I hate shopping. I used to love it when I was a teenager. I would spend hours roaming the mall with all my girlfriends. Somewhere around 20ish I started to loathe it. These days I shop like I run – fast. I know what I need, where to get it and I’m in and out as quickly as possible. But when I spy say this store…
Do you also hear choirs of angels?
I can linger for hours! I absolutely love shopping for fitness gear, clothing and accessories. I must get an Athleta catalog in the mail every other week (they’re trying to kill me!) and I flip though it every time as if there’s something I either don’t have or haven’t seen!
Don’t get me wrong, I like to spread the love around when it comes to fitness fashion. Other favorites include TrailHeads, Oiselle, Lorna Jane and, of course, good ‘ol Under Armour and Nike.
For your information and entertainment, I put together a few outfit ideas and what to where for different sweat activities with varying temps. Enjoy!
RUNNING
There are three different temperatures to dress for when running outside in the Northeast:
1. Ridiculously cold. This is any temp under 30 degrees and/or major windchill involved. I will typically go outside for a run as long as it’s above 10 degrees and I will look like this:
(click any picture to make it larger)
2. Just cold. This is when the temps are between 30 and 45 degrees. When it hits 40, I bust out the shorts. The last time I wore shorts, my kids were picking out Halloween costumes!
I love this Oiselle Flyte top because it’s long and it stays put on the run. Your buns will never get cold with this baby on. I’m wearing it under my jacket in the above picture as well. It’s worth every penny and I kinda feel like I can fly when I’m wearing it.
3. HOT. Anything above 50 gets hot out there. Trust me. A good tip for running outside is that, when you first step out your door you should feel cold. If you don’t, you’re overdressed. Your body is going to be producing a lot of heat on the run so dress as if the temp was about 10-15 degrees warmer.
I wasn’t sure about these Lorna Jane shorts at first but I absolutely love them. I have run many miles on the treadmill with these babies already. I can’t wait to take them outside!
This is for a day with temps in the 60s. Anything above that and it’s sports bra only on top. Anything less would get me arrested.
CYCLING
Since I only bike outside when the temp reaches about 40 (it’s my magic number) or indoors, I usually just wear a tank, with pockets for fuel, and biking shorts. The tricky thing with bike shorts is to have some padding but not too much. Athleta to the rescue:
CROSS-TRAINING
I teach a Power Sculpt class once a week at a local gym. When I owned my studio and the weather warmed-up, I would take everyone outside. I don’t have the luxury of doing that anymore (something about lawsuits?) so I usually go with something like this:
ACCESSORIES
These are a few of my favorite things! Working out is hard. It’s nice to have a few perks here and there to help take the edge off:
Compression socks. A massage in a sock. BOOM!
More socks, my beloved foam roll and SNACKS care of Runnerbox!
My child is not my accessory, however the Optic Nerve sunglasses he’s sporting are!
I keep all my cold weather favorites in one spot so I can grab and GO! This box is home to all my gloves, hats, headbands, neck warmers and hand warmers. It’s a big box.
Lastly, I want to address all fitness clothing makers everywhere when I say ENOUGH WITH THE THUMBHOLES! I can’t even tell you how many tops I have with these things. Two years ago when they started becoming popular, everyone loved them, me included. Now I’m hard pressed to find a top without them! And because I’m psycho Type A, I feel obligated to use them. But, when I use them I feel like they are little germ collectors because they’re on my hands!
That is all.
WAIT – there actually is one more thing.
How do you feel about thumb holes? Who is your favorite clothing designer – fitness or otherwise?
What’s your go-to workout outfit?
Way to go, Miles! Awesome pics! Love everything about this. I live in my workout/active apparel. And LOVE my Optic Nerve sunglasses!
He really did a pretty good job. I should have showed some of the outtakes 🙂
Love my Optic Nerve shades and getting ready to put them on for my first workout of the day…
Hahaha… I feel you on the thumbholes! I always tuck them back in when I’m touching things. But I do always feel like I can’t touch things with them on.. some weird phobia. they do come in handy on cold runs when I forget gloves though!
I do love lululemon. Their CRB’s and No Limits Tanks are my daily outfits. And, their Run Swiftly long sleeve tees have gotten me through winter runs. Will need to check out the other stores once I get money… which will be never.
