We have all heard people tell us to dress for success. People coach us to wear the clothes for the job we want, not the job we have. We stress about what we wear to job interviews, dates, girls night out. We often text a million pictures to our friends and family asking for approval. “Is this outfit appropriate for _____ event, interview, audition, first date…” What we wear is important to us. We can show off our style, our personality, our unique flare. A good pair of jeans can make us feel fantastic! That dress that fits us in all the right ways instantly makes us feel good when we slip it on. Although we shouldn’t put all our self worth on our clothes and our outer appearance, it is amazing how the right outfit can make us feel good.
Let’s look at what we wear to workout in. Can our workout gear instantly improve our workouts? My answer is: Absolutely! You dress for success in a job interview, let’s dress for success in the gym too! Slipping into your favorite pair of compression leggings, sports bra, and tank top will do the same thing in the gym as slipping into that little black dress does for showing “up in da’ club.” It will boost your mood, your motivation, and your success. When you’re having a low motivation day, just getting dressed in that breathable, sweat wicking material can turn your willpower around and get you to the gym and crushing your work out. It’s the little things, right?! Rachel Cosgrove in her book “The Female Body Breakthrough” talks about dressing in form fitting and flattering clothes in the gym. This helps you see the changes that are happening in your body weather your goal is weight loss, or huge biceps. You’ve gotta see it to believe it sometimes! Don’t wait till you attain your “perfect body” to dress like a fitness rockstar. Dress for success now and you will see your body transform in front of your very own eyes. I have clients who LOVE when their leggings start sagging a bit and they have to keep pulling them up in the middle of the workout. We cheer and agree that it’s time to shop!
(Does this mean you can’t train hard in a t-shirt and old sweat pants? Heck no. If that is what you are rocking keep up it up and own it! If you are sweating, smiling, and doing your best those sweats are not going to hold you back. #dowhatyoulove)
Just a small selection of my fitness clothes. I don’t own anything too fancy, but I feel great it all of it!
I will admit that I have an obsession with buying fitness clothes. I want to look and feel my best while I train and teach others. I wear tank tops that let me see my arms working while I train with heavy weight. I like leggings that show off my quads. I don’t dress for the other people at the gym (usually I’m in my own garage gym anyway) I dress up for me, for my success, and to get my mind right.
A big deal when I am picking out new athletic wear is quality and function. I want to pick brands that are reliable and don’t get all weird when you wash them. I want sports bras that hold the girls in no matter if I’m sprinting, squatting, or doing burpees galore. Most importantly I want leggings that do not get see through as I bend over for a deadlift. You bet I squat, bend, stretch and test my gear out in the dressing rooms. No see through pants please!!!! Test out some quality gym wear and when you find something you love: buy it in every color! (Or I wait for it to go on sale, and then buy it in every color thy have left)
Here is a quick list of my fav go-to brands:
Under Armour – Seriously takes up 85% of my fitness wardrobe
Nike – They’ve got some great stuff and plenty of outlet stores to shop at!
Brooks – They have got you covered with the BEST (in my opinion) running shoes and clothes
Moving Comfort – After much testing I have found that these my favorite sports bras
TJ Maxx – Ok not a brand, but check out their fitness section! They have got a lot of “off brand” clothing, but most of it still passes the squatting/see-through test.
So go ahead, invest in that cute top, funky leggings, and fun shoes. It’s worth it if it makes you feel fabulous as you sweat!
I’d love to hear your fitness gear secrets! Got a great brand, outlet store, or gear shop? Let me know I’m always up for discovering something new!
PS…Also SHOES! Because I don’t do well in heels =)
My current closet of fitness shoes. This is after finally throwing the old pairs out!