Tag Archives: healthy

Top 10 Kitchen Appliances To Prepare Healthy Meals & Achieve Your Fitness Goals In 2024

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I honestly don’t approve of the word ‘health freak’ because it seems like a negative term used for those who genuinely and wholeheartedly want to focus on their holistic health and dedicate time and energy to bettering it. Of course, there are always a few people who take dedication to a whole other unhealthy level, but I do believe most of us have good intentions and balanced mindsets when it comes to taking care of our diet and health. I prefer the term ‘health nerd’ for this crowd, and if you’re a health nerd who has decided to not only consume but cook your healthy everyday meals, then you’ve reached the right spot. In an attempt to support your cooking plan and help you eat better, we’ve curated a collection of kitchen appliances that make healthy cooking easy and simple.

1. The Cheat Sheets

These oven-safe, non-stick silicone dividers are called the Cheat Sheets, and they are created to transform and elevate oven cooking. They convert a single baking tray into a multi-compartment cooking surface, which lets you prepare multiple dishes in one go while retaining their distinctive flavor.

Why is it noteworthy?

The innovative Cheat Sheets divide a single sheet pan into a multi-portion culinary canvas, which can hold six small or three large portions. The Cheat Sheets are a great option for preparing family meals or for your weekly meal planning. In fact, if you have multiple Cheat Sheets, you can prepare healthy baked meals with real efficiency and control.

What we like

  • Lets you cook multiple dishes in one tray simultaneously
  • It can prepare various portion sizes, which is great for family or individual meals

What we dislike

  • The sheets are made from silicone which can easily get covered with dust and grease, creating a sticky surface if not used regularly

2. Cookmate

This innovative and handy kitchen appliance is called the Cookmate, and it is designed to be all-in-one. You can use the Cookmate for prep, cooking, and serving. It has a modular design with stackable pieces that let it function as a crock pot, pan, or steam – supporting various healthy cooking techniques.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Cookmate is an induction cooktop that focuses on every aspect of the cooking process. It sees the cooking process as something that progresses from ingredient to table. This allows Cookmate to be universally applicable, allowing you to save energy, effort, and space with other vessels.

What we like

  • Equipped with an integrated weighing scale
  • It can be split into 6 parts

What we dislike

  • It is a concept, so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product

3. Good Grips Salad Dressing Shaker

If you’re trying to eat healthy, then one of the best and easiest dishes you can prepare is a salad! And if you’re ready to chop up a delicious salad, then you may want to consider this shaker and pourer by OXO. It is a smart modern solution that helps you churn up some yummy dressing without making a major mess in your kitchen.

What we like

The shaker features a wide top that you can unscrew to add and mix up ingredients like vinegar, oil, onions, garlic, and mayonnaise to prepare a delicious dressing. The cup has measurements in milliliters and ounces to support easy and efficient measuring.

What we like

  • It is a leakproof design, ensuring there are no spills
  • Besides dressing, you can use it to prepare and serve sauces and marinades

What we dislike

  • The shaker seems to be a bit fragile and easily breakable, so needs to be handled with care

4. Plate Grater

This extraordinary little grate perfectly merges a plate’s functionality with a grater’s practicality. It is shaped like a round little plate and is designed to be set on the table, rather than being used up in the air. The Plate Grater is excellent for grating fresh garnishing for your meals, or some wasabi for your sushi.

Click Here to Buy Now: $65

Why is it noteworthy?

The grater/plate design is known for its dual functionality, as it serves as both an effective grater and a stylish plate. It is not only aesthetically pleasing but is also excellent for grating fresh ingredients at the table, adding a refined gourmet touch to your food.

What we like

  • You can grate fresh garnishing onto your meals
  • Adds a gourmet touch to your meals

What we dislike

  • Users may not be accustomed to its dual purpose, so it may require a period of adjustment

5. 4T7 Smart Chopping Board

Called the 4T7 Smart Chopping Board, this innovative kitchen appliance is designed to simplify every stage of meal prep and help beyond it as well. It is made up of different parts, which come together to form a creative and united product that can help you in your quest for healthy eating.

Why is it noteworthy?

The chopping board is equipped with 4 distinct parts, one of which is a built-in weight scale. The 4T7 also has an accompanying smartphone app that counts calories as you weigh your ingredients. Once the prep work has been completed, the digital display can also function as a kitchen timer.

What we like

  • The board’s different components are designed to be functional and independent elements as well
  • Works great for fruits, veggies, and meats

What we dislike

  • Count calories precisely, which can get users unhealthily addicted to counting calories at all times

6. Playful Palm Grater

Dubbed the Playful Palm Grater, this playful and amusing little product is created to add some functional fun to your kitchen and dining experience. It will fit snugly into the palm of your hand, grating some fresh garnishings into your food, and adding a gourmet touch to your everyday meals.

Click Here to Buy Now: $25

Why is it noteworthy?

The Playful Palm Grater is a charming little product that resembles a curled piece of paper. It is made from a single aluminum alloy plate and is available in vibrant color options, so you can pick the one that best suits your kitchen/dining space.

What we like

  • Has a unique and minimal form that offers a firm grip
  • Transforms the simple act of grating into something convenient, fun, and playful

What we dislike

  • It has a pretty small size, so you can’t use it to grate large amounts of food

7. Electric Chopsticks

Electric Chopsticks Design

These electric chopsticks are an interesting project by Kirin Holdings and the Miyashita Laboratory (Meiji University Dr. Homei Miyashita Laboratory of the Department of Frontier Media Science, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences). It includes a chopstick device that is equipped with an electrical stimulation waveform that can customize and adjust the taste of low-sodium food.

Why is it noteworthy?

These innovative chopsticks are designed to make low-sodium food tasty, you can enjoy food with low-sodium content, allowing you to take better care of your health. These chopsticks are an excellent option for those who need to go on a low-sodium diet.

What we like

  • Adds a sense of saltiness to low-sodium food
  • Uses a weak electrical current to transmit sodium ions from the food to your mouth

What we dislike

  • It’s still in the prototype stage, not an actual product yet, so we don’t know how it will turn out to be

8. Joseph Joseph Salad Bowl & Servers Set

We’ve found another great tool, if you’re trodding down the path of healthy eating, and want to prepare some quick and tasty salads. Joseph Joseph and Element Studio teamed up to create this minimal and smart salad bowl and servers set. It is a space-saving design, that seamlessly merges both products into one nifty product, creating a clever combination of functionality and form.

Why is it noteworthy?

The bowl and servers set are excellent for preparing some salad, while also occupying minimal space on your dining table or kitchen drawers. They offer an exciting take on an ordinary salad bowl, and a rather mundane servers set. They make preparing and serving salads an interesting and fun experience.

What we like

  • Ingeniously merges two products into one
  • Space-saving design that will occupy minimum space in your kitchen and dinner table

What we dislike

  • There seem to be no diverse options in colors and sizes, limited choice

9. Fresh Fridge

Meet the Fresh Fridge by Tati Feruccio. It is designed to help you eat more mindfully, and ditch the latest trendy diets, for something that is sustainable and manageable. The smart refrigerator analyzes the user’s eating and health habits to portion and plan out healthy meals from them throughout the day. It features a digital interface, right above the fridge.

Why is it noteworthy?

The innovative digital interface displays cooking recipes and interesting facts. It is like a personal cooking show for the multiple meals throughout the day! There is also a space for meal preparation that makes following recipes from the screen super easy and simple.

What we like

  • Supports and encourages mindful eating over following trendy and unsustainable fad diets
  • Features an integrated digital interface

What we dislike

  • We don’t know how precisely the fridge will analyze portions, and how well would they work for users

10. STEAMIE

Named STEAMIE, this kitchen appliance reintroduces steam into mainstream cooking! It can cook food without diluting or compromising on the flavor, providing you with healthy food, that is not only rich in nutrients but also pretty delicious. It is a tabletop appliance that will present you with food that is nutritious and delicious.

Why is it noteworthy?

STEAMIE is equipped with a built-in scale that lets you measure your food before you cook it. It also features a bamboo-wood lid that functions as a cutting board for food prep. You can watch your food being prepared via the frosted-acrylic food bowl, while an intuitive display lets you input and check prep times.

What we like

  •  Utilizes a unique turbo convection method to rapidly steam-cook the food

What we dislike

  • Bulky and heavy form that will occupy substantial space on your kitchen counter or dining table

The post Top 10 Kitchen Appliances To Prepare Healthy Meals & Achieve Your Fitness Goals In 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 kitchen appliances you need to cook a healthy + balanced meal everyday

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I hate the word ‘health freak’ because it is truly a negative term coined for those who genuinely and sincerely decide to focus on and dedicate time and energy to their holistic health. Of course, there are always a few people who take dedication to a whole other unhealthy level, but I do believe most of us have good intentions and balanced mindsets when it comes to taking care of our diet and health. I prefer the term ‘health nerd’ for this crowd, and if you’re a health nerd who has decided to not only consume but cook your own healthy everyday meals, then you’ve reached the right spot. And in an attempt to support your cooking plan and help you eat better, we’ve curated a collection of kitchen appliances that makes healthy cooking easy and simple. From a steam oven that makes healthy cooking easy and accessible to a smart fridge that helps you achieve portion control – these super cool kitchen appliances will help you achieve the health regime you’ve been dreaming of!

