I recently had a chat with a client who complained of tight hips and said he was trying to stretch more often. I asked him if he does any mobility routines in his own time outside of training, and he said no. Just a week later, he started appearing in my online group mobility classes and said he couldn't believe how much harder it feels than "just stretching."

That's because building flexible muscles and mobile joints isn't about sitting in a cross-legged position or touching your toes; it's about combining strength, balance, control and stability, moving your body and increasing range of motion.

Recently, I traveled to Greece for work and was both short on time and desperate for time alone in the gym. So, I put together a short hip mobility routine that acted as a dynamic warm-up before some quick treadmill sprints. Below, I show you how to do them and why. I recommend one of the best yoga mats before getting started.

If you experience pain at any time, stop and rest. If you're working with an injury or health condition, or you're currently pregnant or postnatal, I recommend seeking advice before starting these exercises.

Watch: Your next dynamic warm-up is here

The routine: 50 seconds on, 10 seconds off, 3 rounds. Add or reduce the number of rounds if you prefer.

• Seated knee drives: Sit on a yoga mat with your legs in front of you. Come down onto your elbows with your back straight and gaze ahead. One at a time, draw a knee toward your chest with control, pause, then slowly lower the leg again. Add a band around your feet or above both knees for added intensity and resistance. Why? Your hip flexors assist with lifting your legs, so this move will help activate and strengthen them, plus your deeper stabilizing core muscles will also wake up. Runners can really benefit from this move.
• Up and overs: Sit with your legs in front of you and place a block or weight to one side. Place your hands by your hips for support or behind your head for an extra challenge. Engage your core and draw your navel in, keeping your chest proud and back straight. Lift your legs up and over the blocks, then back again. Slightly rotate as you move, engaging your waist. Why: I use this move to activate my core and ensure my hip flexors aren't taking over a core-based movement. It prepares your hips and abs for movement.
• Overhead squats: Stand with your feet roughly shoulder-width apart and raise your arms overhead, pulling your shoulders back and down. Engage your core, sit your hips back and lower into a squat, keeping your arms punched overhead with your biceps close to your ears. At the bottom of the squat, pause, then drive up through your legs to stand. Imagine you're holding a tray of champagne above your head that you don't want to spill. Why? OH squats train thoracic and lower-body mobility, strengthen the legs and activate your core and shoulders. Add a weight or block for more resistance.

What are the benefits?

Sometimes I feel like I spend 80% of my life talking about hips, but they really are an important and often neglected muscle group worth talking about, so I will continue to talk about them.

The up-and-over exercise is technically a core exercise, and it targets the obliques, abs and deeper core muscles like the transverse abdominis and the stabilizing hip flexors. Rotational motion is an effective way to strengthen your waist, which will help your body resist unwanted motion and impact.

Knee drives focus on activating the muscles used for lifting the knees, as you would when running or climbing. Using a band is particularly useful as your muscles must move against the force of the band to produce movement. I find this supportive exercise helpful if I have been sitting at a desk for too long during my working day.

Finally, overhead squats. Ask anyone on the street to perform an overhead squat for you, and I'd say 7/10 people won't be able to keep their arms lifted overhead. More often, the chest travels forward, and the arms end up parallel to the ground. It's not just a shoulder mobility issue; it can be thoracic, meaning upper body, or even lower body, meaning the hips, knees, or ankles. Squats will train your lower body, but overhead squats will make your upper body work hard so that you can shelve load in an upright position.

Control these movements and start with your bodyweight before adding bands or weights. You have plenty of time to progress through the exercises as you get stronger.

Always focus on finding length through your spine and keep your chest proud. If you struggle to engage your core properly during workouts, learn this 5-minute bracing routine first.

Give these a try, and let us know how you get on in the comments.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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• I’m a personal trainer who works with clients aged 65+ daily. Here are the 2 exercises I always recommend when it comes to building mobility and balance
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The popular Fitbit Air is one of the best fitness trackers of 2026 thanks to its wallet-friendly price tag, reliable tracking, and simple-to-use design. However, it’s far from the only affordable, screen- and subscription-free fitness tracker out there.

I’m currently reviewing the Luna Band, a device I initially got hands-on back in January at CES in Las Vegas, and then again in early September at IFA in Berlin.

The Luna Band is a direct competitor to not just the Fitbit Air but also the Garmin Cirqa, and notably splits the difference, cost-wise, between the two. Feature-wise, all three trackers promise no-fuss insights into your daily movement, workouts, sleep quality, and overall well-being.

I’ve already covered the key differences between the Luna Band and Garmin Cirqa. Here are the five most important things to know when comparing the Luna Band vs. Fitbit Air.

1. The Luna Band is $50 pricier

When it comes to price, the Fitbit Air has the Luna Band beat. Google’s screenless tracker starts at just $99, while the Luna Band is $149. That said, the latter is still a better bargain than the $199 Garmin Cirqa.

2. But none of Luna’s features are paywalled

While the Fitbit Air is less expensive upfront compared to the Luna Band, in the long run, the Google tracker might end up costing you more.

Unlike the higher-end Whoop 5.0, neither the Garmin Cirqa nor the Fitbit Air nor the Luna Band require you to sign up for a subscription to use basic features. However, both Garmin and Google paywall some of the more advanced features behind a monthly/annual cost.

For example, access to Google Health Premium for the Fitbit Air is $9.99 a month or $99 for the year. Meanwhile, the Garmin Connect+ plan is $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually.

Luna takes a different approach, as noted numerous times on the Luna Band product page: All of the Luna Band’s features, including personalized AI insights, are subscription-free for the life of the device.

3. The Luna Band has better battery life

The Luna Band also has a higher battery life rating than the Fitbit Air: up to ten days per charge — the same as Garmin Cirqa — versus seven days per charge for the Google wearable. That said, I’ve personally verified the claims of the Fitbit and Garmin, but not the Luna Band, so stay tuned for real-world verification.

4. But the Fitbit Air is smaller and lighter

Of these three trackers, the Fitbit Air is by far the lightest and most comfortable, thanks in part to a narrower strap and more compact tracking tech. In terms of weight, the Fitbit Air clocks in at just ~14 g, compared to ~26 g for the Luna Band; the Garmin Cirqa weighs ~22 g.

5. The Luna Band uses haptic feedback to deliver notifications

While both the Fitbit Air and Luna Band support haptic feedback, on-device vibrations are a much bigger part of the user experience for the latter. For example, the Fitbit Air only buzzes when you set a “Smart Alarm” to wake you up via haptics at an optimal time in your sleep cycle. That’s basically it.

On the Luna Band, users can set the device to vibrate for health alerts, notifications, and alarms. Haptics can also be set to automatically “nudge” you throughout the day to stand up and/or move around.

What are your thoughts on the Luna Band? Would you consider purchasing one over the competition? Moreover, which 2026 screenless fitness tracker do you like the most? Let me know below.

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Longevity tests aren't necessarily an obvious challenge; they can include simple tasks like balancing on one leg or getting up from the floor without using your hands. I say "simple," but as we age, if we don't maintain muscle mass and strength, bone density, mobility and balance, those tasks actually become secretly challenging.

The natural loss of lean muscle mass and strength later in life, a process known as sarcopenia, can impact your balance, meaning injuries, falls, or trips could become more frequent. If you're curious about where you stand, now is the time to test it.

The aim after around 40 is to maintain functional ability. If you're unable to do this balance and power exercise on both sides, I recommend trying resistance workouts using single-sided exercises and balance training or mobility drills to help improve things.

Below, let's test yours.

Watch: The single-leg sit and stand test

If you experience pain at any time, stop and rest. If you're working with an injury or health condition, I recommend seeking advice before starting these exercises, especially if you find it difficult to stand on one leg or have lower-body joint issues.

The test

• Sit on a chair or low stool with your feet hip-width apart on the ground in front of you. Extend your arms away from you or place your hands on your hips
• Shift your weight into your right leg, then lift your left leg into the air. Engage your core and lean slightly forward without hunching
• Press through your right leg to stand up with as much power as you can
• From standing, try to sit down again, remaining balanced on your right leg, keeping your left leg extended
• Swap sides.

The 'why'

First and foremost, this is a test of strength, power and balance, but adding it into your routine with or without weights can also build single-leg strength, control and stability in your lower body and core.

Avoid allowing your knee to cave inward, as this places pressure on the knee joint. As you stand and lower, try to keep the movement controlled without rushing.

This is also a unilateral exercise, meaning you'll work your left and right sides individually. Working this way is particularly useful if you, like pretty much everyone else, have a dominant side and weaker or imbalanced areas. Identifying these through balancing tests will help you to fix them, making exercise and daily tasks easier in the long run.

Think of all the types of activities you do while balancing on one leg: tying laces, climbing, running, or stepping onto something.

If you have tight or weak hips, lower your leg a little or softly bend the knee. You can also use a higher surface to make things easier, or use one foot as a kickstand for a gentle assist.

To make it more challenging, lower the height of the chair or stool, keep your floating leg straight and high, or consider holding a weight.

Your ability to stand up unassisted and balance on one leg is a great measure of aging. This can be due to changes in proprioception, neuromuscular control, core strength and joint stability impacting your ability to stay independent.

If there's a huge difference between the left and right sides, I strongly recommend adding more single-sided strength and balance exercises to your routine. Single-leg deadlifts, Bulgarian split squats and lunges are great examples, alongside practicing sitting and standing on one leg.

Over time, balance training will help strengthen your joints, muscles and ligaments, build power, which can improve exercise performance, plus help prevent injury and make daily life a lot easier.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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Waking up at 3 a.m. is a recurring sleep problem I can’t seem to shake. Just when I think I’ve kicked the problem for good, I find myself wide awake in the middle of the night, unable to fall back to sleep again.

Exhausted and frustrated, I sought the advice of Dr. Aric Prather, a world-renowned sleep expert and a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of California, San Francisco. He instantly identified a key new mistake I’m making in the lead up to bedtime and explained how it could be causing my new wave of middle insomnia (3 a.m. wake-ups).

Here's what Dr. Prather, a published author, discovered, and why he recommends a 'two-hour digital buffer' at bedtime to reduce my chances of waking up at 3 a.m. and feeling exhausted the night day.

My key mistake

The quiet hours in the lead up to bedtime is usually an opportunity for me to catch up on unfinished work. Then I can climb into bed with one less thing to worry about.

But according to Dr. Prather, a sleep expert at BetterSleep, that's my big mistake. And it could be a driver for why I'm waking up at 3 a.m. again. “Working outside of normal hours can be detrimental to sleep when it becomes a regular habit.”

• Research shows that working outside of work hours is associated with worse sleep quality.
• Also, those who work late experience a larger Cortisol Awake Response (CAR), which can lead to 3 a.m. wake ups.

Evidence shows that engaging our brains in work-related activities — even if for a short time — can make it difficult for our brains to then switch off in order to fall into deep, restorative sleep.

“The issue is the difficulty of mentally transitioning from work to rest. Evening emails, deadlines, and unfinished tasks can keep the brain alert, making it harder to detach psychologically from work before bed.

“This can delay sleep, reduce sleep quality, and contribute to fatigue the following day,” says Dr. Prather.

So, although you might only spend a few minutes responding to work queries, the difficulty is ensuring your brain has enough time to disengage from 'work mode' in order to prepare for sleep.

“Even after you close your laptop, your mind may keep processing work-related concerns, making it harder to get restful sleep,” says Dr. Prather. “This can contribute to nighttime awakenings.

Cortisol rising

And there's science to support that thinking. A small month-long study of 58 employees found that checking emails outside of work hours was associated with worse sleep quality.

The same study also highlighted that those who worked in the run up to bedtime had a larger Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). CAR is a term to describe the natural rise in the hormone cortisol that begins around 3 a.m. and reaches its peak upon waking, helping you to feel alert.

But instead of a natural and steady rise, a larger CAR can indicate a surge of cortisol at 3 a.m., waking you up from sleep. Could checking a few emails really cause that?

"A larger Cortisol Awakening Response may also indicate changes in the body's stress-response system, although it is not, by itself, a definitive measure of poor sleep," says Dr. Prather.

"The best way to understand the connection is to track when you work, when you go to bed, and when you wake up over several weeks," advises the sleep expert. "If the 3 a.m. awakenings consistently follow evenings of work, that pattern is worth taking seriously."

The simple routine change

After tracking my own nighttime routine habits and my 3 a.m. wake ups, there's undoubtedly a clear correlation between the stints I work in the evening and the frequency of my nighttime awakenings.

So, instead of working in the run up to bedtime, I've been implementing a 'two-hour digital buffer' to wind down for better sleep.

Here Dr. Prather explains why it works: "Creating a digital buffer is a great strategy, and setting aside the final 60–120 minutes before bed for non-work activities can make a meaningful difference."

Dr. Prather says that the goal is to give ourselves a meaningful window in which to transition from productivity to rest.

"During that time, I would try to engage in calming activities, such as reading, watching light television, taking a warm shower, stretching, and meditating.

"Basically, you are looking for activities that create a feeling of calm. The specific activities are less important," says Dr. Prather.

It's early days, but swapping emails for analogue activities, such as reading in bed, is already lowering the frequency of the dreaded 3 a.m. wake ups.

Other habits I'm using to stop waking up at 3 a.m.

As we shift through sleep cycles, waking up at night is normal. It happens multiple times a night and we rarely remember it. However, waking up at night becomes an issue when we can't easily fall back to sleep.

As someone on an ongoing journey to improve my sleep, I know there's rarely ever really one simple 'fix' to sleeping better.

In addition to avoiding working late into the evening, these are the habits I try to stick to in order to reduce the frequency of my 3 a.m. wake ups:

• Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule: Your circadian rhythm functions best when you stick to a regular sleep routine, helping you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed.
• A comfortable sleep environment: After years of waking up at night due to an uncomfortable bed, I now sleep on the best mattress for my sleep style.
• Create dark and quiet sleep space: Ambient light and noise pollution can lead to nighttime disturbances. To combat those, I wear a blackout eye mask to bed and pop in my Ozlo 2 sleepbuds to drown out any sound.

Bad news, Apple Watch power users: the latest watchOS 27 software release removes the easiest way to quickly and efficiently jump between apps.

In watchOS 26 and earlier, users could simply double-press the digital crown at any time to jump back into the previous app they were using. This functionality, unofficially called the “app switcher,” is unfortunately no longer available in watchOS 27.

Here’s everything you need to know about the removal of the app switcher function for Apple Watch in watchOS 27.

watchOS 27 removes the app switcher function

I just updated my Apple Watch Series 11 to watchOS 27, a process that took longer than expected (several hours). While I’m largely impressed with the new software — these are the 7 watchOS 27 features you should try first — it falls short in two regards.

First, Apple removed the fan-favorite Walkie-Talkie app for no apparent reason. Second, and perhaps much more noticeable, double-tapping the digital crown no longer brings you to the last app you used. Instead, it defaults to displaying the new “Dynamic App Grid” with your seven most-used apps.

Oddly, a single click of the digital crown also launches the Dynamic App Grid, which seems redundant/oddly un-Apple-like. What gives?

Apple has bigger plans for the digital crown double-tap

Apple apparently has even bigger plans for the digital crown double-tap. Later this year, several intriguing new “Audio Intelligence” features are set to be added to watchOS 27, including “Live Rewind.”

It’s designed to give users an easy and discreet way to relisten to the last 15 seconds of audio captured by their Apple Watch (Series 12 and Ultra 4 only) at any moment, and even generate a transcript. For example, if you’re bad with names, like me, Live Rewind could be a truly useful bit of tech. It's also freaking some users out.

But what does this have to do with the end of the app switcher function? When Live Rewind launches, the digital crown double-tap will default to opening the feature on compatible devices.

What comes next?

Ultimately, it’s possible that if enough folks convey their annoyance with the removal of the app switcher function for Apple Watch, the brand might add it back in future firmware, at least for the devices that don’t support the new Live Rewind feature.

What are your thoughts on Apple removing the app switcher in watchOS 27? Let me know below.

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Three minutes. That’s apparently all you need to build muscle. No dumbbells, no gym, and, technically, you don’t even need to move.

Sounds good, doesn’t it? I mean, life is busy, and if you can swap an hour-long workout for three minutes, then tell me where to sign, like, yesterday.

The claim comes from an Instagram post citing Swedish neuroscientist Anders Hansen, which suggests that isometric muscle contractions performed under maximum tension for three minutes can trigger protein synthesis four times more effectively than traditional strength training.

It’s a big claim, and one I wanted to explore by taking a closer look at isometric training. Read on for my verdict.

What is isometric training?

If you’ve heard of isometric exercises, then you’ll know they’re nothing new. Think planks, wall sits, or holding a squat, which are all exercises where you hold a position while keeping your muscles under tension without moving your joints. And anyone who has ever held a wall sit for 60 seconds will know that not moving certainly doesn’t mean you’re not working.

Rather than repeatedly shortening and lengthening your muscles through reps, as you would during a squat or bicep curl, isometric training involves creating muscular force without movement. Your muscle fibers are active, but because you're working against an equal opposing force, you remain in a relatively fixed position.

And that's the important bit here. You're not supposed to casually hang out in a plank for a minute. The idea is to create as much muscular tension as possible by bracing, squeezing and pushing hard throughout the hold. And when we say hard, we mean hard. The technical term here is “maximal voluntary contraction,” which essentially means contracting your muscles as hard as possible.

So, could three minutes really make a difference? There was only one way to find out.

I tried the 3-minute workout, and here's what really happened

I put three minutes on the clock and followed the three simple exercises recommended in the post:

• Wall sit: 60 seconds
• Plank: 60 seconds
• Doorway press: 60 seconds

For the wall sit, I placed my back against a wall and slid down until my knees were roughly at a 90-degree angle. But rather than simply sitting there waiting for the minute to pass, I pushed my feet firmly into the floor, squeezed my glutes and deliberately created as much tension through my legs as I could.

This exercise primarily targets the quads, adductors and glutes, and believe me, it didn't take long to feel them working.

Next came the plank. Again, I wasn't simply holding the position. I braced my abs, squeezed my glutes and actively pressed my forearms into the floor, which fired up my core and shoulders while the rest of my body worked to keep me stable.

Finally, for the doorway press, I stood inside a doorway, placed my hands against either side and pushed outward as hard as I could, creating tension through my chest, shoulders and arms.

The first 20 seconds were fine. By 30 seconds, my quads were starting to burn. By 45, my legs had started to shake, and I was staring at the timer, wondering how 15 seconds could possibly take that long.

What surprised me most was how different the exercise felt when I stopped thinking about simply holding the position and started deliberately creating as much muscular tension as possible. The same happened during the plank.

I'm used to planking, but actively squeezing my glutes, bracing my core and pressing my forearms into the floor created a considerably more intense exercise. My abs stayed engaged, my shoulders began burning and there was nothing to distract me. It was just me, my plank and a very slow-moving clock.

