Hunter McGrady: 'I Used To Wear Men's Shorts To The Gym Because I Couldn't Find Other Options'
When I first started modeling, I was thinner, and I had no problem finding activewear at all. It was never an issue. But at the time, I was working out for the wrong reasons—to lose weight, and to be a size I couldn't maintain.
When I finally realized my body wasn't meant to be thin, and embraced my curves, my whole mindset around exercise shifted, too. Now, I work out to stay healthy and to feel good. I work out because I love it.
Ironically, though, because I'm now a size 16 and a 38E bra (as opposed to a size 2), it's also so much harder to find activewear that I love. So many people are quick to say plus-size models don't work out, we can just eat, and eat, and eat, and sit around, and still get paid for it, but I'm literally more active now than I've ever been, doing SoulCycle, and Rumble Boxing, and working out with my trainer.
I truly believe you work out harder when you feel good, but I dread shopping for activewear. I wish I could say it was just that plus-size women need more leggings, or bra options, but honestly, from top to bottom, we need more of everything. There's just not enough out there. Most plus-size options are only sold online, so you can't really go into a store and try it on, either, which is such a bummer.
Sure, it's gotten better—when I first transitioned to plus-size modeling, I had to shop for activewear in men's clothing stores, because most women's stores didn't even carry a size 14. I literally had to wear men's workout shorts.
Now there are better options, but the demand is definitely outpacing the supply. I love a brand called Beyond Yoga—they've done activewear really really nicely for a long time. I also think Nike has really upped their plus size game as well as far as really melding fit, function, and fashion in plus-sizes. I also really love Fabletics high-waisted leggings, and Good American for options I can wear straight from a workout to brunch.
I really struggle to find sports bras, though. I just want to be able to do jumping jacks like everybody else but a lot of times I can’t because it hurts so bad. I know I'm not alone either, because anytime I post a photo of myself in a cute sports bra on Instagram, I get thousands of DMs from women asking where they can buy it—it's one of my number-one requests. Right now, I really like a brand called SheFits—they make bras that function and also look cute.
Even though it's tough to find activewear I love, I'm so much more comfortable in my skin now than when I was a straight-size model, which helps me stay motivated. Working out for the right reasons is so important.
As told to Amanda Woerner.
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