For my first official Fit Recessionista post, a series inspired by Gena, I thought workout apparel would be a good place to start. We all need it, but with the high price of yoga classes, gym memberships, race entry fees and studio classes, we can’t always afford to spend a lot on it. If I had the budget, I would love to prance around the cardio room clad in Stella McCartney’s Adidas line and hit Jivamukti in head-to-toe Lululemon. But that is not my reality. So while it never hurts to invest in some high end pieces of fitness apparel, it’s more practical for me to compose the remainder of my gym wardrobe from the sale racks and/or bargain bins.
Here is my basic philosophy:
The bulk of your stuff, clothes for the gym, short runs or yoga, doesn’t really need to be expensive.
Invest in a few good pieces of workout clothing for long runs and races. Good quality clothing can make your run more comfortable. Breathable fabrics can decrease the heat and sweat factor. And higher quality clothes are less likely to cause chaffing and more likely to support the girls.
Never skimp on shoes or put off replacing an old pair.
If having a few fashionista-worthy pieces of workout apparel makes it more fun for you to hit the gym, throw a few of those pieces into your athletic wardrobe as well.
So here are my tips:
Why pay more when you can payless?
Let’s face it for yoga and your daily gym trips, there is no need to be fancy schmancy!
As you have probably noticed Target, Old Navy and Wal-mart have decent yoga pants and sports tops.
A few finds:
Cute Target running skort: $13.99
Old Navy Running Tank: $8
Wal-Mart Danskin Rollover pants $11
Department Store Deals
While I think pretty much anything works for yoga and general gym workouts, long runs, race and sports specific training merits apparel of a bit higher caliber–clothing specifically designed for athletics. You can find trusted brands at bargain costs by looking for brands like Nike and Adidas in the athletic apparel sections of the cheaper department stores like JcPenney and Kohl’s. This way you have the real deal for less, and better yet, for less plus on sale! You can get nice Nike workout tops with built in sports bras for under $20!
As for discount stores, TJ Maxx tends to stock good athletic apparel.
Just one fit find for less:
Fila Running Jacket at Kohl’s $29 on sale
If sporting a brand not your thing, there is always American Apparel for cute, indie-esque sports wear at affordable-ish prices.
Outlets and sale sections!
Go straight for these sections at your favorite sporting store before you get tempted by all the brand new stuff. It will still be there when you get done surfing the bargain bins.
And of course, who doesn’t love outlet shopping? Sports outlets can be hard to come by, but keep an eye out. Katherine, Gena and I got to check out the City Sports Outlet in Boston while we were at the summit! 
Next up: Website Clearance Sections!
If you can’t find an outlet, clearance sections of websites are great places to get the best deals! They usually have a much bigger selection than the actual store and more sizes.
My favorites is the:
Nike Women’s Clearance section
Other great ones include:
Sports Authority Outlet ( Brooks Revelation Running Tee $20 down from $35)
Champion Outlet ( Compression Vented Sports Bra -was $33, now $16)
Dick’s Clearance ( Nike Sassy Short Long Top was $45 now $22 at Dick’s)
Paragon Sale Sections
Be a Shoe Snob, but still save a few!
Shoes are not something to play around with! Shoes are the place to splurge bit. Why risk injury for a few bens?
I wrote a whole post about finding the perfect shoe.
I suggest finding your perfect shoe at a reputable running or sports store–one with patient and friendly staff that allow you to test as many pairs as you want desire, while they monitor your gait as you run on the on the treadmill. Once you have found a great pair, there is no reason not to comparison shop online. You can always find great deals with a little googling.
Road Runner Sports has great deals on shoes and apparel, so I always check them out for great deals on sneakers, shorts, and running tops. I have also found the Finish Line has good sales.
Also, see what deals your local running stores offer frequent customers. As you probably know, Jack Rabbit Sports is my personal favorite, and they offer 10% off every single purchase once you spend $100.
Final Tip: Don’t Get Enticed at the Expo!
Always wait until after a marathon or big race to buy all the signature running bags, jackets and sweatshirts, a few weeks after everything goes on sale for at least 50% off. Just don’t wait so long they run out of your size.
