Whether you’re hanging out or working out in the gym, When it comes to style or fashion, each of us has our own preferences. The choices we make with regard to what we wear are usually dictated by the level of our confidence and the shape of our bodies. For example, slimmer and more toned people may prefer to wear tighter-fitting clothing like crop tops and leggings. That being said, warmer weather can make us want more loose-fitted clothing or even skimpier items. Winter and Autumn months can also make clothing that is oversized seem much more appealing. So the question is, does this attitude apply when it comes to the gym? Does your choice of workout gear change with the seasons or perhaps the shape of your body? Or is the answer much more simple and delivers a clear one size fits all scenario?
Comfort is critical when you choose what to wear, whether that be taken literally by the fitting of the garments or how they make you feel. When you are making the decision of what to wear for the gym, there are tons of factors that each lead to the end choice, such as the material properties – sweat-wicking, breathability, flexibility and compression are all things you may consider. Quality or material, design and construction are also things that will ultimately help decide in terms of a good, comfortable fit where you can be confident that the items won’t go see-through and that they will stay in place and offer support where needed.
It may also be argued that clothes with a looser fitting could prove more comfortable and breathable to you and that tighter-fitting clothing is more supportive. Could there be a way to bring together all of the positive aspects in one gym wear style?
Tight-fit clothes can indeed possess all of the sweat-wicking materials of looser-fitting items, keeping you cool and preventing chaffing whilst you work out. Clothing that is tighter fitting also brings compression qualities, which aids in increasing your circulation, proving a better option for working out in the gym. Additionally, it reduces the risk of catching your clothing on the equipment in the gym and causing damage to your clothing or injury to you – plus this can quite often give you a leaner look too. Baggier clothes can cause a trip hazard. It could also make it more difficult for your personal trainer to see your body movements.
With all that said, tighter-fitting gym wear doesn’t necessarily mean that your clothes should be overly tight. You still need to be able to move around freely and not cut into you. Your stomach, waist and hips all need to feel comfortable, so you can fully focus on the workout. It should feel more like a second skin on you, certainly not like suffocation. To make sure your gym clothing isn’t overly tight, you should have a full range of motion when stretching and moving – a snug feeling without limitations.
If you are forced to choose, tight-fitted clothing may well be the preferred option for gym wear, compression clothing brings a lot of benefits to your joints and muscles. However, make sure it fits right and is not too tight. Muscle injury and fatigue can be reduced by wearing these in the gym wear. Although, a loose top worn over fitted gym leggings and sports bra, making you feel more comfortable, is an excellent choice. Just be mindful that your top isn’t too baggy and getting in your way.
