Breaking sweat becomes smooth and fun when you choose the right outfit for a specific exercise. There are manifold ways to burn calories and even more outfit options to select from. Some categories of apparel can be an ideal match for certain physical workouts as they are specifically designed by experts to serve you the best for those exercises. 


There are workout outfits that may save you from  natural elements such as UV rays while others may help you stay cool and dry with high-tech fabrics. Building your fitness wardrobe according to your workout routine may be perplexing, so we are here to guide you through the journey about what to look for in fits, styles and fabric and how to pick the right outfit for your workout schedule. 

 

Which factors to consider while choosing fitness outfits?  

The perfect workout outfits for you will support the muscles, be protective and gentle to your skin, and maintain your body's normal temperature. Your workout clothes are supposed to hug your body gently, not being too tight or too loose which may cause discomfort during workouts. Several factors collectively work at the right proportions to make an ideal workout apparel for you, boosting your overall performance. 

 

The factors that you need to keep in mind include:

 

Fabrics 

Fabrics of your workout wear play an immensely crucial role in shaping your comfort and performance. Your body doesn't release excessive sweat during gentle exercises like yoga or walking, so you can look for cotton outfits for such low-impact workouts. The highly breathable cotton fabric will let you stay comfy while breaking sweat. 

 

However, the same pure cotton apparel that can be great for low-impact workouts, may not be ideal for high-intensity exercises. Since cotton is hydrophilic which means that during heavy workouts, the clothes may become heavy and damp while getting exposed tosweat. For vigorous workouts, you need a fabric that is moisture-wicking to keep you dry. 

Synthetic fabrics like nylons, polyester, spandex and polypropylene are fast-drying and moisture-wicking which makes them ideal for heavy workouts. If you sweat excessively, choosing fabrics with antimicrobial features can significantly reduce the chance of body odour and bacterial growth. With a flexible budget come the finest options like natural fibers, for instance merino wool or bamboo, but they can be a bit expensive. 

 

Fit 

Fitting your gym outfit is very important and it may vary according to the types of exercise you perform regularly. Loose-fit dresses are usually comfy and allow you to move in full motion at ease. But too many baggy outfits are not a good choice for workouts, since they can get tangled with gym equipment easily and cause you discomfort. However, if your fitness routine includes gentle physical activities like jogging or walking, you may go for loose-fitting outfits as long as the bottoms are not too baggy around the calf muscles and ankles. 

 

Similarly, extremely tight-fitting workout wear is never suggested, as it may lead to chaffing and discomfort. Outfits that perfectly hug your body but are not too tight or too loose are the ideal ones for your workout. Most of the quality gym outfits are crafted with soft and stretchable fabric that supports your movements. While pairing your gym apparel, always opt for tight pants with looser tops, so that you can quickly cool down during and after exercise. 

 

Weather

Ensuring your comfort depends  on the weather as well. Think about wearing a full-sleeve synthetic top during the summer for outdoor workouts. Doesn't make sense, right? The ideal workout clothes are those that reduce the impact of the changing weather on our bodies. 

For the summer or hot weather in general, set your preference to moisture-wicking, light and breathable fabrics that will keep you cool. Adding layers to an outfit is a smart option for chilled weather, so you can take off layers with your body warming up. 

 

Outfits for different kinds of exercise  

While the basics characteristics of fitness clothing remain the same, i.e. soft, moisture and breathable, specifically designed outfits for particular exercises can effectively enhance your performance. 

 

Running or Jogging

Running shorts, full or half-sleeve tops, leggings, t-shirts and wind-resistant hoodies or jackets. You may pick loose-fit tops for running as long as you are wearing a quality sports bra underneath to support your breasts during bouncy movements. 

women wearing a blue co-ord set

 

 

Weight training 

Racerback vest, loose shorts, hoodie, t-shirts and joggers. Pair a breathable and light top with sweatpants, shorts or leggings, whichever you feel most comfortable in. Wearing layered outfits can be a smart idea so that you can take off the layers with the rise of your body temperature. Also, wearing layers may help your muscles stay warm during the warm-up session. No matter what outfit you go for, wearing a quality sports bra with a compression feature is a must, unless you want saggy breasts. 

women working out in the gym

 

Yoga 

Well-fitted tops, sports bras, yoga pants or leggings. Though Pilates and yoga are basic low-impact workouts, they still involve tons of complex movements. Picking a tight or loose outfit is your choice, just make sure the clothing you wear is not too restrictive or too loose that it will ride up with your skin in different poses. 

women doing yoga wearing a pink co-ord set

 

Swimming 

Unlike other workout activities, swimming has a pretty straightforward dress code for valid reasons. A fine swimsuit, goggles, sports bra and swim cap are all you need to jump in the pool. However, if your plan is to break sweat through a beach workout, a bikini with an attached sports bra, surf leggings, rash guard and board shorts will suffice. For both indoor and outdoor swimming, one or two-piece swimsuits with bikini sports bras will do a fine job. Various styles are available in swimsuits- vest styles, sleeveless, and short sleeves are a few of them that you may try. 

 

Hiking 

Insulated bottom, waterproof jacket, shorts, fleece, leggings and fitted layers. Creating base weather-appropriate layers for hiking is ideal as it allows you to stay comfortable by shedding the layers as your body temperature rises. Waterproof jackets or hoodies and insulated pants are the perfect match for hiking since they let your body maintain its core temperature. 

 

Last words  

In a nutshell , your outfit plays a huge role in shaping your performance. Keeping up your fitness routine in inappropriate clothing may take longer to achieve your fitness goals because you only perform the best when you feel the most comfortable. Prioritising the functionality and your comfort is the key to enhancing your performance on the fitness runway.  

 

March 11, 2024 — Hunnit hunnit2023@gmail.com