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eLearning Series:
I'm an Active Senior
Who Wants To Stay Healthy
( 50 aticles in this series )
Fitness
Apparel:
What To Wear When You Workout
Once you decide to start an exercise routine
you will want to make sure that you can optimize your comfort
level during your workout. Much of what you end up
choosing will boil down to what feels comfortable to you. Buying a replica
of your friend’s workout wardrobe may become a return headache
unless you know that those pieces are going to work for you
first. With this in mind, there are a few keys to picking out
the best pieces for your fitness apparel.
The fabric of the workout clothes you purchase is going to
determine much of your comfort level. Moisture wicking
materials will keep you feeling comfortable the longest during
the sweatiest
parts of your workout. For running and high-impact workouts,
material that will pull the moisture away from your body will
keep you the driest. Apparel that advertises moisture wicking
fabric will cost a little more, but will be worth it. If your
workout is going to produce a lower amount of sweat, polyester,
cotton and spandex blends, and velour are recommended. Just
remember that the look of workout apparel can be deceiving
and will mean nothing if it is made with impractical fabric.
Now that you are committed to buying apparel made with appropriate
workout materials, you will want to know which cuts
will work best for specific activities. If you are going to be outside
walking, jogging or running in various weather conditions,
comfortable layers that can be removed easily and tied around
your waist, or placed in a pocket, will suit you best. The
layer closest to your skin should be a tank or long-sleeve
(depending on the temperature) made from one of the moisture
relieving fabrics like nylon, Supplex, Coolmax, polypropylene
or Thermax. A sweatshirt or fleece vest can be worn over the
first layer, and all of this can be topped with a rain protective
jacket. For your lower half, there are a lot of moisture wicking
pants, which even come in thermal styles for warmth, that can
be worn alone or with a top layer of Cirrus pants, which breathe
and repel water. Don’t forget to bring a knit cap or hat. The
least bit of wind chill will leave you cold, especially when
you pick up a little speed.
If
you are going to be working out in a gym or in your home,
it is also a good idea to start with layers. A tank with a
t-shirt that you can remove once you get warmed up, along with
spandex tights which can have loose fitting shorts thrown over
them, will guarantee your free movement and range of motion.
Wearing a t-shirt throughout a workout will often become cumbersome
for any activity from yoga to lifting weights, so try to use
them only for layering. Yoga and Pilates are comfortable in
loose, but stretchy enough to retain their shape, pants, Capri’s
and shorts. Tanks with scoop or slight v-necks are versatile
for the weight room or step-class. For women, a tank should
either leave enough room for a supportive, athletic bra, or
should already include a quality, built-in-bra. Look for nylon,
Lycra or spandex blends for your indoor workout apparel.
A
lot of fitness enthusiasts are wearing loose fitting, athletic
shorts made of jersey cotton, or nylon with polyester, over
a base of cotton mixed with Lycra shorts. This provides a base
layer to deal with moisture and a top one to deal with warmth
and comfort. Lose fitting shorts can also be worn over ankle
length spandex pants or tights. Another benefit from wearing
these combinations is that you don’t have to feel like you
is going skin-tight, yet you can enjoy the dryness and versatility
of your base layer.
Buy a few pieces for outer and inner layers that are of quality
fabrics which will let your skin breathe and keep it from chaffing.
A workout should be done in as comfortable clothes as possible
so you can focus on the muscles you are working and you’re
breathing. Your layered pieces, matched with socks that are
not too thin or too thick, and supportive sneakers, will help
you get the most out of your workout. # # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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