At Girl Zone, we're all for everything healthy: eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising often. What better motivation to get out of the couch and head outside than feeling fashionable in work-out gear?

Wear exercise gear that makes you feel confident. If you feel good, you'll be able to reap the benefits of your work-out without feeling insecure about your clothes.

Choose clothing that you're able to move freely in. Too-tight clothing can be very restricting and uncomfortable. Think about this: if you’re constantly pulling out a wedgie, you won’t be able to concentrate on that super tough pilates move!

Breathable fabrics – described as “wicking” – get rid of sweat. They're specially designed to pull the sweat away from your body. Some people associate being sweaty with having an accomplished, completed workout and will prematurely stop exercising, thinking they’re done. Wicking fabrics prevent that from happening.

In need of cute exercise gear? Look no further:

It's important to carry extra cash and an ID while exercising to be safe, but when your running leggings have no pockets, there's really only two places to stick them: your socks or your bra. Thankfully, we've discovered the Rack Trap, an insertable bra pocket that holds all of your essentials, including cash, credit cards, identification...even an iPod shuffle! The sweatproof version with the Velcro seal is perfect for even the most active workout.

Check it out here.

When hiking or biking, it's great to bring a pack to stow all of your essentials. But forget those ergonomically incorrect drawstring pouches or one-shouldered backpacks. Say hello to the Ivar pack, a backpack that equally distributes the weight across your back. It feels like you're not even wearing anything, so you can totally focus on your workout. No more slumped shoulders! The Zug G2 model is perfect for teens and tweens. Personally, I love the lavender on grey version (but then again, my favorite color is purple..)

The backpack is available here.

I feel like the quest for awesome yoga pants has taken years. Well, now you can look no further. Lucy's Perfect Core yoga pants are hands down the best yoga pants on the market. They position your back in a way that makes it so easy to perform any sort of exercise, from the downward facing dog to tricep curls to sprints.

They're available on Lucy's website here.

Animal print love was made big in the eighties, when it appeared in quintessential American pop-culture films like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Now, this spunky trend has made a comeback – most popularly with zebra and leopard print, which have been seen on everything from purses to pencil cases. There’s even a bunch of YouTube how-to videos demonstrating trendy leopard print eyeshadow looks!

We love zebra print shirts, like this one from Wet Seal:

The trick to wearing shirts like this in a cool way is to match them with black and white accessories. Pair it with a wide black belt and skinny black jeans or tights for a concert or night out with friends. Add tall leather boots and replace the skinnies with light wash ripped jeans for a biker-chic feel. For a more casual look, wear the shirt with white shorts and black sandals. If you want a pop of color, add something red, like a cherry-red headband or bracelet!

Check the shirt out here. 

For a fun addition to your workout routine, try one of Bskinz capris, skirts, sports bras or compression shorts. They come in a ton of patterns, but the zebra print is great for under your t-shirt or track shorts. They're super-stretchy and really cozy, so you're going to want to keep exercising! On hot days, instead of wearing a cami, try the zebra sports bra for coverage. Here's a picture of the fun print:

Happy shopping!