When you’re involved in an exercise program, it takes a lot of motivation to stay on track. But, believe it or not, your fitness fashion matters too. Granted, it may seem ideal to exercise in your comfiest clothes; but that could do you more harm than good. Workout apparel should show moves clearly, keep your skin dry and guard sensitive skin. Even if you’ve been exercising for a long time, you, just like a beginner, could wind up selecting the wrong clothing. So don’t lace up your sneakers just yet! Let’s examine the first four of the eight things you shouldn’t wear while exercising.
Well-Worn Footwear
You’re not doing yourself any favors by using your athletic shoes until you see a hole in the toe or the sole or arch supports are worn down. In fact, you could be damaging your joints. A pair of good sneakers aid you in the proper alignment; whether you’re cycling or performing chest flies, you always want your knees to be directly over your toes—not extended past them. If your sneakers aren’t providing you with the needed support, you could end up with foot or knee pain because your knees won’t track over your toes.
To Fix This: First, when you go to purchase a new pair of athletic shoes, get some guidance from a professional at an athletic store; they can examine your walk and help you obtain the right sneakers that’ll support your foot’s natural stride. If you jog 6-7 days per week, your sneakers will need replacing every three months; if you jog 2 days each week, getting new shoes once per year is fine; if you play tennis, racquetball or some other sport, it’s suggested that you buy new sneakers ever 500 miles. Remember, don’t select a pair of sneakers for what they look like—functionality is what matters most!
Loose-Fitting Apparel
Wearing baggy garments to a gym can be dangerous since they can get caught on equipment or get in your way. These types of clothing should only be worn while lounging at home. If you’re not decked out in fitted attire, you won’t be able to properly view your movements, posture and body alignment. If you can’t see these things and they’re wrong, then you’re putting yourself at risk for being injured during a complex yoga position or when lifting weights.
To Fix This: While you don’t need to don a spandex outfit, wearing an outfit that’s form-fitting will be better for you. Wearing baggy clothes can literally reveal your thighs or belly during particular moves in workouts such as yoga. Try dressing in apparel that lets you move and stretch freely and hugs and covers your body, like compression shorts or shirts.
Lotions and Perfumes
Everyone likes to smell good. But when you’re working out, it’s best to just use deodorant. Why? Those thick, body and hand lotions may help your dry skin; but when you sweat, the lotion will hamper your grip on the weights or foil your plans to maintain a plank. Plus, let’s not get into the awful residue lotion leaves on handles and benches! Also, you should refrain from applying facial moisturizer since it could pose a problem if it drips into your eyes as you sweat—ouch!
When you begin to heat up and sweat during exercise, the scent of colognes and perfumes become stronger. Those heightened fragrances can cause a headache for another person exercising near you.
To Fix This: If you absolutely need a body or hand lotion, choose oil-free, scent-free lotions to put on before your fitness routine—lotions that are labeled for “sport” or “active” are your best option. These types of lotions won’t get in the way of your fitness session. Save the aromatic lotions and perfumes for after your workout.
Snug Clothing
It was already pointed out that you shouldn’t wear baggy attire; well you shouldn’t wear outfits that are too tight either. You don’t want your movements to be restricted when you’re exercising. You need to find a middle ground.
To Fix This: When you’ve got on workout pants or shorts, the crotch or waistline shouldn’t be too confining. You shouldn’t have any trouble doing squats, forward folds or lunges without fear of splitting the fabric. For exercise tops or shirts, the material of the shoulders and armpits and cuffs on short sleeves need to be wide enough to move in; you should be able to wave your arms all around, flex and weight lift easily and comfortably.
Don’t miss next week’s blog when we cover the other four items you shouldn’t wear while working out.
Teri
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