Category: Favorite Finds

Working out during the winter months takes incredible dedication. You’ve got your cozy bed, snuggly blankets, hot chocolate, and holiday cookies all working against you. But working out in winter is just as important as it is the rest of the year. Keeping your body in top shape means a regular fitness routine, all year long.
When it comes to a frosty jog you, need the best of women’s winter workout clothes to keep you comfortable and healthy. Proper workout attire can help ease the transition from the heated indoors to the cold air outside and keep you safe from the elements so you can make it through the winter fit and frostbite free.

Keep your bod protected.

Keeping your fitness routine going during the winter months is super important, but you can’t just wear the same tops and shorts that were your go-to’s in summer. You need your whole body protected from the elements to make sure your fitness routine isn’t going to do you any damage.
You know when you walk outside in the winter and the air is super dry and cold? That dry air is actually drying your skin. This means that in addition to stretching and warming up, part of your pre-run routine needs to be skincare.
Marina Peredo, MD, FAAD, says that you need a well-rounded, hydrating skincare routine in winter. “In order to prepare your skin for running in the cold weather, make sure you hydrate before, during, and after your run to avoid dehydration.” This means drinking lots of water and stocking up on your favorite facial moisturizer.
Peredo says, “Wearing sunscreen in the winter months is just as important as the summertime.” She says your pre-workout skincare routine should involve applying a layer of moisturizer, letting that soak in for a minute or two, then applying a layer of sunscreen.
“After a run, make sure to rinse and again apply a layer of moisturizer.” Keep up with your moisturizing routine all winter and your skin is sure to thank you.
There’s also the lovely issue of Raynaud’s syndrome—a spasm in your arteries that reduces blood flow to your extremities including your fingers, feet, and toes—which occurs when you’re subjected to a stress, like exposure to a very sudden temperature drop in a workout ensemble that doesn’t protect you.
One cold-weather run may not trigger an episode, but according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, women and those who live in cold climates are at increased risk and severe Raynaud’s can develop into skin sores or even gangrene (which is the death of bodily tissues—something you definitely want to prevent).
To avoid these potential issues, do a little prep work, wear your sunscreen, and choose winter workout clothes that will keep you comfortably warm and protected.

Opt for quality over quantity.

If you’re a diehard runner all year long but your budget is tight, we strongly suggest investing in a few key pieces of winter workout gear that will keep you protected. It’s better to do laundry a little more often than to go out in harsh conditions wearing workout clothes that could literally put your health at risk.
There are several things you need to look for in winter workout gear. You want clothes that are going to keep you warm and protected from harsh winds and low temps, but are still breathable. You know you’ll still sweat—even in winter—so clothing made of fabrics that wick away moisture is your best bet. When moisture comes into contact with your skin, it helps you cool down, which is great during the summer heat but can pose a risk in winter weather.

Say no thanks to cotton.

A 2011 study found that the best fabrics for cold weather use moisture-wicking technology. This means no cotton (which does not wick moisture well), at least when it comes to the first layer of clothing that will be touching your skin. Studies show fabrics with increased moisture-wicking abilities made study participants feel more comfortable, and that added comfort was noted if a fabric was ribbed.
Keep an eye out for ribbed thermal shirts and leggings made of moisture-wicking fabric. You can look for labels like Coolmax to see if an item is moisture wicking.

Outdoor Winter Workout Clothes

The colder it gets, the more layers you should wear, starting with a long-sleeve top and long pants as a first layer and adding layers of tops, jackets, pants, and accessories the colder it gets. You’ll have to use your best judgement (and maybe a little trial and error) to make sure you’re adequately prepared for the cold, but not overheating once you get into your groove.

Leggings

Start off with a pair of performance leggings as your first layer. Something nice and tight that’s made of moisture-wicking fabric is a must. If you need more layers on your legs, it’s much easier to slip on a pair of sweats over compression leggings that fit like a second skin.
Our recommendations are Under Armour’s ColdGear Leggings, ASICS’ Winter Tights and Thermopolis Tights, and Athleta’s Polartec® Sculptek Tight.

Jackets

We like winter workout jackets to be light and breathable while still adding a lot of warmth (bonus points if they have reflective elements to ensure you’re seen by passing cars, whether you’re jogging before sunrise or grinding it out after work at night).
The Under Armour Storm Layered Up Half Zip and the Nike Dry Fit Element Half Zip Running Top are perfect for when it’s definitely cold but you’re not going to be freezing.
When the temps really drop (or when it’s raining or snowing), go for the Athleta Wind Sprint Jacket. It’s made with Primaloft Eco insulation to keep you warm, has a hood that packs down into the collar, and is water-resistant to help you brave the elements.

