Vancouver stores for motivating fitness gadgets
Harder, better, faster, stronger. For high-tech athletes who are working towards their fitness goals, there are various electronic devices and wearables to help you stay on track, including heart rate monitors, calorie trackers, GPS watches, pedometers and more. Get motivated while on the go with state-of-the-art training technology from these Vancouver shops.
Vancouver Running Co Inc
2-1886 1st Ave W, Vancouver BC V6J 1G5Slick branding and performance-focused gear make this local shop a cult favourite in the city’s running community. Stop by the showroom to check out display cases stocked with GPS-enabled sport watches from Suunto and Garmin. Ranging from about $150 to over $500, these high-tech devices help runners track their speed, distance, pace, calories burned and more. Advanced athletes will love the Ambit3 multisport watch, which measures performance and recovery metrics, and syncs with mobile devices to provide voice guidance through interval training. VanRunCo also carries wearable LED lights, an important safety measure for those who enjoy late-night runs.
Mountain Equipment Co-Op
130 Broadway W, Vancouver BC V5Y 1P3When it comes to high-tech training accessories, MEC has an unbeatable variety of gadgets to help you monitor your activity whether it’s on the road, on top of a mountain or in the water. Shop here for pedometers, GPS watches, activity trackers, bike computers, POV helmet cameras, earphones and many more fitness-focused tools. Garmin activity bands and Polar watches with built-in heart rate monitors are bestsellers. Road riders and cyclocross enthusiasts will love the wired and wireless bike computers that’ll help you plan your route and measure altitude gain, speed and distance along the way.
Fitness Town
1941 4th Ave W, Vancouver BC V6J 1M7This Kitsilano store is all about getting in shape. While the showroom is predominantly focused on fitness equipment – you’ll find everything from resistance bands and hand weights to treadmills and TRX suspension systems – there are a few electronic accessories here too. Timers and stopwatches will help you with tabata-style interval workouts while lightweight sensor bands and watches from Polar are designed to hook up with fitness apps to track your activity level and heart rate. If you want to monitor your weight and muscle measurements, track your progress with body scanners, scales and electronic caliper tools.
Chapters
2505 Granville St, Vancouver BC V6H 3G7Not just a bookstore, Indigo’s flagship location at Granville and Broadway is a comprehensive lifestyle emporium. The electronics department has a great selection of Fitbit bands, which look more like arm candy than smart watches. Interchangeable bands make a statement in bold colours like hot pink and bright teal, or understated black if you prefer. With performance monitoring and goal setting capabilities, these tech accessories will inspire you to keep moving throughout the day. Simple models start at around $150 while the more sophisticated versions, with extra features like built-in GPS and text notifications, are closer to $300.
Nike Metrotown
4700 Kingsway, Burnaby BC V5H 4M1Nike is the undisputed cool-kid on the block when it comes to fashion-forward fitness. Head to the Metrotown location to score swoosh-branded athletic wear designed with performance in mind: technical thermals keep you warm in the winter and lightweight sweat-wicking fabrics let your body breath in the summer. They might not be battery operated, but outerwear jackets feature reflective flash panels to ensure you remain visible and safe on dark, rainy runs. And be sure to ask the staff about Nike’s free personal training apps; Nike Training Club and Nike Running will get you moving no matter where you are.
Headphone Bar
4534 Main St, Vancouver BC V5V 3R5For some athletes, there’s nothing more motivating than a high-energy playlist. If your workout soundtrack is just as important as your sneaker choice, you’ll want to invest in a good pair of headphones. The Headphone Bar is a go-to resource for local audiophiles looking for high-quality listening accessories. Super secure lightweight earbuds are great for trail runs along rocky terrain, while the super comfy, noise-cancelling headphones are a great option when you need to focus in the weight room. Want to make a serious investment? The high tech 3D-printed Kaiser 10 earphones from Noble are custom-made to fit your ears.
Sport Chek
18 Broadway W, Vancouver BC V5Y 1P2Whether you’re a team player or a solo superstar, this North American chain has got you covered for all things sporty. In addition to apparel and equipment, the West Broadway location is stocked with electronic accessories and health management tools for an active lifestyle. We love the WiFi-enabled smart scales from Fitbit, which sync with your computer or smartphone and allow you to set workout goals and track your weight, BMI and lean muscle mass. When you need to rest, stylish sleep systems are designed to help track your shut-eye and wake you up gently.
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