1. The Cookmate

The Cookmate is a rather innovative and nifty kitchen appliance that is all-in-one. It can be used for prep, cooking, and serving. It features a modular design with stackable pieces that allow the cooktop to function as a pan, crock pot, or even a steamer – providing you with a variety of healthy cooking techniques.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Cookmate looks at the cooking process as something that goes from idea to ingredient to table. Rather than focusing on just the cooking, this induction cooktop (although it seems highly reductive to call it just that) considers every aspect of the cooking process. This isn’t just clever, holistic design thinking, it also helps the Cookmate be more universally applicable so you save effort, energy, and space with other utensils.

What we like

  • Features an integrated weighing scale
  • Can be split into 6 parts

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

2. BORA x BO Flex Oven

BORA’s BORA x BO flex oven is an excellent companion to help you prepare your everyday healthy meals. It is the dream smart oven you’ve been looking for, that automates and takes care of many parts of your daily cooking process, allowing you to fully focus on preparing and enjoying your healthy meal.

Why is it noteworthy?

Cooking is a multi-step process that may feel overwhelming for some, especially when they think about the cleanup they have to do afterward. Ovens, in particular, are notorious for being hard to clean, especially to get rid of odors. Keeping tabs on the food’s temperature and making sure you don’t stink up the whole house are tiring jobs in themselves, and you’ll be forgiven if you wished that ovens were smart enough to do that themselves. The BORA X BO is, thankfully, and it makes the cooking process a lot less burdensome, especially for the parts you might have taken for granted.

What we like

  • Simplifies and streamlines the cooking process
  • You can set it to automatic and let the oven do the heavy lifting for you

What we dislike

  • Not a great option for tiny compact kitchens

3. The Panasonic HomeCHEF 7-in-1 Compact Oven

The Panasonic HomeCHEF 7-in-1 Compact Oven has functions such as Steam and Steam Convection – great for those who want to dip their toes into healthy cooking.  These two promise healthier dishes since they’re able to preserve more nutrients compared to other cooking methods. That brings the number of functions to seven (hence the name), including Air Fry, Convection Bake, Slow Cook, Sanitize, and Ferment.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Panasonic HomeCHEF 7-in-1 Compact Oven is expanding its size and its features in order to also expand the number of healthy dishes one can prepare at home. Although it doesn’t completely remove the work that needs to be done to prepare these meals (not to mention the cleanup afterward), it tries to reduce the number of cooking appliances you have to juggle. It’s easy enough to downplay these conveniences, but the ease of use and reducing the friction to get started go a long way in setting people on the right track to healthier living.

What we like

  • The Steam and Steam Convection functions preserve more nutrients compared to other cooking methods

What we dislike

  • Not exactly a compact design, since its larger compared to its siblings, in order to accommodate the more spacious 20L capacity, and bigger 800ml water tank

4. SOT

SOT is a unique humidifier that sprays humidity in an upward manner and lets you rotate and turn the nozzle in different directions so that steam can be let out at particular angles. It spurts the spray in a rather amusing and fun fashion!

Why is it noteworthy?

What makes SOT really special, however, is its design and the source of that design’s inspiration: a pressure cooker. Both appliances do make use of water and let out steam, though for different purposes. More than just the similarity in process, though, SOT brings a sense of familiarity and comfort in seeing a product that they already know how to operate. It isn’t by coincidence that you use this humidifier exactly like you would a rice or pressure cooker.

What we like

  • Inspired by a pressure cooker
  • Makes a simple process like humidifying fun!

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

5. The LetPot LPH-Max

The LetPot LPH-Max is a tabletop planter that makes gardening at home super easy, even for those who don’t have a green thumb and end up killing most of their plants. The LetPot LPH-Max takes control of the entire plant’s cultivation cycle, from seed to sprout to harvest… and it does so without any soil!

Why is it noteworthy?

The LetPot LPH-Max is a smart hydroponic plant cultivator that works entirely autonomously. It provides the plant with the water and nutrition it needs and even comes with an automatic sun-mimicking LED panel that gives the plants the light they need to photosynthesize. This effectively streamlines the entire growth process so there’s no soil or dirt involved, and you don’t even need to keep the plants in a well-lit area.

What we like

  • You don’t need to worry about tending to your kitchen garden because the LPH-Max does it all for you
  • The LetPot LPH-Max can handle growing up to 21 plant pods simultaneously across a variety of flower, herb, and leafy green species

What we dislike

  • The design is restricted to 21 pots, not allowing for growth for interested users

6. The 4T7 Smart Chopping Board

The 4T7 Smart Chopping Board is meant to help simplify every stage of meal prep and go beyond it as well. Made up of different parts, all the components of the chopping board come together to create a rather innovative, united, and creative product.

