Workout clothes

crevtion

I was just wondering about people's take on fitness attire. Do you spend as much money on it as you would on your day to day clothes, or do you tend to go for the cheap options since you will sweat in it anyway? Do nice workout clothes motivate you? Do you think you would invest more if you were closer to your goal?

When i started i didn't even have proper shoes but when I got into it I bought a pair of nice nikes, but I've never been big on the clothes, wearing whatever I could find. I always keep saying that when I get a bit closer to my goals I will buy some really nice ones as highlight of the work I put in.

Any input is cool

sarahkw04

I've tried it all - cheap, mid-range, expensive - and as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. I used to refuse to buy Lululemon. $90+ for leggings? They better do yoga for me. Except I was asked to participate in a Lulu fashion show and I put on a pair and I got it - not only are they great for my workouts, they're flattering and oh so comfortable.

I do have pieces from Old Navy or found on the racks at Marshall's or TJ Maxx that have held up well. It's personal preference and available budget at the end. I teach several barre classes a week, lift heavy 4x a week, have cardio conditioning, and take 4-5 barre classes, so I put my workout clothes through the ringer. I've learned to pay for quality - I think I was spending more buying cheap leggings that I'd have to replace every couple of months.

The one thing I'd say not to scrape on? Shoes. Properly fitted shoes are so important.

kwtilbury

I buy compression tops and tights from Eastbay. I can usually get them 2 for $20 with free shipping.

I wear running shorts because they have a liner (precluding the need for underwear). I'll wait until I can get them on sale at the Nike outlet ($20-25).

I usually buy shoes (free trainer/runner) at the Nike outlet. I'll pick them up in the $40-60 range.

Keladelphia

I spend more money on my workout clothes than I do on my day to day clothes. Now that I workout almost three hours a day six days a week I have found that cheap clothes just don't cut it with how often I had to replace them. I find certain items are absolutely worth their price tag, other items I can deal with the inexpensive version (but since I love workout gear I'm generally not thrifty with anything ha-ha). For example I'll quickly drop $80-100 dollars on Lululemon or Athleta tights because they last a long time and I never have to worry about adjusting them during my workouts but I'm small chested so while i'll drop a significant amount on a sports bra it's definitely not necessary and if I had to cut my clothes budget that's where it would be.

I wouldn't say that nice workout clothes motivate me but having workout clothes that fit perfectly allows me to focus completely on my workout as opposed to constantly tugging and pulling at clothes unnecessarily.

NorthCascades

crevtion wrote: »

I was just wondering about people's take on fitness attire. Do you spend as much money on it as you would on your day to day clothes, or do you tend to go for the cheap options since you will sweat in it anyway?

Far, far more.

My bike shoes were cheap at $300, the soles are carbon fiber because it's more comfortable for them not to flex around the pedal; the shoes I'm wearing to work today were a third the price. The Goretex jacket I have for hiking and backpacking and climbing cost a pretty penny. You should see what merino base layers cost! Or several down jackets.

My day-to-day attire doesn't have to do much other than keep people from seeing me naked and joining my fan club. It doesn't need to have an insane warmth-to-weight ratio or wick moisture and keep me warm when wet.

peleroja

I buy what works well and look for sales.

I wear mostly kids' athletic gear as I'm fairly petite and it's half the price or less, so I'm always on the lookout for, like, kids' Nike Pro tights on clearance racks and that kind of thing. I get stuff that fits and is relatively flattering and in fabrics that work for me and colours I like, but I try to stick to mid-range brands on sale and not spend a ton.

Sports bras and shoes I would pay anything for, though, as those two things are so integral to my comfort and the continued function of my body. Fortunately my sports bras only run about $60 and I can also wear the youth version of my favourite shoe (which I buy at an outlet and generally spend less than $60 on too), so I don't normally have to shell out a bunch, but I absolutely will not buy something that isn't perfect for me in these two cases.

I exercise almost every day and don't rewear anything so I do have to have enough stuff to rotate through without having to do laundry constantly, so that factors in my decision-making too.

And all of my gear for outdoor/winter stuff is pretty high-end stuff, because I live in a pretty extreme climate and I really need my clothes to perform, but even then I tried to buy on sale and choose kids' versions where I could if they were functionally identical. But when you're going to be outdoors in -20 for hours you don't mess around with non-performance brands.

quiksylver296

I definitely don't buy cheap leggings/tights. People get a show when you squat (they are see-through). I love UnderArmour and Nike outlets stores. I don't buy full-price, but even outlet stuff can be spendy. I've found good stuff at Marshall's sometimes.

musclegood_fatbad

I buy a lot of under armour clothes but I won't pay full price. I only buy the clearance or sale items. It's nice, but not nice enough for a $60 t-shirt.

