While the thought of working out can seem daunting to some, stylish workout gear can give you that extra motivation to hit the gym. For a chic twist on fitness attire, stand out from the Reebok and Nike-clad masses of the world and opt for something a little more local. Since the athleisure trend shows no signs of slowing down, you’ll be able to take these trendy Canadian activewear brands from your sweat sesh straight to the streets.
Here Are Some Of Our Favourite Canadian Activewear Brands That Will Have You Sweating In Style.
Vitae Apparel
Proudly made in Vancouver, Canada, Vitae Apparel is an activewear brand that you seriously need to try out for yourself. The activewear material is unbelievably soft and stretchy that perfectly forms to your body. Vitae Apparel is all about women supporting one another while discovering self-love. The brand also sells super cute swimsuits to check out for your next getaway.
TMPL Sportswear
Many people don’t realize that our body can absorb the toxins from the chemicals and dyes from the fabrics we wear when we sweat — staying healthy isn’t just about what we put into our bodies, but what we put on it! Our bodies are temples and we should treat them as such. Luckily, with TMPL Sportswear, a made-in-Canada athletic line, it’s easy to do that! Not only is TMPL made with fabrics and dyes free of toxins, but it’s conscious — all of its products are made in Canada with fair living and health benefits — and it has all of the performance benefits you’d expect from a high-end athletic brand.
Titika Active Couture
Toronto-based Titika was founded in 2009 and the company is still based out of the city, even though some of its garments aren’t manufactured in Canada. Titika is known for its bold, sexy collections that make women feel good inside — and outside — of the gym.
MPG Sport
MPG is definitely the place to go to grab your activewear! The site typically has a bunch of great offers on, so you can score deals on a ton of clothing. Look stylish and stay comfortable during your next workout.
Public Myth
This Vancouver-based athletic wear brand has been around since 2007 and is definitely for the yogi that loves attire covered in bold prints. Public Myth offers a wide variety of bright patterns that can be mixed and matched with other garments for multiple fun gym looks.
ARC’TERYX Online Outlet
Those who love a great outdoor workout and technical gear should check out the Arc’teryx online outlet store. Shop categories like outerwear, footwear, apparel, and accessories for up to 50% off.
Free Label
Free Label is produced in Toronto and Vancouver, with material that is custom milled in Toronto, just for this brand. Not only is this sustainable, but this ensures Free Label can quality check the durability and soft feel. Also, all of the packaging material is 100% compostable, so you can feel good about making a purchase at this company.
Karma Athletics
Having first started out as a hot yoga company, Karma Athletics expanded in 2011 to become one of Canada’s most authentic activewear brands. Locally manufactured, this affordable brand is perfect for those who are on a budget and want modern simplicity out of their workout wear.
Lolë
Born in Montreal, this activewear company offers over 300 styles a year that are sleek and timeless. Lolë’s fashion-forward collections are also full of colours that exude energy and are sure to give you enough buzz you’ll be able to skip your pre-workout.
RYU Apparel
This Vancouver-based urban athletic wear brand has a rustic yet industrial aesthetic to it. Here you’ll find minimalist apparel and accessories dedicated to craftsmanship and performance that are sure to give you major streetwear vibes as soon as you walk through the door.
Rise Store
Rise was founded in Canada in 2014 with the focus to create an activewear brand that fellow athletes will love. The company’s objective is for you to accomplish your training goals while wearing apparel that doesn’t get in the way.
Sweat Society
This budget-friendly, Calgary-based activewear company can be found online, at one of its pop-ups or at any of Calgary’s independent fitness studios. Ethically-sourced and ethically-produced, this company provides breathable, comfortable and on-trend gym attire, from graphic tees to printed leggings.
Sacred Tusk Athletics
Located in Winnipeg, Sacred Tusk Athletics is an under-the-radar Canadian activewear gem. Here you’ll find a combination of dreamy separates, psychedelic prints and wearable basics that are sure to look just as good on your feed as they will in the gym. If you’re looking for athletic wear that will make you stand out, this brand is for you.
