More Than Just Leggings: Workout Essentials All Women Need

Guest Blogger: Chelsey Hendriksen

While it’s true you only need your body and some motivation to get in a killer workout, it’s no secret that there are some tools and gear that can help enhance your fitness regime. Here are my must-haves for an elevated workout experience.

Coordinating Outfit

If you’re trying to up your fitness game, an easy way to jump-start your motivation is by getting a fresh workout outfit. I know I’m not the only one who feels like I can run faster and exercise harder when I’m sporting a new outfit. Grab a head to toe matching outfit made from a great, sweat-wicking material and you’ll be able to focus on your set instead of adjusting your pants every few reps (I know you know what I’m talking about).

I know everyone has their favourites, but I’m a huge fan of Fabletics. Their leggings fit like a dream, are totally squat proof and I can get a stellar outfit without breaking the bank.

Great Sports Bra

Complete your outfit with a sports bra made for the exercise you’re doing. If I’m doing a low impact workout or stretching, I want something that feels less restrictive and moves with me. If I’m doing a high impact workout or sprinting, I want to ensure that I can focus on the movement I’m doing and not worrying about how secure the girls are. Seriously though, make sure that the bra you get is comfortable and doesn’t just look good because it won’t look so cute if you’re adjusting it every few seconds or if it’s digging into your rib cage.

Fitness Tracker

One of the things I love most about fitness is that it’s very much you vs you. Having a fitness tracker allows me to see improvements I make over time and also gives me the nudge I need when I’ve had a less than an active day. I can also track my water consumption, calories burned and even monitor my sleep habits. The top three trackers are the Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Samsung Galaxy watch. They all have similar capabilities so it’s up to you to decide which model best suits your lifestyle.

Foam Roller

A foam roller allows someone to perform self-myofascial release in the comfort of their home whenever they want. Essentially, it’s like self-massage and can help with muscle and joint pain. Just a few minutes a day with a foam roller can relieve nagging aches and pain and speed up recovery time between training sessions. While you used to only be able to buy these rollers from physiotherapist offices you can now find them in most wellness and sporting good stores. You just need to pick the density and trigger points to suit your needs then get to rolling.

Dry Shampoo

Showering is easy. Finding time to wash, dry and style your hair is a whole other ball game. I know I’m not the only one who doesn’t wash my hair after every workout so let’s not even pretend we haven’t all been there. To keep my luscious locks looking great after my workouts I simply use a little bit of dry shampoo on my roots and carry on with my day. I’m a big fan of Batiste as they have a number of options to suit all hair types and you can find it at almost any drug store.

Water Bottle

Having a water bottle, even for at-home workouts, helps ensure you’re staying hydrated enough during and after your training session. When picking out a water bottle you need to decide what features you want as it’s about so much more than the color of the bottle. Do you like straw or an open mouth container? Is keeping your water ice-cold important or is having a large container that needs fewer refills more valuable?

I may be a weirdo but I prefer my water at room temperature (team sensitive teeth) so I prefer a larger bottle I don’t have to be constantly filling up. If you’re like me, The Big Bottle Co may be for you. If you want a bottle that will keep your water ice-cold, then a YETI or Hydroflask are great options.

Whether you’re a yoga lover or HIIT fanatic, the gear above will help you have a more enjoyable workout experience and we all know a little extra motivation never hurts anyone.

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