I must say, since I have really no other hobbies or interests, I am pretty darn easy to shop for. My husband gets big time brownie points when he gives me a gift or two fitness related. A sure win is always some new workout clothes.
Before we go any farther, let me state my personal workout rules:
1. Never take a shower before a workout.
2. Never ever put makeup on before a workout.
3. Never do my hair before a workout.
4. Never wear, ever large earrings when I workout.
4. If going to the gym, I will do all a favor and brush my teeth.
When I head into a workout, I am a all business kind of gal. I'm not very social (hhmm, so maybe I can skip the teeth brushing?). It's just me, my music, and my workout.
It is not a fashion show.
However, that said I love a new workout top or rockin' new shorts to workout in. Here are a few reasons why:
Function
Good workout attire also functions really well. Mostly, it gets the heck out of the way so you can think about all those mountain climbers you need to do without your shirt going up and over your head. You are able to jog without holding up your oversized sweats so they don’t fall down to your ankles. You are able to bike without your pants getting stuck in the chain. Functional clothes during a workout are essential so you can think about what you are doing, not what you are wearing.
It Lasts
Good workout clothes (I didn't say expensive) can have a very long life. My favorite workout shorts are going on 4 years old. These babies get sweat in, rolled up in a ball and sit the dirty clothes for a few days, then washed and dried just to do it all again. They take a beating.
I prefer my gear to be some sort of polyester/spandex blend. It typically wicks away the sweat, holds its shape well, and keeps its colors vibrant for years. I avoid cotton since it tends to fade, stretch, and shows sweat rings where I really don't want to see sweat rings.
Affordable
You can find great stuff and not even have to dip into your 401K. My favorite places to get new workout gear are discount stores like Marshalls (they rock in the athletic gear department here in TX), TJ Maxx, sales at larger sporting goods stores, sales at Athleta.com, Title Nine and Target. Some of my favorite items I paid under $10.00 for at Marshalls and love every bit as much as the stuff I picked up at Athleta.
Options
The shimmery tights, striped leotards with puffy sleeves, and leg warmer days are behind us, thank goodness.
You want options? We have options! Pants, capris, long shorts, short shorts, skorts.
Onto the shirts: long sleeve, short sleeve, cap sleeve, tank tops.
Loose fitting, tight fitting -- whatever suits your fancy.
And sizes? Don’t worry, cheerleader sized moms are not the only ones that can rock the workout clothes. Check out Landsend and Old Navy. They have workout clothes in all sizes, some specializing in Plus Sizes and others in the the very petite sizes.
Cuteness
OK, I realize this is a workout and not a fashion show. However, I will stand by my Trainer Momma theory that has been personally tested for years:
When wearing feminine, well-made, good looking workout clothes women workout harder. I swear we burn more calories.
Take the following scenario which I’m sure some of you have experienced:
I show up at the gym in my husbands old, oversized, yellowing t-shirt that doubles as painting attire. I threw on some fading shorts that I also was able to wear when I was 8 months pregnant. The whole time my mental dialogue sounds something like:
“Ugh. Look at me. I’m huge.”
I go throughout the whole workout picking myself apart. I am embarrassed when I catch a glimpse of the plate-sized sweat rings beneath my arms and notice people are steering clear of me, the walking sweat ball, in the hallway.
Now turn it around.
If I’m wearing a shirt or tank top that fits me well in a great color and shorts that are flattering, it’s a completely different story. You should hear what is going on in my head: “Check me out. Am I cute or what? In fact, since I’m so cute, I’m going to do 10 more mountain climbers today than last week” And then proceed to work even harder.
It’s true, I swear.
So, don't forget to put workout clothes on your Fit Momma Wish List this year.
How about you, Fit Mommas. Are workout clothes on your Wish List this holiday season? What else are you wishing for?
Other items on the Fit Momma Wish List:
Heart Rate Monitor
Adjustable Dumbbells
Gym Membership
Shoes
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4 comments:
I TOTALLY agree with you! I am a definite work out clothes snob - and proud of it! I'm always on the look out for a new bra, shorts, tank, or shirt. I've found excellent deals at Ross, Dick's, and Sports Authority. Do you use any special detergent to wash your workout clothes in? I've been using Tide Sport and it seems to work pretty well - and I need it since my clothes take a severe sweating at the gym!
Great post!
I have been fine with just throwing them in with everything else and they smell fine. Or maybe they don't and nobody has ever said anything :)
My husband's however -- WOOF! I am going to pick up that Tide Sport ASAP for him. Thx for the recommendation.
Okay...so does anyone have a great place to find maternity work-out clothes? (Without paying an arm and a leg...why do maternity clothes cost so darn much!! You're only in them for 5 months or so!) Anyway, I'm hitting that point where my usual work-out attire is not so flattering but I really want to avoid the basketball shorts and over-sized t-shirts for the same reasons you mentioned in this post.
I found some maternity workout clothes at Target. They weren't nearly as expensive as the maternity stores. I get so big it is not physically possible for me to stretch my clothes out enough to cover my belly. I have to buy just a few bottoms, tops, and bras to get me through the months.
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