Our favourite new products to stay motivated with your fitness regime this autumn and winter.
Don’t let chilly mornings put a dampener on your fitness goals. Invest in some quality winter workout kit instead. From stylish thermal base layers to new tech for exercising indoors – here’s the gear you need to keep moving this winter.
For Her
KEEN Terradora Hiking Shoes, from £99
There are so many benefits to exercising outside. Live in the countryside? Enjoy a forest trek with friends and family. Or, if you’re in the city, there are plenty of boot camps and outdoor classes to join. You don’t need a million pairs of shoes to suit all situations – not with these beauties which have been specially designed for women. Waterproof, cushioned and seriously grippy, they offer the durability and stability of a walking boot with the flexible, lightweight comfort of a running shoe. They’re perfect for travelling too, so you can go from the airport to the Alps without changing your shoes.
Free Soul Hero Whey Protein, £24 (600g)
Hitting your RDA of protein might not be top of your to-do list over winter (not with all that festive food on offer) but if you’re looking to build lean muscle, adding a scoop of whey protein into your diet is the easiest way to hit your target. When buying protein, look out for artificial ingredients or hidden sugars and carbs, which your body doesn’t need. Free Soul Hero Whey is a great choice as it’s specially blended for women, with a single scoop containing nearly half of your recommended daily iron. It contains quality, nutritionist-approved ingredients (so no nasties) to help boost energy, balance hormones, support bone density and promote healthy hair and nails. It’s available in vegan and hemp blends too. It’s tasty and has a smooth, non-grainy texture when mixed into porridge or enjoyed as a shake.
www.herfreesoul.com
Boudavida Insulating Soft Jersey Winter Mid Layer, £75
Thermal base layers are an essential for your winter wardrobe, especially if you’re exercising outside. This gorgeous designer long sleeve is ideal for wearing underneath a jacket. It’s soft and cosy and has extra-long sleeves with thumb holes to keep your hands warm. I love the vibrant mint colour (it comes in other colours too), which stands out when the weather’s dull. Another thing to admire about this brand: they donate money from every sale to women’s sporting charities. How generous is that?
www.boudavida.com
Tangram Smart Rope, £69.95
Can’t face the cold? How about working out at home? Skipping torches calories and we’ve found the jump rope of the future. It’s a Bluetooth-enabled ‘smart’ rope that links to your iPhone or Android phone via an app, displaying jumps, duration and calories burned. The best part though, thanks to some futuristic LEDs, is that it displays your jump count in front of your eyes in mid-air. It’s loaded with fancy tech that’s more accurate than most pedometers on smartphones and has a lengthy battery life of 36 hours per charge. All that tech doesn’t weigh you down, it just as smooth as your standard skipping rope, it’s just a whole lot savvier. It’s available online at John Lewis, Apple and Very.
www.tangramfactory.com
For Him
SPOKE Bulletproofs, £129
These smart-looking chinos are the next level of athleisure. Carefully crafted by boutique London designer SPOKE, they house discreet features that enable them to be worn on your cycle in and straight into the office. No changing required. They’re water-repellent and are designed to be rolled up so they won’t get caught or stained. Everything about the chinos oozes style, even the box they’re posted in. The finishing touch is reflective piping which adds flair as well as practicality. When ordering, there’s a handy size finder which will help you find the perfect fitting pair, which we can vouch for.
www.spoke-london.com
Iffley Road Marlow Running Jacket, £195
Whether you’re trail running or walking to the gym, you’ll need a jacket that protects you from the freezing temperatures while not getting in the way. Iffley Road blends quintessential British style with highly technical fabrics, and their retro-styled running jacket is a stylish solution for saving your winter coat for best. This winter kit staple is feather-light, weighing in at just 160g. It’s the lightest running jacket I’ve worn. It’s incredibly waterproof, windproof and breathable, thanks to three layers of high-tech fabric. It’s fashionable too, with a slim, tailored cut and a minimalist design.
www.iffleyroad.com
Adidas UltraBOOST X All Terrain Trainers, £169.95
Adidas describes these running shoes as your “all-weather tyres”. So whether it’s icy outside or cold and drizzling, you’ll be all geared up for a slip-free workout. It’s just what you need in winter when your Vitamin D levels are low. The shoe exterior is water-repellent, while the sole provides superior grip in all conditions. The midsole is cushioned to put a bounce in your step. Ready? Set? Go!
New Balance x J.Crew Seasonless Long Sleeve Tee, £65
You’ll be less likely to hit the snooze button if you’ve got some stylish winter warmers to get dressed in. And what’s not to love about this designer long sleeve? It’s lightweight, breathable and sweat-wicking, to keep you warm during a run or trip to the gym. There’s reflective detailing to keep you visible if you’re running at night. Plus, it’s light enough to be worn all year round.
www.newbalance.co.uk