By the time I reached the doorway press? It clicked. Pushing against something that won't budge feels slightly strange at first, but the harder you push, the harder your chest, shoulders, back and arms have to work. And that's probably the biggest thing I took from the workout: with isometrics, you get out what you put in.

You could technically hold the same position for 60 seconds without doing very much at all. But deliberately squeezing, bracing and engaging absolutely every muscle I possibly could turned those same positions into something completely different.

Can three minutes of isometrics really build muscle?

This is where things get interesting. Isometric exercises are often associated with rehabilitation, but they can be a useful strength training tool, too.

Research suggests isometric contraction can increase strength and muscle size, so the idea that you can build muscle without performing traditional reps isn't complete nonsense. Isometric contractions still create mechanical tension within the muscle, which is an important stimulus for muscle growth, despite the joint remaining relatively still.

And thinking about it, I’ve found isometric training particularly handy in the past when working on exercises like pull-ups. Holding yourself at the top of a pull-up for as long as possible forces the muscles in your back, shoulders and arms to work hard to keep you there, helping build strength in that top position.

The same goes for push-ups. Holding yourself a few inches above the floor for 20, perhaps even 30 seconds, is considerably harder than it sounds and keeps your chest, shoulders, triceps and core under constant tension. It's also a useful way to work on body position, form and control at the bottom of the movement.

But that doesn't mean three minutes of a static hold is a magical muscle-building shortcut, or that you should give up your regular weight training routine. One limitation of isometric training is that strength gains can be specific to the joint angle being trained. And if building muscle is your goal, you still need to progressively overload your muscles over time.

Rather than thinking of one as better than the other, it makes more sense to think of isometrics as another useful strength training tool. Think time under tension, body awareness and stability, and a training method that's particularly handy when you're short on time or undergoing rehab, which, let's face it, happens to the best of us.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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Considering grip strength is a key indicator of longevity, we should probably focus on it more often. And that's exactly what Melissa Leach, a yoga instructor and strength and conditioning coach with Yoga-Go, wants to share with her audience.

There's an overlooked yoga pose that can help you improve grip strength, and it doesn't require any fancy equipment — just one of the best yoga mats for support. Here's the exercise, how to do it and the reported health benefits.

A yoga instructor shares the overlooked yoga pose that could provide a stronger grip

Studies link weaker grip strength to a 45% higher risk of death, and that's not a stat I'm very comfortable with. So it seems there's a contender for the most neglected body parts in the gym: your forearms, wrists and hands.

Grip strength has gone from an afterthought to the fitness world’s unlikely obsession of the year. Not a trend I had on my bingo card, to be honest. Leach, who is a strength and conditioning coach and yoga instructor, has flagged an overlooked yoga pose that can help build grip strength and explains why it matters more than most people realize.

Yoga is renowned for improving mobility and flexibility and strengthening your body using your body weight. But while it's unlikely to overload the muscles in a way that will build maximal strength and muscle (I still recommend lifting weights several times a week), it can definitely help improve functional strength and balance.

Strong bones, muscles and ligaments help you maintain an active lifestyle, and yoga contributes toward that. So, what's the pose?

If you experience pain at any time, stop and rest. If you're working with an injury or health condition, I recommend seeking advice from your physician or a yoga instructor before starting these exercises.

Crow pose (Kakasana) can help people build grip strength at home. Leach shares: "Grip strength isn’t just about how hard you can shake someone's hand. It’s a genuine marker of overall muscular strength and is increasingly linked to long-term health outcomes," she says.

“Maintaining strong hands and forearms requires ongoing engagement of the nervous system, muscles and bones working together. So a stronger grip can act as a snapshot of how your body is aging, and how well it’s fighting the natural physical decline that comes with age.”

While weightlifting can famously improve grip strength, certain yoga and Pilates poses can help without impacting the joints.

“Crow pose is brilliant for grip strength because your hands are doing all the work to support your body weight. It forces your fingers, wrists and forearms to engage in a way that most seated or standing poses simply don’t," says Leach.

A step-by-step guide to crow pose by Leach:

• Start in a squat position with feet hip-width apart and hands planted firmly on the mat with your fingers spread wide.
• Bend your elbows slightly and rest your knees on the backs of your upper arms, close to your armpits.
• Shift your weight forward, pressing firmly through your fingertips and palms, and slowly lift your feet off the ground.
• Keep your gaze slightly forward to help with balance, and engage your core throughout.
• Hold the pose for 2 to 5 breaths or 5 to 20 seconds when starting. Increase up to a minute as you progress. 

What modifications can be made? 

"Crow pose can often feel quite advanced, and it can bring up issues like wrist discomfort for some people. Luckily, there are simple modifications to help you start practicing," advises Leach.

"For beginners, I'd recommend practicing near a wall or with a block under your head as a safety net. You can also try lifting one foot at a time to build balance and confidence before attempting both. If you struggle with wrist discomfort, use a folded mat or towel under your hands for extra cushioning.

"Lastly, you can focus on building strength first by practicing 'crow prep,' coming onto your tiptoes with your knees on your arms without lifting off. This helps build the strength you need before attempting the full lift."

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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We’ve tried her Pvolve workouts to get her abs, but next on our list was Jennifer Aniston’s famous smoothie recipe, which she says is her go-to breakfast. The recipe combines fruit, almond milk, collagen powder, greens, and caffeine to fuel Jen’s workouts, keep her full till lunchtime, and look after her hair and skin. Would adding it to my routine for a week give me Jen’s LA-glow? Read on to find out more.

What is the smoothie recipe?

Jen’s morning routine sounds about as different from mine as you can get — she spends time meditating and journaling before having a coffee. Then she walks her dogs and makes sure the first hour of her day is totally screen-free. No stressful commute here, folks!

While we can’t all spend time meditating, we can steal her smoothie recipe. Here’s how to make it:

• 1 cup of chocolate almond milk
• 2 scoops of Vital Proteins Chocolate Collagen Peptides (Jen is a Vital Proteins ambassador)
• Cherries
• Banana
• A few drops of Stevia
• Antioxidants
• 1 cup of ice
• Spinach
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Matcha powder
• Spoonful of almond butter

Blend, pour into a glass, and then sip.

I tried Jennifer Aniston's go-to smoothie for a week — here’s what happened

I’ll admit, this recipe is a lot more complicated than my normal mix of protein powder, water, berries, and a banana. But in an attempt to live more like Jen, I tried her smoothie recipe for a week. Here’s what happened.

My hair and skin look the same

Of course, you need a lot longer than seven days to really see the effects of collagen supplements. In fact, the experts reckon it takes eight to twelve weeks before you’re likely to see a difference. Collagen peptides support skin hydration, elasticity, and cartilage health as you age, helping your skin look healthier and younger.

As well as being great for your hair, skin, and nails, collagen supplements are recommended for bone and tissue health and joint support, especially in older adults. This is an easy way to add collagen to your routine.

It helped me stay full till lunchtime

Jen’s double hit of protein powder with almond milk delivers around 20-30 grams of protein first thing. Unlike Jen, I’ll often have my breakfast following a hectic nursery drop-off, dog walk, and marathon training run, all before getting to my desk for 9 a.m. While I often find myself reaching for a snack at 11 a.m., this recipe kept me full till lunchtime.

What’s more, adding a handful of berries and dark greens provides a decent dose of Vitamin C first thing. This can help protect you with antioxidants throughout the day and support your metabolism.

The almond butter also adds healthy fats for brain health, and the maca powder, while not something I’d typically have in my kitchen cupboard, can naturally boost your energy levels.

It tastes delicious

Last, but certainly not least, this smoothie tastes delicious. While it contains more ingredients than I’d typically buy, it’s one that I’ll keep in my routine for its taste alone. Now to learn how to meditate…

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I've tested a lot of sleep tech over the last three years, and the Oura Ring 5, from $399 at Amazon, is my favorite gadget overall. This top-rated sleep tracker tells me the ins and outs of my sleep night after night, but that wasn't always the case.

When I first started using the Oura Ring 5, a common rookie error cost me a week's worth of accurate sleep tracking. The good news is that fixing my mistake was easy, and now I'm getting insightful feedback on my sleep quality, duration and quality.

Here's the Oura Ring slip-up I made and what I now do to get lab-accurate sleep tracking each night from my smart ring...

The mistake I made

Caught up in the excitement of getting an Oura Ring 5, I forgot to check if there was a certain way I should be wearing it. I thought placing the ring on my index finger, then heading to bed, would be all I needed to do.

For the first few weeks, I wore both my Oura Ring and my Apple Watch Ultra so that I could compare the data captured. And I soon noticed major sleep score discrepancies between the two wearables...

As it turns out, I'd made a significant mistake.

There is a faint white marking (which feels slightly rougher in texture than the rest of the ring) on the outer side of the Oura Ring. This is an alignment indicator, used to ensure the ring's placement is correct.

The alignment indicator should be positioned on the underside of the hand, so it's placed on top of your palm.

The white marking on My Oura Ring was not aligned with my palm, and that was costing me accurate sleep tracking and leading to poor sleep scores.

How to wear the Oura Ring 5 for lab-accurate sleep data

• The Oura Ring 5 has a faint white mark. This should be used as an alignment indicator for correct wear.
• Wear the ring so that the white alignment indicator is placed on the underside of your hand (so it sits on top of your palm rather than the back of your hand).
• The white alignment indicator is positioned above your palm ensures the most accurate reading because it puts the sensor closer to your skin.
• If the alignment indicator is facing outward, the Oura Ring 5's sensor will lose contact with your skin and lead to inaccurate tracking.
• The shape and sizes of our fingers can fluctuate and cause the Oura Ring's placement to shift. Switching to a larger finger can ensure a snugger fit that won't affect accuracy.
• If you find that your Oura Ring is shifting too much on your dominant hand, switch to a non-dominant hand for less movement.
• Hand-washing and creams can cause the Oura Ring's placement to shift. I recommend taking your Oura ring off for this and putting it back on once your hands are dry.

My fingers are highly sensitive to temperature change, and colder weather or excessive AC can cause my Oura Ring 5 shift, twist, and even slide right off.

I wear my Oura Ring on my index finger the majority of the time, but when it's chillier than usual, I switch to my middle finger as it's naturally larger.

Switching fingers won't cause sleep data inaccuracy, as long as you avoid your thumb and stick to your three digits: index, middle, and ring finger.

Wearing the Oura Ring 5 on your dominant hand can cause the ring to shift as your hand goes through more motions. So, if you feel like your ring is shifting around, simply switch to your non-dominant hand.

The Oura Ring's water-resistant design also means you can perform pretty much any activity while wearing it. However, whether you're taking a bath or washing your face, greasy, creamy lotions can cause your Oura Ring 5 to shift.

I now take my ring off during my night-time routine, allowing my skin to dry off before putting it back on.

3 top-rated sleep tracking smart rings

The Pixel Watch 5 comes in several configurations, including the special edition Stephen Curry model with an upgraded woven sports strap and a custom watch face.

As of publication, Google only offers the Steph Curry edition in a 45mm case size with LTE connectivity. It costs $50 more than the standard Google Pixel Watch 5 45mm LTE model. Sure, you can call me crazy, but I think the higher price is totally worth it.

Of course, this isn’t Google’s first collab with the basketball superstar. The brand also debuted a special edition Fitbit Air Steph Curry model for an extra $30 with a similar-style upgraded sports loop designed with athletes in mind.

When I reviewed the Fitbit Air, the Steph Curry strap quickly proved to be my favorite of the three Air straps I tested. And the same things that made me fall in love with that strap also apply to the Pixel Watch 5 Steph Curry loop.

With that in mind, here are the three biggest reasons I prefer the Pixel Watch 5 Stephen Curry edition to the standard Pixel Watch 5.

1. Quicker to dry and better breathability

First, a quick clarification: Aside from the special watch face, there are no hardware or software differences between the Google Pixel Watch 5 and the Pixel Watch 5 Steph Curry edition. The cases are identical, as are the under-the-hood components.

What truly sets the two smartwatches apart is the quality of the included strap. The Steph Curry loop is made from a soft, flexible, sweat-wicking woven polyester-elastane mix. Unlike the silicone strap that comes with most of the standard Pixel Watch 5 options, the Steph Curry strap is actually comfortable to sweat in.

Not only is the woven material highly breathable, but the strap is also treated with a waterproof coating to further add to the sweat-wicking capabilities.

2. Infinitely adjustable and all-around comfier

Another key reason I prefer the Steph Curry Pixel Watch 5 over the standard version is how the straps attach to your wrist. Google’s standard silicone strap uses a variant of the traditional pin-and-buckle style strap, which relegates you to choosing one of nine tightness options.

The Steph Curry loop, on the other hand, is secured in place via Velcro, giving users a near-infinite degree of adjustability. The underside of the upgraded strap also features raised silicone “ribs” that run parallel along its length.

These help keep the Pixel Watch 5 from moving around on your wrist, even during intense workouts and/or when sweating profusely.

3. It looks cool on the wrist

Last but not least, I prefer the Pixel Watch 5 Steph Curry special edition to the standard model because the strap simply looks a lot snazzier IMHO. I’m a big fan of the black, orange, and rye woven pattern (though a black, green, and rye would be my ultimate choice).

While this may sound superficial, at the end of the day, there’s no benefit in an unworn wearable, even if you own one of the best smartwatches of 2026 (like the Pixel Watch 5). This is to say, an aesthetically pleasing strap, in some ways, is just as important as reliable fitness tracking tech.

What are your thoughts on the Pixel Watch 5 Stephen Curry model? Do you think it’s worth the extra $50? Let me know in the comments below.

More from Tom's Guide

• Pixel Watch 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 — 5 key differences you need to know
• Exclusive: Inside the Pixel Watch 5's breathing emergency detection — and why it's like an 'airbag on your wrist'
• Fitbit Air (2026) vs Fitbit Flex (2013) — how much has wearable tech actually progressed in 13 years?

When it comes to high-end adventure watches, the Garmin Fenix has been in a league of its own for a while. No other sports watch or smartwatch can match the range and depth of features you get on a Fenix, and the strongest competition to the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro comes from past models of the watch.

The Fenix 9 Pro is the best Garmin watch yet, with upgrades on the Fenix 8 Pro including an all-titanium case and faster maps. These build on the best-in-class sports tracking, training analysis and navigation features you get on the Fenix 9 Pro, which also has some useful smart features and impressive battery life.

I’ve been testing the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro 51mm watch and it’s undoubtedly outstanding, but the high price means that the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, and even the Garmin Fenix 8, look better value to me in sales, especially as many new features on the Fenix 9 Pro are rolling back to those models.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review: price and availability

The Garmin Fenix 9 Pro launched in August 2026 alongside the Garmin Fenix 9. There are a lot of different options in the Garmin Fenix 9 line-up, with three sizes and two display types to pick between, along with making the choice between a standard and Pro model of the watch.

For the standard Fenix 9, you’ll pay from $999/£859, whereas the Fenix 9 Pro costs from $1,029/£999, or $1,199/£1,029 if you want a watch with inReach connectivity.

The standard Fenix 9 only comes with an AMOLED display but you can choose from three sizes — 43mm, 47mm and 51mm.

You get the same three sizes options with the AMOLED Fenix 9 Pro, but if you want the Fenix 9 Pro Solar, which has a memory-in-pixel (MIP) screen, you can only pick from 47mm or 51mm sizes.

Along with the option of inReach connectivity, the main upgrades on the Fenix 9 Pro compared to the standard Fenix 9 are an all-titanium case, a brighter display, and a green mode on the built-in flashlight.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review: specs compared

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review: design and display

I’ve tested every model of the Garmin Fenix since the Fenix 5 Pro, and the Fenix 9 Pro is the best-looking version of the watch yet.

The all-titanium case makes a much bigger difference than I expected when I saw the launch notes on the watch. It doesn’t add weight, but makes the Fenix 9 Pro look and feel more impressive, and boosts its appeal for all-day wear.

I’ve been testing the 51mm Fenix 9 Pro, which has the largest screen on a Garmin watch yet, and the 1.5in AMOLED is very bright and easy to read even at an angle in always-on mode.

It’s interesting that Garmin dropped the MicroLED model from the Fenix line-up, presumably because it required a thicker watch with shorter battery life, but it’s not hugely missed given the quality of the AMOLED screen on the Fenix 9 Pro.

There’s no denying this is a big watch though, and even if you opt for the 43mm or 47mm models of the watch the Fenix is still relatively thick and heavy compared with Garmin’s Forerunner and Venu watches.

Even with my skinny wrists, I did get used to the Fenix 9 Pro 51mm and didn’t mind wearing it all the time, but I prefer the fit and feel of a thinner watch like the Garmin Forerunner 970, which also doesn’t catch on jacket sleeves as often.

There’s a built-in flashlight on top of the watch, which is one of the best features on Garmin watches in my opinion, and something that other brands are starting to introduce.

On top of the white and red modes you get on all Garmin watches with flashlights, the Fenix 9 Pro’s flashlight also has a green option, which can be useful when looking at maps and for certain sports like fishing.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review: sports tracking and training analysis

It’s not easy to find ways to upgrade Garmin’s sports features at this point, but there are some new updates on the Fenix 9 Pro, many of which will roll back to older models.

These include upgrades to the rowing support on the watch, with FTP and VO2 max scores for indoor rowing, and the option to add your pack weight when rucking.

You can now also combine multiple activities into a ‘Garmin Epic’, which collates all the data from workouts you select to be included. This can be useful for looking at an entire marathon training block, for example, or for a multi-day hike or ultramarathon.

Garmin has also upgraded the Stamina feature on the watch, which aims to show your energy reserves in real time during activities to help you work out how hard you can push.

I still find this is a hard metric to trust when pushing all-out during races myself, but it can be a useful tool to stop yourself going out too hard at the start of longer events.

These updates build upon what was already an incredible array of sports tracking modes and stats, and the most comprehensive suite of training analysis tools you’ll find on a sports watch.

Along with standard stuff like chronic training load, Garmin has some unique analysis stats, like running tolerance, which gives you a total mileage for the past week of running that takes into account the intensity of your runs, and an overall endurance score.

Not everyone will want or need all of this data, but it’s all there if you do, and Garmin offers more than other sports watches. I’m a fan of its well-established Training Readiness tool as a good way to collate a lot of information into one handy score to judge the state of your body each day.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review: GPS and heart rate accuracy

I checked the accuracy of the optical heart rate monitor on the Fenix 9 Pro against a chest strap for a variety of workouts, and checked its GPS tracks after runs, including during a half marathon where it measured just about the exact race distance.

Garmin has changed how it labels its various GPS modes, but the Max Accuracy option is what I used, which uses the most accurate multi-band GPS mode on the watch when required.

