Work out in style without straining your wallet
Confession: I'm a workout-aholic. Early morning jogs, afternoon bike rides, cheesy aerobics classes -- I love them all. Endorphins are my drug.
As a result, a good chunk of my wardrobe consists of stretchy pants and sports bras. But lately I've noticed that my gear is getting a little ratty. I guess that's a good thing, fitness wise; I'm getting use out of them. But while I'm in the gym leaving sweat puddles on the treadmill with my hair thrown up in a rat's nest, the least I can do is make sure my outfit's semi-stylish.
Apparently I'm not the only one. A story in the LA Times last month reports that cute workout clothes are ALL THE RAGE, both in and out of the gym. I blame the outlandishly overpriced brands like Lululemon Athletica, which has seduced celebs and, by extension, the rest of us mortals (OMGGG Kristen Cavallari wears Lululemon! I have to wear Lululemon, too!)
Seriously, $98 for a pair of loose-fitting pants?? Yeahhhhhh, no.
The good news is, because it's now totally cool to hit the gym, or at least dress like you did, now other less expensive retailers are jumping on the bandwagon.
Target has always been a gym-clothes staple for me, and their newest offerings don't disappoint.
Love this stretchy ribbed tank -- $12.99. Now that's more like it.
I gotta tell you, I bought a couple seamless sports bras like this one from Forever 21 a couple weeks ago, and they are now my faves. Unlike other stuff I've bought there, they've managed to survive several laundry cycles, and the bright colors really get me pumped for a nice, long run. Now if only I could master that subtle "come-hither-I'm-really-not-that-sweaty" stare.
Old Navy's jumped on board, too, with tops that promise to compress your body into a slimmer shape, fabric that wicks your sweat, thumb loops, zipper pockets, and more! Wow! Putting aside the hype for a second, I could totally log some miles in these $15 shorts. They remind me of another overpriced workout fad, the Nike Tempo Track shorts.
Or, if all else fails, there's always these.
Deal Diva Kim
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Katie Sanders foolishly spurned pretty dresses and shoes as a child, tossing new clothes over her shoulder at birthday parties with a totally rude "no, thank you." Her drab days of monocolor outfits are over now, and she certainly knows better than to turn down free stuff. Her wardrobe mixes classic with quirk. Think blazers with statement necklaces, and lots of patterned ballet flats. She can be reached at 850) 224-7263 or 
Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or 
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or 
From camo pants and construction boots to sundresses, sweaters and sling backs, Keyonna Summers knows how to make all of it rock -- at rock bottom prices. A Detroit native, Keyonna delves into her urban roots to find fashion pairings that give a nod to street fashion while maintaining the class of the modern, professional woman. She believes in searching for affordable clothes that look expensive and can easily be dressed up or down. You won't find plaid shirts or fleece jackets in her closet; the only hiking Keyonna does is to the bargain basement. She can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or 
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