By Milda Urbonaite
With gyms closed in many places, we’re left to exercising at home and outdoors, and it may seem we can do it in old sweats and t-shirts.
However, it’s actually the opposite. This way of exercise can become much more enjoyable with proper workout clothes. Wearing nice outfits makes us feel better, puts us in a different mindset, and gives us a shred of the resemblance of normalcy.
It doesn’t mean that you need to go and order all the fancy stuff online, but you can surely revise your closet and maybe add a couple of items that will last you for a long time (and when we’re back in gyms!).
Here are 6 tips for optimal workout attire.
Choosing the right function
According to Businessinsider.com, gym clothes certainly ought to be ready for even the most strenuous activities. They also need to be presentable enough if you decide to wear them for other occasions, like running to the corner store.
The main question you need to ask yourself is what kind of exercise do you do most. Wearing improper clothing will not only not help but also hinder the process. For example, if you mostly do yoga, you probably won’t need running shoes or a thick hoodie for running but will benefit from pants with a little more stretch.
Be washer ready
You should also look at the quality of the items as you will need to wash them more often than other clothes. This is one of the reasons why gym clothes are more expensive.
You don’t really need special detergent for gym clothes unless you go through A LOT of them. However, always choose the proper wash machine setting.
Wear fitting clothing
No, workout clothes don’t need to be baggy, and yes, you need to know your size. It is actually worse to wear too-large clothing as it hinders functionality.
Choose materials like a nylon-elastane mix that gives you freedom of movement and increases the range of motion during workouts.
And hey, even if it sounds vain, we all want to look good and nicely fitted clothes will look better! You will also be able to see if you’re performing your movements correctly.
Get sweat-wicking tops
Even though it may seem that any shirt will work for most workouts, if you sweat excessively during exercise, you need to get sweat-wicking tops. They will soak up all that moisture and keep you dry.
Most of the time, you get what you pay for, and you’ll find plenty of high-tech options on the market. Some are as impressive as a polyester fabric with a high-performance microfibre that supports the body’s natural cooling system by taking sweat and disperses it evenly throughout the garment’s surface to speed up evaporation.
Layer for workouts outdoor
If you like working out outside, you will need layers to keep you warm and absorb sweat. Think of a breathable top or a pack of basic tees from Fresh Clean Tees, good fleece, and a shell jacket for rain or snow.
Layers also provide support against possible injury, especially if you run on icy surfaces and god-forbid slip!
Ditch the bling
Listen to Realmenrealstyle.com – not only is jewellery unnecessary at the gym – it’s unsafe.
So leave those watches, bracelets, rings, chains, and other accessories in the closet for the duration of your exercise. There is a real danger of banging it into gym equipment, weights, or even the floor and walls. You can injure yourself or damage the jewellery.
It gets even scarier – the rings can make your fingers misshapen when lifting weights, and sweat can trigger an allergy and cause rashes and allergic reactions.
It’s safe to say – there’s a time and place for jewellery and gym (even a home gym), is not it.