It is no secret that I like my workout clothes. But what you might not realize is that I am neurotically particular about material and cut, and I go crazy if I feel like anything is touching my skin too much. It is for this reason I can’t wear running tights (and most running crops) or higher-wasted bottoms, and it is the reason I will never, even wear a short sleeve top for exercise. It has to be a tank and it has to give me room to breathe. If I am wearing yoga pants to a class, I will roll up the bottoms so they aren’t touching my legs. Another quirk is that I absolutely have to wear a headband when I work out. If too much sweat touches my face I get nuts. And you better be sure all the clothes are very moisture-wicking or I will claw at myself.
I also don’t sleep in underwear, I take off my pants and jewelry the second I get home from anywhere, I never wear tights or stockings, I never wear socks at home and I always wear a big sweatshirt to travel so I don’t have to wear a bra. But those are stories for another time.
My point is, I am very particular about what I wear to exercise. So when ellasport reached out to me to review some clothes, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. Excitement because someone wants to send me free things! Free things for exercise! My dream in life! Apprehension because I knew there was a chance the clothes would cause one or more of the problems outlined above.
But when I read through their website I was impressed. Especially when I saw the company’s mission:
ellasport’s mission is to provide women with technical athletic apparel that is designed for a woman’s body and makes her feel good about herself.
ellasport’s goal is to give you the confidence and motivation to push yourself further than you thought possible, to help you release your motivated inner self and unstoppable confidence that knows no limits.
I love what ellasport is aiming for with their brand. This is exactly the type of product I’d like to promote. I browsed through the website and there are really great elements included with the products, such as that awesome, useful and cute back zipper in the New Power Capris.
I received two products to try — the Gramercy Racerbank Tank and the Workout Skirt.
The Review
Gramercy Racerback Tank in blue.
The Gramercy Racerback tans provides ample support with an attached bra that gives full coverage across the chest. The bra is made of the same fabric as the tank. The hip is wider than the waist and top so it stays in place and does not ride up. The Gramercy Racerback tank has a feminine, sexy look with its square neckline.
   
[Photos from ellasport.com]
When I first tried this top on I wasn’t sure if I liked it. It fit very well across the top, but the bottom was a bit baggier than I usually wear. But it was comfortable and the built-in bra felt relatively supportive.
I wore this tank top twice to spinning and once to do the 30 Day Shred DVD. When I did the DVD — which includes lots of jumping jacks — the shirt was comfortable and surprisingly supportive during the jumps. I wouldn’t run without another bra underneath, but it was more than sufficient for this particular workout. I tweeted:Â “Just wore my new @ellasport tank for my workout. Comfy and surprisingly more supportive than it looks.” The top was extremely lightweight and almost felt like I wasn’t wearing anything at all — exactly my type of clothing!
The first time I went to spin with this on, I couldn’t stop looking at myself in the class mirrors. This shirt is even more flattering that I originally thought, and it has a really great fit. I actually liked the slight bagginess that I was unsure about at first because it hid some areas I’ve been self conscious about since Cookie-Overload Oh-Eleven, and it didn’t feel uncomfortable in any way.
After class, I tweeted again:Â “Another note of praise for my @ellasport top – it is so moisture wicking, I thought I just didn’t sweat much in spin. Until I took it off.”
True story — the inside was soaked! The sweat-wicking abilities in the Gramercy Racerback Tank far surpassed what I expected based on other workout clothing I’ve worn.
The Workout Skirtâ„¢ falls just below the waist and has compression shorts attached – made of the same fabric as the skirt – that provide light compression to your leg muscles to help fight fatigue. The compression shorts hit at the mid- to high-thigh and have a mid-rise. The skirt portion is an inch longer than the shorts for just the right coverage.
   
I also tried the Workout Skirt for running. The skirt was long on me, longer than it looks in this photo. I have to admit that I like really short shorts and skirts when I run. A big part of exercising for me is feeling comfortable and sexy. So while this skirt certainly felt comfortable and looked flattering, I knew it wasn’t something I would choose for myself as I would the top.
While the material is not particularly lightweight, the built-in compression shorts under the skirt really make this a standout item. They are long enough that you’d wear them as shorts on their own (if they came that way), eliminating any fears of flashing strangers as you speed by. They’re comfortable and do not ride up at all. And like the top, the Workout Skirt is incredibly moisture-wicking.
I went for a quick treadmill run with this skirt. As I suspected, the longer material made me a little crazy as it touched my legs during the run. But that is my own quirk and I think for women who prefer longer shorts and skirts, this would be a great piece to try.
The Giveaway
To enter to win the Gramercy Racerback Tank worth $68, leave me a comment in the comments section below telling me which color Gramercy Racerback Tank you’d most like to own. Visit ellasport.com to see the colors available.
Get up to three additional entries by doing each of the following:
- Follow ellasport on Twitter (let me know you did so in your comment)
- Like ellasport on Facebook (let me know you did so in your comment)
- Tweet the following: I want to win @ellasport workout gear #giveaway from @dysterious: http://dorishinyblog.com/?p=7752
I must receive all entries by 11:59 pm on Monday, January 23 and the odds of winning are determined by the number of entries received. No purchase necessary to enter. Open to US residents only.
I received these products from ellasport at no charge. I was not paid to write this review, nor was I obligated to write one. All opinions are entirely my own.
Maggie
January 17, 2012 at 12:32 pm (13 years ago)I like the tank in yellow!
Maggie
January 17, 2012 at 12:33 pm (13 years ago)Following @ellasport on Twitter
Maggie
January 17, 2012 at 12:33 pm (13 years ago)I like ellasport on Facebook
Beth
January 17, 2012 at 12:39 pm (13 years ago)I like the black one, because you can’t see my sweat through it hahaha.
