In this article we will talk about which sportswear for fitness is best for women training in the fitness center. Which sportswear is right for you, depending on your body type and body type. And, of course, the choice of sportswear for fitness will depend on what type of fitness you plan to do.
First of all, clothing for any type of active activity should be as comfortable as possible and not restrict movement. You should feel as comfortable as possible in it. At the same time, women naturally want to look good in any way. Even if you are sweating like a river, your eyes are blurry, and your legs are giving way after a hard workout, you need to look 100% (as always). Therefore, first we will find out what clothes will be comfortable for you, and then we will move on to the issue of fashion and style.
What is the best fabric for sportswear?
Typically, sportswear uses knitwear or fabric that stretches well. Firstly, the stretchy material will not restrict movement, and secondly, it will not tear, as it has a reserve of tensile strength. Thick knitwear will tighten and hug the figure, and can also have compression properties, which is especially good during intense exercise with additional weight in the fitness room.
In many articles about material for sportswear, you can find recommendations that it is better for the fabric to be natural, preferably cotton. I don't agree with this. Technologies are moving forward, including in fabric production. Modern synthetic fabrics are superior in quality and properties to classic natural materials.
Of course, you can wear a simple cotton jersey tank top. It will breathe well and have slight antibacterial properties. But there are also disadvantages. One of the main ones is that sportswear for fitness made from natural fabrics wrinkles a lot. Even if you iron it before going to training, it will have time to wrinkle in your bag, and you will have to train in a wrinkled uniform. This will not be noticeable on tight-fitting clothes, but on loose pants or a T-shirt, wrinkled folds are clearly visible. The second disadvantage of clothes made from cotton jersey is that they shrink when washed and stretch when worn. Moreover, it happens that the difference before and after washing can reach several sizes. This is especially noticeable on plus size clothing.
Clothing made from modern and high-quality synthetic fabrics does not have these shortcomings. Good synthetic knitwear does not wrinkle, does not stretch, and breathes well. But it is important that your fitness clothing is made of high-quality material (for example, BiFlex Heavy Sport fabric). High-quality fabric for sportswear should be dense, stretch well, and have a pleasant texture to the touch.
Also an excellent option would be a fabric that includes both synthetic fibers (polyester, spandex, elastane) and natural fibers (cotton or viscose). Such fabrics also hardly wrinkle and have good performance characteristics.
Socks
Choosing socks for fitness is no less important than choosing leggings or sports bras. In order to keep your feet dry and odor-free, you need to choose socks, again, not from cotton, but from “breathable” synthetic fabrics that wick away moisture. A good example of such a fabric is coolmax. Socks made from coolmax can be worn even in warm weather, the main thing is to wear sneakers with mesh so that moisture can evaporate outside. As you can see, it's all connected: breathable running shoes help breathable socks shed excess moisture, keeping your feet dry.
So let's summarize all of the above.
A quick guide on how to choose fitness clothing:
Choose clothes made from good synthetic fabrics (elastane, spandex, polyester, supplex, coolmax and others) that wick and evaporate moisture.
Avoid cotton fabrics, which, unlike synthetic ones, on the contrary, retain moisture, making it difficult for the skin to breathe.
Choose clothes that fit.
Belts for leggings and straps for sports bras should be wide and tight.
Always try on clothes before purchasing to make sure you are comfortable in them.
Choose sneakers according to your type of physical activity: for exercise on uneven and hard surfaces, sneakers with a hard sole and good cushioning are suitable; For exercise on a flat surface, sneakers made from softer and lighter materials are suitable.
Well, that’s where I’ll end this article. I hope it helps you choose practical clothes for fitness . After all, the right fitness clothing will make your workout much more enjoyable and comfortable. Instead of constantly holding your chest while running or pulling up your pants while doing squats, you'll be more focused on your workout, making it more effective and enjoyable.
Sincerely yours, Janelia Skripnik!
What to wear to fitness? Leggings, breeches, leggings, tops and T-shirts for fitness.
If your figure allows it, then the ideal fitness clothing option would be a suit consisting of leggings and a top. Sports leggings for fitness fit snugly, have good stretch and look great. They are suitable for individual training in the gym with strength machines and free weights, as well as for group classes such as aerobics, Pilates, yoga and others. You can also dance, run, and ride a bike in them. In general, leggings are a versatile garment for your legs during any active activity. Short leggings are sports breeches. They are also great for sports and fitness activities in the gym or outside in good weather.
