XTreme XTraining's 2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Fitness Friends

Everything from Healthy Gift Baskets to Workout Gear, we've got it all here!

This is the time of year to both give and receive gifts that will keep fitness goals on track. So while you are shopping, think of picking up a few things for yourself. I put together a little fitness gift basket for my brother each year of all kinds of healthy goodies. That way you can personalize the gift and have a better chance that something you've chosen will please them. So here's my list of some of the best Fitness Gifts this year.



Help Them Get A Grip - MAVA Leather Hand Grips 
These new leather hand grips have just enough "stick" to help control the lat bar or kettle bell. Suede leather palms with a unique wrap around wrist stays put. These are not padded gloves but the suede leather is lightly protective of your palms. High quality gloves like these will last for years. See them at Mavasports.com

Mava Leather Hand Grips

It's In The Bag - FitMark Mason's Bag
These bags come in various sizes and colors so you can choose from several models. Why I like is that many are all tricked out with a removable dry bag and inside thermal bottle & food holders. Loaded with pockets and places for all your electronics and accessories. Check them out at FitMarkBags.com

FitMark Mason Bag

For Cyclists - CatEye's Strada Slim Bicycle Computer
CatEye bicycle computers are perhaps some of the easiest to operate right out of the box. This NEW Strada Slim's profile is 24% thinner while increasing the display size. 8 funtions include: current/average/maximum speed, trip distance, total distance, elapsed time, 12/24 hours clock. Features an analog wireless system and a customizable display. Has a slim sensor that can fit on the inside of most forks and a low profile bracket. I like these computers as they have an auto start-stop feature and give you a snap-shot of your ride statistics with a click within the bracket. Find them at your local bike shop or visit CatEye.com online.

CatEye's Strada Slim Bicycle Computer

Green Drink Subscription
This weekly subscription is packed with organic, cleansing green drinks and healthy goodies for everyone who is serious about staying fit. If you or your gift-ee are in the NYC/NJ area like me, you can have these fresh organic juices and soups delivered by Chef V. Check out all the available deliveries and subscriptions at ChefV.com

Chef V's Green Drinks and organic soups delivered fresh to your door.

Give the Gift That Keeps Giving - FEED Bags

This past summer I had the chance to meet Lauren Bush Lauren, founder of the Feed Projects. I ran the NYC Run 10 FEED 10 Race and did an additional Run My Own 10k this past weekend. If you'd like to, you may donate HERE. Otherwise you can purchase a FEED Bag as a useful gift and support the Feed Project's provision of meals to hungry children locally and all over the world. Purchase a tote and gift it to share the joy! I'm crazy about mine but had to run a race for it.  See all the current styles online at FeedProjects.com

Feed Projects Feed Bags and totes.

Clean Water - Zero Water Filtration Tumbler

This is another winning gift I like for myself and gave my brother for his trips to the gym. Simply fill and drink. Changes even the most disgusting tasting water fountain water into something that tastes like it came from a pure spring. Take it anywhere to filter out pesticides, chemicals, heavy metals and bacteria. Also check out their new Travel Tumblers and other models ZeroWater.com

Zero Water's Filtration Tumbler

Now Hear This - Sol Republic Relays Ear Phones

These have become my new running companions this year and the in-ear, ear phones I reach for most when heading out the door. The sound quality is great and you can choose between 4 sets of super soft multi-sized ear tips which come with the ear phones. Relays In Ear 3 Button Headphones are very comfortable and stay in place even with vigorous exercise. See all the available colors at SolRepublic.com

Cozy Under it All

This body-warming snug wear is the perfect gift for women athletes wishing to extend their season in colder temperatures. Long-sleeves and stretchy spandex in a sheer knit are perfect for an early morning run or bike ride. Nearly invisible under clothes too. See all the available styles and colors at Slanky.com

Slanky Body Warming Snug Wear

Gift Baskets Chock-full of Goodness

This is where you can get creative. Get a basket and fill it with a fitness book, workout DVD, natural snacks, nuts, energy bars, supplements, whatever you wish! This makes it more personal as you are able to include little favorites of your recipient. Some of my favorite healthy gift basket inclusions are: Coco Joy Pure Coconut Milk Drinks, organic coconut oil, Viki's Granola Single Serve Packets, MitoQ Co Enzyme Q-10 Supplements, Gaia Herb Turmeric Supreme Supplements

Healthy foods, drinks and nutritional supplements are perfect for a gift basket.

