New Balance has created a line of apparel for fitness, yoga and running. You can see it here.
What do you all think of using a fashion model to sell fitness clothes?
from the website:
"HKNB is the perfect balance of Style & Performance.
The HKNB collection is designed to not only make you look good while working out, but also feel great doing it."
Personally, I am not a fan of the fashionization of running clothing. I am sure that Heidi works out more than most athletes I know, and I have no problem with her being an advocate of fitness or even apparel. I have a problem with the marketing approach New Balance is using here: it is using the "look hot, be cute while you are working out" sentiment that is irritating to me. It is irritating because it creates a standard of what women should strive to look like while they are out doing their fitness hobbies (yoga, running, rowing, weight lifting, cycling, whatever), instead of concentrating on how they feel.
I understand many women (including myself) like to shop for running and fitness clothes and a new pair of shorts can make you feel happy and even motivate you to go out and run. I'm not discrediting this, or saying that all women should wear baggy stained sweatpants and holey tshirts while running- nor implying you are fake and shallow if you wear an "outfit." (I have several matching outfits myself). What I am saying is this- fitness (in my case, running) is sacred to me because while I am running, it is not what my body looks like in the mirror, or how I fill out some shorts, or whether or not my fat is jiggling (it always jiggles)- It is about how I feel, and I strive for that to be strong and confident, which should have zero to do with what I'm wearing, or how "hot" or "cute" I am perceived to be by the men and women around me.
Until relatively recently the "runner's uniform" was split shorts and a shirt. Now there are so many choices, especially for women, including fashion running items. How has this change affected you (if at all) and do you think it helps or hinders women in terms of enjoying fitness? Which is ultimately the idea..... um...right???
What do you all think of using a fashion model to sell fitness clothes?
from the website:
"HKNB is the perfect balance of Style & Performance.
The HKNB collection is designed to not only make you look good while working out, but also feel great doing it."
Personally, I am not a fan of the fashionization of running clothing. I am sure that Heidi works out more than most athletes I know, and I have no problem with her being an advocate of fitness or even apparel. I have a problem with the marketing approach New Balance is using here: it is using the "look hot, be cute while you are working out" sentiment that is irritating to me. It is irritating because it creates a standard of what women should strive to look like while they are out doing their fitness hobbies (yoga, running, rowing, weight lifting, cycling, whatever), instead of concentrating on how they feel.
I understand many women (including myself) like to shop for running and fitness clothes and a new pair of shorts can make you feel happy and even motivate you to go out and run. I'm not discrediting this, or saying that all women should wear baggy stained sweatpants and holey tshirts while running- nor implying you are fake and shallow if you wear an "outfit." (I have several matching outfits myself). What I am saying is this- fitness (in my case, running) is sacred to me because while I am running, it is not what my body looks like in the mirror, or how I fill out some shorts, or whether or not my fat is jiggling (it always jiggles)- It is about how I feel, and I strive for that to be strong and confident, which should have zero to do with what I'm wearing, or how "hot" or "cute" I am perceived to be by the men and women around me.
Until relatively recently the "runner's uniform" was split shorts and a shirt. Now there are so many choices, especially for women, including fashion running items. How has this change affected you (if at all) and do you think it helps or hinders women in terms of enjoying fitness? Which is ultimately the idea..... um...right???