This post details what four things you need to consider when buying sportswear. You want to be comfortable when you are working out, and getting your goals so review these four items before purchasing.
With gym attendance at record levels – and a much greater appreciation of exercise even in those who prefer to do it in their own time and space, the choice of sportswear available is wider than ever. Picking the particular gear that best fits your lifestyle is going to pay real dividends, though – so here we present four important considerations to ensure your workout clothes work out for you!
4 Things to Consider When Buying Sportswear
Fabric
Often the first thing we look for in a new sportswear item is its design – a simple question of whether it fits our taste. And there’s nothing wrong with that – wearing outfits that we’re happy in is key to feeling confident in public places – especially such charged atmospheres as gyms.
But even more important is making sure that the item is made of materials that are going to suit the type of activity you’re going to engage in. Questions to ask yourself include: are you going to be exercising indoors or out? What kind of surface will you be on? Do you prefer a figure-hugging or looser style?
Doing a little research before making your purchase can affect your fitness routines. Some fabrics are more breathable (allowing cooling airflow), some are better at drawing moisture away from the body (also called ‘wicking’) and some will even retain less odor.
Price
As with any expanding market, nowadays there are more options for any budget. But it’s worth double-checking that very inexpensive sportswear will give you the performance and durability you need from it. Unlike other fast fashion items such as outfits for social occasions, exercise clothes will regularly face both strenuous use and intense washing cycles.
Sometimes investing in a better quality item from an established sportswear brand (that also supplies professional athletes) is ultimately better than buying a string of cheaper copies that need to be replaced more often. Also, remember that the constant production of fast fashion demands is considered particularly bad for the environment.
Protection
Again, unlike most clothes in your wardrobe, many sportswear items are designed to help protect your body when you’re pushing it beyond its norms.
Footwear is especially worth considering here, as most sports involve repeated punishing impacts to the feet, ankles, and knees. Finding footwear that’s been specifically designed for the type of actions common to your particular activity can cushion your joints – and also improve performance.
Check out what shoes you should be packing as a runner while traveling here.
Sustainability
It’s long been clear that the clothing industry as a whole has to change its practices to better protect the environment. There are many documented incidents of factories polluting rivers with dyes and plastics, as well as retailers dumping unsold inventory in wasteful landfills.
Thankfully, with today’s consumers demanding more ethical treatment of our planet, most reputable sports companies are working hard to reduce the industry’s impact – so future generations can also enjoy the outdoors as we do.
One example is – from the design side of things – how Nike has retooled production of its Free Run Flyknit running shoe to produce 60% less waste in the process. If we’re to make sportswear healthy for the planet as well as individuals, we’re going to need a lot more of this.
