Fitspiration Fashion
The fitspiration movement continues to grow within the fashion industry, promoting a healthy lifestyle that can take you through your everyday activities and bring you to your workout classes at the gym. Many brands like Carbon38, Alo Yoga, Lulu Lemon, and Tory Sport have started to make workout clothing stylish enough to wear for doing almost anything, including working from home, running errands, or hanging out. I saw a quote yesterday on the Instagram account of my friend pictured above that said “some days you’re drinking a martini in activewear you never got active in.” I can certainly relate to this!
About a year ago I decided to start working out for the first time in what felt like forever and had a positive experience with fashionable, athletic wear. While enduring some health setbacks, I had gained weight from eating so much unhealthy food over the last few years, so I decided to join Barre3. I used to be super involved in musical theatre, and I missed dancing often, and since barre is similar to ballet and pilates I enjoyed it a lot. I felt motivated once I signed up for 3 classes per week, but when I first attended the classes in studios which have mirrors all around the room, I did not feel comfortable viewing myself. I wore the same, black tank top and leggings 3 days each week because it was the only thing I felt comfortable wearing, and I did not want to stand out. Overtime, I saw people in class wearing stylish workout clothes with different patterns and colors, so I invested in some for myself. I started wearing fashionable and more colorful outfits to class, and it made a huge difference because I felt great and confident in what I had on, and it changed my mood. Overtime, I felt better mentally and performed well in the classes.
Wearing chic, athletic clothing and accessories can be a positive thing because it puts you in the mood to workout. While going about your day, if you have on leggings, sneakers, and a fashionable crop top, you may find the inspiration to go into the gym or sign up for a workout class. Just as it can be encouraging and uplifting to wear clothes that make us feel confident and beautiful, the same can be said for workout clothes. It feels better and more motivating to see yourself in the mirror of the gym in something that makes you feel confident.
My friend pictured above, Taylor Sambola, runs one of my favorite fitness vlogs. She promotes a healthy way of living while also teaching her followers about pilates and ballet on both her Instagram and YouTube pages. I love learning from watching her videos and especially seeing all of the cute and vibrant workout sets that she wears each day. It inspires me to seek some fun colored sets, stay active, and eat healthy. She collaborates often with her fiancé and makes classes fun through incorporating puppies, pints, and champagne into her pilates classes. For anyone who doesn’t like to work out, this is the most creative way to start and get involved!
While the fitspiration movement can be uplifting and inspiring, it has also resulted in some negative consequences for people. This is derived from social comparison to images on social media and wanting one’s body to look the way that others look in athletic wear. I can say that I have been affected by this, as well. This can create and increase depression and anxiety among those who have pre-existing body image issues. Some of these images are falsely cropped and edited to show a certain body type that is not attainable, realistic, or healthy. Additionally, someone who’s career focuses primarily on being active would most likely show a different body profile than someone who works out three days per week and has an office job. I have to remember this too when searching for fitspiration pages. It is important to have the mindset to not compare our bodies with others because each of us has different lifestyles, shapes, and sizes. The brand Good American shows a wonderful presentation of stylish, athletic wear for women with all body types, and this is the way it should be! Fashion is more fun when it identifies with everyone.
Fitness clothing can also be pretty pricey, and it can be difficult to keep up with buying new workout clothes that online influencers may be paid to advertise. Those with fitness careers also need these clothes as part of their everyday life, so don’t feel like you have to keep up with the latest high-end brands. Some inexpensive, and chic workout clothing can be found at Target, Old Navy, and ASOS. Additionally, Athleta is a good quality brand that has cute clothes and lots of sales!
So if you’re looking for some motivation to get to the gym, find your favorite workouts to do from a vlogger that speak to you, like Taylor’s who’s is both creative and specialized! Just as you would dress for other events and occasions, dress for working out too, and look good for yourself, so that you feel good inside.