It’s always a good time to build fitness into your routine, but the New Year seems to make people approach it with greater determination.
With the resolutions and excesses of the festive season aside, January lends itself perfectly to the adoption of a new workout routine. While its cold, dark days often bring on winter blues, the endorphins released by exercise can help to boost mood and make us more enthusiastic about the warmer months ahead.
Plus, gone are the days when activewear was something that had to be slithered into in a locker room, never to be seen outside of the fitness studio (remember Jamie Lee Curtis in 1985’s Perfect?).
Today, fitness has evolved into something that’s part of everyday life, and the products on the market reflect this, making leggings perfectly acceptable attire for a lunch date or a trip to the supermarket. After all, it’s difficult to imagine paying for your groceries while dressed like Olivia Newton-John in her Physical outfit, isn’t it?
But, there’s also far more awareness, now, of the fact that fitness doesn’t necessarily involve an expensive membership – it can be accessed from your living room or on a walk. It doesn’t require extreme sweating, heavy lifting, or jumping around either – stretching, yoga and gentle movement are all effective ways of getting the body moving and blood flowing.
Moving with the times – the evolution of activewear
It’s not only activewear that’s evolved since the 1980s – our personal approaches to fitness and style are likely to have changed, as well. At a certain level of maturity, many of us may want to swerve the form-fitting, flesh-flashing workout gear of our teens and 20s, choosing something more flattering, comfortable and cool instead.
Michelle Justice, a yoga instructor and the founder of NatureSoundRetreat.com, agrees. “Activewear after 50 allows ease of movement, as well as stylish self-expression,” she says.
“Having taught yoga for over a decade, while personally navigating midlife fitness, certain pieces facilitate flowing from ‘downward dog’ to ‘doing errands’ smoothly. The key? Strategic comfort allowing a full range of motion without restriction – especially at maturing body parts like knees, hips and waist.”
A sports bra is an essential piece of kit for all women but especially as you age, says Charly Rhodes, Brand Manager for sports bra brand boobydoo and Coach/ PT at Orangetheory Fitness.
“Breasts undergo a loss of elasticity and fullness as the years advance, and this can result in sagging and bulging around the outer breast,” she says. “Additionally, breast tissue becomes softer and less dense, with the skin becoming more delicate and sensitive.”
“This means that a good-fitting sports bra is now even more important than at other stages of life, helping to promote both comfort and aesthetics. It should be considered a key piece of fit kit for active women who want to get the very most out of their fitness routine, and train (long term) in comfort and with confidence.”
So, support is incredibly important – but so are the layers you add when you finish your workout and continue to go about your day.
With that said, we’ve pulled together some of the most flattering and transitional activewear ideas.
8 activewear looks for mature women
1. Seek support
“Different individuals will have different specific needs but, regardless of this, a bra that offers shape and support is most often a great choice for the mature woman,” says Charly. “A wider band can help promote a flattering and comfortable silhouette, and soft straps can promote good support and comfort.”
Mature women with breast cancer are also more likely to have a mastectomy than younger women, so some people may need to look at post-surgical bras, which enable comfort and stability while getting back to an active lifestyle.
Features of post-surgical bras may include wider straps and a broader underband. Both Marks and Spencer and Nicola Jane have ranges to help post-surgery women get back to working out comfortably again.
2. Love your layers
There’s nothing to stop a mature woman from wearing a form-fitting crop top – there are no rules when it comes to activewear other than: if you feel good in it and can move comfortably, then go for it! However, many of us may prefer to wear a top that covers the stomach, or one that doesn’t fit too tightly around the arm holes.
That’s not to say that you’ll want to wear a baggy old t-shirt, though. And fortunately, there are many styles of tank top which offer a relaxed fit without compromising on design details. Look for features such as twisted or open backs, asymmetric hems and double shoulder straps to give your workout look a fashionable edge: Bamboo Clothing and Natural Grace have some great examples.
Exercising outside, or self-conscious about your arms? Try a long-sleeved style with nifty thumb holes, which provides maximum coverage and no irritating ‘sleeve ride-ups’ in one.
3. Rise up
Low-rise leggings can create an unwanted muffin top, whereas fashion meets form when it comes to the high-waisted versions. Not only do they help to streamline the tummy, but they also stay in place when you’re performing moves such as squats and lunges, or assuming various yoga positions, meaning that you can exercise confidently and comfortably, without fear or discomfort of slippage.
Another option? “My essentials feature wide-legged pants with adjustable waists, banded in stretchy folds instead of cinched with tighter elastic that digs in uncomfortably,” says Michelle Justice. “Additionally, I prefer pull-on styles to eliminate any pinching fasteners.”
Advances in design also mean that activewear is, increasingly, working just as hard as you are. For example, award-winning sports brand Anita Active has sports tights that not only feature a soft, wide waistband but also have a massage effect, helping with circulation and muscle tiredness, during your workout and beyond.
4. Go for the graze
Sports leggings come in various lengths, but for the most flattering style, choose ones that graze the ankle, as these will help to slim and elongate the leg. They’re also the most versatile when it comes to moving seamlessly from your workout to the rest of your day, as they look effortlessly stylish and more akin to a pair of slim trousers than, say, a knee-length style.
They also have the benefit of keeping your legs warm – and, in the colder months, you can even wear socks and boots over them, keeping you cosy yet casual all day long.
Confidence-building brand Amazing Jane has some stylish options that are designed to suit women of all ages, shapes, and sizes.
