Work out, look great

Work it!

How are your New Year’s resolutions coming along? Are you close to attaining them, or are they a distant memory? How about the ever-present fitness/losing weight/getting in shape (whatever you choose to label it) resolution? If you have already stopped using your new equipment or gym membership, I have an idea that may renew your resolve.

As you know, when you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, it leads to action…like working-out action. So here’s the deal: let’s get you looking good while working out, and you may just be surprised at how much you actually enjoy working on your fitness resolution.

During the winter, if you work out in the great outdoors, it’s all about warmth—with style. Bright colors and reflective materials are important due to the short days, so you can safely work out either before work or after you get home.

At Performance Running Outfitters, a local sports shop with three locations around the greater Milwaukee area, you can find warm, stylish performance clothing for running, walking and other activities. They offer a great selection for both men and women that will have you and others around you smiling at the fun colors and designs (while you’re trouncing them). They offer many well-known brands of both apparel and accessories (and, of course, shoes) that will have you looking so good, it will propel you forward.

Don’t you hate it when you visit a shop, whether in person or online, and have to look for help?  In most stores, they either offer you no information or just enough to utterly confuse you. One of the best things about Performance Running Outfitters is that they run the talk (yes, pun intended). For proof, check out their “About” page. Tom, the young man I spoke to this week, said he’s been running for 10 years (probably since he was a toddler). In other words, they possess firsthand knowledge of what’s going to work for you. You can rely on their expertise. Refreshing, huh?

If you’re a yoga or Pilates person who values strength and flexibility, soothing, streamlined clothing is the way to go. You don’t need major warmth as much as you need fabrics that don’t bunch while you’re achieving masterful poses.

Several months ago, I took a client to One Tooth Activewear at Bayshore Mall in Glendale. One Tooth is a Canadian company, and the Bayshore location is their only U.S. store, but you can also shop online. It may be somewhat of a chain retail company, but the assistant manager seemed to be knowledgable about what pieces work best for different situations. Even though it’s categorized as yoga wear, most of the pieces are appropriate for other low-impact sports as well. They have both male and female clothing — so now there’s no excuse to be wearing ratty tees and sweat pants, guys.

Lululemon athletica is a large chain store for yoga and running apparel. The staff is knowledgeable about their products and how best to use them. There’s only one store in the greater Milwaukee area, located in the Third Ward. They offer gear for both genders, which means both you and your partner can find something there. The downside is that the women’s sizes only go up to 12. Hopefully, they will change that in the near future. A unique Lululemon offering is free Saturday-morning yoga classes; their calendar displays the locations of the often-packed classes.

Plus-size beauties can rest assured that there are options for them as well. Although I couldn’t find any plus-size workout apparel stores in Milwaukee (hint), I know that Old Navy carries curvy fitness clothing, as does Always for Me, which carries sizes up to 26W. They carry cute, colorful active wear as well as swimsuits. Yet another plus-size activewear source is Juno Active. They carry sizes up to 40W. They even carry triathlon swimwear. Go for it girls!

One last thing, ladies: a strong, capable workout bra will save you from bouncing, hurting and wanting or needing to stop. From my experience, Champion has great medium-priced options. If you work out most days of the week, I suggest getting at least three bras so you can rotate them. With constant use, I suggest getting new workout bras every year. Once they start stretching or showing any kind of wear, they no longer do the necessary job.

So there you have it: multiple fitness apparel options to get you looking so great, you can’t wait to reinvigorate your resolution of health and well-being. Viva fitness!