Don’t Break the Bank: You Don’t Need Expensive Fitness Apparel to Get Fit
If you’ve resolved to start a regular exercise regimen this year, congratulations! But do you really need to break the bank on pricey fitness apparel? Experts say no, and that comfort is key when it comes to choosing what to wear.
“Unless you’re exercising purely for fun or to be more active, it’s not the most important thing to go out and buy specific clothing,” said Dr. Joel Hardwick, a clinical exercise physiologist at the University of Illinois Chicago. “You just want to meet the minimum criteria with your clothing — that it’s not too tight, not too loose and that it feels comfortable.”
Kaylee Johnson, a lead performance coach with fitness app Future, agrees. “If buying specific clothing would be a barrier to going to the gym, just wear whatever’s comfortable,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be perfect.”
However, there are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing what to wear. If you’ll be exercising outdoors, you’ll want to think about clothing for the climate and weather conditions. In general, avoid cotton clothing if you’ll be outdoors, as it can absorb moisture and hold it against your skin. Instead, opt for synthetics that allow air to circulate and wick away moisture.
Shoes are also an important consideration, whether exercising indoors or outside. Ideally, you should select a shoe specific to your chosen activity, but an all-purpose sports shoe can work too. Just make sure your shoes are broken in, not too worn, not too tight or loose, and allow space for toe movement.
If you do decide to invest in fitness apparel, consider investing in at least one complete outfit. This can improve performance, comfort, and even confidence. And don’t forget about quality sports bras, especially if you’re engaging in high-impact sports.
But don’t feel like you need to break the bank on expensive fitness apparel. As Hardwick said, “More expensive does not mean better. As long as you’re feeling comfortable and confident, then your clothing is doing its job.”