Editor's Choice

ADD SOME SPRING TO YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE

SIPS OF PURITY

THE PRODUCT: Portable Water Filters

WHY USE THEM: Water is an essential for workouts. These activated charcoal filters remove the unwanted contaminants from ordinary tap water.

MY VERDICT: The easy-to-insert filters fit over standard 1 1/4-inch water bottle openings. Just remember to renew a filter every 40 gallons or you'll be drinking untreated water.

PLAYING WITH BLOCKS

THE PRODUCT: Living Yoga Blocks

WHY USE THEM: These natural alder wood blocks act like safety supports as you move into more advanced asanas, the positions of yoga.

MY VERDICT: These props don't fit in with every style of yoga, but they can help some yoga enthusiasts achieve better alignment during the more difficult poses.

RUNNING SHIELD

THE PRODUCT: Solumbra Super Active Shirt

WHY USE IT: This shirt protects against the sun's ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays that penetrate normal clothing. An extra bonus: The 30 SPF protection is woven into the material.

MY VERDICT: Although it is made of nylon (not cotton), the lightweight protection and ventilated flaps keep perspiring skin cool as well as safe.

REPLENISHING RICE

THE PRODUCT: Rice Straw Floor Mat

WHY USE IT: This beautiful 71 by 35.5-inch mat is woven with a long rice straw that's used in Asian sleeping mats to keep the body dry and cool.

MY VERDICT: The smooth and durable weave works incredibly well for yoga, tai chi, or even meditation exercises. But it's not well suited for anything as vigorous as karate. The mat doesn't have a backing to grip smooth surfaces or cushioning to break falls.

A RUB-DOWN KIT

THE PRODUCT: Pharmacopia Essential Healing for Athletes

WHY USE IT: The two massage oils and two herbal bath salts can soothe stiff and sore muscles after a hard workout.

MY VERDICT: Ginger, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass are just a few of my favorite herbs used in these oil and salt combinations. But be warned: Their scents are potent.

WALKING ON MAGNETS

THE PRODUCT: Magnetic Foot Strips

WHY USE THEM: Magnets have been shown to reduce pain and increase blood circulation. These foot strips target the areas that take the greatest beating during workouts--your feet and legs.

MY VERDICT: It may be just my imagination, but after walking with one for nearly two hours my magnetized left foot felt better than my nonmagnetized right foot.

COPYRIGHT 1999 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning