Best Health and Fitness Gear | December 2016
Gear Up For Colder Temps With December's Greatest Fitness and Health Products
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.
With the weather outside majorly cooling off and snow in the forecast (hopefully!), here are some amazing products to keep you warm, energized, and happy this month.
Nike+ Apple Watch
"My new Nike+ Apple Watch ($399) has taken my Nike Run Club running app from my phone and put it in on my wrist, with fun new elements that have been encouraging me to get back on the trails at Golden Gate Park and sands at Ocean Beach. In addition to the Nike-specific elements, I'm also getting to take advantage of the Apple Watch's activity goals and reminders, which have been helping me stay more active as the holiday madness takes over my schedule." — Dominique Astorino, assistant editor, Fitness
Lou & Grey Form Streeeetch Crop Top
"While doing a bit of holiday shopping, I admittedly got a little something for myself — but only because it TOTALLY caught my eye and caught me off guard while I was shopping for family at Ann Taylor LOFT. This Lou & Grey Form Streeeetch Crop Top ($40) has a stylish high-neck and a seasonally on-point deep berry hue, with supersoft, stretchy fabric that wore quite nicely in my last SoulCycle class. I'd say the best part was that I got it on a 50 percent off Black Friday sale, but in reality, the best part is that this is the epitome of a gym-to-street style, and I fully plan on wearing this with a high-waisted skirt over the holiday season." — DA
Skida Winter hat
"This cozy Skida Hat ($36) comes in tons of fun and vibrant prints to brighten up a dreary Winter day. I love that it's lined with fleece so it's warm and also wicks away moisture, so it's perfect for cold-weather sports like cross country skiing, hiking, running, or just cruising around while running errands." — Jenny Sugar, editor, Fitness
Hungryroot Spiralized Veggies
"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 beet noodles with savory almond sesame ($9), the sweet potato morning hash ($6), and the carrot cashew chia pudding ($6) — but they're also super-low-fuss to prepare. Some offerings, like the chia pudding, 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 clean-up involved with spiralizing vegetables." — Nicole Perry, contributing editor
Feetures Socks
"Some runners are loyal to a style of shoes, I'm loyal to a specific sock. Feetures! Max Cushion has been my go-to running socks for training, the LA marathon, and all the way through my 9th half marathon. I love the extra cushioning of these socks, which is unlike any other sock I have tried. Even though they are on the pricey side ($16), they come with a lifetime guarantee. If you're looking for a sock to take you through all of your race training (and lifetime!) look no further than Features!"— Genevieve Farrell, video producer, Fitness and Beauty
Clif Bar Nut Butter Filled Bars
"I bought this on a whim while hitting the grocery store after a CrossFit class. I have to say this Peanut Butter Filled Clif Bar ($1.50) is my new favorite. This bar tastes more decadent than other Clif bars — the filling really is amazing. At 230 calories, it offers 27 grams of carbs, and seven grams of protein — I'll definitely be keeping a bar in my ski jacket at all times so I can nosh on a few bites on the lift. I can't wait to try the other flavors like Coconut Almond Butter." — JS
Swing Kettlebell School
"I've been needing to balance my endless cardio schedule with some solid weightlifting, and when I heard about the new Swing Kettlebell School (first class free) opening up in San Francisco, I was drawn to it like a magnet. Kettlebell-focused classes and studios are popping up nationwide — like Kettlebell Centric in Dallas, KXT in LA, and Fhitting Room in NYC — and they're bringing a bad ass, empowering, transformative workout to a studio and group fitness setting. I love how strength-training classes like this are more accessible than ever, and you don't have to necessarily join a CrossFit or training gym to see if you love a new type of exercise. What is most awesome about Swing (besides the first class being $0) is that the classes are capped at 10 people, so you can get the best workout possible (with the safest form), with ample instructor attention." — DA
"Is there any doubt that something called a pasta chip wouldn't be delicious? Nope. But could it be healthy? Surprisingly, yes. These baked Pasta Chips ($4 per bag) contain 20 percent less fat than pita chips, 60 percent less fat than potato chips, and are 120 calories per serving. They are crunchy but not as hard as pita chips and the rosemary flavor is seriously delicious" — GF
The Bikini Body 28-Day Healthy Eating & Lifestyle Guide, by Kayla Itsines
"Many of you are likely familiar with Kayla Itsines and the quick 28-minute BBG workouts that have been changing women's bodies around the world. But an instrumental element in her body-transforming program is healthy eating — and Kayla's taking her magic number of 28 to a month-long meal plan in her new book, The Bikini Body 28-Day Healthy Eating & Lifestyle Guide ($15 to $28, depending on format). With crucial and practical tips on "how not to fail" your plan, Kayla gives you all the tools you need to set you up for success, including educational information, over 200 recipes (with lots of Kayla's favorite food — fruit), and even a beginner workout guide at the end. Ready to love it even more? Throughout the book, Kayla reminds you that a bikini body is not a look, it's a state of mind. The book is available for pre-order now and is available in the US December 27." — DA
Cotton On Body's Activewear
"I recently discovered Cotton On Body and have to say I'm pretty obsessed. Not only are their clothes completely affordable but they have colors, like this Dusty Rose Mesh T Back Tank ($20) that I haven't been able to find from other lines. I'm going to be stocking up on a few of their budget-friendly pieces this holiday season." — GF
Macadamia Milk
"Although I'm not lactose intolerant and I'm totally OK with dairy in my diet, I've been making more and more swaps for plant-based foods. And for those of you doing the same, you are going to LOVE what's going down here. This macadamia milk ($4) from Royal Hawaiian is the best thing to hit my refrigerator since maybe ever, and it's the creamiest, most decadent plant-based milk I've yet to try. Think: if almond milk tried to be almond half and half — it's that good. This stuff makes the BEST lattes, goes great in smoothies and granola, and is nutritionally comparable to almond milk (the unsweetened vanilla has 35 calories and 3.5 grams of fat per serving). You need it, I need it, we all need it." — DA
