Best workout clothing/shoes? And exercise challenge!

[fieryred33143]

So I joined this exercise challenge at work. It is a 6 week program running from July 6 through August 17. Teams of 4 are formed and with your challenge is to get the most points. Points are awarded based on what you eat, health lectures you attend, health procedures (like checking blood pressure), and of course exercising. For example, our company offers a ''wellness'' meal every day which is 1 point. Exercising on the eliptical for 30 mins is 1 point. Spinning for 45 mins is 3 points. So on... Prizes are given to the winning team (3 months free membership to the gym, $50 spa GC, and something else I can''t remember)

Aside from the team competition, there is also a department challenge. The department that gets the most employees to sign up and that accumulates the most points wins a prize.

One of our coworkers is VERY competitive, especially when it comes to sports or working out. He sent out an email to everyone saying that we should all sign up so that we could win the department challenge. Then he went around a day or so later asking everyone if they did. He works out 3 times a day: spinning in the morning (at 6am

), weights in the afternoon during lunch, and jogs before leaving work in the evening. We tease him that he needs to find a few more hobbies

. I was a little nervous about signing up because I make a million excuses when it comes to working out and didn''t want to be held accountable to anyone in case I drop out which was very likely.

Well...guess who I was paired up with? Yup...my super competitive coworker

. He wants to do a physical assessment with me tomorrow (as well as the other 2 teammates) and then come up with a workout schedule for the 6 weeks

I''m really nervous but sooooo excited. It''s like having my own drill sergeant.

Anyway, that was a really long intro but what I need help with is figuring out what kind of workout clothes to buy! I have a couple of yoga/sweat pants and some t-shirts but I''m looking for new stuff. Most of the workouts will be done indoors but he did mention having us walk/jog as a team twice a week outside.

What do you normally workout in?

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I love three items in my workout wardrobe-cause you know I'm all about working out these days **takes big bite out of egg and cheese sandwich**

1. Lululemon "bounce breaker" sports bra. totally adjustable wide straps and band, vented and lifts and separates so you don't get uniboob.

2. Microfiber yoga capris-I get them at Target, can't remember the brand, but they're about $15-20.

3. Adidas ankle socks-I get them at TJ Max for about $5/4 pack. They're almost mesh so your feet breathe really well and don't get sweaty.

And I prefer to work out in tank tops over tee shirts. I just buy the basic ON tanks.

 

[Haven]

The former personal trainer in me (not to mention the fact that I''m married to a muscle specialist) compels me to say "PLEASE DON''T OVERDO IT, FIERY! I don''t want you to get hurt!"

The majority of the injuries my husband treats are from people overdoing in the gym. And, unless your partner is a health professional who specializes in fitness or biomechanics, just be careful and don''t allow his competitiveness to push you more than your body can handle it. (And by the way, I know a lot of PTs who steer their clients wrong, too. I''m just saying . . . )

THAT BEING SAID, I love to work out in a pair of yoga pants I bought years ago from Sports Authority. They hug my waist and thighs and then they''re loose around my calves. Very comfy.
I like to wear an Under Armour tank top with a built-in sports bra unless I''m doing serious running, then the girls need more support. I also wear a lot of sports bras with tank tops. I don''t like to workout in sleeves, either. As for shoes, I wear my Pumas that have nice and flexible soles.

Have fun! Be careful! And . . .

WIN WIN WIN!!!!

 

[fieryred33143]

Thanks for the tips! I figured tanks would be better than tees.

Haven-I was really nervous about overdoing it also! BUT, one of our team members is our much older Director (his direct boss) so I know that while he will push, he''ll have his boundaries. Also, the gym employees are all licensed personal trainers and the head of the program has her masters in physical education. They are also meeting with those that clicked on ''sedentary'' in the questionnaire to give us basic rules/education.

But yes his competitiveness really makes me nervous. We are only allowed 6 points per day (last year he and others were logging in 15 points per day which made it unfair for others that didn''t have the time to work out as much). Still 6 points is a lot of exercise, probably about 2-3 hours worth. My goal is 3-4pts per day.

 

[BeachRunner]

I like the moisture wicking clothing. I don''t wear any cotton during my workouts.

When starting a running program, shoes are the most important article of clothing. I go to a local running store and get fitted for proper shoes. They will watch you walk/run to determine pronation. They will fit you with a shoe to ensure you are inline when walking/running. If that is something you don''t want to do, just ensure your shoes have plenty of support and cushioning. Your feet and joints will thank you later.

I like Under Armour compression shorts; they stay in place and prevent inner thigh chafing.

I run in a skirt, and I know that''s not for everyone. But, they are wonderful, and don''t ride up like shorts do! For anything over 3-4 miles, I''ll wear the compression shorts under them to prevent chafing.

I prefer tank tops to t-shirts. Again, I''ll only wear moisture wicking tops. Target has a good selection.

 

[mayachel]

This sounds like such a great opportunity to jump start your own wellness as well as get some new ideas. So what if you slave through for 6 weeks? After that, you can get into a more relaxed rhythm knowing how much you can accomplish when you put your mind to it.

So I say go for it!

I really can''t say enough good things about moisture wicking workout clothes. Just make sure you feel them, try them on etc...as some fabric are more lightweight and comfortable than others.

Invest in a good sports bra. I like the moving fitness brand. The website often has older lines on sale, and so does sierra trading post.

Eastern Mountain Sports also has a big summer sale coming up soon, I plan to restock my workout gear from that.

 

[appletini]

I love the champion line at Target. They are inexpensive, sweat wicking, and have lots of colors.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

The yoga pants I love are from the Champion line!

 

[fieryred33143]

Thanks! I''ll head to Target today!

 

[appletini]

Fiery did you find some cute workout clothes at Target?

 

[oranges]

congratulations on starting a new work-out regimen!
Shoes:
the best sneakers that I have found are asics. they are absolutely wonderful for running-- great support.
Clothes:
i never wear cotton while working out since it tends to trap moisture. also, marshall's and TJMAXX are awesome places to get brand-name work out gear. i get all of my workout clothes there for like 10-15 dollars a piece! generally, i like to wear a good sports bra, tank top and black capri length leggings!