Affordable Gym Clothes

A few months ago, I began my yearly sneaker hunt. At first, I was unwilling to pay more than $30, but ended up laying down $54 for a new pair of New Balance 407 Cross Trainers.I found it extremely difficult to an affordable pair of cross trainers, which differ from running shoes in that they are wider and for activities where you will be moving in a variety of ways. Running shoes were available in a variety of price points, but, since I’m not a runner, they were not what I was looking for.

Another thing you do not want to skimp on is socks! I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a good foundation for your workout routine. I prefer ankle length socks as socks cut below the ankle often fall down into my sneakers. My favorite brand of athletic socks include Hanes and Puma, both of which you can find at Target for $8 – $11 (6 pack) and TJ Maxx for about $10, respectively.

Aside from footwear, the next most important component to my workout outfit is my sports bras–the rest can be improvised. My favorite spot for finding any athletic gear is Target–they have great prices and sturdy clothing. That’s where I picked up a Champion sports bra.  Since I’m a little bit bigger chested, I like to double up my bras for extra support.

I usually don’t buy new gym clothing as most of my gym clothes come from the Goodwill or are so old I can no longer remember where they came from in the first place! However, when I am home, I often borrow my little sister, Maria’s, gym clothes.

As far as shirts go, I waver between just throwing on a regular t-shirt and going and wearing ones with a built in bra. It really depends on what I’m going to be doing and who will be there. If I go on a bike ride through a rural area, I may be inclined to just throw on a t-shirt. If more people will be around, I like to use a shirt with a built in bra. Like this one from Old Navy ($16.50)

So, as you can see, you can usually get away with spending under $20 for the majority of your gym wear. Laying down the extra bucks for your gym shoes is well worth it–treat your feet well and they’ll return the favor!