Most comfortable workout clothes

iplayoutside19

I have no doubt that many of the exercise clothes and equipment perform as promised by the manufacturers. It is just that I view these things as solutions to problems that do not exist. When I work out, I sweat. There is no clothing that is going to stop this.

For the longest time my work out attire was a t-shirt I didn't care about and some $4 basketball shorts I bought at Wal-Mart. That worked fine for about the first year. I have a collection of t-shirts that are pretty much sweat stained. However, as I got into longer runs and work-outs, like over an hour. Problems began to exist. Like skin irritation in certain areas.

This is the kind of stuff I would never by for myself. But last year I got a gift card to Richard's Sporting Goods and bought a technical workout shirt. I still sweat buckets when I work out, but this shirt took care of the skin irritation issues entirely. I went back and bought another one with my own money, just to throw it into the rotation.

I still use the Wally Gym Shorts, but for stuff that is closest to my body I certainly value the higher priced gear. Doesn't mean I'm going to run out and buy it. But as I have opportunities to aqurie it I will.

Bottom Line, If your stuff works for you don't upgrade. However, If the opportunity presents itself it's something you might want to look at especially if you work out in extreme temps, or go for a long time.

badgerbadger1

The cheapest set of sweats and t-shirts I can find at Walmart.

I am not at the gym to look good. I am at the gym to exercise!

Even with my running I am using cheap shoes. I read a couple of articles about how overly padded running shoe soles lead to heel first running and then to back and leg injury. While flat style shoes encourage "flat" foot running which has less injury problems.

I have no doubt that many of the exercise clothes and equipment perform as promised by the manufacturers. It is just that I view these things as solutions to problems that do not exist. When I work out, I sweat. There is no clothing that is going to stop this.

And, as far as looking good. I will save that for the clothes I wear out in public.

For running, never ever go cheap on the shoes. Go cheap on everything else, but never the shoes. If you're running, the shoes will make or break you. Wearing cheap shoes that aren't fitted to your gait and provide improper support to the areas that you need for your gait will wreck your knees at minimum. I'm running to get healthy, not to get injured.

emily356

I wear the dri-cotton mens t-shirts. Sometimes I can find them at WalMart. I am really hot natured and live in South Alabama.:) Those shirts are super thin. I have some of the Target workout pants too, that I like, but honestly, I love those Danskin now capris and pants from WalMart. Super cheap!!! The size is big to me. I wear a 10 or 12 pants, but buy a medium pant. I usually do go small though, cause I hate for them to hang in the crotch!! Not comfortable while exercising!!!

sjohnny

I have several Under Armour shirts that I wear. Some short sleeve and some long sleeve - a couple of the long sleeve are "cold gear". I bought all of them either at the bargain cave at Cabela's or the Under Armour outlet store on the clearance rack. I have yet to pay more than $8 for an Under Armour shirt. I have some UA shorts that I got on clearance for $15. The wicking/quick drying fabrics make it a whole lot more comfortable as I sweat like a freakin horse.

I did not skimp on my running shoes. I have a history of knee and back issues and my feet are kind of ganky so I went to a running store and got fitted and checked out and tried on a ****-ton of shoes to find the ones that were perfect for me. They make all the difference in the world. I have also discovered that socks make a difference. I have several pair of Injinji socks that feel awesome on my feet and some Asics running socks that are pretty good too.

karinefitness

My shoes are Nikes, but for clothes, I usually get them at Old Navy. The sport bras are cute and their pants are fine also. I get my tank tops at American Eagle.
I might buy brand names if I can get them on special, but I don't want to pay $60 for a Lululemon bra. Although they are very cute :-)

dfborders

My sneakers I always buy on clearance but a decent brand. As far as clothes - cheap gym/basketball shorts from Walmart's men's section and the breathable/sweat resistant shirts at Target (if you watch Target's circular you can usually find them on sale at certain times of the year for about $11-$12).


