Sportswear Below RM100 For the Modern Woman.

So the SEA (South-East Asian) Games is coming to an end. Thailand is top with a total of 95 gold medals won. Our homeland Malaysia is sitting at fourth place with 62 gold medals out of the total 186 medals. As fellow countrymen, I believe we should provide them with loads of support regardless of the number of gold medals they bring back to our soil. We at ShopCoupons would like to congratulate all our national athletes on the good job they have done to bring pride and glory to our humble nation.

National pride aside, I suppose you guys are itching to get back into the fitness game after watching our national athletes give their all for our country. Let me tell you that our mental and physical fitness is essential to living a good and healthy lifestyle. In the past decade or so, many women are beginning to hit the gym more than usual. One of the causes is the rise of Instagram and its many, many beautiful looking women uploading photos of themselves working out - and looking mighty fine while they're at it too! Decades ago, the usual gym patrons would be our male counterparts but today, women are equally as concerned about having a healthy body while making themselves aesthetically appealing. For those who can't afford gym memberships, smartphone applications such as Nike Training Club have helped women to work out at home with simple equipment. The day a woman decides to invest her time into making herself look and feel better, she must be prepared to invest in equipment and most importantly, appropriate attire. However, many beginners do not require sports attire which comes at the price of denting their wallet. You'd be surprised at the amount of attire you can find out there which are economically friendly. Listed here are are comfortable sportswear you can get for below RM100.

Tops

Now, I know quite a number of fitness newbies who tend to either a) spend a truckload on high-end retail stores; or b) wear old clothing to work out in. One should do neither, unless you are a fitness veteran then you may apply option 'a' if you'd like. What matters is the type of fabric your clothing are made of, not the brand. Here are a few tips essential to playing your (sportswear) cards right:

• Try to avoid 100% cotton (this includes old t-shirts you reserve for the gym) because it holds onto which is not ideal due to a whole lot of reasons.
• Opt for polyester blends as they have good breathability, hence allowing you to stay warm and dry.
• If you like a stretchy fit, pick acrylic fabric. It has good moisture management and is breathable.
• Polypropylene is great for outdoor exercises due to its resistance to wind and rain.

A few examples of good and affordable sports tops would be as follows (from left):

• Puma Printed Graphic 1 Up Short Sleeve Tee from Zalora; RM79.20. Features CleverDRY technology for a comfortable moisture-wicking sensation during your most extreme workouts. Made out of 100% polyester.
• Women's Active Raglan SS Tee from Amnig; RM39.90. As it is made out of 65% polyester and 35% cotton, sweat evaporates quickly, leaving you to exercise in comfort.
• Sports Top from H&M; RM49.90. A quick-drying functional fabric with a racerback and burnout pattern. Made out of 100% polyester.

Leggings/Trousers

These days, most women prefer leggings or yoga pants over basic track pants, mostly because they don't hold on to sweat, are breathable and are stretchable; but also because leggings make us look so much more flattering. Leggings can be found at almost any store, but it is advisable to purchase those meant for sports. If leggings are too tight for your taste, opt for sports trousers instead. Get a pair which has an elasticized or adjustable draawstring waistband for better support and to make sure that your trousers don't keep slipping off your hips during your Zumba class.

• 3/4-Length Sports Trousers from H&M (left); RM59.90. The comfortable sweatshirt fabric with an elasticized drawstring waist means it fits all of the criteria I have mentioned above. Made out of 50% cotton, 46% polyester, and 4% elastane.
• Club Zen Dark Grey and Orange Yoga Pants from Zalora (middle); RM39. Club Zen makes sure that you are able to experience seamless movement by incorporating stretchable fabric. A contrasting waistband make adds a pop of color to your look as well. Made out of polyblend.
• Legging with Welt Pocket from Amnig (right); RM49.90. A pair of slim fit basic solid leggings perfect for either casual days or gym days.Made out of cotton spandex.

