Hi P&K readers! I'm so excited to be here with you all, chatting for a few minutes about workout apparel. As you probably know, it's easy to slip into that rut of wearing those comfy, worn-out old college tees and your favorite pair of yoga pants to the gym, but is that really motivating you to rock those workouts? My guess is, probably not, at least it didn't motivate me. So, what's a girl to do? Looks like it's time for a little update to the gym wardrobe.
Is it possible to actually combine fashion with the gym? Some might argue otherwise, but I think it's definitely possible, encouraged even! Here's a few tips to amp up that workout wardrobe, and maybe you'll even be inspired to turn up the heat in that gym session of yours!
1. Color is key.
Its been proven over and again that certain colors affect our moods, and this is one time when you can wear all the obnoxiously neon shades and see it's effect on your motivation to exercise. There's something about lacing up a new pair of bright kicks or slipping into a tank in your favorite shade of lemon yellow or coral that just energizes and gets you excited about hitting the gym at an early hour or after work. Find a color you love, and you'll always look forward to putting it on to burn some calories.
2. Fit & Flatter
I'm sure you're thinking, 'who cares? It's just the gym..', but trust me, you'll be far more motivated to put on something that you know you look good in, rather than that beat up old tee. Those have their place, but we're talking about updating that seen-before look. Whether it's tanks or printed graphic tees, shorts, yoga pants or running leggings, find pieces that not only fit properly (no one wants to see things that they shouldn't.. let's be modest, yes, even at the gym) and also flatter your body type. Make sure that it's not all about how it looks, face value, remember, you are going to need to move around, so give yourself a little wiggle room for that cardio routine! Pick pieces that make you feel good, and you'll do a double take when you're looking in the gym mirror. Yeah, you do look that good! Keep up the great work! :)
3. Quality over Quantity
Ok, I'll be honest here, it's easy to get caught up in all the fun trends in workout gear, and to go overboard on running shirts and tanks, but, if there's one thing that I've learned from many years of athletics, it's the fact that quality is always better than quantity. Take care of your body, and invest in good pieces that will in turn, take care of you. What do I mean by this? Invest in good shoes. Seriously. Whether you're running marathons or walking the dog, it's important to make sure that you're wearing something with adequate support, and if possible, find an athletic store that is able to fit you for shoes that are custom to your needs. Also, invest in a high-quality sports bra. Your back & chest will thank you for this; you'll alleviate a lot of back strain, and feel more secure, even in that yoga inversion (and let's get real here, lots of bouncing around never ever looks good). Quality doesn't always mean high prices, it's just essential that you find something that will last and meet your active lifestyle. Instead of buying a bunch of cheap tshirts, purchase a few well-made active tops (whatever style you enjoy) and you'll always feel great, and know you look good whenever you workout.
Here's to stylish, rockin' workouts!
Candice