I found its GPS accuracy to be more or less spot on during my outdoor activities, and Garmin continues to be as good or better than everyone else in this area in my opinion.

The heart rate accuracy on the Fenix 9 Pro was also very good, matching a chest strap closely on runs and bike rides. The optical sensor is not as good as a chest strap or upper arm band for strength workouts, but even there I saw mostly accurate results.

One challenge for the heart rate accuracy of the watch could be its size if you opt for the 51mm watch, as sometimes I find it hard to get the snug fit required for reliable optical tracking with bigger watches, but I had no notable problems with the Fenix 9 Pro in my testing.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review: connectivity

The inReach model of the Fenix 9 Pro offers LTE and satellite connectivity, a feature introduced on the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro.

You need a Garmin subscription to use these services, which costs between $7.99 and $49.99 depending on the level you need, which mostly relates to how many messages you plan to send and calls you might make.

There’s a free trial available of the features, after which you get free SOS messaging for 12 months, but will have to pay for other services.

These connectivity features are one of the main reasons to look at the top Fenix models over older watches, or the Forerunner line-up, and will appeal greatly to those who like to take their adventures off the grid, as well as those who just like to leave their phone behind on a run while staying in touch if required.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review: battery life

The battery life of the Fenix 9 Pro varies greatly depending on which size you go for, but if you opt for the largest 51mm watch I tested, it’s incredibly long-lasting.

I had the screen set to always-on and used it for outdoor runs almost every day in the most accurate (and power intensive) GPS setting, and the Fenix 9 Pro 51mm lasted me 10-11 days on a charge.

This can easily be extended by setting the screen to raise to wake, or using the other GPS settings, or if you mainly exercise indoors and don’t use the GPS.

The only AMOLED sports watch I’ve tested that can outdo the Fenix 9 Pro on battery life is the Suunto Vertical 2, though some MIP options like the Garmin Enduro 3 and Coros Vertix 2S will last longer thanks to their less power-hungry displays.

If you opt for the 43mm or 47mm watch the battery life does drop off significantly, and the 43mm watch my colleague Jane McGuire has been testing will have you reaching for a charger every three or four days if you use the always-on screen.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review: maps and navigation

A lot of sports watches now offer maps, including on relatively affordable models like the Coros Pace 4, but Garmin’s maps and navigation tools remain the best available.

That’s mainly because its watches have ‘routable’ maps that actually know where you are and can create routes for you on the fly. Other watch brands tend to have non-routable maps that just overlay your trail on an image of the map, which is more than good enough for most occasions, but not quite as handy if you’re out in the wilderness and get lost.

The Fenix 9 Pro has all of Garmin’s usual maps and navigation tools, but adds some upgrades you don’t get on other watches from the brand.

Firstly, the maps load faster when panning and zooming, and your heading updates more quickly too. Secondly, there’s a new perspective viewpoint, which tilts the maps slightly to make it clearer where you are.

These updates are useful, if not necessarily gamechangers. I don’t find that the maps load too slowly for me on other Garmins, but any boost in speed is appreciated, and I do prefer the perspective view.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review: smart features

Along with its connectivity features, the Fenix 9 Pro packs in a lot of useful smart features. It’s not as impressive on this front as true smartwatch like the Apple Watch Ultra 4, but Garmin does offer a lot more smart features than rival sports watches.

You get NFC payments through Garmin Pay, music storage with the ability to link up to several streaming services, including Spotify, for offline playback, and a lot of customization options for your watch face and widgets.

The Garmin Connect IQ app store is not as well-stocked as the App Store or Google Play, but it does contain a lot of watch faces, data fields and other widgets that can improve the experience on the watch.

While it’s still clearly a sports watch over a smartwatch, the Fenix 9 Pro does offer a lot of handy features for day to day use.

Should you buy the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro?

If you simply want the best adventure watch available, regardless of price, then the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro is the watch to go for. The new design is great, its sports and navigation features are as good as it gets, and you can pick a size to suit your wrist and battery life requirements.

However, I’m not sure it’s a big enough update on the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro that I wouldn’t recommend going for the older watch instead, and if you don’t need the connectivity feature on those watches, the Garmin Fenix 8 might be an even better value buy.

Both older models are also regularly on sale, so you could save hundreds of dollars by buying one instead of the Fenix 9 Pro. Certainly if you have one of those watches I don’t see a pressing need to upgrade, but older Fenix owners will really notice the benefits of the newer model.

The Garmin Forerunner 970 also offers most of the same great features, aside from connectivity, in a lighter, slimmer package that I prefer the fit of as a thin-wristed runner.

Outside the Garmin line-up, I think the Apple Watch Ultra 4 offers a strong alternative to the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro, providing you’re not put off by its three-day battery life. It has a rugged design, good sports tracking, and LTE and satellite connectivity, and better smart features than the Fenix 9 Pro.

The Fenix is now on a yearly update cycle and Garmin made some big updates to the watch last year by adding LTE and satellite connectivity, so a smaller refresh this year isn’t unexpected.

Next year’s Garmin Fenix 10 might see bigger changes, but right now the Fenix 9 Pro is the best sports watch you can get for outdoor adventures.

Living a more active life is a great goal but whether you want to prioritize your health or improve your fitness, you might need a little extra help along the way. That’s where the right tools and devices can really come in handy.

From smartwatches and fitness trackers to log your workouts to the right apparel like running shoes and outwear and even an electric bike or scooter to make starting your next adventure a breeze, there are plenty of great products to help make living an active lifestyle even easier.

For the Tom’s Guide Awards 2026, our team of experts has tested and reviewed all of the latest workout and outdoor gear. Below, we highlight the fitness and health products that impressed us most over the last 12 months and hold in high esteem.

Best smartwatch

Apple Watch Series 12

As a health and fitness editor, I spend my days writing about how heart health is the single best predictor of longevity, which is why the Apple Watch Series 12 blew me away. Powered by the faster S11 chip, the Series 12 features a completely redesigned sensor that measures your heart rate every five seconds — 60 times more frequently than the Series 11. This continuous tracking unlock deeper HRV insights, seamless daytime vitals monitoring, and a game-changing daily Readiness score that gives actionable guidance on when to push hard and when to rest.

Beyond the major health upgrades, Apple addressed some of our biggest pet peeves. You get a native step-count complication on the watch face without third-party apps, faster charging that reaches 80% in 30 minutes, and 10 hours of GPS tracking for long runs. While flashy features like Siri Recap will grab headlines, it's the continuous sensing, better recovery metrics, and unmatched iPhone integration that make the Series 12 the best smartwatch on the market.

— Jane McGuire, Managing Editor Fitness

Best fitness tracker

Fitbit Air

Sometimes, the best fitness tracker is the one you forget you’re even wearing. With no screens, beeps, or annoying notifications to distract you, the lightweight, long-lasting Fitbit Air has just one purpose: monitoring your health and fitness, which it does quite reliably. This is why it’s my pick for the best fitness tracker of 2026.

The Fitbit Air is also just $99, with all of its core features subscription-free. But with no screen, where do you view your health data? In the new Google Health app. There, you’ll find useful insights like daily sleep reports, a dynamic readiness score, logged workouts, training/recovery advice, and more. And unlike some other screen-free trackers, the Fitbit Air is seriously lightweight and comfortable. In fact, it hardly resembles a piece of wearable tech at all.

— Dan Bracaglia, Senior Writer

Best running watch

Garmin Forerunner 170

Last year Garmin updated almost its entire line-up of running watches, but left its entry-level option untouched, so we were certainly due a new Forerunner in 2026, and we actually got two in the form of the Forerunner 170 and Forerunner 70. The Garmin Forerunner 170 gets our vote as the best new running watch of the year thanks to its combination of impeccable accuracy, improved training analysis and useful smart features like NFC payments and music storage.

It’s a great all-round sports watch that has all the features runners of any level really need, all packed into a lightweight, attractive design that offers good value as well as performance.

— Nick Harris-Fry, Senior Writer

Best workout headphones

Shokz OpenDots 2

I’ve long been a fan of Shokz’s bone conduction and earhook open headphones for my workouts, but this year the clip-on design of the Shokz OpenDots 2 completely won me over. The buds fit securely and comfortably, no matter what kind of workout you’re doing, and deliver impressively good sound quality while still leaving your ears open enough to hear what’s going on around you.

It’s no exaggeration to say I’ve used the OpenDots 2 for some kind of workout almost every day since reviewing them in June, and they’re also my go-to buds outside of training sessions as well. The Shokz OpenDots Air also came out this year and offer better value, but for overall performance the OpenDots 2 are worthy winners of the best workout headphones.

— Nick Harris-Fry, Senior Writer

Best recovery tool

Hyperice Normatec Leg Sleeves

There’s a reason elite sportspeople use the Hyperice Normatec leg sleeves in their routines, and that’s because they’re arguably the best alternative recovery tool to massage guns for boosting recovery and reducing inflammation. In fact, when we interviewed Premier League physiotherapist Geoff Scott, he told us players routinely wear the Normatec leg sleeves during travel and in the dressing room.

These recovery compression leg massager boots can help reduce inflammation, stiffness and puffiness after exercise so legs feel well-rested and free. The dynamic air compression mimics natural muscle pumps, speeding up lymphatic drainage and reducing DOMS. Think: restorative leg massage, without the therapist.

— Sam Hopes, Channel Editor, Fitness

Best running shoes

Asics Novablast 6

We’re living in a golden age of running shoes which means it takes a lot to stand out from the crowd, but the Asics Novablast 6 was a pretty easy pick for me as the best shoe of 2026 from the 60+ pairs I’ve tested so far this year. It’s always the first shoe that comes to mind when people ask me for a recommendation, and it’s the first that came to mind for our awards.

That’s because it offers a winning blend of comfort and speed, with enough cushioning for your easiest runs and enough pop for faster efforts, and it does it all at a pretty reasonable price as well. It’s also just a flat-out fun shoe to run in, and one that will appeal to all levels of runner, whether you need a cushioned shoe to rack up the miles in marathon training, or your first running shoe to power through a couch to 5K.

— Nick Harris-Fry, Senior Writer

Best hiking boots

Keen Jasper Zionic

While not technically “boots”, the Keen Jasper Zionic are universally remarkable hiking shoes. Constructed of suede and rubber, the shoes are lightweight, comfortable, and surprisingly waterproof, even without Gore-Tex.

Thanks to the 4mm rubber lugs, the Jasper Zionic provide unbeatable balance, even on precarious terrain. We tested these shoes on waterfall hikes — amongst others — and we didn’t slip or stumble once. The tongue-to-toe laces make feet feel extremely secure and the wide toe box gives a yoga-class-worthy balance.

Not only are the Keen Jasper Zionic stylish and functional, they’re also hardy. The suede is easy to clean and surprisingly hardy. Getting doused in muddy water makes the sneakers look even better. These are shoes desperate to be used in the rugged outdoors, and used they shall be.

— Erin Bashford, Senior Writer

Best outerwear

Nike

Nike has upped the stakes this year with an activewear lineup that matches street-savvy looks with high-performance engineering. There are plenty of newer brands clawing for attention in this space, but Nike is the old favorite I go back to again and again. This year marked a high-profile collaboration with Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS brand as well as providing the jerseys for both Team USA and my national team, England, during this year’s World Cup.

The company offers everything from lightweight cropped windbreakers and softshells to heavy 700-fill down jackets and versatile unisex fits. Nike’s flagship advancements like the Therma-FIT Air Milano incorporate tunable, inflatable air chamber insulation that lets you adjust warmth in real time. Despite a record-setting summer heatwave, these will come in useful once winter bites.

— Jeff Parsons, UK Editor-in-Chief

Best adjustable dumbbells

Bowflex 552

BowFlex dumbbells have consistently been some of the best since the brand established its popular SelectTech 552 weights almost 20 years ago. There's a clear focus on simplicity: you won't find smart features, integrations with smartphone apps or complex adjustment mechanisms. In the best sense, these are more like traditional weights.

The weight plates come with a black coating, which should help prevent wear and rusting in the long term. Our buying guide editor, James Frew, keeps his outdoors, and they’ve still fared well. Like any good set of dumbbells, the handle is wide enough for double-handed use, and the material should fare well in the heat, too. Changing weights is easy — just adjust the dial, which is quick. It's a welcome return to form for BowFlex under their new ownership.

— Sam Hopes, Channel Editor Fitness

Best electric scooter

Segway Max G3 Plus

I thought the Segway Max G3 was one of the best scooters, but then the company went and pretty much addressed every quibble I had with the Max G3 Plus. This model has everything I loved about the Max G3 — great style, excellent range, full suspension, and security features — and then adds one of the key things that had been missing: rear turn signals. Now, cars both in front and behind you will be able to see when you want to turn.

But Segway didn’t stop there. It added a slightly larger 717-Wh battery, so now the top theoretical range is 56 miles, and boosted the motor to up to 2,200 watts, so it’s a touch easier to make it up those steep hills. Yes, it’s not light — 56 pounds — but it’ll get you wherever you need to go.

— Mike Prospero, US Editor-in-Chief

Best electric bike

Segway Muxi/ Muxi Pro

The Segway Muxi was definitely one of the most interesting electric bikes I’ve ridden over the years; its unique styling makes this mini cargo bike both fun and functional. I definitely received more comments about it than any other bike I’ve tested over the years. It has a laid-back design that’s all its own, and, when you outfit it with accessories like the center console, is as practical as it is enjoyable. (One of my favorite features: the cupholder that keeps your mug vertical, great for toting a thermos of coffee.

As much as I enjoyed the Muxi, the Muxi Pro takes things up a notch, adding all the things I wished the starting model had: turn signals, a front suspension, and a nine-speed electronic shifter, which can change gears automatically for you. And, with an impressive 70-mile range, it has the legs to keep you going.

— Mike Prospero, US Editor-in-Chief

Best active accessory

GoRuck Rucking Weighted Vest

No joke, adding a weighted vest has changed the way I train. Now I can turn any hike or just a walk around the block into a physical challenge while keeping both my hands free — just in case I want to hit the dirt and rattle out a string of push-ups to get the sweat dripping.

Florida-based GORUCK’s premiere weighted vest uses two curved cut-out weight plates that sit in slots on the front and back. Because there’s a hole in the middle, your diaphragm isn't restricted while you're wearing the vest and, unlike a backpack, the weight is evenly distributed across your torso. The vest I tested comes with adjustable straps to fit different torso sizes and a wide, stretchable waistband that cinches thanks to some tough Velcro. You can purchase different weight plates going all the way up to 60lbs (27kg) of added heft to really dial up the intensity. This is the real definition of heavy metal.

— Jeff Parsons, UK Editor-in-Chief

Best golf shoe

Skechers Slip-ins Golf: Blade Tour

Skechers has shifted its reputation greatly in the walking shoe space, and the company is suddenly making waves in golf with the most comfortable golf shoes I’ve ever worn. The Slip-ins Golf: Blade Tour offer the same easy-to-put-on heel as the company’s non-golf offerings, but they have high-end performance that rivals golf-specific brands like FootJoy. When you roll up for your tee time, being able to slip into your performance golf shoe without dealing with laces is a huge convenience. Add in the way they lock in the heel, and you have a stable golf shoe that gave me maximum confidence on the course.

Just as importantly, they look fantastic in both colors, though I’m partial to the bright, attention-grabbing teal colorway. If you’re one of those people with an inherent bias against Skechers based on the company’s previous reputation, I implore you to give these a shot, as they truly are 2026’s best golf shoe.

-— Dave LeClair, Managing Editor

Best golf gadget

Arccos Smart Laser

I love Arccos golf products for tracking my game on the course and looking into my stats after the round. The on-course portion of the service was made infinitely better in 2026 with the introduction of the Smart Laser rangefinder. It does everything a normal rangefinder would, with accurate distances and slope measurement, but it also integrates with Arccos game-tracking features to provide more accurate club recommendations and mark the exact location of the flag in the Arccos app.

It comes with an extra subscription on top of the game-tracking, which isn’t ideal, but as a longtime Arccos user, I find it to be an invaluable tool for helping me make better decisions on the course. Arccos had an incredible 2026 with the massive updates to its app, but the Smart Laser really takes the prize as the biggest thing the company dropped this year, and it’s easily my favorite golf gadget of the year.

-— Dave LeClair, Managing Editor

"Your heart tells a story of your health, and it’s a story worth hearing," said Apple, as it announced the updated Apple Watch Series 12, with the most accurate heart rate sensor yet. It's not often a tech keynote makes me emotional, but as a health writer, this one did. Maybe I was jet-lagged, or maybe I believe that these huge health updates might make this the best smartwatch on the market.

I spend my days writing about how the best prediction of longevity is how healthy your heart is. With a new heart rate sensor, the Apple Watch Series 12 gives you a heart rate reading every five seconds, 60 times more frequent than the Apple Watch Series 11. This supports HRV readings, a new readiness score that gives you deeper insights into when to push and when to recover, and longevity features in the updated Health app.

The downsides? Everyone I talk to hates the fact that the watch has a built-in microphone for new audio intelligence features coming later this year, but I’ll get into that below. I’ve been wearing it for the past week, and I’m impressed — read my full Apple Watch Series 12 review to find out more.

Apple Watch Series 12: Quick facts

• Same 24-hour battery life: Despite the addition of continuous heart rate monitoring, the Apple Watch Series 12 has the same 24-hour battery life as the Series 11
• New S11 chip: Faster, more efficient processing with support for Siri AI features
• Redesigned holistic sensors: Apple says this is the most accurate heart rate sensor on a wearable; heart rate and HRV are sampled more frequently than before; HRV insights are now more readily displayed in the Health app
• New health metrics: Series 12 supports a new Readiness score and Health Age metric
• Siri AI features: The watch ships with support for Siri AI voice assistance; new "Audio Intelligence" features help you better remember life's important details

Apple Watch Series 12: Specs

Apple Watch Series 12 review: Price and availability

The Apple Watch Series 12 is available for preorder starting September 9, with units expected to arrive on September 18. The Series 12 has the same starting cost as the Series 11 — $399.

In addition to the standard aluminum and upgraded titanium case options, the Apple Watch Series 12 is also available in two ceramic finishes: Pearl White and Night Blue.

