Fashionable Fitness

Do the words “fashion” and “fitness” even belong in the same sentence? “Clearly not,” some of you might say. “Only the biggest divas wear anything other than a raggedy, old T-shirt and shorts to the gym.”

But do people who plan what they wear to the gym really fall into the “Gym Diva” category? That girl I’ve seen who talks loudly on her phone for 30 minutes on the elliptical is the Queen Diva herself. Anyone who applies extra makeup before hitting Dillon also gets my “diva” tag. But fitness can be a little bit fashionable, as long as fashions stay practical and simple.

Do I recommend spending upwards of $100 for a spiffy new tracksuit that matches from head to toe? No, no, and no. (Unless you want to dress up as Chas Tenenbaum from “The Royal Tenenbaums” in his signature red Adidas getup. Google it. It’s hot.) High-end fitness stores these days, like national chain Lululemon Athletica with an outpost at 36 Nassau Street, have great fashionable fitness options. However, these options can get pricey, and “matchy,” fast. I am not a fan of matching fitness gear; it reminds me of what the soccer moms in my hometown wear to their yoga classes. Your pants and top should not be the same color and made out of the same fabric, unless you want to look like a Gym Diva.

So, instead of matching, shoot for “complementary.” That goes for color and fabric — as in black yoga pants with a white T-shirt, or grey shorts with a colorful tank top. The least you can do before hitting Dillon is check that the colors of your clothing items look good together. If you do even that, you’re well on your way to becoming a fashionable gym-goer.

Another easy way to pass the gym fashion test is to make sure the clothes you wear fit properly. Too big or too small doesn’t cut it. No, I do not want to see your midriff (Unless you have 6-pack abs. But still!) That T-shirt you got in fifth grade needs to be retired. Also, sweatpants that are way too baggy are never flattering, and you don’t want your pants’ hem getting caught in the StairMaster. If you find clothes that fit properly, you will feel better about your body, which will probably make you want to keep working out or run a little faster on that treadmill.

That said, sometimes it is okay to be unfashionable at the gym. I use the gym as the chance to wear those random free T-shirts taking up space in my drawer. When else will I get to show off that I was a host for Princeton Preview or that I went to a Ben Folds concert in 2009?

I still stay away from any shirts that are obnoxiously orange-colored or too baggy, and I recommend that you do too. In other words, the XXL T-shirt I got at the Pre-Rade last year because I was last in line will not be part of my fitness wardrobe anytime soon. In fact, I should probably burn that.