5 Factors to Consider When Purchasing Exercise Apparel
When it comes to workout clothing, the number of options available can be frustratingly diverse. Baggy shorts or snug leggings? Natural or synthetic fabrics? Go designer or go easy on your wallet? We can’t tell you exactly what’s right for you, but here are four important factors to consider when buying gym clothing that will give you some good guidance when trying to figure out what will work best.
- Fabric
This is arguably the most important factor in choosing workout clothing given that it affects not only your overall comfort but your health, as well. You want stuff that has good “wicking” ability, meaning clothing made from fabric that absorbs or draws away moisture. They can keep you cool when you’re too hot or warm you up when you’re too cold. They also have the added benefit of not letting your sweat stick to your skin indefinitely, which can cause rashes or other skin irritations. Synthetic blends like polyester or lycra tend to be great for this purpose.
2. Cost
Anyone who’s been to a Lululemon knows you can spend a lot on gym gear if you want to. That said, if you’re looking for practicality, you don’t need to overpay to get some good stuff. You’ll need to spend a little to make sure you’re getting things that won’t fall apart, but remember, these are clothes that are meant to be worn out, and so breaking the bank on something because it looks good when you buy it doesn’t make much sense.
- Durability
These are clothes you’re going to wear HARD. If you work out with any regularity, you’ll be moving around in them a lot and (hopefully) washing them on a regular basis. If you want your clothes to last, make sure you’re buying decent quality togs so you can make sure they last for more than a month.
- Your Style
How you look on the outside can be an important factor on how you feel on the inside. Gym clothes offer lots of opportunities to express your personal style, and with all the mirrors in gyms, you’ll get lots of opportunities to admire yourself. If you’re flamboyant, grab all the funky prints you can find. If you’re on the simple side, monochromatic and coordinated sets are the way to go. And if you’re fun and casual, opt for a funny message tee like a yall need science shirt.
- Comfort
If you’re not comfortable in your workout clothes, you won’t work out. Trust. Buy stuff that makes you look good if that’s important to you, but also make sure they’re things that don’t constrict movement or irritate your skin. If you’re a lady, good sports bras are an absolute MUST. Do we really need to explain why…?
