Stylish Active Gear & Exercise Equipment
No More Lazy Days — This Stylish Gear Will Keep You Active Well Into Summer
By Corey Kelly for AskMen.com
OK, let's face it: Whether we're surfing a mean wave, squeezing in an afternoon jog or playing a serious tennis match, the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle is a priority.
Since the advent of athleisure fashion, what we wear while breaking a sweat matters as much as our fitness routines. Take, for example, the rising popularity of brands like Lululemon and Under Armour. Their elevated status amongst stylish gym-goers speaks volumes.
And since we also need equipment to facilitate our active pursuits, we've searched far and wide for the coolest and most effective gear. From the latest in high-tech fitness devices to the most innovative new sporting goods, here's our rundown of the twelve spring must-haves that will keep your endorphins flowing in great style.
Photo courtesy of Martone Cycling Co.
The City Bike
Martone Cycling Co.’s (MCC) bold-hued commuter bicycles are stylish — not to mention highly effective — modes of transportation for the active urbanite. Made from double-wall aluminum, their lightweight frames are carefully constructed to sustain the landscape of any concrete jungle. Forget about shifting gears. The SRAM 2-gear automatic hub automatically shifts depending on your speed. This feature is ideal for maneuvering between traffic and unpredictable pedestrians. We’re totally obsessed with MCC’s monochromatic gray Greenwich Diamond bicycle. It is available in nine other colors. — $1,100.00 at MartoneCycling.com
Photo courtesy of Tangram Factory
The Digital Jump Rope
Using Tangram Factory’s smart jump rope is like working out in a futuristic scene from The Matrix. This LED-embedded jump rope displays all of your fitness data – jump count, calories burned, time elapsed and interval training – directly in front of you in mid-air. And, thanks to Smart Gym — Tangram Factory’s complete mobile fitness app, you can sync all of your data directly to your smartphone.
We’re obsessed with Smart Rope’s sleek handles, available in chrome, gold and black. However, you can protect them with silicon grip covers, which also come in a complete range of colors — $89.99 at Amazon.com
Photo courtesy of S’well
The High-On-Design Hydrator
An active lifestyle requires proper hydration. And there’s no better way to stay hydrated than doing it in style. That’s why were fans of S’well, a vast collection of reusable water bottles praised for their high design. Available in three sizes (9oz, 17oz and 25oz), each stainless steel bottle chills cold liquids for an entire 24 hours without emitting any signs of condensation. — $35.00 at Nordstrom.com
Photo courtesy of Shinola
The Batter’s Best Friend
Shinola stepped up to the plate with Warstic, a Dallas-based company specializing in wooden bats for professional athletes, to create the bat of all baseball bats. The result is a classic-shaped bat made from sugar maple and hand-dipped in two-toned paint. Cut from hand-split billets, its design is appropriate for both power and gap/line drive hitters. What sets it apart from other pro-standard bats is its bright orange façade — also available black, green and natural. Made in the USA, it’s literally in a league of its own. — $150.00 at Shinola.com
Photo courtesy of Oru Kayak
The Boat In A Box
Making a highly-functional small boat appear from a messenger bag-like box sounds like a Penn & Teller stunt. But it’s actually the concept behind Oru Kayak, a San Francisco-based company specializing in folding kayaks. Just imagine: In approximately three minutes, you can assemble your very own kayak during your next beach getaway. Also, you can choose from a series of models (Beach, Bay and Coast) to accommodate your skill level. — $1,175.00 at Orukayak.com
Photo courtesy of Lacoste
The Racket De Rigueur
The legacy of the late René Lacoste — a French tennis sensation during the roaring Twenties — lives on in his namesake brand’s LT12 racket. A product of three years of work, its construction is entirely engineered by a team of aeronautics researchers – not to mention completely handmade by French artisan Alain Zanco. It’s practically the couture of tennis rackets, made with a first-ever combination of graphite and three types of woods (lime, walnut and balsa). All of this fancy talk explains the reasoning behind its hefty price tag — something any hardcore tennis player with a good chunk of change could only appreciate. — $750.00 at Lacoste.com
Photo courtesy of FitBit
The Ticking Tracker
Move over, Apple Watch Sport. It’s time to make room for the Fitbit Blaze, the latest fitness-junkie smartwatch to hit the scene. It’s completely water-resistant (just in case you’re caught jogging in the rain) and features an unlimited selection of updated features to help maintain your summer-ready physique: PurePulse Heart Rate — check. SmartTrack memory system — check. FitStar workout routines — double-check.
It monitors your sleeping patterns, controls your music selection, receives calls, texts and calendar alerts and lasts longer than the average tracker. Oh, and it totally complements your outfit — thanks to an updated selection of bands currently available in a variety of colors. — $195.00 at Amazon.com
Photo courtesy of Y-3
The Ultimate Beach Ball
The combination of style and sport is on full display on Y-3’s white and blue volleyball. It’s the perfect accessory to bring along to the beach for a rousing volleyball match between friends. Who knew that working up a sweat could look so good? — $89.00 at Farfetch.com
Photo courtesy of Meyerhoffer
The Stealth Board
Award-winning designer Thomas Meyerhoffer launched an incredible concept that elevated the game in surfboard design. Well-known for its curvaceous appearance, his eponymous Meyerhoffer Original board is a cutting-edge longboard disguised as a shortboard.
After hitting the waves atop its hourglass surface, you’ll begin to understand the purpose of its design. Its negative sidecuts allow for tight turns, which easily handle the most critical parts of any wave. Also, there’s a full nose for traditional nose-riding along with a specially shaped tail for stronger holds. Made in the USA, this board is perfect for the die-hard surfing fanatic. — $2,100.00 at Meyerhoffer.com
Photo courtesy of Bragi Dash
The Underwater Ear Bud
Thanks to the Bragi Dash, the world’s first wireless smart earphone, you can now listen to your favorite workout mix while swimming laps. One hundred percent waterproof, it combines three essential features in one product: A one-touch standalone music player, a live fitness tracker and a sound-sensitive smartphone companion.
And, remember: You don’t have to tinker with any tricky buttons. All you need to do is tap, swipe and nod your head to navigate. You can choose between four different sizes to find the perfect fit. — $299.00 at Bragi.com
Photo courtesy of Quardiobase
The Wireless Weight Watcher
Don’t let the minimalist exterior of Qardiobase — a wireless smart scale and body analyzer — fool you. Trust us, it’s got a lot to offer.
Not only does it measure your weight and body mass index (BMI), but it calculates your body fat percentage and muscle as well as your body water and bone density. After crunching all of your personal data, it provides helpful feedback to place you on the right track to healthy living. — $149.00 at GetQuardio.com
Photo courtesy of Blacknet