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A Practical Guide To Help You Choose The Right Workout Clothes

A Practical Guide To Help You Choose The Right Workout Clothes
Carly Jacobs

One of my favourite excuses for not running my full 6kms is that my pants are falling down. I’m serious. I cannot stand baggy, saggy leggings on a run. It makes me angry enough to kick a pigeon. It’s extremely important that I feel comfortable while exercising and I’ve trialled and error-ed HEAPS of gym gear in my time. These are a few not negotiable items I MUST have for when I head out for a sweat.

Racer Back Singlets

Spaghetti strap singlets fall off my shoulders when I’m running and don’t stay in place when I’m lifting weights. Racer backs are terribly unflattering on a girl like me who’s built like a football player but I don’t give a crap. I can do cartwheels in a racer back and everything stays where it should. Here’s a few that I love. Wet Seal Wide Strap Singlet from Freez, Basic Racer Back Singlet Top from Supre, Lorna Jane Run Tank  from The Iconic.

Quick Dry Sport Crop Tops

I hate under-wires when I workout because they get all pokey. Especially in weights classes when I’m lying down and they dig into my ribs. I must point out that a very small percentage of me is made up of boob (I’m only just a c-cup) so the binding approach works the best for me. I have a few different ones but I always buy the firmest one possible that I can still breathe in, despite the fact that they create nightmare visible bra lines. I want my puppies to stay clear of my navel as long as possible thank you very much so if you’re not into underwires, I recommend a sports crop top that’s as firm as you can handle. There is literally no movement of my boosies in a good quick dry crop top. Recommendations: Champion Double Dry Shiny Seamless Sports Bra from The Iconic , Diadora Women’s Seamless Crop Bra  from Sporting House Direct , Nike Pro Victory Crop Top from Nike.

High Rise Drawstring Leggings

I once wore yoga pants to go on a run because I have this gorgeous pair that are hipsters and ruched around the top – so flattering. They make me look like I spend half the day doing lower ab crunches. Let me tell you – they were fucking useless. I spent the whole time hitching them up and they just got looser and looser until I had to literally hold them around my hips as I ran. I only wear three-quarter length, super tight, preferably hi-rise pants when I run. If they have a drawstring and a bum pocket for my house key that’s even better. Here are some favourites – Skins Compression Tights from The Iconic, Running Capris from NikeDiadora Compression Tights from Sporting House Direct.

Giant Headbands

I get extremely sweaty while working out and if I don’t contain my hair it sticks to my face and I look like Cousin It. I like wide, tight headbands to keep my hair at bay but if you have normal person hair I’m sure most headbands will be fine. I got mine from one of those kiosks at the mall but they are pretty easy to get. I’m also quite partial to a good old-fashioned sweat band in summer.

Socks

Thick, padded sports socks. I went through a cute shorty socks with pom-poms phase but I was just wasting everyone’s time. You really need to be a grown up when it comes to sports socks. I like Bonds short sport socks because they aren’t stingy on their padding and they last quite a while.

Heart Rate Monitor

I bought this Suunto heart rate monitor after I did a few cardio tennis sessions and now I’m hooked! It’s the perfect way to see if you’re staying in the recommended fat burning zone and it also tracks the calories you burn. Fitness gadgetry makes me so happy. I got it last year but it doesn’t seem to be available anymore – here’s a similar one in the same brand and I’ve heard great things about Polar and Timex.

The rest of it, I’m not overly fussy about. A word on shoes though – do get fitted by a professional because it can be pretty nasty if you don’t. Replace your shoes regularly and cover up when outside.

What are your fitness favourites when it comes to work out gear?

If you have any awesome fitness gadgets to share or you’ve found the greatest sports bra do pop a link in the comments! 

11 Comments

  1. JicyJac 11 years ago

    Lululemon gear is awesome – particularly the pants they make your bum look great, and always have handy hidden pockets. It is pricey, but most brands of the “technical” work out clothes are. It is discounted by about 40% at the outlet store in Collingwood, so most things come in under $100 – but still not what I call cheap.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Where is this Lululemon outlet you speak off????

