PNW & PALMS: Best Fitness Accessories

Over the past year, I've really embraced gadgets and accessories to take my fitness to the next level. I thought I would share with you the best accessories and apps that I use - whether it's in training for a 1/2 marathon or just going to the gym everyday.

1. Nike Run App
This app has changed my life! I use it on every run I do and it helped me pace myself during the race. I would love to have a fancy Garbin watch that tells me my milage time, but I am a ~~in debt~~ law student who already has an iPhone, thus making the app free! It's even better than a Garbin watch because it tells you your mile pace as you are running, unlike finding out after each mile. It helps you keep pace better. You can also synch it with your music so when you push pause on your music, it pauses the app. I also love how it automatically pauses when you are stopped, because I don't want that 4 minute stop light factored into my run time! It tells you your elevation and keeps track of your fastest miles, 5ks, 10ks, and longest runs. I could probably go on about this forever. The only complaint that some may have is that it requires that you actually carry your phone with you when you run, but that doesn't bother me.

(And it allows you to put these cool graphics on pictures)

2. Nike Training Club
Nike is doing lots of things right :). I recently started using this again to supplement my strength training regime. You can choose different workouts based on what you want to do - lean, strong, get toned, and target areas. And choose between levels - beginner, intermediate, advanced. Most workouts are 30-45 minutes and are circuit-training type workouts. I usually do 30 minutes of cardio at the gym and then do one of these. Most requires weights, a medicine ball, a mat, and sometimes a resistance band, but some require no equipment at all and you can do them at home! They go by super fast and are a good way to motivate yourself. I, for instance, almost always find myself cutting my strength training workout short because I am always tired from cardio and my motivation level drops. These help me so I don't do that.

3. Spotify
Purchasing a membership to Spotify changed my running game. I love how easy it is to add music to my playlists, how you can listen to playlists "offline" so that the app doesn't eat up your data, and how easy it is to find new songs. You can search other people's playlists so you can get new ideas for workout and running songs. And the best part is that if you are a student, you can get the app for only $4 a month! My iPhone was slowly losing most of my storage space because the songs that I had on my phone were eating up most of that space. So I deleted them all and now only have Spotify. It's also great for studying.

4. Heart Rate Monitor
(pictured above)

I like my classic polar heart rate monitor. I know lots of fitness trackers have heart rate monitors now, but getting one with a chest strap will make sure that you have the most accurate reading. The fitness trackers only track your heart rate by the pulse in your wrist, so it's not going to be the best reading. Plus, if you are at the gym, the polar heart rate monitor sinks up with the Life Fitness machines, so you can see your heart rate on the machine.

5. Yurbuds
(pictured above)

These. Are. The. Best. They never fall out of your ear!! I have the weirdest shaped ears and running + earphones = bad news bears. But these are the most amazing. I have the older version and the only complaint I have is that the earbud covers sometimes come off so you need to be careful that they don't fall out randomly on the street. Also, there is no built in phone microphone or volume control. If they fixed these problems, I would give them an A++++.

6. Jawbone

I recently jumped on the fitness tracker train. I picked the jawbone initially because 1) it tracks your sleep and wakes you up gradually when you're on the best sleep pattern to wake up and 2) you can set an alarm to remind you to get up and move. I have mine set up so that it buzzes if I haven't moved in 45 min. It's the only fitness tracker that I know of to do that. But I recently had an issue with my jawbone. I called them and they are sending me the newest version of the jawbone for free to fix my problem. Soooo customer service at jawbone for the win! I recommend them to everyone!

7. Brooks Running Shoes
(pictured above)

I've been a Brooks fan ever since high school. They have so much support and are perfect for those of us who have knee problems or flat arches. They fit my orthotics nicely.

8. Nike Running Socks

These socks are thick and keep my feet warm in the winter. The extra padding helps with blisters, and the socks are made specifically for your left and right feet.

9. Body Glide

Chafing be gone. I don't really have much else to say about this. It's self explanatory.

10. iPad

Working out at the gym gets boring. Or sometimes I find it's really hard to motivate myself to do anything, let alone work out. All I want to do is curl up and watch Netflix. Ever since I got my iPad, there is really no excuse because I can bring my iPad to the gym and watch Netflix while working out. It's forced me to go to the gym and it makes my workouts longer and harder, especially if I get into a really good show.

11. Running water bottle