Gifts for the Fitness Enthusiast: Don’t Sacrifice Style for Warmth

By Kelly Turner on December 21st, 2009

Usually, when the weather start getting cold, people trade in their running sneaks for a gym membership to beat the frost bite.  Whether that fitness enthusiast on your list braves the elements and pounds frozen pavement or opts for the shelter of a spinning class,  chances are, they dreading piling on their bulky sweats over their normal garb, even if it’s just for the commute to the gym.  You can save their fitness fashion this winter with these holiday gifts that prove you don’t have to sacrifice style to keep warm.

Under Armour

Under Armour isn’t just for the boys- they have a wide variety of awesome clothes for women that provide the hard core performance and functionality you’ve come to expect from UA, with a fit and  style any women would be happy to wear.

UA Strand Hoody ($49.99) is a great anytime hoody.  It’s three quarter sleeves and stylish design make it great for the gym, and seamlessly carry over to everyday wear.  Its strategic vent zones will keep the wearer cool if during a workout, and its AllSeason Gear design will keep them warm in cold conditions.  I don’t know how they do it, but it works.

UA Sculpt Tank ($54.99) is made of Under Armour’s Stretch material, which allows it to dry quickly, improve mobility and give a slender, attractive fit to show off those awesome triceps.  The Sculpt Tank has strategically placed vents to help keep an athlete cool, a supportive shelf bra to minimize, ahem, movement, and racer-back straps for comfort.  Available in Lizard and White, and Pacific and Island (fancy.)

UA Form Fitted pants ($59.99) are an all-purpose pant. Using Under Armour’s AllSeason Gear technology, these pants are designed to stay dry and light, no matter what the conditions outside, and perfect for an indoor workout, as well. The fold over waist band makes for an easily adjustable rise, and the 90% Nylon / 10% Spandex fabric keeps them fitted without restricting movement.

ASICS

ASICS, the brand you know and love for running shoes, is also the innovator of Thermopolis®, a fabric exclusive to ASICS. Thermopolis is a unique cold weather fabric with the softest feel, available in three levels of protection: Thermopolis LT (light), Thermopolis XP (extra protection) and Thermopolis WP (wind protection). The options allow you to choose which level of protection you need for your specific environment, while not limiting your choice in clothing style. Thermopolis XP is special in that it contains ThermoCool, a fiber that contains a mix of evaporative cooling and thermo-buffering components that keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold outside- it’s truly and all weather fabric.

Thermopolis LT Hoody ($65.00) has a perfect, semi-slim fit to allow shirts to comfortably be worn underneath, with a high zipper around the neck, thumb slats at each sleeve, and wind panel protection to keep out the cold. It’s so soft they”ll never want to take it off, and comes  in White, Foliage, and Mysterioso (purple) to match any athlete’s wardrobe.

PrAna

PrAna’s Mahdia collection is the ultimate in versatility.  I wear my Madhia clothes just as much out shopping and on the weekends as I do to yoga and Pilates.  Not only is PrAna good for the fashion sense, it’s good for the environment. PrAna works with 3Degrees as a part of their Natural Power Initiative (NPI) to support new US based wind energy projects through purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs). In 2009 the impact of the NPI program prevented over 12,000 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the earth’s atmosphere.

Madhia Maura Top ($60.00) is a basic tank top that is anything but basic. Its micropoly/spandex material gives it the feel of the softest suede you can’t help but touch, but with maximum flexibility and fit. The tank has a henna detail on the lower back that adds a touch of femininity and style. Available in Winter, Black and Ginger.

Mahdia Isis Pant ($75.00) will quickly become anyone’s favorite pair of pants.  The micropoly/spandex fabric makes them perfectly flexible for yoga and Pilates, and the henna detail on the pant leg, with slits up the back to mid calf add a unique flair they’ll want to show off.  The low rise waist and slim fit flatters any shape, making them a go-to pant for any casual outfit.  Available in Winter, Mocha and Black.