Ok everyone, please share your favorite things you have found for fitness. Your favorite headbands, ear buds, sports bras, clothing, armbands, compression garments, etc. and why this item is your favorite and what sets it above the rest. Many people are either starting a fitness routine for the first time ever or are returning to fitness after a long break. Things change quickly in the retail setting and it can be hard, not to mention expensive, to try many things only to find out they aren't worth it or don't last. I will start off with my favorite thing so far.

Enell brand sports bras are the BEST EVER sports bra for busty girls. I wear a 40GG and the Enell sports bra makes sure my boobs do not move at all! They are not pretty sports bras and they absolutely give you a uniboob, but I have never found another sports bra that gives this much support. Enell is a bit pricey at around $60, but they last forever too. I have been at least a DD cup since I was 14 and played sports through high school. The closest I ever got to good support and minimal movement was wearing one sports bra with a second sports bra over the top of it. Then wrapped an ace bandage around my chest and back tightly and then used a compression tank over that. So that is my favorite thing recommendation.

Please chime in and share yours! I need your ideas. Also, if you have tried something and found it sorely lacking, share that too. Knowledge is power.

I love my FlipBelt . Its a fabric tube with slits that goes around your waist. It hold your phone, I.D. , keys etc so you don't have to stuff your things in your pockets, bra, etc. About $25 online ( google " flip belt "), sounds like a ridiculous price , but it works so well for running/ walking etc. Money well spent ! Also , I love my wool socks, Nike running shoes and my waterproof running jacket with a hood. I just got a Fitbit for Christmas, will have to see how that works this week !

I too love my fitbit - and now my Garmin HRT/GPS tracking device. My fave sports bra is the one by Wacoal http://www.wacoal-america.com/sport_wacoal-bras-catalog/ they're underwire is so comfortable, and everything stays put - plus no Uni-boob affect! I love my bright royal blue one too.

Also a great gadget is an amphipod http://www.amphipod.com/products/holders/music/electronics/beltpod-smartview-micro that clips onto my pants waistband and holds my cell phone and has a little zipper section for key or cash or card. They now have clear plastic window you can still work your touch screen through too. Under $20, and worth it at thrice the price! Really rugged and stays put too.

Finally, I received some bluetooth earbuds for Christmas, but wrong shape for me ear, so I ordered some by Yurbuds - i'll let you know how they work when I test-drive them. Test-run?

Edited December 30, 201411 yr by katesuccess

My Garmin (310xt) with HRM is probably the best money I've ever spent. Keeps track of everything!

Bluetooth headphones to cycle/run most times...the behind the head spring ones that will not fall out. I order them online (ebay) for about $10 bucks per pair....use them a couple months then toss them....at a fraction of the costs of my "good" ones.

I like Newton running shoes...they work well for me. But each person should really go get evaluated for what would be best for them....by someone who knows what they are talking about.

Music....gotta have tunes! I use Pandora. Also, I use a website called Steadymixes.com to download some really cool running mixes. Fast paced 130 bpm or so. AND ITS FREE!

www.bbolder.com are great headbands. Really stretchy, keeps your hair back, and keeps the sweat out of your eyes.

Just ordered a headband from bebolder! Thanks so much.

I just tried the Quest Protein bar in chocolate chip cookie dough and it was AMAZINGLY delicious. I will have to order a case of those puppies while rationing myself to once a day. It will be my after gym reward. Lots of Fiber too which is always a struggle for me since surgery.

My favorite things:

• My gym membership - I try to get in 4-5 days a week. I feel so awesome after a good workout!
• My trainer - I love him! I have 2 sessions a week and another "homework" session. I can tell that I am getting stronger each week.
• My Power Beats 2 wireless headphones- It was a weight loss gift to myself a month ago and I love them. I can set my on the ground and go through my exercises without being wired to my phone. They sound great
• My exercise pants from Wal-Mart - at about $13 a pair I have both full pant and capri length. A plus was being able to buy an XL instead of a 1X or 2X!
• My Hanes sports bras - I wear a sports bra over an everyday bra for extra support.
• Planks - I've leaned to love doing them. I do a plank challenge every night before I go to bed and add 10 seconds each night. My goal is to be able to hold a plank for 2 1/2 minutes.
• Syntrax Protein powder - since upping my exercise, I've upped my protein to over 100 grams a day. This Protein Powder helps me do this. I like the flavors a lot!
• My Nike FS 2 Lite running shoes -comfortable and cute!