Shoes and Socks

Breathable shoes—like those with mesh vents—are necessary to let moisture out, no matter what time of year you’re exercising. Of course, this is a major double-edged sword in winter, since shoes that let moisture out can also let the cold—and moisture like slushy snow—right back in. When it comes to winter running shoes, look for a pair with Gore Tex, since it’s both breathable and waterproof.
The Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Shoe and the Salomon Speedcross Trail Running Shoe are both great options.
If an investment in your shoes isn’t in the budget, grab some Quik Solve Traction Shoe Cleats to help keep you from slipping and falling on snow or ice.
Socks for running in winter need to keep your feet protected from routine workout perils (like blisters), keep your toes and ankles insulated, and keep your feet nice and dry.
We’re really choosy when it comes to running socks! Our favorites for winter are the Balega Running Socks, SmartWool PhD Run Ultra Light Socks, and the Darn Tough Vermont 1/4 Socks.

Accessories for Fingers, Face, and Beyond

Other things you’ll need (but may not have thought of) are mittens, ear warmers, and eye protection.
In general if it’s not too frigid, opt for gloves like The North Face Women’s Etip Gloves. They’ll keep your hands protected but won’t weigh you down. That said, if it’s particularly cold, mittens are your best bet for trapping warmth and keeping your fingers protected from the cold.
The Carhartt Insulated Breathable Mitt is an awesome option for freezing days, but they can be bulky. If you need a little more flexibility, opt for lululemon’s Run Fast Gloves, which are a mix between gloves and mittens that give you the best of both worlds.
As for ear warmers, we like fleece options that will keep your ears nice and warm while you run. The TrailHeads Ponytail Headband is great because there’s a slot for a ponytail to slip through so longer-haired gals don’t get all tangled up.
The Turtle Fur Heavyweight Headband doesn’t have the same ponytail slot, but it is kitten soft and ultra warm. If you’re headed out on a freezing cold day, up the ante and go for a full balaclava. The Self Pro Fleece Hood will keep your whole head and neck covered and you can slip off the head covering if you get a little too steamy.

Protecting Your Peepers

Although we all love a good winter snow, the reflection of the sun off an endless surface of white can be painfully bright. Invest in a pair of running sunglasses to protect your eyes from sun rays and fast-falling snow.
The RIVBOS Sports Sunglasses and the Duduma Sports Sunglasses will both get the job done.
If you’re exercising in inclement weather—or maybe skiing or snowboarding—opt for a pair of UV-blocking ski goggles. The COOLOO Ski Goggles will do the trick, keeping the sun and all the other elements out of your eyes.

Winter Gym Gear Guide

While winter workout gear may inspire a frosty jog, who’s to say you’ll do every single one of your winter workouts outside? Some of us become gym rats the second the temperature drops because even though the outdoors afford us scenic views, a treadmill gets the job done without the necessity of braving the elements.
Switching up your workout routine to include indoor-only days isn’t a bad idea during winter, but dressing to go from the chilly outdoors into the gym and back again is important. Here are our winter gym recommendations:

Tops

The dreamy lululemon Get Set Long Sleeve offers an extra bit of warmth thanks to its long sleeves while still being super cute. It has an open back that is downright fashion forward and will serve as a heat vent during sweaty spin classes.
If you need a lighter top without the long sleeves, we’re digging the Athleta Yogini Tank and Studio Crop Tee. Both offer a loose fit for days when you’re hitting the pilates studio or a hot yoga class.

Bras

We want our sports bras to have support (without being suffocating), be wire free, and—please!—be attractive if at all possible.
The Queenie Ke Cross Back Sports Bra, Adidas Training TechFit Bra, and Under Armour Eclipse Mid-Impact Bra all get the job done. Plus, each of these has a thoughtful detail on the back that would be perfect peeking out of the lululemon open-back top.

Pants and Leggings

The legging options from Girlfriend Collection are amazing. They’re compression leggings, so they’re very tight (which makes your butt look incredible, by the way) and extra soft.
We also love lululemon leggings like the Align Pant that are super soft and made of moisture-wicking fabric.
For more low-key workout days, suit up in fitted sweatpants. They’re easy to move in and keep you cozy. Our top pick is the budget-friendly C9 Champion Jogger Pants, which are also moisture wicking, meaning they’ll keep you dry and warm.
You could also wear these sweats over compression leggings if you’re going to be doing some traveling inside and out. We like to have larger layers for our outerwear so it’s sure to fit over our gym clothes. Another option is to kick it oldschool with these Adidas Warm Up Pants.

Jackets

Go for something casual that will fit inside your gym locker no problem. The lululemon Fluff the Cold Parka may look big and puffy, but it squishes down with ease. You won’t mind wearing it when you’re out and about, too, which means its versatility goes beyond the gym.
For an athleisure vibe, try the Champion Tech Fleece Asymmetrical Jacket. It’s way more interesting than your standard hoodie.

Winter Transitional Workout Clothes

When the winter weather is finally starting to let up (can we all get excited for that yet?), we like to lighten things up a bit. These transitional workout picks are cute enough that you could run errands in them before or after pounding the pavement. They’re still made of moisture-wicking fabrics to keep you comfortable, but aren’t quite as heavy duty as some of our previous picks.

