When you’re new to exercising or working out, you might think that the most comfortable clothes to wear are your old cotton tee and baggy sweatpants. However, later on you’ll realize that they’re not actually the best outfit while you get active. Choosing the right outfit while working out is essential in keeping you comfortable and helping you perform your exercise routine better. If you’re looking for the best activewear or sportswear out there, here are the important factors that you should consider.
Exercise-Apparel Fabrics
While cotton is the most comfortable fabric for clothing, it might not be the best one when it comes to sportswear. Cotton absorbs much moisture and keeps it in, making it uncomfortable to wear when you’re sweating a lot. For sportswear, it is best to go for moisture-wicking fabrics since they pull out sweat away from the skin and dry it faster.
This keeps your skin feeling comfortable and cool even while you’re pushing yourself to its limits. These fabrics are also designed to regulate our body temperature as you exercise – keeping you cool even while you’re sweating it out. Always check the quality first when choosing women and mens sports clothing to be assured of durability.
Compression Fabrics
Aside from moisture-wicking fabrics, one of the good qualities of sportswear is compression. As you exercise, your body produces lactic acid which builds up in the muscles causing soreness after workout. It could take a few days before this accumulated lactic acid gets cleared up by the bloodstream.
Wearing compression clothing helps you a lot by improving blood circulation in that area, making it easier and faster to clear up the accumulated lactic acid in your muscles. Although they are helpful with your blood circulation, it doesn’t mean that you need to wear them always. Just wear them while working out for best results.
Body-Fit Clothes
Aside from the type of fabric, it is important also that you choose the right fit for your sportswear. Loose or baggy sportswear is not that recommended because they could feel uncomfortable especially when they expose your body parts as you exercise.
Aside from that, too loose clothes can sometimes restrict your body movement. Body-fit clothes are the most recommended for workout clothes since they stay in place no matter what movement you do plus, they also stay in shape even after so many washing unlike other fabrics.
Consider its Function
Aside from the previous factors mentioned above, it is also important to consider how you will use the sportswear that you’re choosing. For instance, if you’re doing yoga or Pilates, choosing fit and stretchable clothing is recommended so that it goes with you no matter what stretch and position you’ll be doing. If you’re doing more active sports like MMA or other sports, choose sportswear that can withstand the activity you’ll be doing.
There is more to sportswear than just looking good in it. You also need to be comfortable and free while exercising with these clothes on.