If your figure does not allow you to wear tight-fitting leggings, then it is better to use spacious knitted pants or spacious breeches with elastic. For complex body types, it is better to take pants that, in addition to elastic, also have drawstring laces. Are you going to actively lose weight? Accordingly, your waist size will quickly decrease, you can adjust the size with drawstrings, rather than buying new pants every month.
As for the top of a tracksuit, if your figure allows, a tight-fitting top or a tight-fitting T-shirt is best. If they are made of high-quality material, they will not restrict movement, as if they will merge with the skin and you will practically not feel them. The top can be either short, with an open tummy, or long, hiding the tummy. It can be with sleeves, sleeveless, or with straps.
You can combine the top with spacious T-shirts: a short top-bodice on the bottom, a spacious racer T-shirt on top. It looks great and you will be comfortable.
If your figure does not allow you to wear a tight-fitting top, then a loose knitted T-shirt can be an alternative. The T-shirt goes well with both loose knitted pants and breeches.
Comfortable top
If you approach the choice of women's fitness equipment responsibly, you need to start with a sports bra. Regular underwear keeps the breasts in a calm state, but during exercise the motor amplitude increases, and the breast tissue needs more support. In sports bras, this effect is achieved due to a special cut, wide straps and special materials. This means that you will be able to avoid unpleasant sensations from slipping straps, misaligned cups, and rubbing the skin against the bones.
It is important to choose the right bra for fitness. If you plan to do “calm” types of training (yoga, Pilates), a bra with light support is enough; reinforced bras are recommended for lovers of aerobics, step dancing, and jogging.
The larger the breast size and the more intense the load, the more support is required.
A must-have item in your fitness wardrobe is a T-shirt or tank top made of suitable fabric. A beginner should not buy something that resembles a robe, even if there is a great desire to hide extra pounds. Such clothes can get caught on the exercise machine and ride up at the most crucial moment - making it impossible to concentrate on the workout. Then what should a girl who just has to lose weight wear to a fitness class? A T-shirt that moderately fits your figure is a winning option not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also for honing your exercise technique. This makes it easier to monitor the correct posture, position of the arms, and back.
It is worth paying attention to the depth of the cutout. Things that are too open can cause discomfort during active movements and bending (for example, when performing hyperextension).
Sports underwear
There are special sports underwear, but mainly they are needed by professional athletes. Usually, special underwear is not required for fitness classes. But, still, there are several recommendations on what underwear is best to use during training.
If you wear tight leggings or leggings for training, it is better to use seamless panties or thongs underneath. Agree, it’s not very nice if the seam of the panties is visible (bulging out). It is better not to use lace underwear. If your pants are low-waisted, your panties may be visible, especially when bending forward. There is nothing wrong with this, but if your panties are visible, it is better that their color matches the color of your sports uniform.
And, of course, the main thing is that you feel comfortable in your sports underwear.
Appearance
Design is a matter of taste and circumstances. A restrained palette of pastel colors, without excessive decorative finishing, is a preference for some. Neon colors, styles with a lot of accessories, details and logos attract others.
Often, world-famous manufacturers offer both options in one season: basic classics and trendy models. The right choice in this case is not the only one. You can have several sets at your disposal and wear them according to your mood, weather, and conditions.
Sports bra for fitness
If you have firm breasts, you don't need to wear a bra under your top. If your nipples protrude too much, you can use special silicone pads (bras).
There are also special sports bras for fitness. Essentially, these are tops with cups. They are really comfortable and provide good breast support. Especially, such bras are well suited for women with large breasts.
It is better not to wear a regular bra under a top: it sticks out a lot and looks ugly. The shoulder straps also look awkward. But if you still can’t live without a bra, then it’s better to wear a seamless one with flesh-colored straps or silicone straps. Silicone straps are sold separately and fit almost all bras.
You can wear any bra under a loose T-shirt, the main thing, again, is that you feel comfortable in it.
Important little things
During training, you will have to constantly hold the handles of exercise machines, dumbbells, a body bar or a barbell. To prevent “labor calluses” from appearing on the palms, professional athletes are advised to wear special gloves. They not only protect your hands, but also minimize slipping, allowing you to maintain a stable grip while performing exercises.
For greater comfort, you can buy sports socks. They differ from regular ones in that they are made of materials that keep your feet dry. A special elastic band prevents slipping, and minimalist seams do not rub the foot.
Fitness shoes
For fitness classes and the gym, light sports shoes with low, stable soles are well suited. The sole should be non-slippery, preferably rubberized. Recently, sneakers with foam rubber soles (like slippers) have become popular. This sole is not suitable for training in the gym - it is slippery and too soft. Fitness shoes must have laces. This will allow the shoes to fit tightly on your feet, and they will not “squelch.” Velcro, zippers, and buttons will not work. A good and budget option for working out in the gym is sneakers.