Race Ready: THINK Women's Fitness Apparel and Hoka One One Bondi 4

THINK - a Brooklyn based line of women's fitness apparel 

Coming up on the NBC TODAY Show's coverage of the More Women Half-Marathon on April 19th has given me the chance to try out some new running separates and road shoes. Spring is the perfect time to update your athletic wear as it will give you an instant mental boost and incentive to get out there. Here are a few of my top finds this season:

Doing my run with @HOKAONEONE! Only 10 days until the @morefitnesshalf #runfortoday @thinkALLways pic.twitter.com/YJUmEXfaWh
— Marie J. Miczak (@DoctorM) April 9, 2015

What Do You THINK?
A relatively new designer out of Brooklyn, is Mariel Heather of THINK fitness apparel. THINK's goal is to promote positive thinking, empowerment and a healthy lifestyle. Each month they donate 10 % of proceeds to various charities and nonprofits that align themselves with their cause.

THINK Love Hoodie in Pink

THINK Hoodies
These hoodies are available with various messages as offered in Black, Grey or Pink and are comfy cozy to wear, especially on chilly NYC mornings. Two hand pockets up front easily hold your cell and some cash. Made from cotton and French terry polyester, this full zip hoodie is one you'll reach for time and time again. It will inspire you to keep going and definitely encourage all who see you wearing it.

THINK Tank Tops

THINK Tank Tops
These aren't your boyfriend's tank taps. These are INCREDIBLY soft (made of viscose and polyester) and tailored for a woman's body. I love wearing this tank top as it layers so well under the THINK Hoodie and will not shrink. Really it's like wearing nothing at all. Comes in Pink, Grey and Black.

THINK Yoga Pants

THINK Yoga Pants
What I like, aside from the message is the quality of these clothing pieces. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a true fan of yoga pants but I LIKE the ones designed by THINK. They are just the right thickness to give you a bit of support on your run. Made of slim fitting nylon and spandex they go with any workout ensemble. The waistband is also very comfortable with a written message on the back, "It's all in your mind." Yes it IS!
See the entire THINK ALL Ways collection online here: THINKALLways.com and you can also follow them on Instagram and Twitter @thinkALLways.

Hytail Ponytail Hat

Hytail Ponytail Hat
These sports caps are so cool...literally! I first featured them at XTreme XTraining about two years ago HERE. Hytail Ponytail Hats are a must for us girls with long hair. Simply pop your hair through the opening in the back and BOOM, you're ready to run. Alleviates the need for pony tail clips or elastics as it keeps your hair off your neck. You and your hair will stay cooler and drier. See all the new styles at Hytail Ponytail Hats

Hoka One One Bondi 4 Road Shoes

Hoka One One Bondi 4
This is the fourth installment in the Bondi series and new for 2015. I've been training in these uber cushioned road shoes as I am sometimes running on concrete which is perhaps the worse thing you can do for your joints. I'm happy to report that these road shoes have been more than up to the task and I feel great wearing them. In fact, I'm able to go quite a bit longer in comfort because of their specially designed Ortholite Insole which came packed separately in the box. I did my first few runs without the foot bed insert and then put them in. I definitely noticed a difference.

HokaOneOne Bondi 4 in Corsican Blue

The Bondi 4 have just enough grip that you could also use them to run trails. I tried them on dirt and grass without any slippage at all. I've run with them in the rain, over melting snow and ice, mud, really everything you could imagine with the crazy weather we've been having. Nothing but grip, comfort and control. Look for them on air on NBC at the race which kicks off at 8:00 am, Sunday morning, April 19th and visit them online at HokaOneOne.com

Special Thanks: Hoka One One is an Official Race Sponsor for the More Women's Half Marathon and I want to thank them, THINK Women's Fitness Apparel, Lole Women, Hytail Ponytail Hats and Garden Of Life Organic Nutritional Supplements for supporting me at this upcoming race event.

Jump Start Your New Year's Fitness Resolutions

Jump Start your New Year's Fitness Resolutions with these "Game Changers"!

I'm sure you were all stoked about stepping up your fitness routine for 2015 on January 1st, right?Now the reality of not enough hours in the day, cold-wet-snowy weather and the general "blahs" from dark, gray skies is setting in.

Don't despair! There are a few things you can do to re-fire your desire to get fit in 2015. Here are some sure fire tips to do NOW to help turn things around:

Go Shopping for New Running Shoes
Even if it's really snowy/rainy outside now, there will be some winter days when the skies will open up and the pavement will be dry. A pair of new running shoes is just the thing you need to take a run in the park or even the treadmill at the gym. Look for the most up-to-date releases in funky bright colors to chase away the winter blues. Check out this new pair of Hoka One One 2015 Bondi 4 Women's Road Shoes in Corsican Blue and Neon Cora!  See more colors of the
Hoka One Bondi Women's Road Shoe


UPDATE: I took my first run in the Bondi 4 the other day and they are amazing! Even without the extra Ortholite Performance Insoles in place, they gave me a stable, well cushioned ride on the road. They also have enough grip for trail use as I tested them off road. Full review will follow.

