A few days ago while on vacation, I went for a run at 7:45 a.m.; it was already 80 degrees. By the time I finished an hour later, it was 93. They say your brain is ready to quit before your body is and that’s definitely true so help your brain out with workout wear you’re actually excited about! I have never had a good workout in clothes that I don’t feel comfortable in and now with so many new fitness brands, there is no excuse not to step up my gym game. What’s so great about many of the new brands is that they really do an amazing job at combining fitness with fashion. One of the best examples of that is Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL).
I’ve been running in the shoes pictured above (on APL for $150) – they’re so cool-looking, the image doesn’t even do them justice – but not only do they look fantastic, they perform fantastically. They’re so breathable you can actually feel the wind getting into your shoes (which when you’re running in 93 degrees is really important!!). I’ve also had great run times every time I’ve run with these. I’ve had zero blisters or any kind of foot pain, and they don’t seem to get smelly or super sweaty (again, because they are breathable). APL’s sneakers were barred from use by the NBA for providing an “undue competitive advantage,” so as far as fashion x function, these are pretty much the ultimate.
Apparel-wise, if you like bright prints, check out Prismsport. Their pants, which fit true to size, are not only comfortable and easy to move in, but they don’t get smelly or sticky even if you sweat a lot. I love Lululemon but my leggings from them usually end up smelling really bad, really quickly, especially as I wash them more often. For vibrant prints in more subtle colorways, check out Gaiam and Gap Fit, which I’ve already written about. Love them and ditto with them when it comes to wear; they feel great and aren’t stinky. On a side note, Prismsport does a lot of store exclusives which means that unlike your Nike and Lululemon prints, you won’t be wearing prints that many women around you have and Gap Fit has sales all the time on their already very reasonably-priced pieces.