Today, when you enter a gym or a Pilates class, you see many women decked in bold-hued, sleek workout clothes that make them look incredible. However, contrary to popular belief, workout clothes for women aren’t just designed to make you feel awesome. They have some features and functional aspects that set them apart from regular clothing.
But are workout clothes really that different, and is it worth buying them when you can work out in your most comfortable regular clothes?
Fabric type
90% Polyester, 10% Spandex
Care instructions
Machine Wash
Closure type
Pull On
Neck style
V-Neck
Like many of you, I used to work out in my old and comfortable tights when I first started working out and didn’t know any better. However, soon, I was introduced to gym clothes for women by a dear friend and believe it or not, I have never gone back to my old clothes since then!
The truth is that workout clothes can help enhance the overall experience of working out. While it’s true that you don’t need to spend a fortune on workout clothes, it certainly doesn’t hurt to feel your best while working out.
Plus, it’s always nice to have a set of clothing that is dedicated solely to working out. It’s also fun to pair some sleek, fine-quality compression tights with sturdy, bright-colored sports bras while you run on the treadmill or perform strength training reps with your trainer.
Additionally, the right workout clothes can help you get into the mindset of sweating it out at the gym. Workout clothes for women can also make you feel confident in your abilities, which will surely translate into a rewarding workout.
So, without further ado, let’s explore what sets workout clothes apart from ordinary clothing and why it might be a good idea to invest in some workout kits after all!
8 Ways Workout Clothes for Women Are Different Than Ordinary Clothing
Here are some ways in which workout clothes differ from ordinary clothes:
1. They Are Made from Breathable, Wicking Fabrics
The primary difference between regular clothes and workout clothes is the types of materials used to make them. Regular clothes are often made from cotton with a slight percentage of polyester. Meanwhile, workout clothes are often made from highly breathable, wicking fabrics, such as spandex, polyester blends, polypropylene, and wool, specifically for winters. Even though cotton is a breathable material, it does not wick away the sweat, which is why if you wear cotton clothes during your workout, they will start weighing you down and lead to chafing and rashes.
1. They Offer the Right Support
High-quality exercise or workout clothes for women are built to provide you with the support you need to exercise effortlessly. They are created to serve a purpose and to promote functionality while you work hard to achieve your fitness goals.
For instance, if you’re out running, a sports bra makes the whole experience a lot more comfortable as it offers you the support that ordinary clothing cannot. Its sturdy nature also ensures minimal movement, which makes it easier to work out without any discomfort.
Similarly, if you’re cycling, wearing a comfortable pair of cycling shorts with a padded underside can make long routes a lot more comfortable than wearing regular shorts. Compression clothing is another excellent example of the support that premium-quality workout clothes can offer. The finest compression wear can protect your muscle from injuries and inflammation while providing you the support you need during recovery exercises.
2. They Keep You Dry
One of the ickiest aspects of exercising is all the sweat that you have to deal with. Even though sweating it out at the gym is excellent for your body, it can be a bit off-putting to think about your sweat-soaked clothes sticking to your body while you work out.
Ordinary clothes made of materials such as cotton can get wet with sweat and stay wet for the duration of your workout. Since these clothes retain the sweat, they can make the wearer feel both hot and cold simultaneously. It’s because a wet shirt might make it harder for you to cool down mid-push while it will also become clammy quite quickly.
On the other hand, if you wear specially-designed workout clothes, you will not have to deal with these issues. These clothes are designed with fabrics and synthetic materials that can keep you dry when things start heating up mid-rep.
Workout clothes are often quick-drying and designed to help evaporate the moisture on your skin more quickly, which means that you can bid adieu to the figure-hugging, sweaty clothes that can hinder your exercise routine. Since your clothes will be dry, they will move better with your body. Plus, they will make you feel more comfortable, fresher, and less self-conscious.
1. They Are Designed Keeping your Comfort in Mind
Many workout clothes are designed while keeping the comfort of the wearer in mind. Comfort matters a lot when you’re working out because it can make an otherwise grueling workout session a lot more bearable and even enjoyable.
It’s why specific workout clothes have small features that make exercising a whole lot easier and comfortable. For instance, a cycling kit often comes with numerous handy pockets for tools. A pair of running shorts come with built-in pockets for accessories such as an iPod.
Additionally, many workout clothes for women are manufactured without seams, unlike ordinary clothes. Why is that? Well, ordinary clothes that come with itchy seams can irritate the skin when you’re sweating profusely and performing exercises that create a lot of friction. The chafing that you experience after exercising in regular clothes can be quite painful to deal with. Depending on how bad it is, it can come in the way of your regular workout sessions as well.