VegasFit

Most of my stuff is Nike but I find it on sale at Marshals or TJ. I really like their compression bottoms. I buy Old Navy if it's in sale too. Tank tops I'm not as picky about. Shoes I tend to splurge a little more because I care about my feet and I don't seem to have much luck even when I find Nike, etc., on sale. I prefer a running store or New Balance outlet. My clothing last but I'm anal about Woolite and air dry. Shoes last too but I rotate between about 15 pair. Sports bras I'm lucky in that I can get away with cheap Walmart multi pack. Not a lot to compress there ☺

CatchMom11

I used to buy only at Target and Old Navy - cheaper items. However, they don't tend to last very long. So I starting buying some higher end items (on sale of course because when it comes to myself, I'm a cheapass). I really like the workout clothes from LB. I haven't ventured out to anything else simply because I have their CC so it's just easier. Once I lose some more weight, I will venture back into UA or Nike, which is what my daughter (who is an athlete) uses and they both hold up very well!

Now shoes, that's going to be different for everyone based on their needs. I won't skimp on shoes, EVER. I'll pay for it in the end with stress fractures and shin splints. Asics and Brooks are my two go-to brands!

Chef_Barbell

I spend way more on workout clothes than day to day clothes.

folgers86

Opposite here, I don't spend much money on workout clothes - I just need them to last and look a little flattering. I buy off brand workout capris (?) and they seem to last. The one thing I DONT skimp on are my shoes. Feet are important.

wanzik

Dirt cheap Walmart tank-tops. Dirt cheap Walmart shorts. Cheap to moderately priced compression shorts (under dirt cheap shorts. Dirt cheap socks. Reasonably priced shoes (on sale) - gotta have comfort there.

I spend more on day-to-day clothes but probably not much more. I'm cheap I guess. There are other things I prefer to spend money on.

dutchandkiwi

The bulk of my stuff comes from Decathlon and from sales. Most of it is cheap(ish) to midrange.
However I also have some nice stuff. My splashout on because I want some luxury and nice. Plus the last two doubled as holiday souvenirs.
They are; All Blacks Ladies shirt (NZ RUgby team) I feel oh so great strutting around in that one and the fit is magnificent. I also bought a nice Lorna Jane sweater in Australia. Love it!

silverfiend

The only expensive items are my running shoes. I buy my workout gear when it's on sale, but then I'm a guy and I don't care about how I look when exercising. I use old race shirts and blood donor shirts for my workouts.

Legs_McGee23

I like clothes, so I always buy stuff I think looks good, whether it's for day to day or working out. I've spent $60 on workout shorts from Athleta ... but I've had them for 5 or 6 years, washed them a million times, and they still look brand new. Running shoes - I'll spend $$$ on because I'm going to put a lot of miles on them. But I always look for sales and will also buy stuff from Target. One of my most favorite long sleeve tech shirts was $8 from Walmart.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

I do mostly Walmart, Target and Old Nay for work out clothes. I don't have to replace them that often and I promise no one gets an extra show when I squat.

My bike clothes are more expensive and don't come from Walmart, usually bike shops or the internet. My favorite chamios are actually in pretty affordable Pearl Izumi shots.

MelanieCN77

I'll spend on sports bras and shoes, but the rest is just cheap stuff I see that I like. I do have a couple really good pairs of capris from Athleta a few years ago, a pricey gamble to skate in that paid off - they are really durable. Mostly my pants are from Marshall's and whatever and I wear whatever t-shirt I feel like. I think I have two "workout" tops that are wicking, bought cheap at TJ Maxx or somewhere.

VS max support line of bras currently enable me to run without any discomfort, as a D cup this is important and I can't skimp. I did have a fantastic Champion running bra too but I killed it a while back.

MelanieCN77

ninjarunningskills wrote: »

I like clothes, so I always buy stuff I think looks good, whether it's for day to day or working out. I've spent $60 on workout shorts from Athleta ... but I've had them for 5 or 6 years, washed them a million times, and they still look brand new. Running shoes - I'll spend $$$ on because I'm going to put a lot of miles on them. But I always look for sales and will also buy stuff from Target. One of my most favorite long sleeve tech shirts was $8 from Walmart.

