Whether it's chilly in the studio before moving through Sun Salutations or you don't feel comfortable baring a lot of skin, these lightweight long-sleeved layers have got you covered. They're technical enough to allow the skin to breathe and remain dry, but stylish enough to catch up with a friend after class.
Are you far from flat chested? People may be envious of your generously portioned girls, but you know all too well how difficult they can make working out. Getting a good sports bra is key, but unless your top has a higher neckline, you'll be showing three inches of cleavage you'd rather keep to yourself. To keep your chest covered, here are some stylish yet functional tops you can feel confident wearing while working out.
It's Spring! Time to rip off that Patagonia down jacket and throw on a lightweight hoodie and a tank instead. Check out what we'll be sporting on our Spring hikes, runs, and bike rides (clockwise starting from the top left): Athleta PR tank ($59), Y-3 Cut-Out tank ($47), Lululemon scoop neck tank ($52), Zobha Amelia tank ($62), Lucy Propel tank ($35), Lucy Karma racerback tank ($30), Athleta Nadi tank ($59)
Now that you've learned how to perfectly coif your new workout hairstyle, I'm going to show you some accessories that can be paired up with your rocking fitness-do. Even if you have a tight fitting bun or braid, sometimes flyaways falling in your face are inevitable. I like to double up a mini clip with a tight elastic, but even those aren't foolproof. Here are some other stylish hair accessory suggestions that are sure to combat those pesky loose hairs.
We see our fair share of press releases. And while some are on the "meh" side, a few are too good not to share — like the one I received this week from Lucy activewear. From now until the end of August, Lucy is giving a 20 percent discount to anyone who competes in a race and brings her bib into one of its retail locations. To sweeten the deal, if you place in the top three and are wearing Lucy when you do it, you get a free tank and pant from its Propel collection. My suggestion is to bring in your bib on one of Lucy's Fitness Friday events; it's a great way to connect with the fitness community in your area and take a free class!
If you're thinking about racing, here are some resources to get you started:
Spring weather is all about the bumpy transition between Winter and Summer. Since the move toward warmer weather is never direct, dressing for this volatile season requires layering. And in my opinion, it also helps to have a hoodie. When an unexpected wind kicks up, slip on your hood and battle the elements fashionably. Here are five fit hoodies I have my eye on for the Spring season.
I'm no FitSugar so the idea of spending any more than $20 on a pair of workout pants hadn't occurred to me ever. . . until I tried on the new Perfect Core Pants ($98) that Lucy sent me to test out while I battle the baby weight. Made to encourage body alignment while working out, the "power mesh" zones offer targeted support (also known as sucking a mama in and making her look better), which can boost a flabby and sleep deprived girl's confidence as she heads to the gym to shed her postpartum pounds. Traditional workouts aside, these comfy pants have the perfect amount of stretch for a mom to keep up with kids on the monkey bars and appear slightly more put together in the carpool lane. I wish I had had a pair to wear home from the hospital after my son was born. New moms swear by Spanx and waist cinchers to streamline their post delivery spillage, but for ladies who find those products too restrictive, these pants are a nice alternative that can serve other purposes for the hefty price. Available in practical black and navy, the well-made bottoms match with everything else in a woman's wardrobe. If you want to complete the gym ensemble, check out Fit's review of the coordinating top!
The Pilates instructor in me knows that we can all use a little help remembering to keep our abs engaged. I was intrigued by the technology behind the new Perfect Core Racerback ($64) by Lucy, so I asked them to send me one to test out.
First off, I know that $64 is a bit steep for a workout shirt. However, this is the only top with a built in bra that I have tried in recent history that actually provided enough support for all my cardio action minus running. I like a lot of support for those long runs. The built in bra is made with separate molded cups, adding a little extra oomph to the chest and keeping all things nipple from showing.
The front of the shirt is lined with supportive mesh material Lucy calls xBAR technology (eXtreme Body Reforming & Alignment). It is certainly flattering; it pulls the tummy in just a bit. It's also supportive, partially because it is tight in an oddly pleasant compressive way, and it did remind me to keep core engaged. I was worried it might feel a bit like a corset when working out, but it didn't.
Although the Perfect Core Tank will definitely make it into my rotation of fave fitness wear, I do have a couple of problems with the top. To learn them, read more
When it comes to fitness wear, I love Lucy. This sporty company is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, not with cake but with a one-day sale. All day Friday, Nov. 6, you can save 30 percent on all regularly priced merchandise. Just print this coupon and head to your local Lucy store (here is the store locator ) or if you're more of an online shopper us this code: HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Here are few items I have my eyes on:
Occasionally, I come across a pair of yoga pant that I just never want to take off and lately Hatha Power Pant ($88) by Lucy have become my second skin. Made from Lucy's powermax fabric, a mixture of nylon and lycra, these pants are designed to manage the moisture that can accompany a sweaty yoga class. Wicking fabrics are important for yoga too. The low-rise waistband is super comfy and placement of the seams makes the pants extremely flattering. My husband comments how much he likes these pants every time he sees me in them, which these days is frequently. In honor of National Yoga Month, Lucy is donating five percent of the sales from the Hatha Power Pant to Off the Mat, Into the World. This yoga inspired non-profit organization, created by activist yogi Seane Corn, seeks to change the world by inspiring yoga students to become involved in their local community and the global community to create positive change in the world. Lucy is so dedicated to this organization that they are offering free shipping on the Hatha Power Pant through the end of September. If you're looking for a new pair of luxury yoga pants, good for Pilates and weight training as well, try the Hatha Power Pant. They might just get you onto the mat, and you will probably wear them out in the world.
A couple more notes on the pants: They fit well and might run a bit large, so if you're between sizes I would go for the smaller size. These pants wash up well, just line dry them to protect their wicking qualities.
