The Best Fitness Gear | February 2017
All the Healthy Gear We're Loving This Month
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
Whether you're proudly sticking to your healthy New Year's resolutions or you could use a nudge in that direction, new gear works wonders when it comes to inspiration. Check out the gear, clothing, and snacks we're loving for February; maybe they'll motivate you, too.
Forsake Duck Boots
"It's been a wet Winter here in the Bay Area and these waterproof Duck boots by Forsake ($140) have kept my feet warm and dry on rainy walks and muddy hikes — including creek crossings. I even wore these boots in the snow and appreciated all the traction they provided while navigating icy patches of roads and trails. Design-wise, they mix the classic duck boot upper with sole of a sneaker. This hybrid design makes for a comfy, cute, and dry boot." — Susi May, senior director, Fitness and Living
Gem Water Via Wellness Water Bottle
"You may have noticed that I'm into a lot of natural 'woo-woo' wellness lately . . . because I fully am. My latest full-blown, stage-four-clinger obsession is my crystal-infusing water bottle — the Gem Water Via Wellness Water Bottle ($78). This glass bottle comes with a pod of amethyst, rose quartz, and clear quartz (you can swap out pods and get ones that help with fitness and other health goals). Not only is it stunningly beautiful, but the homeopathic healing properties of these particular stones are known to create a sense of tranquility, 'soothe the mind and emotions,' and give your skin a glowing boost. My Uber driver asked me if I was 17 last week so I think it's working." — Dominique Astorino, assistant editor, Fitness
Adidas Climaheat Tights
"Since being turned on to these insulated Climaheat Tights ($65, originally $130) at an Adidas event last year, I've been mildly obsessed. Made to keep you warm during freezing Winter workouts, I've worn these during 30-degree outdoor workouts and also during several sessions of cross-country skiing in 20-degree temps. On all occasions, I stayed toasty without overheating while still staying dry and free from sweat. Given how warm they keep me, I am constantly surprised at how lightweight and thin they are, which also makes them a great base layer to wear under waterproof pants." — Michele Foley, director, Fitness
Smart Sweets Gummy Bears
"Hi, my name is Victor and I am a gummy addict. No matter how hard I try to lower my sugar intake, I always cave when gummy candy is involved. That's why Smart Sweets Gummy Bears ($23 for a pack of six) were life-changing. These gummy bears are made with natural ingredients and sweeteners but only contain two grams of sugar in each bag (and 96 percent of your daily fiber)! They're the perfect snack to satisfy a sugar craving — without giving up my love for chewy candy." — Victor Verdugo, editorial assistant, Social Media
Knixwear Athletic Bikini
"With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, sexy lingerie is put under the spotlight, but I would much rather receive performance underwear. I'm currently obsessed with Canadian company Knixwear, which keeps performance and design in mind to create active intimates. My favorite product is their Athletic Bikini ($22), which is made with moisture-wicking Lycra Sport fabric to help maximize movement and comfort while providing built-in moisture wicking. If you've ever had not-so-sexy butt-sweat lines, you will definitely want to try these out. Bonus? These seamless panties are invisible under leggings!" — Genevieve Farrell, producer, Beauty and Fitness
The North Face Mendelson Jacket
"I'm always unbearably cold, but this Mendelson Jacket ($400) has changed that for me! Whether skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking in the snowy woods, this waterproof coat keeps me warm and dry. I love that the insulation is synthetic, and there are so many pockets for everything from my ski pass to my phone, tissues, and snacks. The underarm vents and hood that can fit over my ski helmet are also handy features. I totally recommend this coat to anyone who runs cold but wants to enjoy the Winter." — Jenny Sugar, editor, Fitness
Hungryroot Food Kit
"For the longest time, I was a spiralized noodle skeptic; part of what turned me around was Hungryroot, a novel meal-kit delivery service that focuses on spiralized and riced vegetables. Not only are the kits themselves tasty — my favorites are the noodles with savory almond sesame ($9), the potato morning hash ($6), and the cauliflower rice with Moroccan almond curry ($6) — but they're also super low fuss to prepare. The snacks and desserts on offer are already made (just tear off the lid), while others like the hash and noodles merely require a quick trip to the skillet, making these a great option for busy folks who might be put off by the prep and cleanup involved with spiralizing vegetables." — Nicole Perry, contributing editor
