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When working out, have you ever found yourself struggling to perform your best—feeling uncomfortable or even in pain? If yes, then it is time to reevaluate your activewear! You may not know, but personalized activewear can have a significant impact on your performance, comfort, and overall experience.
However, choosing the right personalized activewear for different types of workouts can also be a struggle on its own. You have to take many things into consideration, like the type of workout and key factors such as material, breathability, fit, and support associated with it. Besides your gender and body type.
So, whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, for you to have a comfortable experience—here we will explain everything in detail you need to know about personalized activewear. Let’s get to it.
Workout Types: Understanding the Differences
The first thing you must know when picking the right personalized activewear is the different types of workouts. If you have a solid understanding of the workout types— you will be able to pick the best fit for you easily. In this section, we’ll break down three common types of workouts and provide tips for selecting activewear tailored to each type.1). Cardiovascular workouts
Cardiovascular, also called cardio workouts, are probably the most popular type of workout out there. Basically, these types of workouts increase your heart rate and improve your cardiovascular fitness. Also, they can improve your endurance, burn calories, and boost your mood (release endorphins). Examples of this type of workout include:- Running
- Jogging
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Rowing
- Skiing
Aerobic Workout: (Steady state)
Depending on the intensity, this type of cardio involves varying speeds. This workout focuses on maintaining intensity and pace for as long as possible.Aerobic Workout: (Low to moderate intensity)
In low-intensity exercise, your heart rate stays below half of your maximum heart rate (MHR)—such as strolling or cycling. During moderate-intensity exercises, your heart rate is between 50% and 70% of your maximum heart rate. Sports such as running, biking, hiking, swimming, and fitness classes are considered moderate-intensity activities.Anaerobic Workout: (High-intensity)
The intensity is now going up. During this workout, your heart rate will be elevated and maintained above 70% of your maximum heart rate. There are a variety of high-intensity workouts, such as sprints, resistance exercises, and HIIT (high-intensity interval training).2). Strength training workouts
Strength training workouts, also called resistance training, help you build muscle and improve your strength and power. Besides this, strength training improves metabolism, balance, and bone density. Examples of this type of workout include:- Weightlifting
- Resistance band exercises
- Push-ups
- Squats
- Dips
- Bicep curls
3). Flexibility & balance workouts
Flexibility & balance workouts, such as yoga, are low-impact exercises designed to improve your range of motion, balance, and coordination. These workouts typically involve slow, controlled movements that challenge your balance and flexibility. Flexibility & balance workouts can improve your posture, reduce stress, and enhance your overall physical and mental well-being. Basically, any type of stretching (active, static, dynamic, PNF, etc.) falls into this category. Some examples of this type of workout include:- Yoga
- Pilates
- Tai chi
- Barre
Factors to Consider When Choosing Personalized Activewear
When choosing personalized activewear for different types of workouts, there are many factors to consider. But here we will only talk about the main factors:- Material and breathability
- Fit and comfort
- Support and compression
- Color and Style
- Body Type
First Factor: Material and breathability
First thing first: Material. The material of your activewear can greatly impact your performance and comfort during a workout. Different types of workouts require different materials, so it’s important to choose the right material for your specific needs. Additionally, breathability is important in activewear because it allows for ventilation and moisture-wicking, keeping you cool and dry during your workout.How to choose the right material and breathability for different workouts
- Cardiovascular workouts: For this type of workout, choose lightweight and breathable materials that allow for ventilation, such as polyester or spandex.
- Strength training workouts: For such workout types, choose durable and flexible materials that can withstand repeated stretching and movements, such as nylon or cotton blends.
- Flexibility and balance workouts: For flexibility and balance workouts, choose soft and flexible materials that allow for a full range of motion, such as bamboo or rayon blends.
Second Factor: Fit and comfort
The fit and comfort of your activewear can greatly impact your performance and motivation during a workout. Ill-fitting or uncomfortable activewear can distract you from your workout and even cause injury.How to choose the right fit and comfort for different workouts
- Cardiovascular workouts: For cardiovascular workouts, choose activewear that is form-fitting and allows for a full range of motion, such as compression leggings or shorts.
- Strength training workouts: For strength training workouts, choose activewear with a looser fit that allows for flexibility and mobility, such as tank tops or loose shorts.
- Flexibility and balance workouts: For flexibility and balance workouts, choose activewear that is form-fitting and allows for a full range of motion, such as yoga pants or leggings.
