Working It Working Out

I say, if you've got to go to the gym, you should at least enjoy buying cute things to wear to the gym. (Really, I'm so glass half full.)

I get that everyone is all free-to-be grungy at the gym (that one is rather politically incorrect to suggest it should be otherwise), but honestly - it's a public place. Would it kill everyone to put on something other than the wide-cut Hanes tshirt and a pair of crap biking shorts?

I for one do two things to prepare myself for the Y (and, as I've recently discovered it's a good thing too because one meets everyone she knows and doesn't while working out: Sarah Polley, check. My former Deputy Minister, check three times. Mums of M's friends from junior school. Yup.): I wear lipstick and a chic outfit.

Before you suggest that said outfit might be chic now because I just went out and bought it and, in 6 months it'll look like shit, allow me to refute this claim: When it looks like shit, I'll throw it out and start again.

As you may know, my persona has a bit of a performance artist bent. I dress to liberate my imagination, which is vivid. Who am I, in any given circumstance? When I go into fancy work meetings, I wear a power suit (but a delicate one). When I'm out for dinner at some hipster joint, I ensure to be dressed utterly opposite. At the gym, I'm channeling the midtown yogini meets the 80s aerobic princess. Sure, I was there the first time (in both instances), but it gives an air of authenticity.

Peeps, if I could wear some crazy, striped bodysuit with a pair of magenta leggings and some legwarmers, I would be all over it. (Don't worry, my goal is to blend in - with a little twist of personality.)

In truth, I'm subtle. My go-to items include:

• Outfits you can walk to the gym in (cuz I try to avoid the change room when I can)
• Things with a bit of colour, but not too much...
• Fitted items (that only highlight the bits I want to show off)

Let me say that you do not have to spend a zillion dollars on active wear, as I'm sure you already know, but it sure is fun to do so... One day I'll tell you about how I went to Lulu Lemon's first trunk show at the home of a venerable fashion entrepreneur at the Creed Lofts. For me, Lulu is so 1998. And yet, it still makes some of the best shorts, yoga pants debacle aside. (All of the tops are too long, btw, if you're short or your torso is. You can do better elsewhere.)

On that topic, have you heard of the Lab? Whenever I think of this I imagine beady-eyed engineers slaving underground (at an undisclosed location) to make the worlds most functional activewear evah. Gotta love the concept store.

At any rate, I bought these shorts for a stupid amount of money (75ish CDN) but, seriously, I could wear them out all day:

Lulu Lemon Lab: Noir Shorts (Could these people make their site a little bit less douchey??)

They're super flattering even if your lower abdomen isn't like board. The sides roll up and held with a tab and button (sort of visible by the model's hand in the second photo).

But, when you're not looking to spend a ton and you want to blend in, Gap Fit really does some very functional pieces. Sure, they're mostly knock-offs of everything you've seen elsewhere, but the fabrics are great and they stock colour. Hilariously, I went in the other day (40% off sale) but my phone was dead so I couldn't show them my e-coupon. But, because they had my email address (associated with my credit card), they simply gave me the discount?!?! Honestly, I bet if you go into that store on any given day and ask for a discount, just cuz, they'll give it to you. It's no wonder they can't turn a profit.

Today's questions: What do you wear to the gym? Are you one of those peeps in the over-sized T? (Feel free to explain why that's the way to go!) Do you channel a persona at the gym/yoga studio/when you run etc.? Have you tried Lab? Do you loathe Lulu Lemon (it's sort of hard not to)? Let's talk!