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

Mustangsally1000

I've been wondering the same thing lately. I've been wearing cheap yoga pants from giant tiger and a regular t-shirt, but I find the pants stretch out after the first couple of washes and unless you want to spend your workout hiking up your pants, they become useless fairly qucikly lol
My gym is filled to the brims with girls decked out in head to toe Lulu lemon on any given day. I LOVE the look of Lulu but being a mom of two young boys, $100+ yoga pants just arn't in the budget for me!
So if anyone has any suggestions on comfortable workout clothes that don't break the bank but last longer than a week, I'd love to hear them

I get my yoga pants at Target.. between $15 and $20, depending on the sale. They don't stretch out and last....well, so far, they've lasted over a year.

phatsoslim

I wear whatever is on sale for working out. I save my Lululemon shirts for going out in public. I tried a pair of Lululemon Yoga pants on for the first time the other day. They were nice but not worth the $108.00plus tax pricetag. I can get a similar yoga pant from JOE. My sister told me that Lululemon and JOE pants are made in the same factory. (don't know if that is true or not, but most likely is)

heathersmilez

At home, I'm a fan of old t-shirts and my high school gym shorts. At the gym, I loved wearing bright $3 shelf tanks over a black sports bra and I am a big advocate of finding the best deal and money does NOT make the item better but then my mother in law bought me a hot pink Lululemon scoop t-back shirt and I love it! The wicking fabric is nice and it really is the most supportive wokout top/bra I own. I watch myself in a mirror during spinning and it's nice to not be distracted by so much movement, lol!

Of course now I want to wear this top everyday to the gym, get the $60+ tax worth out of it but it being hot pink and attracting eyes at the gym I`ll just look like a weirdo refusing to change my closes, ah well!

Plus, now take this from me, the ultimate DEALHNTR (yup, its my plate) feeling pretty at the gym actually helps! Yes I'm a size 8/medium in lulu tops (small in pants) so I'm not where I want to be yet but if you look good, you feel good.

heathersmilez

I wear whatever is on sale for working out. I save my Lululemon shirts for going out in public. I tried a pair of Lululemon Yoga pants on for the first time the other day. They were nice but not worth the $108.00plus tax pricetag. I can get a similar yoga pant from JOE. My sister told me that Lululemon and JOE pants are made in the same factory. (don't know if that is true or not, but most likely is)

On the topic of pants, mine were all from Stitches, $10 and wonderful but my mom bought me an upgrade for Christmas, Costco pants, I think they are $19-29 and they are better! They don't fall down which is my biggest issue and before I always had to buy the fold-over style to unfold the back during spinning and the material will last longer, not fade out in the bum or look older like cotton pants do.

In addition, they sell longer sizes and I can avoid the $100+ Lulu cost just to fit my legs. Size small pants fit me best in the body but being 5'8 means its hard to find pants long enought.

badgerbadger1

I wear whatever is on sale for working out. I save my Lululemon shirts for going out in public. I tried a pair of Lululemon Yoga pants on for the first time the other day. They were nice but not worth the $108.00plus tax pricetag. I can get a similar yoga pant from JOE. My sister told me that Lululemon and JOE pants are made in the same factory. (don't know if that is true or not, but most likely is)

Great tip! The only thing I hate about Joe is there's no fitting rooms at RCS

Articeluvsmemphis

I only swear by the ENELL sports bra, holds everything in place, period! but as far as workout clothes, it's a total waste of money to sweat in something over 15bucks. Walmart or Target = cute, comfortable, appropriate workout attire, and you are set. the only place you want to invest in is shoes and a good bra if you have a larger chest.

PippaJo_

I love the clothes I've gotten at Target. Their yoga pants are super-comfy, and have held up really well. (Strangely enough, I like the gray ones better than the black - they're supposedly the same, but the gray fabric is softer, and a little longer.) I work out in them, sleep in them, wear them around the house - and I've had the same two pairs (plus some shorts) for over three years - still going strong.

I'm really happy with the Target tops too - I can't remember what the brands are, I probably got a mix of the house brand whatever else they sell. The ones with the built-in bras are fabulous - they stay put, wick sweat, are snug enough that they don't go anywhere, and I don't hang out, but not so snug as to be uncomfortable, or chafe. Of course, my 'girls' are on the small side, so I don't need that much support.

Target is the way to go - cheap enough that I can get a bunch of cute stuff and keep it in rotation, so it all stays in good condition.

FabCheeky

yeah, the running shoes are an issue too. I teach zumba and rebounding classes and our floor is a weird kind of spongy stuff that it's easy to stick to. I need to find shoes with barely any tread.

And thanks for the heads up on the sports bra, I'm gonna look it up now

The Capezios LOOK like they have a lot of tread, but it's some kind of crazy slippy foam thing. I can't explain how awesome they are. I do a lot of Zumba on carpet---which is hell on your knees and ankles. These shoes allow me to SLIDE ON CARPET. Seriously. I can glide, turn, twist with no problem. It's insane. I have yet to try them out on a super waxed wood floor...so be careful if you work out on that kind of surface. If your floor is 'grabby'...do yourself a favor, get to a dance shop and try out some shoes. Bloch and Capezio are the top two brands, but I hear that some people like the Nike Musiques.

