Finding the right fitness shoes and clothes
Finding the right fitness shoes and clothes is similar to our office or school dress code. It prepares us for the workout.
A good workout is not all about correct posture, proper pace, or the right number of reps. Superficial as it may seem, the clothes you wear for exercising are incredibly important, and must be chosen correctly according to the activities you will be performing, as well as the conditions you will be performing them in. The freedom of movement, insulation or cooling, and flexibility provided by your clothes are as crucial as your diet and your fluid intake.
Choosing the right kind of clothing is as important as choosing your exercises. Here are some of the points that will help you decide what kind of fabrics are good for your daily regimen and what you should consider when making your choices. Remember that good clothes can and will make you feel better after your workout, and encourage you to continue it.
The “Right” Kind of Cloth
Some fabrics pull sweat away from the skin, some absorb it, and some don’t even let your skin breathe. Here’s a quick run-down about the basics of fabrics-:
Certain synthetic fabrics have “thin wicking”, which will quickly remove the sweat from your skin and allow your body to cool quickly. This is perfect for a more intense workout where you sweat a lot, as it evaporates the sweat without making your clothing feel heavy and chafing your skin. These generally contain propylene, or fabrics such as COOLMAX® and SUPPLEX®.
If you’re wearing cotton, remember that it absorbs the sweat; it doesn’t really keep it off your skin or evaporate it. As it absorbs that sweat, it gets heavier and heavier as your workout goes on.
Rubber-based or plastic-based clothing like nylon is an absolute no-no during exercise. They do not let the skin breathe at all. Thus your sweat does not evaporate, so your body temperature keeps increasing during your workout, which may lead to heat-related illnesses. Additionally, since the sweat just keeps accumulating, it will begin to chafe your skin and may cause rashes that will greatly hamper your performance.
What’s the weather forecast for today?
Finding the right fitness shoes and clothes for all outdoor exercises, weather becomes a big factor to consider. Before going out, check to see how hot, cold, windy or wet it is outside, and choose your outfit accordingly.
If the temperatures are soaring, your outfit should be chosen to avoid heat stroke. Go for loose clothes that will allow air to naturally cool your body and evaporate the accumulated sweat. Loose clothes in lighter colors will be just that much more effective in reflecting sunlight, and thus keeping you cooler. The thin-wicked fabrics mentioned above are a good bet for this kind of weather, as they will quickly remove the sweat and keep your body temperature under control.
Conversely, if it’s frosty out, make sure you wear enough layers to keep your body warm and your blood flow regular. This becomes all the more important as your workout goes on and sweat begins to evaporate, further stealing your body heat. Layered clothing will allow you to remove a few layers during the high intensity phase of the workout, and add a few layers when cooling down. A propylene layer near your skin to quickly absorb the sweat and evaporate it is a good idea, but make sure to keep an insulating layer of fabric above it so that you don’t feel cold. Scarves or face masks to protect your lungs from the freezing air, gloves and warm socks are all excellent and necessary add-ons to keep your body temperature at a comfortable level during the workout.
If it’s pouring outside, it is absolutely imperative to wear an outer waterproof layer. If your clothes get wet, it will play havoc with your body temperature and you might catch a chill very easily. Not to mention the obvious fact that wet clothes are heavier and will just make your workout that much harder to do.
In any kind of weather, correct head gear is a must. If it’s warm, a light hat or cap is needed to shield your eyes from the sunlight, as well as avoid heat prostration. If it’s chilly, a warm hat should be worn.
Freedom of Movement
Your outfit has to do one thing extremely well if you want to have a productive workout: maximize your freedom of movement without interfering with it. It should not so tight as to be constricting, nor should it be so loose as to be baggy. It should have the right amount of movement to allow you to perform your exercises comfortably.
Running and biking involve good use of your legs and feet, so avoid any lowers that are too loose that may get tangled and lead to an accident. On the other hand, when doing stretching-related activities like yoga, Pilates, etc. use stretchy and fitted clothes that are simultaneously good at removing sweat from your skin.
These Boots Are Made for Walking’
Shoes are a particular critical piece of your attire, and will directly affect your performance during and after your workout, especially if you do high impact activities like running. Specialty sneakers are available for different exercises like running, cross-training, basketball, football, etc. The stores that sell them usually have experts on hand who can advise you on which shoes to pick for which activity. Just make sure that whatever you pick has a well-cushioned sole and excellent support for the arches of your feet. This will keep your feet well protected and avoid any major post-workout pains.
Attitude Counts
Finding the right fitness shoes and clothes that make you feel good about yourself! The better you feel the more positive you are. The more positive you are, the more likely you are to do your exercises, and the better you will feel after doing them. A study conducted by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports found that African-American women who felt self-conscious about the way they look and the clothing they exercise in were less likely to participate in physical activity.
