The Significance of Exercise Clothing

                      

Types of Exercise Clothing

There are as many types of exercise clothes as there are sports and activities. Choose attire that is designed for the activity you do. Try on the clothing and do some bending and stretching to make sure it will be comfortable to move in. Your workout clothes should be flexible while allowing your skin to breathe. You will most likely want to dress in layers for working out outdoors so you can remove clothing as needed when you warm up. Your outer layer should help you stay warm while warming up and cooling down, and your inner layers can be sweat-wicking to prevent you from getting too hot during your workout. When exercising outdoors, also take the weather into consideration, with clothes that will keep you shielded from the elements, including the sun.

Clothing Material

There are a variety of materials used for exercise clothing, which can offer benefits ranging from breatheability to extra warmth in cold weather. Choose clothes with moisture-wicking fabrics that will keep your sweat away from your skin, helping you stay dry and preventing chafing. Moisture-wicking fabrics also help prevent hypothermia in winter, as sweat that stays on your body can turn to ice in cold temperatures. You can find moisture-wicking clothes by looking for synthetic fabrics such as polyester and spandex, often marketed with terms such as "Dri-FIT," "CLIMALITE" and "sweat-sweeping." Avoid 100-percent cotton clothing, as it will get soaked from sweat. You can also chose fabrics with UV protection.

Athletic Shoes

It is important to get shoes that are designed for your sport or activity. If you are a walker, for instance, you will need supportive shoes for walking, whereas if you are a runner, you will need shoes with support but that are more lightweight. Do your homework and research the shoe options for your sport. Take your exercise intensity, duration and frequency into account as well. For example, if you are a marathon runner, you will need more supportive shoes than a middle distance runner, who would require lighter, faster shoes; and you'll need to change out your shoes more often, as shoe soles and support wear out over time.

Sports Bras

Sports bras can offer support and comfort while you exercise. As with other workout clothes, choose sports bars with some synthetic, moisture-wicking components. Make sure your sports bra is the right size for your chest and bust measurements, which you can determine with measuring tape or by being measured at a bra shop. If you have a large bust, look for bras with extra support with features such as reinforcement stitching and fabric, full cups, thick bands and fabric that is low in elasticity. If you want to avoid flattening your bust, on the other hand, you can find sports bras with padding or cups to help you avoid the "pancake" effect of flatenning your bust.

Movement

Wear loose clothing during physical activity so you have the right amount of movement to correctly perform the exercise. This will give you the most out of your exercise and possibly prevent injuries. For instance, if you wear jeans and try to stretch, you won't be able to push your body as far as if you wear loose clothing. Loose clothing is also more comfortable and it is also important to feel comfortable during physical activity.

Confidence

You also want to choose clothes that make you feel self-confident. The better you feel in your clothes, the more likely you will be to feel positive about exercise and want to continue doing it. 

Shoes

Shoes are extremely imperative for physical activity, especially for high-impact exercises such as running. Most stores sell specialty sneakers for different types of exercise, such as running, cross-training and basketball.