The Christmas Fitness Gadgets Everyone Is Side-Eyeing in January

Jan 12
4 min read

Oh dear God.

It’s January again.

Which means the internet is flooded with the same question, just dressed up in new packaging:

“Do I need this to get healthy?”

Last year it was the weighted vest.

This year it’s vibration plates and rebounders.

And listen — maybe I should’ve written this before Christmas so your husband didn’t waste his money on something that’s about to collect dust in the corner of your basement.

If he still has the receipt…Take it back.Go buy some weights instead.I promise — he won’t care.

Let’s Talk About the Fitness Gadgets

This whole conversation started because a friend texted me:

“Do you use a vibration plate? Any brand you recommend?”

And I thought maybe she was in my computer because I was already writing an Instagram post about this!

Here was my honest answer:

Rebounders.Vibration plates.Weighted vests.

I’m sure they’re fine.

But I work with women who:

Don’t have time for complicated wellness routines
Are already maxed out mentally and physically
And absolutely do not need another thing taking up space

And let’s be honest:

15 minutes on a rebounder is not better than 15 minutes of lifting.

Walking with a weighted vest is not better than lifting.

Vibration plates?

Please stop.

If you want something that actually changes your body, invest in weights.

We don’t need more accessories. We need more muscle.

If you aren’t lifting weights, the rebounder, vibration plate, and vest are not upgrades —they’re distractions.

And honestly? A waste of your money.

“But What About Lymphatic Health?”

This is usually where people pause — and it’s a fair question.

My friend followed up and said she was considering a vibration plate because she felt like she was having lymphatic issues… likely from sitting at her desk all day.

And here’s the truth:

That happens all the time.

But you don’t need a $500 vibrating machine to fix it.

Simple things that actually help lymphatic flow:

Standing and changing positions during the day
Getting up every 30–60 minutes
Legs up the wall for 5 minutes
Slow, deep belly breathing while you’re there

For lymphatic flow, we want: muscle contraction, impact + release, and breathing.

I’m also cautious with vibration plates because for some women, they can trigger a histamine-type reaction. So I usually steer people toward actual movement instead.

Want something cheap and effective? A jump rope.30–60 seconds here and there can be insanely helpful — and it costs about $10.

Big Rocks vs. Pebbles

This is where most people get stuck.

In health and fitness, there are BIG ROCKS — and there are pebbles.

Pebbles are flashy.

Pebbles are trendy.

Pebbles promise shortcuts.

But they don’t move the needle.

The big rocks?

Lifting weights
Walking regularly
Eating enough protein
Sleeping
Getting vitamin D
Managing stress (as best as possible in real life)

If those aren’t in place, no gadget is going to save you.

Now — let’s say you are:

Lifting consistently
Walking daily
Eating protein
Sleeping your face off
Doing the basics

And you have extra time and extra money?

Even then…I still wouldn’t recommend a vibration plate or rebounder.

If I Had Unlimited Money…

If money were no object, here’s what I’d add:

More weights.

A sauna. (I LOVE mine!)

And honestly?

A chef.

Or at least someone to handle laundry and cooking.

What would I not buy?

A rebounder.

A vibration plate.

Nope.

Not now.

Not ever.

The return on investment just isn’t there. Here’s What I Would Tell You to Do Instead

If you’re reading this thinking,“Okay fine… but what should I do?”

Here’s my answer:

If you’re not lifting weights yet —start there.

And if you want it simple, affordable, and zero-guesswork:

👉 Take the gadget back. Buy weights. Grab one of my challenges for just $14 — and get lifting.

That’s it.

No fluff.

No accessories.

No dust-collecting equipment.

Just the thing that actually works.

Are vibration plates effective?

Vibration plates aren’t harmful for most people, but they’re not a replacement for strength training. They don’t build muscle the way lifting weights does, and for some women they can cause unwanted reactions like dizziness or histamine-type symptoms.

Do rebounders help with weight loss or lymphatic drainage?

Rebounders can be fine for light movement, but they don’t outperform strength training. For lymphatic flow, muscle contraction, impact, and breathing matter more — which you can get from walking, lifting, or even short jump-rope sessions.

Is a weighted vest worth it?

A weighted vest can be useful after you’re already lifting consistently. If you’re not strength training yet, a vest is not the best place to start and won’t replace the benefits of lifting weights.

What actually matters most for changing your body?

Building muscle.

Consistent strength training.

Adequate protein.

Daily movement.

Sleep.

Those are the big rocks. Gadgets are optional — and often unnecessary.

What’s the best beginner option if I want to start lifting?

A simple, structured program with dumbbells — not a gadget. Start with a plan that tells you what to do and how often then have a coach who teaches you how to progress your lifts.

Why do you recommend lifting over gadgets?

Because lifting weights improves metabolism, bone density, muscle mass, hormone health, and longevity. Gadgets don’t come close to that return.