That's Fit

You know those women who show up for yoga and they're perfectly organized? They roll out their mats, and their keys and water bottles and jackets magically appear off to the side, and they're ready to get their "om" on? Yeah, that's not me. I've always been the girl who's still struggling to stash my stuff when the rest of the class is going into Downward Dog. But not anymore. Not with a Yogoco bag.

The difference with this bag is that it not only has space for your mat (up to 26 inches wide) -- lots of yoga bags do that -- it's that Yogoco bags have a separate (and ventilated) space for all of the other goodies you can't possibly leave the house without. You know, like aforementioned water bottle and keys, along with a towel, post-workout snack, clothes to change into, shoes, phone ... and whatever else you need to bring along.

Plus, it looks cooler than any other bag you're going to find. Yogoco offers a variety of patterns (my favorite is the Wahini White). If you're not into the funky floral patterns, there are plenty of plain colors, too. And they're designed to go over your shoulder and hang comfortably flat against your back.

If you have paid any attention to cool, new fitness gadgets, you know that Polar is one brand that just keeps on popping up. Polar is a leader in heart rate monitoring, known for creating highly-advanced training management systems for athletes of all types. Now, the company has come out with the most advanced and versatile of them all -- the Polar RS800CX.

This device records your route using GPS technology, and it's compatible with Polar's range of W.I.N.D. running, cycling, and GPS sensors so you can track speed as well as distance, no matter what your terrain.

It's also designed with the multi-sport athlete in mind. Many of us don't just go for a run -- we run, bike, swim, rollerblade, and more. The RS800CX allows you to change your data from miles per hour to minutes per mile (pace), so you can always get the appropriate data for your training. Then, you can combine all the data from the different sports into one file, seeing where you're working hard, what you could put more effort into, and then congratulate yourself on how great you are!

Funky machines at the gym are cool and all, but what I really love is a super simple device that allows me to do complex exercises and get a complete workout. And, with the STOTT Pilates Mini Flex Ball, that's just what I get.

To look at the Mini Flex Ball, you might not think there are all that many moves you can do with it. My first thought was to use it as a tool for crunches and honestly, even if that's all it could do, that would be enough. But, it comes with a DVD and mini poster to help you really enhance your workout.

The DVD leads you through 26 exercises over the course of about 40 minutes, moving you from abs to glutes, to back, arms, and thighs. It's easy to follow because the instructor talks you through the exercises in addition to showing you. I don't know about you, but I find that really handy because I don't want to have to stare at the screen the whole time I'm working out and with this video, I was able to get a great workout on the first try.

The first rule of looking slim is to stand up straight -- good posture can take 10 visual pounds off your frame, easily. So, it's no surprise that someone has come out with a gadget to help you maintain better posture. Allow me to introduce you to the iPosture.

This handy dandy gadget is small -- the size of a necklace pendant (and can actually be worn as one, although, as your fit fashion consultant, I have to dissuade you from doing so) -- and alerts the user with small, short vibrations when he or she begins to slouch. You're allowed three degrees of deviation from your chosen posture -- if you slouch more than that for longer than a minute, it lets you know.

According to the website, there are a multitude of reasons you should be trying to improve your posture, including:

Even if you truly love working out, I'm going to bet that you don't love the muscle soreness that comes afterward. I mean, there's something kind of rewarding about a little soreness the next day, but the kind of pain that makes it hard to walk like a normal person? I'll pass on that, thanks.

I recently read about a product called The Stick on one of the running blogs I follow. It promises to "prevent and predict muscle injuries, dramatically improve strength, flexibility and endurance, rapidly prepare muscles for physical activity, disperse the effects of lactic acid following activity, and accelerate muscle recovery." I don't know about you, but those are all things I could use some help with.

Lots of professional sports teams use it, including the New York Knicks, Miami Dolphins, and Baltimore Orioles, but it can also be used by non-athletes who are just looking for the best way to massage and warm up muscles.

