The Fashionable Guide to Quarantine Active-Wear

Let’s face it, it can be tough to muster up motivation during these times of social isolation. It’s a matter of focus, discipline and time management to ensure that you’re keeping a consistent routine of activity when you have the infinite option to live from the comfort of your couch.

Considering all of the inactivity that comes with the amount of time that we’re spending at home and in front of a computer screen, it’s important to carve out time for movement. 

Although the importance of exercise is ubiquitous, let's be honest, the last thing you want to do is kick your own butt after a day full of pandemic life doing that for us all. In order to convince ourselves that we have the power and ability to incorporate some fit time into our lives, sometimes we need a little inspiration.

One of my favorite tools is to approach exercise as a fun,  self-care activity, rather than a tedious task. To start, I suggest finding the type of workouts best suited for your level of physical skill and endurance. Second, decide which part of your day works best to fit in some exercise time. Lastly, dress the part.

It doesn't hurt to find apparel that exudes taste and functionality when hitting your backyard or yoga mat. For your at-home and future gym workouts, find gear that ensures high performance and technical fabric without compromising personal style. Looking forward to sweating off those calories quarantine snack calories can be easily achieved by treating yourself to some fabulous athletic attire.

Sneakers

The best way to dress yourself for a workout is from the bottom up, starting at your foundation: your shoes. A quality pair of training sneakers will provide you with much needed reinforcement during a high intensity workout. This type of support will benefit everything from your posture to your knees and back, and will also make you feel like you're ready to take on the world (or simply the stair climber).

Although a pair of high performance trainers can be a bit costly, your investment will certainly reap the rewards. Check out these adorable mango colored Nike Flex Trainer 4's for maximum stability and comfort. I promise that these will function as eye candy that will make you enjoy running those stadiums a lot more.

Power Shorts

Whether you're working up a sweat during a few sun salutations or jogging in the neighborhood, a comfy pair of shorts will provide maximum breathability while showing off your toned thighs. Lightweight shorts will allow you to feel agile and breezy without all of that extra fabric weighing you down.

Try these woven running shorts from Forever 21's active wear line. The thin fabric will keep you feeling and looking cool, while the attached inner spandex liner will cover your goods in case of any unwarranted ride ups.

Fitted Leggings

Exercise pants or capris are ideal for high intensity and cardio workouts such as boot camp classes, kickboxing, or weight training. Shorts tend to cause constant fidgeting and tugging down, so full-length leggings offer more coverage and allow you to focus on the activity at hand.

Exercise pants come in an array of colors, styles and designs, making them a versatile piece of any fit girl's wardrobe. Take a look at these body-sculpting leggings, from ellie.com, which are designed to shape your booty, lengthen your legs and even flatten your tummy with a surplice waistband.

The Bra

A comfortable, supportive, (and cute) sports bra is necessary for a solid workout. Unlike your regular every day bra, the sports bra allows you to feel liberated while providing your upper body with much needed sustentation. Sports bras can be worn alone or can provide a trendy accent to the rest of your exercise attire, with a pop of color or a visible and fun strap design. This shimmery bra from MPGsport.com gathers in the center, giving you shape rather than flattening your chest (as many sports bras tend to do).

Active Tank

The days of using one of your dad's old football shirts are definitely over and it's time to move on to more sophisticated gym wear. The active tank is the icing on your ensemble's cake and can come in a myriad of colors, prints, styles and designs. Expand your athletic wardrobe with funky tops to make any workout that much more fun and appealing.

I recommend starting your gym fashion repertoire with a basic black tank, like the Oula Tank by Fabletics. The flattering color slims any body type while the elastic material within the fabric allows for a snug fit without being overly tight. No better way to remind yourself to keep your ab muscles flexed and engaged during a core workout routine.

So whether you're a dancer, a cardio bunny, a yogi, or simply using a trip to the fridge as an excuse for cardio, styling a cute and functional work out ensemble will definitely keep you smiling through your sweat and make your fitness sacrifices that much more endurable.