Womens Exercise Clothing

Types of Womens Exercise Clothing

Womens exercise clothing includes:

• Sports bras
• Tanks
• T-shirts
• Yoga pants
• Running pants
• Shorts
• Socks
• Capri leggings

Where to Buy

Here are a few spots to find great womens exercise clothing:

• Joe's Sports
• Victoria's Secret (yoga pants and capris!)
• Lands' End
• Athletica.net
• Champion USA (especially for bras!)
• Ear Warmers Online (for gloves and ear warmers)
• Activa Sports (for socks)

Fabrics to Look For

You will want to look for fabrics with moisture-wicking qualities. Your skin needs to breathe, too. Keep reading for some of the fabrics frequently used in workout gear.

While cotton is popular in t-shirts and shorts, it's not the best choice if you're looking for something to wick away the moisture. Instead, it will collect it, become heavy and uncomfortable, and leave you feeling soaked and sticky. If you don't have an exceptionally intense workout planned, cotton is an acceptable choice. It's also less expensive than other materials.

For more intense workouts, look for fabrics like polyester, nylon, or Lycra/spandex. The best choice here? A blend. You'll get the benefits of the different materials in the same piece of clothing. For example, a blend may keep your skin feeling cool and dry but not shrink in the dryer. In addition, it may offer you a perfect fit because of the stretchiness and flexibility of the fabric.

Support!

If you're going to be doing any "bouncy" activities, you're going to need a good sports bra. Otherwise, your workout will hurt (and not in a good way!). You'll quickly become uncomfortable and lose your motivation to complete your goals.

There are multiple types of sports bras on the market, each designed for a different fitness category. The key is to find one that fits your body and offers you the amount of support you need for your cup size and how much jiggling is likely to occur during your workout.

The Champion USA website has their sports bras listed by medium, high, and maximum support. If you're curious or need help deciding where to start, you can check out their list of bestsellers, too.

In some cases, you can find sports bras built into tanks to cut down on the number of layers you'll have to wear. This is especially beneficial if it's already hot outside or in the gym. Some women don't feel comfortable strutting around in a sports bra alone, but they shouldn't have to suffer because of it.

You can learn more about choosing a sports bra by visiting LoveToKnow Lingerie's Padded Sports Bra, Sports Bras, Buying a Sports Bra, and Are Sports Bras Necessary? articles.

Walking, Jogging, or Running Outdoors

If you're planning to walk, jog, or run outdoors when the sun's not very bright, you need some reflective gear to protect yourself. You may even want to double up on the reflective items if you're riding your bike (most bikes have you covered). Joe's Sports offers the Reebok Core Run Jacket for women for $54.99. It's water-resistant, wind-resistant, and offers 360 degrees of reflectivity. It also has mesh inserts to wick away moisture.

If it's really cold out, don't forget your insulated gloves and some earmuffs! Check Ear Warmers Online for both items.

For Your Feet

Socks are important for comfort as well as to wick away the moisture from your feet as you work out. A popular look for socks is actually to look like you're not wearing socks at all.

Try anklet socks like the WrightSock Double Layer Running Anklet Sock found at Activa Sports. These have two layers—one hugs your foot and the other rubs against your shoe. That cuts down on the blisters you may get from a vigorous workout. They're also designed to keep your feet dry and comfortable.

Check the LoveToKnow Shoes site for tips on selecting the perfect shoes for your fitness activity of choice. You may find that you need more than one type of workout shoe to accommodate all your fitness needs.