See a full breakdown of pricing for all the case options and sizes below:

• Apple Watch Series 12, 42mm, GPS (Aluminum): $399
• Apple Watch Series 12, 42mm, GPS+5G (Aluminum): $499
• Apple Watch Series 12, 46mm, GPS (Aluminum): $449
• Apple Watch Series 12, 46mm, GPS+5G (Aluminum): $549

• Apple Watch Series 12, 42mm, GPS+5G (Titanium): $699
• Apple Watch Series 12, 42mm, GPS+5G (Titanium): $749

• Apple Watch Series 12, 42mm, GPS+5G (Ceramic): $899
• Apple Watch Series 12, 42mm, GPS+5 (Ceramic): $949

Apple Watch Series 12 review: Design and display

Design-wise, the Apple Watch Series 12 looks pretty identical to the Apple Watch Series 11: it comes in two different sizes, 42mm and 46mm, but with the newer watch, there are more color and casing options to choose from. The Apple Watch 11 came in rose gold, silver, space gray, and jet black in an aluminum case, and gold, natural, or slate in titanium. You get more choices with the Apple Watch 12, which comes in dark bronze, light gold, black, and space gray in the aluminum case, radiant gold and natural in the titanium case, and pearl white or night blue in the ceramic case.

I’ve been wearing the 42 mm dark bronze aluminum Apple Watch, and I love how lightweight and comfortable it is on the wrist. In real life, the light gold Apple Watch looks like jewelry, and the ceramic cases really are beautiful.

The biggest difference, design-wise, is on the back of the watch — the heart rate sensor has been completely redesigned, but more on that below. The Apple Watch Series 12 also has that built-in microphone I mentioned above for all of the audio intelligence features coming later this year.

Apple Watch Series review: Health and fitness tracking

There’s no doubt about it: as a fitness tracker, the Apple Watch Series 12 is more accurate than its predecessor, and that’s down to the new heart rate sensor. When looking at the two monitors side-by-side, the Series 12 and Ultra 4 have a “32-petal design,” whereas the older watches had a two-petal design. This refers to the spoke-like lines coming out of the electrode. The green LED lights, which measure your heart rate by shining light into the skin, are bigger and more powerful.

If you’ve ever worn an Apple Watch to bed and woken up in the night to a harsh green glow underneath your wrist, you’ll love this update. That glaring light is finally gone — and so is the feeling that you’re about to be abducted by a UFO.

But more than that, heart rate data lies at the heart of a lot of health features on the Apple Watch, including HRV, workouts, and ovulation prediction, so a better heart rate sensor means the watch is doing all of these, well, better. Apple also said the new heart rate monitor works better on certain skin tones, though it will still likely struggle to read heavily tattooed wrists. Your heart-rate complication can update every five seconds, 60 times more frequently than it did on the Apple Watch Series 11. Inside the Heart Rate app, there's a rolling two-minute chart. And HRV, including overnight and recovery data, is much easier to surface directly from the watch.

Previously, Apple only allowed continuous heart rate monitoring during a workout, so this is a huge step in the right direction. On the Apple Watch Series 12, you’ll be able to see your Recovery HRV score, which shows signs of stress and recovery, as well as your overall HRV, which offers insights into your overall health. You can now see from your wrist if your heart rate suddenly spiked, and through the new daytime Vitals app, you're getting a much more immediate picture of what's happening, rather than having to wait till you’re asleep.

I’ve been testing the new heart rate sensor alongside a Garmin chest strap, and have found the Apple Watch Series 12 to be pretty much spot on. Here’s a graph from my recent run:

The new sensors also feed into the new daily Readiness score, which is only available on the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Readiness provides a single score out of ten with one of four different recommendations: Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, or Go For It. Readiness updates throughout the day as new data comes in, and is based on your overnight vitals, sleep score, recent physical activity, and training load.

To get a Readiness score, you need to wear the watch for seven nights and get at least four hours of sleep per night. I have done that, but sadly, my Apple Watch 12 got as confused as my internal body clock was on my flight back from Cupertino, and only registered two hours of sleep for my night of travel. I’ll update this review as soon as I get a score.

There are also new changes coming to the Health app later this year, including a new Health Age score that compares your physical fitness to the average for your age range, and a greater emphasis on things like sleep trends, heart data, and longevity metrics. Again, I’ll be testing them as soon as they drop.

One very minor, but exciting update I’ve found during my testing is the Steps watch face compilation you can now get on the Apple Watch 12. Again, Apple isn’t reinventing the wheel, but you can now see your daily step count from your watch face, without the need for any third-party app. Unfortunately for folks with an older Apple Watch, this is a hardware thing, as Apple says it relies on the more accurate S11 chip, so older watches won’t get the updated pedometer.

Apple Watch Series 12 review: Audio Intelligence

Now to address the elephant in the room — the Audio Intelligence features launching on the Series 12 and Ultra 4. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Audio Intelligence features, but in a nutshell, the two features everyone is talking about are Live Rewind and Siri Recap.

Neither are available for me to test just yet; they are coming later in the year, but essentially, Live Rewind allows you to double-click on the Digital Crown of your Apple Watch and get a 15-second recap of what was just said around you. The Watch will play an audible chime even if your watch is on silent and puts a microphone indicator on screen, so people around you will know you’re recording. The example Apple gave was if you’d missed the specials at a restaurant, or missed a colleague's name, you could read it from your watch. I think there’s a compelling reason here, say, if you have ADHD or struggle with auditory processing.

The trickier sell, for me and most people I’ve spoken to, is Siri Recap. This records ambient audio every 15 minutes to create an itemized summary of your day. Yep, you heard that correctly. Apple put a lot of stress on privacy when demoing this new feature — raw audio isn’t saved, uploaded, or retrievable, and Siri Recap doesn’t identify individual speakers. It’s also designed to exclude sensitive information or hate speech.

However, even with these features, there’s still the slightly blurred line around the fact that my conversation could, in theory, appear on someone else’s Siri Recap without my consent to being recorded. Although this isn’t an Apple problem, it’s a living-in-2026 problem, as the same questions are being leveled at the ambient AI, cameras, and microphones in smart glasses and other wearable devices.

Personally, I can’t think of a situation where I’d need a computer to give me a summary of my day, but I’ll reserve judgment until I’ve been able to go hands-on with the features later in the year. I’d also add that these are all features that you have to opt in to — they are automatically disabled when you unbox the watch.

Apple Watch Series 12 review: Battery life

The Apple Watch Series 12 has the same 24 hours of battery life as the Series 11, but Apple has given us faster charging as well as a bunch of new sensors. You can now get up to 80% charge in about 30 minutes, 15 minutes for up to 12 hours of normal use, and 5 minutes for up to 10 hours of sleep tracking.

If, like me, you’re a runner, you will get slightly longer GPS-mode battery life — 10 hours instead of 8 on the Series 11.

I’ve found Apple’s battery life claims to be pretty accurate, and, as someone who frequently forgets to charge her watch before bed, I have definitely noticed how much faster the Series 12 charges.

Apple Watch Series 12 review: Should you buy?

A week later, I can confidently say that it wasn’t just the jet lag making me emotional in the keynote — as someone who writes about health and fitness for a living, this is the best Apple Watch on the market for most people. In fact, it’s the first year since the Ultra launched in 2022 that I’d be torn about which to shop for.

Between the upgraded heart rate sensor, the new Readiness score — because knowing when to rest is just as important as closing your rings — and an actual dedicated step-counting app, this watch completely outclasses the Series 11. I know other brands have been doing all of the above for years, but none of them are also like having an extension of your iPhone on your wrist, and that’s why when Apple does it, it feels different.

Audio Intelligence is the flashy upgrade and Siri Recap is going to generate headlines, but personally, I think it’s the continuous heart-rate sensing and better recovery information that have changed the day-to-day feel of the Apple Watch on my wrist when testing the Series 12. Buy the Ultra 4 if you want 50 hours of battery life, you’re into diving, or you just want to make a statement, but if you’re looking for a smartwatch that’ll help you make actionable changes to your health, the Apple Watch Series 12 is a good place to start.

The Nike Alphafly has been one of the best carbon-plate running shoes you can buy since the original launched in 2020, and the Alphafly 3 set both men’s and women’s marathon world records.

In the time since the Alphafly 3 came out in early 2024, however, a slew of outstanding rival super-shoes from other brands have come out, with the most notable being the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3.

The Pro Evo 3 was used by Sabastian Sawe to run the first sub-2-hour marathon in an official race in April at the London Marathon — seven years after Eliud Kipchoge did it at a special event in a prototype of the original Alphafly.

There’s some pressure on the Nike Alphafly 4 then, which launches today and needs to be both better than its illustrious predecessors and the best racers from other brands.

To find out how Nike went about updating its flagship marathon racing shoe, I spoke to Bret Schoolmeester, Vice President overseeing Nike Running Footwear, and to my surprise, one of the major focuses in the development of the shoe was stability.

What were the aims going into creating the Alphafly 4?

Nike leaned on both its extensive roster of elite athletes and its research teams to create its aims for the Alphafly 4.

“The benefit we have in our racing line is we have the voice of our athletes telling us ‘hey, here's some things we want’, and we also have our lab team being pretty consistent that there's an evergreen benefit that we always need to keep pursuing, and that's how do we improve runners’ running economy; how efficiently they can run in the shoe,” says Schoolmeester.

“There’s things we know we're never going to stop pursuing, like weight reduction and energy return, and then one thing we did uniquely focus on with the Alphafly 4 is stability.”

Improving stability is tricky in a modern racing shoe, most of which uses tall stacks of soft foams, but it can be important in the latter stages of long events in particular.

“Late in a race, your biomechanics break down,” says Schoolmeester. “The better you're supported, the more you're going to be able to hold that critical velocity all the way through the race.

“That was a really big one for us, because it came from our kind of everyday athletes, but it's also trickled up into the elites.”

Trickled up is not a phrase I often hear when covering super-shoes — usually the benefits aimed at elite athletes trickle down to amateurs — but Nike is keen to position the Alphafly 4 as a racer for all levels.

“What we're really proud of with the Alphafly overall is that while it's the franchise that helped break the two-hour marathon for the first time when Eliud did it, it's also the most widely adopted marathon racing shoe. From the front of the pack all the way to the back, we see Alphaflys on everybody's feet.”

What are the key updates to the Alphafly 4?

The Alphafly 4 has been updated from the upper to the outsole to help make it 5% lighter and more energetic than the Alphafly 3, and the key updates to the shoe are found in the midsole.

“There’s a new foam — ZoomX LT is a new way for us to process ZoomX, so we can get that 17% weight reduction while still improving energy return by 8%,” says Schoolmeester.

Nike also changed the design of the Air Zoom pods in the forefoot of the shoe, switching from a thermoformed bag to radiofrequency welding, to reduce weight by 30%.

“Then the plate,” says Schoolmeester. “The plate has always had this really scooped geometry to help with propulsion. We switched up the geometry to make sure it was also adding to stability, maximising the deflection of the foam and the airbags.”

Along with the new ZoomX LT foam, the Alphafly 4 also uses standard ZoomX in its midsole, a setup that Schoolmeester suggests boost both performance and stability.

“That’s one of the things we worked through in the development process,” says Schoolmeester. “Should we go with both foams? Should we switch the configuration?

“What we found was that using ZoomX on the bottom midsole part, which still offers incredible energy return and weight, helped stabilize the system, whereas with the top part we put a heavier premium on lightweight and energy return.

“It maximized both of those different components, and that wound up being the best performing system.”

Why is stability important in a marathon racing shoe?

I’ve tested a lot of pinnacle racing shoes and rarely is stability given such prominence as it is with the launch of the Alphafly 4, but it's an important feature that shouldn’t be overlooked.

“Energy return: no-brainer. Lightweight: no-brainer. But stability in a racing shoe; people don't consider it as necessarily being really important,” says Schoolmeester.

“But watch any marathoner — even the world's best — their mechanics don't always look exactly the same towards the end of the race, and especially for us mere mortals, you're going to need some extra support.”

That extra support can directly lead to you running faster, which is ultimately what these super-shoes are all about.

“If you're fighting the shoe at all, or fighting to stay stable, that's energy that's not being put into going straight forward as fast as you can,” Schoolmeester.

“We intentionally fatigue athletes and run tests to make sure that the benefits are holding up even when fatigued, because feeling good mile one through five, any marathoner will tell you, is not the hard part.

“Feeling good at 30km, 35km (18 miles, 21 miles) and holding everything together all the way through to the finish line. That's the real magic.”

The Nike Alphafly 4 costs $275/£254 and will be available as a limited release from 17 September, with broader availability from 29 October.

More from Tom's Guide

• How long do running shoes actually last? I asked an expert who makes them, and they gave me a great tip for recognizing when your shoes are done
• Rheon running shorts are being used by top road, track and trail runners — I spoke to an expert to find out more about the tech
• I tested shoes from 5 up-and-coming running brands — here are the ones worth your money

Apple designed the Ultra for summiting mountains and diving reefs. In reality? Most of us wearing one are weekend warriors chained to a 9-to-5, using an $800 rugged watch to track our steps on our commutes. With the Apple Watch Ultra 4, Apple makes having the watch on your wrist even better, whether you're working out or not.

The big headlines with the Apple Watch Ultra 4 are a new heart rate monitor, a readiness score to help you know when to push and when to rest, two days of battery life for the first time, and new Audio Intelligence features that will come later this year. Physically, it looks the same, but under the hood, this is a smarter watch.

But is it worth the upgrade if you already have the Apple Watch Ultra 3 on your wrist? I’ve been wearing the Apple Watch Ultra 4 for the past week and wore it for a 22-mile run this morning to see how the heart rate monitor compares to a physical chest strap. Read my full Apple Watch Ultra 4 review to find out more.

Apple Watch Ultra 4: Quick facts

• Improved battery life: lasts up to 50 hours per charge compared to 42 hours for the Ultra 3
• New S11 chip: Faster, more efficient processing with support for Siri AI features
• Redesigned holistic sensors: Apple says this is the most accurate heart rate sensor on a wearable; heart rate and HRV are sampled more frequently than before; HRV insights are now more readily displayed in the Health app
• New health metrics: the Ultra 4 supports a new Readiness score and Health Age metric
• Siri AI features: the Ultra 4 ships with support for Siri AI voice assistance; new "Audio Intelligence" features help you better recall life's important details

Apple Watch Ultra 4: Specs

Apple Watch Ultra 4 review: Price and availability

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is available for preorder from September 9, 2026. Units should hit store shelves and your hands starting on September 18.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is $799 / AU$1,349, the same price as the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and prior models.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 review: Design and display

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 looks physically identical to the Ultra 3, boasting the same dimensions, oversized display with 3,000 nits of max brightness, an all-titanium case, and 100 meters of water resistance. It’s still available in black and natural titanium.

There are slightly more bands to choose from: the Trail Loop is now available in dark umber, sand, and Apple’s color of the year, burgundy. The Alpine Loop comes in desert, dark olive, and also burgundy. Ocean Bands are now made from translucent silicone and come in three new colors: translucent gray, translucent kelp, and translucent black.

The big difference between the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 from a design perspective is when you flip the watch over. The heart rate sensor has been completely redesigned, but more on that below. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 also has a built-in microphone for all of the audio intelligence features coming later this year.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 review: Health and fitness tracking

The biggest difference, and the reason I think this is the best Apple Watch Ultra yet, is the new heart rate monitor loaded onto the watch. When looking at the two monitors side-by-side, the Ultra 4 and the Apple Watch Series 12 have a “32-petal design,” whereas older watches had a two-petal design. This refers to the spoke-like lines coming out of the electrode.

The green LED lights, which measure your heart rate by shining light into the skin, are bigger and more powerful. Apple says it also makes the heart rate monitor more accurate on certain skin tones, although it might still struggle if you have tattoos on your wrist.

I’ve always found the heart rate monitor on my Apple Watch Ultra 3 to be a little sketchy, and while I often put this down to how it sits on my wrist, I was keen to see how things might have changed on the Ultra 4. It’s worth noting that if, like me, you have petite wrists, you’ll need to ensure the Ultra is really tight against your wrist. I’ve found that if my watch strap isn’t tight enough, the watch just doesn’t give me a heart rate reading.

Heart rate data lies at the heart of a lot of health features on the Apple Watch, including HRV, workouts, and ovulation prediction. With the Apple Watch Ultra 4, the new heart rate monitor, along with the S-11 chip, measures your heart rate every five seconds, all day long. On the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple only allowed continuous heart rate monitoring during a workout, but this is a huge step in the right direction. Inside the Heart Rate app, there's a rolling two-minute chart.

On the Apple Watch Ultra 4, you’ll be able to see your Recovery HRV score, which shows signs of stress and recovery, as well as your overall HRV, which offers insights into your overall health. You can now see from your wrist if your heart rate suddenly spikes, and through the new daytime Vitals app, you're getting a much more immediate picture of what's happening, rather than having to wait till you’re asleep.

I’ve been testing the new heart rate sensor alongside a chest strap and my Oura Ring 5, and have found the Apple Watch Ultra 4 to be pretty much spot on. Here’s a graph from my recent run:

The new sensors also feed into the new daily Readiness score, which is only available on the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Readiness provides a single score out of ten with one of four different recommendations: Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, or Go For It. Readiness updates throughout the day as new data comes in, and is based on your overnight vitals, sleep score, recent physical activity, and training load.

To get a Readiness score, you need to wear the watch for seven nights and get at least four hours of sleep per night. While I have done that, my Apple Watch got a little confused by moving time zones, so it only registered two hours of sleep as I travelled back to London from Cupertino. I’ll update this review soon when I’ve had a few days of Readiness scores. I’ll also look at how these scores compare to the likes of Body Battery on Garmin, and the Readiness score on the Oura Ring 5.

Later this year, the Health App will see big changes, including a new Health Age score that compares your physical fitness to the average for your age. There will also be a greater emphasis on things like sleep trends, heart data, and other longevity metrics. Again, I’ll be testing these as soon as they drop, but I’m excited to hear about these updates to make the Health app more useful to users.

Of course, it's worth noting that Apple isn’t reinventing the wheel — Garmin has had a Fitness Age score forever, but wearing a Garmin isn’t like having an extension of your iPhone on your wrist. While these little changes might not sound like a lot, a Readiness score can show you at a glance if you’re overtraining and putting yourself at risk of injury. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or training for your seventh marathon, knowing how well you’re coping with your training is imperative, and Apple makes this easier with the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

Another minor but exciting update I’ve found during my testing is the Steps watch face. At last, you can see your daily step count from your watch face. Sure, steps aren’t the biggest health metric to keep an eye on, but on rest days, I still like to make sure I’m closing my rings and keeping my legs moving. Unfortunately for folks with an older Apple Watch, this is a hardware thing, as Apple says it relies on the more accurate S-11 chip, so older watches won’t get the updated pedometer.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 review: Audio Intelligence

Now, to address the parts of the watch that are probably going to get headlines — the Audio Intelligence features. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Audio Intelligence features, but in a nutshell, the two features everyone is talking about are Live Rewind and Siri Recap.

Neither is available for me to test just yet; they are coming later in the year, but essentially, Live Rewind allows you to double-click on the Digital Crown of your Apple Watch Ultra 4 and get a 15-second recap of what was just said around you. The Watch will play an audible chime even if your watch is on silent and puts a microphone indicator on screen, so people around you will know you’re recording.

