I’m a Fitness Editor—Here Are My Favorite Labor Day Deals on Training Gear

We’re big fans of Garmin here at Men’s Health, but for newcomers it can be daunting to get started. The active brand puts out several new watches a year, and their designs come with all kinds of price points.

I’ve been counting on the Garmin Instinct series for years, and it brings a high level of functionality at the lower spectrum of cost. Even more so when it’s on sale. So if you’re looking to get into fitness tracking and route planning for your runs, this is a great place to start. And now is a great time.

This weighted vest has really helped me take my bodyweight workouts to the next level. I’ve had this piece for years, and it gets used no matter the season. This vest is much more comfortable than other options I’ve tried in the past.

During the winter, bundled up and wearing my REP Fitness Strata, I can make a lot out of a little amount of time. The design helps me stay cool during the summer months. The green colorway is not on sale (it costs , but if you click on the black version, there’s a secret sale happening.

For this plate carrier, as for all others, you need to buy the plates separately, picking by which weight you would like to go with. For the best plates for this carrier, look at these from REP Fitness.

I was first introduced to HigherDOSE when I went to one of their recovery centers in New York City, and that visit is what really kicked off my journey with red light therapy. Now I have a mat like this that I use at home when I’m watching football or reading a book.

There are a lot of benefits that are talked about, from better-looking skin to improved tissue repair, all things that a dad who puts his body through a lot cares about. Some red light beds can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

But this mat bundle is one I like to recommend to people trying red light at home for the first time, because it comes with everything you need and makes it simple to start.

The Clifton series has remained at the top of my lists for best walking shoes and best running shoes for years, with good reason. These Clifton 10s bring ultimate comfort while providing all the performance I need in my fully-stacked days as an on-the-go dad.

But you don’t have to be a dad to appreciate how easy they make the miles feel, and how they slip on with ease when you’re out to meet the crew or do a grocery run. These shoes are a winner, and at this price, you can’t miss.

I’ve never liked too much on my wrists, so in the past, I haven’t had much success sticking with a fitness tracker. I would wear a heart rate strap on more intense cardio sessions but that’s about it. That changed when Oura Ring hit the scene, which I wrote about here.

I like keeping track of my biomarkers, and being able to switch fingers keeps me from feeling too constrained. The data I collect from the app helps inform the training decisions I make throughout the week. I wrote about how this deal is the best one I’ve seen all Labor Day and I stand by that. The rings are already starting to sell out.

The price drop comes after the release of the Oura Ring 5, but if you’re looking to save a few bucks while getting all the same software, this is a good pickup.

Sometimes simpler is better, and it doesn’t get much better than this compact set of hex dumbbells from CAP Barbell. These dumbbells have all the features that I look for: knurled handles for grip, rubber ends so that you can place them on the ground without damaging your floor, and a hex design so they don’t roll away when you do.

Being a Fitness and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, it should come as no surprise that I’ve had a lot of pairs of dumbbells over the years. I especially like these, and bonus points for the convenient little rack they come with to keep them organized.

I have put some serious hours and sessions into this gamified rower, which is as elevated as it gets. For this reason it is currently featured in our Best Rowing Machines list and got a nod in our Men’s Health Fitness Awards.

This rower brings smooth mechanics as well as a pristine display that will keep you entertained and informed for those winter workouts when it gets colder. For anyone looking for a solid rowing deal, this is a strong pick.

Their bikes have also been featured in our lists, so if you’re interested in checking out the rest of their Labor Day sale, a full list can be found here.