Good morning everyone! Welcome to a brand new week. I always find myself whining about Mondays, but then I realized that if I complain about every Monday, I am not enjoying 52 days out of every year. That really adds up! So let's be positive this Monday : ) On that note, I will try to give you a reason to be positive with this post. We are going to talk about exercise friendly fabrics, and why they matter (read: an excuse to go shopping). If you've been wearing the same cotton tee shirt and shorts since Richard Simmons was cool, it is time to reconsider. Here are some important points to consider when updating your workout wardrobe
- Cotton is almost always a bad idea. Cotton garments (while very comfy, and a staple in my everyday wardrobe) are not a good choice for workout gear because they hold sweat against the skin. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can put you at a higher risk for rashes and infections. So skip the cotton when you exercise, and save it for family movie night.
- Moisture-wicking, synthetic fabrics, are your friend. This goes right along with cotton being our enemy. Moisture-wicking fabrics are treated to pull sweat away from the skin and allow it to evaporate. This adds up to keep you cool, comfortable, and not weighed down by damp clothing.
- Sport Specific is the way to go. There is a reason sports outfitters sell clothing based on activity (it is not just a marketing gimmick!) Different activities require different movements, which makes it important to wear clothing appropriate for accommodating these differences. For example, you will definitely want padded cycling shorts for a long bike ride, but you probably don't want to wear those same padded shorts to hot yoga. I realize this is an extreme example but the same holds true among other options as well. If you're not sure what to wear for your sport, try to find a store that specializes in it.
- Temperature Specific to keep you cool. Many companies carry specific lines for cool and warm weather. Obviously as we head into the summer, we are looking for the former. These garments will be lightweight and breathable to accommodate the dog days of summer.
- Don't forget the undergarments. All of the above considerations remain true for our undergarments. If you spend all your time picking out nice shorts and shirts, and forget about the base layer, you are basically wasting your time. The undergarments are what are closest to the skin during exercise and therefore the most important!
As you can see, there is a lot to consider when putting to together your exercise wardrobe. If your current wardrobe isn't up to par, I am officially giving you permission to go shopping : )
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