It’s why numerous workout clothes, such as short bras, tees, leggings, and shorts, are seamless. Wearing these clothes helps you feel a lot more comfortable as they alleviate chafing and irritation. They also ensure that you don’t have to compromise on the intensity of your workout as they offer optimal comfort to the wearer, which helps you push yourself to the brink without feeling any skin irritation.
2. They Help Boost Your Performance
A major difference between workout clothes and regular clothing is the change in perspective that the former offers. When you throw on that graphic, perfectly-snug yet not-too-tight tee and cut-out, quick-drying leggings, you might experience a phenomenon that the experts call “enclosed cognition.”
It refers to a mental shift you experience when you wear certain clothes. A study suggests that clothing can influence the behavior and attitude of the wearer as it carries symbolic meaning. It means that wearing workout clothes can boost your performance at the gym by putting you in the right frame of mind needed for a motivation-driven workout session.
Think of it this way; when you put on your favorite workout clothes, you begin to get into character, such as an actor that puts on a costume for their performance. This preparation helps you get access to the mindset needed to perform better as it allows you to go in mentally prepared for the task at hand.
1. They Boost Your Confidence and Motivate You
Workout clothes are designed to stand out from regular clothing. Their unique design helps you feel more confident in your ability to ace your challenging workout session. According to a survey of 2,000 daily gym-goers, nine out of ten individuals feel motivated to work out when they put on their workout clothes. Moreover, according to 79% of the survey respondents, owning “good” gym clothes is an essential step on their journey to reach their fitness targets.
Gym clothes for women are designed to make them feel good and more confident. When you feel confident, it motivates you to get out of your house and take your fitness regimen seriously. The confidence and motivation you get from wearing your workout clothes translate into your performance at the gym. In fact, nine out of ten survey respondents also believed that workout clothes or performance-based wear help them push themselves harder.
Your confidence in your abilities helps boost your focus as well. It makes it a lot easier to get your sweat on than wearing regular clothes. After all, when you look good, you feel good, which motivates you to push yourself a little more than you usually would. Plus, when you love wearing your exercise clothes because of how they make you feel good, it ultimately encourages you to wear them more, which means you feel inclined to exercise more often.
2. They Are Tighter Than Regular Clothes
Workout clothes often have a tighter fit than regular clothes. They are designed this way to ensure that your shorts or shirts don’t ride up when you work out. After all, you will lose your focus if you have to keep readjusting your clothes after every rep. Your performance will certainly get affected if you are distracted by your tee that keeps bunching up at the back.
What’s more is that loose clothing will also restrict your movement and come in your way if you stretch. Plus, they are also a huge safety hazard as they can get caught in a machine. With that said, some types of exercises, such as deep stretching and
This is where workout clothes are ideal. They offer a tighter fit than ordinary clothing, but they aren’t so tight that they will restrict your blood flow or hinder your workout in any way. Plus, the perfect fit for workout clothes ensures that your trainer can see you utilizing the right muscles. It also means that they can correct your posture if you are performing an exercise incorrectly, which will save you from potential injuries.
1. They Are Durable
Another factor that differentiates workout clothes from ordinary clothes is their durability. Workout clothes for women are made with highly durable materials that can withstand regular and rough use. Ordinary clothes cannot withstand the stress that motions such as lunging, lifting, running, pedaling, and jumping entail. You will need to replace them sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, workout clothes aren’t just durable, but they also feature strong stitches to ensure that they don’t tear easily while you stretch your body in the gym. Moreover, their material is quite flexible as well, which promotes wearability and longevity.
The Bottom Line
Workout clothes for women are typically designed while keeping functionality and comfort in mind. It also helps that these clothes can boost your confidence and enable you to access the mind frame needed to ace your workout regimen.
The key to buying the ideal workout clothes is to find a wicking, durable, and breathable fabric. Instead of going for expensive, branded clothes, buy workout clothes that look good on you, feel comfortable to wear, and last for a long time.
Additionally, make sure that you buy the clothes that suit your specific needs. For instance, if you are planning on running and your thighs tend to rub together, make sure that you invest in shorts that are longer than mid-thigh length to prevent chafing. Similarly, if you get rashes in your armpits, make sure to invest in wicking and breathable tees instead of going for cotton tank tops. At the end of the day, you should always choose workout clothes that feel right to you.
Good luck!
