As someone who got into fitness a couple of years back as a plus sized woman, I was immediately lost on what kind of gear to buy and what features I should be looking for that are different than average sized fitness wear. In fact, I didn’t even know there was a difference. After many times of trial and error and lots of chafed thighs later, I decided to actually take a look at what I should be buying. In order to save you some trouble, here are some suggestions I have based on my experience on what you should look for in plus size fitness wear.
Make sure the seams are reinforced and flat in the thigh area- I can’t tell you how many times I got a good burn in at the gym and realized that it was also a literal burn in the thigh area. This not only hurts like all heavens, it can tend to wear down your workout wear quickly. Flat (flatlock) seams are when pieces of the garment are attached by overlapping the pieces so it lays completely flat on the body, this helps prevent chafing.
Look for good wicking material- Sure, you can wear a t-shirt and sweats to workout, but I promise they are most likely not as comfortable as working out in a good wicking material is. Fabrics with moisture wicking will keep you dry and make your workout a comfortable one. A perfect combination is a wicking material plus a few vents.
Go with a brand that specializes in plus size fitness wear- I tried on so many activewear brands in the largest sizes they had and they just didn’t fit right. I had waistbands cutting into my belly, pants that wouldn’t stay up, shirts that couldn’t handle my curves and bras that were way to small. A brand like Rainbeau Curves designs specifically for the plus size body. They are not just larger sizes, but sizes meant to define your shape and make your fitness fun outstanding.
Wide Countered Waistbands- Wide waistbands are a miracle in the land of workout leggings. I had so many problems with skinny waistband cutting into my stomach area and the oh-so-annoying constant battle of pulling them up. Wide waistbands pretty much make this a non-existent problem, making the pants stay up above your hips and the countered shape helps it fit comfortably around the stomach.
Inner lining for compression and support- Compression and support is important in your workout wear for a couple of reasons. First, compression helps with blood flow so your workout is comfortable and effective. The extra support can help with post-workout and during workout pain as well as help you feel confident. Look for high Spandex content (12% or more) and for details about inner lining because that offer additional fit reinforcements and support.
Good styles that make them versatile- I am a huge proponent of wearing activewear as leisure wear and one thing I look for in my active wear styles is something I can easily pair with everyday clothing in order to get a good looking outfit together in seconds for my busy life. Not only does this make it easy to get dressed for the day, since activewear for plus sizes is made for bodies like mine, I am not battling things like leggings that won’t stay on my behind.
Written By Christine Tolhurst from Saved By Grace Blog
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