Good Morning! Yesterday was a beautiful day here in the Pacific Northwest! Keeping my fingers crossed that spring is just around the corner! Since it was such a lovely day I threw on my workout clothes and walked my toddler to preschool in her stroller. She loved it in the beginning, but by the end she was screaming and protesting that she wanted to “GET OUT!!” She has been really demanding lately, which I know is totally normal at two, but still…Definitely makes for some interesting days! Thankfully the walk home was uneventful, except for the fact that she fell asleep the last 10 minutes and her nap for the day was ruined…Sigh…
Here is the thing though – I got my workout in! On a day I usually wouldn’t due to preschool and early release at school for my older kids. Happy to check that off of the list! I know it can be an honest to goodness struggle to fit in exercise with kids at home. If you need a little inspiration, I recently wrote a post about exercise tips for busy moms. There are some great ideas in there on how to squeeze in exercise when it seems like there is no time!
This time of year so many people are setting new goals/resolutions related to health. While I don’t necessarily make exercise resolutions at the beginning of the new year, I do sit down and reflect on what is working for me, or think about how I may want to alter my exercise routine. Another thing I do this time of year is clean out the drawers that house my workout clothes. I purge anything that is old, worn out, or that I just don’t wear anymore. Then I take stock of what I have and make a mental list of things I need to replace.
This may sound crazy, but cute workout clothes motivate me to exercise! Maybe because it gives me an excuse to go shopping?! My top recommendations to find stylish and functional workout wear are Nordstrom, Athleta, and Old Navy. One of my favorite trends right now are all of the open back designs appearing on t-shirts, sweatshirts, and tanks. I have found lots of cute options at varying price points, as well as options for what to wear underneath. All of the items below are great transition pieces from winter to spring. They can be layered on colder days, or worn on their own as the weather gets warmer. So if you need a little inspiration for what to wear during your next workout, take a look!
NORDSTROM
If you haven’t tried the Zella line that Nordstrom carries, it is definitely worth checking out. While I own several Zella items, my favorite is my Zella Live In High Waist Leggings. I own a pair of their regular Live In Leggings too. I really like both, but the High Waist Leggings are great to hold everything in! After having my third child, they were one of the best purchases I made! Nordstrom Rack also carries Zella, and Nordstrom even has a Zella line for girls (which of course my eleven year old loves!).
I don’t own the Good Sport High Waist Midi Leggings, but may have to order them. I really like the mesh inserts. Takes a basic legging and kicks up the style factor a notch!
When it comes to working out, I usually only wear my Zella leggings to walk or do some type of low impact activity. Mainly because these leggings can also be used as an everyday legging to pair with longer sweaters and tunics. Don’t want to get them too sweaty!! 😉 The leggings are a little on the pricier side, but I think they are totally worth the cost. Both of mine are still in good condition and I’ve had them a few years. I find them true to size.
ATHLETA
Athleta is hands down my favorite place to buy workout clothes. Their clothing is stylish and comfy, and everything I have has held up well so far. I also really like their in store customer service. On occasion they have even entertained my toddler while I have tried on clothes. Which is so much better than having her run in and out of the dressing room while I am trying things on!
Athleta’s prices are definitely on the higher end, so I try to catch things either on sale or during the few times a year they have a 20% off coupon. For days when I am working out at home or at the gym, I will usually wear something like these striped chaturanga capri pants and the open back flexlight top. I have the capri pants in black/white and the top in spring mint. The mint color is a bit sheer, but it does come in a few darker colors that appear to be not as see-through.
I also have and love the coaster go-to sweatshirt. Both open back tops look super cute with this sports bra. Note that it does only offer medium support.
If I am being super honest with you, my husband was making fun of me the entire time he was trying to shoot pictures of this outfit. It was kinda funny because it does feel a little weird “modeling” clothing when I am just an average mom and not a model! But it is helpful to see how the clothes look when someone is actually wearing them, right? Not sure I will get used to photo shoots anytime soon, but it did give us a good laugh.