Why is it noteworthy?

The 4T7 breaks meal prep into its different components, adding good design and tech wherever necessary. The board comes with 4 distinct parts, a main bamboo chopping board, a secondary silver-ion anti-bacterial board for veggies to prevent cross-contamination, a third heat-conducting defrosting tray that helps rapidly thaw frozen foods, and lastly, the 4T7’s base, which has its own built-in weighing scale. The only part of the 4T7 experience to exist outside the actual board is its smartphone app, which counts calories as you weigh your ingredients. Once your prep work is done, the digital display on the 4T7 can also function as a kitchen timer, while the board itself becomes a magnetic knife holder.

What we like

  • All of 4T7’s components are designed to be wonderfully functional as independent items
  • The board works equally well for fruits/veggies as well as for meats

What we dislike

  • It precisely counts calories for you, which isn’t always the best route to healthy eating, since many users can get unhealthily hooked on counting calories

7. Electric Chopsticks

Electric Chopsticks

Electric Chopsticks Information

Chopstick innovations and redesigns have been presented, but nothing like this project introduced together by Kirin Holdings and the Miyashita Laboratory (Meiji University Dr. Homei Miyashita Laboratory of the Department of Frontier Media Science, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences). The chopstick device comes with an electrical stimulation waveform that together works to adjust the taste of low-sodium food.

Why is it noteworthy?

The chopsticks can make low-sodium food taste salty. So you can enjoy the food more but sans the high sodium content. This idea can benefit those who need to go on a low-sodium diet. Right now, chopsticks can be used, but other utensils can also take advantage of the system. Salty taste enhancement is possible with electrical stimulation on a utensil. With the goal of improving the electric taste sensation, more people can enjoy what they eat even with reduced salt.

What we like

  • The device uses a weak electrical current in transmitting sodium ions from the food to the mouth
  • Creates a sense of saltiness

What we dislike

  • It’s still in the prototype stage

8. The Maruzara

Shaped like a small round plate instead of the typical rectangular sheet of metal, this grater is meant to sit on the table rather than be held up in the air like almost all other graters. Its small design makes it perfect to be placed right on the table, and the unique pattern of the blades gives it a distinctive look even when it’s just sitting unused.

Why is it noteworthy?

That blade arrangement isn’t just for show, though. Unlike a regular grater with rows of blades, you make circular movements to grate ingredients. Rather than falling through holes, the grated pieces accumulate at the sides in full, fluffy lumps. The repetitive action, rather than being tiring and burdensome, becomes almost a mindful practice that puts you in the moment.

What we like

  • Comes with a silicon rubber base that stops it from slipping on the table while you make your circling motions

What we dislike

  • It’s designed primarily for wasabi and daikon radish, making it a bit limited
  • Some people may prefer the form and structure of a traditional grater

9. Xia’s Food Cleaner

This product concept for a fruit and vegetable cleaner helps out water in removing these harmful pesticides. While rinsing them under the faucet is the default action, sometimes you need a little extra help.

Why is it noteworthy?

This cleaner has an ultrasonic transmitter that produces hydroxy ions to help sterilize our food without needing to add any more materials in the purification process. This will supposedly remove not just the pesticides but any dirt residue that may still be there, especially if the food is pretty fresh.

What we like

  • There are no chemicals or raw materials added to it
  • Destroys the molecular structures of the pesticides and the oxidation also kills the bacteria without affecting the shape and structure of the food

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

10. The Fresh Fridge

Ditching trendy diets for mindful eating, the Fresh Fridge designed by Tati Feruccio is paired with an array of technical features that encourage a health-conscious lifestyle. The Fresh Fridge is a sort of smart refrigerator that analyzes each user’s distinct eating and health habits to portion out nutritious meals throughout the day. The main technical detail that stands out is the Fresh Fridge’s digital interface that’s located just above the small refrigerator.

Why is it noteworthy?

Broadcasting mindful facts and cooking recipes from its screen, the digital interface is like your own personal cooking show for various meals throughout the day. Just below the interface, allocated space for meal preparation feels intuitive and makes following along with recipes while chopping up produce items easier than ever before.

What we like

  • Encourages mindful eating over trendy short-term diets
  • An integrated digital interface

What we dislike

  • We don’t know how well would the fridge’s analyzed portions work for everyone

The post Top 10 kitchen appliances you need to cook a healthy + balanced meal everyday first appeared on Yanko Design.

The key to a healthier diet starts by redesigning the refrigerator.

