Fill your gym bag with fitness gear, recovery tools and wellness essentials created by Southwest Florida athletes, trainers and wellness experts.
Courtesy 42 Birds
swfl fitness essentials from local brands 42 birds cork mat
Mat Talk
Cape Coral’s 42 Birds created their The Robin lightweight yoga mat to move easily from class to class. Made from the brand’s sustainably harvested Mediterranean cork, the antimicrobial surface rolls up easily and gains traction in damp environments. Founding siblings Andrew and Victoria Fortnum recommend spraying the mat with water to really lock it in place. 42birds.com
Courtesy Anya & Niki
swfl fitness essentials from local brands anya niki duffle
Bag Check
Naples-based Anya & Niki’s sporty mesh The Stanton Bag was made for busy days along the Gulf. Thick, removable nylon straps comfortably sling over your shoulder post-workout, and the vinyl-lined interior wipes clean after sandy beach days or work-week coffee spills. Founder Niki Hoaglund incorporated a padded laptop sleeve and side slip pockets for easy access to your phone between sets. anyaandniki.com
Courtesy Sole MKTB
swfl fitness essentials from local brands mktb resistance bands
Band Practice
For resistance bands that don’t slip, look to Rekinson ‘Rick’ Beaubrin, the personal trainer behind the athletic fashion brand MKTB. He recently re-released the elastic-fabric set, which includes five levels ranging from extra-light to extra-heavy, under the moniker TDP Booty Bands. The release is well timed, as he recently rolled out his The Derriere Pro at-home programming, which draws on Pilates, HIIT and strength training. thetrapllc.square.site
Courtesy Sole Moda
swfl fitness essentials from local brands sole moda socks
Good Grip
Hopping between Pilates and barre classes, Naples’ Sophia McDonald grew frustrated with grip socks that slip and pill after a few wears. Last year, she launched Sole Moda with a custom honeycomb sole using the same grippy material found on hospital socks. The nonslip soles extend from heel to toe to maintain balance between positions. shopsolemoda.com
Courtesy Oceanfoam
swfl fitness essentials from local brands oceanfoam back roller
High Roller
Wave Ball Rollers from Naples-based Oceanfoam are small enough to store in your gym bag, purse or desk drawer for on-the-go relief. The brand is known for its signature, eco-friendly blend of EVA foam and Bloom algae pellets. Sold in packs of three, each compact roller varies in precise shape and size. At roughly 2 inches in diameter, they nestle perfectly into the curve of your shoulder or the arch of your foot, while the wavy surface kneads deep into stubborn knots and pressure points. oceanfoam.com