Third Factor: Support and compression
Support and compression are important factors to consider in activewear, especially for high-impact workouts. Compression can improve blood flow and muscle support, reducing the risk of injury and improving performance.How to choose the right support and compression for different workouts
- Cardiovascular workouts: For cardiovascular workouts, choose activewear with moderate compressions that supports muscles without restricting movement, such as compression leggings or shorts.
- Strength training workouts: For strength training workouts, choose activewear with light compression to provide support and reduce muscle fatigue, such as compression shirts or tanks.
- Flexibility and balance workouts: For flexibility and balance workouts, choose activewear with minimal compression to provide support without limiting mobility, such as compression leggings or yoga pants.
Factor Four: Color and Style
When choosing activewear for different types of workouts, color, and style are also important factors to consider. They can have a significant impact on your motivation, confidence, and complete satisfaction with your workout. Here are some tips for choosing the right activewear for different types of workouts based on color and style:- Cardiovascular workouts: When it comes to cardiovascular workouts, opt for bright and bold colors that can help boost your energy levels and mood during your workout. Also, choose form-fitting clothing, such as compression leggings or shorts, that allow for the full range of motion while providing moderate compression to support your muscles.
- Strength training workouts: For strength training workouts, stick to looser-fitting clothing, such as tank tops or loose shorts, that provides flexibility and mobility. And opt for solid, dark-colored clothing that won’t show sweat or dirt as easily.
- Flexibility and balance workouts: Regarding flexibility and balance workouts, such as yoga or Pilates, comfort and flexibility are key. So, when it comes to color, opt for solid colors or simple patterns that can help create a sense of calm and focus during your practice.
Factor five: Body Type
One other important factor to consider when choosing activewear is your body type. In this section, we will discuss tips for choosing activewear for different body types, including hourglass, pear-shaped, apple-shaped, and athletic.Hourglass
If you have an hourglass figure, your waist is smaller than your hips and bust, creating a balanced, curvy silhouette. When choosing activewear, it’s important to accentuate your waist and show off your curves.- Tops: Look for tops that cinch at the waist, such as a crop top or a fitted tank top. These tops will highlight your waist and enhance your curves.
- Bottoms: High-waisted leggings are a great choice for hourglass figures as they accentuate your waist and flatter your curves. Avoid baggy or loose-fitting pants, as they can hide your curves.
- Colors and prints: Bold colors and prints can look great on hourglass figures. Choose prints that accentuate your waist and draw attention to your curves.
Pear-shaped
If you have a pear-shaped figure, your hips are wider than your shoulders and bust. When choosing activewear, the goal is to balance out your proportions and draw attention to your upper body.- Tops: Look for tops with a scoop or V-neckline to draw attention to your upper body. A fitted tank top or sports bra paired with a loose-fitting t-shirt can create a balanced silhouette.
- Bottoms: Opt for leggings or pants with a wider waistband to avoid digging into your hips. Choose darker colors and avoid bold prints or patterns on your lower half.
- Colors and prints: Use brighter colors and bold prints on your upper body to draw attention away from your hips and towards your upper body.
Apple-shaped
If you have an apple-shaped figure, your midsection is larger than your hips and chest. When choosing activewear, the goal is to create the illusion of a smaller waist and draw attention to your upper and lower body.- Tops: Look for tops that are fitted around your bust and waist to create a defined waistline. Avoid tops that are too loose, as they can make you appear larger than you are. Crop tops or sports bras paired with high-waisted leggings can create a balanced look.
- Bottoms: High-waisted leggings are a great choice for apple-shaped figures as they provide support and compression around your midsection. Avoid pants with a low-rise waistband, as they can create a muffin top effect
- Colors and prints: Choose darker colors and avoid bold prints or patterns on your midsection. Use brighter colors and bold prints on your upper and lower body to draw attention away from your midsection.
Athletic
If you have an athletic body type, you have a muscular, lean body with a narrow waist and hips. When choosing activewear, the goal is to show off your toned muscles and enhance your body shape.- Tops: Look for form-fitting tops that show off your shoulders and arms. Racerback tanks or sports bras can create a flattering look.
- Bottoms: Compression leggings or pants can highlight your leg muscles and provide support during your workout. Avoid loose-fitting clothing, as it can make you appear less toned.
- Colors and prints: Bold colors and prints can look great on athletic figures. Choose prints that accentuate your muscles and draw attention to your body shape.