With spring break almost a month away, many Penn State students are migrating to the gym. Instead of lacing up old sneakers and throwing on baggy sweats to cover unwanted winter insulation, try these suggestions to stay fab while getting fit.

Sole Power

For the avid runner, sneakers tend to lose their sole power after six to eight months. Common warning signs include aches in the arches of your foot and shin splints. So those who haven't replaced their kicks in years, it's time to start shopping. New Balances tend to be a popular choice among cardio-lovers, with prices starting at $40. Nike Shox are also another wise choice, as the added cushioning will put a spring in your step.

ROTC member Enrique Perez (senior-civil engineering) said he prefers running shoes.

"Usually mine are either Adidas or Nike, but everyone has their own taste," Perez said.

White Building fitness instructor Elizabeth Hinkle (senior-psychology) prefers the Montrail brand sneakers when she teaches Butts and Gutts or Body Blast, because she said they provide support and generally are built for outdoor activities, such as trail running.

"I like Pumas because they're comfortable and I like the grip at the bottom," Deandra Guzman (freshman-business management) said.

Get Fitted

The increasing popularity of less-intense workouts like yoga and pilates has many stores producing form-fitting pants available in low-rise or boot-leg cuts. Danskin, a dance wear company, sports a fitness and yoga collection. The woman's hipster bootleg pant features the roll-down waist and a sleek look for around $50.

There are also an assortment of Lycra tank tops that absorb heat and moisture away from your body with a built-in bra bonus.

Sara Malik (junior-supply chain) said support is the most important feature because any good sports bra is hard to find.

Hinkle said students shouldn't always opt for cheap workout duds.

"For apparel, I really like Under Armour; that tends to be more expensive, but when it comes to workout clothes, it pays to buy the more expensive brands," Hinkle said.

Active accessories

"IPod minis and nanos are good for [running] because they are light and small," Perez said. "So they crank out music and are not an obstruction to the workout."

Besides the iPod, lots of other MP3 players are flexing their muscles. SanDisk has just released the Sansa e200 and the Sansa c100 series.

For $200 to $300, you can sweat to your favorites. The Sansa e200 is available with a large color screen, and the Sansa 270 has a slender 1.8-inch color screen. Storage capacities range anywhere from 480 to 1440 MP3 songs.

"I can't go without my iPod," Emily Goretsky (senior-hotel and restaurant management) said.

Hinkle said a small hand towel is the most practical gym accessory.

"This is necessary to wipe off your sweat in order to prevent the spread of germs to the other people in the gym," she said.

Hinkle also said gym goers should not bring their significant other to the gym.

"No one wants to see you being mushy and ridiculous while everyone else is trying to workout," she said.

Club Limits

The same way the White Building allows only 20 minutes on each piece of cardio equipment, fitness fashion prohibits the use of barely-there shorts and tops.

Let's think comfort and common courtesy.

And spandex doesn't always work.

"I don't think people should wear spandex [at all]; it's not the '80s," Goretsky said.

For those with oversized T-shirts with pit stains, get a new shirt. T-shirts are $9 downtown.

As for the cut-off shirts to show off the muscles, it is not appropriate to cut the T-shirt so deeply that your entire torso is visible.

A good idea: Wear a beater or something underneath, so that you are showing off only the guns. Let's leave a little to the imagination.

White Building employee Emily Zuckerman (junior-nutrition) said she hates it when women wear belly shirts and sports bras to the gym.

"I just don't think it gets that hot in the gym," she said.

Not everyone is a fan of those who sport short shorts.

"I guess I would say that I [don't like] really short shorts because I don't want to see that," Guzman said.