Run like a girl

Considering my (a) penchant for shopping and (b) dedication to exercise, I was shocked when I recently came to the bizarre conclusion that I am still wearing sports bras from (gross factor alert) the year 2000. Clearly the time has come for a workout wardrobe revamp. When deciding what kind of gear I needed (long-torso tank tops with barely-there built-in shelf bras, tees capable of wicking away my Michael Jordan-like sweat production), I became infatuated with this new breed of bottom: the running skirt.

Think about the typical pair of workout shorts. They’re either too short or too long. They creep up your butt. The drawstring gets lost inside and you have to fish it out, MacGyver-like, with a safety pin and can opener. And they’re usually fairly androgynous.

That’s why I was so psyched when I started reading about running skirts (yes, they have little shorts built in – you need not worry about flashing your private bits to the world as you sing along to Britney Spears on you iPod Nano). One of the pioneers in the field, SkirtSports, is based in my hometown of Chicago and was founded by professional triathlete Nicole DeBoom. (BTW such a cool name!) DeBoom wanted something fun, flirty and inspiring to wear while racing and, out of her creative mind, SkirtSports and TRIKS athletic apparel for women were born. In September 2004, Nicole won the Ironman Wisconsin wearing a prototype of her triathlon skirt. But you need not be a triathlete to rock one of these (I sure the hell am not!) – you can wear these babies biking, playing tennis, golf, on the Elliptical or even just running errands.

I tried the GymGirl running skirt, which has an ingenious iPod/MP3 pocket built into the side leg of the shorts and a buttonhole under the waistband so you can thread your headphone cord up and out – no more banging against your arms! I also ran around in the Adidas Supernova Running Skort. Both skirts kept me super dry with high-tech material, have flat, low-riding waistbands that don’t pinch or grab, and neither rode up at all. The Adidas skirt has reflective branding so you stand out at night. No, they’re not ridiculously tiny like those cheerleader things with the underwear you can see (mine are actually a bit longer than my usual shorts). Plus, I felt so friggin’ sassy while wearing them – which made me want to run longer. This will bode well for other activities, like the Stairmaster or long walks (though I will admit, I think some people thought I was wearing a tennis skirt and gave me odd, “Why is she jogging in a tennis skirt?” looks. So I shot back with my trademark, “Why are you staring at my hot skirt when you should be paying attention to your girlfriend?” smirk.)

Running skirts officially have the highly coveted Leslie Goldman seal of approval. And, to sweeten the deal, SkirtSports will offer you a 15% off discount when you send in a pair of your ratty old gym shorts – that’s how badly they want you to convert to a skirt! As a bonus, for every pair of shorts they receive, they’ll donate $1 to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign.

So (for)get shorty and grab one of these skirts. If feeling confident and cute are your thing, I mean.

Comments

I have been really tempted to try the running skirt, but I haven't done it yet. I think you just convinced me to give it a shot! (I'm currently obsessed with the Nike Tempo short, but I need to get over the obsession and try something new).

Do it, Bridget! I wore my blue SportSkirt all day today and then did the Elliptical in it...kept me cool in the heat and really good at wicking sweat. My Addidas one was in the wash. Slightly addicted.

I recently read the skirts are "the new black"... and I think this is true. They are everywhere now! (Even guys are jumping on the bandwagon). But I love that I can do my workout and still feel good when I stop for coffee or whatever afterwards...

here's my fav www.skirtgoddess.com

I went shopping for workout clothes today and decided to try on a running skirt after reading this. I was surprised to find that the skirt fit the best out of everything that I tried on, so I just had to purchase one. I often need to run errands after the gym and I'm so tired of looking shabby in my stretched out shorts. The running skirts are perfect!

I'm just kind of tired of the no colouration or choice in guys clothes today. it's blue, black, grey or that's it.

I really would like to go and get something a bit cooler, and I swear the women know something that we don't, and aren't afraid to use it.

I went shopping for workout clothes today and decided to try on a running skirt after reading this. I was surprised to find that the skirt fit the best out of everything that I tried on