| Lifestyle | Workout & Gym Clothes I Love & Recommend
Back in spring of this year, I restarted my weight loss journey once again but this time, I was NOT MESSING AROUND! I really wanted to be successful this time and I would say, while I have a little ways more to go, I have proudly already lost 25 pounds! When I first restarted this journey, the majority of my workout clothes were very old, didn't fit, or didn't help support me in my efforts to exercise regularly. So, I had to update my whole gym closet.
Since the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is currently going on right now, I wanted to get this post up in time for you to shop the sale but this post is not solely about Nordstrom, it just so happens that a lot of the brand and products I love are sold there but you can find these products at other retailers.
Also, I will continue to update this post as I find other great products!
SPORTS BRAS
Can we just take a moment to talk about how most sports bras don't actually support you when you work out? Seriously! Even if you buy the right size and it feels tight, as soon as you start jumping, everything is flopping around... If you happen to be a chesty gal like me, sports bras are super important. They're also so hard to find a, one, comfortable one and two, one that ACTUALLY SUPPORTS YOU!
I literally walked into a Nordstrom picked up a couple of sports bras that looked supportive and then I asked an associate, "Will these support me when working out?" and she said "No, they're not really designed for that". Then what the heck are they designed for?! Athleisure clothing is taking over but you can't really work out in most of those clothes! They're just expensive ornamental clothing for displaying your body. She ended directing me to some actually supportive bras and I tried a ton on but I didn't love them all. Well, rant over, here are sports bras ACTUALLY designed to support you for high impact exercise and are comfortable!
Natori Dynamic Contour Underwire Sports Bra - $74.00 USD
Available at Nordstrom
Support - High Intensity
This bra really supports you during your workout. I'm talking about jumping, burpees, box jumps, etc. Anything that would normally make your body flop around, this bra holds you in without compressing your chest too much or misshaping your chest area. It's not going to prevent your chest from jiggling at all but it will significantly reduce the movement.
Comfort - Very Comfortable
This is the most comfortable sports bra I have tried that has such strong support! The material is really soft on the skin and it's flexible so, it doesn't dig into the skin or chafe. There is underwire in this bra but it is the only way you can get support. The underwire isn't uncomfortable at all due to the soft fabric and design. I like the the thick straps because it also helps support but they are also part of the comfort because the straps lie flat on the skin and doesn't dig in.
Style - Bra Style
This bra is very cute for a highly supportive bra. The brand offers cute colors and changes the colors up regularly. The thick straps may be too thick for some tops or tanks. The nice thing is that straps can be adjusted to create a racerback style to suit other tank types. The sports bra can be used alone as a top but it looks very bra-like and I wear it under my gym tops. Also, while the cups have a thin lining, your nipples can slightly show through.
Quality - High Quality
I would say this bra is very high quality and I have really put some wear into mine but it took a months to see wear on the bra. I highly recommend hand washing these or if you have a very gentle or hand wash setting on your washing machine, I would place it in a garment bag and wash it. Mine started showing signs or wear on the straps first because the straps are so soft and comfortable. The edges of the straps kind of ripple and the materials stretches out a bit.
Natori Gravity Contour Underwire Sports Bra - $72.00 USD
Available at Nordstrom
Support - High Intensity
This bra really supports you during your workout. I'm talking about jumping, burpees, box jumps, etc. Anything that would normally make your body flop around, this bra holds you in without compressing your chest too much or misshaping your chest area. It's not going to prevent your chest from jiggling at all but it will significantly reduce the movement.
Comfort - Comfortable
This is bra is not as comfortable the Dynamic Contour Bra (featured above) but it's still really comfortable. This bra has some thicker seams, whereas the other bra has a lack of seams. The ends of the underwire come up quite high on the sides and can chafe the skin a bit when you do very high intensity workouts. The thinner straps are sturdier for support but not as comfy as the thick straps of the other bra. I still really like this bra for working out even though it is not as comfortable because I'm not wearing it for very long. It is very comfortable for a sports bra with an underwire. I will even wear this bra sometimes when I don't work out. The material is soft, thin, breathable, and comfortable.
