This is Part II of a two-part article discussing my nine suggested tips for choosing the correct exercise attire. Last week we examined four tips including (1) head covering (2) clothing material (3) fit and (4) choosing your apparel wisely to address the different seasons and the plethora of challenges that accompany our temperate climate. Here are my remaining five suggested tips to consider when choosing your exercise clothing:

Tailor Attire To Activity

Tailor your attire to the specific activity you’re conducting. If you’re running or biking, don’t wear long pants that might get stuck in the pedals or cause you to trip; or, if the weather is colder, tie the pant legs close to your legs to secure loose fabric that might get caught. For yoga and Pilates practitioners, avoid clothing that feels restrictive during different poses. If you’re running outside at night, be sure to wear reflective clothing that will allow you to be seen by motorists.

Get Inspired

Choose clothes that you find attractive. While function and fit are the most important elements, you want to feel good while you’re exercising. Certain clothes, cuts, and designs may inspire and motivate more than others. Don’t underestimate or disregard the importance of feeling well-dressed—you’d be surprised at the difference it makes.

Supportive Undergarments

Incorporate supportive undergarments into your workout wardrobe. Women should look for a good sports bra that offers support and flexibility, and men should use a protective cup if they’re playing contact sports. Supportive undergarments are also important for plyometrics and similar exercises that include jumping and high impact movements.

Appropriate Footwear

Selecting the appropriate footwear for the exercises you perform is one of the most important decisions you’ll make—choose wisely, and your activities will likely be enhanced; pick poorly, on the other hand, and you’re likely to be less productive at best, and may injure yourself at worst. Be sure to wear a comfortable athletic shoe that supports your feet and ankles. Wear running shoes for running, and cross-training shoes for high impact plyometric training/sports (the interior supports are structured differently). Also, be aware that the life of your sneakers is finite; the older the footwear (i.e., the more you use them), the less support they offer, so going running in those dusty 10-year-old sneakers you pulled out from under the bed may not be as beneficial for you as you might think.

Tzniut

As frum Jews (and as respectable human beings too, for that matter), we must always be mindful of the image we portray, both to the outside world, and to ourselves. Tzniut isn’t just something specific to women, and it’s not just something to which we adhere only at certain times or in certain places. Respecting your body through exercise should be similarly mirrored in the manner in which we dress. That being said, sometimes exercising—and exercising outside in particular— can be challenging; supportive clothing is often figure-hugging, and warmer climates beg the need for reduced covering.

Maintaining a requisite level of tzniut does not automatically preclude the ability to exercise. Woman can wear sweatpants or loose leggings beneath skirts, and if you aren’t comfortable in the clingy fit of stretchy synthetic fabrics, try wearing a sweat-wicking undershirt beneath a larger, looser cotton top. Supportive undergarments are important from a tzniut perspective as well. There are numerous options available these days, including modest swimwear, and double-layered tops. Gender-specific exercise classes also allow an added measure of comfort.

Summary

While many people want to look good while they exercise, your workout clothes should be less about fashion and more about comfort and fit. What you wear can impact the success and safety of your workout. Some forms of exercise, such as biking and swimming, will require specific items of clothing. For general workouts, it’s best to wear something that fits well and keeps you cool. Choose the right workout clothes by considering fabric, fit, and comfort.

Whatever you choose to wear, always dress respectfully; exercising is a mitzva and should be honored and venerated accordingly.

Chemmie Sokolic is an ACSM-certified Personal Trainer, and owner of Frum & Fit LLC. Chemmie can be reached at [email protected]. Visit www.FrumandFit.com or www.Facebook.com/FrumandFit for more information.

By Chemmie Sokolic