AmyRhubarb

I'm in the Target, TJMaxx, Ross, Marshall's crowd. I like the wicking fabrics, especially in the winter because they dry fast, and cotton stays wet and I get cold as I cool down. I always watch the clearance racks at the discount stores, especially TJ Maxx - I see to have good luck finding things there, and have scored some nice brand name stuff for cheap! Even shoes - I go for good ones, and often find my favorite brands (New Balance, Asics, etc) for under $40 at TJ Maxx, Marshall's, & Ross.

Allie_71

thanks for the fantastic advice everyone!!

Shoechick5

Tar and feather me now, I'm a lululemon girl 90% of the time. I live right by the Vancouver Outlet so don't pay retail but they hold up like nothing else. My $98 yoga pants have been to hell and back on 6 or 7 mile hikes through snow, sleet and copious amounts of Vancouver rain over the years and look brand new. I probably could live without ever buying a new piece of workout clothing as they just don't wear out and don't lose their shape. The only piece I've ever lost was to a dog's claw.

KyleB65

The cheapest set of sweats and t-shirts I can find at Walmart.

I am not at the gym to look good. I am at the gym to exercise!

Even with my running I am using cheap shoes. I read a couple of articles about how overly padded running shoe soles lead to heel first running and then to back and leg injury. While flat style shoes encourage "flat" foot running which has less injury problems.

I have no doubt that many of the exercise clothes and equipment perform as promised by the manufacturers. It is just that I view these things as solutions to problems that do not exist. When I work out, I sweat. There is no clothing that is going to stop this.

And, as far as looking good. I will save that for the clothes I wear out in public.

This is not intended as a contradiction. Never get too cheap or too flat. Check with a specialist. I get a check from the VA every month due to cheap shoes. We did a lot of runing in the Marines. When I first enlisted I knew nothing about the propper footwear or arch supports... Uncle Sam didn't offer a choice in boot camp and very few looked into it further when we hit the fleet. we figured uncle sam wouldn't lead us astray.

When you go for cheap shoes, they come with either no, or insuficient arch supports. When you run on those it starts to put too much strain on the arches. Over time your arches can drop due to the strain. when the arches fall it forces the leg bones to rotate inwards (right leg counter clockwise, and left clockwise). then it's a chain reaction. Legs rotate inwards, pelvic bone rotates forward, and then pressure is increased to the outside of the vertibre. that is the problem I developed. Doc said it created an "un-natural curve". In other words the MRI showed that the disc at S2-S3 had degenerated due to the pressure. From the side it looked like a triangle instead of the rectangle it should look like.

Next time anyone is behind a person in line wearing flip-flops take a look at their ankles. If there is a curve from the inside of their calf to their foot, to the floor they are going to have back problems if they don't already.



The foot on the left shows what I mean. they will have back problems.

Apologies if I pointed anyone in a direction where they would hurt themselves.

I should have mentioned. I run 3 - 5 K at a time. And, when I am in the gym I workout barefoot. (Most of my gym cardio is gained from skipping, or martial arts)

My point should have been better written.

If anyone is out to run anymore than a few K at a time. They should look for good shoes.

My opinion however is that many "running" shoes have over padded soles/heels and this leads to a poor foot strike while running and can also lead to foot/heel/back injuries. And, many "running" shoes are over priced.

Lastly, during the non-snow months, my preferred cardio exercise is biking. Partly because I do not want to kill my knees running long distances.

emily356

I agree with the ankle thing. I have really flat feet, and my ankles look like that when I am barefoot. I have to have really paddes shoes just for walking. I have lots of hip, back, and neck issues...

karinefitness

Tar and feather me now, I'm a lululemon girl 90% of the time. I live right by the Vancouver Outlet so don't pay retail but they hold up like nothing else. My $98 yoga pants have been to hell and back on 6 or 7 mile hikes through snow, sleet and copious amounts of Vancouver rain over the years and look brand new. I probably could live without ever buying a new piece of workout clothing as they just don't wear out and don't lose their shape. The only piece I've ever lost was to a dog's claw.

I wish there was an outlet in Montreal, I might shop there, too! But at regular price; it's just too much.