Fitness took on a new face once COVID-19 struck at the top of the year. With fitness facilities closed down for months, many had to resort to building their own home gyms, while others struggled to remain active and focused on self-care and building their immunity through healthy eating.
Now that many of us have adjusted to our ever-changing new normal, increasingly focus has centered back on physical fitness. And with the new year right around the corner, we know most of the women in our lives will be looking to recommit themselves to physical fitness. That's why we've put together this list of fresh finds to sneak under your mom and bestie's Christmas tree -- and maybe even your own closet.
*Some links are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, xoNecole may earn a small commission.
Women's UA Multi Hair Cap
Under Armor
How many times has your puff been ruined by a hat, or you couldn't even wear a cap because it wouldn't fit over your curls? Under Armor has solved that problem with its new multi-hair cap that has an open back panel so you can wear your hair up and out in a ponytail without issue. The fabric cap also has a satin lining to protect your strands while the Iso-Chill sweatband helps keep you cool. You might want to grab one for you and your homegirls.
Fitbit Sense
Fitbit Sense
You can monitor everything from your heart rate, calories burned, and sleep score with the newest Fitbit, Sense. The smart watch has built-in GPS, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. You can make calls, get texts and receive smartphone app notifications when your phone is nearby, plus make secure purchases.
Flurry Reflective Glove
Gap
Now that daylight saving's time has settled in, if you like running outdoors before or after work, chances are you're going to be doing so in the dark. These gloves from Athleta not only keep hands warm, they have reflective detailing to make sure runners are visible to passerby. They're also touchscreen compatible so you can change your songs with ease during your workout.
High-Waisted Elevate Powersoft Joggers
Old Navy
These pants are the perfect blend of lightweight compression and soft moisture-wicking fabric. Four-way super stretch makes them perfect for various types of workouts while the high waist and banded cuff allow you to keep it cute and casual as athletic wear.
Weighted Wrist Bangles
We're all a bit less active these days, so adding something as little as a 1-pound weight to your wrist or ankles can make a big difference as you take your dog on morning walks or even stretch and get your cardio in at home.
Lift and Lengthen Yoga Block
Lululemon
For those who are serious about their yoga practice but haven't quite felt comfortable enough to go back to a studio yet, a yoga block is a great gift. The three different heights of the block provide customized support while also allowing one to deepen their stretch and further develop their practice.
Reebok Professional Fitness Deck
Perfect for the woman who wants to step up the home gym she's been building over the past few months, this multi-use deck functions as a step for cardio and aerobic exercise as well as a bench for weight lifting. You can adjust the incline on the non-slip bobble surface to make workouts harder or easier and included clips allow you to attach resistance tubes.
Acupressure Mat Set
Harness the power of traditional Chinese medicine with this acupressure mat that massages various pressure points on the body and helps relieve stress and tension as you perform various stretches and breathing exercises.
UA Sportsmask
Under Armor
If you've been back to the gym since COVID restrictions let up, you know working out in a mask is far from easy. This Sportsmask from Under Armor makes it a bit easier because of its breathable spacer fabric and Polyurethane open-cell foam that lets air flow freely. Conversely, the material makes it hard for moisture and sweat to pass through, while the anti-microbial treatment on the inside layer of the mask helps keep it fresh.
Smoky Quartz Crystal-Infused Water Bottle
Hit your daily water quota while warding off negative vibes with this glass water bottle that's infused with Smoky Quartz. This crystal is known for anchoring the root chakra, amplifying good intentions, cultivating serenity, and protecting against bad vibes.
ProForm 3-Piece Kettlebell Kit
Kohl’s
Kettlebells are one of the most versatile pieces of workout equipment around and this set, which comes with a 5-pound, 10-pound, and 15-pound bell, makes it easy to increase the weight for various moves and progress your workouts.
Featured image by Shutterstock
RELATED
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Leon Bennett/WireImage
