Whether you are training for another season of your favorite sport or you are just starting to figure out your fitness goals, you need the right fitness clothing to wear. Wading through the wide variety of options may be overwhelming, but this fitness clothing buying guide is here to help. You'll know which workout clothes to look for, so buying activewear will be the easiest part of your workout.
Before you start considering your options, take a moment to think about the type of exercise you'll be doing. For example, if you've joined a gym or you're taking an aerobics class, then you'll need workout clothes that are comfortable when you're indoors. If you prefer doing yoga over running on a treadmill, then you'll need to look for clothes that let you stretch on the floor. Once you have an idea about the exercise you'll be doing, you can start shopping for the right workout clothes.
The base layer is important when you're exercising because it fits against your body. The main pieces for the men's base layer are compression shorts and compression shirts, while sports bras are essential to the women's base layer. If you're exercising outdoors in cold weather, your base layer may also include thermal underwear.
Because the tight fit of compression shorts offers many benefits, many people choose to wear them as part of their base layer. Compression shorts can:
Separate muscle groups: Separating the groin muscles and the thigh muscles prevents them from rubbing together. When these muscles rub, it can cause pain in the lower back and in the sciatic nerves, which run along the outer thighs.
Prevent chaffing: Sweaty thighs can lead to chafed legs. The layer of compression shorts prevents that, and some compression shorts also wick away moisture, which helps even more.
Replace a jock strap: If you're shopping for men's fitness clothing, you may want to replace a jock strap with compression shorts. Compression shorts offer support enough to replace a jock strap while exercising, but they don't replace a cup for rougher sports. Look for compression shorts with a cup pouch if you need to wear one.
Compression shirts are meant for more intense workouts. For example, you don't need one for yoga, but you may want to wear one while mountain biking. Compression shirts are available with a variety of benefits, such as moisture wicking, antibacterial materials, temperature regulation and muscle support.
For women: sports bras
For women's fitness clothing, there is one more important layer: sports bras. Like compression shorts, sports bras provide support and motion control. Sports bras can also protect breast tissue from damage and prevent back injuries. Here's what you need to consider when selecting a sports bra:
Pull-over or hook-closure: Many women prefer pull-over sports bras, and you'll see many of these available. For women with larger breasts, a hook-closure sports bra can be easier to put on and remove.
Compression, underwire or encapsulated styles: Compression sports bras flatten your chest to hold it in place, which works well for women with small breasts. Underwire styles offer a lot of support, but some women find the wires to be uncomfortable when exercising. For women who need the most support, encapsulated sports bras, which hold each breast in a soft cup, are the best choice.
Amount of support: Sports bras usually are rated for the amount of activity for which they are intended. Low-impact sports bras work well for yoga, weight-lifting or rock climbing. Medium-impact sports bras are perfect for aerobics, biking or cross-country skiing. High-impact sports bras are necessary for mountain biking, running or downhill skiing.
Racer back or traditional straps: A racer back sports bra will provide more support for women with larger breasts, but if you prefer traditional straps, sports bras are available in that style as well.
Your exercise pants need to be more than just comfortable; you need to have a full range of movement without extra fabric that could get in the way. Men's exercise pants are often loose for comfort, warm enough for outdoor runs and stretchy enough to allow for any type of exercise. If you'll be layering exercise pants over shorts, you may also want pants that zip or snap at the ankles, so you can take them off mid-workout without removing your shoes.
Women's exercise pants are similar to men's, but they are often a bit more fitted for style. Or in the case of yoga pants, a slim fit can help you check your form in the mirror while exercising. Yoga pants can be worn for all types of exercise. Women also have the option of Capri-length exercise pants, which offer the same comfort, coverage and flexibility as exercise pants while letting you stay a bit cooler than full-length pants.
