Every day we see ads passing by on our social channels highlighting shiny, colorful fitness clothing. And most of us are tempted to click through and take advantage of that 20% offer. But are we really getting the best deal for our money? In today’s Fit Talk our fit expert Julie explains the importance of the right outfit and how to look for it. 

I got 99 problems, but bad sportswear isn’t one

What do we actually need to pay attention to when we buy new sportswear depends on the type of sport you want to practice, you’re not going to stand on a snowboard in a tennis outfit. So let me give a few insights because in this article I will talk about fitness clothing.

What about special features?

If you do more outdoor cardio exercises such as running or cycling, you should definitely look for fitness clothes that are heat retaining but also sweat absorbing and ventilating. Nothing is more uncomfortable than feeling the sweat running down your back after your first 2km. Especially when it’s cold outside, you’re also more likely to get cold even though you’re sweating. So good clothing can avoid a cold and an uncomfortable workout. If you like to run in tough weather, choose a slightly thicker pair of sports leggings but one that breathes. 

For women, the support of a sports bra is also very important. As soon as you start doing more cardio, jogging or jumping, it’s best to choose a sports bra that offers the greatest form of support. If you do more meditation, then this is of minor importance and the lightest form of support may already be sufficient. If you do strength training or yoga, then go for average support. 

What about the size and fit?

Freedom of movement is also very important, so it is crucial to get the right size. Not too big and not too small and tight. Fitness clothes should feel like a second skin that moves with you. For yoga, the clothing can be a bit looser and with a flowy vibe. But if you’re going to run, you don’t want to have to pull up your pants every 10 steps, so it’s better to choose a legging or shorts. The same goes for strength training sessions where you have to perform squats, for example, high waist leggings are useful because you don’t have to worry about underwear peeking out. Also make sure that the fabric is not see-through and do a squat in the fitting room to avoid surprises later. 

If you’re doing an upper body set and you’re mainly training your arms, shoulders and core. Then go for a shirt without sleeves. If you are not comfortable enough with showing those abs, make sure your shirt is long enough so you are not constantly pulling and fidgeting at the bottom hem. The focus should be on your exercise and not on how your clothing sits or crawls while performing it. 

What about the type of fabric?

Cotton absorbs well and is ideal for yoga and Pilates. For a slightly more intensive workout this is less suitable because you will suffer from sweaty patches more quickly. In that case you better choose polyester. 

I would generally recommend choosing an outfit in which you feel comfortable and good, try them on beforehand and try out the movements you will mainly be doing in this outfit. This also encourages you to train, because something you feel good in, you will quickly take out of the closet. Be sure to add a colorful piece to your wardrobe, always wearing the same gray or black pants and top can get boring after a while. Make it pop so you don’t stop! 

So now you know what to look for, tell me how many items and brands did pop up in your mind while reading this? And how many of those did not make the list of proper sportswear? Need more Fit Talk, come back next week. Julie has more exciting news to share with you.