Allbirds Wool Runners
"Living in NYC, I walk pretty much everywhere and am always on the lookout for shoes that are both attractive and comfortable. Enter Allbirds ($95), sleek, machine-washable, merino wool sneakers. They're also ideal for travel as they can serve double duty for city strolls and workouts, freeing up precious space in my suitcase. (They're not as supportive as typical running shoes, but they work well for low-impact gym sessions.)" — NP
Maple Sea Salt RXBAR
"I have a hard time eating before morning workouts, but without a little something in my system, I start dragging 40 minutes into hour-long cardio dance session and I want to give it my all for all 60 minutes. I have become partial to breakfasting on half of a Maple Sea Salt RXBAR ($26 for a box of 12) and savoring the second half after my workout. The maple flavor reminds me of classic morning meals like pancakes and waffles, which makes eating a protein bar in the morning much more palatable. This RXBAR meets the fairly stringent requirements of the Whole30 eating plan, so I feel confident my Maple bar makes the cut for my clean-eating routine. The Maple Sea Salt flavor, which is not too sweet and not too salty, offers 12 grams of protein and five grams of fiber. And all that nutritional goodness comes from only six ingredients: dates, egg whites, pecans, cashews, sea salt, and natural maple flavor." — SM
Yuni Pocket Savasana Essential Oil Roller
"I'm a big fan of Yuni products for a number of reasons; they're nontoxic, biodegradable, compostable, and never tested on animals. This Pocket Savasana ($26) is a calming blend of essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin — specifically the temples and under the nostrils — to soothe and calm instantly. It's a combination of sage, bergamot, neroli, and ylang ylang to uplift and relax you simultaneously. You can throw this in your purse for a little on-the-go de-stressing, or use it at your at-home or in-studio yoga practice pre-Savasana. Namaste." — DA
Silk Protein & Nut Milk
"If you're not a fan of soy, but hate how the other dairy-free milks offer pretty much no protein, you've got to try Silk's newest product, Protein & Nutmilk ($3). Made from almonds, cashews, and pea protein, each one-cup serving offers 10 grams of protein — the most of any other kinds of dairy-free milks. It comes in regular and vanilla flavor, tastes creamy and delicious, and is perfect for smoothies, overnight oats, cereal, baking, or paired with some home-baked cookies." — JS
Outdoor Voices Stretch Crepe Running Jacket
"I had been on the hunt for a multipurpose jacket that could get me through San Francisco's rainy winter. I fell in love with the Outdoor Voices Stretch Crepe Running Jacket ($175) because not only did it keep me dry and warm, but the lightweight fabric makes it super comfortable to wear on my long commutes. It's easily become one of the most versatile pieces in my closet as I wear it between workouts or on wet and foggy hikes." — VV
Box Appetit's Eau Good
"Box Appetit's Eau Good ($20) is a conversion starter thanks to its design that features charcoal bisecting the bottle. Looks aside, this bottle uses Japanese binchotan charcoal, a filtration method used in Japan for over 500 years, to purify tap water, making it taste delicious. My first thought when drinking it was that it tasted straight out of a river (seriously!). This is the first water bottle I have truly been excited about!" — GF
Vega Protein and Greens Powder
"It took a good seven years, but I have finally found a plant-based protein powder I like. Most are too chalky or taste gross from the stevia in the mix. This is not the case with Vega Protein and Greens Powder ($29). It's creamy and delicious and when mixed with almond milk, reminds me of a vanilla milkshake. Each serving contains 20 grams of protein and two servings of greens (though you wouldn't know it based on the taste). My go-to recipe has been mixing it with unsweetened almond milk, half a frozen banana, a tablespoon of flaxmeal, and a cup of frozen berries." — MF
Chobani Simply 100 "Crunch"
"Chobani let me sample literally all of their new flavors this past month, and it's safe to say that I'm 1,000 percent hooked. Their latest addition that I think you'll be excited about? Simply 100 "Crunch" ($2). Nonfat Greek yogurt in 100-calorie servings with delicious toppings? It's one of those things that you eat and think, 'This isn't good for me . . . this can't be good for me . . . this is definitely not good for me . . . HOW IS THIS HEALTHY?' I know this because I went through that process as I sampled every single flavor (fun fact: they are good for you).
