How our fitness writer works out at home

These are the items our fitness writer uses to help keep her workouts focused. [Wirecutter logo]( Ingrid Skjong These days, [working out from home]( is the new norm. At-home gear that was once considered supplementary is now the main event, working overtime to keep fitness goals (mostly) on track. Like many people, I’m also finding it particularly challenging right now. As a certified personal trainer and lifelong athlete, I’ve learned that focusing on what you can control and temporarily letting go of what you can’t (here’s looking at you, heavy-lifting-at-the-gym fans) can clarify a training plan. These nine items are helping me do just that. — Ingrid Skjong, fitness staff writer Wirecutter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. [Learn more.]( An ultra-portable workout aid: [Perform Better Mini Bands]( Ingrid Skjong An also-great pick in [our guide to resistance bands]( these [mini loops]( (in four levels of resistance) are a staple for me. As a certified personal trainer, I’ve used them with many clients. As a runner myself, I use them for a variety of prehab exercises (those focused on strengthening and stabilizing the body in an effort to prevent injury) and occasionally as part of a pre-run [dynamic warmup](. (I keep the blue one in the pocket of my running vest so I almost always have one on hand.) They also come in handy for cueing proper form: When worn just above the knees during a squat, a band encourages you to press out against it, which can help open hips and prevent knees from caving inward during the movement. For easy sun protection: [Outdoor Research Swift Cap]( Ingrid Skjong A good running cap throws just the right amount of shade without overheating your head. This [Outdoor Research model]( is both cool (thanks to a ventilating mesh liner) and protective: A panel of UPF 50+ fabric runs along the crown of your head, and the brim delivers solid coverage from the sun. It comes in a dozen colors, fits comfortably and securely, and has a sleek silhouette. Cheap, sweat-proof headphones: [Aukey Latitude EP-B40]( Ingrid Skjong I don’t wear headphones outside while running, mainly for safety. That said, once or twice a year, I’m moved to run a 5-miler to, say, the entirety of My Chemical Romance’s Welcome to the Black Parade. These comfy [Aukey wireless headphones]( [budget-pick workout headphones]( —come through for that, as well as for [streamed workouts]( done indoors or podcasts listened to on long walks. For post-workout massages: [OPTP Super Pinky Ball]( Ingrid Skjong An expert on myofascial release recommended that I use these [OPTP balls]( to target muscle knots (aka trigger points) as part of the self-massage routine I try to stick with. (There isn’t a significant amount of scientific evidence backing self-myofascial release (SMR) yet, but it falls into the if-it-feels-good-do-it category.) Along with rolling them up and down my shins and calves, I also roll them gently underfoot and work them into my hips and glutes (plus, their pink hue feels cheerful). A handy workout journal: [Recycled Dot Grid Notebook]( Ingrid Skjong I [love workout journals]( and have been logging runs, strength-training sessions, and other fitness-related efforts in them for years. Writing down details (like my mood, how the run felt, even the weather) has become part of the routine and provides a feeling of accomplishment (every little bit helps right now). Have a few favorites of your own you’d like to share? Enjoyed this and hope to see more staff picks in the future? Reply and let us know, or send us a [tweet](. Copyright © 2020 Wirecutter, Inc., all rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for our newsletters. You are free to unsubscribe at any time.‌ Our mailing address is: Wirecutter, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018‌ [Add us to your address book‌]( [Unsubscribe from this list]( | [Update subscription preferences‌](