Style - Bra-Tank Hybrid Style
I haven't seen a ton of colors in this style. They mostly have basic colors, which doesn't bother me at all. The style is cute, a little sporty. The style is not quite bra-like and not quite tank top-like. It's a hybrid in between. I still like wearing this as a bra under my tank tops and not as my workout top. The nice part about this style is that it offers a bit more coverage at the cleavage area so, if you are busty, you don't have to worry as much about exposing too much.
Quality - High Quality
I would say this bra is very high quality and I have really put some wear into mine but these wash really well. I haven't seen a wear on these bras so far but to be fair, I don't wear them nearly as often as my others.
LEGGINGS & BOTTOMS
Zella Live In High Waist Leggings - $59.00 USD
Available at Nordstrom
Support - High Intensity
I'm going to say I love ALL THE ZELLA LEGGINGS! I own many, many styles but these are my favorite. However, I recommend all of them. I like the full length of these leggings because when I workout, it's a very full body experience. There's a lot of jumping, getting on the ground, and other high intensity movements in my workout but the high waits of these leggings prevent the leggings from slipping down and it also covers me when I'm bending over a lot.
Comfort - Comfortable
The material is very soft, kind of silky, and it feels really nice on the skin. The soft texture moves with your body, which is super nice because it doesn't chafe the skin or restrains your from actually moving during a workout. The material is stretchy enough to allow you to have a full range of motion but isn't too stretchy that it just slips off of you. These are my favorite lounging pants.
Style - Full-Length Legging
When I'm working out, I'm on my back, I'm on my knees, I'm rolling around, and I just can't have too much skin exposure. Plus, I don't really like my legs, I have a lot of discoloration and bruising but that's just reality. This is real life. I don't just wear these for the gym though, I also love just wearing them around as my lounging or athleisure outfit. It looks cute wearing it casually when you're just running around. These do fit close to the skin, I wouldn't say tight (unless you have the wrong size), but they are comfortably tight on the skin with a skinny cut. I'm about 5'5" and the length of these is pretty perfect on me, the leggings end at my ankles.
Quality - Very High Quality
I have honestly owned some of these for YEARS and they still fit perfectly and look great even after hundreds of washes. The fabric has a nice thickness to it without being too heavy or too hot when you're wearing it. It's just sewn really well and the seams really stay together despite all the wear it put them through. The colors eve stay really fresh long after many washes. I do like to air dry my pants and I think this does help preserve the quality of my clothing.
Zella Studio Luxe High Waist Pocket Leggings - $79.00 USD
Available at Nordstrom
Support - High Intensity
I like the full length of these leggings because when I workout, it's a very full body experience. There's a lot of jumping, getting on the ground, and other high intensity movements in my workout but the high waits of these leggings prevent the leggings from slipping down and it also covers me when I'm bending over a lot.
Comfort - Comfortable
The material is very soft, kind of silky, and it feels really nice on the skin. The soft texture moves with your body, which is super nice because it doesn't chafe the skin or restrains your from actually moving during a workout. The material is stretchy enough to allow you to have a full range of motion but isn't too stretchy that it just slips off of you. These are my favorite lounging pants.
Style - Full-Length Legging
These are like the leggings previously featured but these come with pockets, which is super helpful if you like wearing these casually for day to day use or if you need to carry a minimal amount of products with you when you work out. The pockets are surprisingly large and will fit a phone, keys, and any other small items.