For my first official Fit Recessionista post, a series inspired by Gena, I thought workout apparel would be a good place to start. We all need it, but with the high price of yoga classes, gym memberships, race entry fees and studio classes, we can’t always afford to spend a lot on it. If I had the budget, I would love to prance around the cardio room clad in Stella McCartney’s Adidas line and hit Jivamukti in head-to-toe Lululemon. But that is not my reality. So while it never hurts to invest in some high end pieces of fitness apparel, it’s more practical for me to compose the remainder of my gym wardrobe from the sale racks and/or bargain bins.
Here is my basic philosophy:
The bulk of your stuff, clothes for the gym, short runs or yoga, doesn’t really need to be expensive.
Invest in a few good pieces of workout clothing for long runs and races. Good quality clothing can make your run more comfortable. Breathable fabrics can decrease the heat and sweat factor. And higher quality clothes are less likely to cause chaffing and more likely to support the girls.
Never skimp on shoes or put off replacing an old pair.
If having a few fashionista-worthy pieces of workout apparel makes it more fun for you to hit the gym, throw a few of those pieces into your athletic wardrobe as well.
So here are my tips:
Why pay more when you can payless?
Let’s face it for yoga and your daily gym trips, there is no need to be fancy schmancy!
As you have probably noticed Target, Old Navy and Wal-mart have decent yoga pants and sports tops.
A few finds:
Cute Target running skort: $13.99
Old Navy Running Tank: $8
Wal-Mart Danskin Rollover pants $11
Department Store Deals
While I think pretty much anything works for yoga and general gym workouts, long runs, race and sports specific training merits apparel of a bit higher caliber–clothing specifically designed for athletics. You can find trusted brands at bargain costs by looking for brands like Nike and Adidas in the athletic apparel sections of the cheaper department stores like JcPenney and Kohl’s. This way you have the real deal for less, and better yet, for less plus on sale! You can get nice Nike workout tops with built in sports bras for under $20!
As for discount stores, TJ Maxx tends to stock good athletic apparel.
Just one fit find for less:
Fila Running Jacket at Kohl’s $29 on sale
If sporting a brand not your thing, there is always American Apparel for cute, indie-esque sports wear at affordable-ish prices.
Outlets and sale sections!
Go straight for these sections at your favorite sporting store before you get tempted by all the brand new stuff. It will still be there when you get done surfing the bargain bins.
And of course, who doesn’t love outlet shopping? Sports outlets can be hard to come by, but keep an eye out. Katherine, Gena and I got to check out the City Sports Outlet in Boston while we were at the summit!
Next up: Website Clearance Sections!
If you can’t find an outlet, clearance sections of websites are great places to get the best deals! They usually have a much bigger selection than the actual store and more sizes.
My favorites is the:
Nike Women’s Clearance section
Other great ones include:
Sports Authority Outlet ( Brooks Revelation Running Tee $20 down from $35)
Champion Outlet ( Compression Vented Sports Bra -was $33, now $16)
Dick’s Clearance ( Nike Sassy Short Long Top was $45 now $22 at Dick’s)
Paragon Sale Sections
Be a Shoe Snob, but still save a few!
Shoes are not something to play around with! Shoes are the place to splurge bit. Why risk injury for a few bens?
I wrote a whole post about finding the perfect shoe.
I suggest finding your perfect shoe at a reputable running or sports store–one with patient and friendly staff that allow you to test as many pairs as you want desire, while they monitor your gait as you run on the on the treadmill. Once you have found a great pair, there is no reason not to comparison shop online. You can always find great deals with a little googling.
Road Runner Sports has great deals on shoes and apparel, so I always check them out for great deals on sneakers, shorts, and running tops. I have also found the Finish Line has good sales.
Also, see what deals your local running stores offer frequent customers. As you probably know, Jack Rabbit Sports is my personal favorite, and they offer 10% off every single purchase once you spend $100.
Final Tip: Don’t Get Enticed at the Expo!
Always wait until after a marathon or big race to buy all the signature running bags, jackets and sweatshirts, a few weeks after everything goes on sale for at least 50% off. Just don’t wait so long they run out of your size.
