Shopping for plus sized athletic wear

[cabanafrau]

I need some help for where to shop for plus sized workout wear, comfortable, stretchy, moisture wicking. A group of us are getting together to at least begin some heavy walking activity as the weather warms (it's going to warm eventually, right?). I'm strongarming a friend into joining us, but her last big resistance is what she can wear, so I've got to come up with something that is functional and won't make her self conscious that "I don't fit with you guys".

The tricky wrinkle is she's about 5'1" and I think she wears about a size 20. I've been down this road before with her, she thought she might join us but in the end found a million excuses. She's finally admitted to me that a big fear is wearing something awful because she can't find anything decent in a pant in particular because of her height. Honestly I felt kind of heartsick to know that she would come with us & this might be the real reason for all of the other excuses.

She's got some health issues going because of her weight and I really want her to walk to help combat some of the health problems -- and I really just want my friend to get out with us for the fun of it. I'm hoping someone can point me to where she could get just some basic, decent workout gear that will help her feel she fits in. Nothing fancy, mine are just Under Armour or Nike stretchy pants & moisture wicking t's & everyone else is pretty much similar. Please someone help me help get my friend moving again.

 

[java]

http://athleta.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=46814

She could try a Capri style if length is an issue for her.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

http://www.junonia.com/

 

[cabanafrau]

Thank you for the suggestions. I've been trying to get her out with us for a few years now & I'm just sick to think this is why she wouldn't join us.

 

[HannaBelle]

Walmarts in my area carry a decent selection of Just My Size products too. Not sure if they are moisture wicking though.

 

[dgthree]

I'm hoping someone can point me to where she could get just some basic, decent workout gear that will help her feel she fits in. Nothing fancy, mine are just Under Armour or Nike stretchy pants & moisture wicking t's & everyone else is pretty much similar. Please someone help me help get my friend moving again.

Not all WalMart stores have stock, but there's a good variety of Danskin plus sized activewear on their website: http://www.walmart.com/browse/apparel/womens-plus-activewear/5438_133195_593002/?browsein=true&_refineresult=true&search_sort=5&povid=cat133195-env201020-moduelA100413-lLinkLHNActivewear&fromPageCatId=133195&catNavId=133195

Just My Size online also has Champion activewear, which is a little pricier: http://www.justmysize.com/plus-size/workout/champion-workout

 

[hops&dreams]

She can get active clothing most anywhere now-a-days. I've had good luck with WalMart (their Danskin Now line is is comparable to C9 line at Target. I think they're actually stretchier). Old navy also has plus-sized athletic wear available online, Lane Bryant, as well as Target - their C9 collection - that's my every-day work out stuff.

If she is saying that length is an issue - I agree with PP - crops will be fine - maybe they won't hit right below her knee but be a bit longer on her, or might go below the knee, when they hit above the knee on the model - who cares?! As long as they stay up and don't chafe, she'll be fine. My take on this is - if I wear these enough, I will lose enough weight that they'll eventually be too big. And then it won't be a problem anymore

If she really wants pants - then she can always get them hemmed. I've done that many times, although I do the hemming myself. It's part of life, being a shorty!

 

[Sadie22]

I wear jeans, and then when it's warm enough I wear skorts which hit me at mid-knee or just below. I have a selection of Disney Tshirts and sweatshirts for exercising as well.

You can start now, just you and your friend. (More calories will be burned just keeping warm.)

Groups are intimidating. Two people can walk along at the pace of the slower person and carry on a nice conversation. I walk fairly slowly and I give thanks for my walking buddy who is willing to slow down to my pace when we are together. She does other exercise so she's already worked out some before we start. I've been with enough groups that have stopped to wait for me to catch up and then started walking again when I reached them, or some people thinking they are helping will suggest I go faster or run or jog to catch up (not happening - too much risk fo injury).

Experiences like this may be another reason or the real reason your friend is reticent. She needs to move at her own pace, not someone else's pace, and it needs to what she wants to do, not what someone else wants, no matter how well-intentioned. Rather than insisting she go with a group, try pairs or trios first if you can.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I see you are in Michigan - if your friend can cross the border to Ontario, the Pennington's chain of plus-sized women's clothing has a good selection of athletic work-out clothing in plus petite sizes as well as regular plus sizes. I am 5'2" and they fit me well.

TP

 

[JaneBanks]

Old Navy online!

 

[cabanafrau]

I wear jeans, and then when it's warm enough I wear skorts which hit me at mid-knee or just below. I have a selection of Disney Tshirts and sweatshirts for exercising as well.

You can start now, just you and your friend. (More calories will be burned just keeping warm.)

Groups are intimidating. Two people can walk along at the pace of the slower person and carry on a nice conversation. I walk fairly slowly and I give thanks for my walking buddy who is willing to slow down to my pace when we are together. She does other exercise so she's already worked out some before we start. I've been with enough groups that have stopped to wait for me to catch up and then started walking again when I reached them, or some people thinking they are helping will suggest I go faster or run or jog to catch up (not happening - too much risk fo injury).

Experiences like this may be another reason or the real reason your friend is reticent. She needs to move at her own pace, not someone else's pace, and it needs to what she wants to do, not what someone else wants, no matter how well-intentioned. Rather than insisting she go with a group, try pairs or trios first if you can.

Nobody's really power walking or jogging, it's pretty social. We've just decided to kill two birds with one stone, try to catch up with each other & get moving at the same time. She's friendly with quite a few in the group and socializes with a lot of us. I'd just like her to be with us, socially and to help her get moving. I think she does, too. We're quite an age range, fitness level group that kind of flexes according to who's available.

We've talked about doing it for quite some time and she always backs out, despite saying she wants to. From what I've been able to pull out of her it amounts to finding something to wear that isn't hideous, uncomfortable or too darn long so she doesn't feel conspicuous. There are others in the group in plus sizing, just taller. I really appreciate all of the great suggestions. I'm used to fighting the length battle myself, just didn't realize the plus size thing makes it harder.

 

[DisneyDizzy]

Old Navy online carries up to size 4x in athletic wear. Some of it is VERY cute cute cute! They have compression tops, jackets, capris etc. It was 40% off yesterday but they run specials all the time.

 

[Fire14]

thanks for all the suggestions on places to find plus size. I'm tall but fluffy.
I love my running skirts from Sparkleskirts.com. Yes they are pricy but the hold up well, Are made in USA and are a small customer based company.``

 

[indygirl99]

I have to second Sparkle Skirts.

I am a very fluffy runner and I LOVE these skirts. I also wear them just for everyday activity and on vacations to the mouse.

 

[frostywolf]

I'm lucky enough to live close to the New Balance factory in MA. I'm 5'2" and when I first started exercising more, I was about 225#. I've got several NB running tops, and pants. I buy Capri length pants since regular running pants are too long on me.

I've also ordered cycling gear from LLBean. I haven't looked to see what they have for other active wear, but she might be able to find something from them. And they have the best return policy ever!

 

[lauradis]

I wear junky cheap sweat pants or old yoga pants. The only good thing I get for working out is sports bras and running shoes.

 

[asta]

I understand what your friend is dealing with regarding weight and exercise paints. I love, love, love the sport knit paints from Lands End. I workout in the Capri length but they also come in full length. And they have pockets for keys and cell phone.

http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-fit-3-sport-knit-capri-pants/id_162717

I think they run a little big.