In intro psych last fall, I learned about an experiment done by Dutton and Aron in 1974, called the Capilano River Bridge experiment. According to this, people feel more attracted to others when their heart rate is up, whether on a high bridge, in a life-threatening situation, or… at the gym. The racing heart and sweaty palms felt when running or lifting weights is easily confused with the similar physical reaction to seeing your crush, such as butterflies in your stomach and a quickened heart rate. Interesting and slightly unsettling, right? Well, the prospect of getting dates at the gym, on the bike trail, or at kickboxing class might just increase given the growing obsession with fashionable, even sexy workout clothes.
With Luluemon and Athleta taking over the hearts’ of young runners and yoginis, exercising has become fashionable. From head to foot, headband to sneakers, girls are putting more effort into their gym-getups, including these 6 must-have items.
1. Racer back tops:
Whether they are fitted Nike running tops, fun work-out-themed ones, or DIYs from Pinterest, racer backs are all over. I know we all covet the Lululemon tops, (especially now that there is a store at Easton!) but they’ll set you back the price of about eight sandwich/grilled muffin combos at the Deli. The Internet offers some brilliant and super-cheap ideas to make your own racer back workout tops that only involve an old T-shirt, a pair of scissors, and a good eye.
2. Loose tees
Perfect for doing yoga or lounging around your dorm, loosely-fitted shirts are very trendy right now. Larger slouchy ones are great paired with a tank top or colorful sports bra beneath.
3. Sports Bras
Even if you’re running in the winter in Ohio, cute sports bras are definitely fun. The different colors, patterns, and styles that are offered lead to athletic girls (or at least me) having about seven more than necessary.
But sports bras can be an issue for our curvy runners out there. We all love some color and pizazz, but when it comes to work out gear, you can’t completely forget about practicality! Get awesome sports bra support with these HCK AND Oprah-recommended sports bras! (Ed: Seriously, busty girls this thing will change your life)
4. Yoga Pants
Though the above pieces are definitely must-haves, the one fashionable exercise item that I could not live without is (you guessed it, girls) yoga pants. I hope that this trend never ever fades because these babies are the comfiest pants in my closet and miraculously qualify as both stylish and acceptable for working out.
5. Shorts
Nike running shorts are undeniably necessary (in every possible color), but the question about shorts plaguing many stylin’ runners and yoginis is this: what is the verdict on booty shorts? If you’re doing the “What Makes You Bootyful” booty challenge from Blogilates with your friends in the privacy of your apartment, go for it. Rock those booty-shorts. Just know that if you wear them to the gym, you will probably get a good number of stink-eyes from the girls around you. That being said, if you want to show off your ass and be incredibly comfy at the same time you might need to brave some stink-eyes with confidence and grace…but I say go for it.
6. The Shoes
Good shoes are essential for any run, and they are not one-style-fits all. Depending on your foot (whether you have flat or high arches and whether your feet pronate or supinate) you may need shoes with a specific type of support and stability. But there is no reason why they can’t be cute at the same time! Neon and rainbow running shoes are BIG. Eye-catching and fun, they also make you feel a little like The Flash. Just saying.
So there you have it. Getting up the energy to leave the couch and work out now also involves putting together a cute exercise look for many style-savvy ladies. But take advantage of this growing trend. Use buying fun bright shorts or turning your Kenyon thumbs-up T-shirt into a running top as inspiration to get out there and get strong!
Photo Sources: Pinterest, Ogorgeous, Zappos, Nike, Nordstrom, Old Navy, Lululemon