I'm a Fitness Editor—Here Are My Favorite Labor Day Deals

6 min readLabor Day is one of those traditional times to splurge on fitness gear because of how much you can save. And who doesn’t love a good sale? I’ve found some of my favorite Labor Day sales on some splurgy fitness tools, and some maybe a little less glamorous but no less recommended.I compiled this list fully knowing that marathon season is right around the corner and will be here before we know it, so you’ll probably sense a bit of a theme of taking care of sore muscles! Personally, I use a bunch of these products a few times a week no matter what else is going on in my workout schedule as a part of regular self-care and mobility work. Plus, several of these items, like the massage guns, are also a part of how I manage stress and wind down before I go to sleep. So they’re not only part of my training toolbox but also my general “stuff that makes life better” toolbox.This set gets out the knots in my back, especially my upper back and neck that get so tight from desk life. I love spending 5 to 10 minutes using the three wheels in sequence to release the perpetually tight muscles in my upper back and neck before I start a workout, or just to unwind before bed (the tech neck struggle is real). Using it regularly keeps my mobility and shoulder range of motion where I want it to be.The three wheels build upon each other with different intensities (a smaller wheel is more intense) and treads, and I like using it size large to small, especially because I like lying on the Neck Wheel XR for a while to really release those muscles at the end.These wheels get at the muscles around my spine differently from a foam roller or regular yoga wheel in part because of the groove down the middle that’s so specific that Chirp holds the patent to it. The treads are the other thing that set them apart, which makes them designed with a specific focus on being therapeutic vs. relaxing in the best way. I always feel like I can stand taller after rolling on the wheels.I had a knot above my right shoulder for what felt like years. It was so chronic and stubborn that my physical therapist jokingly named it “Neck Knot.” I tried several massage guns on this area and none of them were ever really any match against Neck Knot—until I tried the Therabody TheraGun Pro Plus.This is most definitely the Vitamix of massage guns, and it’s an investment. It’s also a bit like having an on-call massage therapist thanks to both its power, the accompanying app that features expert-led massage routines using the device, and its ergonomic design that allows me to get at the usually hard-to-reach areas like between my shoulder blades and my mid back with ease.The additional boost of red light therapy and heat (when using the heated head) makes this quite possibly the most advanced massage gun on the market. If you’re a person who enjoys therapeutic or sports massages, this would be perfect for you.Weighted vests can be an easy way to add a bit more resistance to your workouts, and this basic weighted vest is perfect for adding that little extra to your walking and bodyweight workouts.Its adjustable front strap ensures a secure fit, and a few reflective details add some additional visibility in low-light conditions. I’d recommend this vest for low-impact activity, because it might move around too much for comfort during things like runs or high-intensity exercises.It also comes with a functional and secure pocket for your phone and keys, so it’s perfect for a hands-free power walk or stashing those items during a gym workout.Soaking in an Epsom salt bath is one of my favorite ways to take care of muscle soreness. But, not to state the obvious, taking a long hot bath isn’t always a possibility.That’s when I use Epsom-It Soothing Muscle Lotion, which delivers concentrated Epsom salt to the area that’s sore. Soothing Muscle Lotion is available in regular lotion form that you have to rub in, but that would require washing my hands after applying, plus I’m paranoid about a bottle of lotion exploding in my bag.So when the brand released it as a roll-on formulation that takes practicality to the next level, it became a permanent fixture in my gym and carry-on bags. I use it after hard workouts, and also for tech-neck related aches as part of winding down at night. The formulation includes arnica for additional muscle soothing benefits.I’m highlighting the Hyperice Go 2 even though there’s a new model available—the Hyperice Go 3—because it’s the one I’ve lived and traveled with for the last two years. After using this massage gun for that long, it’s still my go-to for travel or throwing into my gym bag.I've packed it in both checked and carry-on luggage, and it’s held up like a champ. With three speeds (the Go 3 has been upgraded with five speeds) and two heads, it doesn’t have as many features as other larger massage guns, but that’s not something I miss when I’m on the go. I think of massage guns as tools, and because of its durability and worry-free portability, this is one I really like having in my toolbox.Talk about a product that makes it feel like I have a massage therapist on call at all times. These wireless compression boots bring together pneumatic compression, vibration, and LED red light therapy to help your legs recover after a tough workout.But you don’t have to wait until you’re sore or after a long run to use these, just like you don’t have to be training for a marathon to benefit from a massage. The recovery setting is a 45-minute program that left my legs feeling like new, and there are options that focus on the upper leg, lower leg, and the knee for focused therapy on those areas. There’s also a 15-minute sweeping sleep prep setting that helps you physically wind down before bed.These boots have a total of eight built-in settings that adjust the pressure, vibration, and treatment type and time, so you can choose the one that feels best. They’re also designed to tailor the pressure to your leg size, and are available in three different lengths.Since they’re completely wireless and there aren’t any hoses or cords to deal with, they’re simpler to use and easier to move around than many traditional compression boots. They also come with a handy travel bag which makes them easy to store at home and while traveling.Hydro Flask is a brand known for its bomb-proof water bottles that keep liquids cold for up to 24 hours, and the 24-ounce Wide Mouth Bottle is no exception. I love the Flex Straw Cap, which makes spill-proof sipping easy while being leakproof when closed. I like that I can open and close it with one hand.This bottle is also compatible with the other styles of caps available from Hydro Flask, so you’re not committed to the straw cap if you ever want to switch it out.This slimmer diameter size fits into most cup holders, and the stainless steel it’s made of helps prevent flavor transfer, so today’s water won’t taste like yesterday’s electrolyte mix. It’s also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, adding even more convenience.Vibration plates are great for full-body muscle relaxation, tension relief, and improving circulation and lymphatic mobility. But there’s one very important caveat: while the product is great, many brands make some claims about the benefits of vibration plates that are more marketing-speak than research-based.For example, using a vibration plate doesn’t burn more fat or calories, and standing on one doesn't replace working out by any stretch of the imagination. Standing on one is not the equivalent of exercise.However, using one is one of my favorite ways to loosen up when I feel tight, stiff, or stressed. After standing on one for five minutes, I’m always holding less tension, and I love adding it as part of my warmup.Natascha is an editor and writer covering health, fitness, and the ways people move through the world. She’s been a NASM-certified personal trainer for more than a decade, with a background in functional strength training, corrective exercise, nutrition, and behavior change. She has additional CES, CNC, BCS, and SFC certifications. She is also a level-2 certified Spinning instructor. Her work has appeared in Bicycling, Runner’s World, and other outlets, and her experience spans both editorial and hands-on work across the fitness industry. Whether she’s writing about training, health, or performance, she’s most interested in making complicated topics useful, approachable, and helpful.