When you’re shopping for an upcoming workout, experts say to consider a few things alongside comfort.
• Material. Sonya Ramgotra, head of design at MPG Sport, suggests looking on the tag for materials that will benefit your workout. Keep an eye out for breathable materials that include moisture wicking, the stretchy material spandex and elastic.
Brooke Johnson, who works in community relations at Lululemon, recommends looking for preshrunk clothes, since those clothes will withstand washes over time.
Be sure to watch out for clothes with seams, which can cause chafing and irritation. And unless you’re training for a high-intensity event or in recovery, compression clothing isn’t necessary, said Keryn Francisco, creative director at Lucy.
“If you’re working out to stay active and fit, we recommend focusing on comfort, such as lightweight fabrics that encourage airflow, (and) cozy fabrics in cold weather to keep you warm and supportive but not restrictive use of stretch,” Francisco said.
• Activity. Depending on how your physical activity, you should look for certain details when shopping. For runners, Ramgotra suggests bottoms with elastic waistbands to keep shorts from falling down, strategically placed pockets and clothing with reflectivity. For yoga, Johnson says to avoid zippers, pockets and loose clothing because you’ll be doing a lot of work on your back and stomach.
Bikers should look for form-fitted bottoms with padding specific to the hours you’ll be riding. Also, cyclists should look for tops with a raglan seam, a seam that’s specifically designed for a hunched-over body with a longer backside, Ramgotra said.
• Price. If you only plan on doing yoga once a week, then the $90 yoga pants probably aren’t for you. But those who regularly work out might want to consider investing in long-lasting brands.
“I still have Lululemon clothes from when I started working nine years ago,” Johnson said.
And according to Francisco, the investment in better material is important for any workout.
“It’s worth paying for a garment that has been engineered to have zero-distraction, zero-chafing and maximum support so you can participate in your activity without thinking about your clothes,” she said.
