I've Tried All the Workout Gear & This Is What Works Harder Than You
The workout clothes, shoes, socks, and more that are my cream of the crop top picks and I don't stray from! Workouts just go so much better (& happen in the first place) when you have the right gear!
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I’d Rather Just Not…If I Don’t Have The Right Gear
For those of you who don’t know, I’d describe myself as extremely active. I am a 20k steps a day person, and even on sick days or “light days”, I’m at least at 15k.
It’s a mix of power walking, running, and training for half marathons, marathons and races. I’d say I am always in marathon shape, it’s just that during some life cycles I’d put up better times than others, but I can always finish if that’s the goal. A friend messages me on Tuesday and wonders if I want to run a half marathon on Saturday? Sure thing! I’ll see you at 4:30AM Saturday!
I also do yoga, mat pilates, and strength training at the gym. I like climbing hills, I always take the stairs, I walk on escalators, I never use moving pedways, basically I’m a person who functions best when I move my body a lot (which is ironic since I also sit at my desk for 8-12+ hours a day)!
Over the years I’ve learned that if I don’t have the right gear, for me, my workouts are miserable. I am def not one of those “whatever’s clean” I’ll just throw it on people. Or “it’s on sale so I’ll buy it” - nope because I end up not using it and being wasteful is never in style.
By no means in this a comprehensive list of everything I’ve ever worn or used. Rather, the items that I have in every color, are always in rotation, and I can buy online without trying on.
I’m keeping this list smaller while still being thorough because I also don’t believe that you need “tons of stuff” to work out. No, you sure don’t. You need motivation more than you need stuff.
I’m also a firm believer in “you get what you pay for”. There’s a reason Lulu gear is expensive: it lasts through hundreds of washes. Or why Hokas are so pricey: You get 500 miles before you need to replace them. Your mileage will vary of course, pun intended.
Tops/Bras
I machine wash these and hang everything up to dry. I do not put any of these in the dryer.
Lululemon Flow Y Bra - The GOAT (greatest of all time). I have bought it in dozens of colors over the years. The Nulu fabric is buttery soft and I love it. I buy the A-C, it’s tightish, but it holds me in, and this is my base layer for 100% of any workout activities from yoga to running. I don’t like sports bras that have an actual back clasp (this one doesn’t), and while adjustable straps can be nice, these hit me perfectly and I don’t feel there’s anything to adjust. Sports bras and tops are highly personal but this is mine.
Lulu Energy Bra - For more full coverage and greater support, this is a runner up. It’s still cute with the crisscross back straps but more coverage in front.
Lulu Align Tank - I am Team Align with anything because the fabric is just so soft. If you like a tank + bra in one, these are great and it’s a crop but not too cropped. My daughter loves these!
Swifty Shirt 2.0 - An all-around great short sleeve workout shirt. Lasts forever, thin and breathable but not paper thin. I size up in this shirt because I don’t like that skin tight across the chest feeling that makes me feel like I should be at a club rather than the gym, so a little extra material is preferred. The Long Sleeve Version is great if you need a longsleeve option.
Shorts/Pants
For yoga, pilates, running, walking, or the gym, I only wear the Lululemon Align line because the fabric is buttery soft, the right amount of stretch, it lasts forever, it’s sweat absorbent and wicking, it just works for me!
I machine wash these and hang everything up to dry. I do not put any of these in the dryer.
Lulu Align Short - I always get the 6 inch inseam. My daughter gets the 4 inch inseam, but we're 30 years apart 😉. I have it in every color, this is all I wear for running, walking, yoga, Pilates, the gym. Basically this is the only thing I wear.
Align 17” Crop Pants - When it's too cold to run outside in San Diego in shorts, I wear cropped pants. I like the 17 inch because it comes just underneath the knee, but doesn't go down all the way over my calf. Those are 21 inches.
Align 28” Pants - These are full length pants that come to your ankle, I'm 5’11” and they still come to my ankle. But they do come in 31 inches if you’re really tall AND really long-legged.
Jackets/Vests
Because I live in San Diego, AND I’d rather be a little cold rather than a little too warm when I’m running outside (I cannot stand being overdressed and it’s said that being overdressed can reduce your performance by 20%!!) , so my recs in this category are limited.
Define Hooded Jacket - I love a hood because childhood ear infections left me with extremely sensitive ears to wind and “cold” (it does get into the high 30s in San Diego in the winter for early morning or evening runs). There’s also an non-hood Define Jacket. I love that you can turn the sleeves over your hands to create little “mittens” which are great for running. Without a doubt, I’ve washed this at least 1000 times. Yep, nearly daily for 4-5 years. I sized up because I don’t like any too-tight in the chest feeling when I’m running.
Down For It Vest - For those times when I need a little more warmth than just my Define Jacket, I throw this on top. I find that the waist-hip area is quite exaggerated as workout gear goes and really snatches your waist, which is a blessing so you don’t look boxy but also if you don’t want to look snatched while working out, take heed.
Rain Jacket - Mine is similar to the linked style. It rarely rains here but when it does, this keeps me 100% dry, no questions asked.
Running Shoes (that I also walk in and strength train in because I just do)
This is so highly personal and I’ve ran in every single shoe out there. I used to run in Nikes for 20+ years but over the years, they've gotten wider and wider, as Americans have gotten wider and wider and for me they are just too wide.
