overview
fashion or comfort? Does it even matter what we wear inside gym? Well research says it does!
In this article we are going to talk about why gym wear matters and what we should wear inside gym that is both fashionable and useful.
why gym wear matters?
Appropriate gym wear should allow full Range of movement
Choosing clothing that allows full range of movement is incredibly important. There are lots of clothes which may look nice but restrict our ability to perform exercises properly and distract us from what we are doing.
Appropriate gym wear helps prevent injuries
Many sport injuries occur because of the lack of appropriate clothes like bad shoe laces or slippery wear especially shoes. Whichever activity you are engaged in, you should opt for the clothing for that particular sport, looking for something that provides ample protection against impact, strain, or overheating. Large size clothes can also get stuck in cardio equipment.
Appropriate gym wear regulates and controls body temperature
No matter how much air conditioning your gym has, if you are wearing something made from plastic, you are not going to feel good and happy which can also hinder progress.
Appropriate gym wear improves athletic performance
High quality, intelligent fabrics work with the body to accelerate performance, withstanding intense training to keep you performing at your best. When it comes to improved performance, comfort is again key. You should opt for fitness clothing which is really designed for your chosen activity.
Appropriate gym wear helps with confidence and communications
Not only overall confidence has been proven to help with sports biologically, especially from endocrine perspective, it helps you have a better communication with other trainers either for spotting or talking in general. A lot of people feel discouraged to talk to ill-dressed people and that can even weaken progress since it destroys confidence.
Appropriate gym wear protects skin
Whether you train for health or just to look nice, skin matters. Low quality and often cheap active wear can contain fabrics which irritate the skin, causing rashes and itching during a workout.
Exercise increases the flow of blood to your skin, and this can also result in itchiness. Sweat, dehydration, wearing tight clothing that prevents your skin from breathing and washing your workout attire in harsh detergents can cause also contribute to skin issues. Intense exercise can also cause clogging of your sweat glands, resulting in an itchy heat rash, so do make sure that you opt for light, breathable fabrics which keep your skin cool.
Also gym surfaces can have bacteria or infections which a proper clothes would protect you from.
Appropriate gym wear controls blood circulation
Without a doubt, proper blood circulation is a key component of any physical activity, if your clothes, either by being too tight or having a bad fabric, prevent that proper blood flow, you may not perform at your best or even cause injury for yourself.
Too-small pants can cause leg cramps, while tight sports bras can actually constrict your breathing.
What should you wear while training in a gym or other sports facilities?
Although going to the gym shouldn’t be a fashion show, it’s still important to look good. Besides, when you look good, you feel good. Wearing comfortable clothing that you feel confident in and that allows for ease of movement will help you feel better about your workouts and maybe even keep you a bit more motivated.
clothes
There are many breathable synthetic fabrics that “wick” the sweat away from your skin, which can help it to evaporate quickly and keep your body cool.
Look for clothing made of synthetic material such as nylon, acrylic, or polypropylene for a good balance of functionality and comfort. Cotton is probably the most common workout fabric, as it is reasonably priced, breathable, and comfortable.
research shows that cotton clothes stink less than synthetic fabrics. Cotton shirts and pants, on the other hand, absorb the sweat, and they don’t pull it away from the skin or help it to evaporate quickly and The more moist clothing is, the more likely bacteria will grow. if any open areas of skin are exposed to bacteria-filled workout clothes, it can lead to a fungal infection at the site.
Never wear clothing made out of rubber-based or plastic-based materials, which keep sweat from evaporating and keep your body temperature too high during a workout. You need light, breathable layers for running as spring weather can change fast. Compression tights layered under a pair of shorts helps keep everything in place, while a longsleeve in a contrasting colour looks smart and keeps the chill away.
To help you stay comfortable and dry, choose fabrics that pull sweat away from your skin and dry quickly. Many quick-drying fabrics are synthetic, made of polyester or polypropylene. Look for terms like moisture-wicking, Dri-fit, Coolmax, or Supplex. Wool is also a good choice to keep you cool, dry, and naturally odor-free. Some workout clothing is made with special antimicrobial solutions to combat odor from sweat.
When shopping for a sports bra make sure you choose one designed for high impact sport, this is doubly important for women with bigger busts. Make sure the straps don’t dig into your shoulders or the band into your rib cage. It should fit snugly, but you should be able to breathe comfortably.
The bra should be a blend of cotton and a “breathable” material such as Lycra mesh to help sweat evaporate and keep odor in check. Training without a sports bra can be quite uncomfortable, especially when doing exercises that involve running or jumping. If you have a moderate to large chest, the movement can lead to upper back and shoulder pain post-workout and it can cause the breast tissue to stretch, damaging it and increasing your chances for sagging in the future.
Clothes that are loose fitting or too short or tight will make using gym machines or getting on the floor difficult. Don’t overdress. If you stay cool, you are more likely to continue exercising.
If it is cold, dress in layers. Wear a fitted layer that wicks sweat away. Add a warmer layer, like a fleece jacket, on top. Wear gloves, a hat, and ear coverings if you need them. Take off the layers as you warm up. If you will be out running or walking, you may want to add a backpack. Then you can take off layers as you heat up, as well as carry a water bottle.
In the hot sun, wear light-colored clothing that dries fast. You can also buy clothing made to block out the harmful rays of the sun. These clothes come with a sun protection factor (SPF) label and In the rain or wind, wear an outer layer that protects you, like a windbreaker or nylon shell. Look for the words “waterproof” or “water-resistant” on the label. Ideally, this layer should also be breathable.
You can Keep your hands soft and callus-free by wearing gloves when you’re lifting weights.
Shoes and socks
look for shoes that fit well, support your feet, and reduce impact mainly when you run and jump. If however, if you’re doing yoga or pilates, we advise you go barefoot as wearing shoes will limit your mobility and constrict your ankles and calves but If it’s cold then throw on a pair of socks.
Before deciding on a shoe, it’s important to try on a few until you find the one that feels just right. While at the store, test the potential shoe out by walking around the store and jumping up and down. To find the ideal fit, it is also important to wear socks that you would be wearing while you exercise.
It’s critical to choose shoes that fit you properly and provide the support you need for different workouts. For example, running shoes are a bad choice for cross-training because they don’t have any lateral support. Ill-fitting socks can also compound the problem by rubbing your feet and causing blisters.
The right running shoe should provide stability, motion control, and cushioning for your runs. Depending on the shape of your foot you may need a different sized arch and For strength or CrossFit training, choose training sneakers with good support and rubber soles that are not too bulky.
If the bottoms of your shoes are flattening in areas and you can no longer see the design of the tread, you need to change your shoes since They provide less cushioning and shock absorption and as the bottoms get worn down, it can throw off the alignment of your feet and, as a result, your knees and hips.
Also do not use a flip-flop inside a gym, except for shower or sauna.
When choosing socks to wear to the gym, don’t make the dreaded mistake of sporting dress socks with running shoes. Choose white or gray socks that allow your feet to breathe and are comfortable to train in. Wear socks made from acrylic or an acrylic blend. This material doesn’t retain moisture as cotton and wool often do, which can lead to blisters and other foot problems.
Remember to bring towel for inside of the gym, shower towel, bath sponge, shampoo, conditioner, and soap to freshen up after your workout. Also if you have long hair or bangs that fall into your face, don’t forget to bring hair elastics or clips to pin your hair back. Nothing is more annoying than trying to exercise when your hair keeps falling in your face.
do not wear clothes which are too revealing which makes other people comfortable. do not forget body spray, do not bring jewelry inside training zone and do not come to the gym covered in make-up or too much body lotion which stains equipment which is not hygienic.