Your athletic wear can sabotage
your performance.
"You are what you wear" may sound like an extremely
superficial comment—but is it? Clothing has been shown to have meaning and can
affect your mood and overall performance in studies. When it comes to working
out, it's important to get into the right frame of mind by wearing the right
performance gear and knowing what not to wear. Because the garments are
designed specifically for your type of workout, you will not only feel more
comfortable in clothing that breathes and absorbs moisture, but you will also notice
a significant mental boost.
You'll become a better cyclist, runner, yogi, lifter, or general
exercise enthusiast by channeling your inner cyclist, runner, yogi, or lifter.
Doctors, after all, wear scrubs while performing procedures and painters wear
specially made pants and caps for their job. Wearing the ideal clothes for your
sport to create all the great feelings—physically and mentally—makes perfect
sense. Let's get into what to wear and what not to wear for workouts.
Not wearing proper workout apparel can potentially lead to
overheating and injuries.
"Your attire can effect your workout by influencing how well
you move and the core temperature of your body," according to Tim Liu,
CSCS, Precision Nutrition Certified Coach.
In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Nick Harris, a top human
performance expert and the founder of HPE Active wear, says, "When you're
a regular exerciser, it's important to dress appropriately. Many injuries are
caused by a lack of appropriate gear, which includes clothes. Whatever activity
you're doing, make sure you're appropriately dressed for it, looking for
something that will protect you from impact, strain, and overheating."
Moisture-wicking fabric is key to look for in workout attire, and
there are certain fabrics you should avoid
To protect you, athletic wear is made of specific fabrics.
Moisture-wicking fabric, for example, keeps the sweat from your skin and off of
your clothing, removing the moisture to the outside surface of your garment.
The moisture-wicking process will not only keep your garments dry but also your
skin dry. Sports tops, bottoms, and even socks are made from this fabric.
Moisture-wicking fabric, according to Liu, is quite important.
According to him, "Fabrics that are moisture-wicking and breathable are
excellent for exercising in. Choose active wear that is well-fitting,
comfortable, and able to move easily."
Polyester, merino wool (which is lighter than other wools), nylon,
or polypropylene, according to Nike, are the best moisture-wicking materials to
look for in exercise shirts. However, certain t-shirt fabrics, such as linen,
silk, and cotton, should be avoided at all costs if you want to keep your body
dry and cool when exercising. Instead of wicking moisture away from the body,
these fabrics absorb it.
And as far as shoes are concerned, Liu notes, "When choosing
shoes for running, pick ones that give you a bit of support, but not too much
cushion, so you can get good ground contact. I propose a shoe with a flat sole
or a slightly lifted heel for strength training. Lower-body exercises such as
squats and lunges will be more stable as a result of this."
Science says there's a mental aspect of wearing just the right
clothing to match your activity.
There's a mental aspect of wearing the right clothing to match
your activity. The impact of what we wear on us was examined in a study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. Our clothing
affects our psychological progressions, known as "enclothed
cognition."
Researchers considered what certain clothing symbolizes and how individuals physically feel when wearing them. The test involved an individual wearing a lab coat, which traditionally represents caution and careful attention. The subject tested received much attention from others, and the responsiveness was kept for an extended period. Wearing a lab coat attracted more attention than not wearing one at all or wearing something completely different. As a result, the research backs up a general principle of "enclothed cognition," noting, "The influence of clothes thus depends on wearing them and their symbolic meaning."