Workout clothes are an extension of your dedication for getting in shape and meeting your health goals. The right combination can elevate your efforts in the gym and put you on the fast track for a healthier lifestyle. Here are some tips you can follow when you are choosing workout outfits for women:
Select A Suitable Fabric
As your fitness levels improve, your sweat level also increases. This is good. It means that your body’s heating and cooling system is working at optimum levels to cool you down faster and allowing you to work harder to shed those pounds. Fabric that doesn’t allow sweat to evaporate can cause you to tire out faster.
Choose workout gear that allows your skin to breathe by drawing sweat away from it. By doing so, the fabric allows your skin to cool down while you work out. Some of the materials you should opt for include spandex, Lycra and polyester.
Avoid 100% cotton gym wear though. The material absorbs moisture easily which will leave you a soggy and sweating mess as you proceed with your workout . Plus, make sure that the fabric fits well to your body. A loose fitting shirt or trousers can get caught in exercise machines and cause an accident.
Make Sure You Can Move Easily In It
If you do yoga, aerobics or other high intensity workouts, you need workout gear that moves with the contours of your body rather than hindering it. So when you are choosing women’s gym wear, choose an outfit that you can move easily in. Try them out and see if you can do complex workout moves easily or if the fabric prevents movement.
For example, if you are choosing a pair of leggings for running, run in place with them on and do a couple of lunges while you are at it. If they start to slip down to your hips or lower, consider a different one that remains in place. Similarly, make sure that the shirts you choose don’t bunch up around your armpits when you are swinging your arms or chafing your skin.
Choose Shoes That Are Made For High Activity
The fit is just one of the things you should determine when you are choosing shoes for the gym. Choose a pair that is designed specifically for the workout you prefer especially if you go to the gym regularly. The best way to do that is to get yourself sized.
Just ask the store clerk if they can check your foot’s pronation and supination. Both terms define your gait and how your weight is distributed as you walk or run. Shoes that do not support the movement of your feet can cause injuries and discomfort.
The selection process is going to be based on personal preference, so don’t stick to a particular brand just because it is popular. Try out a pair by doing laps around the store to determine how they feel during activity.
Pick Socks That Are Designed For Exercise
Cute socks will do nothing for your workout. This includes pairs that are full of holes or ill fitting. These can cause painful blisters on your feet. Choose different pairs for each type of workout. For example, for running, wear a pair that is padded to absorb shock and is made of a synthetic material that can wick excess sweat to the top for evaporation.
Similarly, for a hike, choose socks that are made of natural wool. The material absorbs moisture, but it is also more soft and breathable than synthetic varieties making it ideal for hours of walking on hard or uneven terrain.
Choose The Perfect Sports Bra
Workout outfits for women are incomplete without a sports bra. A normal, everyday bra will just not do. It’s not designed to provide your upper body the support it needs to remain stable during a workout. So your choice should hinge on the support you are looking for:
For low support – Choose a bra that has narrow straps and bands such as a compression bra that can secure your breasts to your chest wall. This type of sports bra is ideal for yoga, walking and strength training exercises.
For medium support – Choose a sports bra that has wide bands and straps. Besides a compression bra, you can also go for encapsulating styles that have separate cups. This kind of sports bra is ideal for skiing, hiking and cycling.
For high support – Choose a sports bra that has the widest bands and adjustable shoulder straps. Hook loop closures are essential to keep the bra in place. Wear this sports bra for rigorous workouts such as running or mountain biking.
Make Sure It Is Layerable
If you work out outdoors and indoors, you will find yourself adding and removing layers as the season changes. While you can get winter-appropriate women’s gym wear, you can save money by combining layers from your existing collection.
So if you feel warm in your gym clothes, peel off an unnecessary item to regulate your temperature. If you have to layer, make sure that the base layer is close fitting before adding looser ones on top. Just make sure that the outer layer is not loose enough to get caught in a machine or trip you during a run.
Choose Gym Wear with Anti-Microbial Properties
There is a reason why your workout clothes still smell a bit after they have been washed. It’s not because they are still sweaty and dirty. That is the odor that microbes emit trapped in the fibers that a gentle wash does not remove.