MICHI
Former competitive skier and ex-Ralph Lauren designer Michelle Watson founded her athleticwear brand MICHI in New York City in 2010, but her Calgarian roots later pulled her operation back to Canada. Now all MICHI products are based out of Toronto where folks can’t get enough of the brands edgy vibe and versatility.
Joe Fresh
There’s a reason why this modern, affordable brand is our go-to for all of our Canadian activewear needs. Joe Fresh offers chic athletic wear that’s inexpensive without skimping on quality. The brand’s activewear collection is also known for being inclusive, offering sizes XS-3X.
Lululemon
Lululemon is perhaps the brand that put yoga pants on the map and made it acceptable for us to wear them post-class. The Vancouver-based Canadian activewear brand is now internationally known and has stores worldwide. In addition to its famous yoga pants, at Lululemon you can find all sorts of activewear essentials from running gear, swimwear, hoodies, sports bras, and more.
Hyba
Although Hyba shuttered its bricks and mortar stores a while back, don’t worry because you can still shop its affordable activewear at your local Reitmans store. This brand not only supplies folks with stylish activewear that won’t break the bank, but you can also find great loungewear pieces like tees, sweatshirts, and joggers to complete your gym look.
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It almost defeats the purpose of (finally) getting your ass in gear and working out if your workout gear could actually negatively affect your health and wellbeing. A small but growing body of research has shown that many sportswear brands produce gear that is filled with chemicals and toxins that have the potential to do some damage in the long-run, no matter how in shape you are.
As the world around us gets increasingly “woke,” the informed and passionate modern consumer is turning to alternatives like reusable grocery bags, steel water bottles, clean eats, and organic makeup and beauty products.
One thing that many likely haven’t questioned, however, is their stylish workout gear (or the clothes on their backs in general.)
Somewhere in the past two decades since Lululemon first hit the scene to fuse function and fashion with its figure-flattering workout gear, workout clothing has been given a whole new meaning. With the rising popularity of athleisure, yoga pants are just as acceptable as jeans in environments outside of the gym or yoga studio. But the gym clothes you practically live in probably aren’t as clean as you may think they are.
Two Greenpeace reports on chemical content in sportswear found that garments from major brands contained known hazardous chemicals like phthalates, PFCs, dimethylformamide (DMF), nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), and nonylphenols (NPs).
All these chemicals are easily absorbed into the body from friction, heat, and sweat, and could have damaging consequences.
A Swedish report found that 10 per cent of 2,400 chemicals contained within fabrics could pose a risk to health. A link has been found between harmful toxins and diseases like cancer, liver damage, and skin ailments. Yikes!
While the potential for harmful chemicals isn’t exclusive to workout gear, the presence of such things in gym and sports apparel is more alarming. This is because it sits and sticks to the skin, and involves both a lot of friction on the skin and a high-moisture environment. It’s also more artificial than other types of clothing, and traditionally relies on harsh chemicals to account for stretching, moisture absorption, and sweating.
In recent years, however, a handful of “clean” workout gear brands have hit the market.
One is Toronto-based TMPL Sportswear, which was created by Nathan Shriver and Basil Farano and produces stylish workout gear that’s better for the body and the planet. “Both Nathan and myself spent a number of years working in the sportswear industry,” said Farano. “We witnessed firsthand some of the challenges the industry faced when it came to environmental and human health. We saw the dangerous manufacturing processes, which put the planet, the people making the products, and the wearer in danger.”
TMPL Sportswear is just one industry pioneer; Farano says the shift has already started.
