2014 Fitness Must-Haves

Exercise has always been a non-negotiable part of my day. So I need to have the right gear and classes to keep me motivated. I’ve found that having a new top or a fun class to look forward to is key.  As part of a FitFluential campaign, I’ve rounded up a few of my fitness essentials for the new Year, including the new Koss Fit Series. Hopefully, you’ll find something new to try to keep your workouts fresh and exciting.

1. Koss Fit Series: Perfect for active women, Koss has teamed up with Gold Medalist Dara Torres to create the world’s first headphones designed for women, by women. Choose from FitBuds or CitClips. Both designs are sweat-resistant and include three different sizes of ear cushions for the perfect fit. The FitBuds are 33 percent smaller than any earbud Koss has ever created and the FitClips are designed to stay in place and not fall out. Available at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Walgreens, KMart and Sears.

2. Nike Running Crops: I love a bold-print running tight. The Nike Dri-FIT Epic Lux Print Cropped Women’s Running Pants are made with soft, durable sweat-wicking fabric with a bit of stretch for a full range of motion. A secure pocket at the back waist holds keys or a media-player.

3. purebarre Classes: I don’t know what I did without purebarre at least twice a week! I’ve seen fast results, including a stronger core and no more lower back pain. In just 55 minutes you achieve a full-body workout concentrating on the areas women commonly struggle with: hips, thighs, seat, abdominals and arms. The Pure Barre technique is low-impact, protecting your joints by avoiding any bouncing or jumping. Each strength section of the workout is followed by a stretching section in order to create long, lean muscles without bulk. The technique works to defy gravity by tapering everything in and lifting it up!

4. Lole Women Gina Top: Forget frumpy sweatshirts! I love to throw on this cozy, light weight fleece top after a workout. 

5. Fruit Infuser Water Bottle: Make staying hydrated fun and creative. The Flavor-It Water Bottle lets you add a fruity splash by flavoring it with the fruit infuser. Just add a variety of fruits or vegetables to the water for a refreshing drink that’ll keep you hydrated and saying goodbye to bottled water.

What are your favorite fitness essentials?