Best Health and Fitness Gear | June 2016
The Fitness Products We're in Love With For June
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.
Hooray for warmer weather. It's finally here! And so are all the summery sports that go with it. Here are some of the health- and fitness-related items we're loving for the month of June.
Garmin Vívoactive HR Watch
"Why did I kick butt on my last half marathon? Because of this Garmin Vívoactive HR Watch ($250). I love how easy it is to track the time, distance, and pace on my runs, how quickly the pace changes on the touchscreen in response to my feet, and how well I can see the screen even in bright daylight. I don't have to plug the watch into my computer to see all my runs in one place — it automatically syncs with the app on my phone so I can see my progress. And on my latest 90-degree race day, I was so grateful it was waterproof so I could freely run through sprinklers without worrying about it getting wrecked. The battery lasts 13 hours when in GPS mode. I've worn it every day since I got it last month because I love that it tracks my daily steps and heart rate and notifies me of texts, emails, and phone calls. Best part? You can have it find your phone with a little ding sound." — Jenny Sugar, editor, Fitness
4th & Heart Grass Fed Ghee
"It's been a long time since I've reached for the olive oil in my cabinet, and it's all because of 4th & Heart's amazing grass fed ghee. For those not in the know, ghee is clarified butter; much like coconut oil it is shelf-stable and has a high smoking point, and because the milk solids are removed during the clarifying process, it's great for anyone who is Paleo or lactose-intolerant. It's also primed to be the next superfood. Used in Ayurvedic cooking for centuries, ghee is said to be high in vitamins K and E and omega fatty acids; it's also said to aid in digestion and helps to strengthen immunity.
"I've tried a lot of varieties of ghee, but 4th & Heart's is the best by leaps and bounds because of all the delicious flavor offerings. I am most obsessed with its Garlic Ghee ($11). I first used it in a simple veggie stir-fry and could not believe the flavor it imparted on the dish. My house smelled heavenly, the garlic tasted as fresh as if I had just chopped it myself, and the ghee absorbed all the different spices I used in the dish. Since that first dinner, I've used it in just about everything — pasta dishes, bruschetta, and scrambled eggs, just to name a few.
"I'm not alone in my love for it either: our content director loves baking with the Madagascar Vanilla Ghee, and our assistant editor has added the Himalayan Pink Salt Ghee to her morning bowl of oatmeal." — Michele Foley, senior editor, Fitness
SheBeest Polkamania Jersey
"It's time to get back on the bike! And while cute cycling gear can be hard to come by, SheBeest has become my new source for stylin' jerseys and shorts. The Divine Polkamania Jersey ($90) is as flattering as it is functional. The generous drop tail keeps me covered, and the silky fabric wicks like a dream. It has the three standard rear pockets, but the middle one has a water-resistant liner so I can easily store my iPhone without worrying about it getting sweaty (or wrapping it in a ziplock baggy before stowing it)." — Susi May, content director, Fitness
Yoga Wake Up App
"Do you often find your groggy, underrested self hitting the snooze button on a blaring alarm that sounds like a natural disaster siren? Perhaps there is a more zen alternative for your morning. I've recently tried the Yoga Wake Up App — which is free (!) — an alarm clock with a guided seven- to 15-minute yoga practice or meditation to gently get you out of bed and into your day. Holy wow, right? You choose your adventure the night before: decide which yogi you'd like to greet you from your slumber in the morning and if you'd rather gentle stretches in bed or a quick sun salutation on your feet." — Dominique Astorino, assistant editor, Fitness
Greenblender Smoothie Subscription
"I love smoothies and found myself in a rut recently, drinking the same (delicious) glowing green smoothie week after week. Cue Greenblender ($49 for a one-week subscription) — essentially the Blue Apron for smoothies — which delivers a box with five smoothie recipes and the preportioned ingredients all ready to dump in the blender. My box included smoothies like jalapeño mango and green kumquat. My favorite part was learning tricks like adding cocoa nibs for a chocolate chip effect. I highly recommend it if you're looking to shake up your smoothie routine." — Genevieve Farrell, fitness and beauty producer
Zumba Street Boss Shoe
"For turning, cutting, and sliding in Zumba class, a running shoe just won't do. It's hard to rumba in heavy sneakers. I've been dancing in the Street Boss ($85) by Zumba lately and really dig them. The shoe is totally flat, so you can really feel the floor and get down. The sole is made to pivot and slide, making the basic salsa step feel so easy. These shoes are lightweight and easy to dance in. And I must admit, the black high tops make me feel kind of tough too. The shoes also come in gold, silver, and hot pink." — SM
Electra Bike Bell
"Brrrrrrinnnng! Whether you like to ride around for fun or you're an avid road cyclist, an Electra Ding Dong Bell ($16) makes your bike more beautiful and helps keeps you safe. It's pretty big (about the size of your closed fist) and has a nice loud sound to it. If you're not a fan of this flower pattern, they come in many other designs." — JS
Cut Out Bra by Beyond Yoga
"I'm always on the hunt for comfortable sports bras. My current favorite is Beyond Yoga's Cut Out Bra ($69). The straps and band are a soft elastic, unlike any other bra I have tried. The band stretches easily as you slide it on but doesn't stretch out. The bra itself is made of Supplex, which feels like your favorite t-shirt. It's so comfortable, I've slept in it — how often can you say that about a bra?" — GF
Sambucol Elderberry Zinc Homeopathic Tablets
"Despite doing everything right, I tend to get sick more than I like. Because of this, I am always looking to find things that will help me cope whenever a cold or flu sets in — Sambucol elderberry tablets ($13) are a mainstay in my medicine cabinet.
"These homeopathic tablets contain zinc and black elderberry, both of which have been shown in multiple studies to reduce the duration of a cold or flu. As soon as I feel the signs of anything coming on, I start taking these tablets immediately. Placebo effect or not, they definitely seem to work." — MF
Absolutely Natural Rose Hip Aloe Lotion
"On my recent trip to Hawaii, I was introduced to the sorcery in a bottle that is Absolutely Natural Rose Hip Aloe Lotion ($16). While I was out on the water doing some SUP, the sun scorched through my SPF 70 and left me with a nasty burn. A woman at the resort introduced me to this lotion — and not only did it magically heal my horrid sunburn literally overnight, but used under SPF, it kept my skin more hydrated to prevent future burns. I love that it's all natural, and it smells heavenly while keeping my skin healthy and safe for all my summertime activities outside." — DA
Moto Leggings by Alo
"After seeing Alo's Moto Leggings ($110) on celebs like Gigi Hadid, I was in love. When I finally saw them in a store, I wanted to try them on and get them out of my system, figuring they wouldn't be flattering on my 5'2" frame. I was wrong! Not only were these tights flattering, but they were also chic and comfortable. They are on the pricey side, but I'm also able to wear these to work with an oversize top for an athleisure look." — GF
