Affordable workout clothes!

January -- the time of year where everyone gets up off their booty to make a change! I am loving all of the positivity around me. Women are coming together to root each other on, I am getting all sorts of ideas or organization and healthy food is flooding my feeds on social media. Health thoughts = healthy actions.

With all of this new year, new you happening, one thing I started thinking about was leisurewear. Now, typically if I find a great pair of leggings, they are more so used for lounging, but as of July I have been working out for this wedding and turns out some of the expensive leggings I've bought don't pair well with the gym.

First-of-all did you know people "squat-proof" leggings? It's genius. In most of the reviews I've seen for true athletic leggings, people are squatting to be sure the leggings don't roll down or show ya butt. It would have saved me time of the years finding the right brand. Nothing if more annoying than giving your workout your all and then having to stop to re-situate your pants.

For this post, I wanted to focus on workout bottoms. To be honest, I can throw on any old t-shirt/hoodie combo and feel find, but finding the right leggings are difficult. I am going to break-down my top favorites as well as the worst so you hopefully can navigate all of the brands out there with a little more ease.

FAVORITES

1. American Eagle - Move High Waisted 7/8 Legging

Run - don't walk - and buy these. I have these in the olive green color, and on AE's website there are a few different color options - I would buy these in every color possible. They don't slip down, they stretch, yet stay in place in all the right places and the compression is amazing. The fabric is buttery soft, but with more spandex. They have a mesh insert on the thigh, which is little revealing, but with the mesh panel, it's not too bad. The length is perfect - mine hit right on the lower calf so I don't have to worry about them looking funny with sneakers. They are the best leggings I've ever bought. Right now they are 60% off - a steal - for around $20. They have limited sizes still available in black, but most are in stock for the navy color.

2.  Reebok - High Rise Performance Compression Leggings

When I first started to really get into lifting, like 5 years ago (I took a long 5 years break after that LOL), is when I realized my cotton leggings were not going to last during an hour long workout. Sweat marks, camel-toe, pulling the leggings up -- all not good when you're trying to focus on a good workout. I went to Dick's, looked at a few brands and ultimately the Reebok's fit me best. I think it's because I have a big butt/thighs, but nonetheless they fit amazing. They are comfortable, don't ride up or fall down and the quality of the legging is great. I have washed the 2 pairs I have multiple times and they still fit like they did the first time I wore them. I found them on Amazon for around $24 on Prime -- amazing. I think I still paid around $50 at Dicks at the time for each pair.

3. Queenie Ke Tummy Control Legging

I found these on Amazon after a Buzzfeed article recommended them. I ordered these and 1 other pair, which didn't fit great. I was worried these would be the same, but turns out they just truly fit. They are true-to-size, which is difficult sometimes with brands on Amazon. They aren't the compression material, but more so cotton-like. They stay exactly where they should when you workout and they are great for wearing to work or with a tunic and then head straight to the gym. The only drawback is because of the cotton-like material, they do draw lint, but nothing a lint roller can't fix. I found these on Amazon as well for around $22.

WORST

1. Dragon Fit - Workout Leggings. 

I went on a whim and bought them off Amazon. The fit did not actually fit. It was like the same leg size from the calf all the way up. B. The fabric was SO thin. If I did fit into them I would have to wear a long sleeve shirt or over-sized T-shirt to even get a good workout in. B. TOO MUCH compression. Once around my stomach, the band was so tight. I don't know if it was the hem at the top that was worse, but either way, it almost cuts into your stomach. There were super cheap, so I guess I got what I paid for.

2. Bayleaf - Workout Leggings

This was another Amazon fail. I get that the price is so low and "don't expect to get quality for that cheap" -- yada yada yada. I get it, but these were pretty bad too. It could very well be that I sized down, which is my fault, but the fabric seemed just as thin as the Dragon Fit pair. If I do like them once they fit better, I will have to see how they wash. The stitching doesn't seem to be all that great.


BOTTOM LINE - Compression type materials are best for when lifting, because they don't move around. If leggings are too comfortable, I would save them for lounging. Let's be real - no one buys leggings to let it all hang out, so if you find your leggings are stretching out or not supporting you where they should, again, save them for the couch. 

There are so many brands out there these days that it's almost over-whelming. I am really wanting to try Fabletics, so after a few months of taking this workout things super-seriously, I am going to try them out and let you know what I think. 

What are your go-to leggings?