FitSugar

Nintendo Wii Wiimotes Get Weighty

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

I'm a big fan of keeping hand weights by the TV for impromptu lifting sessions, and for all you Wii Fit devotees, the Riiflex Wiimote weights have a similar appeal. These snap-on weights affix to your Wii Remote and Nunchuck accessories to make workouts (or play) more challenging.

Available as a set of two 2-pound weights ($35) or two 4-pound weights ($40), the brightly colored dumbbells look comfy to hold and let you access the Wii's assorted buttons and triggers. Even if you don't have a Wii Fit, you can snap them on your Wiimote to make any Wii game work a little harder.

Interested? The Riiflex weights are available for pre-order, so grab yours now.

Get in Gear: WWW Gym Bag

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0800

A good gym bag is hard to find. That is why when I come across one, I am excited to share it with you guys. Meet the Title Nine WWW Bag ($69). The bag is roomy on the inside, but compact on the outside. The main compartment fits a change of clothes, gym bag essentials, and even some post workout snacks and a water bottle. There is also a zippered compartment for gym shoes and anything else you want in a separate, ventilated compartment. I know that the price tag may seem a little steep but coming from someone who has gone through a lot of inexpensive bags that didn't get the job done, it's worth shelling out a little extra dough for a good bag that does. Buy it online at TitleNine.com.

Get in Gear: Jump Ropes

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:00:21 -0800

Whether you're an exercise newbie or a fitness buff, jumping rope is a great option for fun, quick, and effective cardio. Though a jump rope is one of the simplest pieces of equipment available, shopping for one isn't easy because they come in various lengths and the quality can differ depending on materials used.

You'll find that ropes differ in handle size and cord weight; I recommend staying away from ropes made of cloth or leather. Generally, beaded ropes are supposed to give you the best aerobic workout. Speed ropes are the lightest type of rope, but I've found they can be difficult to control when you're a new jumper. I prefer slightly heavier ropes made of plastic.

See some jump rope options and learn how to determine the proper length of your jump rope when you read more.

While standing on the center of the cord, the handle tips should reach your armpits. If the handles are up by your ears, the rope is too long for you! You can also jump with your rope to determine if it's the proper length: If the cord doesn't touch the floor, the rope is too short; if it lands in front of you, it's too long. All of the ropes featured below are adjustable, so you can shorten the ropes if needed.

Gear Review: Yogoco Mat Bag

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:33:30 -0800

Whether you practice yoga or Pilates or just like to bring a mat to the gym to do toning exercises, I found a wonderful new bag made by Yogoco. It's my new favorite thing for so many reasons. For one, it's eco-friendly, made from pre-consumer T-shirts scraps. It's also extremely lightweight and has two 26-inch long compartments: one for a mat (it even fits my huge Manduka mat) and one for all the extra stuff like your towel, clothes, water bottle, snacks, or whatever. Mesh material on the sides lets your sweaty things air out, and the inside lining is wipeable. In the smaller zipper compartment, there's another pocket to hold important stuff like your keys, cell phone, or gym membership card.

Now I don't need to use my ugly oversize gym bag as often. With this Yogoco bag, everything is safely stored in its neat little compartment, which makes it easier to carry all my stuff and a cinch to find what I need. I have the Buddha's Garden design ($89), but these bags come in five other fun colors. To see them, read more.

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Get in Gear: FitFlops Booties

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:30:00 -0800

FitFlops have been all the rage since they made their debut stateside, but what's a leg-toning gal supposed to do when she has to tuck her sandals away for the Winter?

Enter the FitFlop Billow. These little cozy booties not only use the same technology as the beloved FitFlops, but they're super comfortable too. At $125, they don't come cheap, but if you've already fallen in love with their Summer counterparts, then dropping that much dough may not feel like a big splurge, but a necessity. You can pre-order them now at Blissworld.com. If you're still not sold on whether these shoes work their magic - or your legs, for that matter - then it might not be worth the dough. I think the thongs are comfy, but not sure how much they toned my legs.

Do You Wear Running Shoes When You're Not Running?

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:30:00 -0700

When I was in college, running shoes with jeans was quite a popular look. But although I wear casual sneakers for everyday comfort, I reserve my running shoes for running and working out. How about you?

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Get in Gear: Nike Zoom Victory+

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

It seems that everyone has Olympic fever these days, and I am loving it because people are motivated to get moving more than ever.

What better motivation than a brand new pair of Olympic-inspired sneakers? This Nike Zoom Victory+ ($103) shoe is inspired by the 2008 Olympic track running spike, but it's made for running on any surface. It treats your feet to a hefty amount of cushioning while still being lightweight. The shoes make achieving your goal, be it a gold medal or a 5K, that much more attainable.

Want them for free? Well, I am giving away two $150 gift cards to Road Runner Sports (where these kicks are sold). Entering to win one is super easy, just take the Olympic-themed quiz and voila, you're in. Good luck and happy running!

Get in Gear: Yakkay Bike Helmets

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Many folks still, though it boggles my mind as to why, refuse to wear a helmet when biking. Some are worried about messing up their hair on not looking like a fashionista while wearing a helmet. As my mom, and former R.N., always said, "A helmet is a lot more fashionable than a halo brace." But I digress . . .

For those looking for a helmet that's a little cooler, and pricier, than your average helmet try on a Yakkay for size. These smart helmets are basically a very simple, but safe, helmet fitted with a cool hat-like cover. Unfortunately the helmets seem to be only available overseas at the moment, but you can order one online for about $177 (or 120 Euros) plus shipping. I'm loving them - but my Specialized helmet seems to be working just fine for me right now. Maybe when they make their way stateside I'll invest in one for my days when I am cruising around town rather than working to get my heart rate up. What do you think?

Get in Gear: New Balance Waterproof Sneakers

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Now that the weather is warming up, I bet a lot of you are getting psyched to walk and run outside. The problem is most of the country is dealing with melting snow, so it's still pretty wet outside. It's no fun to run outside and get soggy feet, so if you're looking for a pair of waterproof sneaks, check out these from New Balance ($120).

To hear more about them

I think these are super cute, but what tops their good looks is they are made from Gore-Tex so they're completely waterproof. Your feet will stay dry and if you happen to get them covered in mud, they'll clean up easily. Plus, Gore-Tex breathes. And check out the soles. They're perfect for running around on uneven terrain. Plus the midsole is made out of shock absorbing material, so if you're into trail running, these will protect your feet from sharp rocks and sticks. In case you were wondering, the New Balance 1110 only come in the blue and gray color that's shown.

Get in Gear: Nike + SportBand

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:45:00 -0700

I've made no secret of my love for the Nike + iPod Sports Kit, which lets you track your time, distance, pace, and calories using your Apple iPod and special shoe sensors. So I'm psyched that Nike is expanding the line later this month, with a new product called the Nike+ SportBand.

According to Gizmodo, the gadget could be released as early as next week. This wearable wristband lets you circumvent the iPod if you want, because it communicates directly with your shoe sensors. Your progress is displayed on a screen on the wristband rather than on the iPod, which is ideal for people who don't like to run with iPods but still want to track calories burned and other data. The gadget also has a USB connection, so you can upload your data to the Nike website to see how far you've come.

Have you tried out the Nike + Sports Kit yet? If so - or even if not - would you use this product?

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