11 Popular Fitness Products on Amazon Under $100 | Weather.com

New Year’s resolutions are hard to keep up as the year goes on, the simmering call of change waning as the hard work starts to set in, motivations evolve, and real life (and all of its difficulties) start to impact your best intentions. I went strong into January wanting to lose a little weight, become more active, learn a new skill, and take up journaling. I’ve unfortunately fallen victim once again to laziness and lack of motivation, which encouraged me to do my own research for better goal management practices.

Perhaps in January you, too, were finally drumming up the interest to sign up for a gym. After all, 12% of all sign ups happen in January, according to IHRSA. But without the proper motivation, the resolve to achieve your fitness journey goals could feel like it’s more hassle than it’s worth. So we’ve rounded up a few tips – and products – to help you keep going with your New Year’s resolutions no matter how far into 2024 we’ve made it.

Tips for motivation

Just get started

It sounds so easy, but it’s the hardest step in the entire process. It’s inevitable to want to go zero to 100, get immediate burnout and let old habits take over. It’s so much easier to talk yourself out of taking that walk when it’s cold, rainy or hot. For example, walking 30 minutes a day can increase cardiovascular fitness, reduce body fat and reduce your risk of certain health conditions according to one source. But maybe 30 minutes is too much – so start at five minutes, and grow from there.

Make a plan

Once you’ve gotten started, then it’s time to make a plan, and your end goal will help define your path. If you are training for a marathon, that’s going to be vastly different than a beginner just starting their journey. So it’s important to make achievable goals that increase over time. It’s also important to write it down – keep a tracker so that you can see your progress, and push yourself to get to the next level. It’s easy to forget all of the hard work when you don’t see it in front of you.

Enjoy the adventure

As an avid fantasy and sci-fi enthusiast, this particular quote stuck with me – “Alone, it’s just a journey. Now adventures, they must be shared.” (The Rings of Power, season 1).

And it’s true – not only is it much more fun to have a friend on the same journey, but having an accountability partner can keep your eye on the prize. Of course, don’t be afraid to take a few detours along the way.

Invest in your goal

Finally, it’s easier to ignore your fitness goals when it’s out of sight. Whether it’s having a few at-home pieces of equipment, or a fitness tracker that will buzz every hour you haven’t moved, a little extra accountability can keep your motivation high.

Our Favorite Summer Fitness Products Under $100 On Amazon

Price: $18.68, was $21.98 – 15% off at Amazon

Kicking off the list is one of the most universally recognized at-home gym accessories, and you don’t need to break the bank to get in a quick stretch or resistance training. This set comes with five anti-snap latex bands, starting at 10 pounds up to 40 pounds of resistance per band. It also includes attachments for handles, a door anchor and ankle straps.

The bands are designed for a total body workout, including floor and standing exercises. If you’re looking for a tutorial, or just some workout inspiration, I’ve found YouTube videos like this to be particularly helpful.

Price: $19, was $20.99 – 9% off at Amazon

I’ve used this during my own physical therapy journey after getting ACL surgery, and it’s a gentle method to work on your balance. This large foam balance pad is designed for use in rehab, yoga, lunges and planks. A simple wipe down with a damp towel will clean the foam pad, and the company claims it’s both sweat proof and slip resistant.

For practical use, step onto the balance pad and lift one foot. While standing on one leg, hold for 10 seconds, then lower it back to the pad. Lift again for a set of 10. You can also march in place, trying to lift your knees up to hip height and keep your knee bent at a 90 degree angle.

Price: $26.90 plus additional 5% off coupon, was $35.99 at Amazon

This two-piece adjustable ankle weight set comes with five removable sandbag weights (one pound each), ranging from two to 10 pounds total. Made from neoprene and moisture absorbing material on the inside of the weight, it comes equipped with a velcro strap for easily adjustable sizing.

In my own physical therapy sessions, I’ve used the ankle weights for leg raises (front, side and back), but you can also use them for walking or jogging. Just be sure to wear proper socks or pants when using them, as some reviewers have noted that they can rub during extended sessions.

Gym Gear for Women

Price: $24.99 at Amazon

I just got a pair of these leggings over the holidays, and they are both incredibly comfortable and flattering. Available in two different lengths (full and capri), and 41 different colors, these yoga pants have over 50,000 ratings on Amazon. They come in a stretch fit and with a wide waistband for a little extra tummy control.

