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Get Your Butt in Gear: Wicking Undies

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:30:00 -0800

When you work out, you get sweaty. Everywhere. Sweaty panties are just oh so uncomfortable. Also, dealing with cotton undies that bunch and ride all up in your business can be a pain too.

So I found some high performance panties from Patagonia. These hipsters, although $20 apiece, are totally worth the dough. You wouldn't wear a sports bra made of cotton so why would you wear cotton undies? These are made with a soft, breathable, moisture-wicking blend of nylon and spandex fabric, so you can work up a sweat and not feel like you peed in your pants.

The waistband is extra-wide, and they sit at your hips so you don't have to worry about them peeking out the top of your lowrider running skirt, shorts, or pants. And the best part? There are no annoying seams to deal with.

They come in tons of cute colors and designs. To see a close-up, click on the picture below.

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Get Your Butt in Gear: Warm Baselayers From Patagonia

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:30:00 -0800

Are you into active Winter sports? Then you've got to wear a baselayer shirt and pants that are made to both insulate your body heat and wick sweat away from your skin. Ones made out of Capilene are great because they're reasonably priced and very comfortable. Since they're made with polyester, they don't really let your skin breathe. If you're prone to body breakouts, be sure to change out of these as soon as you're done playing in the snow.

Ones made from 100% merino wool are pricier, but in my opinion they are well worth the extra dough. They're made out of a natural fabric that has exceptional wicking abilities. Since merino wool is a natural fiber, it lets your skin breathe and won't stink when you sweat. The one thing that does stink about this material is that if your skin is sensitive, it may feel a little itchy, but washing it a few times should help fix that problem.

It comes down to personal preference and these are some of my favorites made by Patagonia.

Fit for November: Must Haves

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0700

November is here! The month of my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving! I love celebrating the harvest with seasonal foods. Ahhh...but there is so much more to this month than just one seriously food-centered holiday.

To see why I consider these items fit for November just

What You Need for Fall Trail Running

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Some runners are ecstatic when the summer heat waves goodbye and the crisp autumn air moves in. It's like free air-conditioning, because you bundle yourself up in lightweight layers for your run, and when you start to warm up, you just peel them off and the fall breeze cools you down.

Trail running is one of my favorite things to do in the fall. Since the air is so cold, you don't have to worry about voracious mosquitoes attacking you (that's why I don't trail run on hot days). You do need to watch the ground carefully though, since leaves may be covering hidden ditches, rocks and twigs. That always adds to the excitement though, and because there's so much to be aware of, there's no time to get bored.

Here are a few pieces of gear to make your fall trail running more enjoyable:

Get Your Butt in Gear: Patagonia Lightweight Fleece

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

September is here and whether you like it or not, the weather is starting to cool off. I'm a little sad that warm weather is dwindling away, but I am psyched to spend more time outside. The cooler weather of autumn makes exercising outside much more pleasant and safe, since you don't have to worry as much about overheating. You do need to wear extra layers though.

Every outdoorswoman needs to have a great fleece. I love this one from Patagonia - the Lightweight R4 Jacketa, because it's simple yet practical.

It's not too big and bulky, so it won't get in the way when you move. Plus the best part is that this fleece is windproof, so you'll stay extra warm. I also like the fact that the shoulders are seamless, so if you are wearing a backpack, the seams won't dig into you. Pockets are a necessity and this jacket has three - 2 hand pockets, and 1 on your chest.

I know that $200 may seem kind of pricey, but remember that even though this jacket is lightweight, it'll still keep you as warm as thicker fleeces because it's windproof. Plus it's a great jacket to layer underneath a hardshell or down jacket for the winter. It's also 100% recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program. Order it from Patagonia in Aquatic Blue, Poppy Fields (both shown), Black, and Safety Green.

Patagonia's Common Threads Recycling Program

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Do you ever think about how much stuff ends up in the trash? So much crap ends up in the dump after we're done using it, and most of it won't biodegrade.

The people over at Patagonia are working to help this problem. In 2005 they launched their Common Threads Recycling Program. Customers can return their worn out Capilene Performance Baselayers to Patagonia for recycling. They've also added Patagonia fleece, Polartec fleece from other manufacturers, and Patagonia organic cotton T-shirts to their list of recyclables.

Their long-term goal is to take environmental responsibility for everything they make. After you give up your used clothes, they use the recycled materials to make new clothes. Here's a crazy (and long) video explaining Patagonia's program. It talks about recycling your "undies," but they are referring to capilene long underwear (also called baselayers).

Doing a little end of summer closet clean-out and interested in recycling your old clothes? To find out how

Get Your Butt in Gear: Patagonia Capilene Baselayer

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Now that we're coming up on the end of August, the mornings and evenings are beginning to cool down. If you love to workout during this time of day, your shorty shorts and tank top just aren't going to cut it. You'll need a thin extra layer to keep you warm.

I absolutely love this Capilene 1 Scoop from Patagonia. It's soft, silky, and very comfortable. You can layer it over a tank top, or wear it right next to your skin (it's not at all itchy like some wool baselayers can be). It will wick away sweat, dry fast, and keep you warm. If you get too hot, you can easily slip it off and tie it around your waist (it's so thin and lightweight, you won't even feel it).

It's highly breathable and made of polyester that's 100% recycled, and also 100% recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program. Usually polyester can retain odor, but this Capilene has Gladiodor™ natural odor control, so it won't stink.

This is a must if you like working out in late Summer/early Fall weather. Order it for $38 in Black, White, Wild Poppies (Pale Blossoms), Wild Poppies (white), or Tinted Ice.

