This post is part of a partnership with FIT4MOM DuPage County. All opinions are my own.
When you set a fitness goal, it helps to set yourself up for success. You’ve done the planning and you’re doing the hard work — make sure you have the tools you need to reach that goal.
Right now, I’m more than half way through my FIT4MOM Body Back program and I’m starting to see results. I feel more like myself again: more confident and more comfortable in my skin. I remember why eating clean is something I’ve made a lifestyle, not an experiment. I’m learning why rest is just as important as cardio, strength, and core.
Today I’m sharing some of my favorite tools for fit life: the big and little products that make working out easier, better, or just more fun. I’ve become picky about my gear, and these are all things I use all the time to help me reach my goals.
Fit Tip: A (non-food-based) reward is a great way to celebrate a fitness milestone. A new pair of socks, a sparkly headband, or a heavenly muscle soak might just be the little thing to keep you motivated to meet your next milestone.
If shopping doesn’t motivate you like it does me, figure out what does motivate you and go for it. Maybe an event or an experience: Date night? Yoga class? Massage? The possibilities are endless but the bottom line is: Recognize your accomplishments and be proud of the work you are putting in.
I have three weeks left of Body Back this session. The hardest part is now: When you just want to eat the cupcake or make the bad choice, because you’ve been so dedicated for so many weeks. So excuse me while I pop over to Amazon to snag a new pair of socks that will serve as the motivation to get my game face back on and finish strong.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy for all the boring details.
The Fitness Products I Can’t Live Without
1. Balega socks.
It’s taken me almost two years to figure out that good socks really do make the difference, especially if you are doing distance running. And — did you know that socks can wear out just like shoes? If your feet are starting to hurt after a workout, try replacing your socks before your replace your shoes. It might do the trick and save you some serious dollars in the process.
Balega are my favorite because they are cushy and durable and come in all kinds of fun colors. The Hidden Comfort line is my favorite, but I have yet to buy a pair of Balega that I didn’t love.
2. District Made tank tops.
Hands-down my favorite shirts to work out in, these have a flattering cut that doesn’t hug right to your tummy pooch but also doesn’t fly up and reveal said tummy pooch when you’re killing it on burpees. I find these run on the larger end of True to Size. I wear a Medium.
For under $10 apiece with a bunch of color options, stock up! But be warned: They aren’t on Prime, so you’ll have to wait a few extra days to get them.
3. 2XU compression tights.
I have a love-hate relationship with these compression tights. On one hand, they are so tight. Like, sooo tight. That’s because they are made with graduated compression technology to actually increase circulation and speed up recovery. But … they work. I religiously wear these tights for any sort of race or event where my speed and performance matters because they do reduce swelling and fluid retention before, during, and after. In my opinion, these run on the smaller end of True to Size. I wear a Medium but sometimes I have to wiggle myself into them.
They are pricey but worth the expense in my opinion. I own just one pair that I reserve for special occasions, and I scoured Amazon to find the best deal in my size. (At sporting goods stores, they retail for about $120 per pair.)
4. Banded 2Gether skinny headbands.
I’ve tried a lot of headbands to keep my hair off my face when I’m sweating (my total pet peeve), and Banded brand is the only one that stays in place on my head. They are backed with velvet for no-slip traction and are comfortable for longtime wear. Plus, the company donates 3 meals to a child in need for every product sold.
Unfortunately, the selection on Amazon is extremely limited, so I buy directly from their website or find them locally (FIT4MOM DuPage County owner Lesley Lehman has an amazing selection for sale if you’re local!)
5. Winter CC Fleece-Lined Knit Headband.
If you’re getting outside in cold weather at all, this cozy headband is perfect. It’s my constant winter running companion because it’s warm and soft and keeps my ears covered, but isn’t as overwhelmingly hot as a hat can be.
I also wear this (admittedly sweaty) headband when I walk Easton to school every morning. It messes up my hair less than a hat – no static flyaways!
6. Magnetic wireless Bluetooth headphones.
The sound quality on these wireless Bluetooth headphones might not compare to the Bose version but to listen to podcasts or Rock My Run playlists on a long run, they get the job done. They are lightweight, sweatproof, comfortable in my ears, stay put, don’t fall out, and magnetize around my neck when not in my ears — for under $30 and Amazon Prime.
7. Microfiber workout towels.
For hot yoga or a tough hour of HIIT, a towel to mop away my sweat is necessary. I don’t know if I’m a particularly sweaty person, but I know a workout is a good one when my eyes are burning halfway through. These microfiber terry towels are super-soft and absorbent and hold up well in the wash too. The price is right for a 3-pack with pretty color choices!
