Beautiful fitness gear you can purchase with your HSA/FSA
It's not likely anyone buys a spin bike or treadmill only to have it become an expensive clothes hanger, but we've all seen it happen. And even fitness gear bought with the best intentions may as not exist if it just gets shoved into a closet never to see the light of day. But that certainly doesn't mean you should pass on a set of dumbbells or a yoga mat.
It turns out that how good your home fitness equipment looks makes a difference in how often you'll choose to use it. Research shows that if your gear is pleasing to the eye, you'll feel motivated to stick with your workouts and exercise more over time. Plus, when your equipment is easy to see and grab, you're much more likely to use it like you planned.
To better understand the connection between aesthetics and exercise motivation, we asked an expert to weigh in.
The Expert
- Milica McDowell, PT, MSPT, DPT, Associate Vice President of Education at U.S. Physical Therapy, author of Walk
Why Attractive Fitness Gear Boosts Motivation
"Visually appealing equipment gives you a positive dopamine burst when you see it," says Dr. Milica McDowell, Doctor of Physical Therapy and AVP of Education at US Physical Therapy. So, a gorgeous yoga mat can act like a positive emotional cue that supports motivation and makes it easier to stick to your routine. "When you feel good about the equipment you are about to engage with, it can improve your frequency of exercising, which can help you reach your goals," says Dr. McDowell.
So, if you've been eyeing a gear upgrade (or you have HSA/FSA dollars burning a hole in your pocket), here are some gorgeous, functional picks from the Stridekick Shop that can double as decor.
Bala Bangles
These sleek wrist and ankle weights come wrapped in baby-soft silicone in colors like Sage, Blush, and Charcoal. Available in 1 lb, 2 lb, and 3 lb options, they're small enough to stash in a basket on the counter and pretty enough to leave out on your entryway table. Strap them on for walks, Pilates, or even household chores to add a little extra resistance to your day.
Bala Balance Blocks
These yoga blocks look more like trendy modern sculptural pieces than workout tools, with smooth curves and soft colors like Charcoal, Blush, Sand, Sage, Sea, Heather. You'd totally get away with doubling these up as book ends or shelf decor and no one would blink an eye.
Nike Grind Dumbbells
Made from recycled Nike Grind rubber, these dumbbells come in 2.5 to 25 lb options with a pretty speckled texture that gives them a cool visual edge over standard black dumbbells. Line up a curated set on a slim rack and they actually look like they belong in your space.
Bala Kettleball
Bala reimagines the classic kettlebell with a rounded, modern silhouette in shades like Sea and Sand. Weighing in at 10, 20, or 30 lbs, it's compact enough (7" x 7" x 10") to sit on a shelf or sideboard without screaming "home gym." Use it for swings, goblet squats, Turkish get-ups, and more.
Tonal 2
If you're ready for a bigger investment, Tonal 2 is a beautiful strength training system that doubles as a statement piece. The wall-mounted unit measures just over 5 inches deep and has a fully digital weight system with guided workouts. You'll need about a 7' x 7' workout space in front of it, so it works well in a bedroom, office, or living area where you can keep it accessible, so it's a good thing it looks stylish.
The Wavy Mat
Bala's signature wavy-edged yoga mat is made from FSC-certified natural rubber with an antimicrobial polyurethane top coat. At 5mm thick, it's no slouch on cushioning for stretching, yoga, and floor work. The scalloped outline is the real standout feature here. It looks intentionally designed, so you won't mind leaving it out on your floor, hanging from a rail, or rolled up in the corner of your living room.
Omorpho G-Vest Icon
This weighted vest looks and feels more like trendy and visually interesting activewear than equipment. Made with stretchy polyester-spandex fabric and non-bouncy weighted gel, it adds up to 6 lbs of evenly distributed resistance. Wear it on walks, during stair sessions, or while doing housework. It would look cute slung over the back of a chair, but since you mostly wear it instead of store it, it's a fantastic pick for small spaces with zero visual clutter.
Bala Beam
Think of the Beam as the sculptural cousin of a traditional barbell. It's a steel core bar wrapped in silicone and available in 15, 25, and 35 lb weights. Plus, it's slim enough to lean in a corner or heck, hang it on your wall like sculpture. Perfect for overhead presses, deadlifts, rows, and lunges when you want barbell-style work without an actual barbell setup.
The Psychology Behind Aesthetic Fitness Gear
Just the act of owning fitness equipment makes it more likely you'll stick to your workouts, according to science, and that effect gets even stronger when you actually like looking at it. So, if you're choosing between two similarly priced pieces of equipment, go with the one that sparks joy. "If you study color theory, certain colors evoke certain emotions, and when we relate the positive chemicals that are released, such as dopamine, when we are happy or excited or see something of beauty, this relates just like flowers back to workout equipment," explains Dr. McDowell.
Head over to the Stridekick Shop to explore HSA/FSA-eligible fitness gear that's as good-looking as it is functional. Happy shopping!
