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The New Year comes the initiative for a 'new you' and if you have it in yourself to sculpt those abs and tone those biceps by hitting the gym you're probably wondering where to buy some new workout clothes. With this in mind, we've compiled 14 great shops all over the city for you to find new clothes that you can sweat in. Really, it's in your best interest (because after all, we probably need something with more lycra after all that eggnog).
The stores on the following page range from dance supply stores to a fine selection of wetsuits with plenty of yogawear and sneakers smattered throughout. Click through to view the map, and add any of your favorites that we may have missed in the comments below.
Opened last year, Deka is known for carrying brands like Stella McCartney, Jeremy Scott, Splits 59 and the city's only Newton Running Bar where you can try out a pair of sneakers on a run before you buy them.
After a sudden closure and months of speculation of the permanent closure of Niketown Chicago, the 5 floor Michigan Ave flagship reopened under the new Niketown concept. Find running, basketball, nikeID, football, golf and more in one of the most searched for sports stores in Chicago.
The city's first Athleta under parent company Gap to open. The store stocks running, yoga and Pilates wear in a variety of colors and sizes. The store also organizes community events like group yoga or trips to Montrose Beach for fitness classes.
Though there are many Lululemon Athletica stores around the city including Halsted in Lincoln Park, Damen in Bucktown and even inside the 900 Shops one block southeast of Rush at Walton, this store acts as a Chicago Flagship for the Canadian brand. Each month, the store moves all the store fixtures out of the way and does group yoga.
Fleet Feet Chicago operates two locations in Chicago; one in Lincoln Square and the other in Old Town in the Piper's Alley Shopping Center next to Second City. Each year during the Chicago Marathon the store pumps up runners (and business) by offering great sales, personal appearances, sponsoring runners and acting as a meeting place for running groups.
Chicago's dancing HQ is on the second floor of an old brick building at a busy little neighborhood intersection on the North Side. From a first time fitting to a seasoned pro, this shop offers shoe fittings, pointe shoe ribbon sewing, custom orders across many different dance categories from tango to jazz to ballet.
Sure there are sports bras that hold up--and the price reflects that, but more than that there's casual wear and stretchy basics for slower activities like yoga, Pilates and Sit and Be Fit.
Cute workout wear? Here it is. We're all familiar with the magabrand who flies supermodels around to every possible launch (Safari and Firefox included). Most recently, Angel, Erin Heatherton came by to launch VSX which in the coming seasons will continue to grow in range.
With one store in Northbrook and a second Chicagoland location in Water Tower on Michigan Ave, S. A. Elite is known for an exceptional selection of performance apparel, accessories and athletic footwear from brands that have made a name for themselves as being at the top of their game. Shop New Balance, Nike, Pro Feet, Power Balance and Under Armour. How is it different than regular ol' Sport Suthority? Think better colors, a higher quality of stock and a more defined selection.
Two locations in Chicago and Deerfield, sports are taken VERY seriously here. The staff at times (from Yelp) can be intense but extremely knowledgeable about whatever it is you want to know about. Try out and shop shoes, wetsuits, swimwear, running, and casual wear for yoga from brands like Sugoi, The North Face, Asics, New Balance, Saucony, Cervelo, Brooks, 2XU and Craft.
In business for over 10 years, the focus here is on shoes. Think Mizuno, Saucony, Asics, Nike as well as tech-y accessories like Garmin GPS. Check out their site for weekly events like "Women's Wednesdays" (with wine), "Pilates and Pancakes" or "Burgers & Beer", which is a group activity that happens after a weekly run.
Quality gear is the star of the show at this Patagonia Store. Yes, there's a newer shop on Walton in the Gold Coast but this store has a particular following of hikers, skiers, and people who just know their way around cold weather. The range is incredible, from down coats, rock climbing gear and even sandals for summer.
Opened last year, Deka is known for carrying brands like Stella McCartney, Jeremy Scott, Splits 59 and the city's only Newton Running Bar where you can try out a pair of sneakers on a run before you buy them.
After a sudden closure and months of speculation of the permanent closure of Niketown Chicago, the 5 floor Michigan Ave flagship reopened under the new Niketown concept. Find running, basketball, nikeID, football, golf and more in one of the most searched for sports stores in Chicago.
The city's first Athleta under parent company Gap to open. The store stocks running, yoga and Pilates wear in a variety of colors and sizes. The store also organizes community events like group yoga or trips to Montrose Beach for fitness classes.
Though there are many Lululemon Athletica stores around the city including Halsted in Lincoln Park, Damen in Bucktown and even inside the 900 Shops one block southeast of Rush at Walton, this store acts as a Chicago Flagship for the Canadian brand. Each month, the store moves all the store fixtures out of the way and does group yoga.
Fleet Feet Chicago operates two locations in Chicago; one in Lincoln Square and the other in Old Town in the Piper's Alley Shopping Center next to Second City. Each year during the Chicago Marathon the store pumps up runners (and business) by offering great sales, personal appearances, sponsoring runners and acting as a meeting place for running groups.
Chicago's dancing HQ is on the second floor of an old brick building at a busy little neighborhood intersection on the North Side. From a first time fitting to a seasoned pro, this shop offers shoe fittings, pointe shoe ribbon sewing, custom orders across many different dance categories from tango to jazz to ballet.
Sure there are sports bras that hold up--and the price reflects that, but more than that there's casual wear and stretchy basics for slower activities like yoga, Pilates and Sit and Be Fit.
Cute workout wear? Here it is. We're all familiar with the magabrand who flies supermodels around to every possible launch (Safari and Firefox included). Most recently, Angel, Erin Heatherton came by to launch VSX which in the coming seasons will continue to grow in range.
With one store in Northbrook and a second Chicagoland location in Water Tower on Michigan Ave, S. A. Elite is known for an exceptional selection of performance apparel, accessories and athletic footwear from brands that have made a name for themselves as being at the top of their game. Shop New Balance, Nike, Pro Feet, Power Balance and Under Armour. How is it different than regular ol' Sport Suthority? Think better colors, a higher quality of stock and a more defined selection.
Two locations in Chicago and Deerfield, sports are taken VERY seriously here. The staff at times (from Yelp) can be intense but extremely knowledgeable about whatever it is you want to know about. Try out and shop shoes, wetsuits, swimwear, running, and casual wear for yoga from brands like Sugoi, The North Face, Asics, New Balance, Saucony, Cervelo, Brooks, 2XU and Craft.
In business for over 10 years, the focus here is on shoes. Think Mizuno, Saucony, Asics, Nike as well as tech-y accessories like Garmin GPS. Check out their site for weekly events like "Women's Wednesdays" (with wine), "Pilates and Pancakes" or "Burgers & Beer", which is a group activity that happens after a weekly run.
Quality gear is the star of the show at this Patagonia Store. Yes, there's a newer shop on Walton in the Gold Coast but this store has a particular following of hikers, skiers, and people who just know their way around cold weather. The range is incredible, from down coats, rock climbing gear and even sandals for summer.