Stock Up On These Essentials Our Health Expert Swears By While They’re On Sale

Shopping this time of year usually revolves around clothes, makeup, and gadgets, but Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday can also be fantastic days to shop for the items that will help you stick with your gym routine (or start a brand new one), eat healthier food, and sleep better at night—all things that are necessary for anyone who wants to improve their lifestyle. If you're brand new to the fitness world, this list will have a lot of suggestions to help you feel more comfortable in the gym or more motivated about your new workout routine. It can be intimidating to start working out for the first time, so it helps to walk in feeling equipped and confident.

I always make a little wish list this time of year with health and fitness products that might be useful for my weight-loss clients (and me!), and just when I think I have everything I need, something pops up that makes me feel like I can't go without it. That's because there's a lot more that contributes to your health than working out and eating clean. Quality of sleep, stress management, sun exposure, and more are also big parts of the equation that can't be ignored. That only makes shopping more fun, though—many more options to choose from! These are my picks for all the must-have health and fitness items on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, or Cyber Monday.

1. Oversized Hoodie

One of the first things you need to have a good workout is the right outfit. But this is the time of year when you need an extra layer to keep your body warm as you move. This oversized hoodie from Lululemon checks all the boxes—it's stylish, comfortable, versatile, and functional. I already have it one color, but I'm seriously considering getting myself another one if I can find it on sale.

2. Gymboss Interval Timer

A common mistake people make in the gym is dawdling around and wasting time between sets and rounds. We get lost scrolling through our phone or chatting it up with our neighbor. But losing that precious time between your exercises could reduce the efficiency of your workout and instill bad habits. This little interval timer and stopwatch from Gymboss is one of the most useful tools I have in the gym with me, and it helps me stay focused so I don't waste any time. I'd much rather be 100% invested in my workout and keep it at 45 minutes than mess around in between sets and be in the gym for an hour. This device helps me get there. It's small and easy to clip onto your shirt or leggings as well.

3. Bellabooty Belt

Whether you workout at home (which is much more common after the Covid pandemic) or you're a gym girl, hopefully you've been working on your hip thrusts. If you haven't, now is a great time to start. This lightweight, easy-to-use belt Velcros in two dumbbells or kettlebells on the sides in order for you to hip thrust or glute bridge. It's the perfect tool for women who are just starting out on the hip thrust or glute bridge and don't yet feel comfortable with a barbell and women who don't feel like waiting around for the barbell at the gym. You can even use it for squats, lunges, or good mornings.

4. Cuckoo Pressure Cooker

What's the very first thing you focus on when you're trying to lose weight or transform your lifestyle? What you eat. Learning how to cook is the most useful skill to cultivate when you're working on improving your health. Eat out as little as you possibly can and make all your own meals at home. You'll be surprised at how much better you feel—and how much faster you lose weight, if that's your goal. This Cuckoo pressure cooker is a splurge, but it's by far the best investment we ever made in our kitchen. It's so easy to use, has a sleek design and isn't too clunky, and makes the most delicious meals in a matter of minutes. Definitely worthy of a request to Santa.

5. Sustainable Leggings

You want to feel your best when you start your workout and you certainly want to feel comfortable enough to move around freely. The Perform Legging from Everlane is the perfect activewear staple. It's good for just about any fitness activity, from running to strength training to hiking, and it's flattering and stylish too. It comes in different colors and two different lengths (a petite girl's dream!), and 58% of the fabric is made out of recycled nylon. Everlane boasts eliminating 90% of the virgin plastic from their supply chain, making them one of the more sustainable brands to purchase activewear from. Did I mention they're lightweight and have sweat-wicking properties?

6. Glute Resistance Bands

One of the gym staples I recommend is the thick booty band. They're great for a variety of reasons. They can be used to warm up the lower body before you start a strength training workout, and they can also be good for bodyweight finishers after a heavy weightlifting sessions like clam shells. But I especially love the thick booty bands because they help me fully activate my glutes in hip thrusts and deadlifts. Having the resistance reminds me to press my knees outward more, which fires up the glutes properly. Clients are always surprised at how much more they feel the workout in their glutes when they use the band compared to when they don't.