Jackets and Vests

The luxe lululemon Light as Warmth jacket is made from a lightweight fleece so you can wear it over a workout top and underneath a heavier winter jacket if you need to.
Our lighter, sportier picks are the Adidas Designed 2 Move Track Top and the Urban CoCo Zip Hoodie. These both ensure that extra layer of warmth without any added bulk.
Of course, the weirdest weather to dress for is that time right between winter and spring. It’s still chilly enough that you typically want a little more than one of those light jackets on, but a big puffer jacket is just too heavy. This is when we turn to cute vests.
We’re a little in love with the lululemon Down For A Run Vest, The North Face Mossbud Swirl Vest, and the Columbia Heavenly Vest.

Accessories

Top your transitional look off with a cute scarf and a headband and you’re looking downright stylish for your pre-run school pickup or trip to the grocery store.
We’re digging this lululemon Vinyasa Scarf because you can loop it up for several different looks. Or opt for this Reflective Knit Neck Warmer, which is a great option for shorter days since it will keep you visible and safe when running in the dark.
Regardless of whether you’re hitting the running trail or the treadmill, we hope you keep your fitness goals going this winter! Not only is getting exercise in good for your whole body, but it can help you pep up when you’re feeling the winter blues. Just make sure to layer up, and don’t forget your mittens!

Dozens of features, hundreds of brands, thousands of models, tens of billions of dollars—we’re talking about the booming business of fitness trackers, whose wearable biometrics are transforming the way we eat, dress, work, sleep, and play. But with so many options out there, it’s hard to know which fitness tracker is best. HealthyWay is here to help.

From DaVinci to Smartwatches

First, let’s take stock of just how far we’ve come with fitness trackers. In his famed notebooks, Leonardo DaVinci sketched his vision of a mechanical pedometer for Renaissance soldiers, though it wasn’t until 1780 that Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Perrelet actually constructed the first one. And Thomas Jefferson gets the credit for bringing an early pedometer—his, a French design—to the New World.
Fast forward to the 1960s, when the Japanese developed the manpo-kei, literally the “10,000 steps meter,” which set the now-popular benchmark for activity today. In 1982, a Finnish professor invented the first wireless wearable heart-rate monitor: the Polar Sport Tester PE2000, designed for professional athletes.  
The 2000s marked some of the biggest breakthroughs in fitness trackers, with tech titans like Garmin, Apple, and Samsung packing accelerometers, altimeters, barometers, Bluetooth technology, gyroscopes, GPS, and magnetometers into ever smaller, sleeker, and more sophisticated devices, like the Nike+iPod. This 2006 collaboration embedded a wireless sensor in a special Nike sneaker, providing runners with distance, pace, and calorie data on their iPod Nano all while getting a power boost from their favorite tunes. The technology now may seem a little quaint, but the Nike+iPod was a visionary application of technology for personal fitness.    
Then along came a little startup called Fitbit, which helped take fitness trackers further into the mainstream in the 2010s with its ever-expanding line of fun, user-friendly, and affordable wristbands and smartwatches for the everyday exerciser.
Today, we have fitness trackers that not even the genius of DaVinci could have dreamed up. Take Fitbit’s latest release, the Fitbit Ionic. It tracks your sleeping cycles and withstands water to dozens of meters deep. It offers personal training tips and analyzes long-term health data trends on its related app. It can also store hundreds of songs and push a range of alerts and notifications. It features a touchscreen and even allows for touch-pay.

Remember: Fitness trackers are still tools, not cure-alls.

The bells and whistles of today’s fitness trackers are impressive, but do they work?
If you’re hoping that fastening on a fitness tracker will get you shedding those extra pounds and never skipping a workout, think again. A September 2016 study concluded that wearables did not improve weight loss over traditional methods. The following month, another study questioned the effectiveness of fitness trackers in even motivating long-term increases in physical activity.
Still, researchers are finding an uptick, if modest, in activity thanks to the self-monitoring and goal-setting fitness trackers afford—and that matters. Changing behavior begins, after all, one step at a time.
And the behaviors fitness trackers are helping to change aren’t just about clothing sizes. As one working mom, Felicia Bolton, has previously told HealthyWay, her Fitbit helped her overcome her postpartum depression. The fitness tracker sent her reminders to get up and move when she was stuck in a Netflix binge. It also connected her to distant friends and family, inspiring her to take more and more steps through friendly competitions the device supports.
For Bolton, the psychological and social benefits have spilled over into her physical well-being. In a follow-up message to HealthyWay, Bolton writes: “The Fitbit helped me keep track of my overall fitness, down to sleep as well as diet. It helped me monitor all those with the ease of a button, I really didn’t think much of it once I got used to tracking my everyday progress and seeing how far I’d come.”
She continues: “I suffer from severe insomnia, as well as an eating disorder, so keeping track of my sleep and caloric intake really helped me get on a better track with the help of the Fitbit. I didn’t realize how low I really was in every department until I started tracking everything using the Fitbit. It helped me take on a vegan diet and lifestyle.”
As Bolton suggests, it’s best not to think of our fitness trackers as magic wands or silver bullets. Instead, we should approach them as tools—albeit extremely high-tech ones—for our health and personal goals, whether they be taking one small step or running 26.2 miles.
So, what are the best fitness trackers for women right now?