One example is if you’d missed the specials at a restaurant, or missed a colleague's name, you could read it from your watch. I think there’s a compelling reason here, say, if you have ADHD or struggle with auditory processing.

The trickier sell, for me and most people I’ve spoken to, is Siri Recap. This records ambient audio every 15 minutes to create an itemized CliffsNotes of your day. You can set this to record at certain times or locations, say only at work, or only after 6 pm. Apple put a lot of stress on privacy when demoing this new feature — raw audio isn’t saved, uploaded, or retrievable, and Siri Recap doesn’t identify individual speakers. It’s also designed to exclude sensitive information or hate speech.

Even with these features, there’s still the slightly blurred line around the fact that other people’s snippets of conversation could appear in my Siri Recap, without them knowing they were being recorded. This isn’t a problem Apple faces alone — the same questions can be leveled at the ambient AI, cameras, and microphones in smart glasses and other wearable devices.

Personally, I don’t think I’d ever want my watch to be silently recording in the background, but I’ll reserve judgment until I go hands-on with the features later this year. It’s also worth noting that all of these features you’ll have to opt in to — they are automatically disabled when you unbox the watch.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 review: Battery life

Even with continuous heart rate monitoring every five seconds, Apple has improved the battery life on the Apple Watch Ultra 4. You’re now getting more than two days of battery life in smartwatch mode, with 50 hours of battery life, up from 42 hours of battery life in the Ultra 3. In low power mode, you’ll get 84 hours of battery life in the Apple Watch Ultra 4, compared to 72 hours in the Ultra 3.

In workout tracking, the battery is better on the Ultra 4 too. You’ll get 25 hours of battery life for tracking workouts with full GPS and heart rate tracking. This is up from 20 hours on the Ultra 3. There’s also a Max Extended Workout mode that allows the Apple Watch Ultra 4 to track outdoor runs, walks, and hikes for up to 45 hours.

I’ve found these numbers to be pretty accurate. I’m easily getting two days of battery life on my Ultra 4. It’s 5 pm right now, and I have worn the watch all day, replying to messages from my wrist and tracking three and a half hours of workouts, and my watch has gone from 82% at 6 am to 61%.

You also get faster charging on the Apple Watch Ultra 4 — 15 minutes of charge will give you up to 18 hours of battery life.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 review: Should you buy?

This is, without question, the best Apple Watch Ultra yet. Sure, there are still things missing: I’d love a built-in LED flashlight or a second size option for smaller wrists, but the health improvements made to this watch with the continuous heart rate sensing and recovery information help you train smarter. Little things like a Readiness score and Daytime Vitals help me see, at a glance, how much my long run has impacted my body.

Would I upgrade if I had an Apple Watch Ultra 3 on my wrist? I’m not sure, as the heart rate monitoring isn’t bad on the older watch, but if you’re wearing an older Ultra, you want longer battery life, or you’re intrigued by the Audio Intelligence features, this is a watch worth buying.

If you’re on a budget, I’ve also been wearing the Apple Watch Series 12, which is similarly excellent and has all the same sensors and features as the Ultra 4. It’s also smaller, lighter, and more comfortable to wear for 24/7 sleep tracking.

With the Apple Watch Ultra 4, you’re getting Apple’s extreme durability, the best battery life on an Apple Watch, and that all-important Action Button, which really does make using your watch with sweaty fingers better, along with the native recovery metrics long requested by serious athletes. This stands out as Apple’s most competitive endurance wearable to date.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra series is Samsung's answer to the rugged, outdoor adventure-ready Apple Watch Ultra series, and the latest model, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, makes a strong case for being the best tough-built, full-featured smartwatch on the market today.

Two years after the launch of the original ultra-rugged Samsung Galaxy Watch, the new model adds better battery life, tons of new health and fitness insights, a brighter screen, and improved water resistance, all in a familiar design.

But can the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 actually keep up with the latest Apple Watch Ultra 4 and/or the best Garmin watches when it comes to logging adrenaline-pumping activities like mountain bike rides, hikes, and more? I decided to find out by wearing the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 for two weeks. Here's what I discovered.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Key upgrades

But first, here’s a cheat sheet to all the most notable Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 stats and upgrades.

• Price: At $699, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is $50 more than its predecessor, which launched two years ago, but still $100 less than its nearest competitor, the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
• Design: The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a tiny bit thinner than the original Galaxy Watch Ultra, but you may not notice the difference; the dimensions and weight are nearly identical to the original model
• Screen: Maximum screen brightness has been bumped up from 4,000 nits to 5,000 nits, making it remarkably visible in direct sunlight
• Health features: New 'Vitals' dashboard with key metrics including heart rate, HRV, Sp02, body temp, and breath rate in one place; new 'Heart Health' score
• Fitness features: New Cardio Load insights, new Fitness Index score out of 100 based on factors like daily step count average, V02 Max, average heart rate, BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), and average workout recovery time
• Battery life: 800 mAh battery is the largest in an Android wearable and a 35% capacity increase over the original Galaxy Watch Ultra; battery life usage averages ~25% drain per day in testing so far

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2: Versus competition

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 value: 3/5

• At $699, the Ultra 2 is $50 more than its predecessor but still $100 cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra 4
• The more affordable Galaxy Watch 9 offers most of the same features as the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, starting at $379

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is priced at $699, a modest $50 increase over the launch price of its two-year-old predecessor. More notably, it's a hundred bucks cheaper than the latest Apple Watch Ultra 4, its nearest non-Android competitor.

Meanwhile, the latest Galaxy Watch 9 models —which share pretty much all the same features, just in a less beefy package — range from $379 to $459.

The $699 Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is available now in stores and online.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 display: 4.5/5

• The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 has one of the largest, brightest displays in any full-featured smartwatch
• Max brightness is 5,000 nits, making the Ultra 2 a breeze to read in direct sunlight

The new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 sports a sizable 1.52-inch display that maxes out at an impressive 5,000 nits, making it one of the brightest displays in any full-featured wearable, including 2026's best smartwatches.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4, by comparison, also features a large, lovely display, but it only maxes out at 3,000 nits. Real-world translation: the new Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a lot easier to read in bright sunlight than the newest Apple Watch Ultra.

I also wore both the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin Instinct 3 — my go-to GPS sports watch — while e-mountain biking and also found the former more legible while on the move.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 design and durability: 4/5

• Unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is now officially scuba dive-certified
• The case is a little slimmer than before, but you might not notice; ultimately, the Galaxy Watch Ultra feels pretty chunky on my 6.5-inch wrist
• The included strap is softer and more flexible than the strap for the original model

The original Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra promises 100 meters of water resistance, but unlike its Apple Watch Ultra counterpart, Samsung's rugged model wasn't intended for use while diving or even snorkeling.

Samsung no doubt caught some flak for this shortcoming. Thankfully, the new Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is thoroughly dive-ready. In fact, Samsung partnered with the industry-trusted Mares diving app to turn the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 into a fully-fledged dive computer, complete with speed monitoring and safety-stop alerts. The app costs $8.99 a month or $69.99 for the year.

The Ultra 2 is rated for 100 meters of water resistance and is EN13319-certified for scuba diving and IP69K-certified against dust and moisture.

Design-wise, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 looks nearly identical to its predecessor, with close-to-the-same dimensions and weight. That said, Samsung technically shaved 2mm off the case thickness, but I hardly noticed it. The case still feels very large on my 6.5-inch wrist.

There are three physical buttons along one side of the case; the center "Action" button can be customized to perform one of eight actions. I set it up to start a workout.

One less obvious but definitely welcome design change is the inclusion of a softer, more flexible strap. Also, the Ultra 2 uses the same attachment system as its predecessor, so if you prefer the older version, you can easily swap it onto the newer model.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 Health tools: 4.5/5

• New Vitals tab in Samsung Health app provides useful insights into long-term health and fitness trends
• Comprehensive sleep tracking reports on par with the best smartwatches
• None of Samsung's holistic features are paywalled, unlike Google and Garmin
• New Heart Health score for monitoring cardiovascular wellness

Similar to the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 9, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 ships fully-loaded with all sorts of new health and fitness insights.

These features include a new Vitals dashboard in the Samsung Health app for viewing your most important up-to-the-minute health stats in one place, a new Cardio Load score to track your heart health, and a new Fitness Index score that compares your overall physical health to averages for your age and gender.

The Vitals tab shows your current heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen saturation percentage (Sp02), body temperature, and breathing rate.

The new Heart Health score ranges from one to 100, with the upper end being better. This metric updates dynamically throughout the day, keeping users appraised of how their everyday decisions may be impacting cardiovascular health for better or worse.

Fitness Index, meanwhile, factors in loads of fitness and wellness metrics to figure out how your overall health compares to your peers in five key categories: strength, cardio, endurance, flexibility, and body composition. You also get a dynamic score from one to 100 (mine is currently 82, or "average").

Samsung's smartwatches deliver some of the most detailed and actionable sleep reports of any smartwatch brand, and even though there aren't any shiny new features, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a mighty fine sleep tracker. That is, assuming you can get over wearing something so chunky to bed.

Like its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is FDA-cleared for sleep apnea detection, something that can't be said for the newest Google Pixel Watch models.

Also, unlike some of the competition — cough, cough, Google and Garmin — Samsung doesn't make you pay a monthly or annual subscription to access the full suite of health insights, including AI-powered personalized training and recovery recommendations.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 fitness tracking: 3/5

• Reliable heart rate tracking
• Nearly as reliable at logging workouts as the best outdoor adventure watches, with one exception...
• The Ultra 2 tends to overinflate the 'Climb' metric when logging walks, runs, bike rides, and hikes
• Lacks tracking modes for some of the more nuanced yet popular outdoor activities like mountain biking and e-biking

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is rightfully billed as a smartwatch for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of extreme-style sports. However, I found two shortcomings in my testing.

First, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 sometimes struggles to accurately track elevation gain when logging an outdoor workout, with a tendency to noticeably inflate climb data. I encountered this when testing the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 vs. Garmin Instinct 3 while city cycling in hilly Seattle, Washington, and again when I went e-mountain biking in Washington State's Cougar Country.

That said, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 performed extremely well in a head-to-head walk test comparison versus the Apple Watch Ultra 3. However, it once again delivered highly inflated elevation data when I hiked the Cascade Mountains with the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 vs. Garmin Instinct 3 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Elevation tracking aside, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 largely performs as well as the best smartwatches and fitness trackers when it comes to reliably logging both moving and stationary workouts. Ultimately, as long as you wear the device tight enough, heart rate data should also be highly accurate.

My other criticism of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, which, again, is sold as an outdoor adventure-ready smartwatch, is a lack of tracking modes for popular activities, like mountain biking and e-biking.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 AI features: 3.5/5

• Google's useful Gemini AI voice assistant is built-in and can be launched via a handy, new 'Raise to talk' gesture control

In addition to AI playing a part in some of Samsung's flagship new health features, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 ships with Google's Gemini AI voice assistant built-in. It's the best smartwatch voice assistant I've tested so far, though that may change after I thoroughly test the latest Siri AI on the Apple Watch Series 12.

With access granted to apps like Gmail and Google Calendar, the Gemini assistant is more than capable of answering super-specific questions like, "When did my sister say her flight is landing next week?" as well as more generic ones like "What's the cheapest, easiest way to soften a stiff T-shirt?"

Better yet, you can launch the Gemini assistant using the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 by simply raising your wrist (you will need to first turn it on in the settings menu). Samsung's "Raise to talk" gesture control is remarkably effective, on par with Google's version for the Pixel Watch 4 and 5.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 battery: 4.5/5

• The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 exceeded its 60-hour-per-charge battery life rating in testing, lasting closer to 72 hours per charge with the always-on display enabled
• This makes it one of the longest-lasting full-featured smartwatches for Android in 2026 and longer-lasting than the latest Apple Watch Ultra 4

Not only did Samsung equip the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 with a higher-capacity battery — 590 mAh for the old model vs. 800 mAh for the new one — but the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is also more power-efficient than its predecessor, despite a brighter display.

The original Galaxy Watch Ultra had a battery life rating of 48 hours per charge, a claim we verified in our testing. The new model is rated to last up to 60 hours per charge, but in my testing, it comfortably surpassed that, cruising for closer to 72 hours per charge.

By comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 gets 40 hours per charge at best (44mm). Meanwhile, the latest Apple Watch Ultra 4, the nearest competitor to the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, lasts for about 50 hours per charge.

Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 review: Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a meaningful update to the original Galaxy Watch Ultra. The newer model is even tougher, with legit scuba-diving-ready specs and features, longer-lasting, with up to three days of battery per charge, and ever-so-slightly more comfortable thanks to a thinner case and a softer, more flexible strap.

The screen brightness has also been increased, giving the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 the brightest display in any full-featured smartwatch for Android. Plus, new health and fitness tracking metrics help to bring long-term holistic trends into sharper focus.

As an outdoor adventure watch, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 proved mighty capable, with one exception: faulty elevation data. However, I'm hoping this is just a minor hiccup that will eventually be fixed with future firmware.

Ultimately, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a tougher, smarter, longer-lasting take on what was already one of the best Android smartwatches ever made. That, I think, is worth the $50 price increase.

At last, an AI-powered version of Apple's Siri voice assistant is available for the Apple Watch thanks to the public release of watchOS 27, the newest Apple Watch software.

In my experience so far, Siri AI is more natural in its tone, making conversing less awkward. More importantly, the feature is much better at answering complex, context-based questions with a reasonable degree of reliability.

Here's how to load Siri AI on your Apple Watch and add a dedicated Siri AI widget to your watch face in seven easy steps. Plus, a list of eligible models.

How to enable Siri AI on your Apple Watch

1. Make sure your Apple Watch and iPhone are compatible with Siri AI
2. Update your phone to iOS 27; update your Apple Watch to watchOS 27
3. Turn on Siri in your phone’s settings and join the Siri beta waitlist
4. Turn on Siri in your Apple Watch’s settings
5. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap Display and Brightness > Face Gallery
6. Tap “New Watch Faces” and/or search for the “Siri Modular” face
7. Customize the Siri Modular face to your liking and tap “Add to Watch” when finished

Read on to see full illustrated instructions for each step.

And there you have it. Siri AI is now enabled on your Apple Watch, and the Siri AI assistant app is now fixed on your watch face for easy access. Of course, you can also open Siri by double-tapping the Digital Crown or using a gesture control like wrist raise.

Siri AI is still in beta, so your experience with the AI assistant might not be as smooth as the final product. Moreover, getting off the Siri AI beta waitlist can take anywhere from a few minutes or hours to several days. So, be patient.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple Watch Ultra 4 first impressions: 5 reasons to buy and 2 reasons to skip Apple’s new rugged model
• We asked 368 people what they want from the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Here’s the resounding answer (and it’s not AI)
• I’ve been writing about the Apple Watch for the past decade: Here’s the rumored update I’m most excited about for the Apple Watch Ultra 4

The Garmin Fenix 9 Pro and Garmin Forerunner 970 sit at the top of their respective trees within the Garmin line-up, and both are among the best sports watches available.

They’re pitched at slightly different athletes, with the Forerunner 970 being a lightweight, slim watch built for the keenest runners and triathletes, while the all-metal Fenix 9 Pro is aimed at adventurers, offering epic battery life, LTE and satellite connectivity.

However, they do share a lot of features, even including some of the new ones introduced with the Fenix 9 Pro that will roll back to the Forerunner 970, and many people will be picking between the two when buying one of the best Garmin watches.

I’ve worn the Garmin Forerunner 970 for over a year myself and have had the Fenix 9 Pro strapped on for a few weeks since its launch, and I tested the two head-to-head at a half marathon.

Here’s my full Garmin Fenix 9 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 970 comparison, looking at price, accuracy, design, battery life and other key differences between the pair.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 970: Price

The Garmin Forerunner 970 has been out for over a year, which means you can often find it for less than its full price of $749. It comes in one size and three colors, keeping things nice and simple compared with the sprawling Fenix 9 line-up.

I’m testing the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro 51mm AMOLED with inReach, which costs $1,299, but you have three sizes and two display options to pick from with the Fenix 9.

The standard Garmin Fenix 9 starts at $999, whereas the Fenix 9 Pro starts at $1,099. The Pro has an all-titanium case, the option to add inReach connectivity, plus a choice of an AMOLED or MIP display.

Whatever version of the Fenix 9 you go for, it’s going to be considerably more expensive than the Forerunner 970.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 970: Specs

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 970: Design and display

The two watches share a lot of common design features, including a sapphire crystal screen, built-in flashlight, five buttons, and Garmin’s Elevate v5 heart rate sensors.

For me, the key difference is certainly the size and weight. The Forerunner 970 is slimmer and lighter than any Fenix model, especially the 51mm model of the Fenix I’m testing.

Having three options of the Fenix 9 to pick from is an advantage, though, with the 43mm model perhaps a little more suitable for thin wrists than the 47mm Forerunner 970, though the latter is still lighter and thinner.

The Forerunner 970 has a titanium bezel but is mostly made from plastic, whereas the Fenix 9 Pro has a full titanium case, which gives it a premium look and feel that’s a little less sporty.

You also get a higher water resistance rating with the Fenix 9, which is diveproof to 40m and has a 10 ATM rating compared to 5 ATM for the Forerunner 970.

Other differences to note are that the Fenix 9 has a brighter display than the Forerunner 970, though this was rarely something I noticed when using both watches, and the flashlight on the Fenix 9 Pro has a green option, which you don’t get on the cheaper Fenix 9 or Forerunner 970.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 970: GPS and heart rate accuracy

My testing of the accuracy of the watches extends well beyond the half marathon I ran wearing both, but it was representative of the results I’ve had with them, in that both were very accurate in the race.

The GPS tracks were nearly identical when I checked them after the event, and both watches measured almost the exact half marathon distance of 13.1094 miles.

This was a measured course for my local county’s championship race, and I was able to run the most direct line almost the entire time, so I expected the watches to be very close to the official distance, and they were.

Things were similarly impressive with regard to heart rate, which I checked by comparing the watches’ measurements with a Garmin HRM 600 chest strap.

Aside from the Fenix 9 Pro having a short, erroneous spike near the start of the race, both watches matched the readings from the chest strap beat for beat throughout.

I have run thousands of miles with the Garmin Forerunner 970 and have racked up almost 200 miles with the Fenix 9 Pro so far, as well as doing a lot of other workouts with the watches, and they have been consistently excellent for both GPS and heart rate accuracy.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 970: Battery life

Battery life is an area where the Fenix 9 Pro outdoes the Forerunner 970, especially with the largest 51mm model.

The Forerunner 970 generally lasts me four or five days on a charge with the screen always on, running outdoors every day, whereas the Feinx 9 Pro 51mm has been lasting me 10 or 11 days with the same use.