Athleta pants are the best! I have two pairs of capris that I wear to skate in and they get punished and hold up amazingly. The velcro off my gear and falling and sliding in them has hardly done anything to them, not to mention sweating in them couple times a week for a few years now.

texasleahgirl

I love the name brand stuff, but only buy it on sale. Same with shoes-I love the high quality brands but I go to an outlet because I wear them out so quickly--I would rather have last year's model/color than pay full price for the current. The one thing I do not skimp on are sports bras. Victoria's Secret workout line VSX is so worth the money--amazing support with a beautiful non-flattening shape, high quality, long-lasting and no uniboob!

Alidecker

Like other's, I spend more money on bras and shoes. Can't skimp on either one of those. For the rest of the stuff, I am all over the place....Target, WalMart, JC Penney, Fabletics, Nike, Under Armour. I do tend to find my favorite shorts or capris and wear them more than others. Shirts I am not picky...race shirts, plain t-shirts with a few nicer actual workout shirts thrown in.

PriceK01

My workouts consist of barbell training at home, so workout clothes are Old Navy. Inexpensive, yes, but also the only place I can get compression leggings in Tall. They last, fit me perfectly, and don't get see through during squats.

Recreation/Outdoor is where I drop the big bucks. Like NorthCascades and Peleroja said, keeping comfortable in extreme conditions is super important, and those items don't come cheap.

ChelzFit

I am a SAHM so most of my clothes consist of just workout wear, so I do spend a little more money on them. I buy a lot from Under Armour, but I tend to get it pretty cheap at the outlet or even on Ebay. I just started Fabletics, and so far I am loving the choices and I am happy with how it fits me. As for shoes, I pay a little more because as a runner I find that good support is important.

divcara

I love my lululemon. I love how it fits and how comfortable it is. I wear my workout clothes pretty much every day and take good care of it. I put a lot of time and investment into taking care of my body so it's my fun, happy reward purchases. I usually buy something new whenever I meet a new goal. The swifty tanks and speed shorts 4 way stretch are my favorites. I always end up going back to those, it's like my uniform. I like alo airbrushed capris and Oiselle sports bras. I work out at 5am and I lay out my outfit the night before. It's more motivating for me to jump out of bed when I have something all ready that I like wearing and makes me feel good to go out the door. Worth the cost to me.

lorrpb

I buy everything except shoes from Goodwill. I can always find a nice selection of good quality, name brand, high tech, lightly used (sometimes new) workout wear for $2- $10 per item. Now I just scan the racks for the weekly colored tag sale and see if there's anything I want. At these prices you can get something you like even if you don't "need" it.

Healthygeekster

I have found that the more I like my workout clothes the better motivated I am and even more confident! I have all range of pricing but I have never spent more than$40 on a single Item (not counting shoes). I just look for sales all over the place! Even amazon has high end brands for really cheap if you buy the offseason color. just have to look

TR0berts

Outside of my squat shoes and PL singlet (which are special equipment), pretty much whatever works and is comfortable. I haven't found a need for anything more expensive than a regular pair of gym shorts and a t-shirt.

bebeisfit

I spend a lot on shoes and am considering spending more on my clothes. I think the cheaper dri fit shirts tend to get stinky really fast. I just tossed out a shirt and bra because even though I had washed them, they were offensive.

I also spend money on good socks. Smart wool makes awesome socks that last a long time and fit well - I have big feet.

I will say that I do appreciate looking good in my workout clothes. I recently put on a long sleeve shirt for running that was way too tight in the spring and again wore it last week and it fit properly, I felt more like an athlete. My budget's pretty tight these days so I'll need to hunt down some clearance sale items, but won't go the super cheap route.

jdhcm2006

I don't go the cheap route. I purchase from Under Armor, Ivy Park, and Mika Yoga Wear. It all lasts a long time and is good quality.

JenHuedy

peleroja wrote: »

I buy what works well and look for sales.
I wear mostly kids' athletic gear as I'm fairly petite and it's half the price or less, so I'm always on the lookout for, like, kids' Nike Pro tights on clearance racks and that kind of thing.

I recently discovered the same thing! I was at the Underarmor outlet and couldn't figure out why two nearly identical tanks were so different in price. Then I realized that one was Girls and the other Women's. Tried on the Girls XL and it fit just like the Women's small. Saved a ton of $.

moesis

My workout clothes cost substantially more than my every day or work clothes. I have found that the cheap stuff needs to be replaced frequently and ends up costing more.