The Fitbit Charge 2 is smart overall choice.

The Charge 2 ($149.95) is Fitbit’s top-selling fitness tracker—and it consistently earns some of the top reviews. TechRadar, for instance, touts it as “the best Fitbit tracker you can buy right now.”
The core of the Charge 2 is its PurePulse technology; its all-day activity tracking automatically and continuously monitors the wearer’s heart rate whether you are running, hiking, biking, lifting weights, or simply going about a normal day. Thanks to its SmartTrack functionality, the Charge 2 will sense and record workouts even if you forget to hit start. It will also vibrate and flash a reminder to move if you’ve been idle too long.
The Charge 2 features a high-res, tap-enabled screen that displays real-time calorie burn and exercise intensity along with basic call, text, and other alerts if your smartphone is nearby. You can access a more detailed breakdown of your cardio fitness (as measured by VO2 Max) and much more on the robust Fitbit app. The app also analyzes the quality, duration, and consistency of your sleep thanks to the device’s automatic sleep tracking.
In Relax mode, the Charge 2 will guide you through a short deep-breathing session to help reduce stress and anxiety.
The Charge 2 does not come with built-in GPS—an important feature for runners, as GPS provides pace, distance, and route data. However, you can easily pair your Charge 2 to your smartphone’s GPS if you don’t mind hitting the trails with an extra device.  
Its info-rich screen does make the Charge 2 a bit bulkier than other models (it’s 0.84 inches wide, although it comes in just a few ounces, depending on band choice) like the Fitbit Alta HR. Its battery last up to five days, and it can withstand rain, sweat, and splash.
The Charge 2 comes in a range of colors and interchangeable bands, including a breathable sport band for workouts and a classy leather option if you want to dress it up for work.

The TomTom Spark 3 will fire up runners.

While the Fitbit Charge 2 makes for a great general-purpose fitness tracker, the TomTom Spark 3 GPS Fitness Watch is an exciting choice for the avid exerciser. Wareable, a leading website for all things in wearable technology, picks the Spark 3 as its No. 1 fitness trackers for runners. And a major reason why is its built-in GPS.
The Spark 3 ups the GPS game with its Route Exploration feature. Not only can you leave your smartphone at home, but you can just get out there and run or cycle. Route Exploration shows the route you are running, and, thanks to its compass sensor, helps you find your way back home with a digital “breadcrumb trail.” If you do fancy a pre-planned trail, Route Exploration also lets you upload routes from websites like MapMyRun, serving up some adventure alongside your workout.
Swimmers will also love the Spark 3. It’s waterproof up to 40 meters deep, and the watch’s swimming mode tracks metrics like laps, stroke pace, and more.
Like other fitness trackers, the Spark 3 tracks sleep, supports phone notifications, and provides insights into your workouts on the TomTom app.
It starts at $129.00, but you can make some nifty upgrades: the Spark 3 Music + Headphones ($169.00), which stores up to 500 songs that you can listen to on its workout-tailored Bluetooth headphones; the Spark 3 Cardio ($189.00), which adds a heart monitor to the base model; and the Spark 3 Cardio + Music + Headphones ($249.00), which bundles all the goodies into one. A software update will offer personalized workouts on the watch soon.
The Spark 3 packs in all these feature at a lightweight 1.62 ounces and less than 1 square inch display. The battery lasts up to three weeks if you’re not using its GPS, which otherwise will require a recharge in 11 hours. (Ever wonder why your phone dies when you’re heavy on the Google Maps?) Individualize your Spark 3 look with its interchangeable bands.

The Opter Pose will rejuvenate your lifestyle.

On the other end of the spectrum is Opter, whose Pose health tracker sees physical fitness as just one part of a broader healthy lifestyle.
As Opter’s co-founder Chalisa Prarasri tells HealthyWay: “What sets Opter apart is our behavioral approach to health tracking. We don’t focus on gathering data so much as what we can do with the data to help people live healthier lives.”
She continues: “A lot of people track loads of data about their lives but don’t have a doctor or personal trainer looking at it to really give them good insights from the data. But what if you could have a personal health assistant in your pocket to teach you all of the little tricks associated with better living? That’s what Opter does. We don’t just track; we guide in real time. And all of our suggestions come from the accomplished doctors and specialists we work with, so we’re giving you some of the best information out there.”
Like most fitness trackers, the Pose logs steps, calories, and sleep. It doesn’t come with a heart-rate monitor, but it will vibrate if you are slouching, helping to improve your posture. And it will sense if you’re at risk of too much sun, prompting you to apply more sunscreen. It also tracks your exposure to blue light, the high-energy light that our smartphone and laptop screens emit.
“No sleep tracker that’s been done is tracking your daily light exposure,” which “affects your biological clock,” Prarasri explained in a previous interview. “If we can track that as well as your sleep schedule, we can recommend times to sleep so that your sleep is higher quality and more efficient. Light is the thing that is shifting a lot of people’s schedules and giving them insomnia.”
To help rectify this, the Pose will monitor your blue light exposure throughout the day and direct you to turn off the lights at night.  
“If you’re just looking for tracking, you could go for any tracker (though we do track more metrics than most). If you’re looking to learn how to perfect your everyday habits, Opter might be right for you,” Prarasi writes. “The Opter app analyzes your habits and figures out what daily behaviors you can change to sleep better, work better, and just feel better.”
The Pose comes in a beautiful, 5.2-gram “modern organic” design that can be worn as a clip or as a pendant on any chain. Get yours on pre-order now. It will retail for $129.00 to $139.00.
Still not sold? Prarasri closes the deal: “We’re especially good for busy people who don’t want to worry about charging or taking off their device too often, since we have a 7+ day battery life and are water resistant.”

