Fitness fashion for mums: Autumn 2016

by My Kent Family reporter

If your summer featured more excess (of the booze and snooze varieties) than exercise, getting back to peak fitness - or, at least, getting in shape before the office Christmas party - is no doubt top of your autumn wishlist.

High Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT, involves short bursts of cardio and strength training interspersed with painfully brief rest periods.

Whether you're at a class or using an app or YouTube video, if you're doing HIIT right, you're going to get very sweaty, so a supportive bra top, leggings or shorts and trainers are all you need.

The Adidas Essentials and TechFit ranges at Sports Direct offer high-tech pieces in plenty of shades of black and grey, making for effortless mixing and matching - handy if you've signed up to a month of unlimited bootcamp classes.

Adidas UltraBOOST Uncaged, £129.95, www.adidas.co.uk
Adidas UltraBOOST Uncaged, £129.95, www.adidas.co.uk
Adidas TechFit Ladies Medium Bra. Available in a range of colours from £11 at Sports Direct
Adidas TechFit Ladies Medium Bra. Available in a range of colours from £11 at Sports Direct

Effective sports bras for larger busts can be hard to come by. The Royce range offers great fit and support, and this November they're launching a new 100% cotton bra. The super-soft double-layered fabric, combined with the wide underband and straps, mean added comfort and a streamlined silhouette. Available in black (32D-40FF) and pink (32G-40K).

Royce Impact Free, £34, www.royce-lingerie.co.uk
Royce Impact Free, £34, www.royce-lingerie.co.uk

If the look is just as important as getting in shape, contrast is key. If you tend to favour black and grey fitnesswear, pick a neon or print bra, and if you love bright prints, a minimalist colour palette is the way to go. My Kent Family recommends the Only Play Lola Training Bra or the Sweaty Betty Virasana Padded Yoga Bra.

Sweaty Betty Virasana Padded Yoga Bra, £40, www.sweatybetty.com
Sweaty Betty Virasana Padded Yoga Bra, £40, www.sweatybetty.com
Only Play Lola Training Bra, £18, Little-Mistress.com
Only Play Lola Training Bra, £18, Little-Mistress.com

GO FOR A SPIN

Inspired by the cult-like SoulCycle movement over in the US, there are now tons of static bike classes to choose from in the UK, where punishing pedal-based workouts are soundtracked by techno beats and insanely perky instructors.

As such, you can indulge all your 'athleisure' fashion fantasies in bright bike shorts, cool crop tops and slogan tees, plus you don't need to worry about footwear because clip-on cycling shoes are often included.

Under the Same Sun Palm Crop Top, £61, www.underthesamesun.se
Under the Same Sun Palm Crop Top, £61, www.underthesamesun.se
Fabletics Lauren Tank, £35; Salar Leggings, £58, at www.fabletics.co.uk
Fabletics Lauren Tank, £35; Salar Leggings, £58, at www.fabletics.co.uk

FEEL THE BEAT

For a dance-inspired workout that's anything but graceful, unleash your inner club kid with a rave gym class, complete with disco lights and banging 1990s tunes. The brighter the better is the mantra here - think neon leggings, retro slogan tees and hi-tops (glow sticks optional).

Zakti Bra, £15; Leggings, £28; Groundwork Barefoot Trainers, £40. Available from this week at www.zaktiactive.com
Zakti Bra, £15; Leggings, £28; Groundwork Barefoot Trainers, £40. Available from this week at www.zaktiactive.com
Reebok Les Mills Hayasu, £69.55 at www.reebok.co.uk
Reebok Les Mills Hayasu, £69.55 at www.reebok.co.uk
Ellesse Crop Sleeveless T-Shirt, £20, JD Sports
Ellesse Crop Sleeveless T-Shirt, £20, JD Sports
Nike Juvenate in bright crimson, £72 at www.nike.com
Nike Juvenate in bright crimson, £72 at www.nike.com

RAISE THE BARRE

Based on classic ballet poses, barre workouts are deceptively simple, as tiny, graceful movements are repeated over and over until you really feel that burn. As you'll be focusing on strength and flexibility rather than cardio, your best bet for a barefoot barre class is a pair of high-waisted leggings and a sports bra, with a hoodie or sweatshirt to whip off once you've warmed up.

We Are Handsome Botanica Performace Cross Over Back Top, £68, www.wearehandsome.com
We Are Handsome Botanica Performace Cross Over Back Top, £68, www.wearehandsome.com
White Stuff Lotus Pose Seamless Bra, £25. Available at the end of September at www.whitestuff.com
White Stuff Lotus Pose Seamless Bra, £25. Available at the end of September at www.whitestuff.com

WHAT EVERY SPORTSWOMAN NEEDS

New this October to the fitbit family, the Flex 2 offers a minimalist, slimline choice, and as well as ticking all those crucial tracking function boxes, it's also swim-proof, so you can plunge your fitness monitoring into exciting new depths. Bands available in black, lavender, magenta or navy.

Fitbit Flex 2, £79.99, www.fitbit.com/uk
Fitbit Flex 2, £79.99, www.fitbit.com/uk

GET THE STAR LOOK

Fearless on stage and on the red carpet, Little Mix often give us style envy, but with their 2016 assignment as ambassadors for USA Pro, the girl band is showing off its rehearsal room fashion credentials. Make like Leigh-Anne Pinnock at your next dance class in the brand's hot pink sports bra, leggings and trainers.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix wearing USA Pro Tight Pants, £11.99, Sports Bra, £9.50, and Zircon Trainers, all available from SportsDirect.com
Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix wearing USA Pro Tight Pants, £11.99, Sports Bra, £9.50, and Zircon Trainers, all available from SportsDirect.com
Zircon Trainers, currently reduced from £69.99 to £20 at SportsDirect.com
Zircon Trainers, currently reduced from £69.99 to £20 at SportsDirect.com

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