Clothing is an important part of many people’s lives. When it comes to workouts, people wear specific clothes depending on their activity. The main question surrounding clothing is if clothing choices really affect the quality of a workout, and the answer is yes.
For one, the right clothing can help prevent gym related injuries. Much of the clothing designed for workouts uses compression.Chin-Chin Yeh , vascular surgeon at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, explained that compression “assists with circulation by gently compressing the blood vessels on the legs.” This causes more blood flow; helps keep the heart pumping; sends more oxygen to muscles, which reduces fatigue; and allows for less chance of pulling a muscle or losing form, leading to less back injuries. Low oxygen in the muscles can also lead to lactic acid, which is “a chemical the body produces when the human cells break down carbohydrates for energy,” to build up. This build up can be dangerous because it can lead to abnormal blood PH and could possibly be fatal.
Most work out clothes are also breathable and sweat-wicking to avoid overheating by allowing the body to sweat comfortably and cool itself down safely. In other clothes, sometimes the sweat cannot be released safely and cause overheating or make people feel sticky and uncomfortable throughout the workout. Moisture-wicking clothing quickly removes the sweat from the skin and the quick-drying fibers prevent moisture from staying inside the clothing and on the body.
Common mistakes with workout clothing are wearing cotton clothing, clothing that does not fit well, jewelry and unsupportive shoes. Cotton absorbs sweat and does not dry quickly, which could lead to stinky odors. Having clothing too small can limit a person’s range of motion, while clothing that is too large will worsen sweating and the chances of overheating. Jewelry can get stuck on equipment or machines and lead to injury. It is important to make sure shoes properly secure the feet and cushion for the joints.
Workout gear is available for every type of workout and every type of body. It is important that people who workout are aware of the clothing they need in order to get the best results while staying safe.