When I'm working out, I'm on my back, I'm on my knees, I'm rolling around, and I just can't have too much skin exposure. Plus, I don't really like my legs, I have a lot of discoloration and bruising but that's just reality. This is real life. I don't just wear these for the gym though, I also love just wearing them around as my lounging or athleisure outfit. It looks cute wearing it casually when you're just running around. These do fit close to the skin, I wouldn't say tight (unless you have the wrong size), but they are comfortably tight on the skin with a skinny cut. I'm about 5'5" and the length of these is pretty perfect on me, the leggings end at my ankles.
Quality - Very High Quality
I have honestly owned some of these for YEARS and they still fit perfectly and look great even after hundreds of washes. The fabric has a nice thickness to it without being too heavy or too hot when you're wearing it. It's just sewn really well and the seams really stay together despite all the wear it put them through. The colors eve stay really fresh long after many washes. I do like to air dry my pants and I think this does help preserve the quality of my clothing.
TOPS & TANKS
I don't believe in paying a lot for tops and tanks because I'm going to just sweat and get dirty in them. I also don't believe that you need specific athletic clothing or materials to wear to the gym. I don't care if I have sweat visible showing on my shirt because the material has absorbed all my sweat. If anything, wear that sweat as a badge of honor! Show off all your hard work! Anyways, I think you should just find some comfortable cheap tops to get sweaty in. These are some I recommend.
Halogen Crewneck High-Low Tank - $9.97 on Sale, Originally $25.00 USD
Halogen Crewneck High-Low Tank (Plus-Size) - $9.97 on Sale, Originally $25.00 USD
Available at Nordstrom Rack
Support - Loose Fit
The loose fit of this tank makes it super flattering on curvy bodies. I liked it for hiding my belly. The only issue with the looser fit is that if you are doing certain exercises that require you to bend over or jump , the tank will have more of tendency to move and temporarily expose your skin.
Comfort - Comfortable
The material is super soft and thin. It feels really nice and gentle on the skin during high intensity exercises and doesn't chafe the skin. The seams are also thin, like the material so they don't bother you when you're moving around. It's a very breathable fabric.
Style - Loose Tank
Again, the loose fit is flattering for hiding your belly. The neckline is high cut, which is great for those who are busty and don't want to expose too much during a workout. The length is just long enough but doesn't make it look like you're wearing a dress of block your movement. I like a tank because sleeves can be very restrictive during a workout. The arm holes are smaller and are closer to the armpits, which some people may find restrictive.
Quality - Good Quality
The material is a little thin but even after many washes, the material hasn't taken on a lot of wear. It still looks as vibrant as when I first purchased them and the material still feels very strong. These haven't thinned out more, they haven't shrunk, and they haven't stretched out. For the price I purchased them, I think they're pretty good quality.
Z By Zella Training Racerback Tank - $9.97 on Sale, Originally $14.97
Available at Nordstrom Rack
Support - Loose Fit
The loose fit of this tank makes it super flattering on curvy bodies. I liked it for hiding my belly. The only issue with the looser fit is that if you are doing certain exercises that require you to bend over or jump , the tank will have more of tendency to move and temporarily expose your skin.
Comfort - Comfortable
The material is super soft and thin. It feels really nice and gentle on the skin during high intensity exercises and doesn't chafe the skin. The seams are also thin, like the material so they don't bother you when you're moving around. It's a very breathable fabric.
Style - Loose Tank
Again, the loose fit is flattering for hiding your belly. The neckline is high cut, which is great for those who are busty and don't want to expose too much during a workout. The arm holes on this tank are cut much larger, which gives you more room to move around and is less restricting than other tanks. The length is just long enough but doesn't make it look like you're wearing a dress of block your movement.
Quality - Good Quality
The material is a little thin but even after many washes, the material hasn't taken on a lot of wear. It still looks as vibrant as when I first purchased them and the material still feels very strong. These haven't thinned out more, they haven't shrunk, and they haven't stretched out. For the price I purchased them, I think they're pretty good quality.
