When you are sweating it out at the gym, jogging real hard on your daily route to fitness, or doing an aerobics routine at the dance studio, what you are wearing matters. If you are anything like me, I want the exercise to end before it's even started. And I want the benefit of the exercise whether I do it or not. That was till I introduced a little variety tinged with a small scoop of vanity into my workout garments.
Buy workout wear that will be suitable for the kind of activity you will be doing. No point in wearing a long flowy salwar kameez to workout. It makes a lot of sense to look at the comfort factor. In fact, investing in a couple of pairs of good exercise gear — shoes included – will see you stick to your programme much better. Here are a few guidelines that will see you through your shopping spree.
Clothes
Comfort is always paramount. And it doesn't end with your feet. You've got to be comfortable even in the clothing you wear starting with your inner wear, ladies. You must wear a well supporting sports bra. And there are plenty of sensible options available in the market. Pick one made of cotton so it can absorb sweat.
What is motivating is the fact that you look good in your workout wear. Going to the gym in tattered, ratty comfort wear is simply not done. Not only will your trainer not be impressed, with all the mirrors surrounding you as you exercise, you are bound to see yourself too. Imagine the shock when you look at yourself and wonder what the cat dragged in? Your workout wear does not have to dent your pocket, but it could fit the bill of comfortable and good looking. While earlier I would have recommended cotton only, today the choices available are plenty and all of them are not cotton. You need something that absorbs your sweat and slicks it off from your body.
Stick to black or dark coloured track pants or shorts — if you don't mind showing off your legs. Light colours tend to show up sweat stains.
These days, on the racks are three-fourth tracks that work very well for people like me. You don't trip over the edges and they cover your legs up nicely too, showing off dainty ankles.
For the top, dab on some colour. The brighter the better. I love wearing printed tees when I exercise. Why? Because I feel they camouflage the sweat better. And I do tend to sweat a lot, flushing out all those toxins. One rule of thumb, your clothes must not be too loose that they get in the way or too short that you feel conscious of skin showing.
Attitude
Feel fit, beautiful and confident. Irrespective of your size. It helps.
Shoes
First of all, whatever your exercise plans, get a pair of good well fitted walking shoes. Getting the right pair is quite confusing, given the choice and the brands available these days. Always buy your shoes in the latter half of the day. That way you would've been on your feet a little longer. Feet tend to get bigger towards the evening. So buying your workout shoes – or any footwear – first thing in the morning is not such a brilliant plan.
When you try on your shoes, remember to wear socks. Most stores do provide them, but those socks have been on many feet, so carry your own. Make sure they are the ones you will wear during your workout so you get the right fit on the shoes.
