What to wear to the sport gym
What to wear to the sport gym ?When it comes to working out, motivation plays a big part in your success. But what you wear also matters. Baggy sweats and cotton T-shirts may be comfy, but they can also wreak havoc on your body. The right workout clothes, on the other hand, wick away sweat, display movements clearly, and protect sensitive skin. Consider yourself an exercise veteran? Don’t assume you’re immune. Gym rats and newbies alike are at risk of falling victim to these athletic-apparel offenders. So before you lace up your favorite sneakers or pull on your go-to sports bra, learn what you should NEVER wear to the gym:
100 Percent Cotton Clothing
Steer clear of workout wear made with 100 percent cotton fabric. This fiber may seem like a cool and comfortable option, but because cotton absorbs moisture and is slow to dry, your sweat will literally stick with you. Aside from weighing you down, damp cotton duds can cause chills and skin irritation or body breakouts, and increase friction in chafe-prone areas.
Fix It: Trade cotton wear for quick-drying synthetics or lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics, which are specifically designed to draw droplets away from the skin for optimal evaporation.
Tip: No matter what kind of fabric you sweat in, retire the item if it starts to take on an odor of its own. “There’s a lifetime on fabrics when you’re soaking them with sweat on a regular basis,” says personal trainer Joey Gonzales, COO of Barry’s Bootcamp in New York City.
Worn-Out Footwear
If you don’t ditch your kicks until the soles come unglued or a hole appears in the toe, you’re doing your feet a disservice. Deteriorated soles and arch supports can keep you from establishing a solid base when standing on a slick studio floor and may even damage joints. Brett Donelson, a certified personal trainer, USA Cycling coach, and USA triathlon coach in Vail, Colorado, says good athletic shoes promote correct alignment during exercise. “Generally, you want your knees to be tracking over your toes, whether you’re doing a set of squats or cycling,” he says. “If your shoes are not giving you the support you need, your knees won’t track over your feet, and that will lead to knee and foot pain.”
Fix It: Replace your tennis shoes about every 500 miles, suggests Melissa Paris, a New York City-based personal trainer and a LululemonAthletica ambassador. “If you run two days a week, a new pair once a year is OK,” says Paris. “If you run six to seven days a week, you should replace them closer to every three months.”
Tip: If you’re picking out a new pair of sneakers, Gonzales and Donelson recommend seeking professional analysis of your strides, so your shoes can correct for your foot’s natural tendency to roll inward or outward. Choosing function over fashion is key for a safe, effective sweat session. “Everyone’s obsessed with wearing good-looking shoes, but shoes are a prescription, and they should be seen as such,” says Gonzales.
