The need to recover is the most neglected aspect of any athlete's workout routine. To perform at their prime and stay healthy, athletes across all levels must allow their bodies to recuperate from a hard workout or injury and thanks to the recently launched IonX Recovery Gear from Canterbury of New Zealand it's possible. IonX is like the Gatorade of athletic apparel.

Whether you are an elite athlete, weekend warrior or participating in high school athletics, hits, nicks and soreness can be physically draining. IonX Recovery Gear helps the athlete’s body create more energy and restore balance.

You say, impossible?

Well, it’s true.

IonX uses the trademarked Ionized Energy Fabric, which has a negatively charged electromagnetic field built into the structure of the fabric. During a workout, the fabric actually improves the delivery of oxygen to the muscles, increasing output and accelerating recovery.

Canterbury is not a new name in athletic apparel. The company has been making on- and off-field clothing for athletes for more than a century. So you’ll see pro players wearing IonX, including Detroit Tigers pitcher Joel Zumaya, the Portsmouth soccer team and pro golfers Michael Campbell and Jim Furyk.

Sphere: Related Content

Last year Adidas teamed up with Polar to create a training system that actually integrates electronic gadgets with running gear.

The result: A great partnership ... instead of wearing a chest strap, you have a heart-rate monitor that's built into your Adidas top, and the stride sensor (which measures distance and pace) is built into the AdiStar Fusion sole, rather than simply clipped to the outside of the laces. And the data from both? It's wirelessly transmitted to your Polar watch and can be uploaded to your PC.
Approximately $680 for the complete system.

I don't really have an answer for you on why? But it seems that Aussiebum, a popular Australian underwear company, has created a line of underwear, called Essence. The underwear is made from a micro-fiber, which is treated with acerola (a fruit high in vitamin c and antioxidants) along with other 'organic substances.' The ingredients remain active for 15 washes, and can then be 'reactivated' by purchasing additional pre-filled packets.

What's most fascinating about this technology is the other possibilities: Think caffeine or the patch ... these seem a lot more logical. I just don't get the benefit of putting vitamin c down your pants?

Could this new material change the way we sport?

If I were the betting kind (and I am), I'd have to say yes!

Designed by a snow sports enthusiast. This revolutionary material made with 'intelligent molecules' can help protect you from heavy impact by absorbing the energy.

What that actually means is that you can use d3o in sportswear where you want freedom of movement and dexterity but also want some impact absorption. It can be integrated into footwear, headwear, gloves, clothing and boots. It means people can get on with their sport without being confounded by pieces of bulky, rigid (hard) plastic and cumbersome, stiff foams. Richard Palmer (the products creator) told CNN that it's the difference between Robocop and Spiderman. Robocop is built with protection around him like a shield; d3o is more like Spiderman, where the protection and the athlete are integrated together. It's a discrete, small and totally unrestricted layer of protection in the areas where you need it that wouldn't previously have been possible.

It's also a material that has applications in the automotive industry, the military, in aerospace, even in outer space.

Hugging is healthy. It helps the immune system, cures depression, reduces stress and induces sleep. It's invigorating, rejuvenating, and has no unpleasant side effects. Hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.

Not receiving enough hugs? You might want to try a virtual embrace.

The Hug Shirt, a high-tech garment that simulates the experience of being embraced by a loved one was recently named by Time Magazine as one of the top inventions of 2006.

When a friend sends you a virtual hug, your cell phone notifies the shirt wirelessly, via Bluetooth and then the next thing you know is that the shirt re-creates that person's distinctive cuddle, replicating his or her warmth, pressure, duration and even heartbeat. And, yes, the Hug Shirt is fully washable.

Availability: Not yet for sale.
To learn more visit cutecircuit.com

What I really want to know: Do they make this in pants?