If you work out a lot, you know how much of a difference good exercise clothes make. The problem is specialized workout clothes can be so expensive. So what qualities do you really need in fitness clothes? Is all the fancy stuff really necessary? This men's fitness clothing buying guide will help you know.
While you could wear a pair of old jeans and a flannel shirt while exercising, you'll probably collapse, heaving in a pool of sweat, before your heart rate has accelerated even 10 extra beats per minute. Workout clothes are designed to help you stay cool and dry, so you can get enough quality exercise to make a difference. Special designs and fabrics are what make them exercise clothes and help you reach your goals.
Compression shorts and shirts are tight (hence the "compression") spandex shorts usually worn as a base layer under outer exercise clothes. Compression workout clothes do a couple of things. They provide support, first of all. They also keep muscles warm, so you don't get cramps and strains. Furthermore, compression fitness clothes help prevent chaffing by providing a slick layer between the inner thighs and underarms. Not everyone needs to wear compression shorts while working out. It just depends on your personal taste. If you're unsure, go ahead and get a pair -- it never hurts to have something like that around.
Exercise pants, or jogging pants, come in a variety of styles these days. For lounging around the house, classic cotton jogging pants are probably just fine. As exercise clothes, however, they're usually not the best choice anymore. You'll probably want jogging pants made from a polyester blend. A little stretch is good for allowing you a full range of movement. Also, zip-up or snap ankles can be handy if you want to remove the pants without too much hassle at any time during the workout.
Fitness shirts aren't just your regular cotton tee shirts. They are more akin to the specialized jerseys professional athletes and sports teams wear. Made of polyester or some other synthetic fiber or blend, workout shirts are designed to help you regulate body temperature. Many workout shirts have sections of more porous, jersey-like weaves to keep the air moving in sweaty places like the underarms.
Men's sweatshirts and hoodies are good for staying warm before and after a workout. If you're running outside on a cold day, they might be appropriate for the duration of the workout, too. The best hoodies and sweatshirts for pre- and post-workout out have pockets where you can store car keys, gym passes, etc., while you exercise.
The main thing you should look for in workout clothes is a good fabric that will breathe and fit well. You have the option to choose something natural, like cotton, or something synthetic, like polyester. Both types of materials have their benefits.
While cotton is excellent for most daily activities and works okay in fitness applications, it collects moisture and doesn't breathe as well as some workout clothes made of synthetic materials. This means you may be soaked during a heavy workout. Cotton also tends to shrink. If you don't have a regular, rigorous exercise routine, however, cotton exercise clothes will probably work just fine. It is also much less expensive than most synthetic fabrics.
Polyester is common in workout clothing because it is light weight and breathable. It is crisper than nylon, yet softer, and it resists shrinking and stretching. Polyester is also quick drying. However, it tends to collect static and pills easily.
Nylon is much like polyester, though probably not quite as good when it comes to exercise clothes. It is more affordable, however. Lightweight and strong, nylon is fast drying, partly because it doesn't absorb much moisture in the first place. It is also easy to care for. Like polyester, nylon does have a tendency to collect static and pill, though.
Spandex can stretch to up to 500 percent of its original size then recover its original length. It is also lightweight, which makes it great for workout clothes. A common form of spandex is Lycra, the brand name for spandex produced by DuPont.
Often, blends of two or more fabrics create the best fitness clothes. A polyester/spandex workout shirt, for example, would be breathable and stretchable, and it wouldn't shrink in the dryer.
How can I make sure the exercise clothes I buy online will fit?
Know your size before you buy. Then look at our men's sizing guide for information on measurements. It's there so you can confidently shop for exercise clothes online.
What about shoes?
The type of athletic shoes you should get depends on your exercise program. If you plan on jogging, a good pair of running shoes is in order. For those who will be doing a little bit of everything, from weight lifting to aerobics, cross trainers are what you need. Overstock.com has plenty of men's athletic shoes to choose from. Get them at the same time you purchase your workout clothes and you won't pay extra for shipping.
How should I care for my exercise clothes?
Follow the care instructions on the tag. The fitness clothing descriptions on Ovestock.com list the basic care instructions for each garment, so you can know what's required before you buy. Most workout clothes are machine washable, which is a good thing. They'll need to be cleaned often, so get something that can be washed and dried at home.
Be prepared for changes in the weather
It might be a good idea to get some fitness clothes for cold weather. Even if you don't plan on exercising outside much, you need to stay warm going to and from the gym. Such drastic changes in temperature could affect your overall health. In addition to your shorts and fitness shirts, buy some exercise pants and jackets. These can be removed if you get too warm, but if you don't have them available, you might find yourself less willing to get out of bed and exercise on chilly mornings. You'll find great deals on all the cold-weather workout clothes you need at Overstock.com.
Skip the gym
Even with new exercise clothes, lots of normal people don't like going to the gym. If you're one of those folks, build your own gym. Overstock.com has lots of home gym equipment to choose from, all at discounted prices. In the end, you'll save lots of money by purchasing a quality workout machine, compared to paying monthly or yearly gym fees for the rest of your life. Plus, at home, you won't have to worry about making sure your fitness clothes match.
You can meet your fitness goals! Just remember to take that wallet out when you weigh yourself, because it will stay nice and fat when you buy your exercise clothes from Overstock.com.