Go for great GPS with the Garmin Vivosport.

Garmin is a trusted name in GPS and is fast becoming a trusted name in fitness trackers. The Garmin Vivosport ($199.00) is the latest member of its Vivo family.
Like other fitness trackers, the Vivosport connects to your email, calendar, and social media while counting everything from your footsteps to heartbeats through its wrist-based sensors. But it packages Garmin’s top-notch GPS tech, which is lacking in many fitness trackers, into an incredibly slim body and a touch-activated color display.
Although the Vivosport doesn’t feature any sleep tracking, it does track your stress levels by monitoring changes in your heart rate.
The Vivosport comes in four color choices but no interchangeable bands. Screen: 0.38 inches. Weight: 24-27 grams. Battery: seven days in smartwatch mode, eight hours when using GPS. It’s accompanied by an app and, with Garmin Connect, can communicate with your—and others’—Garmin devices.

Get a dazzling display with Samsung Gear Fit 2.

If you’re looking for amazing display in your fitness wearables, look no further than the Gear Fit 2 Pro ($199.99), the latest offering from Samsung.
The centerpiece of the Gear Fit 2 is its curved screen and pixel-packed (432 x 128) display, giving it some of the best fitness-tracking optics out there. The usual internet connectivity and activity-monitoring apply (steps, calories, heart rate, sleep), but the Gear Fit 2 throws in GPS and up-to-50-meter waterproofing. Samsung bills it as a smart “watch for fitness,” because of the many apps you can download on the device.
Speaking of downloads, the Gear Fit 2 Pro is a friend of Spotify, letting you save up to 500 songs that you can listen to offline. It’s also partnered with Under Armour, giving you access to the sport company’s quality fitness apps.
Style choices are limited, as it only comes in black or red, but you’ll probably want to customize its fancy 1.84-inch display anyway. It’s a hair on the heavier side, as far as these things go, at 34 grams (.07 pounds).
Gym rats quibble with the accuracy of some of its activity tracking, but the Gear Fit 2 Pro still makes for a high-performing option for the tech-forward weekend warrior.

The Mi Band 2 wins big on budget.

Looking for something much more streamlined in terms of function and cost? Consider the Mi Band 2 from major Chinese consumer electronics player Xiaomi.
The app-synching, splash-resistant, 20-day-long-battery, light-as-air (7 grams) Mi Band 2 counts steps, monitors heart rate, tracks sleep, supports basic message notification, and gives you a nudge if you’ve been sitting still for too long—all for $29.99, if you don’t find it for less.
The Mi Band 2 is a no-nonsense no-brainer for the budget-conscious newbie to fitness trackers.

Class it up with Misfit Ray.

Misfit proves that fitness trackers don’t have to sacrifice style for substance. This wearables brand brandishes a clever name—and gorgeous products, like the Misfit Ray.
The Ray (~$85 to $100) tracks the fundamentals—activity and sleep—in an elegant band that comes in 23 sporty and classy metallic-finish options such as a striking rose gold. The Ray is discreet but distinct, looking more like a smart bracelet that accessorizes your activity tracking rather than announcing it. That’s because the Ray features no screen. Its minimalist look pairs well, too, with a wristwatch or smartwatch. Misfit offers lots of band options and even a special lariat, should you want to sport your Ray as a necklace.
You can monitor your performance in the Misfit app, which offers a Speedo-powered upgrade so this water-resister can track your swimming. The free Misfit Link app lets you turn your Ray into a smart button for, say, taking a selfie or changing songs on your smartphone.
And there’s no need to charge the Ray. It lasts for four months before you have to replace its battery. The device itself runs under 1.5 inches long and weighs a mere 8 grams.

Each Bellabeat Leaf is unique—and includes period tracking.

