FASHION:We put dancer and choreographer Jane Shortall through her paces to find the best gear for the gym and beyond – these are her choices
1 This is the major look in dance classes abroad, such as Broadway Dance Centre in New York and Pineapple in London – all the guys and girls bop in these football shorts. It’s a hip-hop look straight from the street, and it makes you feel more funky when you wear loose, baggy clothing. The orange hoody top is my favourite. I love the feel of it and it’s a cool look for dance classes. Everyone puts the hood up when they know the routine and jams the routine flat out.
2 The white long-sleeved cotton shirt is very versatile – you can wear it going to the gym, dance class, yoga or coffee with your friends. You can wear it with jeans. I like its sexy fit.
3 I always wear a sports bra and love this yellow and blue bra top, but if you’re larger, you should wear your normal bra under the bra top. You need the two for any high-impact stuff such as jumping and dancing. I always wear leggings going to the gym or to yoga, either to the knee or full length. These are cotton and breathable and very comfortable.
4 These pink shorts are great for running or going to the beach, with flip-flops. They’re very comfortable and I wear them with a tracksuit top and socks which are very popular in dance classes. The tracksuit top is a really cool item at the moment. I never wear a matching top and bottom, but this top can be worn in and out of classes.
5 This is my choice for running. I love the fabric in these jogging leggings, a mix of cotton and lycra. You don’t want baggy, loose clothes when you’re running, you’re far better with something tight and snug. The pale yellow top has a flattering fit around the arms and I love the colour.
OTHER TIPS FROM JANE:
Get rid of stuff that has been in your wardrobe and washed a load of times, throw out workout wear that has had its day.
A lot of women wear badly fitting leggings in the wrong fabrics. If you don’t dress the part, you don’t act the part. You will run better, dance better and your yoga will be better in the right clothing.
If you wear nylon or polyester, get rid of it and go for 100 per cent cotton for more comfort. Wear loose cotton T-shirts over leggings and wear something bright rather than drab.
Photographs Monika Chmielarz