Dressing for exercise success: it's easy to look good while you get in shape

YOU'VE seen them. Sisters or Brothers at the local gym, looking miserably unhappy--sweatpants sagging, T-shirt ripped up, sneakers looking as if they'd seen better times. They're working out to improve their health, but some trainers and fitness buffs say they've got it all wrong. You're supposed to start by looking good--having the proper attire and footwear for your exercise routine.

Your shoes, for example, should provide sufficient support and balance for whatever fitness routine you decide to do. The general idea with fitness clothing is that you don't want to wear something that is too tight, binding or pinching because that will limit your range of motion. The best workout clothes should make the wearer feel confident, dry and comfortable.

"The right clothing is important because it allows you to feel at ease, especially in a gym setting," says Nathaniel Scott, a part-time personal trainer in the Washington, D.C., area. "You don't want to be self-conscious about how you look when you wear certain clothes, and you also need to have the right support and comfort level to do your workout properly."

It's important to remember that certain activities require specialized clothing. Long-distance running and other high-intensity activities such as kickboxing require a fabric blend and technology that keep moisture away from the body. This wicking material, made with mesh lining along the chest and back, is essential for the type of workout that generates a lot of sweat. Not only does this fabric keep moisture away from the body, but it also helps to alleviate chafing that can be associated with cotton fabric.

Yoga, Pilates and other low-intensity workouts require comfortable clothes that allow your lower body to move freely. The latest trend is rich, tactile fabrics such as velour or polyester blends with a drawstring waist and slightly flared legs. Some lightweight shirts even have built-in bras to provide support. If you're a woman with a C-cup or higher, it's probably best to wear a sports bra.

Medium-intensity workouts such as biking, aerobics or weight training also require wicking materials to keep sweat away from your body.

Chicagoan Tammy Williams-Blakeley began running six years ago to lose weight and has been in love with the sport ever since. The five-time Chicago marathoner, who says frankly that she likes to look good, also believes there are more stylish choices in fitness wear than when she first started working out.

"It's mental," says trainer Angelique Garner, an aspiring novelist and actress from Washington, D.C. "When you look Good, you feel good."

"I feel better doing that run knowing that my outfit is coordinated" says Williams-Blakeley who is the principal owner an insurance agency. "I love fashion, I love style. I'll never just throw on sweats and go to the gym."

At the same time, it's important that you approach your workout and clothes realistically. Don't let the lack of stylish workout clothes stop you from starting a fitness. routine and meeting your goal. You're not exercising to make fashion statement, and you don't have to put a lot of money into a certain type of clothing. It's not just about looking good, it's about feeling better by improving your health. And if dressing for success makes you feel better about the sweat running down your back, then go for it.