The Sports Kit That Will Help You Stick To Your New Year Resolutions

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The Sports Kit That Will Help You Stick To Your New Year Resolutions

Words by Emma Pradella and Jim Merrett

3 January 2025

If you’re anything like us, you’ll have spent the past few weeks gravitating from bed to couch – and back – and hopefully eating your own body weight in whatever’s left from the many festive dinners you’ve hosted. The motivation to do anything that involves getting up and out of the house, let alone working out, is like gold dust. But may we suggest that equipping yourself with brand-new sports gear to do that in might make the experience of getting back on track (literally or figuratively) that bit more enticing?

“When your kit fits well, feels good, and supports your movement, you’re free to focus fully on the task at hand without distractions,” says Warren Whitely, celebrity personal trainer, ON partner and Retreats lead at Soho House. “Wearing a comfortable, well-cushioned running shoe on an outdoor run, for instance, gives you that boost of confidence towards successfully completing it, while in a group class, a well-fitting, stylish gym set helps you feel a little more confident about how you look and directs your attention towards your performance. There’s definitely a psychological element to it: when you feel good and look good, you want to do good.”

Whether you’re getting back to marathon-training, cycling, trying the ever-so-popular Hyrox or just starting light with yoga and Pilates, we’ve got the kit for you.

01. Running

Logistically, running is a relatively simple sport. You can do it pretty much anywhere, as long as you have the right equipment. But getting those fundamentals right is paramount. Look to ON, Satisfy, Nike Running and ASICS. Starting with the shoes, you’ll want something with the right level of cushioning, grip, support and bounce, depending on the type of training you plan to do (we’ve written a cheat sheet for that here). Then, you’ll want layers that allow for a wide range of motion and wick moisture, keeping you cool and dry. As for the accessories, consider a UV-protecting cap or sunglasses.

02. Yoga and Pilates

Dressing for lower-intensity workouts, such as yoga and Pilates, is no less of a sartorial dilemma than more dynamic sports. If you haven’t read our yoga how-to yet, there are two main aspects to consider. For one, you may find yourself in, ahem, pretty unforgiving positions, so you’ll want to look for looser clothing, rather than anything tight-fitting. For another, you’ll want to prioritise clothes that allow for airflow and ventilation – or dark colours that minimise the appearance of perspiration, ON and lululemon are a couple of our go tos.

03. Training

The word “training” suggests preparation for an end goal, such as a big fitness event. If you’re planning to actually put that gym membership to good use this year, you’ll need kit that’s up to the task – technical clothing that can take the strain of high-intensity exercise, with moisture-wicking, quick-drying properties. But finding the right gear won’t involve too much effort on your part. Stick to brands you can trust – Nike, lululemon and ON, among others – and save your sweat for the workout.

04. Outdoor

There are brands that have gone to the ends of the earth to construct kit that will allow you to do likewise. Moncler Grenoble, for one – the cult brand’s high-performance offshoot, which nods towards the gateway to the French Alps. Or The North Face, a company named after the most precarious approach up the world’s highest summit. Obviously, you don’t have to take your gear to such extremes, but it’s good to know you could. Look for ripstop fabrics that are up to the challenge, with trademarked insulations and materials designed for your specific needs. And grippy, robust footwear for you to hold your ground. Above all, think of brands that are committed to their own journeys in terms of sustainability – with recycled and responsibly sourced components to help ensure there is still a planet to explore.

05. Cycling

When it comes to cycling, there are rules to uphold. Sure, the highway code, should you be sticking to tarmac. And it pays to be safe and to be seen, so a helmet, lights and reflective details are a must. But there’s also The Rules. Foremost: respect the jersey – wear the team kit only if you’re part of the team, and the maillot jaune if you’ve won the Tour. For the rest of us, well-fitting, slickly designed kit that can be adapted or layered according to weather conditions is more your speed. You’ll be thankful for the padded bib shorts 50km in. Always pack a jacket, because you’ll probably need it. And make sure they match. Click here for a more detailed breakdown.

06. Ski

We’ve written a comprehensive guide on the essentials you need to take on the slopes in style, so we’ll keep this short and sweet. When dressing for the snow, you’ll want something that keeps you warm and toasty, protects you from the elements and also allows you to move freely. Think of fleece base layers and water- and wind-resistant shells; elasticated gaiters to keep the snow out, zipped pockets to stow your essentials and lift pass securely, and smart accessories, such as GORE-TEX gloves, or ski goggles with a quick-release system to change your lenses with ease.

07. Padel and tennis

Remember when run clubs were all the rage earlier last year? And when everyone picked up tennis after cinemas served up Challengers? Well, you must have heard of padel by now – the racket game has been rapidly growing in Europe and is making inroads among sports enthusiasts across the world. The rules themselves are pretty similar to those for tennis, and you can rely on the same kit for both, too. Opt for breathable fabrics that wick moisture and relaxed silhouettes that allow for a full range of motion – Brunello Cucinelli and lululemon have options. Players are still somewhat required to maintain a certain aplomb, so opt for polo shirts and logo-free shorts in neutral colours.