When it comes to deciding what to wear for a workout, many of us make the mistake of focusing too much on style and fashion. But what many of us fail to realise is that our choice of clothing can drastically impact our results. In fact, when it comes to gymwear, it’s important to consider the three Ps: performance, protection, and prevention of injuries. In this article, we will highlight each area and discuss how gymwear plays a role in each.
Performance
If you’re just starting out at the gym, or you are trying your hand at a new sport to simply keep fit or lose weight, the clothes you wear may not be a priority. But once you reach a certain level of fitness, you may start looking for areas that will provide you with incremental gains. If you’re competing, these areas may be the difference between getting the upper hand over your competition or not.
Clothing is one such area, and while the difference it makes might only be small, it could make all the difference. Many high-level athletes or experienced gym goers will look for activity-specific gymwear, and this can help to maximise your performance. In recent years, gymwear specifically designed for weightlifting and strength training has become increasingly popular.
Often, these garments are oversized, providing more freedom than regular gym clothes. For more intense activities, such as cardio or hybrid training, clothes tend to focus on absorbing moisture to keep you comfortable.
Protection
Unless you’re a fan of extreme sports, exercise isn’t generally considered a dangerous activity. But that doesn’t mean that gymwear can’t protect us when working out. We’ll come on to the ways in which clothing can prevent injuries, but there are a number of other areas that we must also consider.
If you’re training in extremely hot temperatures, you may want to consider how clothing can be worn to protect you from the sun. This is particularly important if you are training outdoors for long periods, as is the case for marathon runners, triathletes, and so on. Items that cover the skin, yet still offer breathability, are good for this. Caps and visors specifically designed for runners have also been designed for this issue.
Your choice of clothing can also impact issues such as blood circulation and temperature regulation.
Injury Prevention
One of the most important ways that gymwear protects us is by preventing injuries. Once you’ve put together a wardrobe specifically designed for your preferred type of fitness, you should then consider how clothing can assist with keeping injuries at bay. Again, this will depend on the type of fitness you usually enjoy.
Those who enjoy heavy lifting may want to wear lifting gloves to prevent injuries to the hands, while belts and knee sleeves are also popular to protect Olympic lifters from injury. If your workout schedule involves running, footwear becomes one of the most important considerations. Different trainers are designed for different distances, so make sure you have the right footwear for your preferred distance. Spongy, shock-absorbing trainers can prevent knee injuries, which are common for long-distance runners.
For strength-based training, footwear with sturdy soles is best as they allow you to push off the ground when performing exercises such as squats and deadlifts, but also provide ankle support in the process.
Final Thoughts
Working out isn’t a fashion show, and it’s important to consider clothes that help you hit peak performance, workout safely and avoid injuries. Having said that, there’s also a place for confidence when it comes to training, and the clothes you wear will play a critical role in the way you feel, which could in turn translate into better performance that comes from higher levels of confidence. Fortunately, there are brands that offer the best of both worlds. For instance, A-Game offers premium activewear that is performance-focused while still looking great.
