Turn a monotonous indoor sweat session into something to celebrate with these seven gear essentials.
1. YogaRat SportLite Hand and Face towel
Featherweight microfiber in the ($20) makes it quick to dry and easy to pack without sacrificing absorbency.
2. New Balance Minimus 00 shoes
Running shoes are designed for forward motion and aren’t great in the gym, where you move dynamically in all directions. The 8.4-ounce ($90) combines barefoot-inspired features—zero drop and a barely there upper—with the stability you usually find in much burlier trainers.
3. Lululemon Assert shorts
A stretchy panel along the ‘s ($72) inseam prevents chafing, the thick waistband holds tight without constricting, and side slits at the leg openings maximize mobility.
4. Normal earphones
Using proprietary software and 3-D printing, Normal sculpts ($199) to its user, so they won’t fall out when you start to sweat. Snap photos of your ear cartilage and send them to Normal with its smartphone app, and the company will ship you bespoke headphones in as little as 48 hours. Most important: they sound great.
5. Icebreaker Sonic Crewe shirt
Ultralight merino makes the ($85) breathable and stink-resistant, and a touch of Lycra keeps it flexible. The mesh panels under the arms and across the back dump heat efficiently.
6. Klean Kanteen Classic water bottle
The 27-ounce ($20) is made of BPA-free stainless steel, and the wide mouth makes for easy cleaning. Get it with the sport cap for one-handed drinking.
7. Best Made Co. Kevlar gear bag
Designed to hold heavy-duty tools, the ‘s ($245) handles are rated to 10,000 pounds. Excessive? Probably. But the 30-liter waxed-canvas bag easily stows everything else on this page.