High-End Fitwear: Smart or Snob?

"I can't imagine paying $100 for one pair of yoga pants!!!"

"My ***** brand do the job and I could buy three pairs of them for the price of one pair of Lululemons!!!"

Haven't we heard it all before ladies?  Or said it ourselves?

As I said in an earlier blog, I began working out in Walmart's line of workout wear.  At that time, I would also look through the racks at Winners, at the Superstore for the Joe Fresh line, at Old Navy and the Gap Outlet.  Nothing wrong with that for sure!  They have some good stuff!

The facts are these:

1.  The prices of the clothes from these companies are minimal in comparison with some of the higher-end brands like Lululemon and Under Armour.  If you are budget conscious, and really these days who isn't, these are great options!  Also, if you plan to lose a moderate amount of weight in the near future while working out, shelling out big bucks on workout gear that will only fit for a short time may not be the best idea, so this may be a great option while you slim down! That's what I did.  I waited to invest in more expensive pieces until after I'd lost the weight I wanted so that I could use them longer!

2.  Yes, these clothes will do the job!!  Each of these companies have spent time developing  their own technical materials.  These clothes are designed for wicking sweat as you workout and to move with you as you run, flow, jump, lunge and skip!

The truth is ladies, these lower cost options for workout gear will definitely serve the purpose!

However, if you are seeking something more specific when purchasing workout gear, you may be willing to shell out bigger bucks!

Something that I have found to be true of these brands mentioned above to have in common: High polyester content!

1- In my experience, the higher the polyester content, the less wicking action in the garment.  I also find that this high polyester content also sometimes comes with a strange smell (maybe it's just me that notices this????).  Sometimes the stitching can also be itchy, especially under the arms on tanks and bras.

2- Functional clothes that move and stretch with you and keep their shape are important.  At least it is very important to me, so I feel compelled to say that at times when working out with some of these clothes with higher polyester content, they can lose their shape or sag in the bum area.  No one wants that!  Also, sometimes the tops made from this material stretch in the arms, neck and belly area - everywhere really.  It's my experience that these clothes just aren't as compressive as I like.

3-  The durability factor - do they hold up wear after wear?  Wash after wash?  Workout after workout?  For a little while, yep!  Do they hold up as long/well as some of the higher-end brands?  Not usually.  It's just a fact that I have come to see over time.

For these reasons above (functionality and fit) and for a few others (fashion/style) of some of the higher-end brands, I have moved on and have been willing to shell out more cash for my fitwear!

High-end brands such as Lululemon, Glyder Apparel, Lucy, Yogasmoga, Lole and Under Armour have some higher price tags, that's for sure.  They also have some great features which have catered to those of us who love functional and fashionable fitwear!

1-  Generally, they have lower polyester content percentages.
2 - They are designed with compression and wicking properties which keep you drier and your gear in place like a hug - no sagging bums or stretched out tanks!
3-  These clothes tend to be much more stylish!   I love all of the great color options that are out there in workout tops and tanks!  I am a multipurpose kind of girl and I use my black crops on almost a daily basis!  I wear a pair of them under a sweater dress most days  to work and then when I head to yoga or out for a run, I just change my bra, top, shoes, etc, and away I go! Comfy and functional, crops such as Lululemon's Wunder Unders, Yogasmoga's Run, Jump n' Play Crops, or Glyder's Mantra Crops are way better  than leggings any day!  They hug your body and make your legs look great all day, and then they are compressive and continue to stay in place while you run or flow the evening away!

So, is it worth it to spend primo cash on trendy fitwear?  In my opinion, it is.  For me anyhow.  I know what I like and that is functional, well-fitted gear that moves with me, stays in place, looks good and wicks away the sweat quickly!  For me, it is absolutely worth the cash!

All that being said, it can be really disappointing when you purchase something expensive and it doesn't serve your needs.  This does happen!  Like many others out there, I have tried on or ordered Lululemon pants in the past year since their sheer debacle.  This is always sad and I have had to make returns.  This can be a pain in the butt since I live no where near a store (the closest is 4 hours and a toll bridge away!) so I have to do a lot of my shopping and returns online and through Fed Ex.  I have had a few experiences when I ordered cute crops that did not pass the bend test.  The test is if you can see my underwear in downward dog, the pants are just too sheer and they must go back!  I was absolutely heartbroken this fall when I ordered a pair of the Inkwell Practice Daily Crops and tried them on.  I ordered them in my regular size 6 and the tag said "Full-On Luon", so I was sure that they'd be opaque!  I could have cried when I tried them on.  Right away the waist was at least a size too big!  When I did the bend test in front of a mirror, not only could I see my underwear, but I could almost read the size tag through the material!  Needless to say, those went back!  Every now and then you get a lemon, no matter what price is on the tag!

The message in this madness being:

1- Buy what you are comfortable paying for!  Buy what you budget allows.  If you do want a few high-end items, perhaps purchasing a few key items to add to your fitwear wardrobe (ie crops and bras are your foundation garments and should provide the most structure while you work hard and are good investment pieces).

2- Do your homework if you plan to buy more expensive pieces!  Read online reviews.  Most sites have their own section where customers have sent in reviews for almost every individual product that they offer.  This may help you determine fit and function before buying.  I recommend doing this especially if you are ordering online!  Also, check with fellow workout friends for tips on how they got along with gear that they already have tried.  Most people have favorites and go-to pieces.  Tried and true are usually best.

3- Buy what works for you!  If you don't feel good about dropping a lot of money on clothes that you plan to sweat in, then don't!  There are other options!

High-End Fitwear:  Smart or Snob?

I think that if you purchase clothes that make you feel good and serve a purpose, and that you can fit into your budget, that's always smart.  Buying a ton of gear that you can not afford - this is never good.  Check out online sales and look for product discount codes.  Yogasmoga offers a great return customer incentive called Smogi Bucks (see my earlier blog on Yogasmoga for more details or go to their site).  I've found great codes online for discounts for Glyder Apparel and Lucy as well!

I'd love any feedback on this and any other post on my blog site!

All the best with your sweaty endeavors!
Jamie



Please note that I do not receive any incentives from any of the above mentioned companies and that all of the above is purely in my own opinion, based on my own experiences!