How to Buy Performance Workout Clothing

The old T-shirt and sweats workout combo is only comfy until you get sweaty. Newer synthetic products offer the same freedom of movement while looking better and keeping you drier. Most modern athletic wear starts with some form of nylon or polyester, combined with other materials, to achieve the desired qualities.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Determine what kind of exercising you prefer doing. Some have always been avid runners, so this is a fairly simple step. Others, however, are new the workout game, whether through New Year's resolution or lifestyle change. See what works for you to figure out what gear to buy.

2. Decide how the weather or environment in your area impacts your exercise. If you prefer outdoor activity, and it's consistently cold in your region, that's something to consider. If you live in the perpetually humid Florida, that, too, is something to think about.

3. Explore the athletic-wardrobe options. CoolMax, a DuPont product, is designed to enhance evaporation and cooling. It's a good product for gym workouts, running or serving as a base layer under warmer clothes (e.g. skiing, hiking). Lycra is close-fitting and stretches, but retains its shape, so it's often added to other fabrics for flexibility and durability. Lycra is commonly used for swimwear, or for the fashion conscious, it can serve as stylish workout wear. Light-weight, water-resistant fleece replaced wool long ago as the all-purpose performance material. It's well insulated and can offer a good sweat in warmer weather, or keep your warm in colder months. Phase-change materials are good adaptable products that absorb and release body heat, helping the body maintain a fairly consistent body temperature regardless of the environs. Supplex is a cotton substitute regarded for it's quick-drying durability. This is suitable for light-weight workout jackets.

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[ricarooni]

on 11/9/2009 I've found that Polypropylene is the best 1st layer base layer defense for staying warm and dry. It is the warmest material and wicks out moisture. To find out more about poly pro, I recommend http://polyprothermals.com . They have a wealth of info and the lowest prices around for polypropylene thermal wear from head to toe.

on 1/25/2006 Here's what the military wears, headed up by our own Navy Seals, Rangers, Air Force Sea and Rescue, U.S. Marines and a few nasty fellows we don't talk much about:

Combat boots (heavy), mid calf length, black.
Socks: Heavy cotton tube socks.
Men: One Jockey brand personal supporter, soft.
Women: One combat grade athletic brassiere, soft.
Bathing trunks, nylon or cotton, boxer style, black
T-shirt: moderate fitting, color and team logo noted.
Cap. Baseball or Marine. With service ID logo.
In winter: Blue cotton boxer's sweatsuit and top with hood.
Towel: Medium pile plain size, any color.
Web belt: green, with one quart plastic canteen.
Optional: Mickey Mouse watch.
No other options or accessories available.
Current contractors' price for set: $5000. (other items avalable from stock: $500 hammer and $1600 toilet seat.)
All items guranteed to last the lifetime of a military combatant in an active fire fight, or fifty years in an attic trunk.