“Dress to impress” can sometimes seem like a cliché, but when it comes to staying healthy, it makes a surprising difference! Just like wearing a sharp suit can help you ace an interview, wearing sharp athletic clothes can help you get exercising. Believe me, it’s scientifically proven! In a study at Northwestern volunteers were asked to perform cognitive tasks. Some groups were given a lab coat to wear, and some groups were given nothing. Those given lab coats to wear performed significantly better! However it’s not just a mental boost that good athletic clothes give you, it’s also physical. If your clothes aren’t comfortable, of course you aren’t going to perform as well! To get pumped and get the most out of your workout and stay healthy, make sure your athletic clothes are helping you with these benefits:
Comfortable: first and foremost make sure you feel comfortable in your athletic clothes. Luckily, most are designed exactly for this! The clothes you exercise in shouldn’t be too tight so they constrict your movement, nor should they be so loose they get in the way. Your clothes should also be a fabric that won’t irritate your skin with repetitive movement or stay damp when you sweat.
Performance: this category is especially important when it comes to shoes. There are different types of shoes designed for different activities- running shoes with shock absorbers for pounding the pavement, lightweight aerobic shoes, ankle protecting basketball shoes, etc. If you’re going to be doing the same workout daily, make sure your shoes can stand up to the job or risk getting an injury!
Feel-Good: finally, the fun part. All your clothes, especially your athletic clothes, should make you feel good! Find athletic clothes that make you feel your very best and you would be surprised how much easier it is to get to the gym or run the extra mile! Nowadays this doesn’t have to break the bank either, there’s a million ways to find yourself some cute, comfortable, and high-performing workout gear that will help you stay motivated to your health. But don’t forget what Annie says, you’re never fully dressed without a smile!
Photo Credit: runningskirts.com