Whether you’re making some New Year’s resolutions or not, practising self-care is always a great idea, and January is as good a time as any to start. Which is why we’ve trawled the shops on Oxford Street to bring you the very best buys that will uplift both your body and your mind. From workout gear and gym equipment that will make at-home and gym workouts a dream, to clean beauty products and mindful items, here are the best wellness buys to add to your basket this month – and beyond.
Best workout gear
Nothing is quite as motivating as new workout gear, especially if it’s the top quality performance kind that’ll last for many fitness classes to come. Great support is one of the biggest challenges with running or high impact workouts, but Under Armour have got you covered with their high support zip-up sports bra. Likewise, you don’t want leggings that’ll become see-through after a few washes, so try H&M’s extra supportive and breathable training leggings. New Balance’s hoodie is just a great way to keep warm after your workout, and we can all agree it’s a pain when you can never find a pair of clean sports socks, so we’ve included some from M&S’s Goodmove range in here too.
Best trainers
A good pair of trainers is the foundation of every fitness wardrobe. Runners will adore asics’ latest launch, the Novablast 4. The trainers are lighter than previous versions and designed to make you run faster and give you more bounce thanks to tech like the BFF BLAST™ ECO PLUS foam and a high midsole and unique geometric design that ensures extra energy return. The adidas Dropset 2 trainers are a great option for the gym, as their 6 mm midsole drop gives you a flat and stable platform, perfect for things like lifting weights, plus they’re made in part with recycled materials. Look no further than the Jordan Two Treys for a lightweight, comfortable but fashion-forward trainer to wear everyday, while On’s cloud vegan trainers combine style, performance and sustainability.
Best gym equipment
It’s not always easy to find the time to hit the gym, and that’s when at-home (or in the park) workouts come in handy. There’s no reason for it to be a sub-par experience either if you have the right equipment. Sports Direct has a huge selection of accessories, including this yoga mat. Everyone is talking about the merits of Theraguns to give your muscles a mini massage and recover better post-workout. Try TK Maxx for a range of gym and sports accessories like this cycling helmet. For footie in the park, don’t forget to pack your football shin guards from Nike.
Best fitness tech
While you’re undeniably doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to exercising, there’s no harm in making things a little easier and more enjoying thanks to some fitness tech. The FITBIT Charge 6 fitness tracker is keeps track of your steps, calories, sleep and even monitors your heart and oxygen levels – very satisfying. Jabra’s Wireless Bluetooth earphones will stay put no matter your workout and are noise cancelling and sweat resistant. The Tech Bar’s smart skipping rope synchs up to a fitness app to deliver accurate jump data as well as different training modes. Running outside in winter can be a bit demoralising, so a treadmill is a great investment to keep you going through the colder months and beyond.
Best self-care products
Having a healthy mind is just as important as having a healthy body, and that starts with a bit of self-care at home. You might not often take the time to soak in a luxurious bath, but The Fragrance Shop’s uplifting bathing oil might convince you to do so. Rituals’ The Ritual of Jing gift set is filled with calming body products, the perfect finishing touch to your bath. Muji’s aroma diffusers, coupled with some calming essential oils, are the perfect way to drift off to sleep. Holland & Barrett has a great selection of healthy food and beverage like this organic green tea.
Best clean beauty products
If you’re looking to start a more ethical beauty routine in the New Year, you’ll be pleased to hear that there has never been such a wide variety of clean beauty products on the market, a lot of which you can find Clean beauty has come a long way in the past few years. Lush’s skincare is designed with little to no preservatives and cater to all skin types, and they have a vegan line too. Make-up enthusiasts can head straight to Inglot for a huge selection of make-up that is PETA-listed and cruelty-free, plus 60% of it is vegan. The Body Shop’s bodycare range is kind to skin, using natural ingredients such as hemp, ginger and camomile. More important, it’s now a B Corp and its aim is to only feature fully vegan products by the end of the year. Boots also stocks a range of clean beauty range, such as REN with this best-selling sensitive skin set.