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Fitness routine lagging? Give it a boost with these cool workout toys No doubt you started the New Year with grand plans to step up your exercise regime and get in better shape. You were going to drag yourself out of bed for a walk before work or forgo your weekly Saturday matinee for a vigorous cycle in the park. In case those routines haven’t exactly become habit, here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait for 2002 to give yourself another jumpstart. Maybe what you really need is a cutting-edge gadget or some hip new gear to make your workout more fun. Here are the latest, greatest reasons to get moving. - Mind your head
Cycling without a helmet isn’t even an option, but Raleigh’s Fit N Lock explorer helmet (£22.99) lets you play it safe in comfort. While most standard small, medium or large lids seem to wobble on your head even after you adjust them, Raleigh’s lightweight, one-size-fits-all version has a separate inner polypropelyne layer that conforms to fit your head snugly. And the 13 strategically placed air vents and reflective rear logo are nice features that help guarantee a cool, carefree ride. For stockists, ring 01 455 558055. - Save your suit
You could argue that a swimsuit is not a gadget but a necessity for the serious swimmer. The Speedo Endurance Focus Sportsback one-piece (£30) is unique because its fabric is made of 44% PBT (Poly Butylene Terephthalate) and 56% polyester. Since PBT doesn’t contain elastane – a material in most other nylon suits – it won’t stretch or fade as quickly as your regular ones. And the unique combination of durable fabric makes this suit much more chlorine-resistant than regular swimwear. Anything that encourages you into the pool has got to be worth the money because swimming is probably the best way to tone your entire body without putting undue stress on your joints. For stockists, ring 0115 910 5267. - Check your heart
Who has time to take their pulse during exercise? Now you can keep a constant eye on how your heart is hanging in there by strapping on the first-ever Nike Heart Rate Monitor (£75). Just slip on the chest transmitter, work up a sweat, then read your heart rate on the accompanying wristwatch. This deceptively simple-looking contraption comes with all kinds of bells and whistles, including two alarms, a time and date display for two time zones and the capacity to recall maximum and minimum heart rate information and training schedules. Our favourite feature? It’s much smaller and more compact than other monitors so you won’t feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your wrist. For stockists, ring 0800 056 1640.
- Conserve your air
Sometimes it’s the little things in life that can make or break your day. You might be toting the most up-to-the-minute racquet and sporting the finest designer whites, but if your tennis balls are dead you’ll never ace the game. The Tennis Ball Saver (£9) by sweatband.com is a special canister with a built-in ring around the rim. As you screw on the top, the ring provides a seal and the canister stays pressurised. The result? Your tennis balls don’t leak air as quickly as they would if stored in a regular container and – of course – you’re one step closer to perfecting that killer serve. To order, log onto www.sweatband.com or ring 0207 247 1172. - Have a stretch
Next time you do the downward dog in a yoga class, give yourself some room to roam. Soma the Firm’s Extra Wide Luxury Yoga Mat (£18) fits the bill at 66cm wide, 6cm wider than the typical mat. It’s also thicker than other mats, which makes it super-grippable on hardwood or carpet floors. And the soft, calming aqua colour will help you breathe your way to mind-body bliss. To order, click on www.somathefirm.com, or ring 0131 551 6149.
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