As a Shopping Editor, These Are My Black Friday Must-Buys

The notion "If you fail to plan, you fail" as famously stated by Taylor Alison Swift, is also my guiding principle, particularly when it comes to Black Friday shopping as a fitness editor. In preparing for this day, my pertinacious Virgo nature is revealed, with countless hours invested in spreadsheets, applying coupon codes via browser extensions, as well as extensive web browsing on shopping platforms.

Given that the New Year always ushers in renewed zeal, I try to capitalize on Black Friday fitness deals to acquire everything I could possibly need for my 2024 fitness objectives. This could range from items that will facilitate regular outdoor walking to those beneficial to my scalp health. These health and wellness discounts will no doubt be helpful in this pursuit. Here, I share some of the items I am potentially adding to my cart as the holiday shopping season commences.

My editor's role has not overshadowed my pet ownership. I have an impeccable dog who sadly can't take herself for walks, and being in a property without a backyard, our routine includes three daily walks during Chicago's winter season. Baleaf fleece-lined leggings are thus a must-have in my winter attire. They have capacious pockets for my phone and additional treats, and their color variety is impressive. They are unlike any leggings I own as they aren't overly chunky; they still offer adequate warmth in under 40 degrees weather. They tick all the boxes for winter outdoor walking requirements and are affordable, currently going for 30 percent off. This is indeed a worthy fitness deal that I plan on taking advantage of.

Every since we rated these unisex sneakers as some of the best New Balance shoes, I've been eagerly looking for a justifiable reason to add them to my sneaker collection. The 20 percent price cut seems like an opportune moment. The chunky retro design has a general appeal, and the addition of suede and leather overlays make them look more luxurious than your usual white shoe. Also, the super grippy treads are great for the icy Chicago weather. Remember that these shoes are sold in men's sizes, so be careful to select the correct fit.

My interest in the relationship between rice water and hair growth was sparked by a TikTok video which led me on a quest to find ways to incorporate the antioxidant-rich mixture into my hair care regimen. This Black Friday, I'm set on getting this budget-friendly rice water shampoo bar. Aside from reducing single-use plastic, it's the ideal size for my holiday travel cosmetics case. This is considering that I'm devoted to the minimalist and unavoidably have to forgo my hair care products at home. After thoroughly reading the reviews and comparing the before and after pictures, I am convinced that this product, which will be discounted by 20 percent off the original price on Black Friday via code HOLIDAY20, is worth trying.

Even though I'm a fitness editor, I sometimes find myself persistently lifting the same weights in all my workouts. This year, I'm deliberately looking for heavier weights than my usual ones so that future me can challenge herself with higher weights. Amazon is my preferred site for tough, budget-friendly dumbbells. Popular for their durability, BalanceFrom dumbbells are currently 26 percent off, which means you can get a pair of 10-pound dumbbells for less than $25. These are much cheaper than high-end brands that use similar materials and will cost you double the price. Recollecting my HIIT teaching days at a boutique studio, these were the dumbbells preferred for their durability in handling numerous clients and multiple classes per day without the slightest sign of damage.

My recent fascination is the transformative power of a three-step skincare routine and the drive to simplify my routine to just essentials. Tula's 3-Step Essentials Kit, priced at $106, is on my wishlist. Packed with a full-sized gentle gel Purifying Face Cleanser, a Resurfacing Toner enriched with my favorite exfoliating ingredient, glycolic acid, and a hydrating day and night cream, this kit is indeed a steal. Since the products are usually priced at $138, I definitely see myself stashing this kit in my gym bag for post-workout refreshment and pre-work application.

To paraphrase Jerry Maguire, “you had me at nurse-approved.” As a fitness shopping editor, part of my job is to test a ton of new workout gear, equipment, and activewear — which means I’m working out pretty much every single day. To make sure I’m moving to the best of my abilities, I’m stocking up on this topical cream, which nurses love for its quick-acting pain relief. A quick skim of the ingredients list explains why it’s so effective: arnica is an anti-inflammatory, vitamin B6 may help relieve chronic pain, and aloe vera soothes and cools inflamed muscles and joints. At 37 percent off, I’ll be buying one for my house and one for my gym bag. 

I love to balance my workouts with a little bit of cardio and a little bit of strength — just to keep things interesting. The Nike Free Metcon 4 is perfectly versatile, even when you’re running sprints on a treadmill or taking on a superset in the same workout. The forefoot is more flexible than your typical weightlifting shoe, and the heel is wide and stable to ground you during heavy sets. Plus, it’s nearly 50 percent off with promo code “FLASH” at checkout, bringing the price to an incredibly affordable $64. Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds?