In case you’ve been living under a rock these past few months, the 2012 Summer Olympics are finally upon us. And though you may have missed your life’s calling as the world’s fastest swimmer/soccer player/gymnast/sprinter/shot-putter, there’s no reason you shouldn’t train like one. Here’s some cool, new gear to get you started.
Kinvara 3 from Saucony: One of the coolest things about Olympic sprinters are their neon shoes. And these running shoes from Saucony definitely make a statement. Not only do they look awesome, but they’re designed to help you run better and more comfortably. They lightweight enough to not slow you down but supportive enough in the heels and arches to protect your joints (Memory foam in running shoes?!). There’s so much science behind these shoes, you might actually think you’re an Olympian. Available from Saucony.com.
Fitocracy App: Wanna see how your workouts stack up against your friends’? The Fitocracy app allows you to challenge friends (and rivals) and track your workout progress. Join groups of people with similar interests (weight training, marathon running, swimming), give props to others for their accomplishments and rise to the top of the leaderboard as you accumulate points for your workouts. So download the app and start dominating the competition. Get it free from the
iTunes App Store and upgrade to hero status for a monthly or yearly fee.
“The Albert” Olympic Soccer Ball:You don’t have to be Hope Solo or Abby Wambach to snag a piece of official Olympic soccer memorabilia. Adidas has designed a commemorative game-quality ball that’s named for Albert Hall in London. Each panel is smoothly secured for optimal flight and is made from a material that ensures the best grip possible. It also has the highest FIFA rating for weight, water uptake, shape and size retention. Basically, this ball takes gold. Find it at Pro Direct.
Free to Be Bra from Lululemon: Even though the only colors that matter this summer are red, white and blue, the rest of the year it’s fun to add a pop of color to your yoga sessions. That’s where Lululemon’s Free to Be bra comes in. But don’t let the pink, girly color fool you, this bra can handle serious sweat. The mesh lining along the bustline wicks moisture away from your skin while the flat seams prevent chaffing. So whether you’re sweating through your weekly Bikram class or detoxing in the sauna, you’ll be comfortable, or as comfortable as possible at 105 degrees F. Order yours online at
Lululemon.com.
Withings Body Scale: Your bathroom scale just got high-tech. With features that rival some cellphones (and connects to smartphones), the Withings body scale measures your weight, fat and lean mass and BMI then syncs with your computer or phone so you can manage and track all that information. The accompanying app also allows you to set up a nutrition and fitness plan to help you achieve your goals, because after months of training, you want to know that you’re getting somewhere. Now all those stats are available in the palm of you hand. Available on
Withings.com.
Images from Saucony.com, Fitocracy.com, ProDirectSoccer.com, Lululemon.com and Withings.com.
rachel grice 