Choosing The Right Workout Clothing
Choosing workout attire is not just about fashion, if you don’t buy functional clothing you and your chafed skin may later regret it.
Wicking
The ideal garment will not leave sweat sitting on your skin but will draw it away from you and this moisture management is referred to as wicking. Not only will this be of value in terms of comfort in warmer environments but wet skin loses body heat around 20 times faster than dry, so this is of particular importance when training in colder conditions. Look out for fabrics such as DriFit or Coolmax that are designed especially for this purpose.
Baby it’s cold outside
During cold weather be cautious of allowing the core body temperature to drop too low, thus resulting in you becoming chilled. Layering clothing is advised so that, as the body becomes warm, outer layers can be removed before the under layers become wet from perspiration.
Start with a thin layer of thermal fabric (that traps warm air but releases moisture) next to the skin, followed by a warm synthetic such as a sweatshirt or fleece. All these layers should allow perspiration to escape so they need to be non-absorbent and dry quickly. Gloves and a hat are also advisable if the weather is very cold due to a lot of heat being lost through the hands and head.
Fixed assets
It’s estimated that around 75% of women do not wear a correctly sized bra. A sports bra can provide support in two ways, either via compression to hold your breasts against your chest and limit motion or by encapsulation, closely surrounding the tissues. Movement should be minimal, even during vigorous exercise and the ideal fabric should be a soft, wicking material.
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Sole train
An important element here is to know your own feet as this will determine what you should look for in a shoe. If you’re flatfooted you need a shoe to control lateral motion, featuring a denser mid-sole, especially around the inner edge, together with a firm heel brace to prevent rear foot movement. Feet with high arches are not great for shock absorption so look for extra cushioning plus flexibility in the sole to allow weight to be transferred through the foot. If you don’t exhibit either of the above, then simply choose your hoes based on comfort and fit.
Cross to bear
The ideal choice of footwear is the aptly named cross-trainer, featuring a multi-purpose outsole to give versatility while breathable uppers lend comfort. They tend to be wider than running shoes, giving extra stability but as a result are usually heavier.
Shop smart
When shopping for training shoes, wait until late in the day, as your feet expand so will have swollen to about the size they will be when they expand due to heat when you exercise. Also, take your old trainers so shop staff can see how they’ve worn.