Many people may shudder at the thought of paying close to $90 for a singlet to wear to the gym, and if you are one of those people, look away now.

For the thing you must understand about Brasilfit workout gear is that this stuff is by no means cheap, however it is of exceptionally high quality and looks fantastic on.

I myself sometimes see girls wearing Brasilfit gear at the gym and think to myself “she looks great in that”, then proceed to feel like a complete frump in my generic-brand leggings that cost me $10.

All Brasilfit garments are made of high-quality materials (so you’ll find they last forever). The materials used are designed to draw moisture and regulate body temperature so you’ll have a more comfortable workout (and minimise the risk of you looking like a sweat-covered mess after your early-morning class).

The Summer 09/10 range is available to buy online at the Brasilfit site now, and you can also shop for basics, which are slightly cheaper than the seasonal collections.

Brasilfit also has two stores in Sydney and distributors around Australia - store locations are available at the website.

By Caroline Warnes

Strap yourself in and get ready for the next ride into Wrongtown, because Vibram Five Fingers are here.

According to the Vibram Five Fingers website, these little miracle workers are the best things for your feet since sliced bread. Apparently they stimulate the muscles in your feet and lower legs to improve your balance and agility. I don’t care how comfortable they are, they’re still offensively fug and belong in the same pile as crocs and birkenstocks.

Unless you are some sort of elite athlete, I doubt this footwear is really necessary. And the site even recommends wearing them for “play and fun”. Somehow I don’t think you’d be getting asked out for much “play and fun” if you insist on turning up in your Aquaman footwear all the time.

The site also reckons that Vibram Five Fingers are the “alternative to going barefoot”. Hey, I have an even better alternative to going barefoot: they’re called shoes, and they’re available in most retail stores and charity clothing bins near you!

By Caroline Warnes

I’ve never given much though to Cotton On Body but I visited the store yesterday and had something of an epiphany.

The original Cotton On stores, which stock products for everyday wear, don’t do a whole lot for me, but Cotton On Body is a whole different story.

The Body stores stock all those odds and ends that don’t fit into the original stores: underwear and lingerie, swimwear, sleepwear, workout gear, towels and other odds and ends.

And oh my God, the prices! So so cheap. My visit yesterday only set me back $50 but I walked out with five individual items.

Some highlights include fashion underwear from $7.95 and the bikini pictured here which will only cost you $30.

See more of the Cotton On Body range and find a store near you here.

By Caroline Warnes

When you think of merino wool, you may think of big woolly jumpers rather than lightweight activewear.

However merino wool is actually one of the most versatile natural fabrics and is so soft when worn against the skin.

It’s perfect for keeping you cool in hot weather and warm in the cold, which is why it’s favoured by so many athletes and outdoorsy types.

Now I am no triathlete, however I do appreciate clothing made of natural fibres, as synthetics tend to make you sweat more (not to mention make you itchy if you have skin that is even remotely sensitive).

Icebreaker is a manufacturer that uses the wool from New Zealand merino sheep to create effective and comfortable activewear for athletes (and non-athletes who sweat a lot, too).

The Superfine Print Series uses the very lightest wool to keep you cool and dry in the hottest weather - perfect as we come into summer.

I like the Belize Amazon Scooop t-shirt pictured here.

Stockists are listed on the website.

By Caroline Warnes

So we’ve only just made it halfway through Autumn and I am already freezing my bottom off, and it can only get colder from here.

Moving to the top of my shopping hit list is the Alpine Long Zip Thru Hoodie from Russell Athletic, which is warm and comfy enough to sustain you through the winter months.

It’s sporty enough to wear to the gym but stylish enough to also wear out of it - personally I think it looks perfect for an afternoon of lounging around on the couch watching DVDs (so at least you can feel vaguely sporty as you lie there doing nothing).

I am in love with the fuschia colour, pictured on the right here, though it also comes in tea (pictured on the left) and black as well.

The hoodie retails for $79.95 - for stockists call 1300 367 582.

By Caroline Warnes

I am a regular gym-goer. I honestly wish I could say I enjoy the thrill of springing out of bed at 5.30am on a cold morning to get to an RPM class. It would make life a lot easier.

In reality, this is not the case. And let me be the first to say that I find anyone who does love leaping out of bed at the crack of dawn to go for a run around the block mildly annoying. In my world, that sort of behaviour is best left for Olympic athletes and bootcamp instructors.

No, for the majority of us, exercising can be a chore from time to time. Of course, there are those days when you’re full of beans and can’t wait to work off some energy (happens about once a decade for me), but most days simply aren’t like this. Once you’re actually exercising, it’s okay, but finding the motivation to get started can prove to be quite the challenge.

For me, having nice workout gear makes it so much easier to get out of bed and get to the gym. After all, no one gets excited about wearing tattered old trackies and your boyfriend’s cast-off VB t-shirt.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to find decent workout gear. I’ve found that some of the most affordable - and durable - leggings and sports tops come from the discount department stores, such as Target and Big W. Big W’s cotton rib tanks are perfect for sports, and you can pick up two for $16.

Personally, I also find Supre is great for gym gear. Although it can be quite a task to actually enter a Supre store - particularly given the fact that the space left to squeeze between racks of clothing indicates that the shop is meant for someone at least half my age - once you get inside, it’s worth it for the Sporte range. I have a pair of Sporte leggings that I bought for $25 over a year ago and they’ve lasted better than some of my more expensive workout clothes.

While you can scrimp on your workout clothes, keep in mind that you should never, ever go cheap with your footwear. Always invest in quality shoes, depending on your needs. Visit your local sporting goods shop - such as Rebel Sport, Foot Locker or Amart AllSports to get professional advice on your runners. After all, your feet have to carry you around for a long time, and destroying them with cheap shoes won’t pay off in the long run.

Last but not least, if you are interested in health issues and live in Sydney, don’t forget that the Mind Body Spirit Festival is on at Darling Harbour until this Sunday, November 11. This year’s festival is particularly exciting - special guests include Allison Dubois (she’s the psychic on whom the Medium television series is based) and celebrity witch (yes, there is such a thing) and singer Fiona Horne. If you’re in Melbourne, the MBS Festival rolls into town on November 23.

By Caroline Warnes