Athletic wear

marija

The other day my daughters wanted to go to the local Y to swim. I don't swim, so I went upstairs and walked quickly on the tread mill. When we left the house, my daughters laughed and said "You are going to walk on the treadmill, at the Y, in THAT?".... Yup... I wore a dress. Mind you it was a comfy, relaxed dress... but a dress with socks and runners.

Now, I just don't know what to wear to the gym on a hot day in the summer. I was very comfortable and happy. My husband just shook his head.

I don't feel comfortable in leggings. I have a big belly for my frame and am very pear shaped. I have a nice work out top I guess, but what do I pair it with? Everything I put with it makes me feel like my bottom end is very much out of balance with my top end, except for leggings, which I think don't look great.

And then, I'm very tall and would need high waisted leggings. Are there such a thing that don't cost a fortune?

Thank you!

5 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from marija

featherwitch

Active Member

What's a fortune? Zella makes these, which I love. I am more apple than pear, though. I think they would be ok with someone with larger hips.

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Zella Zella Meditate High Waist Crop Leggings | Nordstrom

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5 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

I was browsing H&M last night ant there were some leggings specifically called high waist. not athletic, just regular leggings but apparently they exist so keep looking.

5 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I have some Zella leggings similar to the ones featherwitch posted, and I really like them. If you look around, there are quite a few high-waisted leggings available now, I think. I even got a couple of pairs from Old Navy. .

5 years ago

Toban

Veteran

Nothing wrong with a dress for what your exercise plan was. But if you want to add more intensity and variety to your workout it would be worth getting exercise bottoms. You might like exercise skirts, that have shorts under a skirt. They are available in varying lengths. Check out Title Nine and Skirt Sports and Athleta.

5 years ago

Synne

Veteran

I would get terrible chub rub, but props to you for working out in a dress! I can imagine it is breezy and soothing in this heat. I've seen a lot of "running skirts" on SoMe lately, and it looks fab too. That is basically short shorts with a skirt attached, in athletic fabric.

5 years ago

kkards

Veteran

YAY for you for getting on the treadmill! if you were comfortable and happy and the dress didn't get in your way....then who cares what you wore...

5 years ago

Becky

Veteran

Ditto what kkards said.

5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I also applaud getting on the treadmill and not letting what you're wearing stop you! However, if you want to make this a regular habit, I think you'll be happier in some dedicated workout gear. Dedicated gear helps me feel more serious about my efforts, and it helps prevent chafing. Good gear wicks sweat too.

Zella leggings are nice, but speaking as someone who has long legs, I find their crop lengths too short (I have a pair of running capris that creep up my calves and end up at my knees, which is super annoying). Lululemon are pricey, but they seem to have length. I also carry more weight in my bottom half, and find that a bit of compression in bottoms can help me feel more comfortable with how I look in my gear.

If you want to try something at a good budget price point, I would recommend checking out the selection at discount stores like TJMaxx and Marshalls -- I've found some good name brand workout clothes (Under Armour, Nike, etc.) for really good prices. I've gotten some good stuff that way, but frankly, my Lululemon stuff has outlasted all others -- I started running seven years ago and still wear the same Lulu running capris I bought when I started. I wear them for walking, running, and yoga. I fell during a 5K and put a hole in the knee of one pair a few years ago, but otherwise they are still fully functional!

5 years ago

Anonymous

I second Marshalls for athletic wear, also Old Navy. I also saw several athletic dresses at Columbia Sportswear last time i was in there, probably on sale now. Personally i wear little biker type shorts at the gym this time of year, the leggings wont come back out for a few months!

5 years ago

kkards

Veteran

came back to mention that Athleta offers a lot of styles in tall...reg price might be more than you want to spend, but they have a lot of stuff on sale right now

5 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

I third Marshall's (or Winners) for decent gym gear at a reasonable price.

High waist bands, sometimes marketed as tummy tamers, are a 'thing' and easy to find. I like them because the high rise keeps my back warm, there are no seams digging into my waist and they don't reveal midriff when I'm doing over head movements. I have two capri length leggings, and two capri length 'yoga' style. (The yoga style are looser with a slight flare). I top with a sports bra and either a tank top or t-shirt. This is pretty standard for women at the Y where I work out. Winter I like the same, with a fleece topper until I get warm. Sometimes, on the coldest days, I'll wear full length leggings.

I think the ease of the yoga style would work for you, the slight looseness and the flare would balance your midriff/hip area. I'm also a believer in nice gear and that it encourages gym attendance.

5 years ago

marija

Active Member

You are all very kind. Thank you!

I will look into all of these suggestions and I appreciate the high-fives for getting out there!

5 years ago

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