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What is Proper Workout Wear; Workout Clothes
It seems that
with each new fitness craze comes new trendy workout wear, and it can very
expensive to buy what’s trendy. The good news is that to workout properly,
you don’t need trendy workout clothes. You just need the proper workout
clothes. How do you know what is proper?
Some forms of
exercise make it easy on you. If you’re going to swim, you need a bathing
suit. If dancing is your choice, then a leotard is appropriate. But there
are many forms of exercise out there that don’t dictate the clothing that
needs to be worn. There are, however, guidelines that can be followed to
make sure that you are wearing the proper workout clothes and gear for each
form of exercise.
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Tops – When choosing a top for
working out, a few things should be taken into consideration. The first
is, is it the correct material. Cotton is a great material for workout
wear, especially if you will be sweating when you workout. A shirt that is
a combination of cotton/lycra is appropriate if you will be doing a lot of
bending or stretching in a yoga or Pilates class.
The second consideration is fit. If a top is too snug, it will be
difficult to move in. If it is too loose it could get in your way. Your
workout shirts should always fit well.
The final consideration is warmth. If you will be working out inside,
usually a simple t-shirt or tank will suffice for most workouts. However,
if you are outside, the temperature may dictate what you wear. If it’s
cold out, a few layers are appropriate to keep you warm.
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Bottoms – A comfortable pair of
cotton bottoms are appropriate for most workouts. Whether its shorts, calf
length pants (capris), or long pants, the guideline is to choose well
fitting, comfortable, breathable bottoms. Some exercises such as bicycling
may benefit from tight fitting, lycra shorts, but most forms of exercise
call for breathable comfort.
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Shoes –This is one area where
the proper choice is very important. For most of your workout gear,
inexpensive options are usually as good as expensive options. For athletic
shoes, however, it’s important to spend the money on the right shoes or
you could damage your feet. If you’ll be running or jogging, buy well made
shoes made specifically for that. If you’ll be doing a general fitness
program at a gym, a good pair of cross trainers is appropriate. There are
even shoes made specifically for walking.
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Bras – For women, having a
good, supportive sports bra is very important. After shoes, this is where
the money should be spent. When choosing a sports bra, try it on and jump
around a little. You may look silly in the dressing room, but you want to
make sure that it’s supportive and doesn’t bind when you move.
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Safety gear – An important part
of workout wear is safety gear. Helmets should be worn when bicycling or
skateboarding. Elbow, knee and wrist pads should be worn for inline
skating. Goggles and mouth guards are required for some exercises. Safety
gear helps prevent injury – sometimes serious injuries. It should not be
neglected. If you are going to be exercising in the sun, waterproof
sunscreen should also be part of your safety gear.
When choosing
workout wear and workout clothes, your first consideration should be that
they are proper for the exercise. They don’t have to be trendy, expensive or
even matching; they just need to help you get the most benefit from your
workout.
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