If you’re a gym rat, then you know how important it is to wear gym clothes while working out. However, if you are just starting out at the gym, or if you have been exercising for a little bit for the last period of time, then you still might be going to the gym wearing your old t-shirts, shorts, and a pair of old, almost torn apart sneakers as they are comfortable and old so you can tear them completely apart at the gym. Well, this is the first mistake you can make – gym clothing matters a lot and it is important for many different reasons. You think gym clothes are expensive? Take a look at some of the reasons why it’s good to invest in them and why this will eventually pay off:
It boosts your confidence
One of the most important reasons for all the fashionistas out there who still want to have an amazing body is the fact that the right gym clothes can definitely boost your confidence. Not only does this type of clothing look good on you, but it can also enhance your performance, something that we will mention a bit later. But simply try it at home – go and buy yourself a new gym t-shirt, stand in front of the mirror and watch how much confidence that gives you. Now imagine having that confidence with you at the gym – your workout will be amazing, and definitely very effective.
It’s fashionable
Apart from giving you that boost of confidence and motivation that you might need, wearing gym clothes is actually quite fashionable. Thanks to the rise in the popularity of athleisure, you can see hundreds of people outside of the gym wearing gym clothes. Why is that good for working out? Well, basically because it might save you time when you want to walk in the streets and then hit the gym. Simply use a sporty item such as one of the very fashionable puffer jackets as an accessory or a top layer and you’re free to go to a party after a good workout. Also, it might save you money in the long run as you won’t need to have special clothes for partying and for the gym!
It improves your performance
It’s not a secret that certain clothes can affect your performance and make it better. Gym clothes are made out of breathable materials, which makes your workout much more comfortable than it would otherwise be. Non-breathable materials stop our bodies from releasing heat, which can result in excessive heat and discomfort, thus shortening your workout time. Another great thing is that most workout shirts (basically the high-quality ones) are made out of cotton, which means that they will absorb the moisture and use it to control your body temperature. This moisture-wicking technology is very important nowadays, and we should all use the perks of it if we can as it can practically make our workouts much more effective and ourselves much happier while (and after) working out.
It can prevent injuries
It’s not for nothing that they say that wearing the wrong gym wear can cause injuries. This is one of the most common causes of sports injuries, and not only can it interfere with your workout routine, but it can have serious consequences as well. Your shoes, for example are extremely important for anything that involves running or walking. Wearing uncomfortable shoes can cause blisters and other injuries, especially if the sole is not good enough or if they are too big or too small. As far as the other clothing items are concerned, they are very slim and they fit your body perfectly. By doing so, they keep your body parts together, and thus make it easier for your muscles to move in the best possible way. Last but not least, it keeps the touchy body parts (such as testicles for men and breasts for women) in “locked” position so they don’t move around and cause any pain.
It gives freedom of movement
Many people make a mistake of buying cheap clothing, even though this more often than not leads to them not fitting correctly which can have serious consequences. This is definitely not something that you need if you want to enhance your athletic performance. Proper gym clothes will give you that freedom of movement that you need, so not even one movement is limited or impossible. This is crucial when it comes to exercising, as only by doing so can you get to know your strengths and your limits. This is also very important for the warm-up and stretching after you have completed your workout.
This is why next time you go to get yourself something new to wear for the gym, make sure to buy something of high quality. It might cost a bit more, but it’s definitely worth it and will pay off in the end.