5. Stay warm
Whatever the season, you’ll need a long-sleeved top to put on after your workout to prevent you from getting chilly as your body cools down. A layer like this also makes the transition from studio to whatever the rest of the day holds a breeze. “I opt for draped cardigans,” says Michelle Justice. “These add stylish coverage for running errands afterwards, and their softness provides cosiness post-class.”
Another option is a slouchy sweater, which will provide warmth and coverage, as well as a stylish counterpoint to the form-fitting nature of leggings. Choose one with a bit of length, to fall just below the bottom, and with a wide neck, allowing a little bit of shoulder to be exposed: an effortless and timeless style, with just a bit of skin on show!
A hooded top always looks great, too, and continues the sporty look. Activewear behemoth Sweaty Betty has some great styles, but while it’s worth investing in technical pieces when it comes to performance (sports bras, for example) warmth doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
According to research by 24/7 Fitness, the 50+ age group is “less swayed by brand and more by practicality,” as well as “comfort and functionality” with brands like Primark showing that it’s possible to have “fitness fashion on a budget.”
6. Look for hardworking fabrics
Above, we mentioned that advances in fabric technology have come so far that you can even rely on your leggings to massage your limbs and ease your muscles – but that’s not all that the materials in the fitness space can do.
Exercising outside? Seek out pieces made with a UV protective function (Coolibar is worth a look) – as Michelle Justice points out, mature skin tends to become more sun sensitive. Other features to look out for include fabrics that are moisture-wicking (moving the sweat away from your skin, helping you to stay dry and warm), as well as breathable and antimicrobial.
Bamboo is a popular choice because it naturally contains antibacterial properties, as well as being soft and stretchy. It can also regulate temperature and, thanks to the fact that the plant grows so quickly and needs less water to cultivate than cotton, it’s generally considered to be a planet-friendly choice.
Check out Bamboo Clothing to see a few options.
7. Make a splash
Of course, not all workouts take place on terra firma, and swimming tends to be a great exercise for older adults, as it is very low impact and puts next to no strain on the joints, thus reducing the risk of injury – yet you’re still getting an excellent full-body workout that raises heart rate and increases lung capacity. Added to this, the feeling of being submerged in and buoyed up by water can elevate mood and lift the spirits.
Whether you’re taking to the pool for aqua aerobics, a vigorous front crawl, or a gentle breaststroke, look for a swimming costume that provides good coverage, without it riding up. There are many swimsuits on the market with built-in legs, which can help with feeling more confident on a swim and, since these come in a range of lengths, you have the flexibility to choose the style that works best for you and your comfort zone.
The same can be said about high necks – while some swimmers like the extra coverage this style provides, others may find them too restrictive. The important thing is to find a swimsuit that enables you to move comfortably through the water and to feel confident when you get out.
You may also wish to look for additional features such as tummy control or extra bust support – and a swimming cap will protect your hair, helping you to emerge from the pool and carry on with the day with ease.
Or you could try swim leggings, such as these knee-length ones from Bonmarche – which can be styled with a tankini top.
8. Get cold safely
Cold-water swimming has surged in popularity in recent years and has been shown to have immense health benefits for people of all ages. When it comes to more mature swimmers, though, the advantages may be even greater – as well as having all of the same upsides as swimming in a pool, cold water also boosts circulation and may even help to stave off dementia.
Plus, says Laura Fullerton, CEO and founder of cold water therapy health tech company Monk, it’s “scientifically proven to improve mental health, speed muscle recovery, increase physical performance, strengthen immunity, protect brain function, increase metabolism, and help to manage pain.”
There are safety concerns to bear in mind, however, and a cold water induction session will coach you on topics such as acclimatisation, the amount of time you can safely spend in cold water, and practical tips such as never swimming alone. A brightly coloured hat will keep you visible, while also keeping your head warm.
You’ll also need to be prepared for what’s known as ‘the afterdrop,’ says Rachel Heley, cold water swimmer and owner of Wild Moose, which sells products for wild swimmers. “You can feel fine in the water and even after you get out, but it’s so important to get dressed quickly, as your temperature carries on dropping for up to 30 minutes after you get out of the water.”
Some of the products carried by the brand include changing robes, which enable you to get dressed and dry, warmly, as well as a faux-fur-covered hot water ‘hottum’ to warm your hands and core.
Final thoughts…
Whether you choose to run or swim, lift weights, do yoga, or exercise at home or a gym, increasing your fitness levels does wonders for both body and mind. And when we say ‘body’, it’s not just about the way you look: it’s also about increased strength, stability, mobility, and flexibility.
Combine these benefits with stylish workout wear, which can transition effortlessly between your daily routines and responsibilities, and you’ll feel vibrant and incredible – all day, every day.
When it comes to spending, remember that it’s worth investing in key pieces, which support and protect your body where it needs it most. But, at the same time, don’t feel that you have to spend a fortune on additional items, such as those for warmth and layering: many high street and online brands, including Gap have reasonably-priced, high-quality activewear offerings.
Finally, remember that exercise should be fun, not punishing – and that, accordingly, this is an area of your life in which you can be free to really express your personality. Most activewear brands have a huge variety of prints, patterns, colours and monochromes, so choose items that lift your spirits even before the endorphin rush of exercise kicks in!
What activewear looks are you wearing at the moment? Have you found any of these tips particularly helpful? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.