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“Displaying vegetables and fruits makes me remember to eat them”, said one of the target users in an interview with designer Tati Ferrucio while she was developing The Fresh Fridge.

The Fresh Fridge relooks the very brief of the refrigerator. Most fridges are designed to perform one prime function – keeping your food fresh for long. The Fresh Fridge, however, also considers other aspects like the contents of the fridge and the behaviors of the user, and promotes a lifestyle that gets you to eat healthier, more nutritious food like fruits and vegetables. With a transparent door, the Fresh Fridge feels like the produce section of the supermarket. The fruits are kept on display, reminding you to eat them when you’re hungry, and the transparent window actually discourages you from wanting to keep unhealthy food in the fridge, in case other people see it and judge your eating habits.

The Fresh Fridge is an ecosystem featuring the fridge itself, and a smart display above it. Designed by IDSA Student Merit Award-winner Tati Ferrucio, the Fresh Fridge focuses on the complex system of a healthier lifestyle, rather than just on individual food items. The smart display above the fridge comes with a touch-sensitive surface and a built-in camera. It acts as a sort of hub for all information, allowing you to manage inventory, order fresh food online, watch recipe tutorials, and bond with friends or family members while you prepare food or while eating (you also get the added bonus of being able to show your mum you’re eating healthy!)

Underneath the smart display sits the main fridge, designed to be a slightly more compact companion to your regular fridge (where you’d store all your day-to-day meals, groceries, drinks, leftovers, etc.) The Fresh Fridge comes with compartments designed specifically for different kinds of healthy foods – leafy greens go on top, where it’s cooler, while fruits and veggies occupy the lower spaces. The trays even account for prepared/cooked items like salads, burrito bowls, smoothie bowls, or cut fruits, with slide-in areas for airtight containers.

The top of the Fresh Fridge becomes the perfect area to prep your food. The ingredients remain easily accessible below, while the smart display on top lets you tick off items from your inventory and even prepare meals by watching recipe videos or chatting with your nonna who guides you with their tips. Plug-points built into the top of the Fresh Fridge let you hook up appliances like blenders, induction stoves, or rice-cookers, while a slide-out tray makes mise en place easy, allowing you to chop, dice, peel, mash, season, or garnish your food.

As you take food from the Fresh Fridge, the smart display on the top lets you tick it off, helping the fridge track inventory for a more planned grocery shopping experience. It’s not entirely clear if the Fresh Fridge also reminds you when food’s spoiling, although that would be an extremely handy feature in making sure you don’t waste anything!

The Fresh Fridge approaches the appliance’s design rather uniquely. The clear (slightly textured) glass on the front really helps inform the interiors, which Ferrucio designed keeping organization in mind. Each of the trays (made from recycled plastic) come with horizontal shelves that help you neatly organize and present your food. The trays feature a modular section on the right too, letting you add containers with dividers, airtight storage boxes, microwave-friendly lunchboxes, etc. Lastly, a mild light on the inside helps illuminate the Fresh Fridge like the refrigerated aisle at supermarkets. The light activates the minute the camera on the smart display notices someone approaching the fridge or walking by, and the fact that the healthy food’s put on display for you really helps condition the mind into eating healthier, more nutritious meals!

Designer: Tati Ferrucio

These home gyms designed to match your interior means no more excuses to not exercise!

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My love-hate relationship with working out is a well-documented affair. From yoga, weight-lifting to even skipping or going for a pure cardio-based workout, I have tried quite a few exercise routines in my life and it’s a constant tug of war between the money I spend on joining any of these places and the amount of time I spend actually working out. Being a blogger who works from home, time is surprisingly the one thing I fall short on – you see, there is no end to publishing content, and it’s always an exciting day. What I do need is a home gym that won’t stare at me while I walk across the room and take up half of my precious floor space – I have enough guilt about late-night binging as it is! That’s when I began looking into these home gym designs and I must say – a gym that hides in a bench sounds like a great design. It keeps me working out any time of the day while doubling as furniture or at least remains a real space saver on the off days when I can only manage to crawl to my bed at the end of the day!

Oliver Perretta’s Kondition was inspired by a piece of furniture that actually resembles a standard workout bench, IKEA’s BEKANT series. Both IKEA’s BEKANT and Perretta’s Kondition have similar personalities as they appear as modest, simple furniture designs whose true essence shines through in their ability to blend into any given room. At first, an unassuming side bench or low-rise table during living room hours, and then, an adjustable home workout with a sliding bench come gym time. Perretta was certain to make bullnose corners for Kondition’s workout station in order to enhance both the piece’s adaptive nature and its approachability in its inherent baby-proof design. Additionally, Perretta plans to utilize aluminum extrusion in any eventual construction process as that would ensure a high strength to weight ratio for more intense workouts. Stamped panels also make for easy and deep cleaning so that job won’t ever feel stressful after a good sweat.