I’m not a big fan of Lululemon and it’s not because of the CEO. I haven’t tried their stuff in a while so maybe it’s time for a re-visit.
Glad you can understand about the thumbholes! They do serve a purpose on the run but I have quite a few long sleeve shirts with them and I would never wear these shirts running. #firstworldproblems!
I actually LOVE thumbholes, can’t get enough of them 🙂 And I have the same weakness for Athleta. I wish I could wear shorts but unfortunately I have this horrible problem of them ALWAYS riding up and then I have to adjust them constantly….darn inner thigh fat that I have NEVEr been able to get rid of!
I love thumbholes on the run but the casual shirts with them just make me angry!
Have you tried shorts with no liner? I hate the liners b/c they can give you a constant wedgie and who needs that on top of running? 🙂
First off, I love shopping, but with two little girls, sadly I don’t get to enjoy nearly as much as I once did, but that is another story for another time. That said, what is up with the shirts with the thumb holes. I recently ordered a workout shirt and got it and had these. I really am not a fan and was wondering why they were there to be quite honest. So, I am with you on this and so not a fan!
Shopping with kids is pretty much impossible. The only shopping I do with the boys involves food and it can get ugly. As for the thumbholes, they are great on RUNNING shirts if it’s not cold enough to wear gloves but your hands are chilly at the start. You can take them on and off as the temps change. However, thumbholes on a casual shirt you’re wearing around the house are just cray cray.
I love thumbholes, but I don’t always use them. Just because they are there, I don’t always put my thumb through them. I wear a lot of my workout stuff as everyday wear too, so it would look silly if I were using them…just sayin’.
I am a huge fan of TrailHeads hats and gloves…that is all I use now. I have some other stuff but just don’t love it the same way. I also love their Goodbye Girl running top…it’s pretty much all I wear to run in these days…so comfy. For my inside stuff, I love my UnderArmor workout tops, and Athleta…half my wardrobe is Athleta or Title Nine. My favorite running tights and pants came from Athleta, but I wear that stuff to workout AND for my everyday clothes. I LOVE my skorts…I live in those all summer long.
Yes to skorts!!! I actually bought a pair of capris with a skirt and I really do like them. I cannot wait to be able to wear them again!
You know I love me some TrailHead gear. I’m about to get out my trusty gloves and neck warmer for yet another freezing cold run.
I’m like you. I used to like shopping way back when…and now I cannot stand it. I love your advice about feeling a little cold when you first step outside. I never seem to get it quite right when I’m trying to dress for outside exercising in the cold. I do fine in the hot (that’s easier) but I never gauge it quite right in the cooler temps. Now I’m SET!! WOOT!! –Lisa
Ps. OMG…YOUR ARMS ARE LIKE A WORK OF ART. If I could have anything right this minute, it would be your arms. I’d even pick them over chocolate or my DVR. (that’s how you know I am SERIOUS!)
You may have just given me the best compliment EVER. Over your DVR? That is very serious. You are the best Lisa!!!
Great list! I really need to update my fitness gear. I would love a pair of Optic Nerve glasses and I am waiting to drop a few more pounds before I start to invest in Athleta clothes.
As you know, it’s so important to have the right gear for the weather. Optic Nerve shades are great and very affordable! Can’t wait until you reach your next goal and can get some Athleta stuff. That’s something to look forward to for sure!
Athleta just opened at my mall – yippee! I have $400 worth of stuff in my online shopping cart right now, but I need to be more selective. I’m not familiar with Lorna Jane or Oiselle – I’ll have to check them out! My husband will be thrilled to know I have more places to shop 😉
You’re welcome!
We just had an Athleta open near me as well and it’s so dangerous.
Happy shopping 🙂
I love shopping and I think it’s great that fitness clothes have come so far, both in comfort, convenience and in fashion. You look so happy in all those pics!
It IS so great how far they have come to keep the sweat away from our bodies with just the right mixture of heat and cool! I’m smiling because my kids were making me laugh. 🙂
When it’s cold outside, I tend to dress myself in a blanket, throw self on couch, and then rub my feet together real fast like a grasshopper does. This simulates the cold weather running experience. Just sayin’.
