Social Workout

Workout Wear

What To Wear For Your Hot Gym Pickup

Some people rock bitchface and serious VPL at the gym to ward off all conversation. Others dream of the day that hot boxer from class finally asks them out. Should you fall in the latter category, these two studies are for you. The first one, just published, says that women are more attracted to men who are wearing red. In the study, the same man wearing a red shirt or a blue shirt in a photograph was rated consistently more attractive by women when he was wearing the red shirt. The effect was consistent across cultures, or at least across the cultures where researchers conducted the study — the United States, England, Germany, and China. Second study, published in 2008, says the exact same thing for women, as in, ladies in red are rated consistently more attractive by men than ladies in blue, green, whatever. So gym pickup artists, should your treadmill prowess and sweaty yet sparkling personality not feel like quite enough, throw on a red shirt and go for it.

Workout Wear

Toning Shoes Get Ripped By Experts

Toning shoes haven't gotten universally great press. Jezebel hated the objectifying EasyTone ads. Starry04 hated them too. Some studies have cast doubts on their toning claims. But now USA Today has gotten a bunch of doctors and researchers together to really rip the shoes. Juicy tibdits:

• "Nothing about these shoes has any redeeming value to me." — David Davidson, national president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine

Workout Wear

In Defense Of Underpants

It wasn't until very recently while overhearing some gym folk discuss undergarments that I realized not everyone wears undies at the gym. "Uhh, who wears panties to the gym?!" the woman said, and I suddenly felt like I was back in high school at that moment when I realized the jeans tide had turned some months back and my carpenter jeans were now advertising my terminal uncoolness. Maybe I was missing something awesome. Maybe I needed to try this new trend. So I did. This morning. 6 A.M. spin class. Commando. And here's why I plan never to do that again.

Workout Wear

Race Day Rags That Don't Disintegrate When Wet

Yes, you can wear an old t-shirt and basketball shorts for your next 10K, but something a little textile-techier might speed your journey. "The Material Girl," over on Outside's blog, recommends a number of race-day items, including the Moving Comfort Balance Tank. "I could've sworn I was wearing Kleenex when I tested out the Moving Comfort Balance Tank," she says, by which I believe she means "it was very light," rather than "my shirt disintegrated the second I started sweating."

Workout Wear

You Should Be the Next Fila Girl

Last year, Fila scooped up daytime drama maven Susan Lucci for their Pilates clothing line. This year, they'd like to scoop up someone new. Someone named [insert your name here]. Fila is holding an open casting call tomorrow in NYC for women ages 25 to 50 (sorry, gentlemen). No models allowed. All you have to do is show up tomorrow at the Union Square Ballroom and show off your "great personality." Email RSVP@fila.com to reserve your spot. If you get picked, you get to star in a Fila ad campaign, you get paid (yay!) and you also get a whole new Fila wardrobe. (via Vital Juice)

New York

Workout Wear

How Have You Gone All These Years Without Pantzies?

Perhaps you thought "panties" was the worst word in the English language. But I do believe I've found an even more mortifying word: "Pantzies," the name of HY-Jean Corp's new panty-liner product. (Note, for the moment, that I'm saying nothing about HY-Jean). Follow "Pantzies" with HY-Jean's tagline, "Like Candy for your Panties," and you may never stop wincing. I bring this up because the company specifically touts Pantzies as a workout panty-liner. They're made of "silky soft premium jersey knit fabric," they're quick drying, and they're specially treated to inhibit the growth of odor and bacteria. Up till now, you may have been fighting odor and bacteria by washing your underwear regularly. So outdated! Pantzies come in panty and thong shapes, but Hy-Jean suggests that they're an excellent "panty substitute" as well. In case you're not sold yet, a final note: They come in pink leopard print. Which isn't scary at all to see in your underwear...

Workout Wear

Second Skin Underwear You Can (Supposedly) Wear for a Week Straight

Outside Magazine's "Gear Junkie" loves Ibex Balance Boxer Shorts (there's a woman's version too). At $45, they're the pricey, but the tester explains that they're seamless, stretchy, and made of super-thin breathable merino wool, which helps regulate your body temperature and makes them perfect for backpacking or trail running. But here's the best part of his review:

"In southern Chile this winter on a wilderness trip, I wore the boxers for almost a week straight. This was extreme, but the shorts are made to be wearable for days between washings and usually will not stink."

Operative word: Usually.

Workout Wear

Lululemon's New Camel Toe Ad

Flattering your derriere is so yesterday. (via YogaDork)

Workout Wear

Black Yoga Pants: What's the Fixation?

I’ve hit a lot of gyms in the last three months. And they've all have one thing in common — total black yoga pant domination. Why does every woman who frequents the gym feel it is her personal duty to dress exclusively in this color, and in this fashion? What happened to shorts? Or to pigment?  Over the summer a co-worker told me (in a non sexual harassment way, you’ll have to trust me on this), “You’re lucky, you can still get away with wearing shorts.” I’m 24. Do people really think that starting in your mid-20s, you have to switch to demure full length pants?

Workout Wear

In Search of the Perfect Running Shoe

I go through about three pairs of sneakers a year. Seems like within minutes of first wearing new sneakers, they're filthy, completely stretched out, and of withering arch support. Truth is, I have no idea how to pick a good shoe. Generally my process goes something like this: Walk into store, find shoe that fits and doesn't look appalling, walk around for approximately thirty seconds, buy, then wear for a few months until it's time for a memorial ceremony. I just mourned the passing of another pair, but this time I was determined to get new sneakers that fit perfectly...