It’s closer when comparing the 47mm Fenix 9 to the Forerunner 970, but the Fenix is listed as lasting longer in watch and GPS modes. However, if you opt for the smaller 43mm Fenix 9, the Forerunner 970 will outlast it.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 970: Connectivity

The inReach models of the Fenix 9 Pro offer LTE and satellite connectivity, which allow you to stay in touch with the world without carrying your phone, even when you’re in the wilderness and outside cellular coverage.

This is one of the biggest extra features you get on the Fenix 9 Pro compared with the Forerunner 970, and it will be a huge draw to the most adventurous athletes in particular.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 970: Maps

Both watches offer Garmin’s routable maps and navigation tools, which are the best in the business, but the Fenix 9 Pro has a couple of small upgrades in this area that won’t be coming to the Forerunner 970.

The first is simply that the maps load a little faster when panning and zooming, and the second is the new perspective view you can use on the Fenix 9, which tilts the map slightly in line with your perspective.

Both upgrades are welcome, but I wouldn’t classify them as dealbreakers when picking between the two watches myself.

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 970: Which should you buy?

The Garmin Forerunner 970 remains my favorite sports watch overall, and I’d pick it over the Fenix 9 Pro because of its lighter, slimmer design and the fact that it’s a lot cheaper.

However, this is also because none of the feature upgrades you get on the Fenix 9 Pro are absolutely essential for me — if you need the extra connectivity in particular, then paying more for a Fenix will be worthwhile.

The design of the Fenix 9 Pro will also appeal to a lot of people. The all-metal design is gorgeous and means the watch is a better fit for smart settings than the sportier Forerunner 970.

On accuracy and key sports and navigation features, however, the two watches are pretty much a wash based on my testing, and clearly two of the best options on the market from any brand.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple Watch Ultra 4 first impressions: 5 reasons to buy and 2 reasons to skip Apple’s new rugged model
• Apple Watch 11 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3 — which one should you buy?
• We asked 368 people what they want from the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Here’s the resounding answer (and it’s not AI)

I'm someone with very tight ankles, as I explained during my 30-day "Fix Your Ankles" mobility challenge, which (sadly) limits my squat depth. Squats are one of the best compound exercises for building lower-body strength, and while they're not exactly essential for every resistance routine, they're certainly one of the most effective movements out there.

There are squat variations that work better for my body, including front squats, but one I've been working on recently is the supported stiletto squat or heel-raised squat. I use it with my dad, whose tight ankles I'm starting to think might be genetic. He credits the exercise with improving squat depth and working his quads harder.

Before you get started learning how and why the supported stiletto squat is worth it, it might not be suitable for those with bad knees, though it will help strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints. If you're worried about pain or injuries, I recommend speaking with a health professional beforehand.

Watch: Supported stiletto squat

If you experience pain at any time, stop and rest. If you're working with an injury or health condition, I recommend seeking advice before starting this exercise, especially if you find it difficult to bend or kneel.

• Place blocks or plates roughly hip-width apart behind you. Roll onto the balls of your feet and rest your heels on the plates or blocks.
• Engage your core, bracing your stomach as if expecting an impact while drawing your navel in and up.
• Sit your hips back and perform a squat, lowering slowly and with control. Keep your spine straight and chest proud without leaning forward.
• Pause at the bottom of the squat, then drive upward through your legs to stand. Try to keep your knees tracking in line with your toes and avoid rounding your back.

The supported stiletto squat works your glutes, hips and legs with a quad and front-loaded focus, but unlike the supported version, it tests balance less while still helping improve ankle mobility. Try to stay up on your tiptoes to work the calf muscles harder.

The position of the block or plate beneath your heels elevates the back body more, tilting your weight further forward over your toes. That said, it's important to keep your heels down and sit your hips back into the squat rather than trying to move vertically. Think about a chair behind you as you lower.

People with tight ankles will enjoy this squat variation because it allows them to sit deeper, increase range of motion, and work their lower body harder without being limited. As soon as my dad elevated his heels this way, he could sit much deeper into his squat and reported that his legs and quads were working harder.

Try to stand with your feet hip-width apart and move with your body weight first. Next, hold a weight in each hand at your shoulders. You could also hold one weight to your chest using both hands, extend your weights out in front of you, or even press the weights overhead for an overhead squat.

As you lower into the squat, keep your chest proud and try to avoid tilting forward. Stay tall and focus on a slow descent and powerful ascent to maximize control and power. At the bottom of the squat, pause for a moment, then drive up to stand.

What are the benefits?

Unlike the unsupported stiletto squat, which requires you to balance on your toes without support for your heels, the supported version allows you to lift heavier while still improving stability and engaging your core.

If you have particularly tight ankles, I recommend focusing on a regular ankle mobility routine to improve range of motion over time, but the supported heel-raised squat will allow you to sit deeper and reach parallel with less struggle and pain.

Some people are blessed with healthy joints and may never sacrifice range of motion due to mobility, but for others, it can inhibit lower-body movement significantly.

You're still strengthening your glutes, core, hips, hamstrings, quads and calves without letting your knees pass too far over your ankles, though your individual anatomy, like the length of your bones, will influence this to some degree, too. Just ensure you're not straining your knees while you move.

This bodyweight exercise is especially great for runners, those who are currently rehabbing an injury, or anyone building up to squats.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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• I teach people how to be more mobile: 3 low-impact back and shoulder moves that build stability and strength after 40
• I teach people how to be strong and mobile: this is the one exercise I regret ignoring for years
• I teach people over 50 to be mobile: 3 low-impact moves that build more stability than a 30-minute walk

Welcome to the 2026 Tom's Guide Awards! Our annual awards celebrate the best tech, tools, gear, and services we've used over the past year, culminating with our Hero awards, which celebrate the very best innovation, company, and product design, among others.

Without further ado, here are all the winners of this year's Tom's Guide Awards.

There’s a bit of a revolution happening in the wearable space right now because many of us realize we don’t want yet another screen vying for our attention. But we still need to know our metrics. That’s why the likes of the Oura Ring 5, Garmin Cirqa, or Whoop 5.0 have surged in popularity, and we get constant questions about which is the right one to buy.

Casting the longest shadow, though, is the Fitbit Air, which was released for $99 / £84 and scored 4 stars when my colleague Jane reviewed it in March.

The Fitbit Air is a simple, discreet tracker with no screen and no subscription, and it allows you to go about your routine and almost forget you’re wearing it. Of course, if you’re training for an Ironman, you need something a little more hardcore, but for the vast majority of us, the Fitbit Air feels like the right device at the right time. But the fact is, we’ve been here before.

Back in 2013, Fitbit was an up-and-coming wearable tech company that had yet to be swallowed up by the Google Empire. It made its name with the Fitbit Flex, a $99 wrist-worn pedometer and sleep tracker that landed alongside the likes of the Jawbone Up and Nike Fuelband as a way for people to track progress toward their 10,000 steps per day.

I had one of those trackers back in the day, and after a recent clear-out at home, I not only found it — but discovered it still held a charge. Earlier this year, my colleague Dan Bracaglia matched a 5-year-old Fitbit vs Apple Watch Series 11 on a 5,500-step walk to find out if your old fitness tracker is still good enough. So I decided to go one better and see how a 13-year-old fitness tracker holds up to Fitbit’s 2026 breakout success.

I wore both trackers on my wrist for a day and a night and took their readings on steps and sleep. Back in 2013, the Flex couldn’t measure anything else. But even after all this time, the results from the two devices on those two metrics were pretty close:

I continued to wear the two devices alongside each other on my wrist for a couple of days. I would have gone longer, but the brittle rubber strap of the Flex embarrassingly broke as I went to shake someone’s hand. Even so, after spending some time with my fitness tracker of yesteryear, I’ve come to some conclusions about just how good the Fitbit Air is.

Fitbit Air vs Fitbit Flex: All the improvements for the same $99 price

It's kind of incredible to think the Fitbit Flex launched with a $99 / £79 price back in the day, and now the Fitbit Air is here for that same $99. In the U.K., where I live, the £79 has ballooned to £84, but you can’t win ‘em all.

For that same price, 13 years later, instead of just getting steps and sleep, you now get heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature, a sleep and readiness score as well as workout tracking and — if you want to pay for it — a full AI coach sitting inside the Google Health app.

The improvements don’t just stop at the hardware: Google’s Fitbit Air woven loop is a breathable fabric strap that’s 10 times more comfortable than the bulky rubber strap the Fitbit Flex arrived with. And the Air will go for seven days without charge, while the Flex only manages five. After more than a decade in storage, my model lasted a little over two days before needing to be recharged.

Lastly, the fact that the Air will automatically track when you fall asleep or start a workout is a huge improvement. On the Flex, you had to remember to tap it firmly to put it in sleep mode, and it had no workout option. I remember missing many nights of sleep because I forgot to put my tracker into sleep mode before my head hit the pillow.

One thing I do like about the Flex is the little row of blinking LEDs that gives you some idea of your step progress. The Air is completely screen-free, but in a roundabout way, this might not be the panacea you think it is. If you want to see how you’re tracking against a goal, you need to pull out your phone and look — which ironically makes it all too easy to spiral into a screen-time rabbit hole if you’re not careful.

Fitbit Air vs Fitbit Flex: Step counting vs true health tracking

It was a simpler time back in 2013; all we really wanted to know was if we could hit 10,000 steps a day. Now we know that metrics aren’t as important as we thought they were, and the goal is overall holistic wellness.

That’s why the Air is powered by Gemini and can automatically provide you with a detailed sleep summary every morning or give you a cardio load score — which measures the strain on your system when you’re exercising.

But this is where we run into some of the Air’s downsides. There’s no onboard GPS for location data or altimeter for elevation insights. So if you want to go for a run or a cycle, you’ll need to bring a paired smartphone along with you.

It’s still better than what we had in 2013, though, as the Fitbit Air automatically tracks a small selection of workout types, including walks, bike rides, "sports," and other activities. It does so whether you carry your paired phone or not, but there's a catch. For an activity to be auto-logged, you have to do it for at least 15 consecutive minutes.

Also, as mentioned, to get the most from the tracker, you need to pay for the Google Health Premium subscription to unlock personalized AI-backed health and fitness insights, along with deeper dives into your holistic trends. That will cost you $9.99 a month or $99 a year.

Fitbit Air vs Fitbit Flex: Last band standing

The point of this little experiment — beyond the novelty of finding an old piece of tech that still works — is the amount of value the Fitbit Air brings to the table as a tracker in 2026. If you’re a more established athlete and training toward a goal, I would personally recommend one of the best Garmin smartwatches or the best Apple Watches over the Fitbit Air.

But for those of us who want to keep an eye on our activity without it being intrusive — just like back in the day — the Air is hard to beat. And while the RAM crisis is pushing up prices across the board, I was struck by how much more Google can offer with the Air for the same price as its predecessor was over a decade ago.

There are still some niggles, like having a proprietary charging port so you can’t charge either the Flex or the Air with a generic USB-C cable, but I know that’s due to the waterproofing requirements. Overall, despite initially thinking I was done with Fitbit after 10 years, the simplicity and comfort of the Air have pulled me right back into it.

More from Tom's Guide

• The best Fitbit trackers we've tested
• I spent two weeks with the $99 Fitbit Air
• Exclusive: Google design director says Fitbit Air reception proves they 'made the right decision'

The world of golf simulators moves forward quickly. Just when you think Golf VX has advanced simulation to a point that's as good as it gets, the company drops its new Quantum tech and blows everything else I've ever tried out of the water.

I went to the company's flagship location in Arlington Heights, IL (just outside of Chicago) and played a popular semi-private course called The Glen Club. Then, we went to the course and played the real thing to see how well the simulator holds up compared with the course.

What better way to test a virtual experience than by comparing it to the place it's designed to emulate?

Golf VX's new Quantum sim tech

I was at Golf VX's flagship location to check out its latest and greatest simulator technology, and I have to say, it is a noticeable improvement over the company's T2 sim I played in the past.

For example, the 15-axis swing plate allows the ground to shift to create the most realistic lies I've ever had the chance to play in a simulator. In real golf, you rarely hit off a completely flat lie (unless you're on the tee box), so being able to practice shots with the ball above and below your feet is critical to improving your game.

Another improvement related to the hitting area is the Q-Mat, which uses a ceiling-mounted projector to display data about your swing path, distance and other key information right on the floor, keeping you focused on your swing without looking around to see if you were outside-to-inside or inside-to-outside on your most recent shot. This can help you fix that slice or hook, which are issues that plague many golfers (hello, my name is Dave and I'm a slicer).

I think the most impressive aspect of Golf VX's tech, compared to other commercial and home launch monitors, is how quickly you see your ball fly on the projector. There's a 15ms delay between you making contact with the ball and the ball flying on the screen. That's fast enough that by the time I finished my follow-through, the ball was in the air. This helps to fix the disconnect between hitting the ball into a screen and playing on the course.

Real vs. Simulator

I'm not going to sit here and pretend you can't tell the difference between the real-world course and the Golf VX rendered version. Obviously, the real version of the course is, well, real.

But Golf VX did an incredible job rendering the course with the key details in place, so you can practice before playing and get a sense of where the hazards will be. This is true for all 380 courses available in the software, though we'll focus on The Glen specifically.

One hole that stood out was number 3, which featured water to the left of the tee box that you can clearly see in both real and simulator photos. The tree-line in the distance also matches up well, as do the bunker locations.

When I stepped back and took it all in, I could definitely remember what the simulated version of the course looked and felt like while standing on the real tee box.

For hole 12, I pulled out the Meta glasses to record a first-person version of the hole in the real world and on the sim. Since I'm not the most skilled golfer, my path to finish the hole was very different between the two, with me scoring a par on the simulated hole and a six in real life, but the idea stands: the hole plays almost exactly the same.

After going back and watching both holes to edit together a TikTok video, I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of care that went into rendering the courses in Golf VX.

Golf VX Quantum availability

Golf VX's Quantum simulators are available now, but they're prohibitively expensive for most home users, with systems starting at around $50,000 and going up to $100,000 for a full room buildout. If money is no object and you want the best-of-the-best in golf sim tech, though, you should 100% have Golf VX Quantum on your radar, as it's the best golf sim hardware and software I've ever used.

Sadly, since the technology is so new to the U.S., it's not available at many Golf VX locations yet, but the company plans to expand with more franchises, so even if you're nowhere near Chicago, you can still play Quantum in the future.

More from Tom's Guide

• You haven't used a golf launch monitor until you've tried Foresight GC3 — here's my thoughts after 6 months of testing
• I replaced my TV with a 4K projector — and it was the best thing for my golf swing
• 'I noticed how much farther and straighter it was flying': PGA Tour pro Ben Griffin on playing a cheaper golf ball at The Masters

It's no surprise that the popularity of fitness competitions such as the CrossFit Games, Hyrox and marathons continues to soar. It seems we just love testing the boundaries of our physical and mental abilities — speed, power, endurance and everything in between.

The enormous success of Hyrox, in particular, has seen other brands follow suit in a bid to be the next biggest thing. And with that, a competition called Metrix has arrived. It will put your endurance to the ultimate test across five stations and 50 minutes of work.

I headed to Magazine London this month with a willing friend to try it out for myself. Here's what happened when we competed.

What is Metrix?

Metrix blends a competitive workout (complete with a cash prize) with what is basically a night out; a DJ is pumping out club classics throughout, and it's like being thrown into a nightclub, except you're drinking carb gels rather than beers.

Like Hyrox, there's a warm-up space, recovery zone and even food trucks and beer stations outside for participants to enjoy post-workout. But before we could take a good look around, we needed to head over to the Lululemon zone, drop our bags, down said carb gel and begin our warm-up before the 12:15 wave time.

Here's the workout format:

• 10-minute ski erg: You-Go-I-Go (YGIG) for max meters
• 10 minutes of burpee jumpovers: YGIG for max reps
• 10-minute row: YGIG for max meters
• 10-minute bike erg: YGIG for max meters
• 5-minute 60kg sled push: YGIG max lengths, straight into:
• 5-minute shuttle runs: YGIG max lengths

You'll work for a total of 50 minutes split between you however you like, and you can swap as often as you need. Between each block, there's a four-minute recovery window for you to move stations. At each station, you'll sign in to an iPad using your unique team ID number, then save and exit as you leave.

During the sled push and shuttle runs, you'll tap the screen on one end of each effort to log your rounds. Other than that, you just need to focus on clocking up the reps and distances, and the iPad logs the rest.

Unlike Hyrox, you'll aim for an all-out effort each block, then take a rest. There's a lot less running, but each of your efforts will be reaching near maximum output.

I just completed my first ever Metrix, and this is what happened

Metrix is more cardio-based than Hyrox in the sense that Hyrox uses more loaded movement, even though you run more. Metrix also feels like a nightclub, with the lights dimmed, strobes and a lot of early 2000s club classics (as a 90s baby, this is my happy place).

It's certainly more accessible to all levels of fitness than Hyrox, given the sled is 60kg for both men and women and the entire race is partner work. So, how did we get on?

Tech takes over

Each station relies on sensors and iPads to track your reps and distances. Although it felt very accurate, our iPad fell off the stand and logged itself out during our shuttle runs, and so our last few rounds weren't counted. One of the guys on hand said he would manually add them, but this never materialized on our final scorecard, sadly.

Other than that, the process worked seamlessly, which is pretty impressive. Especially for the burpees, as each rep can only be counted if you fully stand and extend your hips and knees. Those no-reps are a fast way to lose efficiency.

My legs were cooked

10 minutes of burpees, straight into a row, straight into the bike erg, then straight over to sled pushes and shuttle runs. Yikes. The hardest transition for me was from the bike (my Achilles' heel) to the sleds. Although I'm used to the much heavier sled efforts of Hyrox, the 60kg weight still really tested me at the final station.

While the burpees, shuttle runs and other ergs will test out-and-out endurance, the sleds and bikes require power, so I recommend training your lower body if you plan to compete. That said, you can definitely claw it back by being strategic with your partner and deciding how you split your efforts.

It's more challenging than I expected

Naively, I thought that the club-like atmosphere and the four-minute recovery periods would make this workout a hell of a lot easier than Hyrox, but while it was more accessible, it was far from easy. Humbled.

That said, you need the rest because it allows you to bring your heart rate down before the next maximum effort. During Hyrox races, you're trying to find a pace that you can maintain, whereas here, you've got 10 minutes to rack up as much work as you can.

I am someone who needs music in my ears in the gym or when I'm out running, so having it at full volume during Metrix was really helpful for my mood and motivation.

We messed up the last station

During the pre-race briefing, we were advised to ensure the sled is back behind the start line before the 5-minute timer runs down so that we can move straight into the shuttle runs without rest. However, we realized that with just 10 seconds to go, our sled was all the way down the other end of the track, and we had to push it back in before we could run.