Shorts

Like trousers, elasticized or drawstring waistbands are an absolute must as we would prefer our shorts to stay up instead of around our ankles while exercising. And like tops, opt for quick-drying fabrics which would ultimately provide comfort and lessen the chances of skin irritation. Like leggings, shorts can be found almost anywhere and everywhere, some come really cheap as well; especially if you purchase a pair from a night market or some supermarkets. Again, my advise would be to select shorts meant for sports to avoid any mishaps.

• Puma Fun Graphic Shorts from Zalora (left); RM79. Just looking at the shorts make me want to put 'em on and start working out already! Made out of 88% cotton and 12% polyester, expect a comfortable and soft fabric gentle on your skin when you start pumping those guns.
• Running Shorts from H&M (middle); RM69.90. These shorts are lined so accidentally flashing someone should be the least of your worries. Made out of light and quick-dry material: 88% polyester and 12% elastane.
• Running Shorts from Amnig (right); RM45.90. Suitable for running indoors on the treadmill or outdoors in the park thanks to its classic athletic cut. 100% poly woven.

Sports Bras

Wearing the right sports bra is important in order to avoid injury to your breast ligaments and a sore back (especially for those with a bigger bust). Did you know that your breasts move in the figure of an eight-shape when you run? This in turn weakens Cooper's breast ligaments with every bounce, and because they are not capable of stretching, the risk of your breasts sagging tremendously increases. Hence, it is advisable to wear a sports bra whenever you are working out, especially if you want to maintain a back free from pain and a firm bust.

• Panel Sport Bra from Amnig (left); RM74.09. A medium-support bra suitable for intense workouts, boxing, and running with Body-Wick fabric to keep yourself cool and dry while providing extra comfort thanks to its bonded, seamless technology.
• Reebok Woven Short Bra from Zalora (right); RM95. Equipped with moisture-wicking PlayDry technology, keeping fresh while working out would not be a concern. Like the Amnig Panel Sport Bra, this one is also crafted for high performance activities. Made out of 91% polyester and 9% elastane.
• T Zip Crop from Cotton On (no image available); RM40. Remain stylish while working out in this practical sports crop equipped with a sturdy zip which opens at the front. It also keeps you dry as it wicks away moisture and comes with removable bust inserts.

Shoes/Trainers

Shoes of the right size are equally as important as wearing a sports bra of the right size. There are thousands of sports shoes out there which can make you unsure of which pair you should get. Before purchasing your pair of kicks, ask yourself what they are required for: are they for running, sports, or general exercise? If it is for running; cross-country or road? If it is for sports; what type of sports - basketball, volleyball, badminton, etc.? You get the drift. Websites such as Runner's World contain lots of information from specialists such as how to buy the right running shoes.

• Power Mode B115 Sports Shoes from Zalora (top left); RM 65.99. This pair is perfect with its modern grey mesh panelled upper for increased breathability with lively watermelon-colored accents and features a padded collar for intensified comfort.
• Ambros Exposher Sneakers from Zalora (top right); RM69.90. This lovely pair of charcoal and blue colored sneakers feature a lightweight design with padded shoulders in order to protect your ankles. Soles are made out of rubber for much better grip and to increase traction.
• Laced Up Patent Trainers from Zalora (bottom); RM36. Featuring a minimal design with visible stitches and thick soles, look minimalistic while performing high intensity training. Synthetic on the outside and fabric on the inside, comfort should be the least of your worries.

Well, I hope you have garnered some inspiration on planning your sports attire shopping trip wisely after reading this. If you are interested in more discounts and savings, do not hesitate to take a look at our main website for tons of promotions and coupon codes to help you save even more. Till then, happy working out!

Bonus: Zalora is giving you 20% OFF their new apparel - which also includes some of the items listed here! Oh, and free shipping too! Just apply our code upon checkout and celebrate! You may thank us later :)

Sources: www.seagames2015.com | www.runnersworld.com

By Denise Goh
June 22, 2015 | Fashion