Price: starting at $16.99 at Amazon

It might not be the prettiest workout shirt, but it gets the job done. Under Armour is one of my go-to’s for comfort and breathability (especially in the hot Georgia summers). Available in a huge variety of colors and sizes, the Under Armour Tech Shirts are designed to be moisture-wicking and quick-drying. I have a bunch of different colors, and no matter how many times I’ve washed them, they’ve held up under weekly wear without any signs of tearing or fading.

Gym Gear for Men

Price: starting at $23.98 at Amazon

Price: starting at $13.65 at Amazon

Under Armour offers a great selection of short- and long-sleeve activewear, and often run discounts on certain colors and sizes. Machine-washable and sweat-wicking material makes this option a no-brainer if you’re running errands – or in the middle of your training. These shirts also come in tall sizes and a huge variety of colors.

Gym Accessories

Price: from $29.99, was $34.99 – 14% off at Amazon

With over 15,000 ratings and 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, this crowdsource-designed gym bag has sold over 3,000 times in the last month. Recently redesigned to include reinforced stitching and a water-resistant bottom panel, the company claims it’s been drop and stress tested and all of the functionality came from user ideas.

This gym bag comes in eight colors, can fit a 32 ounce water bottom and a protein shaker, with a multitude of compartments designed for all of your sports and gym trip must-haves. It also has a wet-resistant pocket for damp items (think socks, sweaty clothes) and a shoe compartment.

As one reviewer states, “I go to the gym everyday, so I just wanted a cheap gym bag that I can use to carry the essentials…I am super impressed [by] how it works and the quality of the item. It doesn’t really feel cheap, pretty much feels like a name brand bag and it’s a perfect size for what I carry.”

Price: $44.98, was $54.95 – 18% off at Amazon

From the Stanley to a Yeti, there’s no end to the abundance of water bottles on the market, but our top pick has over 17,000 5-star ratings on Amazon. For the thirsty gym-goer, Hydro Flask’s design feels like a clear winner to us. With the plastic loop so you can slip your fingers in for an easy grip, and a straw lid, it’s a no-muss, no-fuss water bottle.

Dishwasher safe and made from stainless steel for durability, the company claims it will keep your beverages cold up to 24 hours and your hot drinks up to six hours. The Hydro Flask is available in 32- and 40-ounces, it also comes in two different colors.

Fitness Tracker

Price: $99.95 at Amazon

As a longtime Fitbit user, I’m a big fan of almost any make and model they’ve produced. If you’re looking for a straightforward step, exercise, activity level, calorie and heart rate tracker, this could be just what you need. The Inspire 3 comes in a number of different colors, and is small enough for a petite wrist.

Make sure you download the Fitbit app to take advantage of all of the bells and whistles of the service. There’s an additional Premium membership available to receive more customizable insights, though I’ve personally never used it.

If you want an upgrade, I suggest taking a look at the Fitbit Versa 4 for smartwatch functionality. You can receive text messages, answer calls (tied to your phone, of course), get the weather, sync up your music and more. I personally use this particular model, and even after testing an Apple Watch 7, I couldn’t give it up.

Price: $39.98 at Amazon

This 12-week fitness planner is designed to help keep track of your weightlifting progress, complete with 65 workouts, including number of sets, reps, weight and target muscle groups. It’s ideal for really any level (from beginner to expert), and unisex.

As one reviewer said, “The workouts themselves are as difficult as you want them to be…meaning, they give you the workout, and you just have to show up and make it happen.”

Another reviewer gushed, “I love this journal. It’s so easy to follow with great tips and takes the thinking of a workout out, and lets you focus. It has held me accountable and kept me motivated. I can’t wait to get another one!”

How We Made Our Decision

First-hand testing

There’s a handful of items on this list (from the ankle weights and foam balance pad, to the Under Armour shirts and Fitbits) that I’ve personally used and would feel comfortable recommending. Anything that hasn’t held up over time, or did not hit any of the other marks listed below, were not included in this list.

Functionality

Full-body support is key when it comes to gym gear. Apparel is highly subjective – what we might like, you may not. The workout accessories and at-home gym gear is most useful when you account for the variety of movements and support they provide.

Price

There’s a fine balance of “you get what you pay for” and “why pay more for less”. While the goal of this article was to keep the prices reasonable, if you’re hesitating between spending a little more for a longer-lasting product, it depends on your budget and your long-term use case. If you’re a beginner, investing in less expensive products can be your best bet. If you’re an avid gym-goer, however, you may want to spend a little more and get more bang for your buck.

Reviews

We let the reviewers speak for themselves. We strive to highlight the pros and cons of each product based on user feedback and the feature list. If a product has few (or no) verified reviewers, or the complaints outweigh the purpose and price of the product, we won’t feature it in our lists.