The Tempo Studio is a gym-set that comes complete with a display and a motion-tracking camera that actively scans and monitors your exercise in 3D. With built-in exercise routines that are guided by expert trainers performing live exercise sessions, the Tempo is the equivalent of going on a Zoom video call with your gym trainer. Hop onto a personalized live session with a gym trainer of your choice and the trainer on the other side of the screen guides you through your workout. The Tempo Studio comes built-in with a workout mat as well as all the training gear you’d need, and Tempo’s AI-enabled camera module captures and tracks your body’s movement as you work out, allowing the trainer to remotely know where you’re going wrong.

Instead of answering the unanswerable (really, who can say what’s up next for 2020), the team behind G-Wall designed their home gym specifically so that it could be stored behind a closet or armoire cabinet’s door. That way the time that you would have spent making room for your home fitness system, instead is spent actually putting it to use. G-Wall’s Home Fitness System has several standout features: variable modules, user-adjustability, and compatibility, to name a few. Each user decides on which modules they want to comprise the larger system. This means that despite the amount of space in your home, G-Wall’s design makes it possible to incorporate a home gym anywhere. The different modules that users can decide on range from cardiovascular equipment, to free weights and even heavy training. The gear that comes with each module is stored in cabinets or racks that easily hang behind doors or however the user deems appropriate for their personal space.

Designed to adapt to your flexible lifestyle, the NOVA by Paul Francis lets you transform your health and body no matter where you are without needing to go to a gym. The single exercise device is a heavy-duty portable gym that uses high resistance to provide total body strength training at home, office, or on the go. “The NOVA Gym provides up to 40lbs (18kg) of resistance in each hand in all planes of movement, yet only weighs 2.5lbs (1.12Kg) and folds up to go anywhere,” says Paul Francis who created the design and is also an architect, industrial designer, and inventor. The team uses their patented SpiraFlex technology that provides weightless resistance and was actually the first resistive exercise device used in space (NASA iRED) – Francis is truly an inventor because his technology is ‘out of this world’! SpiraFlex feels smooth and linear like free-weights, without the weight or momentum. The stainless steel cables have been coated with nylon to remain durable for long-term use with high resistance.

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With Dan Vinson & David Hunt’s POCKET MONKII, you won’t have any more excuses not to work out (and you’ll probably enjoy it a whole lot more than the gym). This unique training system packs everything you need to do a full bodyweight training program in one compact kit. You can get a total body workout using the incredibly durable cables and handles as well as other workout tools like a ladder and an isometric tool. The all-new package also includes unlimited access to the MONKII app which gives you workout instructionals, progress comparisons, and more. Additionally, when you order, you can score the 21-Day Habit guide to maximize this unique workout style and push beyond your fitness expectations all from the comfort of home.

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Recognizing that most people don’t have the space for gym equipment in their home, or the money for a gym membership, or even the willpower to head to the gym every day, Josh Hume embarked on a journey to bring the gym to the household. The catch? It had to be the smallest, most exhaustive (and exhausting!) gym ever made. After multiple iterations, the FITT Cube was born. With its 450mm edge dimension, the FITT Cube occupies as much space as a footstool, and comes with a mini-stepper (with its own seven-segment LCD display), a rotating seat, gripping handles, a plyometric platform, and even resistance bands. The FITT cube also comes with a user guide, exercise chart, and nutrition guide to keep you on top of your fitness game.

Fulfilling the role of a mat as well as an instructor, the Kyoma Yoga Mat really gives you a neat menu of positions to choose from. The mat’s graphics are split into two distinct categories with 59 stretching exercises and 59 yoga postures, and there’s even a Kamasutra edition with 59 poses, but hey… we’re a family-friendly website. Go look it up on your own if you want. The mat uses a two-layer construction, with a hypoallergenic cork upper, and a TPE base that prevents it from slipping or skidding while you meditate/exercise. The cork’s naturally anti-bacterial too, so all you need to do after a yoga-session is to wipe the sweat down and you’re good to go!

The Germany based wooden sports equipment brand NOHrD has come out with the TriaTrainer 3-in-1 exercise bench! No more dragging yourself or imagining that you will drag yourself to the gym. With the TriaTrainer you can have an endearing workout session in the comfort of your own home. At first glance the TriaTrainer looks like an inconsequential wooden seating stool, however, it’s jampacked with some multi-functionality! The long solid wood bench can be used for a variety of different exercises. It serves as an abdominal trainer, back extension bench, and weight bench.