The Bellabeat Leaf styles itself as smart jewelry, and indeed, this elegantly crafted device is designed to be worn as a pendant, bracelet, or brooch-like clip. “No buttons. No screen. Simply wear it and sync it to the app,” as the Bellabeat website puts it.
The Leaf isn’t intended for hardcore marathoners who need to track pace and distance in real time, but it’s perfect for the modern woman who cares about health, technology, and fashion. The Leaf tracks sleep, activity, stress, and menstrual cycles—which the tracker logs and learns from, and it even provides advice tailored for each woman’s period.
As Bellabeat’s social media and content manager Katja Peric explains to HealthyWay, the Leaf is “the perfect companion in health for any woman—it looks beautiful and can suit any occasion or lifestyle. The features are optimized for women (reproductive health tracking) and serve as a reminder that their overall well-being matters by providing insight into stress levels and having meditation exercises available.”
It comes in four main styles, combining a silver or rose gold clip with a wood- or stone-styled tracking device. But each actual Leaf is unique, which underlies the core philosophy of Bellabeat.
Peric elaborates: “[In] nature each leaf might be a part of a tree, but not one single leaf is the same shape or color. It is unique in its existence and beauty—just like every person in the world is as well. Our Leaf trackers are created from materials that ensure each model [is] a slightly different shade or pigment, to show that every woman who wears our product is unique and beautiful in her own way.”
Its flagship device weighs 0.64 ounces and measure 1.9 x 1.2 x 0.5 inches. The Leaf is splash resistant and runs for six months on a coin cell battery. Cost ranges from $119.00 to $139.00. For an extra $50 to $60, you can purchase Leaf bundles to interchange your device with different clips, among other accessories.
“[W]e don’t just want our users to focus on numbers, competitions, or unrealistic fitness goals,” Peric adds, “but instead learn to love themselves and appreciate the capabilities of their own bodies as unique individuals that should not be compared to others.”

The Moov Now will get you moving. Now.

There’s a lot of buzz about the Moov Now—and it’s well deserved.
As much a fitness tracker as a personal trainer, the Moov Now is a small, screen-less disk you insert into a workout-optimized strap you can wear on your wrist or ankle. Pair it with your smartphone, where with the Moov app you can download workouts for swimming, running, cycling, and even boxing—all started with the click of its button.
Thanks to its special motion sensors, the Moov Now’s AI personal trainer will tell you in real time if you’re striking your feet too hard on the ground, if you need to push a little bit harder riding up a hill, if you’re clenching your fists while jogging, or when to hook and jab-cross during a boxing routine.
You’ll need to keep your smartphone on you and wear headphones to use the Moov Now, except for Moov Swim, where the device will record your stroke/lap data for up to 120 minutes. For up to 30 days the Moov Now will store Active Minute + Sleep Tracking, which monitors your daily activity and sleep quality.
The Moov Now doesn’t have a heart monitor, although it will connect to Moov’s latest product: the Moov HR, a headband-based heart monitor that measures pulse on the temple.
It weighs 6 grams and is powered by a coin battery that lasts for 100 hours in active coaching mode and six months when doing simple activity tracking.
This is one hot deal for only $59.95.

The Apple Watch Series 3 will wow your workout.

Finally, many Apple users are surely wondering: Should I buy a separate fitness tracker or just shell out for the Apple Watch Series 3, which starts at a whopping $329?
Consider these features: The Series 3 offers daily tracking with its native Activity app. It offers exercise tracking with its Workout app. It has GPS. It has an altimeter for stair climbing. It holds playlists. It’s swim-proof. It displays in-depth, real-time data on your heart health with its advanced Heart Rate app—which some have credited with saving their lives. Get relaxed and centered with its Breath app. And access countless other health and fitness options with third-party apps targeting everything from sleeping and skiing to hydration and yoga.
Oh, and you can do lots of others things with this approximately 30-gram device, as the Series 3 practically doubles as a smartphone. Yes, you can make phone calls on this fitness tracker if you’re connected to your iPhone. Apple reports the battery lasts up to 18 hours if the watch is used moderately as an all-day general fitness tracker.
With the Series 3, Apple is pushing the envelope not just for what smartwatches can do for fitness tracking but for treating illness and managing disease as well. As part of its so-called HealthKit, Apple has partnered with major universities to create special apps monitoring melanoma, epilepsy, autism, Parkinson’s disease, and more.
Plus, the Apple Watch has a seriously sharp display and design. Apple-loving health enthusiasts will get a lot out of it.

From Wristbands to Waistbands

Fitbit, Misfit, Moov, Mi Band 2: These are among the best, most innovative, and most cutting-edge fitness trackers. But even as they revolutionize health and fitness, the future of fitness tracking may not be on our wrists—but in our clothes.
The technology is only just emerging, so you can definitely enjoy your new fitness tracker for some time. But tech giants like Google and startups like SUPA are developing “smart threads,” e-textiles that track biometrics like smartwatches do but can be washed and worn in denim jackets, sports bras, and even yoga pants—like the Nadi X, which vibrates to help coach your yoga practice. How about that, DaVinci?

