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Article Series: Exercise & Fitness
What Are The Most Effective Ways
To Exercise & Get Into Shape?
Best
Workout Clothes for
Both Comfort and Style
When it comes to working out, looking good
isn’t the main priority. Fitness is about challenging
your body to be stronger and better, so worrying about how
you look
is superficial to your ultimate goal. Your exercise clothes
still matter, though, just not for the typical reason. In olden
days people worked out in whatever old thing was handy, regardless
of what the garment actually was. In the last ten years, however,
clothing manufacturers have made surprising strides in creating
workout clothes that are not only attractive but functional
as well. Rather than getting sweaty in a cotton t-shirt, you
can now choose to wear a moisture-wicking shirt that absorbs
your body moisture as you work out so your skin stays comfortable.
Women no longer have to worry about breast strain during exercise
thanks to the sports bras that support and enclose the breasts
while absorbing moisture and preventing chafing. The choices
for workout clothing now seem almost endless and it can be
difficult to assess which pair of running pants is better than
the other. This brief guide will explain a few methods for
picking out the perfect workout outfit for you.
Pants/Shorts: Think about your needs first. Do you need a
pocket for your keys or identification? If so, many manufacturers
make clothes that feature small pockets that zip up to prevent
your items from falling out. What about your preferences? Do
you like pants that fit your legs closely or loose, sweatpants-type
trousers? Consider your own personal likes and dislikes.
The best type of exercise pants and shorts are those with
an elastic waist to prevent any mishaps with waistbands. Material
should be flexible with an absorbent quality to remove sweat
from your skin. If you prefer shorts, the fabric should fit
comfortably between your legs so you don’t experience any chafing.
Shirts: Plain cotton t-shirts are fine for days when you’re
not so concerned about moisture remaining near your skin (i.e.
hot or chilly days) but the latest offerings of high-tech workout
shirts not only sucks the moisture away from you but it works
overtime to keep your body properly ventilated. Look for fabrics
that have some stretch to allow you maximum comfort during
exercise.
Sports
bras: The best sports bras being made now are multi-taskers:
they wick away moisture, keep your upper body cool, provide
comfort and support for breasts and don’t dig in or make you
uncomfortable. Even better, clothing manufacturers have finally
caught on to the fact that women don’t come in regular sizes
only. Many lines offer half sizes to provide the perfect fit
for maximum comfort. Additionally larger sizes are becoming
more readily available for larger-breasted women.
Underwear: Believe it or not, lines of sports underwear are
being marketed to the everyday athlete. The underwear is made
from a unique moisture-wicking fabric that has a snug fit and
comes in multiple styles. For exercisers who prefer to remain
especially dry, this is probably a good choice.
Jackets
and windbreakers: Look for styles that zip in the front rather than pulling
overhead, which can be difficult
to manage while running or walking. Clothing should be made
from soft breathable fabric that reduces moisture while providing
warmth for the body. The best styles will have both inside
and outside pockets for keys, identification and more. Newer
jackets have storage pockets on the arms for MP3 players and
Ipods. A recent trend in outdoor sportswear and fitness clothing
is treating clothes with Scotchgard® to increase the repellence
of water and keep the wearer drier than ever before. Most high-end
retailers will carry water-repellant workout wear but the trend
is filtering down to lower markets as well.
Socks: The right socks are an essential part of any workout.
Exercising without a protective layer between your foot and
the shoe can lead to irritation and strain on the foot. Newer
socks cut down on the amount of moisture on your foot and often
have extra padding in strategic places to help support the
feet better than ever. Some lines of socks are created to correct
specific problems like over-pronation, though these tend to
be more expensive. The typical cotton socks are acceptable
but they must fit your foot comfortably and not irritate or
allow any sliding.
Workout gear has advanced light-years away from the spandex
of the eighties and today’s exercisers should take advantage
of the innovations that can make fitness more comfortable and
appealing.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2005
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