Selecting the right activewear

The right activewear can work wonders for your training and performance. It is an essential tool for efficient training and reaching your goals faster. With so many technicalities involved it is often tricky and confusing to chose right training apparel. It's not just about fashion or looking good -- it's also about fit and performance.

Key metrics 

The elementary properties essential for the right activewear are performance, comfort and durability. The best activewear uses combination of design and fabric to hit these metrics.

Performance

Quick wicking: Wicking is the ability of a fabric to pull sweat and humidity away from the body. The right athletic apparel should absorb sweat from your body and transport it away from your skin to enable quick wicking. Wear clothes that dry quick, wick moisture away and keep you as comfortable as possible.

Stretchable: Most athletic pursuits involve heavy and serious stretching of the body. Your activewear must be flexible enough to ensure unrestricted movement during your training. 

Comfort

Breathable: One of the most desirable characteristic of your training gear is to be breathable. The ability to regulate body temperature is an useful feature for intense training sessions.

Soft: Activewear should feel light and soft on the skin, so you can focus more on your training and less on factors like chafing and skin irritation. Most training apparel fabrics are treated with a chemical wash to make them feel softer and smoother.

Durability

Strength: Activewear should have the ability to sustain wear and tear over repeated use. Strength is a key factor since you don’t want your training gear to be useless within months of heavy use.

Anti-Odor /Anti-bacterial: Athletic activity usually involves heavy sweating. Continuous sweat deposition can lead to a musky sweat odor even after repeated uses. As a result, most athletic apparel manufacturers are investing in anti-bacterial technology.

Different Fabrics used in Activewear

There are many types of fabric that are often suitable for athletic use. Here is a look at some of the widely used fabrics in activewear.

Cotton: Cotton workout shirts are usually suitable best for a moderate exercise regimen. Cotton tends to accumulate moisture and tends to get heavy after you sweat. Cotton also tends to shrink after washing, though it is much more affordable than its competitors are.

Polyester: Polyester is a popular choice in athletic wear because of its durability and light weight. It is resistant to shrinking and stretching. On the downside, the material tends to collect static and form small balls of fluff on its surface. Polyester also tends to foster bacteria growth, resulting in musky smelling clothes even after repeated washes. Polyester is also not the most eco-friendly fabric.  It is not a biodegradable fiber, but it can be recycled to almost the same state as before. 

Nylon: Nylon has similar features to polyester, but it is less expensive. It is known for being both lightweight and strong. Because nylon does not absorb much moisture, it is also fast-drying and easy to maintain. Just like Polyester, it is not eco friendly or biodegradable and is not one of the easier fabric to recycle.

Spandex: Spandex has the ability to stretch up to 500 percent of its original size and then recover its original form. This material is also lightweight, making it for ideal fitness wear. One common form of spandex that is often seen in fitness wear is Lycra, which is a synthetic elastic fabric. Lycra is both comfortable and breathable as well as quick-drying and resistant to bacteria, ultraviolet rays, and chlorine. This fabric also eliminates instances of static cling and pilling.

Bamboo: Bamboo fiber is the latest kid on the block. Bamboo is a revolutionary fabric that offers unparalleled advantages in strength and softness. It is naturally anti-bacterial and will not hold odor. Like most cellulose based fabrics Bamboo has an extremely soft hand-feel. Like most natural fibers, it allows the body to breathe as the fabric wicks the sweat away from the body. It is the premier choice for active lifestyles and a welcome alternative to stinky and scratchy polyester.