| Work Out Right By: Alleliah Nuguid It’s a new academic year, and perhaps you have already made some resolu- tions: Get straight A’s. Sleep eight hours every night. Maintain an exercise routine. For that last one, you need to dress the part: exercise clothes and accessories are essential to a comfort- able, manageable workout. When making a trip to the gym, it’s important to trade in jeans and flip- flops for appropriate exercise clothing. This includes, at the very least, a sports bra, exercise pants or shorts, and proper shoes. Be sure to keep in mind the specifics of your workout activities when purchasing workout clothes. Temperature is important—will you jog outside in the early hours of the morning, bike in the afternoon, or rock the elliptical at the nearest gym? Would you prefer a pair of shorts or pants? Shorts might be more comfortable, but there is the uncomfortable possibility of chafing after rigorous exercise, depending on what you’re doing. There are lines of clothing that specialize in exercise clothes designed just for women. One of these is Persona Activewear, founded by Katie Healy. Persona products are made with comfort in mind. “What a lot of companies do is assume that if you’re buying exercise clothes to wear, you’ re skinny,” explains Katie. “A lot of women may be skinny, but they like to wear looser fitting clothing.” Loosely fitting pants are generally a good choice because they allow for easier movement. According to Katie, “a lot of people think exercise clothing should be disposable.” However, the best choice is exercise clothing that lasts a long time. It’s more comfortable, and it’s a better motivator for exercise than an old pair of shorts you would otherwise have no purpose for. It’s important to find exercise clothes that work best for you, including your body type and your personal sense of style. “Search for things that fit you well, that you can breathe in and move in, in styles that you like,” advises Kavya, a student at the University of California at San Diego with two years of crew experience. If you get poorly fitting clothing in a style you don’t like, you won’t want to work out. Katie and Kavya agree that even more important than clothes are proper shoes. It is absolutely crucial for them to be comfortable and fit well. “The shoes are all-important because bad shoes can actually cause damage to your feet and other joints in the body from improper alignment,” Kavya warns. She recommends cross-training shoes, which are designed to give good support for any sport. “It’s okay to splurge on good shoes or arch- pads to put in your shoes for added comfort,” she adds. If you’re sure about your workout, it might be best to go ahead and get shoes specifically made for that sport. There are shoes designed for basketball, football, running, and other sports. Find a store with exercise clothing near you. Persona Activewear products, for example, are sold in several states (http://personaactivewear. com/stores.asp). And don’t be afraid to ask someone for help-athletic store staff is trained to do just that! The bottom line is that comfort and personal preference are key when you’ re looking for exercise clothes. Whether your sport of choice is soccer or yoga, find the clothes that are right for you. |
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