Fitness Clothing Buying Guide

For your active lifestyle, you'll need all the right fitness clothing to keep you comfortable while you work out. You'll need certain fitness clothing for the type of exercise you'll be doing. 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. In addition, men and women need different fitness and sport clothing. Whether you're training for another season of your favorite sport or you are just starting to figure out your fitness goals, shopping for men's sport clothing or women's sport clothing, this guide will help you choose which fitness clothing and shoes to look for, so buying activewear will be the easiest part of your workout.

Types of Fitness Clothing:

1. Base layer: The base layer is important when you're exercising because it fits against your body. Your base layer clothing could include moisture-wicking undergarments and supportive apparel. For men, jock straps and compression shorts can make working out more comfortable, while sports bras are essential to the women's base layer. If you're exercising outdoors in cold weather, your fitness apparel may also include thermal underwear.

2. Shorts and pants: Your exercise pants need to be more than just comfortable; you need to have a full range of movement. Men's exercise pants are often loose for comfort, while women's exercise pants are often a bit more fitted for style and form. If you'll be layering exercise pants over shorts, you may also want pants that zip or snap at the ankles, so you can change your fitness clothing mid-workout without removing your shoes. Exercise shorts are always great for warm weather workouts or indoor workouts. Running shorts are short and loose, but biking shorts need to be a little longer and more fitted.

3. Skirts and skorts: Some women enjoy doing certain activities in skirts or skorts, such as yoga or tennis. Exercise skirts and skorts are designed to allow for full movement while giving you comfortable, more stylish fitness clothing options for your daily workout or weekly match at the tennis court.

4. Shirts and tank tops: A comfortable T-shirt that breathes well, allows for movement and doesn't get in your way can be an excellent, affordable fitness shirt. You may want something more advanced for certain workouts, like anti-bacterial shirts, shirts that wick away moisture or shirts that regulate your temperature. 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.

5. Jackets: 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, hoodies and athletic jackets let you keep up with your fitness goals, no matter how cold it gets. A warm jacket can also get you to and from the gym in comfort on a cold day.