“Consumers are more aware than ever of the environmental and human health issues that face everyone today. It’s because of this awareness and concern that consumers are directing more of their purchasing decisions towards brands that are focused on being responsible to the environment and to the customer’s health,” he says. “We certainly see it with the response to TMPL Sportswear, which has been phenomenal so far. We are even seeing more and more stories in the media about the dangerous effects of the chemicals and toxins found in clothing. With all the health issues these toxins are causing, most health minded consumers are focused as much on what goes on their bodies as they are to what goes in their bodies.”
Like many organic and clean alternatives, creating them isn’t without its challenges.
“The biggest challenge was finding fabric mills that could create technical, performance fabrics without the dangerous toxins and dyes used in traditional manufacturing,” said Farano. “After years of research, we found a small number of Italian fabric mills committed to the highest standards in environmental and human responsibility during the manufacturing processes of these performance fabrics. These fabrics aren’t cheap, but as a brand and conscious company, we are committed to providing only the most advanced and healthy products to our customers.”
The hope is that a growing number of other apparel brands follow suit.
In the meantime, you can have a healthier relationship with your gym apparel by doing a few extra things. Try washing it before wearing for the first time, washing it after each wear, purchasing clothing made from natural fabrics, and steering clear of technical fabrics and their innovative claims, as such fabrics are often chemical-filled synthetics.
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Ho, ho, ho! The holidays are here. And as a special thanks to our readers, we’ve got tons of goodies ready in our gift bag to give out.
This season, we’ve teamed up with some amazing brands for a bunch of exciting giveaways. From the newest tech and cookware, to the best in fashion and beauty, there’s something for everyone in our annual 12 Days Of Holiday Giveaways.
The first contest will kick off on Thursday, December 5 at 8 a.m. EST with 11 more contests launching on the days to follow. Each giveaway will run for three days on Instagram, and the winners will be direct messaged on the days specified below.
All Canadians (excluding those in Quebec) are welcome to enter for a chance to win. In fact, the more the merrier! So help spread the holiday cheer and share with your friends — you never know what they may win.
Take a peek at what you can win from our 2019 12 Days Of Holiday Giveaways below.
We can’t think of a more #PicturePerfect way to kick off the holidays than with a Galaxy A Series smartphone from Samsung Canada! The Galaxy A70 features a 6.7” Infinity U-Display for an enhanced viewing experience, and three cameras with Scene Optimizer that’ll make you the envy of all of your friends. Capturing life’s special moments has never been easier, especially since the Galaxy A70’s 4,500 mAh battery lasts extra long.
With the New Year coming up, it’s time for a new you! And right now, it’s the most wonderful time of the year to upgrade your wardrobe. Thanks to this sweet prize courtesy of RW&CO, you can stock up on chic and cozy sweaters, coats, sophisticated partywear, sharp accessories, and so much more.
Who doesn’t want to look their best and brightest all year round? The Vichy LiftActiv range is designed to counteract daily aging for the visibly firmer-looking skin we all desire. Thankfully, this gift set contains all the products you need to look radiant from Christmas to New Years, and all year long — like creams, serums, masks, and more!
Calling all at-home chefs! Wanna take your meals to the next level? We’ve got just the prize for you. T-fal’s Sapphire cookware line is super versatile and durable. With its three layers of sapphire-infused non-stick coating, cooking and clean-up is a breeze. Not to mention, T-fal’s Thermo-Spot indicator turns solid red when it hits just the right cooking temperature, ensuring a perfect cook every time. Along with it, you’ll also get T-fal’s new ActiCook & Stir, which is sure to become your new best friend. As the only self-stirring multi-cooker, it makes one-pot meals that much easier.
Prioritize you in 2020 with this amazing wellness and beauty package featuring TMPL Sportswear, Vivier, Viviscal, and Toppik — it’s the ultimate gift set to help you reach your peak form in the New Year!
If you’ve been snoozing on the next big name in sportswear, TMPL Sportswear is a conscious Canadian apparel brand for men and women, dedicated to providing a clean performance sportswear option. Certified performance Pur-Tec fabrics are constructed locally and provides superior feel, comfort, and breath-ability, meaning you can work even harder and look great while doing it.