I recommend always wearing socks, and only over sneakers or sneakers. Feet sweat during training and may begin to slip without socks. If you don't like your socks to be visible, you can use short socks.
Some types of fitness do not require shoes at all. For example, Pilates, yoga, stretching and others. These classes can be done barefoot or in socks.
Matching Bottom
Tight leggings or leggings are a universal option for the bottom of a sports wardrobe. It is better to purchase a model with a wide silicone belt - it will not slip during squats and lunges, or choose a high-waist option.
Specialty stores offer sports leggings with contrasting or mesh inserts. By choosing such clothes to suit your figure, you can visually lengthen your legs, make your shape more attractive, and hide excess. Tights are popular among sports fans - sports leggings with an increased level of comfort.
In short leggings, it is not very comfortable to perform some exercises, for example, various rows, where the bar must slide along the surface of the shin.
Fitness gloves
Gloves are needed for those types of fitness that use additional weights, in other words, when you need to hold something with your hands during a workout. Gloves are needed to prevent your hands from sweating and the equipment from slipping in your hands. They also protect your hands from calluses. Fitness gloves can be leather, fabric or a combination. If you do not use additional equipment during training (for example, Pilates, yoga), then you do not need gloves. Gloves are an optional fitness accessory. Most women can do without them, but if you feel more comfortable wearing gloves, then feel free to wear them while training.
Try to keep your fitness wear in the same color scheme and look like a set. You can see an example of fitness clothing sets on our website.
In conclusion, I would like to note once again that the main thing is that your sportswear for fitness is comfortable and does not restrict movement. You need to wash your clothes after each workout, so it’s better to have several replacement sets.
I'm sure you have something to add to this article. Be sure to let us know in the comments what kind of fitness clothing you wear for your workouts!
For running -
Gigi Hadid special jacket and sneakers
What fits ? For the cold season, you need to choose a special jacket for running. It should have increased ventilation and moisture removal characteristics and be multi-layered. The first layer removes moisture from the body and allows excess heat to pass through. The middle layer is thermal insulation. The third protects from wind and precipitation.
Now about running shoes. The main feature is their lightness and shock-absorbing sole. The textured and elastic base evenly distributes the load between the heel and toes, providing the necessary freedom of movement. The upper part should consist of breathable materials.
Which doesn't fit. Clothing that is too warm will cause increased sweating after just a few minutes of jogging, and this can lead to colds.
Basic set for spring and autumn
Running in rainy weather in light clothing is dangerous: you can catch a cold. Moreover, it is worth considering that after serious stress, immunity decreases somewhat.
In warm weather, you can wear leggings, a long-sleeved T-shirt and a windbreaker. Sports windbreakers are made of membrane fabric, thanks to which sweat does not accumulate under the jacket, but is brought to the surface. At the same time, the top layer of the jacket does not allow water to pass through and retains heat. A plus would be the hood. If you don't have one, you need a light sports hat.
For late autumn and early spring, thermal underwear is useful. It is sewn from polypropylene or polyester using a special weave, due to which moisture is transferred from the surface of the body to the fabric. The seams of the thermal underwear are on the outside, so you don’t have to worry about abrasions.
Style and compression
Previously, I associated sportswear with rather spacious things: stretched T-shirts and wide pants that did not pinch or press anywhere. Now views on this issue have changed.
Loose clothing is great for the house, but when you're playing sports, the sails flapping around you will be a nuisance. This has a bad effect on aerodynamic properties and interferes with stretching. And if, for example, you roll your body on a massage roller with spikes, the edges of your T-shirt roll under it and this is very annoying.
Choose clothes that fit snugly but are not tight. If you choose synthetic fabrics, you don’t have to worry that a wet T-shirt will stick to your body and get in the way.
In addition to special fabrics and technologies, mesh inserts are often used in sportswear: in the armpits, on the back, on the chest. Mesh provides additional ventilation.
Compression clothing is suitable for intense exercise. It not only looks good, but also helps you cope with unusually difficult workouts. Intense running, strength training with heavy lifting, preparation for competitions, as well as a tendency to swelling and varicose veins are all indications for using compression garments.
Light, uniform compression of the limbs helps the vessels withstand heavy loads. In addition, compression garments reduce muscle pain after exercise and help you recover faster.
Still, compression items should be left in case of unusual excessive loads. Constantly wearing such clothing reduces vascular tone.
