MY WINTER FIT KIT WISHLIST

February 3, 2024 / No Comments

Since I got back from South America the weather has been arctic and I’m not going to lie, it’s been a pretty unpleasant transition. So how, as a personal trainer who works outside and sometimes works out before the sun rises, do I keep warm?

This is my ultimate list of winter fitness kit to keep you warm and keep you moving. It’s easy to spend a fortune on fitness kit, especially in the winter with all of the ‘heat tech’ but I don’t have a fortune so everything I buy has to be good value and affordable. Some of these items I own and use on a regular basis, the others I just want in my wardrobe!

 

 

1) H&M fleece headband £6.99

I get way too hot if I wear a full-on hat so this headband has been the perfect compromise. It keeps my ears warm but I don’t overheat. It also fits nicely under my bike helmet which is a massive win for me in this weather

 

2) Reebok base layer £21.95

This thin long-sleeved top is the best I’ve found to use as a base layer because it’s super soft and comfy and keeps me warm without the sweat-fest that I often find comes with wearing an insulating base layer. It layers well underneath most other tops and the thumb-holes are great to keep my hands warm but my thumbs available to use my phone

 

3) H&M sweatshirt £24.99

I’m a sucker for a grey sweatshirt and this is a good one. I don’t have this but I love the high neck as it looks a bit like the Nike tech fleece but for a fraction of the price.

 

4) Gap PrimaLoft puffa jacket £48.99 (in sale)

When I’m teaching outside I don’t like to be too bulked up with a big jacket so this light puffa jacket is the perfect layer. It still allows me to demonstrate exercises to my clients so they can see what my body is doing while keeping me warm. It’s currently on sale, get it before it goes!

 

5) Gymshark Flex leggings £32

If I’m outside early in the morning I like to layer my leggings because my legs and bum get so unbelievably cold. These new Gymshark leggings have been a lifesaver this week because they’re thin, stretchy and warm underneath my trackies. They’re also super flattering for indoors workouts and comfy enough to lounge around in all day. They’ve just been restocked so watch out for them

 

6) New Look tracksuit bottoms £9.99

A basic pair of trackies worn over a pair of workout leggings seem to do the trick at keeping out the worst of the cold so while I don’t actually own these I do have a similar pair. My trousers tend to get filthy when I’m working outside so something cheap and dark is best.

 

7) Sealskinz all weather cycling gloves £20 (in sale)

The worst bit about cycling or exercising outside is your hands getting so cold that you can’t actually grip anything. These gloves, although expensive out of the sale, are the best gloves I’ve ever had. I got them as a present (thanks Mum!) and they keep my hands warm even when I’m cycling into icy rain.

 

8) Saucony Omni 15 £115

The one bit of kit that I think it’s a good idea to spend money on is trainers. So many issues can be caused by ill-fitting or unsuitable trainers so if you’re an over-pronator like me then I would highly recommend the Saucony Omnis. I’ve worn them for the last 4 years and nothing else supports my ankles as well as these. I don’t have this updated model, I’m still using the Omni 14s but once these go into the sale I might be tempted by the colours

 

 

 

This isn’t a sponsored post by any of these brands, these are all products that I either bought myself and love or would like to have in my fit kit wardrobe.

ME IN TLC

October 24, 2023 / No Comments

Since becoming a personal trainer it’s very rare that I’m ever wearing something that isn’t activewear, especially Monday to Friday so I’m having to beef up my collection of lycra (well that’s my excuse anyway). When TLC Sport got in touch to see if I wanted to review some of the luxury activewear I jumped at the chance.

I picked out the 360 Reflective Print Running Leggings and the Yoga Long Knitted Sleeve Panel Top because of the neon yellow and I love the reflective print on the leggings for early mornings and dark evenings.

The fabric on both the leggings and top is soft and light and feels gorgeous which made me a little bit nervous for the warmth potential because through autumn and winter I tend to go for thicker fabrics, especially on the bottom as I get very cold thighs and bum.

The fit is snug so I went for a medium in the top and bottoms whereas I would normally go for a S/M in Nike (for example) on the bottom and an S on the top. Getting the leggings on they felt a bit tight but once they’re on there’s no chance that they’d fall down and they don’t feel uncomfortable. The top is also a bit tighter than I would normally wear, especially as on the site it’s described as ‘slightly loose-fitting’. I’d have to go up at least one more size to get it loose-fitting but the fit is fine for me to wear as a base-layer. The neck line on the top is little bit too high for me and I felt a bit constricted round the throat but the knitted panels feel great down the back of the top and the long sleeves with thumb holes are perfect for keeping my hands warm.

 

During a weights and hiit session the leggings passed the all-important squat test and there was no thinning of the fabric over my bottom. I felt supported but definitely not hindered by the fabric and the sweat was wicked away instantly. As predicted when I wore them out for an early morning session with a client in the park they didn’t keep my legs warm but to be fair, they’re not designed to to perform that function! I would wear them underneath another pair of leggings in future for outdoor sessions but as long as you’re working out then they’ll keep you warm enough.

My only other observation on the leggings is that for my relatively short legs, they’re not the most flattering leggings I’ve tried on because of where the mesh and yellow panels cut, just above the knee. Single colour leggings or an all-over print tend to work best for me but everyone’s legs are different.

The top, although designed for yoga, works well as a base layer and feels lovely on. It would be great for a running top in winter as although it’s not reflective like the panel on the leggings the colour is bright enough to be seen.

TLC Sport have got a huge range of activewear on their website so get on there and have a look. The best bit is that there’s currently a sale on!

 

Disclaimer: I was provided with a pair of leggings and a top in return for a review but all views are my own.

MY AUTUMN KIT LUST LIST

September 13, 2024 / No Comments

Here in London the weather is starting to turn from summer to autumn and my thoughts are starting to shift towards those early morning workouts and PT sessions. I’m not great in the cold so I like to make sure that I’m fully prepped for frost, snow, rain and PT sessions run in the dark before sunrise.

This is my Autumn kit lust list of everything that I would love to have to see me through the next few months of workouts.

1) North Face Nuptse 2 Gilet £130 - I prefer gilets to jackets when I’m training clients or myself outside, particularly for the beginning of the sessions because they allow you full movement while keeping your midsection toasty warm. This North Face one is light, stylish and packed full of goose down

2) Sweaty Betty Utrasana Half-zip Hoody £115 - it’s just as important to stay warm after your workout as during so keep this hoody in your bag to throw on after your sweat session and let your muscles cool down slowly

3) Helly Hansen Active Flow Graphic Base layer £40 - base layers are essential for keeping warm and this one is moisture-wicking which is perfect because half of staying warm is staying dry

4) Nike Dri-FIT Training Bralette £35 - perfect for us ladies who are endowed with small boobs and don’t need a huge amount of support. Also, I love the high neck as it’s different to most other sports bras out there

5) Under Armour HeatGear Shorts £25 - I don’t know about you but I always get a cold bum and thighs and they stay cold for ages, even after I come inside. These base layer shorts will be essential for keeping my extremities warm!

6) Nike Pro Midnight Floral Tights £90 - The pattern on these is amazing, I can’t stop looking at them! The other Nike Pro tights that I’ve had were very comfortable, not see-through and great for wicking away moisture during workouts

7) Asics GEL-DS Trainer 20 £107 - While I have to run in Saucony trainers thanks to my over-pronating flat feet, these Asics trainers are perfect for gym training. They’re still supportive, very comfortable and look awesome. Also, I heart neon

Now who wants to buy me a belated birthday present…?