How To Dress For Exercise Success
What you wear can make or break your workout. (Photo: Arthur Belebeau/Trunk Archives)
Think about your last date: Did you wear a muumuu? A schlumpy pair of jeans? Doubt it. The clothing you wear has a big impact on how confident you feel, which means you probably shouldn’t hide behind baggy clothes at the gym, either. Body-hugging clothes make it easier to see your muscles working, helping you keep your form in check.
If you’re new to this whole exercise thing, consider splurging on some stylish fitness apparel in colors and styles you love. It’s a science-supported shopping spree: Research shows that when you like what you’re wearing, you actually perform better in physical activities.
Related: You’re Wasting Time at the Gym & You Don’t Even Know It
And ladies, finding the right sports bra is critical to working out comfortably. Your breasts can move as much as 8 inches — up and down, side-to-side, and forward and back — during exercise, which can be pretty painful. In fact, one study found that 17 percent of women who experienced exercise-induced breast pain skipped a workout, reduced their exercise duration or intensity, or switched their activities because their hooters were hurtin’. Luckily, with advances in fit, support, and coverage, there’s now a sports bra that’s ideal for every activity.
Low-Impact Activities
Such as … pilates, yoga, and floor-based workouts
What to look for: “Straps that stretch or adjust will stay on your shoulders when you bend, and a clasp-free back nixes pinching,” says LaJean Lawson, Phd, an Oregon State University adjunct professor who studies the biomechanics of women’s breasts during exercise. If you’re big-breasted — a D cup or larger — look for a bra that’s underwire, to lift and shape your chest, with a padded back to cushion your spine.
Medium-Impact Activities
Such as … cross-training, cycling, weight training, and boot-camp classes
What to look for: “You need to find the sweet spot between support and the freedom to move,” says Lawson. Find a bra that’s not too tight around your ribs and that conceals cleavage. a firm band around your ribs will help keep things anchored.
High-Impact Activities
Such as … running, kickboxing, and contact sports
What to look for: To protect against bouncing, sweating, and chafing, opt for molded or underwire cups, wide straps (padded, if you’re top-heavy), and fabrics such as polyester or nylon (with a little spandex, to hug and support).
Reprinted from 20 Pounds Younger by Michele Promaulayko with Laura Tedesco. Copyright (c) 2015 by Rodale Inc. with permission of Rodale Books. Available wherever books are sold.
