Approaching the second month of the New Year, everyone has one thing on their minds ~ time to hit the gym! Whether you have a whole lifestyle change in mind for 2015 or you’re just making an honest effort to work off all of those excess holiday sweets from December, it’s safe to say the gym is packed. This can be a little intimidating, to say the least, especially as a newcomer, but the trick to feeling your best is to look your best, I always say.

However, as we all know, the gym is the exception to the rule of looking your best. No makeup? No problem. Just throw on a boyfriend T-shirt and go, right? Wrong … except maybe the makeup part.

Luckily for all of you who are tackling the gym, sportswear is not only a practical addition to your wardrobe, it’s super trendy right now, as the athletic looks goes high fashion. Not that I would condone spending high-fashion prices to spend an hour at Planet Fitness three times a week, but the sport-inspired trends from Paris and New York City should lend some inspiration if you are looking to treat yourself to some new gym outfits.

Another great thing about the athletic trend going mainstream is that cute gym clothes are more accessible than ever. The growing popularity of these trends and high-end athletic wear such as Lulu Lemon has caused a trickledown effect and inspired many other retail stores to try their hands at their own athletic-wear lines.

Sports fabrics are also making a comeback in the fashion world, with materials such as mesh and windbreaker becoming more of a widely accepted mainstay. These fabrics are being cut into more modern silhouettes and therefore are able to be worn more seamlessly across your day-to-day life. Joggers and slim-cut sweats, for example, are a prime example of the super-cool and dynamic road that sportswear has taken recently.

With that, if you are really serious about whipping your rear end into shape this year, there is no better way to get started than to invest in the gear. This way, you will be inspired to meet your goals and feel good while doing it, which is just as important.

To conclude, I am sad to share the news with Pulse readers that I am embarking on new adventures in 2015 and will no longer be writing The Style List. I’ve enjoyed every moment of my time as your fashion columnist and can only hope that my readers feel the same.

Wishing all of our readers a safe, healthy and fashionable year!

By Stacia Kindler