Seven Workout Essentials for Every Kind of Budget

by Alison Syrett Cleary


A quick poll of our office shows that women tend to look at athletic apparel shopping in one of two ways. The first bunch see it as an investment in their health, and are willing to shell out whatever the newest, fanciest gym wear available costs. They believe that better gear means a better performance which means better results-and isn't that the whole point of exercising?

Then, on the other side of the spectrum, there's ladies who find the idea of paying more for spandex (which they're going to stretch out, and sweat in, and stain with Gatorade-eww) than actual clothing laughable. Although this group, of course, still wants pieces that are comfortable, functional and cute, they don't care if it's a name brand or comes with state-of-the-art wicking fabric developed by MIT scientists. The stuff just needs to look good and work.

However much you prefer to spend on your workout wardrobe, though, it's easy to do with our picks in the slideshow above. In it, we've listed the seven key fitness pieces needed for most any wellness routine, along with available options for budgets big, small and somewhere in-between. Click through to find exactly what you need for your next pilates/spinning/yoga/whatever class at a price you're happy to pay.

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