These days, working out is just something that many women have to make an effort to do. A lot of women have pretty sedentary jobs and sedentary Netflix-watching habits. Since a lot of people don’t actually get a lot of physical activity during the week, many of them parcel out time at the gym, doing yoga, or going for a run to make sure that they can stay in shape. This calls for the right type of clothing. You can’t work out in anything, so it’s important to know what you should look for in athletic clothes before you start shopping.

1. Fashionable
One thing you should definitely look for in athletic clothing is whether or not it’s fashionable. There’s no better or more convenient way to make sure that when you have to go from the gym, to run errands, to hang out with your friends or family for a quick bite to eat that your outfit is going to work for all occasions. Only 7% of people who wear athletic clothing only wear it to work out in. Simple black leggings are a staple of any busy woman’s workout wardrobe for this reason.

2. Comfortable
Besides being fashionable, athletic apparel for women should also be comfortable. Your clothing should be conducive to your working out and allow your body the best range of motion. First of all, make sure your clothes fit your size well. Secondly, it’s important to think about the materials the clothes are made of. Spandex allows the clothing to stretch with you.

3. Appropriate
Another important thing to look for in athletic clothing is whether or not it’s appropriate for actually working out in. Just wearing pajamas isn’t going to give you the best workout experience. Workout clothes should, again, fit well and be made of the right materials. Moisture wicking clothes are usually pretty appropriate for working out, since they help manage moisture.

What do you look for when you’re shopping for sports clothes for women? Feel free to share with us in the comments section below.