I hear ya! That definitely counts as a workout.
So funny about the thumbholes. It’s true, they are everywhere. In fact, my daughter just asked for a shirt with them. We found one in her size through Reebok.
I love Oiselle and have loads of their stuff. The flyte shirt is a favorite (I have it in two colors plus the tank) as are their distance shorts (3 pairs). And I’m the same with shopping–not a fan, but my mall just got an Athleta, so well, hello mall!
I just found Oiselle and I love their stuff! I don’t have any shorts yet but I’m going to get a pair as soon as this weather breaks. Athleta is going though a growth spurt b/c one just came to a mall near me as well. It’s awesome and dangerous.
I hope your daughter enjoys the thumbholes 🙂
I LOVE Athleta! My favorite favorite! I also love Lululemon. Basically anything that has bright colors is going to be up my alley. I am a fan of thumb holes but it’s because I only really have two things that have them so they don’t bother me too much. Plus they are both coverup things so I only wear them until I start my workout. I like your Lorna Jane shorts!
I know you do! I’m not a big fan of Lulu but is has nothing to do with the CEO and all that drama. I may go back to trying their stuff because it’s been a while. As for the thumbholes – they def have a place and are perfect for a warm-up shirt!
Thumbholes… Geez. I thought they were so cool and practical, but then I quickly started to believe that they’re annoying and unnecessary. Now, I don’t even remember why I thought they were a good idea in the first place. I mean, what are they actually for?
I know what you mean!! They are actually good and useful for keeping your hands warm on a run when it’s not quite cold enough for gloves. BUT they make them for shirts no one would ever wear running or exercising in. It’s gone over the edge 🙂
This is SO fun! My 11 year old daughter LOVES thumb holes!!! She thinks they are the coolest things. For Christmas all she wanted was a sweatshirt with thumb holes :). I can take em or leave em :)…my husband thinks they look weird :)! I love that Oiselle top and this totally reminded me that I wanted it! I saw it awhile ago and meant to look into it! I am curious, what size top do you get from Oiselle….how true to size are they? I seem to always be in-between a small and a medium.
I also HATE shopping for clothes…but I do love running clothes!!!!! It kinda makes up 90% of my wardrobe :/
You are a girl after my own heart! The Oiselle top is the best and I wear it so much. I’m wearing a small in the picture so it’s pretty true to size. All of the pants I’ve bought from them are pretty much right on. If anything, they run a little bigger. Happy shopping!
How about what to wear to go trampolining for an hour? I’m thinking good socks and my camera.
My sister got a gift card to Athleta for Christmas and she was nearly as excited as Scarlet was to get a Disney trip from Santa!
I always really wonder the proper ways to dress for exercising outside. Here in New England, as you know, we can swing from -1 to 101 over the course of a year. Or even worse.
You’re going to have a blast at the trampoline place. Miles and Vaughn loved the one in New Britain. You can pretty much wear anything there as long as you have socks. Cannot wait to see the pictures of that adventure!
I’m with your sister on the Athleta GF. I got so many when my friends and relatives heard about the store opening at Westfarms last year. It was awesome!
I’ve learned a lot about dressing for every possible temperature here!! It can also swing 10 degrees or more on ONE run, depending how far I’m going and what time of day. I’ve been known to leave clothes and then drive by to pick them up later.
I’m still a shopper but now it is a matter of time!
I’m actually really happy with the Target line of workout stuff – probably the fact that I workout at home helps! And, I wear lots of Nike Tempo shorts.
Miles is quite the photographer – he might have a future career.
You’re right about Target. I have a few sports bras from there as well as some long-sleeve zip ups.
Not sure Tamara would agree about Miles but he did a great job for what I needed 🙂 Enjoy that lovely weather you’re having!
I love thumbholes but I didn’t really think about the germy part until I wore a shirt with holes to work. Taking blood pressures and touching sweating people with my hands kind of grossed me out. No thumbholes for work anymore!
