One of my favourite excuses for not running my full 6kms is that my pants are falling down. I’m serious. I cannot stand baggy, saggy leggings on a run. It makes me angry enough to kick a pigeon. It’s extremely important that I feel comfortable while exercising and I’ve trialled and error-ed HEAPS of gym gear in my time. These are a few not negotiable items I MUST have for when I head out for a sweat.

Racer Back Singlets

Spaghetti strap singlets fall off my shoulders when I’m running and don’t stay in place when I’m lifting weights. Racer backs are terribly unflattering on a girl like me who’s built like a football player but I don’t give a crap. I can do cartwheels in a racer back and everything stays where it should. Here’s a few that I love. Wet Seal Wide Strap Singlet from Freez, Basic Racer Back Singlet Top from Supre, Lorna Jane Run Tank  from The Iconic.

Quick Dry Sport Crop Tops

I hate under-wires when I workout because they get all pokey. Especially in weights classes when I’m lying down and they dig into my ribs. I must point out that a very small percentage of me is made up of boob (I’m only just a c-cup) so the binding approach works the best for me. I have a few different ones but I always buy the firmest one possible that I can still breathe in, despite the fact that they create nightmare visible bra lines. I want my puppies to stay clear of my navel as long as possible thank you very much so if you’re not into underwires, I recommend a sports crop top that’s as firm as you can handle. There is literally no movement of my boosies in a good quick dry crop top. Recommendations: Champion Double Dry Shiny Seamless Sports Bra from The Iconic , Diadora Women’s Seamless Crop Bra  from Sporting House Direct , Nike Pro Victory Crop Top from Nike.

High Rise Drawstring Leggings

I once wore yoga pants to go on a run because I have this gorgeous pair that are hipsters and ruched around the top – so flattering. They make me look like I spend half the day doing lower ab crunches. Let me tell you – they were fucking useless. I spent the whole time hitching them up and they just got looser and looser until I had to literally hold them around my hips as I ran. I only wear three-quarter length, super tight, preferably hi-rise pants when I run. If they have a drawstring and a bum pocket for my house key that’s even better. Here are some favourites – Skins Compression Tights from The Iconic, Running Capris from Nike, Diadora Compression Tights from Sporting House Direct.

Giant Headbands

I get extremely sweaty while working out and if I don’t contain my hair it sticks to my face and I look like Cousin It. I like wide, tight headbands to keep my hair at bay but if you have normal person hair I’m sure most headbands will be fine. I got mine from one of those kiosks at the mall but they are pretty easy to get. I’m also quite partial to a good old-fashioned sweat band in summer.

Socks

Thick, padded sports socks. I went through a cute shorty socks with pom-poms phase but I was just wasting everyone’s time. You really need to be a grown up when it comes to sports socks. I like Bonds short sport socks because they aren’t stingy on their padding and they last quite a while.

Heart Rate Monitor

I bought this Suunto heart rate monitor after I did a few cardio tennis sessions and now I’m hooked! It’s the perfect way to see if you’re staying in the recommended fat burning zone and it also tracks the calories you burn. Fitness gadgetry makes me so happy. I got it last year but it doesn’t seem to be available anymore – here’s a similar one in the same brand and I’ve heard great things about Polar and Timex.

The rest of it, I’m not overly fussy about. A word on shoes though – do get fitted by a professional because it can be pretty nasty if you don’t. Replace your shoes regularly and cover up when outside.

What are your fitness favourites when it comes to work out gear?

If you have any awesome fitness gadgets to share or you’ve found the greatest sports bra do pop a link in the comments!