      • JicyJac 11 years ago

        30 Rupert St, Collingwood. They have a facebook page too where the staff post photos of each other in gear they currently have in stock. https://www.facebook.com/lululemonMelbourneOutlet?fref=ts – you can email or phone them to check if they have it in your size. Sizing is tricky though as it is US/Canadian sizing.

  2. Tara 11 years ago

    Great post – finding good workout clothes drives me mad. I like to carry my iphone in my pocket for music and apps etc and it is TORTURE trying to find women’s workout pants with a pocket that fits a phone. Girls shorts are always RIDICULOUSLY short and running tights rarely have any suitable pockets. I always end up with mens shorts. I also feel like assaulting local fauna.

    I need to wear a sports bra and a tight fitting crop top to contain my girls, which is highly unglamorous but absolutely necessary.

    I like the idea and look of lululemon but their prices are too high for me. I actually find that Target and the Puma shop at DFO are my best options. Finding gear that’s not bright pink is also a challenge. Nothing would put me off a workout quicker than the prospect of wearing pink.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I cannot wear shorts because the turn into underwear in about 30 seconds. Bad news.

  3. Nessbow 11 years ago

    I’m picky about workout gear too. My outfit of choice depends on the type of workout I’m doing. For yoga and pilates I like thick-strapped or racer-back singlets and 3/4 length stretchy pants without a drawstring (I find it gets in the way when I’m stretching). For running, I like drawstring shorts or 3/4 pants and loose t-shirts. I can’t ever work out in full-length pants because I’m short and uncoordinated. When I wear long pants to work out, I always trip over them (and sometimes step on the hem and accidentally pants myself).

    The best sports bra I’ve ever found is the wire-free sports bra from Joanne Lingerie. You can get them from Best and Less for about $15. They keep all my bits in place even while running and there’s no pesky wire to get in the way while I’m bending about on my yoga mat. I have fairly small breasts, and these work well for me. They probably wouldn’t offer enough support for larger-boobed lasses, but for small boobs they’re great.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Awesome! I need more recommendations!

  4. Heather Walker 11 years ago

    Great post, I love my sports crop tops, I’ve bought under wired sports bra’s before after being assured I needed them (note to self, you are a b-cup, you don’t need one) and had them sit unworn in my knicker drawer for years as just too uncomfortable to bear.

    In other notes, am I only the one that read the Bonobo on your shirt at the front and immediately thought ‘Sex Monkey’.

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      Ha! Hilarious! Bonobo is my partner’s company!

  5. Nadiosa 11 years ago

    I know this is a pretty old post but I thought I would comment anyway, as I was dressed for a run the other day and actually had to stop and think about how much stuff I was actually wearing… I had to laugh! But each piece is important and I honestly think it improves my performance.

    Top to bottom:

    Nike running hat – lightweight, extra long peak because I absolutely hate having the sun in my eyes. Also keeps my stupid hair out of my face).

    Sunglasses.

    Any top is fine, but my favourite is a loose-fitting capped sleeved t-shirt with elastic around the hips, sooo comfy.

    Underwire sports bra.

    Heart rate monitor (Suunto).

    3/4 high-rise leggings that hold my jelly belly for minimal wobble, and cling to my legs so I feel like I’m wearing nothing at all (nothing at all, nothing at all)… Pocket for key at the back – must. Drawstring – bonus.

    A running belt which contains my phone, so that I can have my iPod and RunKeeper going. Skullcandy earbuds – awesome sound, and they don’t slip out of my ears when I get sweaty (ew).

    Nike socks with a bit of padding at the back so my shoes don’t rub.

    Asics with customised orthotics.

    …Who said running was a cheap form of exercise?! 😉

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      I love my heart rate monitor. It’s the best thing I’ve ever bought.

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