I’m a self-proclaimed gym rat.

Well, a rat in general, but one that mostly hangs out at the gym.

I’ve always been a bit self-conscious in the fitness space. My body isn’t exactly the type you think of when you picture someone who takes the gym seriously. But what matters most to me is feeling strong, and I notice my progress, which is a confidence booster in itself. 

Within the last decade or so, showing up to the gym became less about throwing on a mangled T-shirt and stained sweatpants. Now, the treadmill is practically a runway. People show up to the gym in chic workout sets that put my everyday fashion choices to shame. I’m obsessed with what influencers are wearing to their fitness classes. It’s become a cultural phenomenon.

I’ve tried out several activewear brands and have loved many of them. My problem, however, is wearing my leggings out until they’ve got holes in them and are piled to high heaven. When I find something I like, I stick with it. I’m loyal to a fault; what can I say? 

This year, I decided to step up my activewear game. I have anxiety, and moving outside of my comfort zone is never something I look forward to doing. I'm always scrolling online looking for a new brand to try. I have a few favorites, but I was hoping to find something new. Maybe a little more trendy. Even the weird girls want to be cool sometimes.

While I was filling my cart online, my partner suggested something that nearly took my breath away. Living in Los Angeles, there is a SET Active store not too far from where we live.

Here’s the thing: I don’t remember the last time I stepped into a fitting room. As somebody who struggles with body image, I avoid it as much as possible. 

I knew he was right, so we hopped in the car. When I tell you my anxiety was through the roof, I am not exaggerating. I felt like I could actually break through the building in an effort to escape. Looking through the store, I felt like all eyes were on me.

Was that in my head? Absolutely.

I took a few pairs of leggings into the fitting room and wanted to jump out of my skin. When I found a style that fit me perfectly (shout-out to LUXFORM), I realized I conquered something that was holding me back. It sounds silly, but this shopping experience changed everything for me, and I got really wonderful activewear out of it.

Feeling uncomfortable in my own skin makes interacting with people, especially those in a fitness and wellness store, intimidating. I always assume they’re looking at me with disgust. The employee who helped me out at the SET Active store on Melrose made it such a positive experience. She was kind and supportive, and I never felt intimidated. 

Sure, some of their pieces are aimed more at thin bodies. Busty women, don't even bother trying out their sports bras. Still, my experience in the store made me feel at ease. The spacious fitting rooms, the range of sizes on the floor, and the helpful staff made me feel comfortable in one of the most stressful settings. I left the place with a little more confidence.

Plus, the LUXFORM leggings are incredible.

They’re the perfect amount of compression while still feeling light and airy. I find myself picking them over my other tried-and-true leggings when I get ready for the gym. Plus, the color combos they release are unreal. Fashionable, comfortable, and an overall good vibe in the store.

What more could you ask for?

SET has faced backlash, and it’s important to recognize the mistakes they’ve made along the way. However, the brand seems to be putting customer experience first these days, and I wanted to share my personal experience to reassure women that SET Active is more accessible than they may think. I teeter between medium and large in activewear pants, and SET was true to size for me. 

Plus, they hold up well during workouts.

However, I recommend you ensure the pair you pick is squat-proof before you hit the gym. I've found some pairs to be a bit more see-through.

I would definitely recommend checking out SET Active, especially if you have a store local. Since my original in-store purchase, I've made a few online orders. Now that I know which fabric style works best for me, I'm comfortable ordering them online and knowing they'll fit.

If you’re looking for new clothes for your fitness journey, I encourage you to walk into a store, whether it’s SET or somewhere else, with confidence. You deserve clothes that fit right, and sometimes you have to try them on in-store.

SET Active changed my life, not only because of the quality of the clothing, but, because of their store, I conquered my fear one fitting room at a time.