Do you know the difference between pros and average gym-goers? Pros know how important every percent is. They always look for ways to improve their performance, they always aim at being more efficient and getting the most out of every exercise. Many will say that what you wear during the workout doesn’t matter that much. Activewear or just your varsity T-shirt? No big of a deal, right? Well, that’s not so true. Let’s see why.
Performance issue
Wearing your old plain white T-shirt during your workouts is fine. You won’t have any problems exercising in it, it’s just your common T-shirt. However, there are certain clothing garments that are specially designed for working out. Activewear garments are specially designed to boost your performance and it has been proved that they work. First of all, the materials used to create these types of clothes are sophisticated. Companies aim at lean materials that will let your skin breather while you sweat it out. Also, the sweat won’t stick to your body. This will help you exercise longer. Last but not least, your blood flow gets improved due to the pressure applied to muscles. Better blood flow means more energy for your muscles.
Psychological side of things
In order to have a good workout, you have to be in a good mood. You have to be motivated to do every exercise properly and sometimes go even further for better results. This cannot happen if you aren’t confident. There are studies in the field of cognition and they have shown the positive impact of wearing the right clothes for your workplace. This is called ‘enclothed cognition’ and this also exists in the world of sports and fitness. Look at it this way – if you know that you look great, chances are that you’ll act it out too. That’s the difference between quality men’s gym clothes (or women’s) and the usual stuff. If you are satisfied with what you wear, if it feels nice and if you look great, there is a great chance that you’ll want to exercise harder.
Freedom of movement
This should go without saying but let’s underline that again – when you work out you freedom of movement is of the utmost importance. Not a single part of your body should be constricted. That’s why you need to know that well-fitted athletic clothing actually helps you move better. Sometimes we all go for products that are cheap. And the chances are that those products don’t fit well but we turn a blind eye to that fact and hope that it’ll get better after some time. That’s never the case. So, by opting for activewear, you can rest assured that your freedom of movement won’t be obstructed. People who design activewear pay special attention to this factor. It will never feel too tight or too loose.
Recovery time
Activewear helps by compressing your body. As it is mentioned above, your blood will circulate better. This also helps with muscle recovery after a workout. The increased blood flow removes the lactic acid produced during exercise. Ultimately, recovery is boosted as a consequence and muscles are less sore and stiff. This kind of pressure applied to muscles reduces soreness and inflammation. And that’s what will help you get back to working out faster.
Technique & protection
Wearing clothes that don’t fit you well can cause injuries. Even a well fitted compression sock can help you avoid getting your ankle injured. It all comes down to the pressure that activewear provides. For example, wearing a long sleeved top and pants can help protect you from nasty twists and turns that could be harmful. On top of that, there is a small chance that you’ll mess up the exercise technique because the pressure these garments provide kind of set you in the right direction. Especially if you are a lifter. Mastering and maintaining the technique makes all the difference when it comes to lifting.
As you can see, investing in the right activewear is something worth considering. It is a smart investment because you are investing in yourself.