Exercise clothes

[minipie]

I'm determined to start doing some exercise (no really, I really will this time) and think it's more likely to happen if I have decent clothes to do it in.

So please can anyone point me towards:

• some stretchy trousers in black grey or navy

ideally something flattering for large bottom and thighs, so maybe straight legged not legging style. also full length not capri as I mostly sport the hairy legged look during winter. but shortish length as I'm only 5'3

• a decent sports bra

I'm about a 30D I think, small back but medium boobs. Any good sports bras that do that size?

• some exercise tops

previously I've just worn ancient cotton t shirts...

How is Gap Fit stuff if anyone knows?

Thank you v much

[SuperDuperJezebel]

I have a shock absorber bra and its amazing... I have seen it recommended a lot on here. I find next quite good for exercise clothes and also, surprisingly, Sports Direct. I have a Sweaty Betty giftcard and I'm struggling to spend it because everything seems so overpriced when you're used to Sports Direct!

[minipie]

thank you! looks like shock absorber bras do come in my size so that's great.

yes I have a sweaty Betty near me but am a bit reluctant to spend £50 on a top to be sweated in...

[Clure]

If you have a TK Maxx near you I would recommend there, good gear fairly cheap. Also Debenhams own brand XPG are reasonable. I would say that a loose fitting vest type top in a wicking fabric to keep cool like this
Sports bra's are tricky but I would say that shock absorber seem to have good reviews (I am a sad A cup and so usually wear nike crop tops)
Important to feel comfortable and cool! Good luck

[BIWI]

Go and have a good rummage around at Sports Direct. Loads of stuff there that's cheap as chips (mostly), so you won't have wasted your money if you end up not committing to it!

I buy all my gym and running stuff there, and it's been really good quality - a mixture of Adidas and Nike, some LA Gear, Karrimor and (for the sports bras) Lonsdale.

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Agree sports direct. I shop online and try it on at home. You can return to store if you want. I find the stores a bit of a jumble (and everything I want to look at seems to be on the highest shelves and the staff seem to disappear as soon as they think someone might need their help - could just be my local one though!)

[LittlePeopleOnTopOfTheCake]

Surprisingly, my favourite gym trousers are from Sainsburys, they have a decent selection of full length, non-legging style gym pants at competitive prices.

I second the shock absorber bra, I have teeny boobs, but when they were bigger I really rated the shock absorber bra.

[minipie]

thank you, there is a tk maxx near and also a debenhams so those are easy to check out. sports direct not so near but I will do the online thing,.. just had a look and they have some nice looking la gear t shirts for £3! bargain!

is the hi tech man made fabric actually better then? I must admit I always gravitate to cotton because I think man made=sweaty, but I'm probably out of date...

[BIWI]

No cotton isn't great, tbh. You need fabrics that will help wick the sweat away.

[NickyNackyNooNoo]

I agree with previous posters you need a really good sports bra and get everything else from Sports Direct. I also got decent trainers, the guy had me on a treadmill in the shop

Also get plenty of stuff..no excuses because it's in the wash

[Nospringchickendipper]

I also buy gym stuff from Sainsburys espically when they have 20-25% off
Have got some lovely tops for about £3 in the sales.

[yorkshirepuddings]

I really like the exercise tops from sainsburys. They aren't skin tight. Gathered at the bottom and very forgiving.

I have a rather large chest and I am yet to find a sports bra that does the job adequately. For running and high impact I wear 2 sports bras.

[BiscuitsAreMyDownfall]

Aldi is meant to be good for exercise clothes too.

I get my tops from doing 10Ks (they tend to be given out to those who run), but you will have to train to get to that stage.

Otherwise its Sports Direct all the way.

[minipie]

hahaha I won't be doing a 10K ever any time soon

Right, sounds like I need to get myself to a sports direct doesn't it? And maybe a large sainsburys too.

meanwhile I will order a shock absorber max

[MikeWazowski]

Another Sports Direct fan here, and someone gave good advice about having plenty to wear, no excuses that it's in the wash then. I always keep my gym bag packed and in the car so it's ready whenever I'm in the mood, then repack as soon as I'm home ready for next time.

[minipie]

what do you mean no excuses as if I would make excuses

does all this man made hi tech gear need to be washed at 30?

[Abzs]

Avoid cotton things. They absorb the sweat and don't let it evaporate, so you end up damp and cold. You want man-made (polypropylene I think) or wool (merino) as they evaporate it out.

Sweaty Betty has a sale online just now I think.

[Abzs]

I wash at 30, unless it's been festering in a bag/laundry bin for a while.

[5madthings]

I have a shock absorber bra, and I get the other bits from sports direct or tkmax, also gap does sportswear and had it in the sale the other day, it looked quite nice.

[hettie]

Tk maxx are good

[cardamomginger]

Try Sweaty Betty online, they have a 75% sale at the moment.

[Isthisstormcomingorwhat]

90% of my sports clothes are from TK Maxx

[minipie]

Ooh, merino is an interesting idea, but I'd mostly be exercising indoors (am not one of your British military fitness types) so would I boil? am persuaded away from cotton though.

off to look at the sweaty Betty sale

thanks again

[Abzs]

Look for 140-200 grammes per square metre fabric weight in merino. That will be fine for indoors and covers the average range of tshirtish weight fabric.