Exercise: engagement in physical activity in order to maintain one’s health. As a student athlete during the pandemic, moving my body has allowed me to center myself and persevere through this stressful time. When working out, it is so important to feel comfortable in your clothing so you can maximize your time in order to attain the best personal outcome. While the holiday season approaches, you may be thinking about what athleisure (athletic wear) you should gift your favorite athletes this year.

Perhaps this article provides you with inspiration for gift giving or something special for you!

Lululemon

Lululemon is one of the most well-known workout out brands with products ranging from headbands to comfortable tank tops. My personal favorite product is their Align Pant. These leggings are incredibly light and non suffocating for the skin, making them perfect for intense cardio workouts or leisurely hikes. They come in several colors, patterns, and lengths. Lululemon also has incredibly supportive sports bras: these are extremely important when it comes to working out and the brand carries stunning designs and playful colors. 

Alo Yoga

As an athlete, it is so important to take rest days for your body so that you can recover and ensure that your body has proper rest. At Alo Yoga, they have such soft loungewear that can easily be worn on a recovery walk or simply lying on the couch. Whether it’s sweats or a hoodie, Alo has neutral and vibrant cozy sets that feel as if they are made for you. Additionally, the company is known for its yoga sets (who would have guessed?) that can be worn to slow flow yoga or a restorative class. 

Nike

“Just Do It.” Everyone knows that slogan. Nike has incredible athleisure, but they also have  remarkable shoes for many sports. Their tennis shoes have sturdy soles which is remarkably important for ankle stability yet simultaneously remain flexible to allow the player to sprint around the court. Running shoes can be found for different terrains and the heaviness of the shoe varies in different styles. The lightweight styles allow your feet to breathe and move in an agile fashion when sprinting or embarking on an endurance run. 

Patagonia

The winter season has us Californians bringing out the Patagonia wear. I get cold when it’s 63 degrees, thus, you may see me sporting a fluffy Patagonia all year around. However, Patagonia not only sells warm puffers, but athleisure for sports including surfing, climbing, trail running, mountain biking, fishing, and skiing. As the Pacific Ocean grows chillier in the winter, a wetsuit may be the perfect holiday gift, while the puff vest can be sported when taking a hike in the mountains. And let us not forget the beloved quarter zip that can be worn doing absolutely any activity. Patagonia sells worn garments as well in order to reduce the carbon, waste, and water footprint by a remarkable 73%. 

Girlfriend Collective

While researching athletic brands for myself, my family, and my friends, I discovered Girlfriend Collective. This brand creates sustainable athletic apparel from plastic bottles and fishing nets, and it has inclusive sizing for all body types. Not to mention they sell unitards (!!!) and their sherpas look divine. I was thrilled to learn about their efforts and I will most definitely be supporting this company during the holidays and year-round. 

I hope this sparked some ideas for any readers who are athletes themselves or just love athleisure. And remember to give your body the movement and rest it deserves this holiday season.