Yes, a simple web search can lead you to a host of foldable and space-saving exercise bikes but if you do your research, you’ll find there are none that can provide professional quality work out at home and fold up to the size of a carry-on bag when you’re done! This is where the Breakaway Bike by John Stump steps in with its immensely compact size. Made from aerospace-grade aluminum, the bike measures 16 x 23 x 8-inches when packed down and weighs only 35 pounds. The bike boasts of being the world’s first exercise bike that can be conveniently folded down so you can pick it up and store away in a closet at home or under a table in the office until it’s time to get pumping! Get a full-sized workout, close up shop in seconds, and hide it away under the bed – it’s all so easy. Interestingly, you can also load the Breakaway Bike in the boot of your car or can fit in the overhead bin to be carried where your work takes you!

No larger than two shoe-boxes kept end-to-end, the Gym Box by James Wall looks deceptively small for a home gym, however, it transforms into an extensive resistance and box-training kit once opened. Complete with an adjustable bench, a step-up box, a resistance platform, and multiple resistance-bands, the Gym Box can be used in a variety of ways, spanning more than 165 exercises to give you full-body workouts for losing weight, toning up, or building muscle mass. Designed to be two things – Compact and Versatile, the Gym Box allows you to fit all your gym-equipment into something that’s small enough to slide under your bed or into the bottom shelf of your wardrobe. It weighs 28 lbs, and measures not more than 45-inches in length, making it perhaps one of the smallest all-in-one home-gyms. Once it opens up, its parts can be configured into any variety of arrangements, or even used independently. The adjustable bench can be set to a 90° angle, or reclined to a full 180°, with 1¼-inch thick steel tubing to ensure it’s just as robust as the equipment you find in gyms.

The Groove was conceptualized around the efficiency of pilates reformers, resistance training, and gymnastics, integrating an entire gym into one piece of furniture. Hannah Fink reimagined working out at home by merging practicality with style. The Groove mounts three cushioned units onto quiet, rubber wheels and connects them with resistance bands, allowing for a catalog of possible exercises: heel raises, bicep curls, leg presses, sliding planks. Pulling on inspiration from pilates and gymnastics, The Groove incorporates the four pillars of fitness: aerobic, strengthening, stretching, and balance. Since most pieces of home gym equipment focus on only one pillar, users might unknowingly neglect other muscle groups, which can lead to an imbalance that contributes to overuse injuries.

A Japanese charm redesigned to keep you healthy by syncing with the earth!

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Omamori (お守り) are traditional good luck charms in Japanese culture that protect the wearer of the charm. The Japanese word “mamori” (守り) means protection, while prefix “o” gives the word an external movent connotation, transforming it to “your protection” and there are Omamoris for every area of life: love, health, luck, trips, success, protection. The concept of Kenkō is a futuristic take on the traditional Omamori, it does not cure illnesses or ward off evil spirits but it helps you stay healthy by being in sync with the earth’s electromagnetic frequencies. It is ergonomic, travel-friendly and minimal while still being a powerful force.

The earth is constantly emitting 7,83 Hz (also known as the earth’s breath, who knew that?!) along its surface which is believed to allow living beings to regulate their physiological functions. Scientific studies show that the earth’s natural magnetic fields have a positive influence on our brains. With the rapid development of electronic communication technologies, our bodies are getting confused between the natural and artificial frequencies which are dwindling our inherent ability to be in sync with nature. This concept device is aimed at increasing focus, coordinated neural activities, improve sleep and circadian rhythms, stabilize blood pressure and stimulate osteoblasts. Kenkō will be created to produce a 7,83Hz signal, reproducing the natural frequency using technology which will help human bodies re-establish their intrinsic relationship with being healthy naturally. It will have an LED light strip that glows when you switch on the device. Electrosmog caused by Wi-Fi and smartphone frequencies can no longer disturb the sync between the natural rhythm and your brain with Kenkō’s 1.5m protection radius around you. It is also designed to be pocket-sized so you can carry it everywhere like the traditional Omamori is meant to be but with a sleek touch of tech!

Designer: Daniele Peruzzo

June’s smart oven adds Whole Foods meals to its library

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Healthy eating without the tedious fuss of preparation -- that's the dream, right? Well, things are set to get a lot easier for lazy cooks looking to improve their diet, thanks to a partnership between Whole Foods Market and June, the do-it-all smart...

