Fitness and Fashion Take Center Stage at New York Fashion Week

Credit: Athleta

For most of us Fit Bottomed Girls, having the option to look stylish while getting our sweat on is no big deal, but it sure has taken the hardcore fashion world a long time to catch up to that concept! So imagine my surprise when I was invited to a few actual runway shows during New York’s Fashion Week that normally feature chic (read: expensive) outfits, celebrities in the audience and rail-thin models.

Athleta’s Crush of Adrenaline

First up was the incredible Athleta’s Crush of Adrenaline that marked the company’s debut at New York Fashion Week.

I used to work for a couple of fashion magazines and have been lucky enough to attend a few stellar runway shows in the past, but Athleta really took the concept to a whole new level by hiring A-list choreographer Luam Keflezgy (whose past clients include Britney Spears, Rhianna and Beyoncé) and creating a two-story stage set-up where models, dancers, acrobats and athletes showed off the upcoming collections.

Credit: Athleta

It was dizzying to see break-dancing mixed with more modern steps — and it was also completely stunning. The colors for the upcoming seasons ranged from crisp blues and smoky purples to neon yellow matched with basic black. Honestly, this was one of those occasions where the audience filled with jaded “seen it all before” editors were absolutely gobsmacked at the presentation.

The women featured were beautiful, talented and very fit. (So refreshing to see toned abs and sculpted shoulders on the runway!) As the Athleta folks described the show’s purpose: “Crush of Adrenaline displayed athleticism, movement and power in an inspiring, beautiful way.”

Credit: Athleta

Let’s just say I am DYING to get my hands on some (well, most) of the fashion I saw that day. Well done, Athleta!

Reebok’s Ride the Runway

My next trip took the runway to a Reebok FitHub in Union Square where a Cyc Fitness class took place inside the location, and a group of us peddled along with a live DJ while looking at the 2015 collection from Reebok.

Credit: Reebok

“Ride the Runway” was a much more interactive fashion show than I am used to, as participating in the group cycling class also made all of us a part of the experience. (Hey, I guess it was my first runway appearance!) The colors featured for next spring and summer were poppy reds, purples and yellows, and lots of mixing and matching of patterns. I think it will be a big hit!

After the show, guests mixed and mingled with the models (who I was told were the “hottest instructors in New York City” — and I must admit that I agree!) and enjoyed beverages before I headed back to my beloved Brooklyn to teach my own group cycling class. The life of a Fit Bottomed Girl is a busy thing.

Do you like to wear fashionable items when you work out? What are your favorite brands? —Margo