FitSugar

Gear to Keep Your Water Cold When Exercising in the Heat

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 04:24:36 PDT

Thermos sponsored a recent study with leading fitness researchers and discovered that cold hydration increases performance when exercising. Sipping down cold water (40° F) has been shown to keep a person's core temperature down, and drinking enough water will help you exercise longer and harder. I'll drink to that! Depending on the length of your workout, whether it's a 30-minute run or a 6-hour hike, here are some items you'll need to keep your water frosty cold in the Summer heat.

Must-Have Accessories For Outdoor Workouts

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 02:00:24 PDT

For Spring, we've already outfitted you in bright athletic shoes, colorful running shorts, and a cute hoodie, but we're not done yet! There are still a few go-to items that must be obtained before you head outside for your workouts. A bit more on the practical side, these accessories will keep you protected, hydrated, and warm (as needed!).

Stay protected from the sun's glare with a cool pair of polarized shades, some sunscreen, and a running cap. We love Oakley's Beckon sunglasses ($160) because they are as fashionable as they are functional! Keep the face protected with lululemon's wicking cap ($32), which has a nifty zip pocket on the side, and don't forget to slather on some Neutrogena Sport Face suncreen ($12). Regardless of the season, staying hydrated is key; we love the Water Geeks Lab bottle ($24) because of its built-in filter that gets rid of impurities. Unpredictable Spring weather means layering, but you can skip the jacket with these Sugoi Lucky Arm Warmers ($40). Stretch them up to stay warm while riding, running, or hiking, or push them down to feel the sun on your guns.

The Kangaroo Water Bottle That Doubles as a Wallet

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:00:22 PDT

In love with the classic squirt top biking water bottle, my husband asked rhetorically if one could make a better water bottle? My answer was simply the Kangaroo Bottle ($13) by Contigo. While not designed to fit in a cycling water bottle cage, it has a bunch of great features.

Named for the pocket on the front of the bottle, the Kangaroo can hold your driver's license or gym ID, a key, and a small stash of cash. It's nice to eliminate the need to carry a wallet to the gym; just get dressed, grab your water bottle, and head to your workout. This is why I love taking my Kangaroo to the yoga studio, rather than leaving my purse in the car or at the back of the studio, all my "valuables" hang out with me by my mat.

The bottle also doesn't leak, which is great if it happens to be rolling around in your gym bag or the back seat of your car. To drink you press a button and the spout opens. For extra protection, the spout has a small lid that flips out of the way when you sip. I also appreciate the handle on the bottle, which has carabiner so you can attach the bottle to a backpack. Last but not least, the bottle is made out of BPA free plastic.

You can find Contigo products at these retailers or buy a Kangaroo online directly from Contigo. The bottle is also available in charcoal, turquoise, and fuchsia.

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Gear Review: Klean Kanteen Insulated Water Bottle

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:30:25 PDT

I have found my new Summer best friend. I am not exaggerating when I say that Klean Kanteen's new Insulated Water Bottle ($26) is the best invention I've seen in a while. Though the concept is simple - this bottle keeps your cold water cold, and your hot beverages hot - it's really changed my life for the better. After all, it's the simple pleasures in life that make it all worthwhile, right?

The website says this insulated stainless steel bottle will keep your iced drinks cold for up to 24 hours and they are not lying! I filled my 16-ounce bottle with ice water, and brought it to an all-day concert last week (it was 85 degrees). I didn't end up drinking it all, and when I opened the bottle the following day, it was still icy cold. I've even kept ice water on my desk without the top on, and hours later, there are still ice cubes floating in it. This bottle is no joke. Another plus is that when you hold the bottle, it doesn't feel cold, and it doesn't sweat like a regular Klean Kanteen bottle would. I'm also a huge fan of the wide mouth that makes it easy to plop in ice cubes, easy to hand wash, and easy to sip from.

For more reasons why I'm in love with this insulated bottle keep reading

Gear Review: Lifefactory Glass Water Bottle

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:30:08 PST

I like staying hydrated on the go. But I also have my concerns about chemicals leaching into my water after the Nalgene fiasco of 2008, when we learned that polycarbonate bottles release the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) into our drinks, increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Many people then switched to Sigg bottles, but it later came to light that this brand's older bottles had BPA in their lining. Where does this leave us? With glass.

Lifefactory now makes adult versions of its eco-friendly baby bottles - minus the nipple, of course. Lifefactory sent me a Beverage Bottle ($22) to test out and I've been carrying it ever since. It's a 22-ounce sturdy glass bottle, with a screw top lid, housed in a protective silicone sleeve. Here's what I love about my bottle: it holds a lot of water, the entire thing is dishwasher safe (both bottle and silicone sleeve), the water inside never takes on that funky metallic taste, and since it's clear you can see how much water you have left. Here's the drawback: it's a bit heavy, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise since it is made of glass. I tried the bottle out at the gym, and quickly realized that it's not meant for use on a cardio machine since you have to screw off the lid, which is an accident waiting to happen if you're trucking along on a treadmill. On the other hand, I appreciated the break time during circuit weight training when I needed a sip and had to remove and replace the lid. I think the best use of this bottle is on driving-heavy carpooling and errand-running days, but I don't think I would take it with me on a hike.