You carefully choose your sophisticated professional outfits, you shell out big bucks for your green smoothie habit, and you’re decked out in fashion-forward neon spandex for your workouts. It makes sense to care about the way you present yourself. So why are you still toting your gym gear around in a smelly duffle bag that was new when Reagan was president?
You already know that dressing the part can give you a leg up on reaching your goals, so it’s time to take your gym bag game from ratty to ravishing, too. We talked to dozens of chic, professional women (who happen to be fitness nuts) about their favorite gym bags and why they love them. Here are some of our favorite (and most shoppable) finds.

1. City Style Splurge

No surprises here, lululemon has done it again with the All Set Bucket bag. They’ve created the perfect crave-worthy, fashion-forward gym bag for the city dweller who loves to sweat and look good on the way there and back. This slick bucket bag has a water-repellant exterior (because rain and snow and yuck) and just the right ratio of pockets to open space.
Zipper compartments for your keys and phone-type stuff (plus your “sweaty unmentionables”) will keep valuables and grungy items separate as you go from work to the gym to date night, all in one cool carryall. It’s not the cheapest gym bag in the world, but if you’re a lululemon fan, you already know they tend to deliver on quality.

2. Looking Fresh on a Dime

For the fitness queen who is ballin’ on a budget, Jadyn B makes the perfect Women’s Weekender Duffel Bag that comes complete with a shoe pocket, three interior mesh pockets, and one interior zip pocket for your keys, phone, and the like. The white, blue, and black bird pattern adds unique style and a cute pick-me-up to any gym-time outfit. Plus, it doubles as a stylish overnight bag, which makes it a utilitarian addition to your luggage lineup as well as your exercise regimen.

3. Best for Meal-Preppers and Clean-Eating Aficionados

Are you known around the office for taking up all the refrigerator space with your pre-portioned smoothie ingredients and your Tupperware containers filled with Whole30-approved snacks? If yes, FitMark makes the bag for you. The Transporter Backpack has plenty of space in the main pocket for your gym and work essentials, while also including a life-changing, detachable meal prep bag that is well insulated and filled with BPA-free portion control containers and even reusable ice packs. Plus, it comes in the perfect shade of ’80s throwback hot pink to give you a nostalgic boost every time you grab it on the way out the door.
Rebecca Weible, founder of YoYoga! says, “I really like FitMark bags because they are sleek but hold a lot.” Seriously!

4. For Toting Tons of Gear

Are you that girl who seems to have a bottomless purse stuffed with everything, like the carpet bag in Mary Poppins? We got you.
As Lauren Reilly, a personal trainer, motivator, and self-proclaimed “aspiring boxer” of Ms Buns and Gunz, says, “For me, the right gym bag needs to be large enough to carry all my gear (i.e., boxing gloves, headphones, etc.), chic enough that you wouldn’t mind bringing it to work or out to eat, and durable enough to get tossed around at the gym.”
The Lead & Go Graphic Grip Duffle Bag from Reebok definitely fits the bill.

5. From Work to Gym

As an everyday laptop-toter and exerciser, I can’t get enough of this Shipshape bag from Stella McCartney for Adidas. It features a padded laptop sleeve and interior media pouch that accommodate the way I live, work, study, and work out. I’d go so far as to call this the perfect “lifestyle bag” since it will work for so many of the things women do every day.
Although it also comes in basic black, I love the navy color (aka “dark petrol”), which I think is a simple and stylish win.

6. For the Ballerina (or Barre Fanatic) in You

Carrie Wu, a lifestyle blogger and classically trained ballerina who now does Pure Barre five to seven days a week, says she used to use LeSportsac bags, which she liked because of their lightweight design. Unfortunately, she says they “didn’t always breathe that well.” And if you ever go hard, you know breathability is not a luxury—it’s a must.
Now Wu loves her Vera Bradley bag because it’s “stylish and fun, but practical and [has] just enough room to store my essentials (barre clothes, barre socks, shoes, towel, water bottle, and much more).”
We love the Lighten Up Ultimate Gym Bag from Vera Bradley, which will let you show your style through a variety of colorful patterns. The real kicker? This bag will stand up to a good washing.

7. For the Hip Yogini

The Gaiam All Day Yoga Tote is definitely on our wish lists right now. Its inventive side-secure system will handle your bulky yoga mat (thank goodness that’s solved), and the zippered compartments are a perfect nesting spot for whatever else you need to carry pre- and post-namaste. Plus, the understated gray fabric serves up seriously hip style with a side of functionality. Win!

8. Lovers of Organization and Sleek Design

If you live for the aesthetic fineries in life, Athleta hears you. The Totally Trippin’ Gym Bag from their current collection may have a goofy name, but it has a cool, sophisticated design that doesn’t skimp on fashion or function. Seriously, it looks so put together, you could definitely let it double as your main work bag. With offerings like an interior shoe bag for your muddy kicks and multiple interior and exterior pockets, you can stay organized and look sleek as heck both in and out of the locker room.

9. A Bike Commuter’s Best Friend

You may be a hardcore bike commuter all throughout the winter months or just a fair weather cyclist. Either way, you need a gym bag that’s more than just a rucksack—one that won’t keep falling off your shoulders as you go to and fro on your sweet ride.
This gorgeous eco leather bike commuter bag from MmeVelo can be worn as a regular backpack or be mounted on the back of your bike like a saddlebag. Problem solved.
Its gold-toned studs lend shimmer to an otherwise muted color palette, which will add the perfect little bit of edge to your work-to-gym ensemble.