OLD NAVY
Old Navy is a great place to find stylish activewear at an affordable price point. Below are a few of my current favorites. The lattice back sweatshirt comes in several colors. I have it in green, which isn’t currently on the website, but found in stores. I own the knotted hem leggings in a grey color, which I also found in store. Both items are true to size for me. The motto compression leggings are really cute – you can click on the photo to see the details above the knee. I don’t have these yet, but they are on my list!
I love the pink color of the keyhole back tank. The tank does come in a few other colors and I bought it in my regular size. It isn’t super fitted, but is not loose like the sweatshirt either. For me the cut was just right. Old Navy also carries a few sports bras that will work with the open back tops. This strappy back bra offers light support, and they also have a medium support strappy back bra.
Ive hear such great things about Zella! I’ve had my eye on those high waisted leggings for a while.
Lindsay, it is one of my favorite activewear clothing lines! I had heard so many great things about the high waisted leggings, so I finally took the plunge!
Love the Athleta top – super cute!! Great legging suggestions as well, I need some new pairs!
Thanks Jennifer. I found myself wearing the same two pair of leggings every time I worked out! It was time for some new additions!
High waist leggings are such a good idea. I still have the post baby #3 pooch too, so I could use something like that.
Gosh I keep wondering if that little pooch is ever going to go away? I can’t complain too much, but it has been 2 1/2 years since I had our third. I’m trying to embrace how much my body changed after I had her. After the first two my body went back to normal, but not with this one. Those high waisted leggings definitely help a little! 😉
These look super cute! Love the top with the open back and how it is not too tight-fitting!
Open back tops are some of my favorites right now! There are so many cute options out there. Bonus points if it isn’t too tight!!
Athleta has great casual clothes. I also thing a legging is a must.
Yes they do! I have also bought a couple cardigans from Athleta that are so incredibly soft! So many great options!
Athleta looks like they have some really cute workout clothes! I’ve gotta check them out!
Hi Jennifer! Yes, they do! I have also purchased a cardigan from there not too long ago and love it!
The outfits look so cute and comfortable. Need to check.
There are so many cute options! I would definitely recommend taking a look!
Great picks. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Thanks Holly! Glad you were inspired!!
Love the detail on the
Back
Of those tips!
Hi Francesca! Yes, I just can’t seem to get enough of those detailed backs on my workout tops!
I have bought a few things at Old Navy and loved it. I also hear the jeans at Athleta are to die for so I want to go try them on.
Hi Carolyn! I have never tried the jeans at Athleta! Definitely will check them out next time I am in the store.
I’ve gotten workout clothes from Old Navy and they worked great! It’s nice to know you don’t have to spend a fortune on workout clothes for them to look nice or hold up. I absolutely need to do some spring shopping though!
Hi Lesly! Happy to hear there are some other ladies out there who like Old Navy workout clothes as well! So far mine have held up well too. I’m so excited for spring shopping!
How amazing is that criss-cross sports bra?!?! So cute!
Hi Krystal! Yes, the criss-cross sports bra looks great under so many tops!
Nordstrom is my favorite place to shop….ever! So many great options the the pricing doesn’t try and kill you.
Hi Joanna! I also love that Nordstrom has so many different price points! Their customer service is amazing as well. Definitely one of my favorite places to shop as well!
Ok don’t laugh but I wear workout clothes all the time! I get up at 5:30am and workout before my kids get up. I actually don’t get to shower and change until after they go to bed. I’m always looking for cute workout clothes and love the open back top.
Oh Jayme I wouldn’t laugh! It is so hard to shower with little ones and all that we have going during the day! I’ve definitely had days where I have not showered until much later in the day when my toddler is napping. I think it is great that you get up to workout so early the morning! Way to go mama!
It’s not weird at all! New clothes totally motivate me too! 🙌🏻 Nothing wrong with being stylish while you work out! Love the selection you showcased!
Thank you Eryn! Thank goodness for stylish workout clothes, right? Makes the process of working out a little more bearable! 😉