Both men's exercise shorts and women's exercise shorts are excellent for warm weather workouts or indoor workouts. When shopping for exercise shorts, the bagginess and the length that you choose should be determined by the workouts you'll do in them. For example, running shorts are short and loose, but biking shorts need to be a little longer and more fitted. Short exercise shorts can be layered with compression shorts for comfort or modesty, if you want.
Some women like doing yoga in yoga skirts, especially devoted skirt-wearers. Yoga skirts are designed to allow for full movement, but some women find that any extra fabric may get in the way. If you're a beginning yoga practitioner, you may want to develop your skills before you try yoga skirts.
Many options are available in both women's fitness shirts and men's fitness shirts:
Tee shirts: Tee shirts are the old stand-by; everyone works out in a tee shirt at one time or another. A comfortable tee shirt that breathes well, allows for movement and doesn't get in your way can be an excellent, affordable workout shirt.
Fitness shirts: With all of the technology available in workout shirts these days, you may want something more advanced than a tee shirt, like anti-bacterial shirts, shirts that wick away moisture or shirts that regulate your temperature. These athletic shirts may cost more than a regular tee shirt, but if you are really into working out, you'll appreciate these advances.
Tank tops: Sports tank tops are a great choice if you get hot while you work out or if you want to see your muscles in the mirror while weight training. Look for tank tops that are made of breathable, flexible fabric and that have the amount of coverage that will keep you comfortable.
One more layer: Exercising outdoors is great for people who don't want to be trapped inside a gym -- until the temperatures drop. If you'll be exercising outside, make sure you have cold weather athletic clothing. Sweatshirts and hoodies let you keep up with your fitness goals, no matter how cold it gets. You also have the option of wearing heavier jackets or lightweight vests, depending on how much warmth you need.
How much fitness clothing should I have?
It's different for everyone, but it's easy to figure out how much fitness clothing you'll need. If you're doing it right, you should be sweating quite a bit when you're exercising, so you'll probably want to wear your workout clothes only once before you wash them. You'll want to exercise three to five times a week, so you'll need workout clothes for each day. Figure out how often you do laundry, and that should tell you how much you need to buy. For example, if you do laundry every two weeks and you work out four days a week, you'll need eight outfits of fitness clothing.
Does it matter what underwear I wear when I'm working out?
Men and women both need to wear the appropriate underwear when exercising, for comfort and for health. Save the silk boxers and the lace thong for another time; when you're working out, you want comfortable underwear. Cotton breathes well and has the right amount of stretch to keep you comfortable, and fabrics like spandex will move with you and may be treated to be antibacterial. (If you are going to wear compression shorts, you don't need to wear underwear, or you could layer them over your underwear.)
Is it possible to have workout clothes that are flattering?
When you have workout clothes that fit you well, you'll look good and feel comfortable and confident in them. You may have given yourself some steep fitness goals, but you'll still want to buy workout clothes for the body you have right now. Make sure to check the Overstock.com Men's Measurement Guide or the Women's Measuring Guide to figure out your size.
Motivate yourself
Sometimes all it takes to get motivated to exercise is some new workout clothes and athletic shoes. When you have the right clothes and you know you'll feel good in them, you can look forward to exercising. As you reach fitness goals, reward yourself with new exercise clothes. You'll find men's and women's fitness clothing when you're online shopping on Overstock.com, so there's sure to be the right workout clothes for you.
Workout clothes when you're not working out
Sometimes, workout clothes are so comfortable that you'll want to wear them for casual wear. With the low prices on workout clothes here on Overstock.com, you may as well! When you can buy comfortable hoodies and stretchy exercise pants at prices below retail, you can wear workout clothes when you're relaxing -- without worrying about how much you've spent.
All kinds of fitness
If you're looking for more than just workout clothes, you'll want to check out the men's sport clothing and women's sport clothing you can wear for the other sports you do. You'll find the sport clothing you want when you're on Overstock.com. Fill your shopping cart with sport clothing and save even more with our low, flat shipping rate. It's no wonder Overstock.com is the online outlet for clothing.
