Get Started
It’s the last day before the new year — and decade — and we are focused on making space for the new and improved fitness goals in 2020! But, rather than making goals that inevitably start to wane by the end of January or February, we’d like to give you some tips on how to stay motivated with your exercise routine throughout the year, avoiding burnout, boredom, or fatigue!
- Choose activities you are passionate about and actually enjoy.
- Keep a variety of workout routines in your rotation.
- Dress the part! When you look good, you feel good! Make sure your workout wear is supportive and fitting in the right places, as they start to become ineffective once they show signs of wear and tear (more on this later)!
- Seek an accountability partner! Look to your friends and/or loved ones to hold you accountable for the goals you have in mind, so that you’ll actually implement them!
- Keep a fitness journal. The same way you keep notes on your vision for the future or detail the foods that you eat on a daily basis, keeping a fitness journal (with incentives and rewards) will keep you interested in your long-haul workout journey!
With the calendar change tomorrow, it’s time to hit the refresh button. That not only goes for goals, aspirations, and kicking bad habits — we believe it is the best time to clear out your old activewear — Marie-Kondo style — to leave plenty of space for a fitness wardrobe that actually serves you. In the same way we make New Year’s resolutions and vow to eat, work, and live better every year, we think the same can be applied to your activewear wardrobe. Now is the perfect time to look through your sports bras, leggings, tanks and tops, yoga mats, and grip socks, to make sure you’re beginning 2020 off with a fresh start, new and effective accessories, and an excitement to achieve your active goals for the next year!
You know that feeling when you wear your newest fitness wear for the first time? The “new car smell”, the rich colors (unless it’s monochromatic), and the perfect fit (in all of your right places) are some of the best feelings when it comes to your fitness experience. On the other hand, how does it feel when you end up wearing your favorite pieces a little too often? Over time, the multiple washes (and other wear and tear) end up making the items look — and feel — less than brand new. From your apparel to your shoes, and everything in-between, we are breaking down when is the best time to think about replacing the old with the new!
Sports Bras
Be good to yourself, and keep your chest area protected and supported. When you first purchase a new sports bra, the feeling is snug, comfortable, and sturdy — all things that curb any pain you might feel when jumping, running, and moving around in your fitness routine, especially when the movements are high impact! One of the telltale signs you’ve probably worn out your sports-bra welcome, is when you start to see and feel a looseness in the elasticized trim. In addition, aside from the color fading, unintentional threadbare details, and an overall tattered look and functionality, you’ll just know when it’s time to say goodbye to your favorite sports bra and trade it in for a new fave!
Leggings
The same gage goes for leggings — when you start to notice the elasticity has been compromised, it’s time for a new pair! That feeling of a brand new pair of leggings, holding you in all of your right places, is hard to beat when it comes to the qualities we look for in a shape-enhancing, workout-complementing, moisture-wicking pair of bottoms! Fraying, sheer spots, and thinning of the fabric are hard evidence for when it’s time to update your leggings. As with other types of fitness clothing, the sweat from your workouts can contribute to the expedited breaking down of the fabric, leading to a more urgent need for some new ones! Really, that’s a good thing — it means you are staying active!
Yoga Mats
Yoga mats can get pretty grimy — with the sweat, dirt, and all of those indulgent Savasanas (ah, yes!) — so you probably think that as long as you clean it regularly, there’s no problem, right? Well, that’s not entirely true. Depending on which methods (and cleansers) you use to maintain a clean, germ-free mat, the maintenance alone can be one of the main contributing factors to the deterioration of the material! Wear, tear, and care can result in the flaking of the mat, which, in combination with other signs of use, are reasons to look at getting a new one. There are some other signs it’s time for a new mat, including the squished look in places where you repeatedly place your hands and feet, the surface becomes less slip-resistant, you don’t feel as supported by the cushion, and you can’t get rid of bad smells, even when you have cleaned it. If any of these things sound familiar, it’s time to make a change!
Tops (Tanks, tees, etc)
You may think workout tops are meant to keep well for years and years, but there are little ways in which they become worn out, over time. One of the main culprits when it comes to your favorite activewear tees and tops, is the residue that comes from deodorant. The chemicals in anti-perspirant and deodorant (alcohol, aluminum chloride, etc), in combination with your body sweat, tend to weaken the fibers in your clothes — not to mention stain and ruin them! If you’re noticing any damage to your tops and tanks — the armpit area, especially — it’s time to look at getting some new tops!
Grip Socks
Get a grip? As much as you’d like to, sometimes the grips on the bottom of your yoga socks end up having served their time! Anti-slip grip pods at the bottoms of your socks are a treasure when it comes to keeping your steady balance, position, and focus during yoga or Pilates class, so when they’re no longer effective, it can be pretty frustrating. One of the ways to extend the life of your grip socks has to do with the way you take care of them. Washing the socks by hand or on a gentle cycle (inside out) will help protect the grip pads from extended wear and tear. A key tidbit? Air dry your grip socks, so that the grips don’t end up dried out and ineffective. What good are grip socks when they have no grip? If you’re already experiencing this problem, you can always stock up on some new ones, and follow the recipe for long-term gripping success!
So, there it is! The end of a busy year and decade and you’re now well-prepared to go into the new year with the tools to create not only a fitness routine you’ll look forward to each day (between rest days), but a lifestyle that will carry you through to the end of the year, and beyond! Also in your toolbox — the secrets to successfully clearing out the workout clothes that no longer serve you, and in turn, your fitness. Happy New Year and all the best on a healthy, fit, and well-dressed 366 days in 2020 (it’s a leap year)!