Where to Shop for Athletic Gear in NJ When You’re Focused on Performance and Healing: Tips from an Eating Disorder Therapist
Those who are focused on athletic performance as well as healing their relationship with their body image have a few unique challenges. Shopping for athletic gear can leave you feeling emotionally charged. This guide will help you balance performance-focused gear with body-neutral, supportive shopping experiences. I am an eating disorder therapist in New Jersey working with athletes, and I am here to help guide you towards finding safe and healing environments to search for your athletic gear.
What to Look for in Performance and Recovery-Oriented Athletic Gear
When shopping for athletic clothing, you want to focus on comfort and fit over compression. Tight clothes can leave you focused on how uncomfortable your body is feeling. Focus on sizing based on movement and not aesthetics. The next step is to focus on functionality for your own unique body. Gear should support training without triggering negative body image thoughts, if possible. Stay away from brands or slogans that emphasize weight loss or appearance, and lastly, find inclusive sizing and representation that feels right for your values.
Tips for Navigating Gear Shopping in Recovery
Shopping for athletic gear while in recovery, whether it is clothing, accessories, or shoes, can stir up some unexpected emotions, especially when body image is already feeling tender. But with some preparation and support, it can be manageable and even an empowering experience. Here are a few tips we explore in eating disorder therapy to help you shop with care:
Pick your timing with intention
Try to avoid shopping on days when body image feels especially hard or when you are already emotionally drained. Shopping while dysregulated can amplify distress and make it harder to make choices that honor your body’s needs. Instead, choose a day when you feel more grounded or after a therapy session when your mindset is recovery-aligned.
Go in with a list: function > fashion
Make a list ahead of time, focused on what your body needs. Think breathable fabric, ankle support, and a sports bra that actually holds up during practice. This can help you stay connected to your values (ex., Comfort, movement, or performance) rather than getting pulled into old comparison patterns.
Bring a support person (coach, friend, or parent)
Having a trusted support person, whether it is a parent, coach, or recovery-informed friend, can be grounding. They can help remind you of your values, help talk you through tough moments, and even advocate for you with store staff. You don’t need to go into it alone!
Avoid the mirror trap
Instead of fixating on how the fear looks in the mirror, move around in it. Do a light stretch, jog in place, or walk around the store. Ask yourself, “How does this make me feel? Does it support my sport and my recovery?” Your body is not an ornament, but rather an instrument!
Give yourself permission to leave without buying anything
You are allowed to leave the store without anything in hand. Even if you've been there for an hour. Even if a salesperson is pressuring you. Your recovery does not run on anyone else’s schedule. If the shopping trip doesn’t feel safe or recovery-aligned, you can always come back another day.
Local NJ Stores That Support Performance and Healing
Each store here has its own positive aspects, and it is important to find ones that fit your overall goal, going into your shopping adventure.
Haddonfield Running Company is located in Haddonfield, NJ. It is locally owned and community-based. Haddonfield Running Co accepts folks of all genders, identities, cultures, and abilities. Their focus is mainly on providing supportive and comfortable shoes for all, as the staff are widely educated and can specially order shoes if they are not available. Haddonfield Running Co also offers workshops for runners of all abilities that focus on non-diet nutrition for runners, body image as a runner, weekly run meetups for all abilities, and much more! They also have locations in Moorestown, Mullica Hill, and Medford, NJ.
Philadelphia Runner is a store just outside of New Jersey. They have locations in Center City, University City, Glen Mills, and Manyank, Pennsylvania. Philly Runner is also a locally owned shop that focuses on strengthening the fitness community. They host events of all sorts, as well as run clubs at each of their locations. Their focus on diversity and inclusion is emphasized by things such as their queer run group and girls who run group.
REI Co-op is located in Marlton and East Hanover. This shop is for the outdoorsy athlete who loves hiking, cycling, yoga, swimming, and much more. REI prioritizes comfort, sustainability, and diverse representation. They also hold workshops and beginner events that foster non-competitive movement.
Online Shopping with Intention
When in-person is not possible or feels overwhelming, online shopping is your friend. Make sure to check for return policies. Sometimes getting multiple sizes and returning what does not fit is a great option when fearful of sizing.
Girlfriend Collective has inclusive sizing, sustainable fabrics, and no weight-loss messaging. They offer anything from spandex shorts, pants, sports bras, and dresses!
Oiselle was founded by female athletes with a focus on performance and empowerment. They offer clothes specifically for runners.
Final Thoughts from an Eating Disorder Therapist: Building a Supportive Relationship with Gear
Healing from an eating disorder includes reclaiming movement. Finding gear that supports that can be part of the overall journey. At Serendipity Counseling Services, we believe the goal is not perfection in the gear or your body. It is feeling empowered, supported, and ready to move. As an eating disorder therapist in New Jersey, I encourage clients to make choices that honor their performance and their healing.
Discover Confidence and Comfort through Eating Disorder Therapy in Cherry Hill, NJ
If you’re an athlete in New Jersey working toward recovery, you don’t have to choose between performance and well-being. With the right support, it's possible to honor your body, meet your goals, and heal your relationship with food and movement.
At Serendipity Counseling Services, we understand the unique pressures athletes face, and we’re here to help you find a more balanced way forward.
Here’s how to get started with an eating disorder therapist in New Jersey:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to share what’s been coming up and ask questions about the therapy process.
Book your first eating disorder therapy session and begin building sustainable tools for recovery, performance, and self-trust.
Start reconnecting with your body, not as something to control, but as something to care for and listen to.
More Supportive Services at Serendipity Counseling in Cherry Hill, NJ
Along with eating disorder therapy for athletes in Cherry Hill, NJ, I offer specialized guidance for runners and participate in advocacy work to challenge diet culture in athletic spaces through speaking engagements.
I also facilitate a virtual Retired Athlete Support Group, an open, nonjudgmental space for former athletes to explore their experiences, navigate transitions, and reconnect with their identity beyond sport.
For families navigating recovery, I provide family-based therapy focused on improving communication, fostering empathy, and building a supportive foundation for healing.
Meet the Author: An Insightful Eating Disorder Therapist in New Jersey
Kate Ringwood, LPC, is the founder of Serendipity Counseling Services and a dedicated therapist who works with athletes facing eating disorders in Cherry Hill, NJ. As a former competitive runner, she brings personal insight into the pressures of performance, body image, and food in sports.
Kate combines clinically proven methods with genuine compassion, creating a space where clients feel safe to heal and reconnect with their bodies. Outside of sessions, she speaks on podcasts and at events, advocating for mental health awareness and challenging harmful norms within athletic culture.