Around here, we're fans of The Biggest Loser. While we might not always agree with everything the trainers say, one thing that's tough to dispute is that having the right equipment can go a long way toward staying motivated. Just imagine trying to complete a long run without rocking out to your favorite playlist!

A few weeks ago, The Biggest Loser featured the Motorola MOTOROKR S9-HD headset (check out the video right here), which is a device that allows you to listen to music (or a workout) via Bluetooth while taking hands-free calls from most Bluetooth-enabled cell phones so you won't miss that call about the race coming up next weekend.

The S9-HD wireless stereo headphones offer high-def surround sound with noise-isolating ear buds. Plus, from a girlier standpoint, it goes around the back of your head, low enough that it shouldn't interfere with your ponytail. It also goes over your ears, so it won't slip or move out of place even during the most grueling workout. But it gets even cooler.

I love that in the first paragraph of the description of this product, it states that you'll have the body you've always wanted by using the Ston-O-Max Turbo Body Toner ($129.95 on sale for $89.95 on epartyunlimited.com), "in conjunction with a proper diet and exercise regimen." Because, hey, learning to speak Latin in conjunction with diet and exercise might get you the body you want, too.

So what exactly is this device? Well, it's a belt that uses "the patented CBS (Centrifugal Body Stimulation) technology. Its elliptical motion causes muscles to contract and in turn build muscle and break down fat." That description doesn't really clear it up for me, so I went to the video (warning -- loud, automatic music). And ... I'm still not totally understanding how this is supposed to get me in shape. It massages and heats up the area you put it on, but I'm not sold.

A lot of people are sold, however, and quite a few of the reviews actually state that the user felt like the machine was truly working their muscles. However, a number of other reviews said exactly what I expected -- it works well as a massager, but is no replacement for exercise. This is one gadget I don't think I'd spend my money on -- would you?

There have been machines at the gym that I felt a little silly using for the first time. I actually had to get help on the kayak machine, and I'm pretty sure nobody has ever gone slower on the stepmill than I did my first time -- I was certain I would fall and die. Certain.

However, neither of those compare to the humiliation I imagine would accompany the use of the iGallop. Which is probably why it's something for home use, and not available in gyms.

I'm not going to lie -- I think it actually looks pretty fun. Then again, I also prefer a stability ball to an office chair. But, aside from the possible fun factor, what does it do for you?

I know what you're thinking -- it's a hand weight. Big deal. But is that really all it is? The XCO Trainer promises to "boost your cardiovascular system and increase weight loss by up to a third more" by building and toning muscles while strengthening surrounding tissue and stabilizing joints.

That sounds pretty complex to me -- let's look a little closer at what it does.

Each movement you make creates a delayed soft-impact due to the free-flowing silicone granulates within each foot-long tube. Based on the notion of "Reactive Impact," your body has to work harder to accommodate this shifting of weight, or secondary load, which generates faster results for you.

When I worked in an office, I was that girl who pushed her swivel chair away in favor of sitting on an exercise ball. To be honest, I don't know that I noticed a huge difference, but I actually found it to be really comfy and kind of fun. The only problem was when I'd get up from my desk -- it would roll away and get in the way, which is totally embarrassing if you're talking to a customer. Trust me.

Gaiam has come up with a solution -- the BalanceBall Chair, which, according to their website, "combines exercise and fitness with comfort and ergonomic support for an affordable price." At $99, it is pretty affordable, especially when you consider the fact that you'll get use out of it every day at work!

But how does it improve your fitness level? Well, for one thing, just sitting on a ball, rather than a flat seat, engages your core. Holding yourself straight requires all of the muscles through your core to remain active, whereas with a comfy seat, you might be inclined to slouch down. But that's not all.

I'm a firm believer in how powerful music can be in a workout -- the right song can help me go, quite literally, the extra mile. The introduction of the MP3 player to my fitness routine was huge, and I know I'm not alone. Recently, I had the opportunity to try out a couple of really cool workout tools -- Rhapsody, for downloading music, and the Philips SA52, a nifty little MP3 player.

