10 stylish workout essentials

handbag.com brings you 10 stylish workout essentials so you can look good while you get fit this year.

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New year, new workout routine

exercise,health,fitness stylish workout essentials

Ever been on a night out in an old, worn-out outfit and felt unattractive and out of place? Having the right clothes for any situation can not only affect your mood, it can affect your performance too. Which is exactly why starting a new exercise regime with a gym kit consisting of your baggy old Green Day T-shirt and holey leggings could be preventing you from achieving your fitness goals. A new year of fitness calls for an entire new gym kit, so we\'ve pulled together the top 10 stylish workout essentials to keep you motivated for 2010.

Shape up

exercise,health,fitness reebok easytone trainers

A busy life can often mean your exercise routine isn\'t given the attention and dedication it deserves, which is exactly what makes these Easytone trainers from Reebok such an essential piece of kit. Designed by a former NASA engineer, the toning trainers contain a balance pod system in the sole of the shoe that creates natural instability with each step, causing the muscles in the bum, thighs and calves to work harder than they would with a normal trainer. In fact, the trainers are so good that you can generate 28% more muscle activation in the bottom when wearing them, meaning you\'ll have a bottom to rival Eva Mendes in no time.

Reebok Easytone trainers, £65, reebok.com

No sweat

exercise,health,Nike,fitness nike vest top

Nike are renowned for their ability to produce clothing that keeps skin dry and cool when you really need it and this Pro Ultimate women\'s tank top is the latest addition to their high performance line. Designed for when you\'re going to be pouring with sweat (think spinning, running or dance aerobics) this top fits like a second skin so it can wick away sweat from your body and keep it cool and dry. Perfect for wearing alone or as a base layer under a baggier tee, this vest top will keep you feeling comfortable and looking good.

Nike Pro Ultimate Women\'s Tank Top, £22, nike.com

All in one

exercise,health,fitness sweaty betty bag

Look like a pro at the gym with this handy bag from Sweaty Betty, which has a handy hideaway bottom part for your trainers and an array of pockets and organisers for all your essentials.

Sweaty Betty pump it gym bag, £69, sweatybetty.com

Zero bounce

exercise,health,fitness shockwaves bra

Handbag\'s busty ladies have tried every sports bra going and Shock Absorber\'s range has come up top as the most supportive and comfortable. Designed much like a bra but with added straps and a wider band to minimise bounce, the Shock Absorber range goes right up to a G cup and you can choose one to suit the level of impact of the exercise you will be doing. A sports bra which fits your bust and body shape is a must, not just for your own comfort but to prevent your breasts from sagging too, making it the most valuable piece of gym kit you\'ll ever own.

Shock Absorber Classic Sports Bra, £20.40, johnlewis.com

Swim to the beat

exercise,health,fitness speedo aquabeat

Swimming is a great workout for the entire body but if you find swimming length after length a little dull, invest in this waterproof MP3 player from Speedo. The Aquabeat can be submersed in up to three metres of water and will float to the top of the pool if it becomes detached. With up to nine hours of playing time and software that allows you to easily add your favourite tunes there\'s nothing to stop you from becoming a pro swimmer in no time with this nifty little gadget.

Speedo Aquabeat MP3 player, £57.75, johnlewis.com

Keep out the chill

exercise,health,fitness nike microfibre trousers

Just because the temperature has plummeted outside it doesn\'t mean that going for a run to burn off the Christmas excess is out of the question. Keep out the cold with these stylish microfibre trousers from Nike. Featuring Nike\'s Dri-FIT technology to wick away sweat from the body you\'ll stay dry and warm when you need to and the vivid green colour makes a welcome change from black lycra too!

Nike Microfibre Women\'s Running Trousers, £24.50, nike.com

Step into the light

exercise,health,fitness adidas runnign light

Whether you\'re running, walking or cycling this light is a must during the dark winter months and is far more stylish than the unsightly florescent strips of our school days.

adidas running light, £6.75, debenhams.com

Keep on running

exercise,health,fitness nike sportband

Running can be a lonely sport and hard to keep up with if you\'re unsure you\'re making any progress, which is why the nike+ sportband is such an essential tool for all runners whether you\'re an amateur or ardent pro. The sportband communicates with a chip in your Nike trainers and calculates how many miles or kilometres you have covered, how many calories you have burned and your time. After each run you simply plug in your band to your computer and download your efforts onto the nike+ website where you can see your progress and compete with other nike+ users. It\'s simple and easy to use and a worthwhile investment if you want to become serious about running.

Nike+ running sportband, £39.10, nike.com

Best foot forward

exercise,health,fitness asics trainers

The Asics 2150 is the latest version of Asics\' best-selling model and is perfect for runners in need of additional support to prevent against overpronation and injury. It includes the Asics Impact Guidance System that allows the athlete\'s foot to perform in a more natural manner and achieve the best results, making this a key investment for serious runners looking for style and performance.

Asics 2150 trainers, £89.99, sportsshoes.com

Luxurious comfort

exercise,health,fitness american apparel top

This super-comfy puffa vest from American Apparel will keep you warm if you\'re heading out for a brisk walk or jog this winter and it looks stylish enough to wear while shopping too!

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Unisex Poly-Filled snow vest, £28, americanapparel.co.uk

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From Atkins to the Zone we\'ve got a diet plan to suit you

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Find out your BMI with our BMI calculator

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Banish those problem areas with our fitness videos

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