With many types of sports, you can break the bank just buying the right equipment. And there's nothing more guilt-inducing then looking at thousands of dollars worth of ski gear that you bought before you found out about your fear of racing down a mountain of ice and snow at top speed. Start small with the Lake Placid Leather Lined Figure Skates for Men or the Lake Placid Leather Lined Figure Skates for... more

Remember the Perfect Pushup gizmos with the rotating hand grips? The same company also makes the Perfect Pullup. Like its predecessor, the Perfect Pullup has rotating handles so you can engage more muscles - and strain fewer joints - in your arms, shoulders, chest, back, and abs. The bar has a swinging arm design, so you can move it down for standing rows and other exercises. And you can remove the bar entirely... more

Backpacker magazine recently did a feature on how to make perfect coffee while camping. The MSR MugMate got high marks because it's so small and easy to use. The MugMate weighs less than an ounce and works for both coffee and tea. Just put it in your cup, load it up with your favorite (ground) coffee beans, and pour in hot water. No muss, no fuss, no filters. And you can store the MugMate... more

Traditional volleyballs apparently have 18 panels. The Mikasa MVA200 volleyball, which they are using in the Olympics, only has 8 panels, which allow for greater hand contact on the ball, a better feel, and therefore greater accuracy and control. According to Wired, the Mikasa also sounds different when you hit it; it doesn't "have the same satisfying pop as a traditional volleyball." Which sounds like a challenge to hit it even harder, but maybe... more

As seen in the latest Oprah magazine (and as used by some personal trainers we know): Kettlebell weights. These traditional Russian fitness tools are supposedly making a comeback with modern athletes as well as regular people trying to increase their balance, strength, and endurance. Using them challenges your muscles and your cardiovascular system at the same time, even if it looks like you're holding bowling balls with handles. Kettlebells come in various colors, sizes,... more