Definition for Ladies Spring 2014 Issue 001 April 2014 | Page 52

gear

Vegan Exercise
by Erin Fergus

If you are hitting the road or the treadmill maybe all you need is a non-leather pair of shoes. If you’re
spending more time in the weight room you may have been intrigued by some of the accessories you
see other people using. No matter your fitness level and training status, you can find gear that make
your workouts more comfortable and effective without compromising your ethics.
Many running and fitness shoes are made of synthetic materials and mesh, so it is likely you won’t
have to change from your favorite brand. All Brooks shoes are vegan, as are all Asics shoes that
have an “N” in the product number. Saucony, New Balance, Merrell and Nike, among others,
have options as well; just check the label for the word “synthetic” or “manmade” on the shoe’s
tongue. You can also use Zappos, which allows you to search for vegan shoes of all types.
If you love lifting but hate what it does to your hands, it’s time to invest in a pair of lifting gloves.
They can also come in handy if your palms sweat or if any of the machines or dumbbells have slippery
grips. GoFit offers a $17 neutral black and gray Diamond-Tac option with reinforced padding and
other features that make them easier to put on and remove. For only $20, you can upgrade to the
Diamond-Tac with built-in wrist wrap to increase grip strength and reduce hand fatigue.
If you prefer a more girly approach to gripping iron, consider the G-Loves collection, which includes
bright lifting gloves and wrist wraps. The gloves are lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking, chaferesistant, non-slip neoprene, and feature mesh, lace, and/or Swarovski crystals depending on design.
The cropped finger and open hand design provides more movement and allows you to wear a ring
comfortably if you choose. Instead of the standard pull-on design, the wrist area opens up and can
be secured at the appropriate snugness with Velcro. The standard collections that include neon colors
and fun designs are $45, and the limited editions with Swarovski crystals are $75.
You may have heard the saying, “If you can’t grip it, you can’t lift it.” If you have a weak grip, weak
forearm muscles or small hands (but strong muscles), wrist straps can prevent you from dropping

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