Looking Fit: Dress like a Pro Athlete without Breaking the Bank

Think fitness gear is becoming too expensive? Don’t sweat it. You don’t have to break the bank to sport stylish active wear, so here’s our roundup of top fitness gear, and which ones are worth saving on vs splurging.

SPLURGE:

SHOES

Finding sneakers that offer the right amount of support and comfort can not only make a difference in the quality of your workout, but will also prevent all types of injuries such as muscle soreness and shin splints that can appear when wearing unsupportive footwear. If you’re planning to spend some serious dough on shoes, you might as well make them your own. Prominent sportswear brands like Nike and Adidas allow you to customize your own sneakers, making a purchase feel even more special when it arrives at your door. 

SPORTS BRAS

Supportive sports bras become gradually more important as the impact of your exercise increases. For example, taking a yoga class means you may be able to get away with an inexpensive crop top. However, going for a run with a loose sports bra will cause damage to the ligaments holding the breast tissue in place, which will ultimately lead to sagging. Give your girls the structure and shape they deserve- even if it costs you a pretty penny.

LEGGINGS

While we don’t recommend dropping $100 on every pair of yoga pants you own, it’s still a good idea to invest in high performance leggings that will stay in place during your workout. Not only will the fabric be more durable and flexible, it will also absorb sweat, meaning you can leave your workout and not look like you just fell into a pool. If you’re looking for the perfect combination of quality and style, we recommend checking out the leggings made by Outdoor Voices.

SAVE:

FITNESS TRACKER

Monitoring your daily fitness levels shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. With innovative products like the Mi Band (which retails at $14.99), you can measure your daily activity levels, amount of calories burned and even the length and quality of your sleep. While the athleisure world is dominated by pricey goods, fitness trackers should be accessories you can afford. If you don’t feel like sporting a fitness monitor on your wrist, there's also plenty of free fitness apps that will track your steps and calories burned per day.

TOPS

If you’re already wearing a quality sports bra, there’s no real reason to splurge on an exercise top too. However, if you’re going to purchase an inexpensive shirt, look for one that is made with breathable, sweat-absorbing fabric. Forever 21’s athleisure line offers a range of affordable and chic sportswear that may even inspire you to hit the gym, or at least offer the illusion that you’re heading there. 

WATER BOTTLE

At the end of the day, a water bottle is a bottle that holds water. There’s certainly a range of premium water bottles out there that will promise you the world, but we still don’t recommend spending more than $10-$15 on a water bottle that will likely last you for years to come. 

THE FINISH LINE:

At the end of the day, a workout is more about the effort you put into it and not what you wear - though confidence in your outer appearance can make all the difference.