Pregnant Plea: Can a Sister Get Some Maternity Running Clothes?

Everyone knows maternity clothes suck. Anyone who tells you differently is either not pregnant or not sane. And the only thing worse than maternity clothes is the selection of available maternity workout apparel. You would think Nike or Lululemon would catch onto this, but alas, no.

There is a small semblance of “activewear” for ladies in the family way at places like GAP and Old Navy, but mostly, it’s just over-priced baggy yoga stuff. And last time I checked, no pregnant lady in her right mind wants to go out for a run in unsupportive spaghetti straps or a cotton tank.

I have nothing against yoga. In fact, it’s a great activity to help you feel a bit more human while you’re shuffling around for two. But it’s not running.

Even the beautiful background can’t make this bare-belly view bearable.

I enjoy the looks I get when I’m out running preggo. Women will look you in the eye, cheer you on and generally encourage your overall badassness. Men, on the other hand, will never look a running preggo in the eye. But I know they know I am awesome, and that’s what really matters.

Well, that was all that mattered, until the day my non-maternity clothes failed me. I was out on my normal 3-mile loop, stuffed into non-maternity workout apparel. I was wearing a Nike Dri-Fit T-shirt and a pair of ill-fitting running capris. And I was definitely getting looks, but they weren’t of the usual “YOU GO GIRL” variety. I kept on running, wondering what all the weird stares were about, when I finally stopped for some water. Lo and behold, when I bent over to drink from the water fountain, I realized that my T-shirt had crept up — WAY UP — and that I’d been running with my bulging belly hanging out for a solid 2 miles. Awkward …

So this leads me to my plea: Sporting goods-makers of the world, it’s time to produce viable workout apparel options for pregnant ladies. It will do them (and all of the people you’ll save from staring at their naked bellies) a huge favor. Oh, and since it was my idea, I’d like a cut of the profits. Please and thank you. – Aidz