Work out clothes - YouLookFab Forum

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Work out clothes

lori l

i haven't worked out for a long time. like, a VERY long time.
I need motivation, and i'm hoping a workout outfit will give me the boost i need.
Where do you find your best, most inspiring work out clothing?
If i have a few pieces to chose from, i might even work out a couple times a week! maybe...

Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Anonymous

Lululemon has some really nice things!

cinnamon fern

Veteran

What kind of working out are you doing?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ditto to CF's question. I really like Lululemon's stuff, but it's pricey. I am particularly fond of their running capris and the Ta-ta Tamer bras for running, although I wish they'd expand their sizing a bit to include a 32DDD -- I have to compromise a bit with a 34DD on the tightest closure or stuff the girls into the 32DD. I have a jacket of theirs that is at least five years old and has been washed a thousand times, and it still looks great.

On the other end of the price spectrum, i have some Champion yoga pants from Target that are just as old, and they've finally been relegated to grungy loungewear. I've found great deals on things like Under Armour, Reebok, and Nike activewear tank tops, tees, running shorts, etc., at Marshall's and TJMaxx.

The other thing besides bras I will not skimp on is running shoes. I buy those full-price, every six months or so, and rotate two pairs (I run 3-4x a week). And even though you can get socks cheap, I swear by Balega.

Kalli

As someone who works out regularly, it's good to have cute outfits for the motivation but at the same time be price conscious because you'll be wanting to wash these clothes a lot, sweat isn't a friendly thing.

I'm quite rough on my workout clothes seeing as I'm workout obsessed - working out at least 5 days a week for 2-3 hours.

I find lululemon too overpriced for what you get. Definitely invest in a few workout bras, kind of like how we should have a good foundation for our personal wardrobe (aka spend more on bras) this still is true for working out. I wear Shock Absorber bras because I can adjust the tightness since I need a 30D. I hate when my girls bounce, and I've been known to double up, wear a workout bra and then a nike top with built in support. I'd stay away from any cotton except for underwear.

I like to match, so I stick with solid black bottoms (black also doesn't show sweat as much as lighter colors I've noticed. I go to nordstrom rack and shop the sale workout rack at regular nordies. I usually do a stretch test, you want it to bounce back quickly because these are definitely supporting garments and should be worn tightly but not too tightly. Nothing is worse than watching a girl trying to hike her pants up as she tries to walk/run.

Also invest in good quality socks and shoes.

My priorities for workout clothes are: 1) Bras, 2) Shoes 3) Socks 4) Clothes

Tina.b

Veteran

I usually buy my workout gear from Lululemon. Agree that it is overpriced, but it does last forever!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

One of the things I have come to look for in my activewear is the presence of easy-to-access small zip pockets for things like car key and iPhone (ie, my favorite workout jacket has a sleeve pocket for the phone). If you have any desire to use your phone or MP3 player whole you workout, this may be something to consider. I don't like armbands much.

Anonymous

For bras I like the Panache Ultimate Sports Bra and the Anita Extreme Control Sports bra.

The best capri pants I've found are the Elisabetta Rogiani 3/4 leggings. They are pricey but last forever. You can get them online.

I like the Pace Setter skirts from Lululemon for Zumba -- they have great movement. I'm not much of a runner, but I have worn them in 5K's too.

And here's the funniest blog post ever about women's workout clothing:

http://www.thegreatfitnessexpe.....othes.html

Raisin

Veteran

I second Lululemon! It looks great and is very good quality. It's a Canadian brand so I guess we're proud of it, lol, it's sort of a cult up here.

dicey

I have Champion yoga pants and capris from Target that have really held up. I would rather spend less on the clothes and get really good shoes if you are doing anything with medium or high impact.

lynne

Veteran

This made me laugh, because having cute workout clothes (yoga and Pilates) helps me with motivation, big time! Mine are from Lululemon and Lucy. Yes, they are pricey but they wear well and have cute styles.

Thistle

Veteran

My $0.02 is invest in GOOD bras, really, really good ones. And good shoes.

I am looking forward to the snow melting so we can go for walks again. I miss working out. I couldn't when I was pregnant because of medical restrictions, and now, well, I am trying to figuer out when to squeeze it in. Babies are such high maintenace

Clothes, pick up some cute outfits are Target or Kohls.

abc

Veteran

I just recently found the brand Lucy and really like the items I got there.

