Workout Essentials You Probably Never Knew You Needed
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Wireless Headset
There are few things more annoying than wires hitting your body while you run or cycle. Opt for these sweat-resistant earbuds that allow you to listen to your music wirelessly via Bluetooth.
Jam Transit Wireless Earbuds, $39.99 at Jam Audio
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Yoga Towels
Yogitoes rule the yoga towel market, and for good reason. Not only are they sustainably made, but they have unparalleled grip, are very absorbent and wash easily. If you sweat a lot, layer it on top of your yoga mat to prevent slipping and to extend the wear of your mat.
yogitoes Golden Mat Towel, $64 at yogitoes
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Compression Socks
When we interviewed Matt Fitzgerald about his new book a few months ago, we asked him about the trend towards wearing compression socks after intense or prolonged exercise. He told us that it has a moderate effect on muscle soreness and that we may experience some benefit from wearing them after high-intensity runs. Turns out he was right.
ITEM m6 Knee High Compression Socks, $49 at ITEM m6
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Holiday Kit
If you don't have time to shop around, this set comes with a slew of less than obvious essentials, including warmup leggings, Evian Facial Spray and Mountain Ocean Skin Trip Lotion.
Outdoor Voices Women's Holiday Kit, $300 at Outdoor Voices
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Charger
There's nothing worse than your phone dying mid-workout, especially if you use your phone for music. Always keep external juice handy with this super-lightweight mini external battery.
Anker Astro Mini 3200mAh External Battery, $19.99 at Amazon
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Windblocker
It's always challenging to dress for cold weather workouts; you may start out freezing but as your workout progresses, your body builds heat. This windblocker is lightweight, so you can easily use it as a layering piece to shed off during your workout, but it's also covered in a wind-resistant layer of quilted fabric designed to keep your body warm, minus the bulk. Meaning, that you can actually use this as your only layer even during the winter.
ASICS Thermo Windblocker, $125 at ASICS
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Glow in the Dark Sneakers
Anyone who has biked or driven a car in the dark knows how hard it is to see runners. If you're running at night, it's imperative that you're properly dressed. New Balance has just released a glow-in-the dark collection that provides head-to-toe visibility. The sneakers are particularly eye-catching, both in terms of style and performance.
NB Glow, prices vary at New Balance
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Night Lights
In addition to wearing clothing and sneakers designed to be worn in the dark, if you work out after nightfall or before sunrise, invest in a marker band to ensure your safety. See here for more on this topic.
Nite Ize LED Marker Band, $11.99 at Nite Ize
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Thick Yoga Mat
If you're a beginner or have joint problems, don't skip your yoga sessions just because you're having trouble adjusting to a workout that grazes the ground. Instead, opt for a joint-friendly, thick yoga mat. Jade makes the best one — not only is it durable, but you won't slip if you sweat a lot or practice hot yoga. The 5/16 inch thick (versus 1/8 inch thick) mat is available in two lengths (68 inches or 74 inches) and comes in a variety of colors. Note, however, that this quality and thickness is not light — the mat weighs in at about seven pounds.
Jade Fusion Yoga and Pilates Mat, $119 at Jade Yoga
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Yoga Set
Sesame is a cool new site that curates themed gift sets, including a number of health and wellness items. This yoga set will help take your activity up a level. Included is an Organic Cotton Yoga Strap by Gaiam, The Yoga Deck by Olivia H. Miller, a Coconut Almond Santa Barbara Bar and a Classic Klean Kanteen (hydration is key before, during and after any workout).
Yoga Set, $47 at Sesame Gifts
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Recovery
Most people don't stretch as much as they should (check out the latest stretching trend here). To ensure that you are passively stretching (at the very least), keep a massager handy. HoMedics makes a variety of affordable ones targeted at everything from your neck to your feet.
HoMedics Massagers, prices vary at HoMedics