I've ran in Brooks, Asics, Saucony, Reebok, New Balance, OnCloud (omg, no hate them with those little gaps in the sole area, they don’t not feel cloud-like, they feel stiff and lack cushioning), and my current go-tos are mostly Hokas.
Hoka Clifton 10 - I am linking to women’s shoes but I wear a size 12 to 12 1/2 in women’s shoes (yep I am 5’11” and my feet are proportionate to my height) so I need to size up to mens shoes to truly be comfortable since women’s shoes rarely go past 11 or 12.
Remember when you run/walk/warm weather, your feet will swell so it’s smart to size up a half-size generally speaking. And if you’re between sizes, always size up. I like the Clifton's because they are a good cushioned shoe for training runs, even after 8 to 10 miles. Anything can feel good for the first 3 to 5 miles. But how do you feel after 10 miles? That's why I really like the Cliftons. Squishy, springy, not too much sole, a good balance of plushness to functionality. Take these out on a long run and you won’t be disappointed.
Hoka Mach 6 - This shoe has a leaner profile compared to the Clifton. It's not as squishy and cushioned, but I think it's faster. And if you like shoes with less profile, less sole, just less bulk, this is a great shoe at a great price.
Hoka Mach X3 - If you’re trying for a PR, this is the shoe I’d wear to your next race. I’ve had three generations of this shoe - back when Hoka started it and marketed it as a unisex sized shoe. It has a new generation Pebex plate (cousin to a carbon fiber plate) and I love these. They’re responsive, not plush; but that’s what you want when you’re running for speed. Think of these as the Ferrari that you take out to go super fast. Carbon fiber plated shoes have been controversial because it’s said that high end athletes are breaking records when wearing them but that not everyone has access to shoes like this. This isn’t the shoe to buy if you don’t know what a PR is. Save your money - you don’t need this shoe.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 - These are full carbon-plated soles, and they are ultra lightweight. There's not much support because the upper is so thin and breathable, but that also helps them stay in the featherweight category! I've raced in these shoes and trained in them, and they are solid performers. They’re pricey, but you get what you pay for. Fully recommended.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 - The Endorphin line has both “Pro” and “Speed”. I personally like the Pro a little better, it’s slightly lighter, and aesthetically, I like it better but if this shoe speaks to you, I've worn it and it's been a great performer.
Socks
There are only a few socks I will wear, and everything linked has been worn for thousands of miles (no joke!) inside my running shoes and washed and dried in the dryer hundreds of times.
Balega Blister Resistant Socks - I am very prone to blisters, I've tried all the socks, I've tried all the tricks, and I go for a long run runs. So what feels bad after 5000 steps, after 20,000 steps it's true misery. And I have to say, knock on wood, I've never had a blister wearing these socks. And they're not overly thick either!
Balega Ultraglide Friction Free Socks - These socks are said to reduce blisters, and they do. They are thinner than the socks above, but if you're not really all that prone to blisters, or are probably “average”, these are wonderful performance socks.
Feetures High Perfomance Cushion Socks - For years, this is all I wore! Super solid socks, cushioned in all the right places without being thick, and prevented blisters. These are also the socks that I wear if I'm wearing cute but functional walking shoes in Europe on days where we walk and walk and walk.
Accessories & Everything Else
Manduka Pro Yoga Mat - 6mm thickness, regular length (although I have tried the long and even being tall, it's more mat that I need or that will comfortably fit in very crowded yoga or pilates classes). I've had this for at least 10 years, and it's perfect. Enough said. It's the best of the best in yoga mats (or pilates). If you’re sick of ripping, shredding, slipping, sliding, or not having enough cushion - or too much - get this.
Fun Fact: I’ve been a RYT certified yoga teacher since 1999! I started doing yoga long before it was trendy and my practice has changed and shaped my life for the better. Realizing that a ‘What Yoga Has Taught and Given Me’ post is in order!
Manduka Hot Yoga Mat Towels - Has grippy little nubs on the underside and stick perfectly to the mat, without being too grippy. Again, I've tried all of the towels, just skip those and get this. Washes and dries like a dream.
You can see both the mat and the mat towel in this time lapse video.
Silk Skinny Scrunchies - I cannot stand having my hair flopping around when I'm working out!!! It's an absolute dealbreaker, I just hate the feeling so finding a hair tie solution that doesn't rip my hair out is really important. I personally put my hair up in one and then wrap a separate one around the hair to make a knot on top of my head. They come in every color combination and thicknesses. I like the skinny size. I've also tried the Amazon knock offs and I prefer these. I washed and drying them in the dryer every week or so.
Bandi Pocketed Belt - Right up there with socks and yoga mats, I've tried all of the running belts and things to hold your phone, keys, and a chapstick. This is the only one that I can recommend and come back to. The Lululemon belt is way too tight and the fanny pack is way too floppy. The Bandi belt hugs your body, without being too tight, it has an adjustable strap, and it fits an iPhone Pro Max. Again, another item I've washed thousands of times. I also bring this to Disney when I truly cannot have anything bulky on my body or be forced to contend with the old ‘what am I going to do with my purse on the ride’ feeling. I use this.
Let me know what your favorite workout gear, items, and must-have’s are!
I swear by that running band and I’m so glad you introduced me to it! We have so many of the same favorites. Ladies of great taste.