Our FitSugar team loves this Prana racerback top because it's made from thick moisture-wicking fabric, has a supportive internal shelf bra, and gives you the support you need in a form-flattering style! For a limited time only, all Prana items are 40 percent off exclusively for PopSugar shoppers!
(Note: Video mentions this shirt is water-resistant but it is actually made of moisture-wicking fabric.)
You can count me as one of the 30 percent of people who don't get enough sleep every night, so when Lark sent me its silent alarm clock ($100) to test a couple months ago, I was all about it. Since then, I've been using it pretty regularly, here's what I think of the alarm clock.
First, here's what it is: The Lark is part app (compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad only at the moment, but an Android version seems imminent), part motion-sensing wristband that vibrates to wake you up and tracks your sleep quality throughout the night. It promises to both help you wake up more naturally and without disturbing your bedmate and change your personality from sleep-deprived night owl to well-rested morning lark. Included in the package is the Lark sensor, wristband, and charging dock where you plug your wristband into when you wake up — both to shut off the vibrating alarm and ensure that your wristband has enough juice to monitor your sleeping stats for the next night. The charging dock includes a USB port to connect your iPhone charger to it, so you don't have to use two sockets for each.
Who it's for: The Lark is useful if you have a partner and you both wake up at different times. Since it's a silent alarm clock, it rouses you with a series of vibrations through your wristband, so if your normal wake-up call is earlier than your bedmate's, your partner can snooze away without being disturbed. That may or may not be valuable enough for you to justify the $100 price tag, but it is an effective solution. Besides the alarm clock portion, the Lark app tracks several sleeping stats: how many hours you slept as well as how many times you woke up during the night and how long it took you to fall asleep (both based on your movements).
Keep reading for my thoughts on the Lark alarm clock.
I love my Gaiam BalanceBall, but I've been on the search for a simple, at home way to do resistance training, especially since the wet, wintery mornings can impede my trips to the gym. The Gaiam Covered Resistance Cord Kit ($15) is an affordable and compact way to strength train in a small, indoor space.
You never forget how to ride a bike, but hopping on one for the first time since those school days gone by can be intimidating. So when Trek sent me a bike that it promised was perfect for beginner cyclists, I was hoping it was the ideal gateway bike for me to start navigating San Francisco's hilly roads on two wheels.
What's New
Released over the Summer, the 2012 Trek 7.2 FX WSD hybrid bike ($550) is an update of the company's most popular model. Since it's a part-road, part-mountain hybrid bike, it's made for anyone who commutes in the city, cycles for fitness, or is just the casual rider. Upgrades to the new model include a lighter body, shock-absorbing handlebars, and improved saddle comfort. Also, Trek's WSD line features women-specific design to ensure that the bikes' proportions and sizing are made for your body.
The Ride
As a city cyclist newbie, I loved how comfortable the 7.2 FX felt from the start. From the seat to the shock-absorbing handlebars, I felt confident and at ease. The low-rise handlebars make for back-friendly upright riding, and the bike's sturdiness reassured me that I was in control (everything helps when those cars are whizzing by). When I took the 7.2 FX with me during a camping trip, its hybrid tires — wider than a road bike's but not as big as a mountain bike's — navigated well-worn trails with ease, whether they were paved, rocky, or sandy.
Besides the comfortable ride, many of the 7.2 FX's other features make me a fan. My appreciation for the 7.2 FX's aluminum frame and eight speeds, for instance, grew exponentially as soon as I confronted my first hill. Its light body meant I wasn't weighed down, and once I got a hang of shifting gears I was able to actually make it to the top using the bike's low gears.
Read on for more details about the Trek 7.2 FX WSD.
Daily workouts mean I can never have too many sports bras. And while I'm not blessed with the type of goods that need to be supported and bounce-free during a high-impact workout, a structured sports bra is essential for keeping me comfortable while I exercise. So when Adidas sent me their new TechFit sports bra from their Fall line to review, I happily added it to my workout wardrobe rotation and went running.
The Adidas TechFit Bra ($30) promises to contour to your body shape while keeping you cool and comes in basic black as well as a a few bright color combinations. It's a compression-style (read: uniboob) bra and is made of a stretchy interlocking fabric that promises to move with you while wicking away sweat and heat.
Read on for my thoughts on the TechFit bra!
When you're heavy on top, finding a sports bra is downright frustrating. Most aren't made for women who are over a D cup — let alone DD-H. Even if you do manage to squeeze yourself into one, you end up with a very unattractive uniboob and barely there support. When Freya — one of my favorite bra companies — came out with an active line, I was overjoyed. (Without divulging too much, I have a small ribcage at 32 inches with an ample bosom.) Freya gets women with larger bust sizes. They even understand that some women have a large cup size but can still be small in the frame.
To see my review and other colors of the bra, read more