Get Your Butt in Gear: Patagonia Summer Wear

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I love Patagonia's gear because everything I have from them is well made and comfortable. I know it can get a little pricey but they have a great idea behind their clothing recycling program and I like supporting companies who support the environment. Here are two pieces for summer that caught my eye recently:

I am in love with this W's Sleeveless Gal-Tee ($35.00) because the super soft jersey knit fabric of the Sleeveless Gal-Tee manages moisture and dries quickly to keep you cool. However, it looks and feels like smooth, soft cotton and resists pilling. The sleeveless design emphasizes shoulder and back motion making it ideal for rock climbing, yoga and days when you're lifting weights. Buy it directly from Patagonia.com.

Pair it with these ultra stretchy jersey-knit W's Morning Glory Capris ($55.00) to keep moisture away from your skin and dry fast. The interior is smooth and skin-friendly (i.e., no chaffing). The fit is very motion friendly and is also enhanced with 5" vents on the back of each flared leg to keep cool. Buy them directly from Patagonia.com.

Get Your Butt in Gear: Patagonia Synchilla Vest

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Tis' the season for layering and April is all about being green too (maybe you didn't hear that April 22nd is Earth Day).

This Patagonia Synchilla Vest ($70.00) seems to be the perfect layering workout piece this spring. The vest provides year-round core warmth without all the bulk. What's more? It's made from 100 percent recycled double-faced polyester fleece and there just happens to be one in meadow green...I'm just saying. I'm thinking this would be a great addition to your weekend hike or that chilly early AM run. Buy it from Patagonia.com.

This vest, along with their Common Threads Garment Recycling program provides yet another reason to love Patagonia. Great company.

Spring Exercise Tip: Wear Layers

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 10:15:00 -0700

I know now that it's officially Spring, you're getting all excited to enjoy exercising outside. Maybe you recently set a goal to run outside or you just got your bike tuned up, and now you're ready to sweat in the fresh air.

Before heading out you want to make sure you're dressed properly in layers. Even though the sun is shining and the snow's all gone, you don't want to sport just your new running skirt and wicking sports bra just yet.

The air is still a little chilly, and if you sweat, you don't want your clothes and skin to get wet and make you cold. You want to wear lightweight layers made out of some kind of wicking material that will pull any moisture away from your skin. Wear a few layers so you'll stay warm, and if you get too hot, you can easily peel off a shirt or two and tie them around your waist.

Fit's Tips: Get yourself a short sleeve and long-sleeve shirt to wear such as ones like these from Patagonia. They are made of lightweight Capilene that's made to pull moisture away from your body and evaporate quickly. If you are the type of person who gets realy hot, Patagonia also makes Tank Tops made out of the same wicking material.

Get in Gear: Wicking Undies

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Don't these just scream SPRING!? Are these too cute to be functional? Not for Patagonia. These are their Women's Active Hipsters.

I know when I'm working up a sweat, I hate that gross wet feeling I get (ladies - I KNOW you know what I'm talking about). Also, I hate dealing with my cotton undies that bunch and ride up when they get wet.

Well these are some high performance panties - They're breathable and made out of soft, moisture-wicking fabric, so you won't feel like you peed in your pants.

The waistband is extra-wide so that it stays put and hidden beneath lowrider running skirts, shorts, or pants. And the best part? There are no annoying seams to deal with.

For $18, you can get these cute undies from Patagonia in Blue Reef (as shown), Flamingo Pink, Sailboat Blue, White, or Black.

Patagonia's Common Threads Garment Recycling

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:30:03 -0800

If you're like me, you like to have a new fleece every year. This means I end up with favorites while my older fleeces just sit in the back of my closet.

In 2005 Patagonia launched Common Threads Garment Recycling Program, through which customers can return their worn out Capilene Performance Base layers to them for recycling. They've now added Patagonia fleece, Polartec fleece from other manufacturers and Patagonia organic cotton T-shirts to their list of recyclables.

How do YOU do it:
It's very easy. Simply wash them first and use one of the following collection methods:

Mail them to the Patagonia Service Center at
Patagonia Service Center
ATTN: Common Threads Recycling Program
8550 White Fir Street
Reno, NV 89523-8939
Drop them off at the Patagonia Retail Store nearest you or at one of their Performance Baselayer Dealers.

Why YOU should do it: Recycling your old garments gives the satisfaction of knowing that your old polyester garments will not end up in a landfill or an incinerator, and that future Patagonia products will require significantly less virgin polyester (less oil) than products from season's past.

Great ideas from a great brand, it doesn't get much better than that! To learn more, check out Patagonia.com.

Wicked Awesome Wicking

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 11:58:08 -0800

Do you get blisters when you work out? Sweat can soften your skin, which will make you more prone to blisters when your foot rubs against your shoes. Then the friction can tear softer skin and cause blisters -- Ouch!

A sock that keeps your foot drier will help to prevent blisters from forming. Socks with wicking will help to wick (or draw) the moisture away from your foot to keep your tootsies dry and blister free.

I like: Patagonia's Lightweight Endurance Ankle Socks ($14.50) are lightweight and airy, with enough ankle coverage to stop the sock from slipping in the shoe. Buy them here.

Or you can try: Nike's AirMax 360 Dri-Fit Tab Sock ($7). Dri-FIT properties wick away moisture for rapid evaporation and cooler, drier wear and Air Max technology cushions feet against impact. Buy them here.

Fit's Tip: If you're blister prone then pre-treat problem areas. So say you always get blisters on your heels, pad them with moleskin prior to working out.