Gear: Green Fitness For Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, and this sunny New York weather is perfect for celebrating the planet. My roomie and I got up for an early morning walk through Prospect Park, which was a nice break from our typical run. The daffodils, the sunlight, the dozens of puppies and dogs at play... Hopefully everyone will get a chance to get outside today, and what better way to appreciate the great outdoors than to walk, run or bike through your nearest local park or nature preserve. If indoor fitness is more your speed, you can still do your part for the environment. Check out the selection of yoga mats, rubber tubing, exercise balls and more at Natural Fitness. This company uses materials like natural rubber, hemp and bamboo to construct its products, and they also plant a tree for each item they sell. Now you can nurture the earth from inside your home, gym or studio, as well.

Gear: Tip-Top Treadmill

A treadmill's a treadmill... usually. But recently I got to try a new model, the FreeMotion Fitness Incline Trainer, and I was blown away. Most traditional treadmills can be adjusted to work at an incline of up to 15-degrees. However, the front end of this model can be raised to an extraordinary 30-degrees. What does this increased range mean? An elevated calorie burn at lower speeds, not to mention a chance to train for steep hikes and do walking lunges without the deep knee bend. The machine is fitness center grade, but perfect for home use, too.

Gear: Atlas Snowshoes

Growing up, my parents had some of those huge wooden snowshoes made of wood and rawhide hung in the family room as decoration. Oh, how the times have changed. Snowshoes have gotten consistently lighter, sleeker and more durable, thanks in large part to Atlas Snowshoes, a company based in Seattle (and run under the K2 parent-company), which holds 19 patents for its products. Made of aluminum, stainless steel and durable plastic, among other materials, the latest models feature easy-to-cinch bindings, bouncy footbeds and sometimes even heel lift bars, which can be raised on steep ascents to avoid calf cramping. I recently tried two pairs, the Elektra 12, a women-specific pair (pictured left) perfect for snowy strolls and steep ascents and the Run, a super-lightweight unisex model designed for winer jogging and racing. Both were effective at breaking trail, staying atop the fresh powder and stopping slippage when traversing up and down the mountains.

Gear: Icebreaker Merino Wool

First things first, let me just say that I’m a big believer in this “merino wool revolution.” I’ve been wearing my Icebreaker long underwear and mid-layers all week and have stayed warm, dry and stink-free. What a nice change from synthetics. These garments, which are made of wool originating in New Zealand, have been put to the test as I learn to snowboard here in Jackson Hole, WY, and pass they have. I’ve never had to readjust the fit, despite the dozens of tumbles I’ve taken, and the fabric feels soft against my skin. The under-layers feel thin but they provide just the right amount of protection from the cold. I wore the Conquest Hoodie (shown right) as a mid-layer, and it functioned so well during the day, I decided to wear it out last night, too, for a night of mechanical bull riding. (No, I didn’t get on. See the above post for a recap of who did.) The company is very eco-friendly and, after recently opening their first U.S. store in Portland, they have plans to expand across the country.

Gear: Lululemon Athletica

I'm obsessed with my recent Lululemon Athletica purchases. To read why, click here.

Gear: Women’s Health Total Workout in Ten!

One recent day in December it was too cold outside for comfort, so I decided to bag my typical jog around the park in favor of a fitness video. Truth be told, I was also feeling a little sluggish, and I figured this living room workout would give me a rest from my typical training routine. I mean, when’s the last time anyone broke a sweat following along to a on-screen exercise routine?

Well, several days after I slipped the Women's Health Total Workout in Ten! DVD my arms, legs and butt were still sore. This video—which is broken into 10-minute sections for cardio, upper body, lower body, and abs/stability—worked all the major muscle groups, had a challenging tempo, and workout creator Amy Dixon had the right amount of pep to keep me going without being too cheerleader-y. I really liked the short sequence format, too. Ten-minute workout clips aren’t at all daunting, and while I had planned to do only one or two sections, I wound up getting hooked and did the whole workout. Some exercises call for 3-lb dumbbells, but a few full bottles of water can stand in, too.