I would advise giving yourself a solid 30 seconds to ensure your sled is back. After all, you're more likely to clock up runs than you are sled pushes, so it's crucial to start the shuttles on time. Notes taken for next time.

If you don't train, I would prepare

I train about four to five times a week doing a mix of Pilates, strength, yoga and running. I didn't train for Metrix, but I was confident that my existing experience in the gym would pull me through, and it did. However, a lot of trained individuals went into this race, many of them Hyrox lovers, so it wasn't easy to get a good finishing place.

While it is accessible, I recommend training beforehand in the weeks or even months leading up to the event. I would focus on familiarizing yourself with each machine and practicing on them to improve your endurance and cardio fitness.

I would also recommend lower-body workouts to include squats, lunges and other compound exercises, but with higher reps and lighter loads, as you need to move fast but not heavy. Incorporating pull- and push-based work will also help with your rows and burpees. Exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, bent-over rows and high pulls are all useful to try.

Ready to try for yourself? You can find the list of upcoming dates on the Metrix calendar.

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I love a good rocker on a running shoe, and the On Cloudsurfer line’s signature feature has always been its CloudTec Phase cushioning, where holes in the midsole collapse into eachother like dominoes to roll you from heel to toe as you run.

The On Cloudsurfer 2 is a lightweight daily trainer, while the On Cloudsurfer Max is a more cushioned but firmer shoe. The new On Cloudsurfer 3 splits the difference between these shoes, and based on my early testing, I think it could be the best Cloudsurfer yet.

I’ve been able to do a couple of runs in the On Cloudsurfer 3 ahead of its launch, and it’s impressed me on both. The shoe uses a new foam in the midsole called Surreal and delivers a soft, smooth ride that helps the miles tick by enjoyably.

Here’s what you need to know about On’s latest running shoe, including my early likes and dislikes.

On Cloudsurfer 3: Price and availability

The On Cloudsurfer 3 launched on 15 September 2026, and my first like about the shoe is that it hasn’t risen in price compared with the Cloudsurfer 2. It costs $160 in the U.S. and £150 in the U.K., making it one of the cheaper cushioned shoes in On’s line-up.

Like #1: It’s more cushioned than past models

The Cloudsurfer 3 feels like a softer shoe with more cushioning underfoot than past models, especially under the forefoot.

On say that the new Surreal superfoam deepens compression by 15.5% compared with the Helion foam used on the Cloudsurfer 2, and I could feel the extra depth in the midsole on my runs and how much the new shoe absorbed the impact of running.

I found that the Cloudsurfer 2 could sometimes "bottom out" and feel a bit flat by the end of runs, but I haven’t had that feeling from the Cloudsurfer 3 at all so far.

The Cloudsurfer Max was marketed as an incredibly soft shoe when it came out, but I actually found it pretty firm — the Cloudsurfer 3 delivers on its promise of softness.

Like #2: The ride is impressively smooth at a variety of paces

Soft shoes are great, but not if you end up stuck in that soft foam and feeling like you have to push through it to keep running, which does occasionally happen with max-cushioned shoes in my experience.

This is where the CloudTec Phase rocker comes into play with the Cloudsurfer 3, because it helps move you through the midsole onto your toes smoothly, so you don’t lose momentum while enjoying the impact-absorbing benefits of the cushioning.

I used the On Cloudsurfer 3 for a progression run, moving from an easy to a steady pace, and was able to clip along at sub-6min/mile pace comfortably in the shoe, despite the fact that it’s not all that light.

Like #3: There’s more spring off the toes

The main criticism I’ve had with past Cloudsurfer shoes is that the Helion foam in the midsole isn’t all that springy. The shoes have a smooth ride and a lightweight feel, but don’t deliver much energy return off the toes.

The Surreal foam in the Cloudsurfer 3’s midsole is a definite improvement on that front. I noticed a lot more bounce from the shoe, especially at faster paces.

That extra energy from the forefoot is also clear during longer runs in the shoe, when the previous models would start to feel a bit flat.

Like #4: The outsole grip is better

I did a short run wearing the On Cloudsurfer 2 on one foot and the On Cloudsurfer 3 on the other, and along with differences in the ride feel, I also noted that the outsole on the new shoe gripped a little better on damp sidewalks.

While I didn’t have any real problems with the grip of the Cloudsurfer 2 when I tested it out, any improvement in this area is always welcome in a cushioned daily trainer you’re going to use in all conditions.

Dislike #1: It’s heavier than the Cloudsurfer 3

The new Surreal foam used in the Cloudsurfer 3 is lighter than the Helion material used in past models, according to On, but the overall weight of the shoe has gone up considerably.

My US men’s size 9.5 weighs 10.8oz compared to 9.4oz for the Cloudsurfer 2 in the same size, likely because the shoe has more outsole coverage and more cushioning in the midsole, as well as a wider base.

This isn’t a big problem for me, because the Cloudsurfer 3 doesn’t feel heavy or cumbersome on the run thanks to its rockered ride, but it’s quite a noticeable change from the Cloudsurfer 2, and big fans of the older shoe might not take to the larger design.

Dislike #2: It’s not as versatile as some daily trainers

While I enjoyed using the Cloudsurfer 3 at easy, steady paces, it’s not a shoe I think will handle speed sessions all that well. That’s not really its job to be fair — it’s a cushioned shoe for comfortable cruising — but there are some terrific daily trainers that do offer more versatility.

The Asics Novablast 6 immediately springs to mind as a max-cushioned shoe that’s lighter and a bit livelier at fast paces than the Cloudsurfer 3, while the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is an incredibly light daily trainer that I found comfortable for long, easy runs and that can also handle speedwork well.

I think the Cloudsurfer 3 is competitive with other cushioned shoes in its category, like the Saucony Triumph 24 and Hoka Clifton Pro, but those looking for more of an all-rounder will be better served by a shoe like the Novablast 6.

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Apple’s latest watchOS 27 software is officially out and available for free download, as long as you have a compatible Apple Watch (more on that below). The new operating system adds all sorts of new health and fitness features, AI tools, and usability improvements.

I’ve been exploring watchOS 27 all day — loaded up on my Apple Watch Series 11 — and it’s a modest yet welcome improvement to watchOS 26. That said, there is one notable downside to upgrading.

Read on for everything you need to know about watchOS 27, including compatible models, installation steps, the seven coolest new features to try first, and more.

Which Apple Watches support watchOS 27?

Apple is generally pretty good about supporting older Apple Watch models with new software. Unfortunately, this time around, the list of models compatible with watchOS 27 is frustratingly short. It includes the latest Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 (duh), along with:

• Apple Watch SE 3
• Apple Watch Series 9
• Apple Watch Series 10
• Apple Watch Series 11
• Apple Watch Ultra 2
• Apple Watch Ultra 3

Most notably missing from the list is 2022’s original Apple Watch Ultra model

How to update to watchOS 27

To update your Apple Watch to watchOS 27, you’ll first need to update your paired iPhone to the latest iOS 27 software. After that, navigate to the Settings menu, either on your Apple Watch or via the Watch app for iPhone, and open General> Software Update.

You might need to reload the update screen a few times by swiping down, but an option to download the latest watchOS 27 should eventually appear. When it does, tap Download, punch in your passcode if prompted, accept the TOS, and wait…

Depending on your internet connection, the whole installation process could take up to several hours. One more thing: Ensure your Apple Watch is on its charger during the update process and keep your paired phone close.

7 new watchOS 27 feature to try first on Apple Watch

With watchOS 27 up and running on your Apple Watch, now it's time for the fun part: exploring all the cool new features. Here's what I recommend checking out first.

1. Siri AI with dedicated Siri app

Ladies and gentlemen, a true-blue AI-powered Siri is finally available on the Apple Watch. With watchOS 27, your Apple Watch now has a dedicated Siri AI app that supports a more conversational style of interaction. The voice is also more natural and expressive, making interactions feel less awkward.

Perhaps most importantly, Siri is now actually good at answering even complex, context-based questions. The question is, can Apple's on-wrist Siri AI compete with Google Gemini AI voice assistant (as found on the latest Pixel Watch 5)? I look forward to testing both head-to-head in a coming article.

2. The Dynamic App Grid

Meet your new default home screen, the Dynamic App Grid. When you press the Digital Crown once, your Apple Watch will automatically display your five most frequently used and/or relevant apps, saving you the effort of scrolling around. As the name suggests, these update dynamically throughout the day.

But what if the app you want isn't one of those five? Simply swipe down/scroll to view the full app view.

3. New Siri Modular watch face

Apple's latest Siri Modular watch face is a personal favorite. Highly customizable, it automatically displays a complication for quick access to the most recently used widget in your Smart Stack. Best of all, this complication also updates dynamically. The new watch face additionally offers a complication to open the Siri app with a tap.

Of course, users can further customize the appearance of the Siri Modular watch face to their heart's delight with the complications and time format of their choosing.

4. Single-tap gesture control to open Smart Stack

The latest watchOS 27 introduces a handy new way to open the Apple Watch's Smart Stack and select one of the dynamic widgets: The Single Tap gesture control. Apple launched the Double Tap gesture in 2026, where users press their index finger and thumb together twice on their watch-worn hand to perform an action, like answering a call.

The new Single Tap gesture works exactly the same way, minus the second tap.

5. Call Context and Smart Stack suggestions

Apple's AI-powered Siri shows up in more places than just the dedicated Siri app. For instance, two new features, Call Context and Smart Stack suggestions, use Siri to automatically surface relevant information on the watch display when it might be useful.

The Call Context feature is designed to display relevant details when brought up during a phone call. For example, if I casually mention an upcoming flight while chatting with my mom, Call Context should then show my itinerary on the Apple Watch screen for me to reference (stay tuned for testing).

Smart Suggestions, meanwhile, generates reminders in your Smart Stack for things you might otherwise overlook/miss, like a friend's birthday, a low balance on a transit card, changes to an upcoming flight departure, and more.

6. New Find My app

One of my favorite watchOS 27 improvements is the updated Find My app, where people, objects, and devices are all consolidated into one easy-to-navigate map view.

I love to travel and use AirTags to keep tabs on all my luggage and bags. Now, instead of having to pull out my phone to make sure that my suitcase actually made it back home to Seattle and isn't still chilling in Amsterdam, I simply need to tap on my Apple Watch a few times and glance down at my wrist.

7. Improved indoor workout tracking

Last but not least, workout tracking accuracy for indoor activities like walking and running should be improved with the latest watchOS 27 release. While I'm not much of a treadmill guy — I prefer to walk and run outdoors, weather be damned — you can count on us fully testing these claims in the coming weeks.

As a big fan of Apple's overall approach to on-wrist fitness tracking, any accuracy improvements are welcomed with open arms.

Now, if only Apple would provide individual step counts for logged workouts...

watchOS 27: Goodbye Walkie-talkie app

With the good comes the bad. While watchOS 27 is brimming with a lot of cool, new features and design improvements, Apple sadly killed off one fan-favorite app in the latest release: the Walkie-Talkie app for Apple Watch.

What are your thoughts on the new watchOS 27 software, and what features are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below.

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At 35 years old, I'm under no illusion that I'm "old" (what even counts as "old" these days?), but I am aware that I'm dangerously close to the perimenopausal years and the inevitable battle that comes with maintaining strength, mobility, bone density, lean muscle and a healthy metabolism as I steamroll toward my 40s.

So yes, you could say I'm more conscious than ever about how I train my body to stay strong and mobile against potentially raging hormonal shifts. I have definitely found myself tailoring my strength training toward longevity — something that has become a buzzword now, but wasn't a trend when I was exercising 10 years ago.

Welcome to the overhead squat. You probably know about it already, but maybe more as an out-and-out strength exercise, also often used with heavy dumbbells or barbells in sweaty CrossFit gyms. Did you know it's actually a pretty savvy lesson in building mobility, too? Here's why you need to try it, and why I want to put it in the spotlight.

How to do overhead squats

• Stand with your feet hip- or shoulder-width apart, depending on your mobility
• Extend your arms overhead with your shoulders pulled back and down, knitting together. Hold a set of light weights if you want to, or a prop like a yoga block
• Engage your core, stay tall through your spine and lift your chest
• Sit your hips back and lower into a squat as if sitting in a chair behind you. Try to keep your back straight, gaze forward and chest upright. Press through your big and little toes and heels
• Pause at the bottom of the squat without tipping forward, then press through your feet, legs and core to stand
• Continue for 3-4 sets and 6-10 reps.

For this variation, we're focusing solely on mobility because we want to improve movement and control through the thoracic spine, improve balance and stability, increase lower-body strength and upper-body engagement and build on squat depth.

This exercise also helps you reinforce squat technique, including shoulder position, engagement and the tripod foot position. For that reason, I haven't encouraged you to pick up heavy dumbbells or load up a barbell. For now, and for the sake of your mobility, focus on strengthening using your full range of motion and holding a prop or light weights to start with.

What are the benefits of overhead squats?

Longevity-focused training is about building and maintaining functional strength and lean muscle mass. Areas of fitness like balance, stability and control become focal so that you can exercise well into your later years with less chance of falls and injuries.

Surprisingly, some fitness components begin to decline in the mid-thirties. Muscle mass and bone density begin to decline; joints may become stiffer, and this has a knock-on effect on how well you move, not just how well you exercise.

This exercise can improve strength and mobility, meaning you won't just strengthen the muscles in your lower body that are used every day for walking and climbing; you'll also improve overall range of motion.

Aim for your thighs to be at least parallel to the ground at the bottom, and keep your shoulders pulled back, without the weights traveling forward or your chest dropping. You can start with your bodyweight or add a light set of adjustable dumbbells when you feel ready to lift weights.

It might take time to build the strength and mobility you need; opt for fewer reps or sets, or focus on simply practicing your form. If you experience pain, stop immediately and seek advice from a medical professional.

Over time, you should notice a stronger core and lower body, more range of motion around your hips, knees and ankles, better squats and a more stable, open upper body capable of supporting weight safely overhead. Not bad, right?

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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Like many female runners, I tend to avoid running in the dark, especially at 5 am. Yet, unlike a lot of tech journalists, I found myself needing to sneak in a marathon training session before Apple’s keynote last week. As I woke up at 5 am to meet a fellow running-mad colleague, I noticed one pretty key feature missing from the Apple Watch Ultra 4 — a flashlight.

Sure, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 has a flashlight that’ll allow you to stumble to the bathroom in the dark or plug your charger in without waking anyone else up, but unlike my friend’s Garmin Fenix 9 Pro, it’s not all that helpful in workout modes.

There’s one key difference between the flashlights on the two watches — the Apple Watch Ultra 4, like the Apple Watch Ultra 3 I had on my wrist, only lights up the screen. The Garmin Fenix 9 Pro, on the other hand, has a dedicated physical LED flashlight built into the watch housing. This was amazingly effective when lighting our way in the pitch-black on the San Francisco Bay Trail.

In an attempt to add to our visibility, I switched the flashlight on, but it wasn’t all that helpful, and unlike my colleague’s Garmin, I couldn't see my workout stats with the flashlight on.

Of course, this isn’t a problem I’ll encounter all that often, but it is one worth mentioning if you are deciding between the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro for an outdoor adventure. While the Apple Watch Ultra 4 offers far greater smartwatch capabilities, if you find yourself, like I did, training in the dark, you’ll probably want the Fenix 9 (or the Fenix 8, Epix Pro, or Forerunner 970) on your wrist.

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My personal training clients under 60 may not be thinking about their full-body stability, but I am. It’s incredibly important to start considering your overall balance well before you reach your senior years.

For that reason, dumbbell front rack reverse lunges are a go-to exercise for almost all of my clients in their 30’s and 40’s. This movement improves single-leg strength, trains the deepest muscles of our core, and can even promote better posture – all crucial elements that safeguard our stability as we get older.

If you’ve got a pair of dumbbells, you can give dumbbell front rack reverse lunges a try for yourself. It’s an exercise that’s beneficial for any age group.

How to do the dumbbell front rack reverse lunge

Discuss any new activity or workout with your doctor before proceeding. They may suggest alternatives based on your health history, or advise you to avoid certain movements or exercises.

The dumbbell front rack reverse lunge isn’t a complicated movement, but it may be a bit too advanced if you’re a total beginner. Consider meeting with a certified personal trainer for guidance. They can assess whether you’re ready for the exercise, offer modifications if needed, and give you progression options as you build strength.

You’ll just need two moderately heavy dumbbells for this exercise (check out the best adjustable dumbbells for working out at home here). A proper weight will allow you to do all of the reps in a set without needing to rest. If you can’t make it through a whole set without pausing, choose a lighter weight. If you can make it through a whole set without much effort, choose a heavier weight.

Start by doing 8-10 reps of the exercise on each side. Once that starts to feel easy, work up to 12-15 reps. Aim to do dumbbell front rack reverse lunges for 2-3 sets a few times per week. They can be done on their own or as a part of your lower body workouts.

You should feel muscle fatigue with this exercise, but never any sharp pain. If you feel sharp pain at any point, stop doing the exercise and meet with your doctor before trying it again.

Here’s how to do dumbbell front rack reverse lunges:

• Hold a dumbbell in each hand.
• Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
• Engage your core.
• Bring the dumbbells to a “front rack” position, right above your shoulders.
• Step your right foot behind you.
• Bend both knees and lower your right knee towards the floor.
• Stand up and step your right foot back to the starting position.
• Continue for 8-15 reps, then repeat with the left leg.

Benefits of dumbbell front rack reverse lunges

Dumbbell front rack reverse lunges may seem like a lower body exercise, but it actually trains your entire body.

You’ll strengthen your quads, hamstrings, glutes, and hip abductors and hip adductors with this movement. Because the exercise is done unilaterally (or one side at a time), you’ll work each leg independently from the other, which can improve muscle imbalances and single-leg power.

By holding the dumbbells at your shoulders, you’ll force your deep core muscles, like the transverse abdominis and internal obliques, to engage and stabilize your hips and spine. This trains the abdominals to better support your body during movement, and can lessen your risk of serious falls as you get older.

Your upper body will get some work as well, namely your trapezius and shoulders. These muscles work to keep the dumbbell in position, contributing to better upper body strength and endurance.

Modifications for dumbbell front rack reverse lunges

I rarely start a beginner with dumbbell front rack reverse lunges, so if you’ve just started to work out regularly, you may need to modify the exercise.

I suggest doing basic reverse lunges first. This will allow you to build the right level of strength in your lower body and improve overall coordination.

Once you’ve mastered the basic reverse lunge, you can hold dumbbells at your sides. This increases the load for your legs, but won’t demand as much effort from the core or upper body as the front rack position does.