For my first official Fit Recessionista post, a series inspired by Gena, I thought workout apparel would be a good place to start. We all need it, but with the high price of yoga classes, gym memberships, race entry fees and studio classes, we can’t always afford to spend a lot on it. If I had the budget, I would love to prance around the cardio room clad in Stella McCartney’s Adidas line and hit Jivamukti in head-to-toe Lululemon. But that is not my reality. So while it never hurts to invest in some high end pieces of fitness apparel, it’s more practical for me to compose the remainder of my gym wardrobe from the sale racks and/or bargain bins.
Here is my basic philosophy:
The bulk of your stuff, clothes for the gym, short runs or yoga, doesn’t really need to be expensive.
Invest in a few good pieces of workout clothing for long runs and races. Good quality clothing can make your run more comfortable. Breathable fabrics can decrease the heat and sweat factor. And higher quality clothes are less likely to cause chaffing and more likely to support the girls.
Never skimp on shoes or put off replacing an old pair.
If having a few fashionista-worthy pieces of workout apparel makes it more fun for you to hit the gym, throw a few of those pieces into your athletic wardrobe as well.
So here are my tips:
Why pay more when you can payless?
Let’s face it for yoga and your daily gym trips, there is no need to be fancy schmancy!
As you have probably noticed Target, Old Navy and Wal-mart have decent yoga pants and sports tops.
A few finds:
Cute Target running skort: $13.99
Old Navy Running Tank: $8
Wal-Mart Danskin Rollover pants $11
Department Store Deals
While I think pretty much anything works for yoga and general gym workouts, long runs, race and sports specific training merits apparel of a bit higher caliber–clothing specifically designed for athletics. You can find trusted brands at bargain costs by looking for brands like Nike and Adidas in the athletic apparel sections of the cheaper department stores like JcPenney and Kohl’s. This way you have the real deal for less, and better yet, for less plus on sale! You can get nice Nike workout tops with built in sports bras for under $20!
As for discount stores, TJ Maxx tends to stock good athletic apparel.
Just one fit find for less:
Fila Running Jacket at Kohl’s $29 on sale
If sporting a brand not your thing, there is always American Apparel for cute, indie-esque sports wear at affordable-ish prices.
Outlets and sale sections!
Go straight for these sections at your favorite sporting store before you get tempted by all the brand new stuff. It will still be there when you get done surfing the bargain bins.
And of course, who doesn’t love outlet shopping? Sports outlets can be hard to come by, but keep an eye out. Katherine, Gena and I got to check out the City Sports Outlet in Boston while we were at the summit!
Next up: Website Clearance Sections!
If you can’t find an outlet, clearance sections of websites are great places to get the best deals! They usually have a much bigger selection than the actual store and more sizes.
My favorites is the:
Nike Women’s Clearance section
Other great ones include:
Sports Authority Outlet ( Brooks Revelation Running Tee $20 down from $35)
Champion Outlet ( Compression Vented Sports Bra -was $33, now $16)
Dick’s Clearance ( Nike Sassy Short Long Top was $45 now $22 at Dick’s)
Paragon Sale Sections
Be a Shoe Snob, but still save a few!
Shoes are not something to play around with! Shoes are the place to splurge bit. Why risk injury for a few bens?
I wrote a whole post about finding the perfect shoe.
I suggest finding your perfect shoe at a reputable running or sports store–one with patient and friendly staff that allow you to test as many pairs as you want desire, while they monitor your gait as you run on the on the treadmill. Once you have found a great pair, there is no reason not to comparison shop online. You can always find great deals with a little googling.
Road Runner Sports has great deals on shoes and apparel, so I always check them out for great deals on sneakers, shorts, and running tops. I have also found the Finish Line has good sales.
Also, see what deals your local running stores offer frequent customers. As you probably know, Jack Rabbit Sports is my personal favorite, and they offer 10% off every single purchase once you spend $100.
Final Tip: Don’t Get Enticed at the Expo!
Always wait until after a marathon or big race to buy all the signature running bags, jackets and sweatshirts, a few weeks after everything goes on sale for at least 50% off. Just don’t wait so long they run out of your size.