Whether you’re finally trying to get back into shape or have always been a committed fitness fanatic, it’s nice to update your workout clothes occasionally. Wearing the right gear can make you feel more motivated to complete your exercises and help you feel comfortable and stay cool so you can work more effectively.
If you’re ready to update your workout wardrobe, here are some things to consider when you shop.
Consider Which Activities You Want to Do
It’s necessary to consider which activities you want to complete in your fitness gear so you know the best outfit styles to choose from. Different designs, styles, and clothing materials work better for different exercises, whether inside a gym, in the great outdoors, or elsewhere. The right gear will help you train harder and longer.
It pays to think about how stretchy you need pieces to be and how much movement you want in them, as well as where you’ll exercise, how hot or cold you might get, and if you need extra padding in your outfits or not. For example, cyclists typically find specific cycling shorts with built-in padding more comfortable, especially for longer rides, while those who do a lot of stretching, yoga, Pilates, and the like will want gear they can move freely in at all times.
On the other hand, frequent runners typically prefer snug shorts or compression tights that won’t fall or twist as they jog. Consider how much you sweat and if you’ll be moving in a heated room (e.g., for heated yoga) or out in the sun a lot. You may also need warm clothes to stop your body from getting too chilly if you exercise outdoors at night or in winter when the temperature drops significantly. Layers can be helpful for many exercise regimes.
Choose Where to Best Spend Your Money
When shopping for a new workout wardrobe, it’s wise to carefully choose where to spend your money. The activewear market is vast and growing, with everything from costly celebrity or trusted long-term brand-name products to mass-market affordable gear and pieces from small, independent labels, and everything in between. With such a broad array of quality and options, you need to pay attention to more than just the name behind a brand or its price point.
Carefully examine the quality of products and remember that just because something comes from a well-known brand, this doesn’t mean you’ll get years of wear out of it or that just because items come from a manufacturer you haven’t heard of before, they won’t be any good. It all comes down to the individual quality of goods, the materials they’re made from, and how they’ve been constructed.
It helps to find out how and where garments have been created, and read reviews, whether online or in print, from other shoppers, full-time athletes, style editors, and others who check out and test gear regularly. Try to learn not only how comfortable other wearers see items as being but also how easy pieces are to clean and maintain and how well they last over time.
It’s best to choose workout gear made from sweat-absorbing material that will stay away from your body when you move. Natural materials or synthetic ones specifically designed to be breathable are your best options since they help sweat evaporate, and exercisers stay cooler and more comfortable. It’s best to avoid cotton, which absorbs sweat, and clothing made from plastic and rubber, which can make you feel hotter.
Whether you need to buy new men’s shorts, women’s tights, comfortable his-or-hers tees, or other designs, analyze the clothing, read the washing instructions, and consider if you have any skin sensitivities that need factoring in.
Use Workout Gear with Safety Top of Mind
Lastly, as you search for the right workout pieces for your wardrobe, keep safety in mind. For example, you may need to purchase items that are more visible at night if you exercise outdoors in the dark. Choose reflective items or goods made from light and bright colors instead of dark hues like navy, black, brown, and gray.
Also, avoid flammable clothing that can be dangerous in some situations, and pieces that don’t provide UV protection, especially if you spend hours outside exercising as a long-distance runner, cyclist, golfer, surfer, etc.
Instead of rushing out to buy the first cute outfits you see or snapping up the best bargains you can spot, take time to consider which workout clothing will suit you best over the long term and help make your exercising time easier rather than harder.
