What’s the first thing you do when you commit to a new health kick? If you’re anything like me, it includes a lot of shopping….

First, for a kitchen of healthy food, second for a sporty magazine and then for a new workout outfit.

The Sporty Woman’s No Bullsh*t Guide To Healthy Eating

Just like making your kitchen cupboards look all nice and healthy, a little self-transformation through a new pair of leggings or sports crop does the willpower a load of good.

Every time I buy new fitness threads lately however, I notice that the price tag is ever slightly higher. An outfit from the more expensive labels is starting to compete with my month’s rent.

It makes me wonder, is there actually any point in spending good money on clothes that you’re only going to get sweaty in?

Most of the time, it feels like the gym and fitness classes are split into two groups: the gym bunnies with their cute outfits… and everyone else.

I am definitely in the latter group. Two weeks into my health kick and my awesome new (expensive) gym outfit will be all but gone.

(Except for the one item of clothing because it turned out to be super comfy or because I noticed it make my butt look especially good.)

Mostly, I’m back to the old student t-shirts and sports bras that have been around too long, teamed with my boyfriend’s bobbly trainer socks.

I used to not give any thought to my clothes, but as more and more people have started taking their gym garbs seriously, I do wonder if I’m missing a trick.

According to those who swear by swiping your card for the high end stuff, the difference is in the fabric.

While you might have thought that your decade old Feeder t-shirt was fine for mopping your brow on the treadmill, it turns out that you could be wrong.

If an outfit really does produce better fitness results then sign me up

The pricey stuff is stuffed full of different ways to make exercising better and more suited to exercise.

From sweat-wicking fabrics to UV protection, the clothes claim to make the experience of exercising as painless as possible, meaning you can carry on for longer.

If an outfit really does produce better fitness results then sign me up and point me in the direction of the shiny Lycra. Still, I’m not convinced.

One of the greatest tools of advertising is that they can target and zone in on our insecurities to sell things. There’s nowhere easier to make people feel insecure than in the gym.

I refuse to believe that we need high-end materials and progressive design technology in order to be fit and healthy. After all, Tarahumara runners cover hundreds of miles in homemade leather sandals!

So while I might treat myself and splash out on a flashy pair of leggings when I fancy it, I’m not going to feel bad for being the only one in my yoga class not wearing the new look.

It doesn’t stop me rocking that warrior pose better than anyone else in the room!