Posted on November 27, 2014 by Jenny Cromack

The count down to Christmas is about to begin and there has been a lot of talk about Christmas shopping so here is our Christmas fitness equipment wish list from stocking fillers to bit of a bigger treat.

A Sports Watch

A good sports watch is always a fantastic investment and with technology now a days telling the time can be a basic benefit, with many watches having features such as a heart rate monitor and GPS it can not only give you the time but dramatically increase your training especially for runners, bikers or triathletes were pacing and timing is the key to sucess. To view a wide range of watches click here

Motive8 Technical T-shirts

In the motive8 studio we have a wide range of colours and sizes in the technical T-shirts. they are the the ultimate work-out top as they are made of breathable material and is designed for comfort & keeping you cool whilst training. with no sweat patches! I actually wore one during my 1000 tractor tyre flip challenge and was surprised just how cool it kept me.
The t-shirts are £15 each or 2 for £25 contact a motive8 Personal trainer to order yours

Headphones

A high percentage of people need to listen to music whilst they train this is great for motivation however if your having to spend most of your training session fiddling with them then its not going to be the most productive session so here are to models of training headphones that have received high ratings.

Adidas Sennheiser OCX 685

Are highly regarded as the best pair of sports headphones around as they are extremely good quality and also very comfortable. They are not a bright look at me I’m doing sport yellow and also are rain resistant great for your runs in the rain at £50 they are fairly expensive but for quality, comfort and an undisturbed training session they are a solid investment .

Philips SHQ3200

If £50 is more than you want to spend Phillips offer a cheaper alternative at £17 that offer 90% of the quality for a third of the price. the phillips headphones are not quite as comfy and the sound quality weaker but for an hours training session they will do the job.

Trainers!

A lot of you will be aware that I’m a bit obsessed with trainers and brightly coloured ones. We all know new trainers look good but from a training point of view it is important that you are wearing a good quality pair that have not been worn down.

I honestly believe that one of the most important pieces of kit for the gym, running, sport and everyday life is a good quality pair of shoes. In our busy day to day lives we are up and about on our feet so they deserve the very best support and comfort.  The gym floor is definitely no exception. For all you keen runners out your trusty running shoes can soon clock up some mileage and those miles equal wear and tear. Continuing to run in a well worn old pair of trainers could result in a decline in performance or worse injury. Research suggests that runners should invest in a new pair of trainers every 300- 400 miles. You can track this by logging your runs.It is also important to ensure that you have a good pair of trainers on in the gym because again this can affect your performance or lead to injury.  Think of how many times you have worn your current pair of trainers and therefore how many squats, box jumps, mountain climbers and lunges they have completed!
So how do you know if you’re due a new pair of gym trainers? Take them off and look at the inside and outside of the sole. If it is worn down this is a sign that a new pair of trainers may be on your Christmas list as they will not be as efficient at absorbing shock. Also ensure that the trainer is not ripped or fraying anywhere this can to them not being.
When looking for new trainers don’t opt for the cheapest or best looking make sure that you buy a pair suitable to your main exercise and ones that fit properly. If you are worried about getting the right pair of trainers contact one of the motive8 personal trainers and we will organise gait analysis.

Foam Roller

Anyone who has experienced muscle soreness or tightness will know its a struggle, the foam roller may be the answer to your prayers, Granted it may not be the most comfortable of cures for muscle soreness but a good 10 minute session of rolling can release muscle fascia tightness and get us walking with a little more normal. There are a range of different types click here to find one best suited to yourself.

Stocking Fillers

Sport Laces

Click here to look at these sports laces Once applied always tied! Never come undone, quick release 100% polyester for full support.

Socks

You always need socks for Christmas but sport socks really are a cracking shout. Not only do sports socks keep your feet cool and comfy for runners and high impact exercises they are great as they don’t slip in your trainer. The cushioned pads prevent rubbing and soreness. To check out the range of socks we have to offer click here

Its always good to treat yourself and treating yourself to gym kit is even better! Happy shopping!