COAL IN YOUR STOCKING is not a good surprise. But who wouldn't be psyched to find out that Futuro's Energizing Ultra Sheer Pantyhose ($15.99, Walgreens.com) doesn't just keep your legs warm under skirts? It's well-disguised compression hosiery that promises to boost circulation, energize your legs and give you a massage as you move.
Unfortunately, the extra tightness makes them trickier to put on than regular hose, and the color of a black pair faded in splotches down our legs. If you suffer from varicose veins, the aggravation may be worth it, but otherwise, the most energizing thing is slipping them off.
OUR MAN TESTER was originally confused when we presented him with a pair of trunks from Equmen's new line of underwear ($49-$65) that's meant to provide extra support down below. "My dad taught me to wear jock straps," he said.
But these form-fitting garments do more than just hold you in with a "precision fit pouch." The compression in just the right spots promotes proper posture and gait; ventilation and fabric keep temperature just right; and the design flatters a man's — ahem — shape. (They're like sporty Spanx for dudes.) Also, as our guy discovered, unlike jock straps, these undies are comfy to wear all day, so they're superior for impromptu athletics or multi-hour activities. So, it seems Dad doesn't always know best — or he could use new underwear.
SAY YOU'RE THE KIND OF CYCLIST who eschews bicycle shoes — the kind that clip onto pedals or have super-rigid bottoms. It is a true factuality that a stiff sole efficiently sends the pumping power of your legs straight to the pedals. But you are a skeptic. Besides, with regular shoes, you can walk in them when you get off the bike.
Then you try the new bicycle shoes from messenger bag maker Chrome. Grooved rubber bottoms grip pedals and don't want to let go. A midsole and glass-filled shank create a rigid bottom — and a notably easier ride. Adding to bike-worthiness: "slam-resistant gel" heels for unexpected dismounts. Yet there's arch support for comfy walking and plenty of style. The Jack Purcellish nylon shoe comes in black, brown or gray, with red soles and piping. Men's sizes are $70 and up; a woman's line debuts in the spring (see Chromebags.com for retailers or to order).
Written by Express contributor Marc Silver
AN ACTUAL PILATES REFORMER costs more than $1,000 and takes up more space than a twin-size bed. So, even though the machine can help you do amazing things to your body, most folks won't want one at home. The CorePlus Reformer ($29.98, Gaiam.com), however, promises its web of resistance bands and handles can do the same things and then be tucked away when you're finished.
While the size is certainly handy, and the equipment — along with the 45-minute DVD led by Pilates goddess Mari Winsor — provides a solid workout, it's no Reformer. But as a web of resistance bands, it's a smart addition to a workout arsenal. Just be careful your feet don't slip out, or prepare to be smacked.
WHEATIES MAY STILL BE the "Breakfast of Champions," but it hasn't been winning over as many customers as it used to. So General Mills has hit upon a novel concept: a cereal made just for athletic dudes. The result is Wheaties Fuel ($9.99 for a collector's edition sample, Wheaties.com).
Five super athletes (Peyton Manning, Kevin Garnett, Albert Pujols, Hunter Kempner and Bryan Clay) stare ominously from the black box not just as models, but as part creators. Their feedback supposedly helped Dr. John Ivy develop the ideal formula for long-lasting energy with a macho taste ("lightly sweetened crunchy whole wheat flakes and crisp rice").
Our manly tester devoured a bowl and was impressed by how full he felt — probably because a serving of 1 cup is 210 calories. He also dug the hint of cinnamon and the stats in the nutrition box. "I want to put this in my regular rotation," he even said, but he'll have to wait until it hits stores in January.
THE PREMISE BEHIND KIGO portable footwear is certainly appealing — especially for those of us who log major mileage in uncomfortable high heels. The ultra-light, super-flexible slip-ons ($50, Kigofootwear.com) fold in half for easy toting in a small handbag, so you can don them whenever the commute calls for a more sensible shoe.
The eco-friendly flats — which come in multiple colors and are crafted in part from recycled milk jugs — have a sleek, futuristic design that resembles a neoprene water sock. There isn't much stretch to the fabric, however, making it a challenge to quickly pull on. And while the fold-over system is intriguing (if a bit unnecessary, since the shoes also flatten down nicely), it also means that the arch area is lacking sturdy support that would make a long haul more comfy.
FIBER IS SO HOT right now. And with the introduction of Progresso's high-fiber soups (Chicken Tuscany, Creamy Tomato Basil, Hearty Vegetable and Noodles, and Homestyle Minestrone), we mean that literally. One serving of steaming goodness holds 28 percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber — a power nutrient known to promote intestinal health and satiety.
Slurping up the soup, it's hard to believe anyone could detect the additional ingredient. The stuff doesn't have the grainy texture you might expect. But while that's good news for the woefully fiber deficient, it also means it'll be easy to overdo it. A full can of soup along with two slices of whole grain bread takes you up to your daily dose. Have a piece of fruit for dessert and get ready for crazy bloating. We warned you.
Photo courtesy Progresso
WHEN PRESENTED WITH INSIGHT DRIVESHARP — software that purports to cut one's risk of a car crash in half — we fully expected an extremely boring version of "Grand Theft Auto." Not so! DriveSharp (PC or Mac, $139, Positscience.com) uses two simple, if tedious, games that initially seem to have little to do with driving. Play 20 minutes three to five times a week for 10 hours total and you'll be ready to hit the road more safely.
The "Jewel Diver" game, pictured, helps you attend to numerous objects by tracking hidden gems. "Road Tour" is meant to increase one's field of vision by flashing various objects on the screen; the user then must flag where the objects appeared.
Whether this made us safer drivers is difficult to determine, but it certainly didn't hurt. Pedestrians should thank us.
FEBREZE KNOWS YOU STINK. Don't worry -- it won't tell anyone. It just thinks you might want to give your gym bag and filthy clothes a spritz or two of its Sport Extreme Odor Eliminator ($11.99, Amazon.com) so no one else has to suffer.
The arrival of this powerful formula in our office coincided with the decision about whether to toss a ratty pair of running shoes that had taken a trip through doo and other unidentifiable ickiness. One was sprayed and its partner wasn't. For a slightly easier test, we also turned the nozzle on a shirt that seemed to reek of sweat even after a couple tumbles in the washer and the not-so-fresh inside of a hamper. Immediately after treatment, all smelled sweetly of the fragrant Febreze.
But after a day, both shoes stank equally again (and landed in the trash). The shirt and hamper, however, were much improved. In short, yea for spray.
IF YOU'RE EMBARRASSED by shimmying, you probably can't handle the Shake Weight ($19.95, Shakeweight.com). Gripping the dumbbell and rapidly thrusting it resembles something we really can't mention in polite company.
But the dumbbell's unusual side-to-side wiggle movement delivers on its promise: If you're doing it with proper form, it forces your arms, shoulders, chest and abs to work in unison. So, while it's just 2.5 pounds, the burn you feel — especially when you work quickly for an extended period of time — is far greater than what you could normally expect to achieve.
There's just so much you want to shake, however, which is why it's lucky the accompanying DVD is only about 10 minutes. That leaves plenty of time in your workout for heavier weights, which will probably be more effective in the end.
Addison Road