Active sportswear that can give you a lift | members only

2. HIKING AND WALKING are wonderful ways not just to get some exercise but to enjoy the wonders of nature. Studies have shown that spending time in the great outdoors can reduce levels of

anxiety and depression and improve focus and concentration. For hiking, Klem-Wilson recommends wearing chic and functional cargo pants with a drawstring bottom — to help protect against

ticks, bugs and poison ivy — such as ATHLETA’S CELESTIAL HIGH RISE UTILITY PANT IN BONE ($119, athleta.gap.com). Don’t underestimate the importance of color when it comes to dressing for

outdoor sports. Bright shades are energizing! Add at least one vibrant pop, such as CHICO’S SCOOP NECK TEE IN VALENCIA ORANGE ($26, chicos.com), to your workout gear. Again, choosing the

right footwear is key. Consider an ankle-supporting sneaker, such as the MERRELL WOMEN’S MOAB SPEED 2 IN MOSSTONE ($140, merrell.com), or a boot with a sturdy lug sole, especially if you are

walking or hiking on sandy, grassy or rocky trails. A rain-resistant hooded windbreaker like the COLDWATER CREEK PACK-IT JACKET IN OLIVE ($90, coldwatercreek.com), which folds up into a

small, lightweight cross-body pouch, ensures you’re ready for any changes in the weather. (Left to right) Ame & Lulu’s Game Time Tennis Backpack in Mint; Skechers Viper Court Smash in

Gray/Purple Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Ame & Lulu; DSW) 3. TENNIS, the grande dame of racket sports, traditionally required a certain sartorial elegance. All-white tennis dresses,

skirts, sweaters and polos were de rigueur until the 1960s — and are still regulation at certain tennis clubs. Today tennis stars such as Serena Williams have broken all barriers in terms of

colors, fabrics and silhouettes, although the preppy palette of white, navy, red, and kelly green still conveys chic. A cap sleeve, A-line tennis dress with a pleated skirt, such as

J.MCLAUGHLIN’S DORTE DRESS IN MINI RAFFIA JACQUARD IN NAVY ($188, jmclaughlin.com), is an elegant and comfortable option for women of all ages. Tennis shoes that provide ankle support and

ultralight cushioning, such as SKECHERS VIPER COURT SMASH IN WHITE ($75, skechers.com) OR GRAY/PURPLE ($90, dsw.com), can up your game. For a little panache, add a jazzy tennis tote, such as

AME & LULU’S GAME TIME TENNIS BACKPACK IN MINT ($118, ameandlulu.com). And a classic white visor, like RALPH LAUREN’S EMBROIDERED PONY VISOR IN WHITE ($45, ralphlauren.com), allows you

to keep a cool head when the game heats up. (Left to right) Wacoal Lindsay Sport Underwire T-Shirt Bra in Black/Lilac Gray; New Balance Minimus TR v2 in Phantom with Black and Cyber Jade

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Nordstrom; New Balance) 4. EXERCISE, YOGA AND DANCE CLASSES allow women of all ages and levels of mobility to enjoy some me time and build new friendships.

Donna Winchell, 57, an ACE-certified (American Council on Exercise) group instructor and personal trainer for over 32 years, says that “many workout-wear companies feature tight-fitting

tanks and crop tops, but most post-menopausal women feel more comfortable in loose tops that cover their bellies and hips.” She likes ICTIVE, an affordable line featured on Amazon.com, for

its comfortable A-line tank tops, and she prefers bright colors, like the ICTIVE WOMEN’S CROSS BACKLESS WORKOUT TOP IN NEON GREEN ($12, amazon.com), “because they pick you up.” Both Winchell

and Klem-Wilson, who has taken some of her classes, gave shout-outs to activewear brands that offer age-inclusive, body-positive messaging and a wide range of sizes, including BEYOND YOGA’S

SPACEDYE AT YOUR LEISURE HIGH WAISTED MIDI LEGGING IN BLACK-CHARCOAL ($99, beyondyoga.com).