I must say I like the polka-dot design, and the silicone really does provide ample gripping action - even for sweaty hands. You can pick up your own Beverage Bottle from Lifefactory's website. I also found the bottles, both for babies and adults, at my local co-op grocery.

Don't Let a Water Bottle Turn Into an Ice Pack

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:00:21 PST

One of my favorite things to do during the Fall and Winter is to go on a long hike - the barren trees and snow-capped mountains provide an absolutely gorgeous backdrop. But one thing I can do without is the water in my water bottle freezing, which can happen a lot during an overnight camping trip. It's important to stay hydrated during a hike, and frozen water will only add dead weight to your carrying load.

A simple tip I use to prevent my water from freezing is to insulate my bottle using recycled wool. I use an old wool sock that is missing its better half and slip that over my Nalgene water bottle. The wool helps keep the bottle insulated and the water from freezing. I also keep my water bottle close to my body to keep it warm with body heat. Filling a water bottle with warm water rather than cold is helpful too.

If you want something cuter than an old wool sock over your bottle, try making a cute water bottle cozy out of an old wool sweater. Or if you're feeling lazy, buy a handmade cozy instead, which, by the way, could make a great gift for the extreme sport enthusiast in your life.

Source: Flickr User SesameSeedDesigns

Support Breast Cancer Awareness With Beyond Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:00:03 PDT

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Beyond Yoga, one of my favorite brands of fitness clothes, is offering some unique pink products. The company is donating 30 percent of the proceeds from the sale of these I Am Beyond . . . Hopeful water bottles ($36) and its Lift and Support Bra ($64) to the Women's Cancer Research Fund. Every sale will support research, education, and outreach for the early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of female cancers. A minimum of $4 will be donated for every water bottle sold, and a $10 donation will be made for every bra sold.

To hear more about these products and see some other photos, keep reading

Smartwater Bottle Inspired by Healthy Kids and Jennifer Aniston

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:30:00 PDT

If you're a fan of Smartwater because it offers your body the lost electrolytes it needs after a long workout, the next time you pick up a bottle, you may notice something different.

The company has unveiled a colorful, limited-edition bottle. The design was inspired by a mural completed by Jennifer Aniston and a group of 20 kids from the Action For Healthy Kids program in LA this Fall. Every time you purchase one of these bottles, five cents goes directly to this nonprofit organization, with a goal of raising one million dollars. The money will help kids stay healthy by offering funding for after school programs across the country that get kids moving, eating well, staying hydrated, and educated on what it takes to live healthy lives. Well, that's certainly a worthy cause to drink to!

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Sundance Goes Green With Reusable Water Bottles

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:04:55 PST

Though most of us aren't lucky enough to attend the Sundance Film Festival, we've probably all been to events that hand out hundreds and hundreds of plastic water bottles. Last year, Sundance alone gave out 50,000 single-serve bottles, most of which just end up in landfills.

So for the 2009 festival, which kicks off this Thursday, Sundance is partnering with an organization called FilterForGood, which is devoted to reducing bottled-water waste. Instead of wasteful one-off containers, festivalgoers will get free reusable water bottles provided by Nalgene, which they can then refill at Brita-sponsored water stations.

I've had a reusable water bottle for a while now, but if you haven't gotten one yet, you can visit FilterForGood's site and make a pledge to switch. The site also sells FilterForGood-branded bottles that let you support the cause. Don't worry: They're BPA free!

Biggest Headline of 2008: Nalgene and BPA

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:03:15 PST

For fitness fanatics and nature lovers, owning a Nalgene water bottle was as essential as a sports bra - a must-have to stay hydrated and reduce your plastic footprint. For years it seemed like there was a Nalgene bottle next to every machine at the gym. Then the scare hit.

The chemical known as bisphenol A (BPA) used to make these polycarbonate bottles was found to possibly cause cancer, UTIs, and early puberty in preliminary animal studies. Other research showed that exposure to BPA was also linked to diabetes and heart disease. Women were worried because it was suspected to affect fertility and the development of babies.

Many people stopped using their Nalgenes immediately, replacing them with stainless steel (Klean Kanteen), aluminum (Sigg), or BPA-free water bottles. Folks who felt bad about adding to landfills found new uses for their bottles as lanterns.

So what did Nalgene do? To find out

Even though Nalgene refuted that its products were harmful to humans, the company reacted quickly by designing a BPA-free water bottle. BPA is still found in some plastic baby bottles and the lining of cans, although many government agencies feel the risk is nothing to worry about. Many experts believe that the amount of BPA humans are exposed to is too small to cause any harm, and further evaluation is necessary.

I agree with Tufts professor and researcher Dr. Ana Soto, who says, "We cannot wait that long to discover whether this chemical is harming human reproduction and development." If there is even a slight chance BPA could negatively affect humans, why take the risk? Do you agree, or will you continue to use BPA products until scientists declare this chemical a definite risk?