Just a few of my favorite fitness things!

I forgot to mention my Garmin Vivofit. I just switched from Fitbit flex to the Garmin, so far I do like it getter. I like having the readout on the device and the challenges. You can also buy replacement bands in different colors on ebay or amazon for a fraction of the cost.

I just bought the vivosmart. So far I love it!

Things I plan to buy:

• iPod shuffle with waterproof case
• a new pair of Nike's
• A new bike by Spring

I have come to really love my gym. It's one of those 24-hour keycard places - so I just go in at 4:30 a.m. when there are few people around (and those who are there are just as crazy as me!) and just do my thing. I'm almost always the largest person there, so it took a while to get over the chip on my shoulder about the wiggle-n-jiggle, but I think no one really cares about that but me. I bought a couple of training sessions to keep my workouts fresh (and to keep them challenging!) - totally worth the money. I am a slow loser, but I am completely inspired by the way my body composition has been changing since I got serious about my workouts in August. I can't keep up with the clothing costs at this point, so I look a little "baggy" a lot of the time. Not a bad problem to have!

Other things that have really helped me: I got a Fitbit for Christmas a year ago, and it has helped me with tracking exercise and inspiring me to hit at least 10,000 steps per day. I'm still enjoying it, but I'm tempted to get a newer device (thinking Vivofit) for this year. I have also invested in nicer gym clothes, a new iPod and some wireless over-the-ear headphones. Essentially for the past year, for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions, I've asked for gift cards so that I could purchase fitness equipment and even a 1-year gym membership. It has been a really good year, and I'm looking forward to even better in 2015!

Edited January 2, 201511 yr by Shells_Almost_There

Love this thread!

I'll second the FlipBelt! I have an iPhone 6plus and it fits.

Love my Jaybird Freedom Sprint Bluetooth earbuds.

Get fitted for good shoes! I buy last years model of the Brooks Pure Cadence and get them for $40-50 dollars (they're usually $100).

Get cute workout clothes that fit. Working out is more enjoyable if you look good doing it.

My pretty new and SMALLER hip scarf for Bellydance class!

Great thread!

I do high intensity workouts like Beach body's insanity etc so compression clothing is pretty important to keep the clapping noises at bay. I've tried a few types and have found d underarmor to be the best fit. They have different levels of compression so depending on the workout I can pick the level of compression required. The wick sweet well and stay fresh for a good amount of time.

Beach body discs are a favorite of mine currently,. The combined cardio and strength training has done wonders for muscle gain, which I lost lots of over the past year.

I use underarm or sweat bands on my arms but I find the head bands too tight, haven't found a comfortable one yet.

My outrer layers are usually lulu, mostly cause they are so light and thin, but because of this I have to wear compression base layer when really jumping around. Lulu and underarmor are both pricey but I buy my stuff online on sale which helps, but you need to know your size as its not returnable.

Fit bits are awesome, but I have gotten active enough I don't need a device to tell me I have been active enough.

I love all my Under Armour gear and my new mountain bike.

I just won a new saddle from Terry's Bikes . Hopefully the weather will clear up and I can get some riding in. I'm also attending the event Lane Bryant is having this Saturday. I'm still plus sized and will be for a while. I like Lane Bryant's active line. The clothes feel nice and sturdy, not like something that will fall apart in a few washes. I workout 5 days a week so I need stuff that is durable.

I am still pre-op and not very mobile so I have been using this Exercise Peddler http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Medical-Exercise-Electronic-RTL10273/dp/B002VWJYSE when I watch TV. I peddle with my hands and do at least 60 minutes a day. It's actually kind of fun.