You are starting a new fitness journey. You need to feel empowered, in control and motivated. You have a plan, a place and a time frame. Your attitude towards food is sorted, and you are about to start a new program in the local gym. Is anything else missing? This topic will be controversial and, in the next 2 minutes of reading, you will learn what the human psychology experts have to say about the pros of caring about how you look in the gym.
#1 Style
In any commercial gym, mirrors are on every wall. There is no chance that you will not see your reflection. Remember the feeling you once had in a department store change room? It was not great, wasn't it? Your activewear should be well fitted. A relaxing or tight fit, revealing or concealing look is for you to decide on. But if the clothes do not fit well, it will expose your body's insecurities. It will discourage you from looking in the mirror. As a result, you may shift your exercise posture to an unsafe and unbalanced stance. Remember, the mirrors are not for big guys to flex their biceps and admire the reflection. The mirrors are for you to check the correctness of your lifting techniques when you exercise with free weights. This study investigated the influence of the style of athletic clothing and body awareness on visual-motor performance in women. The study concluded that "style of clothing may influence motor performance in women by reallocating cognitive resources towards the body and away from the motor task at hand." In another study, the authors found that "wearing athleisure encourages adherence to the athleisure lifestyle". It means that if gym clothes fit well, make you feel and look good, you are more likely to continue on your fitness journey. Research also shows that dressing for success leads to achieving that success. Dressing the part is an excellent psychological tool for improving your cognitive and physical performance.
#2 Colour
There are so many brands today that make workout wear in washed away pale colours resembling the colours of the 1950 underwear. You look naked in these clothes, and every bump on your skin is shown to the world to see. The easiest way to feel great in joggers, leggings or any other activewear is to make the colours and pattern of the fabric work to your advantage. The colours of your activewear should complement your skin, eyes and hair. One study demonstrates that wearing a black uniform makes sports teams feel more energetic and creates a winning mindset. Another study analyzed that English football teams wearing red shirts have been champions more often than expected since 1947. Flattering and bright colours will help you to feel successful and powerful.
#3 Quality of fabric for comfort
Departments stores' activewear may tick boxes #1 and #2. However, the activewear bought in big department stores may lack performance attributes: stretch, breathability, moisture absorbance, anti-microbial resistance, and ergonomics. So let's briefly explain what they are and why they are essential.
Ergonomic clothes allow you to move in all three planes: in a side to side direction, forwards and backwards, and in a twisting or rotation motion. Too much weight, volume or stiffness of fabric will restrict your ability to move freely. Adaptive stretch yields but then immediately regains its shape. Elastane or spandex is usually added to sports textile to achieve this property.
The material should also absorb sweat. In good quality activewear, moisture wicks away from the skin through the fabric and evaporates. In addition, the anti-microbial properties achieved by incorporating copper filaments will prevent unpleasant smells.
But how can you avoid excessive sweating in the first place? The fabric has to be breathable. Check the label inside your gym clothes. Materials like cotton, viscose, and rayon are good performers. Polyester and nylon are lightweight and water repellent fabrics, allowing moisture to evaporate. Sportswear fabric made of these materials is woven in a particular way or incorporate mesh loops to facilitate ventilation through the clothing.
#4 Makeup or no makeup?
It is a personal choice. However, avoid wearing anything that prevents your skin from breathing: eye shadows, foundation, blush, bronzer. It is always convenient to duck into a change room and quickly splash your face with cold water without fixing makeup imperfections afterwards.
Where to buy it?
For activewear, you need to hit the specialty stores. However, as the most significant characteristic of good sportswear is its ability to stretch and mould around your body, you can just shop on the internet without the need of trying it on. Internet shopping is the best because it allows you to select and narrow search preferences. It saves time. But the most advantageous feature of internet shopping is the variety of clothing it can offer. Take a look at this website, for example. It is packed with styles and colours! Get yourself the best leggings, joggers, or top you can afford and feel your best in them to perform your best!
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