Steady-paced jogging, moving gracefully through yoga poses, repping out heavyweight squats, or an intense CrossFit WOD – whatever your idea of a great workout is, you need the perfect clothing to bring out your best performance. But picking the sportiest t-shirt and joggers simply won’t cut it. Here are the factors you need to keep in mind to find an outfit that unleashes your athleticism.
Fabric
Your choice of fabric has a big say in how comfortable you feel. Not all fabrics are created equal. Your favorite fleece hoodie for lounging at home might be a less than ideal choice for the morning jogs. Here is how the top fabrics compare.
Cotton is a soft, comfortable, and highly breathable material. But it is slow drying and can be a bit clingy if you sweat a lot. This natural fabric is also less durable compared to its synthetic counterparts. Summer workouts call for light, breathable clothing that will keep you cool and comfortable as you sweat. Considering these factors, cotton t-shirts are better saved for light to moderate physical activities like walking, but might not be the best option for the intense HIIT sessions.
Polyester apparel is the staple of any fitness wardrobe. You’ll find it in just about any piece of activewear you pick up in a store, and it is not surprising. This synthetic fabric is extremely durable, wrinkle-resistant, and lightweight making them a great choice for most types of exercises.
Besides these two popular options, you can also use fabrics such as poly-cotton blends, spandex, polypropylene, or nylon for your workout clothes.
Fabric Features
It is not just the fabric that you should look for when shopping for activewear. Depending on your workout needs and training spot, you will need one or more of the following features to keep you in your best form throughout the game.
- Moisture Wicking
Moisture-wicking shirts are the best choice when you are doing intense workouts that will leave you dripping in sweat. These fabrics are designed to pull sweat away from your body and make it evaporate faster.
- UV Protection
If you are more of an outdoors person who loves to train in the sun, be sure to choose apparel that protects you from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Experts recommend wearing clothes with UPF(Ultraviolet Factor) 50 or more for the best sun protection.
- Breathability
This is the capability of a material to absorb moisture vapor and discharge it. Breathable fabrics speed up sweat evaporation and keep you dry. Breathable fabrics also allow ample airflow through their surface to keep you cool.
- Anti-Microbial
Sweaty clothes can become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and other harmful microbes very quickly. This is why you need fabrics with antimicrobial features when engaged in games, marathons, and other physical activities where you have to spend hours wearing a sweaty t-shirt.
Think Flexible
The ultimate goal of a workout outfit is to enable your top performance. A suboptimal choice of outfit stops you from achieving your peak performance by limiting your freedom of movement. That said, it all depends on the type of activity you are engaged in. Motivate yourself to work out by wearing an outfit that makes you feel confident and powerful. For activities like Yoga or Pilates that use an extended range of motion, you are better off wearing a tank top or a loose t-shirt and stretchy sweatpants.
Outfitting for the seasons
Finding the right workout clothes for warm seasons is fairly straightforward if you follow the ideas discussed above. However, the winter, with its frosty chills, makes things a little complex.
To workout out in the winter, you’ll want to add layers to ensure that your body temperature doesn’t get too low. Appropriate layering will control your body temperature, and keep moisture away from your skin. Plus size fashion has the perfect outfit for your workouts, whatever your activity or style. This consists of three steps – a lightweight base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a water-resistant exterior layer.
The base layer comes in direct contact with your skin, it is best to choose something soft and cozy. It should also wick sweat away from your body to keep you dry.
The mid-layer keeps you warm by trapping your body temperature. It should be a tad looser than the first layer while maintaining contact with it.
Finally, you have the outer layer to protect you from the wind, snow, rain, and other elements. Mostly, you wouldn’t need this layer unless you are training outdoors.
Conclusion
Finding the right outfit is essential if you want to perform well at the gym. Clothes that get in the way of your workouts, not only result in uncomfortable training sessions but also slower progress in the long term. Hopefully, this guide helps you find the perfect outfits for your workout needs.
Author’s Bio:
Melody D writes about promotional marketing strategies, t-shirt printing methods, product comparisons, and more on ShirtsBargain’s blog. Having 8+ years of experience in the apparel industry, she follows the trends in the fashion world with a strong sense of passion and finds joy in sharing her fascination with the rest of the world.