When those start to feel easy, you can perform a single-arm dumbbell front rack reverse lunge, and then eventually, the standard version of the exercise. Remember, you should be able to complete all of the reps in a set without pausing to rest. Adjust your dumbbell weight as needed.

Progressions for dumbbell front rack reverse lunges

If you can perform 15 reps of dumbbell front rack reverse lunges without feeling fatigued, then you’ll need to make the exercise more challenging.

Using heavier dumbbells is the easiest way to progress the dumbbell front rack reverse lunge. As long as you can keep proper form throughout the exercise, you can keep going up in dumbbell weight. Keep in mind, though, that when you increase dumbbell weight, you may need to decrease your reps. Begin with 8 reps on each leg and increase your reps as you feel comfortable.

For an extra balance challenge, bring your moving leg to a 90-degree angle at the end of the movement instead of stepping back to the starting position. This will force your hips and core to work harder to maintain stability.

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AI chatbots are not your doctors. That's the advice out of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress, which has found that in up to a third of cases AI wrongly reassures sleep apnea patients that their symptoms don't require specialist help.

“I think it is concerning that people are turning to AI for diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders," says Dr. Carleara Weiss, Ph.D., MS, RN, and Sleep Science Advisor for Aeroflow Sleep. "AI is not a trained medical professional; therefore, people should not rely on it for advice on sleep apnea treatment or symptoms.”

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including snoring and fatigue, often go overlooked, resulting in under-diagnosis. Left untreated, OSA increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Study finds AI chatbots are wrongly reassuring sleep apnea patients

Research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Barcelona, Spain, found that when presented with sleep apnea symptoms, AI chatbots would at times discourage patients from seeking specialist help.

Obstructive sleep apnea is suspected to affect roughly 1 billion members of the population, yet it's thought that 80% of cases are undiagnosed. Diagnosis relies on referrals, with experts noting that patients tend to underreport their symptoms.

During the study, researchers found that when dealing with cooperative people, chatbots correctly advised finding specialist help.

But when patients pushed back or downplayed their symptoms, the AI model would change course. Instead of suggesting referral, they would offer lifestyle changes. This happened in over a quarter of conversations.

Researchers worry that when chatbots refuse to disagree, it will cause a delay in treatment.

4 signs of sleep apnea you should never ignore

Symptoms of OSA are rarely clean cut.

“Symptoms may look different across the lifespan, such as in children, women during pregnancy, or during the menopausal transition,” explains Dr. Weiss. “Thus, if you have concerns about your sleep, please seek medical advice from a specialist.”

However, there are some common signs that often indicate sleep apnea.

1. Loud snoring

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the soft tissue in your throat relaxing and blocking the airway. This results in breathing difficulties and often causes loud, persistent snoring.

If you share a bed, your partner is most likely to pick up on this symptom. If you sleep alone, keep an eye out for a dry mouth, morning headaches, and bad breath — common indicators of snoring.

2. Multiple nighttime awakenings

When the airway is blocked as a result of OSA, it causes oxygen levels to drop. This sends a panic signal to your brain, waking you up. These nighttime awakenings are often brief but they can sometimes result in a significant disturbance to your sleep.

3. Daytime sleepiness

If you go to bed on time, wake up eight hours later and still feel tired, it’s likely your sleep quality is suffering. OSA might be the culprit. Even short disruptions caused by OSA can prevent you from cycling through the sleep stages, meaning you miss out on the restorative sleep you need.

As a result, you spend the next day yawning, struggling to concentrate and feeling irritable.

4. Persistent fatigue

If you're experiencing long-term sleep deprivation with no clear cause, OSA may be the culprit.

“Speak with a healthcare professional and get a referral to a specialist as soon as possible," says Dr. Weiss. "Especially if symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, fatigue, brain fog, and irritability persist for more than 4 weeks, despite attempts to improve sleep.”

Can AI chatbots provide sleep health guidance?

For many, AI has become a tool to answer any question. And Dr. Weiss notes that these powerful systems can have benefits in certain medical settings.

“AI has specific, reliable uses in sleep research and clinical practice when medical, engineering, and computer science professionals with years of experience develop it,” she explains.

That’s not the same as asking Gemini for advice on your snoring. If you want to chat with a bot about your medical queries, Dr. Weiss urges caution.

“These platforms are not developed by sleep researchers; therefore, they lack medical accountability,” she explains.

“Their algorithms were not built to perform medical assessments or interpret nuanced signals of severe symptoms or other complications.”

Dr. Weiss further explains that an AI platform should never be the final word in health.

"The FDA-approved AI for sleep research and clinical treatment does not rule out the need for in-person treatment with a trained provider."

“AI should complement, not replace, medical consultation.”

I will always have a soft spot for the Saucony Triumph line because it was the shoe I used most when I first started running myself around 11 years ago.

However, the past few versions of the Triumph haven’t really hit the spot, lacking the energetic and fun feel of the best running shoes.

A significant update was needed, and that’s what has happened with the Saucony Triumph 24, which uses a new midsole foam called IncrediLUX that creates a much livelier ride than I experienced with the Triumph 22 and 23.

It’s still not as soft and springy as the Nike Vomero Plus or as smoothly-rockered as the Hoka Clifton Pro, but the Triumph 24 is a great cushioned option for daily training, and its balanced, traditional ride will suit a wide variety of runners well.

Saucony Triumph 24 review: Price and availability

The Saucony Triumph 24 launched in June 2026 and costs $170 in the U.S. and £170 in the U.K., which is a $10 price rise over the Triumph 23. Its price is in line with other cushioned favorites, though, like the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28, Hoka Clifton Pro and Nike Vomero Plus.

Saucony Triumph 24 review: Design and fit

The Saucony Triumph 24 is currently available in 10 colors in the men’s shoe and 14 in the women’s. Along with the standard shoe, there’s a wide model and a GTX version with a waterproof upper.

I found that the Triumph 24 fit me well in my normal running shoe size, the same size I’ve used for every version of the shoe I’ve tested.

The Triumph 24 weighs 9.6oz in my US men’s size 10, which is a 0.3oz drop in weight on the Triumph 23 despite the fact that the new shoe has a 6mm higher stack height of 43mm at the heel and 33mm at the forefoot. It sticks to the same 10mm drop.

Upper

The Triumph 24 has a mesh upper with padding on the tongue and collar, and an internal heel counter to add more structure at the back of the shoe.

It’s a pretty standard cushioned shoe upper all round, and I found it comfortable on all my runs, though not the most breathable, particularly under the thick tongue.

Midsole

The big update to the Triumph 24 is in the midsole, which is now made from a supercritical aliphatic TPU foam called IncrediLUX, instead of the PEBA-based PWRRUN PB foam used in the Triumph 22 and Triumph 23.

This new foam is lighter and softer than PWRRUN PB and delivers more energy return as well. It also feels less dense underfoot than PWRRUN PB and improves the ride of the Triumph 24 greatly compared with its predecessor.

Outsole

The Triumph 24 uses Saucony’s XT-900 carbon rubber to cover the forefoot and heel of the shoe, leaving the midfoot exposed.

I had no problems with grip during my testing, and the thick rubber covers the main impact areas on the bottom of the shoe, so it should be durable.

Saucony Triumph 24 review: Running performance

I used the Saucony Triumph 24 for a few weeks during my marathon training, racking up a lot of easy runs in the shoe along with a progression run and a 15-mile long run. I’ve tested the past 10 models of the Triumph, and I think the Triumph 24 is the best yet.

That’s all down to the IncrediLUX midsole, which delivers a great balance of comfort, control and energy return. It’s not as soft and springy as some shoes, but the Triumph 24 cushions landings nicely at the heel, then puts a bit of pep in your step as you roll through to the forefoot.

Although it’s pretty light for a cushioned shoe, it’s not ideal for speedwork — I’d use the Triumph 24 in a running shoe rotation with faster options for workouts. That’s not unusual for a cushioned shoe like this, though, which is primarily built for easy, steady training runs.

I was using the Triumph 24 during relatively high-mileage weeks as I ramped up my marathon training and often turned to it for recovery runs the day after a workout; it’s great for those recovery runs, providing enough comfort for tired legs while still ticking over nicely.

Should you buy the Saucony Triumph 24?

If you’re in the market for a comfortable daily trainer, the Triumph 24 ranks among my top options, especially if you prefer a more traditional, straightforward ride.

Rivals include the Nike Vomero Plus, which has a wilder, bouncier feel that I love on easy runs, and the Hoka Clifton Pro, which is more rockered than the Triumph and very smooth, rolling you from heel to toe.

I’d also consider the Asics Novablast 6 as a lighter, cheaper and more versatile daily trainer that’s also highly cushioned if you’re looking for one shoe to handle all your runs, because the Triumph 24 is a bit sluggish for speed sessions.

If you need more support on the run but like the sound of the Triumph, the Saucony Hurricane 26 is the equivalent stability shoe in the brand’s line-up, and it also uses IncredLUX foam.

Overall, it’s great to see the Triumph return to form, and it manages to bring in a modern-feeling superfoam to its midsole without straying too far from the ride feel that made it so popular in the first place.

Age comes for us all. In my case, it came in the form of a very active 7-year-old, who insisted that I lift her up by her arms each time a wave rolled in at the beach. As I lifted her up, she would jump and raise her legs in the air, so the water would flow safely beneath, and only then would she splash down into the sea.

It was all part of a delightful few days at the Jersey shore in the waning days of August. The sun wasn’t too hot, the water was warm, and the wind was gentle. However, those hours spent lifting my daughter up above the waves came with a price.

Back at the house, I bent down to pick up my beach towel, and that’s when everything went to hell. My lower left back suddenly gave out, and I felt pain like I hadn’t felt since I smashed my foot against my dresser in the middle of the night.

I had a hard time straightening my back, and any time I tried to move from sitting to standing, my muscles just wouldn’t cooperate. I didn’t walk so much as shuffle, and my back felt like it was bent more than an elderly grandmother with a walker.

Over the following days, I did a number of back stretches to alleviate the pain, and they helped somewhat. It wasn’t until I got back home that I found the real answer.

A year or two ago, I picked up the Theragun Prime Plus massage gun, but hadn’t really used it much. I know massage guns work well, but I always considered them an extravagance and never incorporated them into my post-workout routines. But, in my desperation, I pulled it out of its dust-flecked case and trained it on my back.

Friends, I tell you that it delivered instant relief. On its lowest setting, the Prime Plus went to work on my back, and immediately, I started to feel things loosen up. I then switched to the Prime Plus heated head, which made things oh so much better. It was like getting a massage and a heating pad in one. I made some pretty weird sounds as the pain in my back magically dissolved.

Because of the location of my aches and pains, it was a bit tricky for me to reach my lower back myself. I ultimately asked my spouse for help while I lay on my stomach, and she ran the massage gun over the affected areas. A few sessions over the next day or so, the pain in my back was completely gone. I can now see why Theragun's devices rank well on our list of the best massage guns.

The Theragun Prime Plus is the company's mid-tier full-body massage gun. If you can live without the heated bit, the Theragun Prime is on sale as of this writing for $249, down from its regular price of $329. At the higher end is the Pro Plus, which not only has a heated percussive head but also has a near-infrared LED light to really get your healing on. However, it costs $599 (regularly $649), so it's a bit more of a spend.

Yes, I need to follow the advice of our wonderful fitness team and do more core exercises to strengthen my lower back, plus there's this 90-second stretch recommended by physical therapists. Still, it’s good to know I have an option if things go awry again.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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If you’re like me and sometimes struggle to remember names and other small bits of information on the fly, despite your best attempts, this article is for you.

At best, this shortcoming can lead to awkwardness; at worst, utter embarrassment. But what if some magical bit of tech solved this issue once and for all? Enter: Apple’s new Live Rewind feature for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.

I’ve long dreamed of being important/wealthy enough to have a team of assistants that follow me around, whispering crucial details in my ear before I need them… like names of acquaintances. Unfortunately, rather than pursuing a career in politics or entertainment, my calling was journalism, an occupation where you’re very much your own assistant (and editor, photographer, etc.).

No worries; Apple has my back. Here’s why I’m super-excited to try out the Live Rewind Audio Intelligence feature on the new Apple Watch 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.

At last, a smartwatch feature for the short-term memory-challenged

The whole concept behind Live Rewind is to allow users to easily and discreetly relisten to short snippets of conversations they may have missed, immediately after-the-fact. When active, Live Rewind continuously records the past 15 seconds of ambient sound from your wrist.

When you want to rewind and listen in on something that was just said, you simply need to double-tap the digital crown and hold your smartwatch to your ear (or simply listen if you’re wearing paired Bluetooth headphones).

Not only do I see this feature being useful when meeting new people and trying to remember names, but also in the presence of fast-talking servers at restaurants, when asking for directions from strangers, or when trying to recall book/movie/TV recommendations from friends.

How does Live Rewind actually work?

How exactly does Live Rewind on the Apple Watch work? The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 sport an upgraded S11 processor, which unlocks the ability to continually buffer up to 15 seconds of audio capture, day and night.

In addition to being able to play back 15 seconds of audio at a moment’s notice, the feature can generate a transcription of the audio — something I appreciate as a visual learner — as well. Users can even save said transcription for later.

Privacy isn’t an afterthought

The idea of having your smartwatch continuously record your surroundings 24/7 might seem a bit unsettling, and frankly, it is. However, Cupertino has put several actions in place to guarantee the privacy of anyone recorded by the latest Audio Intelligence tools.

For starters, the latest Apple Watches don’t actually save any audio files, on the device or in the cloud. Every 15 seconds of buffered audio is continuously replaced by new audio. Furthermore, the feature never identifies individual speakers (for better or worse). Finally, all the data used for this feature is encrypted end-to-end.

So, what are your thoughts on Apple’s new Live Rewind feature for the Apple Watch 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4? Is this something you might benefit from? Do you have any hesitations? Let me know in the comments.

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• Apple Watch Ultra 4 first impressions: 5 reasons to buy and 2 reasons to skip Apple’s new rugged model
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I am lucky enough to travel for work, and recently, I flew out to Olea All Suite in Zakynthos for a work fitness trip. As a trainer, fitness editor and all-round fitness nerd, I like to keep my routine up while I'm away, plus exercise helps me boost mindfulness when I'm very busy, so I was curious about what facilities would be available.

Luckily, I had more than enough gym equipment to play with, but that's not the case for everyone, everywhere, all the time, so I decided to create a short but effective three-move bodyweight workout you can do with just one of the best yoga mats and nothing else.

I teach a lot of people in their 50s and 60s, and while some of these clients love the gym, others want to exercise at home with little gym equipment, so building functional strength can take a "back to basics" approach, which is exactly what this workout does.

Ready? Me too, let's get stuck in.

Watch: 3-move bodyweight workout you can try anywhere

Resistance training is your anti-aging weapon for healthier joints and stronger muscles as you get older. Plus, with hormonal shifts, your metabolism can also take a bit of a dive later in life, so the more lean muscle mass you have, the faster your resting metabolism can become.

These tried-and-tested bodyweight exercises can be made more beginner-friendly or challenging, and you can add weights if you have them to further increase the load. If you don't have equipment, adjust the reps, sets, or tempo to add more work.

If you experience pain at any time, stop and rest. If you're working with an injury or health condition, I recommend seeking advice before starting these exercises.

The routine

Reps: 2/4/6/8/10...

Timer: 10 minutes.

Set a timer, then complete 2 reps of each exercise back-to-back. Rest for no more than 10 seconds, then repeat for 4 reps per exercise. Move through as many rounds, adding 2 reps to each move each time.

• Pike push-ups: Start in a downward dog, then walk your feet a few inches closer to your hands. Engage your core and softly bend your knees if you have tight hamstrings. Shift your weight forward slightly, then bend your elbows and lower the crown of your head until it touches the ground just in front of your hands. Press up and push back into the downward dog position. To begin with, you could place a cushion or some blocks in front of your hands to make things easier.
• Push-ups: Start in a high plank position with your shoulders directly over your wrists. You could place your knees down for extra support. Engage your core, then bend your elbows and lower your chest toward the mat. Pause at the bottom, then press the ground away to return to your starting position. For an extra challenge, release your hands from the ground at the bottom of the push-up, while keeping your stomach, hips and thighs lifted.
• V-ups: Lie on your back with your arms and legs extended. Engage your core and tuck your chin slightly. Lift your arms and legs into the air to touch overhead, peeling your shoulders away from the mat with control. Pause, then lower to the ground again. If this feels too challenging, bend your knees and tuck them toward your chest as you sit up, or alternate with one arm and the opposite leg, then switch sides.

What are the benefits?

Here are some benefits:

Pike push-ups imitate an overhead press without weights. Instead, you create a vertical downward position for your body, then use your body weight and resistance against gravity to create load. This move works your upper body and core hard, particularly your shoulders, upper chest, upper back and triceps. You might not think it, but you could actually start on your knees and practice the pike, or elevate them if you prefer.

Push-ups are perhaps the most well-known upper-body bodyweight exercise. You'll work your pecs, triceps and shoulders and use your core for stability. You can use your knees to begin with, but before you try full-range push-ups, ensure you can lower your chest to the ground for full range of motion. This keeps the muscles under tension for longer and helps build functional upper-body strength.

V-ups are primarily a core exercise, working the deeper stabilizing muscles of your core, as well as your abs and obliques. However, you'll also feel this move in your hip flexors, quads and hamstrings. Some people feel this move a little in the arms and upper back as well. You'll need an existing amount of core strength and mobility to drive this exercise, so if you find it too difficult, alternate with one arm and leg or bend your knees to crunch instead.

I don't subscribe to the idea that the exercises or routines you enjoy must change just because the number on your birthday card does. I still train my dad in the gym, and he's deadlifting 100kg at 72 years old. However, what matters are your levels of fitness, any health conditions, injuries, or illnesses, and your preferences.

Firstly, compound exercises that are both functional and progressive should be a top priority. Think your standard overhead press, squats, push-ups, bench presses, lunges and step-ups. Resistance training can be done using your bodyweight and weights, but whichever you choose, aim for an intensity that feels close to failure with the last few reps challenging to finish.

Try to move your joints through their range of motion in a variety of patterns while loading muscles using any form of resistance. Motion is lotion, so keeping your body moving in ways that feel natural will help improve functional strength and mobility.

The more you move throughout the day, the better you can also balance and stabilize; the more you load your bones and muscles, the stronger they get. You might still enjoy some higher-intensity exercise in your 50s and beyond, but low-impact movement can offer brilliant benefits. Think of the strength, flexibility and power you can build in yoga, or the core stability, posture and balance Pilates offers.

Before you consider adding weights, focus on the fullest range of movement and really squeezing the working muscles at the top of each rep. Control is essential, so prioritize your form and speed. And remember, you might not notice the progress straight away, but over time, you'll see huge benefits in how your body moves, adapts and responds.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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