10. Actually Works for Your Run

If you work just a few miles from home or are trying to get in your miles for marathon training, you may have, at one time or another, been tempted to try out the ever-elusive “run commute.” Especially if your office has a gym with a shower in it or if you plan to bus it there and run on the route home, this may sound like a super appealing way to multitask. The question is this: How can you carry your necessities? A normal backpack is way, way too bouncy, and a little running belt with pockets just isn’t big enough.
Enter another life-changing product from lululemon: the Run All Day Backpack II. It’s so cute and compact you wouldn’t think it could hold everything you need, but somehow it does. It doesn’t come cheap, but if you really want to nail the run commute, there’s nothing else quite like it.

11. For the Retro-Style Gym Queen

Oh adidas workout wear, why can’t I quit you? In addition to the fact that this retro glam logo gym bag perfectly matches my current pair of adidas running shoes, it’s also functional, durable, and roomy enough to work for a totally exercise-addicted gym rat with tons of gear.
The Squad III Duffel Bag, which is accessibly priced, is billed as having “a spacious main compartment with zippered pockets for easy accessibility and organization” and “a ventilated exterior compartment [to keep] your shoes and post-workout clothes separate.” Get in my shopping cart already!

12. For Getting Out Into the Wilderness

I do my fair share of hiking and trail running (just don’t ask me how fast I am), so I know [linkbuilder id=”2552″ text=”the importance of hydration”] when you’re far from a treadmill cupholder or water fountain. Enter the extremely cool “hydration backpack,” which includes a watertight pouch called a “bladder” (yuck) that you can fill with water or your favorite sports drink and just strap on your back. You won’t need to wrench your shoulder around to fish out a bottle every time you need a sip, since a long bendy straw with a bite-down mouthpiece makes this hydration solution hands-free.
These bags are designed with the liquid held high up on your back, and I can say from experience that this results in minimal bouncing. There is always at least some if you’re running with liquid weight in tow, but you get used to it fast.
In the past I’ve used a CamelBak bag for my trail runs, but when I saw the nine different “festival” color options from the SoJourner brand available on Amazon, I couldn’t wait to share.

13. Minimalistic Design

Are you a fan of normcore? Are you put off by “fancy schmancy big bags” that promise the world and then are just too heavy or bulky or covered in a million pockets? We say, go minimalist!
The adidas Alliance Sport Sackpack is definitely just that, and it’s also a steal. Its basic drawstring design and black and “pink zest” pattern will fit in and function anywhere you need to go without a lot of bells and whistles.
“I love a gym bag that is light and hands-free,” says Nicole Brodie, founder of an online fitness and wellness program designed specifically for women who are planning to conceive—cool, right?
“I’m always on the run and I need a bag that I can put keys, water bottle, phone, and gym towel in … I can’t stand heavy bags, that end up [mostly] empty and super heavy,” she says. “I find a crossbody bag or a drawstring bag on my back is perfect… Understated, yet super cool.”

14. For the Nursing Mom on the Go

As the mother of a 2-year-old, I’m not breastfeeding anymore, but I can certainly recall how much it sucked (pun intended) to pump and pack and tote that milk when you’re not in the same place as your mini-me. Get your body (and your peace of mind) back with this very cool travel breast pump and milk storage bag that can double as a workout tote with enough room to toss in the essentials. Plus, the trendy patterns scream “cool lady,” not “sleep-deprived mom.”

15. Futuristic Style and Utility

This one is a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it wildcard, and it doesn’t come cheap. But if you’re into the futuristic street style look, you’ll absolutely die when you see the Dakota Backpack designed by Dagne Dover. Fashion meets function with five muted and ultra-hip colors of quick-drying neoprene to choose from.
Alice Williams of Honestly Fitness shares that she “looks for backpacks which have a variety of pockets (to store small items such as hair bands, locks for gym lockers, etc.) and moisture wicking fabric so that my workout clothes don’t ruin [the bag].” Check, check, and check. Williams says that moisture-wicking thing is “an especially helpful feature if you plan to use your gym bag for hikes…like I do often.”
Good point!

16. Treat Yo’self

If you’ve got money to burn, or maybe high style and gym life are just really high on your priority list, then this splurge might be worth it. Louis Vuitton handbags couldn’t get any more famous, but did you ever even think of snagging a high-end gym duffel from this iconic fashion house? Yes, they do make them.
This lovely, soft duffle from the 2017 collection, the Neo Eole 65, is lightweight yet structured enough to keep everything from your running shoes to your Nars makeup palette (for after your workout), to your lacy unmentionables under wraps. Just be prepared to get out that plastic, given the price tag.
Inspired? It’s time to toss (or, better yet, recycle) that smelly old rucksack and upgrade to a new boss gym bag, built for a boss lady like you.