I've been using the original iPod Shuffle for a few years -- no complaints. I load it up with my music and it plays all through my workout. However, the Philips SA52 also has the ability to hold pictures, video, and other recordings, which came in awfully handy for a recent trip I took.

Plus, I was able to rank the songs and add them to an "On the Go" playlist right there on the plane, without using my computer or any sort of internet access. Also, it's worth noting that I was totally able to work it by myself. I'm not terribly technologically challenged, but I'm not really into super high-tech gadgets unless they're simple to use.

If you're interested in tracking your activity levels, you can always write down your workout and try to figure out how many calories you burned walking from your desk to the refrigerator at work. Or, you could purchase a gadget (and who doesn't love gadgets?) that will monitor all of that for you, and more.

One of the newest gadgets on the market is the Fitbit. Well, it's not even really on the market yet -- it's just available for pre-order, and won't start shipping until late December or early January.

But, they say it's worth the wait. Why? Several reasons, after the jump:

I recently took a trip and, for the plane ride, picked up the latest issue of Vogue, which, by the way, I also considered my daily exercise. Have you seen the size of that thing? It's enormous! But, I digress. Normally I just peruse the pages for fabulous fashion, but I was immediately drawn to a Beauty, Health, & Fitness article named Inch by Inch, about "an arm-toning, waist-cinching, thigh-whittling machine that promises miracles in minutes."

Don't get me wrong -- I enjoy working out. However, the idea of losing inches from my waist in minutes was totally intriguing. Just think about it -- all those spur-of-the-moment occasions for which you have the perfect outfit and it's just a little too tight would no longer be a problem!

Anyway, this miracle machine is called the SX-4000 Pro, and it uses technology that was originally intended for physical therapy for multiple sclerosis patients. It uses a microcurrent that "bypasses the usual brain-nerve pathways, stimulating the nerve, and causing muscles to contract." While it was supposed to strengthen and reengage muscles, patients noticed that they were losing inches in the areas affected. And that's the kind of side effect I'd like to see.

If you're concerned about your dental health (and I hope you are), one of the best investments you can make is in an electric toothbrush. Research has shown that the circular motion made by electric toothbrushes is more effective than the up and down motion made by a standard hand-held brush.

Years ago, owning an electric toothbrush meant shelling out a pretty penny, but that's no longer necessarily the case. You can get a battery powered toothbrush for under $10, although you certainly can still spend over $100 for a good rechargeable one.

Consumersearch.com has some of the top ranked toothbrushes -- click through the gallery to see which might be the best match for your mouth. After all, while it's great to have toned abs and firm thighs, a beautiful, healthy smile is often the first thing people notice, and you owe it to yourself to keep it that way!

Drinking water is one of the easiest ways to improve your health, as well as one of the most important. However, hydration has gotten a little confusing lately -- what bottles are okay, and which ones will cause cancer or defects or death? I just want some water!

Bev did a great post showing you some options of BPA-free water bottles, and now, Camelbak (one of the options Bev listed) was nice enough to send me some samples of their Better Bottles to review for Fit Gadgets. And so, aside from wanting a bottle that won't cause health issues, I sat down to think about the qualities a perfect water bottle would have:

• One-handed operation. If I have to hold the cap in my other hand, it's a pain to use running, driving, or talking on the phone.
• Large enough mouth for ice cubes. I live in Florida, and if there aren't ice cubes in my water when I go for a run, it's pretty warm by the home stretch.
• Also, large enough for plenty of water. I go through a lot of water at the gym, and I prefer to avoid refilling my bottle mid-workout.
• Easy to hold. There is nothing more frustrating that struggling to hold onto a bottle while running or walking, whether it's because of the size or the shape or the slipperiness.
• Halfway attractive. I mean, I don't need to want to make out with it or anything, but, I am putting my mouth on it -- I wouldn't mind a cute bottle.