We come in all different shapes and sizes — and so does this exercise apparel.
The supermodel Candice Huffine embraces her curves and loves clothing that makes her look and feel great. But when she decided to train to run her first half-marathon and then a full marathon, one challenge came from an unexpected place: figuring out what to wear.
“I tried just about everything out there, and I was shocked at the limits in terms of fit and quality,” Huffine says. “I was either the last size in the ‘standard’ line or the first size in the ‘plus’ line — which meant basically nothing fit comfortably enough to go long distances in.”
In the plus category, she found limited options that didn’t feel up to her standards for high performance.
While there’s no one workout that’s right for everyone, everyone should be making time for some physical activity in their day. Moving more comes with benefits like helping with weight loss, preventing heart and other chronic diseases, and improving mood, stress levels, and sleep. Current guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggest you can start to see benefits with as little as 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity (or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous physical activity) per week.
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And no one should be falling short of those benchmarks because of a lack of apparel they can move in.
Huffine’s answer was to create a brand designed to “inspire women to make feeling good a priority,” whether they’re a size 0 or a size 32. “I knew I needed something better, and that there were so many women out there who deserved better too,” she says.
Here’s more about Huffine’s line and other brands that market apparel and products to help women of all shapes, sizes, and body types stay active and strong.
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Day/Won
Huffine started the brand Day/Won in 2017. The company is built on Huffine’s belief that "Every body is a good body" — and that a day in which you do something for yourself that makes you feel empowered, victorious, or like your best self is a “day won” (a motto that inspired the name of the brand). Day/Won clothing comes in sizes 0 to 32, and it’s intended to make you feel strong and unstoppable.
Plus, the products are manufactured when you place your order to reduce the environmental footprint of the brand’s production process.
Girlfriend Collective
“We believe health and wellness come in many shapes and sizes, and representation matters,” the Girlfriend Collective writes on its “Our Story” page. But don’t just take their word for it; check out the brand’s sizing chart, which includes options for women with waists from 22 to 58 inches and hips that measure between 28 and 67 inches. This brand also supports using environmentally friendly materials and sustainable manufacturing (find out more on the company’s “About” page).
Knix
This Toronto-based brand is all about making lingerie for every woman — regardless of shape, size, or athletic ability. They focus on performance and comfort, including the brand’s new high-impact, breathable sports bra designed to fit (and support) women from size 32A to 42G (Knix Catalyst Sports Bra, $85). It features adjustable straps and an adjustable back clasp to keep it snug and comfortable — and make it easier to take off than other high-impact sports bras.
Skirt Sports
This brand was founded to help “women find strength, power, and happiness through running,” the company’s founder, Nicole DeBoom, notes on the Skirt Sports website. DeBoom, a runner and triathlete, realized she was tired of running in clothes that were ill-fitting, uninspiring, and didn’t make her feel pretty. So she designed a running skirt, which became the brand’s first product. The company has expanded to offer a full line of fitness apparel for women, including workout dresses and skirts with built-in leggings.
Megababe
Working out can leave you energized, less stressed, and feeling great (exercise is great for mood and mental health, after all). But it can also leave you feeling chafed, sweaty, and smelling not quite squeaky clean. Enter this line of personal care products, including the Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafing Stick ($14), designed to allow thighs to glide smoothly against each other as you move (no more painful rashes), and the Bust Dust Anti-Boob-Sweat Powder ($16).