KICKING AGEISUM

One topic I don’t read a lot about is fitness apparel for midlife women. There are one or two women- driven niche brands out there that recognize that our needs have changed, but I have personally found their clothing to be a miss for me. They are just not that exciting, nor do they address my personal requirements and are limited in choices.

I’m a fashionista at heart and want to have diverse outfits to choose from. Some people are just looking for functionality out of their fitness apparel. I get that the fashion component may not be important to everyone, and some are intimidated to go bold beyond the traditional black leggings and sports bras. While functionality is indeed critical, some gym-goers, like me, also use these clothes to represent their fashion aesthetic. Midlife women are no exception- we are currently considered the healthiest, richest, and most active group of women in history.

Those of us in midlife need top-notch fitness apparel to help us get through grueling workouts like boxing, weightlifting, HIIT, spinning, Pilates, yoga, CrossFit, dance, etc. We also account for 64% of global spending, so clearly, we have the want and we have the means! I admit I am very particular when it comes to exercise apparel. I’ve been doing for this for a long time (I’ve even seen certain trends come back around, like the one piece and flare) I know what I like and don’t like. I’m not afraid to splurge a little when it comes to my fitness clothes, as I know I’m going to get a lot of mileage out of them. I’m also happy to step out of my comfort zone and try different things for a new look. Fitness clothes are an expression of my fashion aesthetic-my way of enjoying trending items. Here’s what I look for when shopping for fitness apparel.