For me, it was a treat to go into a store and find what I needed easily and with matching pieces. My whole life I have pieced together workout clothes from TJMaxx/Marshalls and this time I decided I deserved a couple of matching workout outfits.

They have several cuts of pants, from looser fits all the way to compression fits and there are jackets that match as well as coordinating shirts. I did not get any bras there so I don't know. What I really liked was the "wall of pants" with a simple layout to help you decide fit and length.

http://www.lucy.com is the website. Apparently the brand has been around for a while but I never saw it until a recent work trip. I think they are out of Seattle or the Pac NW so maybe Angie or some other YLFers have input.

So far I have been happy with my purchases - expensive, yes, but like you said, so nice to have some pretty things that are well constructed.

sarah

Veteran

I usually get my workout gear from Athleta, Nordstrom's (the Zella brand is expensive, but great, and you can always check the Rack and the NAS for deals), Zappos/Amazon for Alo and Nike brand workout wear, and Title 9.

cciele

Veteran

I'm liking Zella from Nordstrom. I have several pairs of their workout pants--well constructed, haven't bagged out, comfortable--and I like being able to have them hemmed for free. I also have a quilted jacket which works great as gear and also casual about town.

Glory

Veteran

Bras and shoes are most important. For Bras, I often double up depending on what I am doing. I have several from Adidas and Nike that I like. Under armour also have some great ones. Lululemon is also a good option. I like shorts and capris best and have shorts from costco and lululemon. My fave capris are from Old navy - I would love more of them. Tops are from all over. Shoes are really personal and depend what you will be doing. I love adidas but you may need to shop around.

Atlantia

Veteran

Can't say enough good things about Road Runner Sports. They have a great selection of shorts, tops, etc. I love their house brand...so much cheaper, and just as nice as Nike etc.
Not to mention if you have already been fitted for running shoes, you can buy duplicates online! Shoes are so important. If your feet are unhappy, you aren't going to find your motivation.

Anonymous

If you're just getting started again, I'd stay away from Lululemon. It's nice stuff, but pricey. Give yourself time to figure out what types of workout clothing you like best. Do you like working out in tanks, or are tees better? Do you like the coverage of a capri or long pants, or do you need the coolness of shorts? Maybe give yourself permission to splurge on one great item after you complete X-number of workouts or workout regularly for a month or two.

For starter workout clothing, check out the C9 brand at Target. Most of it is high-quality stuff and at the price, you can stock up without breaking the bank. I love my pricey Under Armour and Nike goodies, but I still use my C9 stuff regularly. With workout wear, quantity is as important as quality if you exercise 4+ days a week.

I agree with others' suggestions to focus on bras and shoes first. (Although, if you're small chested, the bra part isn't nearly as difficult to manage. Almost all my bras are C9, which are sufficient for a B-cup.)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree that Lucy has nice stuff too -- not as pricey as Lululemon but on a par with it. I am lucky enough to have a Lucy and a Lulu ( and Charm City Run) in the same shopping center about five miles away from me, and between those, all of my workout needs are covered!

Hannah Johansson

Member

Great ideas! Its fun to have something printed on the t-shirt! I get my t-shirts embossed/printed from Artik, the company which focuses on printed promotional products in Toronto.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I have four pairs of stretchy pants by Max Studio (two skinny leg, two slightly bootcut) that are my workhorses. I bought two pairs at Marshall's in 2010, two new on eBay last fall, and these really are my go-to staples. They work beautifully as streetwear, and can even be dressed up Wolford-style with pointy-toed pumps and a fitted jacket. But I can peel the jacket off, kick off the shoes, put on a pair of dance shoes and leg warmers, and take a ballet or flamenco class, and they are perfect. I wear them year-round. In summer, I wear ballet flats and an embellished tee or pretty tank, and in winter, I layer extra tights, camis, and fitted sweaters or jackets.

My original two pairs have seen weekly wear for 2 1/2 years and are still in beautiful condition. I couldn't begin to estimate what their cost-per-wear is by now, it has to pennies.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Try Lucy too because the quality is fab and it's cheaper than Lulu Lemon - as has already been suggested. Athleta is always worth a shot. And so is Nordies.