April showers may be in the forecast, but a little rain isn't stopping us. We're zipping up our waterproof running jackets, adding a dash of fun with printed workout leggings, and heading out the door. Afterward, we're fueling up with an addictive Greek yogurt snack. Click through to check out these and more of our must haves for April!
Running in the cold means careful attention must be paid to your outerwear. You don't want to bundle up too much, lest you overheat just a few miles into your jog, but you also need to make sure you stay warm, safe, and comfortable. These running jackets help you meet your requirements: from sweat-wicking material to breathable mesh vents to thumbholes to keep your wrists warm, here are 10 running jackets — in every price range — to choose from!
Spring is almost here, at least according to the calendar. To psych yourself up for the changing of the seasons, we asked you to share your fitness must haves for this week's challenge of the Get Fit For 2011 giveaway. We're joining in the fun, too! Here are five pieces of fitness gear that are helping us gear up for Spring.
Be sure to share your fitness must haves in our Get Fit For 2011 group to enter our weekly giveaway of a $100 Nike gift card and a chance to win our grand prize — a four-day fitness boot camp in LA, which includes a nutritional consultation with the C&J Nutrition team!
After continually running out of sports bras midweek, because doing laundry just hasn't been my thing lately, I decided to invest in some more support. I went with a sports bra from Moving Comfort since I liked their spin shorts; I opted for the Alexis bra ($36) and couldn't be more pleased. Wearing a bra that shares a name with a friend of mine is a little odd, but both are quite supportive.
Not being that well-endowed, I always thought I didn't need to worry about quality support, but as gravity works its timely magic, I have begun appreciate a solid sports bra; the Alexis fits the bill. The bra is super supportive, comfy, and designed for high-impact workouts. I felt as if my chest barely moved while I ran intervals at the track. The bra is cut just a little high in the chest so the striped pattern showed when I unzipped the top of my long-sleeved outer layer. For me this was a good thing; my budding fashionista daughter noticed it and complimented me on my look.
To read about how the bra is constructed, read more
Having a chamois (seat padding inside bike shorts) for spin class is a must, but classes are generally an hour or less, making them considerably shorter than half-day rides out on the road. This means you don't need all the bulk on your bum. The Spin Short ($55) by Moving Comfort softens my seat while biking inside.
Know for its sports bras, Moving Comfort is moving on to other types of apparel. These spin shorts are shorter than my usual bike shorts, but since spin class is usually hot, I appreciated the cooling effect. I particularly liked the zippered pocket in the back of my shorts. It's perfectly sized for my ID and gym card. I found these shorts really comfy and had no issue with seam chafing, and they wash up quite well; just make sure to hang them to dry.
To see how these shorts are sized read more
It is rare when a women specific exercise issue makes the news, but my reaction to the story that even gentle exercise causes breast pain in the majority of womens was - duh! I could have told you that. It is cool though that someone is researching this and the outcome will hopefully be better bras, since running outside is tough enough on its own. You have to concentrate to dodge pedestrians, avoid cracks in the sidewalks and be on the look out for cars, so you shouldn't have to worry about that uncomfortable bounce factor. I want a sports bra that will help my girls stay put, not only to reduce the pain, but most importantly to stop the immature comments I hear spewing out of car windows.
Check out this Fiona Bra ($44) made by Moving Comfort. This is for all the ladies who are a C-D-DD in cup size, and like to do high-impact exercise.
This bra offers intense support, but still gives you a feminine shape. The straps and back clasp with 3 rows of hook and eyes make this bra completely adjustable, so you can get a perfect fit for your body. There are interior molded cups to encapsulate each breast and the material across your chest is one-way power mesh to limit vertical movement (aka - the bounce).
This bra is the definition of support and I love that it covers your cleavage. It comes in white, black, moonstone, petal, and green tea. Order it from Moving Comfort in a range of sizes from 32C - 44DD.
I don't know if this has ever happened to you but the other day I made my way to the gym and was changing when I realized that I forgot my sports bra! [Argh!] I am lucky enough that I had a sample waiting in my desk at work for a test run, so I ran back to work, grabbed it and was back to the gym in no time.
Now, keep in mind that I love the sports bra I currently wear, so I was more than disappointed that I was without it. The sports bra I was about to try from Moving Comfort had a lot to prove.
Turns out, the Sera Bra ($29.50) was great! I was pleasantly surprised at how soft yet supportive it was. Being that it was a day where I was running on the treadmill and then doing some arms strength training, I really put it to the test. I was happy with how freely my arms were able to move without any discomfort whatsoever. What's more? The Sera Bra is seamless, which means no irritation or chafing. The DriLayer moisture-wicking fabric makes it a great bet for spring, especially for those of us more prone to bacne. Buy it from Two Roads Fitness.
If you need a more supportive bra for a large chest, then read more