I tweeted this, followed them on twitter, and liked them on Facebook!
Erin
January 17, 2012 at 12:39 pm (13 years ago)I like it in blue. Very cute!
Steph
January 17, 2012 at 12:40 pm (13 years ago)I love the yellow! And I also like ellasport on Facebook!
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Melissa
January 17, 2012 at 12:43 pm (13 years ago)ooh! placid blue, please!
Amber
January 17, 2012 at 12:43 pm (13 years ago)I like the tank in black, of course!
Amber
January 17, 2012 at 12:46 pm (13 years ago)I am following ellasport on Twitter!
Amber
January 17, 2012 at 12:47 pm (13 years ago)And I tweeted! Thanks Dori!
Jacki
January 17, 2012 at 12:55 pm (13 years ago)I love workout clothing that you can hardly feel – anything fussy just irritates me! Love the tank in yellow, so cheerful. 🙂
Joanna
January 17, 2012 at 12:55 pm (13 years ago)I like the black one!
Becca
January 17, 2012 at 1:16 pm (13 years ago)I like the yellow! Almost all of my athletic tops are pink so I really need to get some new colors!
Emily
January 17, 2012 at 1:20 pm (13 years ago)i like that tank in black! love the items that are named after nyc neighborhoods.
also, i tweeted the giveaway and i follow @ellasport.
Heather
January 17, 2012 at 1:29 pm (13 years ago)I would love to try the sunshine one.
katie
January 17, 2012 at 1:40 pm (13 years ago)i’d love the top in black – and was just thinking last night that despite all the workout clothes i have, i need to get some new things that fit me a bit better at the present 🙂
Gina
January 17, 2012 at 1:47 pm (13 years ago)I love the tank in black! I too freak out when clothing is touching me while I’m working out!
Ariel
January 17, 2012 at 2:14 pm (13 years ago)What a great looking workout top! I especially like the blue.
Amanda
January 17, 2012 at 2:46 pm (13 years ago)Love the tank in yellow!
Amanda
January 17, 2012 at 2:47 pm (13 years ago)Liked ellasport on Facebook!
Amanda
January 17, 2012 at 2:47 pm (13 years ago)And I’m following @ellasport on Twitter =)
Mac
January 17, 2012 at 3:20 pm (13 years ago)I follow ellasport on twitter!
Mac
January 17, 2012 at 3:21 pm (13 years ago)I tweeted the giveaway! @wealths_health
Mac
January 17, 2012 at 3:22 pm (13 years ago)I’m a fan of the yellow tank, and normally I don’t wear yellow! Love it!
Jana
January 17, 2012 at 3:22 pm (13 years ago)I’d love the Gramercy Racerback Tank in jet black.
Jana
January 17, 2012 at 3:23 pm (13 years ago)I’m following Ellasport on Twitter.
Stacey
January 17, 2012 at 3:33 pm (13 years ago)I would love the tank in black to match everything! I like the brand, might have to check it out further!
Bari
January 17, 2012 at 4:52 pm (13 years ago)I would love to own that tank in the Placid blue color – gorgeous!
Bari
January 17, 2012 at 4:53 pm (13 years ago)I tweeted!
Bari
January 17, 2012 at 4:54 pm (13 years ago)I follow ellasport on twitter
Bari
January 17, 2012 at 4:55 pm (13 years ago)I follow ellasport on facebook
brooke
January 17, 2012 at 4:56 pm (13 years ago)i like the yellow color!!
brooke
January 17, 2012 at 4:57 pm (13 years ago)tweeted (@frugltrophywife)
Missy Maintains
January 17, 2012 at 5:04 pm (13 years ago)I would get black!
Missy Maintains
January 17, 2012 at 5:06 pm (13 years ago)I tweeted!
Missy Maintains
January 17, 2012 at 5:06 pm (13 years ago)I liked on facebook!
Missy Maintains
January 17, 2012 at 5:07 pm (13 years ago)And I followed them on Twitter.
Sahara Rao
January 17, 2012 at 5:12 pm (13 years ago)I want the Yellow Gramercy Racerback Tank
Sahara Rao
January 17, 2012 at 5:13 pm (13 years ago)I am following ellasport on Twitter!
Sahara Rao
January 17, 2012 at 5:14 pm (13 years ago)Liked ellasport on Facebook!
Sahara Rao
January 17, 2012 at 5:15 pm (13 years ago)https://twitter.com/#!/wannabyoung4eve/status/159383179420106752
Krissy @ Shiawase Life
January 17, 2012 at 5:49 pm (13 years ago)I have to be boring and admit that the tank in Black is my fave!!
Krissy @ Shiawase Life
January 17, 2012 at 5:50 pm (13 years ago)I like ellasport on FB.
Krissy @ Shiawase Life
January 17, 2012 at 5:51 pm (13 years ago)I follow ellasport on FB
(@krissymmurphy)
Krissy @ Shiawase Life
January 17, 2012 at 5:51 pm (13 years ago)…and I tweeted this giveaway!
https://twitter.com/#!/krissymmurphy/status/159391740875378688
Malinda
January 17, 2012 at 6:01 pm (13 years ago)I love black, follow Ellasport on Twitter and Like Ellasport on Facebook. Thanks!
Kallin
January 17, 2012 at 7:54 pm (13 years ago)I would have to go with the yellow tank..would make me smile while working out.
Kallin
January 17, 2012 at 7:54 pm (13 years ago)I found ellasport on Facebook and hit the all important “Like” button
Ashley H.
January 18, 2012 at 12:03 am (13 years ago)I like it in black.
Ashley H.
January 18, 2012 at 12:03 am (13 years ago)I like them on fb as Ashley Hewell.