If you have ever forgotten your bottle of water and had to endure an entire training session parched, you most certainly know the importance of proper hydration for your workout. But have you ever imagined how different your workout would be without your gym-wear?
While some may see it as yet another fitness fad that will blow over soon enough, choosing the right athletic gear can be as pivotal as any other aspect of your routine in every aspect of your training.
Freedom of movement. Yes, size does matter. Getting a tank-top that is several sizes too big will leave you overexposed and tangled in the excess of fabric which will prevent you from performing any movement well, and the same would be for tights that are too tight—not only do you risk flaunting your undies to the entire gym, but also wasting your investment into that piece of clothing, and wasting your time at the gym.
When you get form-fitting workout clothes made of stretchy materials that adhere to your body without restricting your blood flow, you’ll have clear visibility of how well you perform in training. Lady lifters, for example, know that a single inch tilting your pelvis when squatting means the difference between a herniated disc or a successful lift, and when you wear the right clothes, you can actually observe yourself, improve your posture and ensure safe exercise performance. And there’s no better booty-builder than the squat, so mind your execution.
Creating the right mindset. There is no genetics, strength or energy in this world that will get you to run your best or out-cycle your personal record if you’re not in the right frame of mind. Even professional athletes have bad days when they’d rather skip the training, but as soon as they put on their running shoes, it feels as if you have become a different person, and you’re suddenly ready to tackle the entire world. This powerful effect is called “enclothed cognition”, and it refers to the fact that what we wear profoundly affects not just our perception, but our actual performance.
You need your Wonder Woman change of outfit to prepare your mind for battle. Even the simplest aspects of what you wear, such as color, have an impact. For instance, wearing red may put you in the perfect mindset to crush your workout, because a study of Olympic athletes showed that those wearing red had a higher heart rate and were able to lift more prior to the match than those wearing blue. Now, put on a red top and go ace those lunges!
Increased safety and injury prevention. For marathon runners who spend hours in training almost on a daily basis, and most of it outdoors, it goes without saying that wearing reflective workout clothes helps them stay safe on the road, as it makes them more visible to other runners, drivers and cyclists. But it goes well beyond road safety, as wearing high-quality gear means more support for your muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints, especially for high-impact sports, such as CrossFit.
This protection extends to your long-term well-being, since you can rest assured that a fine piece of sportswear will be durable enough to follow you through many challenging training sessions without falling apart. Made of long-lasting, flexible but resistant materials, items such as your running shoes will lower your risk of twisting an ankle, absorb the impact of running, and protect your ligaments from inflammation. Not to mention the importance of your sturdy gloves, elastic bands for safe stretches, and knee sleeves, all of which are meant to provide support and prevent you from getting hurt.
Better muscle recovery. If you’ve ever seen ladies in tights showing off their squat results hours after a workout—give them the benefit of a doubt. Maybe they are not just trying to be Lola Bunny, but are actually doing their bodies a huge favor. More specifically, they are probably wearing compression clothing for athletes made of unique fabrics. It helps boost your circulation, reduce muscle swelling and stiffness, thus minimizing that post-workout soreness.
That is essential for fitness lovers who have tight training schedules, because your body needs to recover fast in order to be able to train tomorrow once again, as well as for pros who depend on preventing injury through proper recovery and recuperation.
No sweat, no chafing. No matter how much you might love training in your old cotton shorts and tees, half an hour into an intense workout and you’ll be soaked, your thighs red, and you’ll be stickier and smellier than before. This is where proper workout gear steps in to save the day, because modern gym clothes are made of moisture-wicking materials that let your skin breathe by taking the sweat out to the surface of your clothes.
It acts as a shield not only against sweat, but also prevents that annoying chafing sensation, reduces your risk of inflammation and numerous infections, so that you can train safely and odor-free. Your gym-mates, as well as your own body, will be forever grateful for this simple choice.
Photo by Justyn Warner
Luke Douglas
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