9 Spring Workout Essentials Every Man Needs

Sun’s shining and the winter bellies are out in full force. Must be spring. Here are nine workout items to help you (un)round back into form.

Your Health Monitor

Like Google Glass but actually useful, the Recon Jet provides a heads-up display for running and cycling. Connecting with your smartphone, the GPS-enabled Jet measures pace, distance, duration, heart rate and other health metrics just below your right eye — and only shows these metrics when you glance down. For multitaskers, the Jet also has caller ID, SMS notifications and an HD video cam.

Your Obstacle Course

Up to 70 hours long, with a 10% success rate and no details given until the second the race starts, the Peak Summer Death Race (held June 26th in Vermont; register now) is a rather sadistic test of manhood that could involve chopping wood, 30-mile hikes with weighted packs and even … trivia. No joke. For something more casual, try the Spartan Races, which offer less-deadly obstacle courses nationwide and year-round.

Your Wellness Coach

New app Kumu pairs you with a “wellness” coach over your iPhone, where you communicate your workout and nutrition plans with a certified trainer via text, photos and video chat. The coaches here offer updated goals and personalized schedules, as well as tracking guides for your meals and workouts.

Your Bag

DSPTCH’s water-resistant Gym/Work Bag features a separate ventilated shoe compartment, a wet/dry pouch and a ventilated panel for additional airflow/less stink. As for the “work” part: the bag has separate laptop and tablet sleeves, as well as a secret security compartment in the base.

And the rest of your spring workout gear:

Your shirt: The long-sleeve Nergy from super.natural is a looker, complete with contrast panels on the sleeves, thumb loops and requisite moisture-wicking
Your accessories: Ivy League-inspired sportswear brand Tracksmith just released a handsome merino wool runner’s cap perfect for cool spring morning jogs (pick up some of their socks, too)
Your headphones: Jabra’s Sport Pulse offers some sturdy wireless earbuds with a built-in heart rate monitor. (Though Bose’s wired sports buds are more aesthetically appealing.)
Your shorts: “They seem bro-y, but they’re actually great workout shorts,” says our style editor about Birddogs, comfy run/swim shorts with multiple pouches and no need for underwear
Your shoes: Nike’s colorful Free Trainer 5.0 was designed to feel weightless. It also has great grip and works well no matter your sport of choice, from running to weightlifting. All of which you can ponder when you’re realizing the rather dark origins of “Just do it.”