Getting a new pair of running shoes can motivate you to run more.

Amp Up Your Nutrition -Try Some New Energy Bars
If you've been hitting it pretty hard at the gym, you may not be getting enough protein calories to fuel your workout. I usually drink about half of my protein shake before lifting weights and then the other half when I'm done. That's fine for the home gym workout but you may want protein to go in the form of an energy bar. These NuGo Bars are lower in sugar, rice / whey based and deliciously easy to pack along. My favorite? I'd have to say I'm partial to the Carrot Cake and Caramel Pretzel!

This Caramel Pretzel Stronger NuGo bar offer 25 grams of packable protein.

And Some New Performance Supplements
Just like the NuGo Stronger Protein Bars, you'll want to keep portability in mind as you may have to relocate your workout to the gym during inclement weather. These Ultra Woman Packets from Vitamin World contain a day's worth of supplements for the active woman. I love taking these along when I travel too as most hotels have a workout room with a water cooler. Easy to swallow tablets and each 30 Day supply comes with a cool Zumba Workout DVD! Now how's THAT for motivation?

Ultra Woman Fitness Supplements from Vitamin World travel easy.

Get A Grip: Buy Some New Weight Lifting Gloves
This is an issue for me because my hands are small and gripping the lat and chest press bars can be uncomfortable.  These G-Loves are flashy and brighten up your workout while helping you handle the bar with confidence. 100% Neoprene and made in the USA, they need a bit of breaking in before they conform completely to your hands. Check out all of the designs at G-Loves.com

G-Loves Fashionable Workout Gloves

Take A Class
One of my favorite outdoor fitness educators is REI. They often have all sorts of classes at their stores or on location. Now's the time you might want to brush up on your bicycle maintenance skills such as the class I attended at The Woman's Story in Crystal Springs Resort. Even if you may be done for the season as far as riding, learning some new skills at a Bicycle Clinic can make you eager and ready to hit it once the opportunity arises. If you do ride in the winter, these skills can help keep your bicycle in top working condition despite the cold and snow.

Justin from REI teaching a Bicycle Maintenance Clinic

Can't Beat Them? Join Them!
You might want to get out a pair of good thermal, waterproof hiking boots in case cabin fever is just too much. While I understand not everyone is a Snow Bunny (like me), working out in cold temperatures actually burns MORE fat than going at it in a heated room. So ditch the gym a few days a week and take a walk in the cold or snow. If it's really slick add some Micro-Spikes or mini crampons. You will feel so much better even if it's a quick walk due to the cold. Layer up and get out there! 
Skiing or snowboarding? Check out my review of Lole's 2015 Thermal Sidonie Ski Bibs!

My answer to being Snowbound-Ahnu Montara Tall Hiking Boots

Try on Some New Workout Clothes
I really enjoy looking at the Spring and Summer fitness collections as I can begin dreaming about springtime even in the midst of high winds and snowstorms. Grab a few catalogs and see what's new for SS2015 and what pieces you might want to add to help round out your fitness wardrobe. You can also pick out some new cold weather pieces for now to help deal with the elements...in style. Here below is one of my favorites this season: Baker Bike Jacket by Novara ( REI Label).

Something Bright and Toasty for the cold weather.

Just thinking about springtime can lift your spirits with visions of warmer days and working out, outdoors. One of my favorites finds is cycle-wear that looks like street-wear. Giro's New Road Collection is both fashionable and practical on and off the bike. This makes your pieces do double duty, affording more wear per garment. A bike commuter's panacea. Check out GiroSportDesign online.

Giro Sport Design: Spring Cycle-wear that looks like street-wear

Polar Workout Buddies - Heart Rate, Time and Distance

Workout Buddies from Polar!

If you really want to step up your game, you need to make sure you're really in the zone. That is getting your heart rate up enough to burn fat. It's really important to chart your progress and continue challenging yourself. As an example, I keep a journal for my NordicTrack UltraLift sessions. I enter the day, weight lifted and number of reps. This keeps me on track so that I can adjust the weights/reps to get the best workout possible. It also helps to avoid the guesswork because certain lifts have to be done on a lower weight setting. So keeping tabs on your sessions helps to avoid injury and progress as your body adjusts to the workload.

Polar Trainer and Heart Rate Monitor
Just taking a first look at the Polar unit, there's a lot to like. First of all there is no monthly subscription fee or program needed to sign up for to use the system. Some will give you a 30 day free access and then you have to pay thereafter. Skip those.