Get ready for the ultimate in pampering and skin rejuvenation with Vivier’s Hydrated Skin Holiday Gift Set and Ultimage— sure to become your holy grail luxury skin care products. The Hydrated Skin Holiday Gift Set contains three full-size products that work together to ensure your complexion is soothed and calmed all winter long. Top this trio off with Ultimage, the latest innovative skincare breakthrough from the brand, and you’re looking at your best skin yet.
We’re not done taking care of you from head to toe yet: the Toppik Hair Building Fibres and Viviscal Extra Strength supplements and Gorgeous Growth Densifying Range will work together to give you the thicker, fuller-looking hair of your dreams. From starting in the shower to adding touches to your final look, each product helps to add a volume boost, both instantly and over time!
Attention bookworms: The Kobo Forma is the eReader that you’ve been waiting for! This waterproof, lightweight, and portable alternative to heavy print books offers the expanded access of book borrowing, with storage size available in 8GB and 32GB, along with Dropbox integration. You’ll be able to load up on the books on your reading list with this 8GB Kobo Forma and SleepCover, plus a $50 gift card to get you started in the Kobo eBookstore.
Canada’s Evio Beauty is a cutting edge indie line of sustainable cosmetics and skincare that are affordable, inclusive, vegan, and cruelty-free. Evio gives beauty a whole new meaning with ingredients that are natural and good for you. This $400 prize pack has everything you need to look flawless — from lip gloss and mascara, to serum and rejuvenating mask — and fabulous for your holiday celebrations.
If your New Year’s resolution is to upgrade your bar cart, Canada’s Cocktail Emporium is your one-stop shop for unique bar essentials. This Potion House Package — featuring a gold shaker, strainer, decanter, coasters, and so much more — will help you get the party started and kickstart your creativity for creating the best cocktails at home this holiday and beyond!
Dress to impress with a rotating wardrobe of fashionable outfits from designer labels, without spending all of your hard earned cash! As the answer to fast fashion, clothing rentals are the best way to keep your wardrobe fresh, while still being kind to the environment. Thanks to Sprout Collection, you can score not one, but two of the Unlimited Package Subscription boxes to step into the New Year as your most stylish self. Fashion that’s eco-conscious and budget friendly…what’s not to love?!
‘Tis the season for soups, stews, and slow cooking, and there’s no better tool to have in your kitchen than a Staub Cocotte. The brand is known for its top-quality cast iron cookware that ensures even cooking for the ultimate winter braises. This 5.5 quart Cocotte is a great size to have on hand as it’s so versatile — plus it’ll look fabulous as a showpiece on your counter.
If the only thing getting lit this season are your scented candles, then you won’t want to miss out on your chance of winning this baby. Sisley Paris is well known for its high-quality skincare, haircare, and cosmetics but its candles need to be on your radar, too. The brand’s Campagne scented candle is a welcome taste of a sunnier season while we’re stuck in the depths of winter. Its bright green colour and top notes of Oak Moss, Jasmine, Plum, and Vetiver, will brighten up even the gloomiest of winter days. With over 140 hours of burning time, this 950g candle will be your buddy while you snuggle up with a good book, or tuck in for a holiday movie night.
For most Canadians, meals with loved ones play an important role in creating the best holiday memories. And this year, the PC® Insiders Collection™ for Holiday has a selection of new and delicious must-try products that will help at-home cooks and holiday hosts create meaningful moments with family and friends, and entertain with ease. With this $400 gift card, you can get a lot of things, but our suggestion? Let your guests nibble on the PC® Naturally Smoked Salami Trio, perfect for charcuterie boards, while you whip up the PC® Splendido™ Mushroom Ravioli and top with the PC® Stacon™ Steak-Cut Smoked Bacon in a beautiful cream sauce — our mouths are watering already!
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