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​Everyone knows that working out is good for you.  And it is.  But in order to be comfortable when working out, you need the right attire.  That may be a tee shirt and shorts, or it may be the newest dance-fitness look.  It's entirely up to you.  But if you'd like to shop around for new gear, there are a lot of options!  You can find workout clothing lines, at various price points, so how much you spend is up to you.

Sticker Shock!
Keep in mind that some sites can be very pricey, and you can find workout wear at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Target, and various department stores.  So don’t feel as though you have to go for the high-end merchandise.  Some people have a few high-end purchases mixed up with more reasonably priced pieces.  You can buy a pair of high end leggings for $140 dollars at San Diego Fit (http://sandiegofit.com/), or you can buy less pricey ones for $10 at the Online Leggings Store (http://www.onlineleggingstore.com/).  Please don’t be alarmed by the way the models look on this site.  I’m pretty sure they’re photoshopped to look like 11 year old girls. 
 
Leggings/capris
What you should look for in work out leggings is the right fabric, and it doesn’t necessarily need to be a high-tech wicking fabric.  One thing to look for is fabric that’s not too thin and clingy.  Why?  Because it’ll end up clinging to places that you don’t want it to.  Also, color is important.  The lighter the material, the more see-through it is.  That being said, black isn’t your only option.  Patterns do a good job of hiding that cheetah print underwear you may or may not be wearing to class.
 
You can get good deals on leggings from Dance Wear Solutions (http://www.dancewearsolutions.com/).  They have everything from capris to full length leggings to hip hop style pants.  If you create an account, they’ll let you know when they have discounted merchandise.  As far as sizing goes, I’ve had good luck with ordering my usual street wear size.  This site also has work out tops.  
 
Fitness Fashions (http://fitnessfashions.com/) is a site that I’ve used that also has an actual store in Woodland Hills.  They carry a lot of T-Party items that I like.  Some of the brands here (like at San Diego Fit) are one size fits all.  Be careful!  This doesn't work for everyone.  If you go into the store you can try things on.
 
And of course, there’s always branded workout gear.  Zumba (https://www.zumba.com/en-US/shop/US) has adjusted their sizes to be more realistic and I find that my street wear size now matches their sizing.  There’s also WERQ (http://werqfitness.myshopify.com/) gear.  This shop sells out fast, and tanks in different colors are put back up on the site fairly frequently.  They are also running a new give away for the new year.  On the first Friday of every month, they will be giving something small away, no shipping fee.  They started the program this month with WERQ magnets.  Supplies are limited, so don't forget to check their site!      
 
Bras
This is a very important part of workout wear for the ladies.  You do NOT want to be dancing and working out without support.  “Yoga” bras are very lightweight and not suitable for dance-fitness unless you don’t need a lot of support.  Most bras designed for working out have designations from “low-impact” to “high-impact,” so shop accordingly. 
 
Title Nine (http://www.titlenine.com/products/sports-bras-and-undies-wicking-sports-bras.do) carries bras from lightweight to high impact bras, underwire bras, and bras for larger-breasted women.  Bras and workout gear can be found at Athleta (http://www.athleta.com/products/sports-bras.jsp). 
 
Reviews
Reading the reviews before ordering is a good idea for both sizing and quality issues at any site you're thinking of purchasing from.

Care of Workout Wear
If you take care of your gear, it’ll last a long time!  That means either cold hand wash or delicate cycle in the washer and hang dry.  Your things won’t shrink or fade, and leave out the fabric softener because that also contributes to fading.
 
Well, have fun checking out new stuff for the coming new year!  And remember, if you're more comfortable in shorts and a tee, wear that!  It's about keeping YOU comfortable when you workout.
 
I’ll be giving you suggestions for shoes next, so keep checking back for more posts! 

Let's keep moving!