Some of my favorites: Vanilla Coconut Macaron (vanilla yogurt with Amaretti-style cookies, milk chocolate pieces, and toasted coconut) and Raspberry Chocolate Twist (raspberry acai yogurt with raspberry milk chocolate and toasted coconut). Yes, I'm serious, and yes, these are real flavors, and yes, they're 100 calories with low amounts of sugar and high amounts of protein. The universe loves you." — DA
The Yoga Kitchen Cookbook
"This year I promised that I would make more of my meals at home to save money and be more in control of the ingredients that go into the food I eat. Recently I've been turning to the Yoga Kitchen Cookbook ($25) for unique and mouthwatering recipes that will also keep me energized throughout the day. I'm a sucker for gorgeous food photography, so even flipping through the book feels like a treat." — VV
Nike Metcon 3s
"I have never been obsessed with sneakers until now. The Nike Metcon 3s ($130) have become my absolute favorite for CrossFit — they felt perfectly comfortable the moment I slipped them on. The laces are easy to tighten for a snug fit, and the sole is flexible yet the flat heel offers stability for lifting heavy. I love that they're super lightweight so they felt great when box jumping and doing burpees. I also love the added grip on the inside sole for rope climbing. Not a fan of basic black? They have tons of fun color combos. If you want a stretchier fit, go for the Metcon DSX Flyknit ($160)." — JS
Project Juice Clean Kit
"If you're feeling the need for a reset, consider the Project Juice Clean Kit ($59/day, available in stores). Each day of the kit comes with two meals (think spring rolls and salads), three juices, two wellness shots, and a snack, and is completely customizable to your tastes. (My favorites were the chocolate protein shake, mulberry trail mix, falafel, and turmeric tonic.) It's light enough to help reset habits after a bit of indulgence, but isn't so little food (as with some cleanses) that it leaves you hangry and headache-ridden." — NP
Lululemon Simply Bare Tank
"Just when I thought I had everything I needed from Lululemon, they dropped this on me. Doing a little post-Christmas shopping with my gift card (thanks, little brother), one of the in-store educators asked me to try on this tank — the Simply Bare Tank ($58). It's the same ridiculously, mind-meltingly soft fabric as the Align pants and has an ultraflattering high, narrow neckline that's great for showing off shoulder definition. I wore this to Barry's Bootcamp and to Megaformer class and it was light and breathable, and hid sweat very well." — DA
Brooklyn Biltong Jerky
"Brooklyn Biltong ($8) is unlike any jerky I've had before. Sugar-free and super tender (it's air-dried instead of oven-dried), it's based on a South-African recipe — plus, it's made from grass-fed cattle." — NP
Under Armour Athlete Recovery Sleepwear — Women’s Long-Sleeved Shirt
"I'm a sleep fiend! It is very rare for me to make it through watching a movie at night without dozing off. I attribute this fatigue to my body always being so sore after I work out, so my body shuts down as soon as it gets dark. That is why I was intrigued by Under Armour's Athlete Recovery Sleepwear Long Sleeve Shirt ($99) and shorts ($60.) These PJs help your body to recover faster and promote better sleep by using TB12 technology that reflects Far Infrared. Not only were they the most comfortable PJs I have worn, so soft and and perfectly relaxed in fit, but I did notice my sleep improve while wearing them. The long sleeve was perfect for Winter sleep because it kept me warm but not too warm (because it's the most annoying thing when you bundle up for bed and wake up in the middle of the night sweating). I woke up feeling like I had made the most out of my recovery sleep." — GF
Pressed Juicery Strawberry Almond Milk
"I can't remember the last time that I enjoyed a glass of strawberry milk, but just thinking of drinking a glass full of artificial coloring and sweeteners makes me cringe. But I was so excited to try Pressed Juicery Strawberry Almond Milk ($8) since it's like a healthy and tasty rendition of the childhood classic. With ingredients like strawberry, almond, coconut water, and beets (for coloring), it's the perfect beverage to enjoy after a workout or when I'm in need of a midday pick-me-up." — VV
Siete Grain-Free Tortilla Chip Nacho
"If you're looking for a healthier way to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday, look no further than Siete Grain Free Tortilla Chip in Nacho ($5). Made with cassava flour and avocado oil, these delicious chips are free for corn and wheat and are Paleo- and vegan-friendly, but also taste so delicious. These will be your go-to chip to curb your Doritos cravings." — GF
