Gym-boree of style

A lot of thought goes into picking an attire, from worrying about the fabric to choosing the right cut and fit. But ,seldom do people think of gym wear and the many do’s and dont’s that come with it.

“When choosing gym clothing; you need to keep in mind what fabric is used in the clothing and whether the fabric is breathable or not, dries quickly or not, is stretchable etc,” says Shravan Gujjar, director design and product, Ed Hardy. Most often people look at just the comfort factor, that being a top priority at the gym. But, it is also important to keep in mind the effect of the fabric on the body. Something that may look comfortable, may not be the right option.

Sankesh Ranka, director of Harper Seven and an aspirational fitness buff, throws light on the many aspects of gym wear that one needs to consider while picking an attire for a fitness activity.

Airy Fabric
He suggests to opt for an airy and breathable fabric. Fabrics that are not airy lead to an accumulation of sweat which creates body odour and can cause infections.

Fabrics like polyester are used by big brands for it’s ability to allow the moisture to evaporate, and make it one of the best fabrics for gym wear. Nylon, Bamboo and Lycra also wicks moisture and can be chosen for their breathability.

The Right Fit
Adding to this, Jyothi Vijay, a physical fitness enthusiast states that the kind of fabric you choose also determine the flexibility it will allow, and a wrong choice can lead to injuries. Pointing to many women who wear extremely tight clothes to the gym, she states they are wrong choices. “Women wear tight bras to work out and while they help maintain shape, it is extremely harmful as it leads to sores and can cause infection due to sweat accumulation,” she warns. Personally, she prefers wearing clothes that are neither too tight nor too lose but are an exact fit.

Stretchability
Speaking of stretchability, Shravan recommends going for outfits that will allow you to stretch and take the shape of the body. “Spandex and Lycra do just that. The former stretches to about 500 per cent, and allows free movement. This means women of any size can opt for this material. The advantage of their elasticity is that it allows the wearer to be comfortable as it regains it’s shape when the wearer is back to a normal position,” he informs. Lycra, he states has become a common material that most women opt for even for casual wear, due to the comfort it provides and it is the same with active wear too.

Natural Fabrics
For those who are aware of the large carbon footprints that gym wear and sports shoes leave, Shravan recommends going in for organic cotton and bamboo. They are natural fabrics and leave lesser carbon footprint. “Bamboo is light and moisture absorbent as is cotton. It allows you to stay fresh and guilt free at the same time. They are completely free from plastics.” Jyothi states that while cotton is moisture absorbent, it becomes damp quickly and should be chosen for activities that are not rigorous like yoga.

It is important to make the right choices as they affect not just the way you look but your health and your over all work out experience. The next time you go shopping, try to make informed choices.