Today’s outfit post is taking a bit of a departure from the norm.
Before we moved, Justin and I were on a schedule of going to the gym 4 times a week, sometimes more. However, when we moved it was time to cancel our gym membership and start the search for a new location. It took a few months, between unpacking, adjusting, and just being lazy. Oops. It happens.
Thankfully, our community center is only a few blocks away from our house, and it has a nice little gym inside. So, for the last three weeks we’ve been starting up our routine again…this time with more intensity than before. Our previous gym was large, and the free weight section was always filled with big, muscle bound men. I won’t lie: seeing them all in there pumping iron totally intimidated me, and I would refuse to step foot in that area, even with Justin by my side. I always felt bad because I knew Justin wanted to venture to that area where he could use larger weights, and I was keeping us trapped with using weight machines instead of free weights.
Things have luckily changed with the new gym! To be honest, we are probably some of the youngest people that go in the gym, but that isn’t a bad thing to me. The machines and equipment are clean, and the free weights room is never all that busy. Justin and I have started back up with weight training, and are able to do more intense exercises than we could with the machines. Right now I don’t look like I have much going on in the muscle department (shame on me for being lazy and letting my previous hard work go to waste), but hopefully in a few weeks you’ll start to notice some changes. I haven’t worked my upper body out this hard in a very long time…maybe since around the time we got married when I was bent on having some great looking guns.
My attire for the gym has evolved over time. I used to be the girl who threw on a large, old tee shirt and a pair of cotton shorts. Oh, how silly I was. I know there’s the reasoning along the lines of, “I’m at the gym to sweat, it isn’t a fashion show,” but buying and wearing proper athletic attire for the gym will not only make you look better, but it will keep you feeling cooler. Just an example: large old cotton tee – there’s no moisture wicking in that fabric! As soon as you sweat, the shirt will soak it up…you’ll feel hotter…and you’ll look a mess. The moisture wicking tank I have on? Looks pretty, and keeps the heat off.
And can we talk about compression pants/tights? Ladies, these are your friends. No more baggy cotton shorts…compression tights do just what the name implies: they compress. I feel so held together in these things: they’re worth it. And I actually have been very impressed with the ones I’ve purchased at Old Navy – they only run you around $20 a pair, and they come in cropped legging length like I’m wearing, or full length (tights or with a flared leg). I actually wouldn’t mind if I had to run around making a few errands in this outfit…the cotton shorts and tee? Not so much.
One more note: they aren’t pictured, but I don’t leave home for the gym without my lifting gloves. I want to avoid calluses on my hands as much as possible, and these help immensely. Plus, they help you keep a good grip on your weights. And make you feel like you could kick some butt. I’ve gone through a couple of pairs over time, and I definitely prefer a style with velcro closures and 1/2 finger length. I currently use Harbinger gloves like these and really like them.
One of my best sources for finding gym clothes is at…surprise…T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. Seriously – go peruse their racks. You’ll find name brand items…and in my opinion, athletic attire doesn’t go out of style. Who cares if it is “last season’s” sports bra? I sure don’t.
Racerback sports tank: 90 Degree by Reflex, purchased at T.J. Maxx $9.99 (similar here for $10) // New Balance T-Shirt Bra in Lime: purchased at T.J. Maxx $7.99 // Compression tights: Old Navy $17.00 // Nike In-Season Trainers: purchased at Sports Authority (same shoe, different color on Zappos)
Do you have a gym routine? Do you have a preference for weight training, cardio, or classes?
My husband and I have just started doing a workout routine at home because a gym where we live just does not make sense but I do still put on an outfit for it since it helps get me in the mood!
Hmm we have been meaning to join the rec center for the last two years… we used to go the the Countryside one when living in Clearwater and it was great no one was ever there.
It’s really interesting to see how it all fluctuates. For instance, we were there last night from maybe 5:30-6:30ish…and we were 2 of maybe 5-6 people in there. But when we went first thing on Sunday morning, it was filled! Most of the time though, it is pretty quiet!