Wearing the right clothes while you exercise is important. Certain clothes could help to make you more comfortable, improve performance and even prevent injuries. But just what should you wear while working out? Below is a brief guide to some of the items of clothing you should consider.
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Your feet
Comfort is key when choosing workout shoes. It’s worth buying yourself a pair of decent trainers that are padded and breathable. Avoid cheap trainers that are likely to fall apart after a year. For certain exercises, you should consider specific types of shoes. For instance, when running, choose specialist running shoes (these will support your feet and ankles and reduce the risk of injury). When weight-lifting, stick to flat gym shoes to give you grip and protect your knees. Always choose moisture-wicking socks. These will keep your feet cool, reduce bad odours from sweat and could help to prevent blisters when running.
Your legs
When it comes to your legs, choose clothing that is loose and comfortable such as tracksuit bottoms or leggings. If you’re cycling, you may want to avoid anything that is too loose around the ankles – this could get caught on the pedals. Sweat-wicking and breathable fabrics are your best option. There are lots of stylish legging options that use these fabrics such as these holographic camo leggings. Yoga pants are your best option if you’re doing lots of stretches. In the summer, you’ll likely want to switch to shorts so that your legs don’t get too hot and sweaty. If you’re doing outdoor exercise in the winter, waterproof running trousers and thermal leggings might be worth investing in.
Your upper torso
Just like clothing on your lower half, you should make sure that any clothing on your upper torso is comfortable and loose. T-shirts and crop tops are popular options. In the winter you may want a sleeved option, while in the summer you may want an option without sleeves.
Buying a decent sports bra is essential. It’s worth trying on bras to find one that is the perfect fit – anything too loose won’t offer the support you need, while anything too tight could be painful. When exercising outdoors in cold weather, you may want to consider a thermal shirt and light waterproof jacket. Avoid wearing too many layers in the winter and avoid heavy coats – you’ll eventually get hot and have to take off these layers, and they could be an inconvenience to carry around.
Other accessories
There could be other accessories worth wearing while you work out. A cap and shades could be useful when exercising in sunny weather, while a winter hat could be useful for keeping your head warm in cold weather. If you’re cycling, a helmet is necessary – don’t take the risk of riding without one. You could also consider wristwear such as a smart watch for easily tracking your workout progress or using a GPS. You can also try looking into bottle holders for carrying a water bottle while running or hydration packs for carrying on your back while cycling.
