Your ultimate 'It' kit guide: from tips on how to buy the right sports bra to the new labels to wear at the gym
Thought gym gear was all about a sea of black Lycra, or the artful 're-purposing' of an old grey t-shirt? Think again. For summer 2018, there is a wash of hot new labels and clever developments in activewear fabric technology to know about. Allow our editors to guide you on the best way to shop now...
Three of the best new gymwear brands to know
1. LNDR
Who? East London-based brand LNDR (above) was launched in 2015 by Joanna Turner, Sarah Donnelly and Donna Harris, who were inspired to make pieces for an active city lifestyle. Just three years on, the brand is stocked in more than 20 countries, and is worn by the likes of Margot Robbie and Gigi Hadid.
Best for: Chic sportswear that doesn’t take itself seriously. The brand uses premium fabrics and clean aesthetics, but does so with personality. Stripes and logos adorn tonal, colour-block pieces that are standout but not garish.
Sports bras from £50, tops from £50, leggings from £85, outerwear from £140; lndr.uk
2. The Upside
Who?The brainchild of Australian-born former model and devout yogi Jodhi Meares, who has also hosted TV shows including Australia’s Next Top Model and founded swimwear label Tigerlily. She launched The Upside (right) in 2014 to create activewear for those with demanding lifestyles.
Best for: Comfy pieces so cool you’ll also want to wear them outside of the gym. Quirky prints – think mallard motifs and ditsy florals – are applied to leggings, sports bras and jackets, while slouchy sweats are finished with striped collars and cuffs.
Sports bras from £55, tops from £67, leggings from £90, jackets from £149; theupsidesport.com
3. Lucas Hugh
Who?New Zealand-born Anjhe Mules launched Lucas Hugh in London in 2010, having trained at Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen. The ethos? High-end sportswear that’s both technical and uber stylish.
Best for: Super-sleek workout gear. Not only are Lucas Hugh leggings, sports bras and gym tops meticulously cut, but the brand is also the first to make use of the fully-bonded seam – used in Olympic-quality swimwear – for activewear, meaning pieces are second-skin comfortable.
Sports bras from £50, tops from £70, leggings from £80, jackets from £125; lucashugh.com
Four technical terms to note when shopping for activewear
1. Breathability
Look for fabrics with ventilation such as Tencel and pima cotton that, even in close-fitting form, will let you sweat without feeling wet or sticky. Fitness brand Lululemon recently created Everlux, an innovative moisture-wicking fabric designed for the sweatiest conditions, while its Evonatural range features four natural fabrics that have been enhanced for technical performance.
2. Compression
Second-skin clothing made with spandex or elastane will provide moderate compression to stabilise your muscles; ideal for weight training.
3. Tension
This relates to the stretch in the fabric: pieces with a lot of tension will look smaller off-body than you’d expect, as they have a snug fit. Less flexible than compression fabrics.
4. High-performance
These are value-added fabrics engineered for uses where performance (e.g sweat-wicking properties, durability), not style, is the major parameter. Expect to pay a bit more for them.
The best gym kit to buy now
How to find your perfect sports bra
Finding the perfect sports bra is no mean feat. In fact, a survey by Sweaty Betty found that 70 per cent of women are wearing the wrong one. ‘When you move, your breasts bounce in a 3D motion, so without a well-fitting bra the ligaments that support the breast can stretch irreversibly,’ warns Tamara Hill-Norton, the brand’s founder. Here are her top tips:
Upbeat padded workout bra, £50, Sweaty Betty
Consider the type of exercise you’re doing. For example, you should never wear a yoga bra for running. Runners need a high-support bra with padded straps and compression technology, regardless of your cup size.
If you’re wearing it regularly, your sports bra has an expiry date of six months, as it will lose its elasticity.
When you try on a sports bra, always fasten it on the loosest hook, as it will stretch over time.
Your breasts should be enclosed within the cups, with no bulging.
The shoulder straps should be comfortable (never digging in) and ideally adjustable.
Eighty per cent of the support in your bra comes from the underband, so it should be fairly tight to the body and shouldn’t slip up at the back.
Three hot workout trends to tempt you
Now you've got the knowledge and the gear, here's where to use it...
Hiking: Previously the reserve of LA It girls (and Yorkshire ramblers), hiking, for its wellness effects, has been dubbed the new yoga. A long, vigorous walk will give you a chance to unplug and take in your surroundings. Rucksacks at the ready!
CrossFit: A high-intensity regime founded by Greg Glassman, and is essentially an interval training/gymnastics/running/rowing/ weightlifting hybrid. Its main clientele? The aggressively athletic, if YouTube is anything to go by. ‘It’s not as crazy as it sounds,’ promises CrossFit trainer Tom McAdam. ‘It is challenging, but will get you lean as anything.’
Basketball: Fundamentally a form of interval training thanks to all of the stop-starts involved. Once you’ve got the rules down, you can expect to burn up to 750 calories an hour. Blimey.
