Higher end clubs have a different dress code than your run of the mill YMCA, even in these difficult economic times. Having just joined Midtown Athletic Club of Rochester, worked out at the East Bank Club in Chicago and spent a week at Denver's premier Greenwood Athletic, I thought I'd pass along some observations and thoughts on future product development.
Spinning®.
Spinning/indoor cycling is the fitness refuge for a huge number of baby boomers looking for aerobic-anaerobic workouts, minus the joint impact. Spinning has gone through a resurgence in the past couple of years as clubs have committed to a more authentic approach to training for real cycling conditions. Some participants are cyclists training in the off-season; many are runners who've worn out their parts. The rest are new people getting exposed to cycling and candidates for taking it outside (my family members, a prime example). Bodies are a spectrum of very fit to kinda thick, and pretty evenly split male/female. It's a sweat fest with fans blowing like crazy, lots of mirrors and the occasional disco ball. Spin classes can run 45 to 90 minutes, with most at 60. The workout is different than a trainer or rollers and involves out-of-the-saddle moves on a frequent basis. Spinyasa is a newer offshoot, less available but an interesting combination of 30 minute intense spin and 30 minutes of vinyasa yoga on a mat.
What they're wearing:
Women appear to start out in their typical gym wear (everything from Lululemon knickers and pants to, heaven forbid, running shorts) but if they take to it, they gear up with real bike shorts (Pearl and Sugoi) or capris and their re-purposed workout tanks with built-in bras. They're also all buying bike shoes, at the direction of guys like Spin Jim and Rider Rick, the real deal in spin instructors. A note about hair. All of them (and this holds true from spin to yoga to pilates) pull hair up in high, tethered ponies and pull everything back with head/sweat bands.
Men are more likely to wear dedicated bike shorts (primarily Pearl Izumi). On top, it's t-shirts, Underarmour or bike jerseys. Most wear actual bike shoes. John Elway wears Pearl Izumi shorts, a Titleist t-shirt, cap and no superbowl ring.
Room for improvement:
Interestingly to me, nobody really makes a dedicated spinning collection. Cycling apparel manufacturers have selected pieces but they seem to be re-purposed or crossover pieces. The originators of Spinning® have a selection of products on their website but most appear to be re-branded.
Bottoms need a decent, more breathable chamois (a thinner version of the Terry Flex Air), and more flattering fit around the thigh. That said, I'd also lobby for fewer seams overall -- it just feels like they add bulk that's unnecessary for a 1-hour class. I wear the Terry Bella short which has a cooling sensation against the skin that may be all in my head but works for me. Although Dryline makes logical sense, it doesn't have the same sensation that the Bella fabric offers. I don't see women wearing super short shorts to spin so something in the 6-7" inseam length is as short as I would recommend. Gripper is overkill on spinning shorts and adds to the heat/bulk factor. One additional comment regarding inseam length is that I find the shorter the short, the more the sausage effect kicks in and needs to be addressed in a more elegant way. There's a streetwear silhouette that's part of Prada's RTW Spring 10 line that I like and think would be good to try to integrate into a cycling short: few panels; wide, low, elastic-free waist; self-fabric banding at leg opening; light, satiny fabric (more lycra/spandex content).
Tops are where the challenge and opportunity lie. They have to wick, feel good, and shouldn't be super tight. Lululemon has a cleopatra halter style this season that is impossible for me personally to pull over my
head but that I've seen on more than a few women. It has a t-back made of mesh. Mesh inserts on both the front and the back make a lot of sense. Additionally, tops need to have plenty of length for coverage while stretching. I find most of my workout tops are too short right now, particularly when going from spin to yoga. My current go-to top is a whisper-light Craft ProCool racer-back singlet that's meant to be a base layer and consequently shows every lump and bump which isn't ideal. It wicks like crazy and has enough length so I default to it. I'd like to try a YMX tank which, although body forming, is so light that you don't feel it and the print camouflages the lumps. Subtle use of prints is okay but most tops tend to be solid and fall into the neutral zone of black and white. In terms of silhouette, necklines can be lower but still need to protect from a full reveal in an aero position. Shelf bra should primarily be made of mesh or have a body-mapped mesh v in front. Pocket only if it can be added without double layer of fabric (or use mesh). Prices for the tops I've looked range from $50 to $65. Here are some interesting silhouettes and details for styling cues:
Photos:
1) Stella McCartney for Adidas
2) Google spinning reference
3) dhb cycling wear (UK)
4) Style.com/prada runway
5) Vogue/prada ad
6) Lululemon Swift tank
7) Shebeest Silverbella Halter
8) Sugoi Fizz Tank
9-10) Athleta Juliet Inspire Tank
Further:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/24/fashion/24Fitness.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
