If there’s one thing that can keep you motivated to exercise, it’s having a sexy gym kit.
I know it doesn’t matter. I work out to sweat. Truth be told, she rarely wears her gym kit for more than an hour, but wearing kit that looks good and feels good will motivate her to hit the gym or yoga mat.
You may have noticed that I’ve been a bit obsessed with fitness vacations lately. I spent a week with him at the Azul Fit yoga retreat in Fuerteventura and have just returned from a Body MOT weekend here in the UK. Combining my love of travel and health quickly became my favorite vacation. Of course you need to have the right gear for your vacation, right?
I’ve been trying out the gorgeous Sweaty Betty kits during my last two fitness vacations. And here’s what I thought…
Sweaty Betty Review
You know you’ve got good gym kit when you’re doing downward dog and your yoga teacher comes over and whispers, “Nice pants, where are they from?’
If I could beam, I did it then.
I knew she would never compliment my downward dog, so complimenting my yoga kit was the next best thing.
In fact, wherever I go in my Sweaty Betty kit, everyone notices it and asks where it comes from. (I’m at the point where I’m wondering if I should ditch TopShop’s latest trend and keep yoga pants on him 24/7. OK, that’s overkill, but it’s tempting!)
What is Sweaty Betty?
Sweaty Betty is the perfect combination of style and practical sportswear. Everything is designed to look and feel good, feminine and sporty at the same time. Just looking at the lookbook makes me want to exercise. I don’t want to be a skinny model like some sportswear brands, but I do want to go outside for a run, roll out my yoga mat, or ride my bike. The truth is, I don’t really want to go to the gym, I just want to get outside and get some proper exercise in the great outdoors (and with weather like this, all the motivation and inspiration I can get is (Necessary!) Sweaty Betty is not about that. I aim for a healthy lifestyle while eliminating waste on the treadmill. This is my goal for his 2014.
my sweaty betty kit
Most of my kit is from the Sweaty Betty Yoga Statement collection from the fall/winter collection. The spring/summer collection is already available, so be sure to check it out.
Chandrasana Leggings – £49
I chose super soft Chandrasana cotton leggings with a starry galaxy pattern. They’re so soft and comfortable that I wear them to yoga class as well as around the house (and of course to the supermarket and walking the dog). These are the leggings that get all the compliments and I think they have a really flattering design.
Saravasana Caprice – £79
I love the reversible pattern of Saravasana Capri. It’s like he gets two pairs for the price of one, and I often change them depending on what I’m doing. Truth be told, these are also great for running because no one will miss you when you’re wearing these babies.
The fabric is stretchy, not see-through, and has excellent sweat absorption. It also has a good-looking design with a triangle shape around the hips, making it slim and flexible.
Since the material is somewhat transparent, the stretching areas such as the buttocks and knees will be slightly see-through, so we recommend trying it on before purchasing. I’m a UK size 10 and chose a medium which I think is perfect.
Sadaka Top – £65
This sadhaka long sleeve top is so soft you can’t help but stroke it. I don’t usually wear long sleeve tops when working out, but I love wearing this to yoga because it’s so lightweight. The sleeves and waist are fitted so it won’t ride up, and the long length makes it extremely comfortable to wear. Mesh on one side keeps you cool and goes great with cotton leggings.
Chaturanga Yoga Cami – £55
Any woman who practices yoga knows that finding the perfect yoga top is very important, but also very difficult. Bending, stretching, and leaning means constantly pulling from top to bottom to hide your stomach, and pulling upwards to hide your chest. And then you have to deal with straps falling off, fabric getting in your face, and bra straps showing up at the show. This is why I love this yoga cami so much.
Sweaty Betty herself explains it well:
“A seamlessly designed vest made with naturally anti-bacterial and sweat-wicking Q-Skin yarns. It features internal bust support and a high neckline to keep everything in place during Chaturanga. Ribbed. The ruched panel optimizes posture, while the shirred detail in the center adds a feminine touch.”
Simply put, you don’t need to wear a bra and the material doesn’t lift up easily. It’s tight, but it doesn’t feel uncomfortable because the material is well placed to absorb sweat. I wear this top for all kinds of exercise, from running and spinning to yoga and Pilates.
Relaxing inside a Sahara tent on a yoga retreat. Just like you.
relax by the pool
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that I’m a Sweaty Betty believer. Yes, it costs money, but like anything else in life, you get what you pay for. It’s of great quality, washes really well, and I can already tell it’s going to last a long time.
Disclaimer: Many thanks to Sweaty Betty for providing this gorgeous kit for review. These products were provided to me for review purposes, but as always, all opinions and preferences regarding yoga are my own.