8. Embrava leak-proof flip-top 32 oz water bottle.
I learned about this amazing water bottle from some of my favorite moms in the FIT4MOM DuPage County village. Once you try it, you’ll never want to use anything else. I’m usually a straw water bottle girl, but this bottle is fast flow and leakproof — plus, no straw to worry about cleaning mold from. One click flips it open (crucial for fast transitions during workouts), and the 32 ounce capacity makes it easier to get your ounces in for the day.
It’s a great deal on Amazon right now – $21.95 instead of $42.95!
9. Manduka ProLite yoga mat.
I did a lot of yoga mat research before taking the plunge on this one in January. I wanted something cushioned but durable enough to hold up to my shoes jumping all over it. I also didn’t want anything so heavy that I’d be burning more calories lugging the thing around with me. Manduka ProLite fits the bill and is allegedly antimicrobial as well as guaranteed never to wear out. I’ll keep you posted on that claim but if it’s true, it makes the $75 price point more than worth it.
I’ve only been using mine about a month, so I can’t speak to the lifetime guarantee quite yet, but I am impressed with the feel and durability. A word of caution: It’s slippery when it’s new, and they recommend doing a sea salt treatment to “weather” it. I definitely don’t have time in my life for a sea salt spa treatment for my yoga mat, so I’m just dealing with the slipperiness and wearing it in slowly with use.
10. AmazonBasics Extra-Thick Exercise Mat.
On the flip side, if you’re not looking for a mat that will last you the rest of your life and want something inexpensive you don’t have to worry about destroying, the extra-thick AmazonBasics mat is a great deal. It is a full 1/2-inch thick, which is a dream come true for forearm planks and surrenders. It does show wear and tear quickly, but at under $20, you can just replace it when it wears out.
11. AmazonBasics foam roller.
Speaking of AmazonBasics, if you are in need of a foam roller, look no further. (And if you don’t think you are in need of a foam roller, trust me. You probably are.) Foam rolling is one of those things that hurts so good to release tension and stretch tight muscles. You can also use it as a foundation for core exercises, balance, flexibility and strength training. This extra-firm 36-inch roller is what I use to keep my super-tight IT bands in check. It even has speckled color options!
12. SKLZ Mini Bands.
Internally, I both groan and cheer when I see the yellow and red SKLZ mini bands at a FIT4MOM class. These resistance bands up the ante on any exercise and you’ll definitely feel it the next day. I use my set (gifted to me by FIT4MOM DuPage County) at home for short workouts to target my trouble spots (inner thighs and glutes, I’m looking at you.) You can find a ton of mini band workouts on YouTube and Pinterest to get in a serious strength-building session without ever leaving your living room — no hand weights needed.
13. Mini (9-inch) exercise ball.
Another of my tools for at-home core strength work, the mini exercise ball is an instrument of pure torture when used effectively. If you’ve ever taken a barre course, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s great for toning my aforementioned problem areas through a series of squeezing and pulsing exercises. Try squeezing it between your inner thighs during a wall sit for “a little something extra.” It wasn’t until I started using this and the mini bands that I realized cardio is not necessary to break a sweat at home.
14. Thistle Farms Love Heals Moringa Muscle Soak.
For sore muscles, nothing feels better than a hot bath. Except for a hot bath infused with Thistle Farms moringa muscle soak. Thistle Farms is one of my favorite companies, both for its mission (natural products handcrafted by woman survivors) and its scents (the Vanilla Vetiver hand lotion is my favorite but the Lavender or Citrus Wood are so close behind). These soaking salts for the bath are an invigorating Eucalyptus Mint that cools and soothes simultaneously while relieving the aches associated with a good workout.
15. HEX Performance Anti-Stink Detergent.
My workout clothes get, well, a workout on a weekly basis. Sure, I have a whole drawer of leggings and another of tanks, but they are all in heavy rotation. Recently I noticed that my older clothes weren’t smelling as fresh as they used to. They would come out of the laundry just fine but as soon as I put them on and broke even a light sweat, something smelled. And it was me. I reluctantly tried a sample of HEX Performance Anti-Stink detergent, thinking that fitness laundry detergents were just a marketing ploy, but it’s made me a believer. It’s formulated specifically to target the lingering odors and deep sweat associated with athletic wear. Nothing is 100% perfect (especially after an hour of hot yoga) but this detergent is extending the life on some of my favorite gear.
What would you add to this list? Is there an amazing fitness product that I don’t know about? Share it in the comments below or with #NeverDoneWithFun on social media! And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for daily ideas and inspiration!
