laptop for hours on end, or perhaps you’ve just got really subpar core strength. Whatever the culprit for your poor posture might be, this little device can make you stand a little bit taller. Called a “posture trainer,” the strapless corrector sticks onto your upper back and connects to an app on your smart phone. You can set it to vibrate or non-vibrate, depending on just how aware you want to be on the regular about your Quasimoto tendencies.
If You Want to Finally Commit to Meditation
Listen to Andy Puddicombe’s sweet voice narrate a meditation once, and it’s pretty much a sure thing you’ll want to do it on the regular. With everything from bite-size, one-minute sessions to meditations geared toward sleep, stress, anxiety, and work—there’s a practice for everyone. Sure, it may some time to get used to, but the good news is that it can be done anywhere.