It’s only natural to feel sore, exhausted, and tired after a heavy-duty workout session. At this point, you’re probably covered from head to toe in sweat. The truth of the matter is that what you wear during your workout makes a huge difference in the way you feel post-exercise. So the main question here is, what to wear when working out?
What You Should Know Before Reading On
Comfort is key. Fit is also a crucial factor when it comes to activewear. Along with the fabric used for construction!
Even the type of exercise you’re into determines what you should be wearing. For example, if waist training is a priority, then many women opt for a long or short torso waist trainer. In that case, you have to wear clothing that feels comfortable. And that allows you to breathe at the time of losing all that belly fat. While toning those abdominal muscles!
So let’s get to know the basics of what to wear to the gym!
Choosing the Right Workout Clothes – Fabrics
It’s only common sense to assume that some materials are more sweat-absorbent than the others. So when picking workout clothing, you have to choose fabrics that pull most of the sweat away.
Breathable synthetic materials tend to wick away sweat from the skin. This means sweat evaporates quickly. So your body remains cool. So your body remains cool. However, if you’re sweating a lot during workout, it’s best to consider using the best deodorant for women to keep yourself feeling refreshed and smells good.
More often than not, high-quality activewear is constructed using polypropylene. Fabrics like SUPPLEX and COOLMAX are also excellent. For activities that give rise to a lot of sweating. They make room for the sweat to evaporate. At the same time, these materials don’t become wet or feel uncomfortable.
Cotton is another very useful fabric at such times. It absorbs sweat pretty fast. But you can’t expect cotton to evaporate sweat. Meaning the clothing is very likely to feel wet and heavy during your exercise session.
You should keep away from fabrics made using plastic or rubber. Even these are less likely to evaporate sweat. And to make matters worse, they even keep the temperature of your body high at the time of working out.
Choosing the Right Workout Clothes – Fit
When it comes to fit, look beyond the basics. I mean, also think about whether or not your workout clothing fits your exercise routine. Apart from just fitting your body properly!
- Are you into biking or running? Then avoid wearing loose or wide-leg pants. The chances of such a fit causing discomfort during your workout are pretty high. Just imagine the hem of the pants or workout joggers getting tangled up somewhere in the pedals in the middle of your intense biking session.
- As for activities like yoga, what works best is a form-fitting, stretchy fabric. This helps in wicking away sweat as well.
Choosing the Right Workout Clothes Based on the Weather
Now, this you might find useful if you’re used to exercising outdoors. Or if you’re a champ at seasonal sports. So it’s only logical to pick clothing according to the weather.
For hot summer months:
Go for fabrics that make room for moisture-wicking and breathability. The activewear you buy should feel comfortable and cool. And should allow you to move freely.
For cold winter months:
Dressing up in warm clothing when extremely cold outside is a very natural decision to make. But in the case of exercising outdoors during winter, you have to keep in mind that you’ll be regulating your body temperature. And sweating!
So how about layering? This means you can remove that jacket if you start to feel very hot during your run. At least you have that option. Instead of just putting on something very warm and then regretting it later!
The inner layers should consist of sweat-wicking fabrics. Paired with an outer layer equipped with insulation.
And let’s not forget to cover the hands, ears, and head for complete protection against the chilly weather.
For windy or wet weather:
Getting drenched in the rain does sound like a fun workout session. But you can’t do that every day unless you want to fall sick. And then skip your training sessions altogether. Even strong winds can ruin your workout. If you’re not dressed to protect your skin from such elements.
The only thing that comes to mind in terms of protective clothing is a windbreaker. Or windcheater. Cover your activewear with this very useful and even smart-looking piece of clothing.
Whatever the temperature, every hardcore workout session makes you sweat. So don’t neglect comfort just because it’s already cold outside.
Activewear is exercise-specific clothing that gets rid of moisture. So feel free to cover it up with something warm. Or more protective based on what the weather conditions are like.
The options I’ve discussed work for both women and men. As for men, I would like to mention another crucial tip. And that is men’s underwear. You have to make sure you pick a pair that feels the most comfortable and breathable. Only then does the rest of your outfit make sense in terms of fit. Otherwise, fit and everything else goes for a toss.
Likewise, for women, it’s the much-needed yet often-neglected sports bra. You have to choose the perfect sports bra.
Conclusion
Whatever the situation, comfort is the topmost priority. Your outfit might look stylish and all. But it doesn’t do you any good if the clothing is not comfortable during your training session. Along the same lines, finding the perfect fit and form is also very important. I mean wearing something too loose or too tight is always a bad idea. So choose the middle ground.
Your body type and kind of exercise matter as well. Therefore, the answer to the question, what to wear when working out, is subjective. It’s based on what you prefer and what your body finds the most comfortable plus breathable.
Sources:
- https://www.openfit.com/choosing-best-workout-clothes
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/choosing-workout-clothes.aspx