Calson Double V Knit Tank Top - $9.97 on Sale, Originally $25.00 USD
Available at Nordstrom Rack
Support - Loose Fit
The loose fit of this tank makes it super flattering on curvy bodies. I liked it for hiding my belly. The only issue with the looser fit is that if you are doing certain exercises that require you to bend over or jump , the tank will have more of tendency to move and temporarily expose your skin.
Comfort - Comfortable
The material is super soft and thin. It feels really nice and gentle on the skin during high intensity exercises and doesn't chafe the skin. The seams are also thin, like the material so they don't bother you when you're moving around. It's a very breathable fabric.
Style - Loose Tank
Again, the loose fit is flattering for hiding your belly. The neckline is v-cut, which is great for those who sweat a lot in the chest area (um.. me). However, if you are bending over, people may get a pee of cleavage but it is a higher up neckline for a v-cut. The length is just long enough but doesn't make it look like you're wearing a dress of block your movement. The arm holes are smaller and are closer to the armpits, which some people may find restrictive.
Quality - Good Quality
The material is a little thin but even after many washes, the material hasn't taken on a lot of wear. It still looks as vibrant as when I first purchased them and the material still feels very strong. These haven't thinned out more, they haven't shrunk, and they haven't stretched out. For the price I purchased them, I think they're pretty good quality.
SOCKS
Adidas 6-Pack Cushion Socks - $14.97 on Sale, Originally $20.00 USD
Available at Nordstrom Rack
Support - Versatile
I purchased these socks in particular because I needed a thicker sock to prevent chafing and blisters from my shoes during high intensity workouts.
Comfort - Average Comfort
I like the thicker and soft material. It feels very comfortable and slightly compressing. It really helps cushion my toes and ankles from any movement in the shoes.
Style - Thick & High Cut
Again, I wanted the higher cut and thicker material because I found my the socks I was using were too thin and I was getting chaffing and blisters with my new shoes. The thickness is a nice cushion but it isn't uncomfortably thick that your squishing your feet into your shoes. The cut isn't too high, it just gives you a little extra protection around your ankles.
Quality - Very Good Quality
I have washed these many times over and they are going on very strong. I use these socks daily and they have been put through the ringer at the gym. I would definitely repurchase these again!
SHOES
Addidas Superstar Sneaker - $100.00 USD
Available at Nordstrom
Support - Versatile
I purchased this shoe specifically for its flat bottomed sole, which is ideal and was highly recommended by trainers for weightlifting. However, I have used it for HIIT exercise, kick boxing, and even running. I will say these are not the best to run in. If you really run a lot, you will want running shoes but these are versatile enough to span many types of workouts.
Comfort - Average Comfort
I will say that these aren't the most comfortable shoe but they also aren't uncomfortable. They have a decent padding in the sole and they are made of a soft leather. They're don't really flex with the feet but when you're weightlifting you don't need that flexibility. The issue I have with these is the raise portion on the back of the heel, this part rubs against my heel and to prevent that I have to wear fairly thick and higher rising socks to prevent this. These do run slightly larger and I sized down in mine to ensure a good fit.
Style - Flat-Sole Athletic Shoe
Again, these are a flat soled shoe, which is ideal for weightlifting. These are very classic and iconic Adidas style. They look cute with any outfit gym or casual. They come in many colors and they're great for walking around.
Quality - Very Good Quality
I would say I put my shoes through a lot of abuse and while they dirty easily, they are still very well intact. The soles are surprisingly not as worn even with all the mountain climbers, box jumps, and sprints I have done in these. I suspect they could last be a solid couple years of heavy use.
GYM BAG
Adidas Graphic Duffel Bag - $35.00 USD* (*price varies)
Available on Amazon
I love this gym bag because its roomy but it isn't too big, since I don't need to bring too much with me to the gym. This bag can easily fit a change of clothes, some small travel products, some bits of gym equipment, a towel, and even shoes if you want. The material is strong, it looks cute, and it has a small pocket in the interior for small items. I would repurchase this bag again.
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