I'm a ruthlessly picky Health Editor - meet the wellness products I *actually* recommend to family and friends
Aka, my all-time favourites.
Spoiler alert: as a Senior Health Editor with over eight years in the industry, I'm pretty fussy when it comes to recommending wellness products. There are so many on the market that make bold claims without providing sufficient evidence to back them up, you see, and there's nothing worse than falling hook, line and sinker for a product or service that won't actually benefit your mental or physical health.
When you find a good one that boosts your wellbeing, though - well that's a whole different story. I have several tools that I use day in, day out to boost my health, and rave about them regularly to friends and family.
From my sunrise alarm clock that wakes me up naturally, to my gratitude journal that enables me to track my progress, to my trusty walking pad always on hand to help me track my step count, I'm a fan of simple yet reliable tools.
Lucky for you, it's the last day of Amazon Prime Day today and there are some great deals to be had. Below, I've rounded up all of the wellness products that I'd take to a desert island with me, aka the ones I can't live without.
Of course, now more than ever, it's super important to be mindful when you shop. I have a 24 to 48-hour rule whenever I see something new that I like, and step away before I buy to make sure it's something I'll genuinely have use for and benefit from. Here at MC UK, we encourage investing in products you'll use for a lifetime, rather than impulse buying.
That said, the below are all products that get my personal seal of approval and that I use day in, day out, and that I reckon you'd love using, too.
Wellness quick links
- Best walking pad deal: Sperax Walking Pad, now £179.99 (save 33%)
- Best Pilates bars: SMUG Pilates bar, now £15.99 (save 20%)
- Best legging deal: CRZ YOGA Women's Butterluxe Crossover Flared Leggings, now £29.60 (save 20%)
- Best running backpack deal: UTOBEST Running Backpack, now £23.84 (save 40%)
- Best protein bar deal: Misfits Vegan Protein Bars, now £21.99 (save 20%)
Scroll 19 Editor-approved wellness deals
Yoga pants are a great addition to any workout wardrobe, and these butter-soft flares will become a staple in your workout wardrobe. They're a great option for Pilates and long walks, too.
Hydration vests are perfect for chucking all of your essentials into during your runs or hikes, and I swear by mine for longer runs when I'll need water, gels, my phone, card, keys and so on. The zip pockets on this model are ideal for keeping everything in place.
Easy on-the-go snacks with 14g of protein per serving, Misfits have long been one of my favourite brands.
If you've read my walking pad review, you'll know I'm a huge fan of how easy they make hitting your daily step count from home. Now's the ideal time to invest, thanks to these Prime Day savings.
Looking for a way to motivate yourself to workout from home now the colder days and darker nights are here? Peloton has well and truly cemented itself as one of the best bits of home workout kit you can buy in the last few years, with quite literally thousands of classes on offer, led by some of the world's top personal trainers. Plus, with an impressive 20% off this Prime Day, you'll save yourself hundreds of pounds on your investment.
I'm no nutritionist, but I am a huge fan of these simple yet effective probiotics, which I've been taking for a few years now. With fourteen strains of live bacteria, your gut will thank you later.
Salomon have long been known for their effective and durable trainers and this year, they've caught the fashion crowd's attention, too (just take a walk through East London, if you're not convinced). I've tested their Speedcross trainers and they're a dream for trail runs - comfortable yet sturdy, supportive and waterproof through even the soggiest of conditions.
If you've read our round-up of the best sunrise alarm clocks, you'll know by now that I swear by my Lumie. It wakes me up naturally every morning, helps to regulate my circadian rhythm, and doubles as a bedside lamp come evening. And the best bit? They're currently 23% off, making them an even more worthwhile investment.
It's fair to say the MC UK team has a bit of an obsession with wrist weights RN. They're easy to wear, effective, and seriously spicy, too. These TOPESCT adjustable weights can be used on your ankles or wrists, come in a range of colourways, plus are available on next day delivery, too.
Pilates bars are well and truly having a moment, and I've been pleasantly surprised by how much tension the affordable and easy to use bits of kit can add to your sessions. If you're hunkering down for more at-home workouts now Autumn is here, then this set - which comes with four resistance bands - is one for you.
I'm really into unitards at the moment - they're great for low-impact workouts and wearing to brunch, too. The CRZ YOGA designs are soft, sweat-wicking, flattering and affordable.
Another simple to use Pilates bar, this SMUG Active design is great if you already own a fair bit of workout kit and don't want to overload your home gym space. Don't underestimate the power of the humble Pilates bar, though - this one's sure to work your abs and obliques in no time.
If I was stranded on a desert island, you bet that I'd be running regularly. These CRZ YOGA running shorts get a big yes from me - sweat-wicking, anti-chafe, and easy to wear whatever the weather.
If you know me, you'll know that I love my Garmin. While my trusty model is the Forerunner 935, a slightly different model to this one, one things for sure: I know all Garmins are designed with longevity in mind and are the perfect companion for any serious runner, Pilates-lover, hiker or Crossfit fan.
I'm a big fan of running jackets RN, not just for, well, running, but for day-to-day, too. Flattering and functional, this QUEENIEKE design ticks all the right boxes.
I've strength trained more this year than ever before, largely thanks to embracing home workouts and handy kit like this Amazon Basics cast iron kettlebell. An affordable option, it'll easily take your home workouts up a level.
Gratitude journals are a simple way to help you focus on your progress and the good things in life every day. This particular design is recommended by psychologists and therapists all over the world and uses the proven principles of positive psychology.
After a new workout top that's sweat-wicking, breathable, and suitable for any workout? adidas is nearly always top of my list for its functional yet fashionable designs.
If you're a fan of home Pilates, investing in equipment, like this Pilates ball or a Sculpt bar, are a simple and affordable way to add resistance and, in turn, work your muscles.
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Ally Head is Marie Claire UK's Senior Health and Sustainability Editor, nine-time marathoner, and Boston Qualifying runner. Day-to-day, she heads up all strategy for her pillars, working across commissioning, features, and e-commerce, reporting on the latest health updates, writing the must-read wellness content, and rounding up the genuinely sustainable and squat-proof gym leggings worth *adding to basket*. She's won a BSME for her sustainability work, regularly hosts panels and presents for events like the Sustainability Awards, and is a stickler for a strong stat, too, seeing over nine million total impressions on the January 2023 Wellness Issue she oversaw. Follow Ally on Instagram for more or get in touch.
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