Seriously!!! That’s exactly what I mean but I’m touching my germ ridden kids after school 🙂
Love all the outfits. Luckily for me there aren’t any Athleta stores around me, lucky because I know I’d spend a fortune, but their catalogs keep arriving so I’m tempted every few weeks. I think I’m going to use one of their items as a goal reward. I’ll have to sweat before I spend. LOL. Visiting from SITS. Have a great weekend.
Thanks for visiting and commenting! I’m not sure if you’re lucky or unlucky about not having an Athelta store nearby 🙂 I also use their stuff to reward myself…so I can sweat more.
Oh I loathe shopping too! I will only go if I know exactly what I want so I can run in and out of the store as soon as possible. Athena clothing rocks and if ( I mean when I win the lottery) I will by all my workout gear from them! Your photographer is a cutiepie!
Thank you!! I wish I could buy all my stuff there too but, it makes me choose my pieces very carefully!
I am SOOOO with you on the thumbholes! Over it. It sounds weird, but it makes in between my thumb and pointer finger feel a little achy and annoyed sometimes when they pull. ALSO, always feel like they are just super germy. I haven’t tried the Oiselle Flyte long sleeve shirt yet- I’m skeptical about it staying over my butt but will try her out!!
Yes! Enough with the thumbholes.
I’m sure the Flyte top will keep you covered! Trust me, it doesn’t move. 🙂
My husband seems to be under the illusion that I have plenty of workout clothes. He is nuts. I tell him he has no clue what it’s like to be a fitness blogger. I only have one shirt with thumb holes. I like it because it’s fleece, warm, and purple but I don’t get the whole thumb hole concept. I could use some polar vortex run gear.
There is no such thing as “plenty of workout clothes.” I mean, a fitness blogger can ALWAYS use more:-)
I have a lot of Nike gear thanks to my former career.
Now, my newer yoga stuff is from lululemon, including both my mats. (though yes, I don’t agree with what their CEO said about women being too fat to wear their stuff, but I like what I’ve got and I paid good money for them, so…)
You’re so very cute!
So true about Lululemon but I have to say I don’t own any of their stuff. Nike on the other hand? I’ve got tons!
You won’t believe it, but I’ve actually been on the track lately. I need some gear because my sports bra is probably from the early millennium, and believe it or not, but I’ve been running in my old maternity stretch pants! Lol!
OMG Andrea! Now that you’ve been to a track you have a perfectly good excuse to get new fitness wear!!! The most important thing is your sneakers so get those first (if you don’t have good ones already) and the sports bra is a very close second 🙂
This is so spot on for a post I have drafted! I specifically refer to you for running gear advice and BOOM, you’ve created a post!
I love it when a plan comes together! Great minds…
I love thumb holes and Under Armour!!! Hands down!!!!!!! Nike and Reebok are close second. Stopping by from #SITSSharefest.
Thanks for stopping by! I have to say, now that it’s Spring, I’m really using the thumbholes on the run 🙂
You are so stickin cute Allie! I can feel the positive energy coming off of your blog. I’m stopping in from Let’s Get Real today. I’m so glad you linked up with us so I could meet you. I def need to get more serious about my workouts………….I mean workout clothes. I dress like a bum. I typically can be found in t-shirts with my son’s football number on it. School colors are black and orange. Go ahead! Imagine! Yep, I look like a bum. Those thumbholes are out of control. My daughter has them in her winter coat. Yes, that’s the same coat that goes to the elementary school everyday. They are now discolored and just plain gross…………no matter how much I wash that coat.
I’m so glad you’re here!! I love your blog too – food and fitness just go together so nicely 🙂
Just think – it’s a whole new reason to go shopping BUT, if you’re comfortable in your t-shirts then rock them out!!
I’m glad you see my pain with the thumbholes. I can’t imagine if my kids had them!!
I don’t mind the thumbholes that much. For me, my running/walking attire isn’t too different. I have shorts for when it’s above 85 degrees and running pants for 60-84 degrees. Anything below that and I’m running on a treadmill. I’m a baby when it comes to the cold. That’s for sharing this at the Let’s Get Real Friday Link Party last week. I hope you’ll join us again. The party goes live at 5pm EST tonight.
Thanks Nicky! I’m psyched that I get to co-host this week.
I hear you with the cold temps. I’m SO done and so used to running on the treadmill this winter 🙁