Tag: workout clothes

There’s nothing quite like hitting the gym for an intense CrossFit session, getting your sweat on in a bikram yoga class, or just crushing leg day. You know that working out is great for both your physical and emotional health, and you love the adrenaline rush you get from a great gym sesh. The only downside to your daily workout? Dealing with your stinky, sweaty gear.

Is Workout Gear Worth It?

Before we discuss how to wash workout clothes, let’s talk about whether or not they’re worth spending your hard-earned money on. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from wearing a ratty pair of sweats and a neon-green t-shirt from a Turkey Trot 5K as workout gear. But there are some benefits to choosing dedicated gym wear.

First, it gives you a psychological boost. Putting on your yoga pants or hi-vis tank top signals to the brain that it’s time to start torching calories. Performance gear could actually make your workout more productive, as well. And it never hurts to look your best when you stop for that post-gym protein smoothie or cold pressed juice.

More importantly, the performance fabrics used in athletic wear will be breathable, and will help wick moisture away from your skin. This, in turn, can help reduce the risk of chafing — and of course, breathable fabrics are simply more comfortable when you’re working up a sweat.

Snug-fitting workout wear can also help keep you safe, since there are no ties, strings, or loose fabric to get caught up in the moving parts of machines like elliptical trainers or spin bikes.

How To Wash Workout Clothes

Unless you are able to come right home from the gym and immediately do a load of laundry, make sure to air out your sweaty duds ASAP. Hanging them up until they are dry will prevent them from moldering in your hamper — or, worse, your gym bag.

Turn Everything Inside Out

Turning your athletic wear inside out before washing will help keep those beautifully patterned Lululemon leggings nice and bright. There’s a more practical reason, too: the majority of odor-causing bacteria from sweat and dead skin cells is on the garments’ inside.

A Pre-Wash Soak Does Wonders

Soak your stinky gear in a solution of four parts water to one part white vinegar. Doing so can prevent detergent buildup, which actually causes even recently laundered items to smell sour and funky.

Turn the Temperature Down

Hot water is the enemy of elastic and stretchy fabrics like Lycra, so only wash your workout duds in cool or cold water. Wash them separately from other clothes, too, to avoid pilling.

The same goes for your dryer. It’s best to hang athletic clothing — its moisture-wicking quality means that it will hang dry in record time — or tumble dry on the lowest possible setting.

Just Say No To Fabric Softener

Fabric softener will interfere with absorbency and wicking, so keep it far away from your workout wear (and your towels). Felted wool dryer balls are a great, natural alternative to softeners.

Wrapping Up

Now that you know how to wash workout clothes, you’ve got no excuses to skip leg day! Just treat your performance clothing with a little tenderness, and you can stay stylish even while you sweat!

Do you have dedicated gym clothes, or do you just throw on any old t-shirt and leggings when you exercise? Let us know in the comments, and if you have any tips for laundering your gear, we’d love to hear them too!

Workout clothes have become a trendy (and profitable) lifestyle statement. Women everywhere are forgoing their usual clothes in favor of snazzy gym styles. From bootcamp to the boardroom, workout clothes are the style revolution.

But what do you do if you don’t have the budget for the variety of luxury styles that could make you stand out in a sea of yoga pants?

Keep reading for five thrifty tips on how to save money on workout clothes, so you look fierce and fit every day.

Workout Clothes: The Secrets to Get What You Want

You’re a thrift diva. Cool.

But first, there are some things you should not try to save $$ on…because when it comes to your actual workouts, being stingy could hurt your health. One of those things is appropriate footwear.

While it’s much easier to justify a quick spend on sneakers that fit your size at a discount store, you could pay the price later. Especially if your usual training schedule includes high impact moves, or long sessions. That doesn’t just include cardio workouts, either.

Strength training workouts need to be properly supported, too. Now, with that word of advice, on to your saving tips.

Think Outside the Box

Amazing clothes aren’t always where you think they’ll be. Sure, you can go into a high end store and find all the newest styles. But you’ll also find steep price tags. You might not have thought about stores like TJ Maxx or Marshall’s for your next pair of form-fitting tights.

And, if you work with a personal trainer, ask them if they get clothing discounts. They often do!

Go Online

You’re in a store and find your next workout clothes ensemble, but wait. You can probably search online and comparison shop for something similar. In fact, just a few of the right keywords can pull up a whole panel of alternate choices.

Its the generic brands that try hard to match the high end stuff. So even though the clothes aren’t luxe, they’ll still look awesome.

Mix N Match

Don’t throw away, donate, or re-purpose your old workout clothes just yet! It’s possible you can mix and match them with your newer pieces. You could always splurge on a few new, top quality items. Then, rotate in your older stuff.

And if you’re handy with needles, thread, or scissors, you could always make some adjustments to older items.

Rethink Clothing Care

Workout clothes tend to hold up better and longer with less frequent washings. Also, stick to cold water and hanging your clothes on a line to dry. You’ll not only extend their lifespan, but you’ll also be helping the environment.

Subscribe to Email Lists and Apps

You know those annoying email blitzes that offer coupon discounts? Yeah, you’ll want to actually use those. Find stores you like, and sign up for their promotional offers.

You can also download a few apps that are focused on thrift shopping, and opt to receive alerts from them as well.

Thrifty Shopping for Gym Rats

It just takes a few, common sense ideas to cut back on your workout clothes budget. Follow these tips and see the savings! If you’re looking to become a real budget babe, check out our other resources, like our health and fitness blog!