So, rather than choosing an old shirt and trousers, choose workout gear that has anti microbial properties. These are specially treated and are less likely to retain unpleasant odors. Some also kill bacteria right from the thread!
Taking Care of Workout Gear
When you are spending your hard earned cash on expensive workout outfits for women, you would naturally want them to last and smell fresh after a lot more than a couple of days. Here are some ways you can make sure your gym wear remains odor-free and looks cute for months. Turn them inside out
Turn Them Inside Out
Odor cause bacteria come from dead skin cells and sweat which rub off on the inside of our workout clothes. So before washing them, turn all of your workout gear inside out. That way, the water and detergent will have better access to the source of the odor, leaving your clothes smelling and looking fresh.
Dry Your Gear First
Washing your gym outfit should be the first thing you do when you return home from your workout. You may be tempted to throw it in the laundry hamper and wash it the next day, but that will not help you look your best. Plus, you may not be able to get rid of the odor.
So when you get home, take a few minutes to unpack your gym bag. Hang up your sweaty gear and allow it to air dry before popping it in the wash. Resist the urge to throw it in the dryer. It will do nothing for the smell or the sweat.
Be Stingy With Detergent
Contrary to popular belief, adding more detergent to smelly gym clothes will not do much. It may actually ruin the fabric of your expensive workout gear. The excess detergent can buildup in the clothes as well which you may not be able to wash out later.
That’s because that buildup is more than just detergent. It will be made of dead skin cells and body oils that will create a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. Fabric that is designed to wick moisture is meant to keep the wearer cool and comfortable during a workout. However, this means the fabric also repels water during a rinse cycle. So use about half the detergent you would for your regular clothes in a gentle rinse cycle.
Use A Laundry Booster
If your gym clothes are incredibly smelly and a gentle wash cycle does not eliminate odor, use a sports specific detergent or laundry booster. If you don’t have these raid your pantry for baking soda and dump half a cup in the washing machine.
You can also soak the clothes in a water, baking soda and vinegar mixture. Soak for no more than 30 minutes before drying the gear in the dryer and hang it up.
Do Not Use Fabric Softener!
Even if you love the smell of fabric softener, it will do a number on your workout clothes. It breaks down the elasticity in stretchable fabrics that are made of spandex or nylon creating a barrier which traps odor and clogs pores. The result? Gym gear that remains smelly and doesn’t wick sweat as well as it used to.
Bonus! – Wash Workout Shoes Properly
Most of us rarely if ever give cross trainers a good cleaning. If you are a runner, those sweaty shoes are probably dirtier and smellier than all of your workout gear combined. Athletic shoes are designed to last. However, the fabric and materials can get damaged in the washing machine. The synthetic fiber, foam padding, glue and stitching can break down in the wash which will reduce performance significantly.
Follow these steps to keep your shoes smelling and look fresh:
- Take out the shoelaces and throw in the wash separately.
- Use an old toothbrush to remove dirt from the soles. Really get into those crevices. You may have to soak your shoes beforehand to soften the dirt.
- Apply a baking soda and detergent paste with the toothbrush all over the shoes.
- Use a damp sponge to remove the excess waste and wipe the shoes down with a cloth.
- Sprinkle some baking soda (to absorb the odor) inside the clean shoes and allow them to air dry.
- Once the shoes are dry, shake out the baking soda and re-thread the shoes with the clean laces.
In Conclusion
If you work out on a regular basis, investing in women’s gym wear that can last for months is a good idea. How much you want to spend on it is up to you and your needs. If the latest and most popular apparel motivates you to hit that treadmill, go for it. If simple and efficient is your cup of tea, then choose simple gear.
When it comes to fitness, your workout regime may be a priority but your workout clothes determine the progress you make. Ill fitting outfits may feel comfortable, but they may hinder your performance and even cause a serious accident.
Finally, make sure that you wash and maintain your gym wear as soon as you return from your workout. If you leave your gear to marinate in your sweat, eliminating odor will be impossible. Your outfits will last for months. Invest in a few combinations so you can mix it up and look cute while you workout to meet your fitness and weight loss goals.