14 Coolest Premium Yoga Mats

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If you haven’t started working on your summer body yet, no worries because everybody is a summer body! Making healthy choices can start at any time of the year, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re a size 2 or a size 12, yoga is an exercise that anyone can do. Not only is yoga a healthy exercise, but it’s also calming, stress-relieving, and relaxing. It’s the perfect exercise to do when you want the stress of the day to disappear. Of course, in order to practice yoga, you need a good, comfortable, yoga mat. Luckily, I’ve made a list of 14 cool yoga mats to get you on the road to a healthy life!

Yeti Yoga Mat


Look at this gorgeous design! Not only does it look great on a yoga mat, but it looks like it came right from a rug or a cute wallpaper. In fact, maybe instead of putting the mat away at the end of the day, you could leave it out. Let your guests mistake it for a rug. It’s the perfect decoration. But make sure you’re also using it for yoga you know? I mean, that is the primary function of a yoga mat.

Yes4All Yoga Mat


I love the brand name of this one. “Yes for all.” It’s like a message saying that yoga is for everyone. And believe me, no matter who you are, you can pick up this fantastic habit. It’s a great alternative to other less healthy stress relievers, and it makes you feel great. You’ll feel even better using this bright purple yoga mat!

Yoga Design Lab Yoga Mat


Gosh, I love this design so much. Blue is my favorite color, so a mat with several different shades of my favorite color is just plain perfect. The purple, gray, and green are also beautiful. Who knew I could fall in love with a color scheme? This is another mat that would be great just for a decoration. Make sure you clean it though…

SYourself Yoga Mat


Is it a yoga mat? Towel? Or is it a rug? All of the above? No, it’s just a yoga mat that happens to look like a piece of artwork! These intricate designs are complex and beautiful. Sometimes exercise equipment doesn’t just have to be exercise equipment, it can be true art.

Souvnear Yoga Mat


I had to do a double take when I saw this yoga mat. I wasn’t sure if it actually was a mat, and not an actual rug. I know I’ve already joked on this list that some of these mats could pass for rugs, but the design on this one really looks like fabric! However, that makes it extra unique. How many yoga mats do you see that look like fabric?

Sivan Yoga Mat


This one is probably your most basic mat on the list, but everyone can appreciate a basic yoga mat. There’s no need for anything fancy when it comes to exercise. Besides, when you’re getting into complicated yoga positions, you’re probably going to pay more attention to your pain than the design on your yoga mat. This simple mat comes in many colors, so you can pick the one you love the most.

Peace Yoga Mat


Yes, some of you male readers might have been put off by the multitude of flowery, feminine designs I chose, so here is something I think you’ll appreciate. (Female readers will appreciate it too, what girl doesn’t like a cool tiger?) This mat will have you feeling like the coolest person in the studio.

Incline Yoga Mat


Another beautiful artwork, I mean yoga mat. I wonder how many of these yoga mat designs have appeared on other pieces of household items? This mat is definitely one of my favorites on the list. It’s so pleasant to look at like it adds to the calming effect of yoga itself.

Heath Yoga Mat


Another basic yoga mat, although I personally prefer the brightness of these colors. They’re so vibrant and fun, they’d definitely get me in the mood for some exercise. And I mean, that’s saying something, since it’s often difficult to get me off the couch. If you’re like me, you need something that’s eye-catching and attention grabbing so you’ll actually want to exercise.

Gaiam Yoga Mat


Wow, I can’t get enough of these design! It would make a gorgeous henna tattoo, or real tattoo if that’s what you’re into. It would also look good on a tapestry or rug. Sorry, I’ll stop with the rug comparisons. But seriously, this yoga mat is so pretty-looking.

Enjoee Yoga Mat


I love how the brand name is an alternate spelling of “enjoy.” And I love how it’s so fitting. Yoga is an exercise that you should enjoy! I know a lot of people hate exercising. They hate getting sweaty, they hate feeling exhausted, and sometimes they just don’t have the time. But yoga is something that you only have to devote a few minutes to each day, and you don’t even have to sweat! So enjoy it!

Bang Design Yoga Mat


I remember a few years ago when galaxy designs were all the rage. I even had a pair of leggings with a galaxy print. I don’t see this design too much anymore, but it’s definitely a classic, and it brings some cosmic coolness to this awesome yoga mat.

Yeti Yoga Mat


I’m such a huge fan of black and white that this yoga mat has me sold. I love that orange circle in the middle too! It’s so simple, yet so cool-looking! It’s the perfect pop of color on this already fun yoga mat. I’d love to do some stretching on this amazing mat.

Activana Yoga Mat


Elephants are my favorite animal, which is why I have multiple clothing items with pictures of them on it. If everything I owned had elephants on it, I’d be happy, so why not get an elephant yoga mat? It’s beautiful and definitely in fashion. You and I both should go out and buy this one now!

I hope you found a yoga mat you loved! Good luck practicing this exercise!