Is it better to wear tight or loose clothing when working out?
Recent years have exposed us to a rich variety of clothing options suitable for sports of all types. Whether you prefer an intense weight workout in the gym, a casual walk in the park, or are a fan of a calmer way of exercising such as yoga, there is something out there for you.
The clothing industry has carefully examined the needs and requirements of athletes and has come up with diverse ways of offering protection, support, and style all at once. Activewear and sportswear are two common trends that are widely used today by people of all ages. It seems that there is certain clothing for every sports activity you could possibly imagine. But how can you orient yourself around this big picture and make the right choice for you based on your work out preferences, body type, and other essential factors?
One of the most popular questions when it comes to choosing clothing equipment for sports is whether to go for tight or loose clothes. Although there is no right or wrong answer, we wanted to present all the details related to the risks of choosing to wear clothes that are too tight or too loose and allow you to make an informed decision for yourselves.
Work out preferences
Every type of sports activity has its own and unique set of characteristics. In order to choose the perfect clothing for your workout, it is worth making a list of the sports or exercising types that you are most fond of. Once you have an overview of what you are likely to take part in, you are ready to start the search of the perfect clothing gear.
Sports clothing is not simply a matter of fashion and style. Although it is important to feel good in your own skin while burning calories and working on your body, it’s essential to remember that there is a practical and scientific foundation behind the beautiful sportswear items that you’ve set your eyes on.
Let’s look at two very simple examples. In cases when your hobby or way of staying fit includes riding a bike or taking a spinning class, you may want to opt for tither clothing with no loose ends that can get in the way and potentially cause problems. On the other hand, if you are fond of jogging or you’re planning to go for a running marathon, you may want a light and a loose top that allows your skin to breathe and your body to feel free.
The drawback of wearing clothes that are too tight
Tight clothing is often preferred as it makes your body feel more compact, fit, and it certainly does a great job at highlighting those beautiful curves. However, it must be noted that if your sports clothing is too tight, it can lead to negative results and cause a number of problems.
Exercise clothing is mostly created using breathable and stretchable fabrics with the purpose of providing more flexibility and ease of movement. However, if you fail to choose your yoga leggings or jogging tights in the right size, they may lead to discomfort in certain areas and lead to more serious issues in the future, especially if you’ve suffered physical trauma in the past.
The zones that you should watch out for include the hips, the waist, or stomach. Let’s take a look at each separately.
Hip problems due to tight clothes
Wearing gym clothes that are too tight around the hips can lead to discomfort and negative impacts at the hip joints and also influence the spine. Going into a few medical terms, damaging the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh can cause meralgia paresthetica, a serious condition, which is a result of injury but may also occur if too much pressure is put on the area.
If you have previously suffered from this condition, tight clothing placed over the joint can lead to pain and stinging. In addition, if your daily tasks involve a lot of standing or your exercises involve a lot of leg work, the issue can become even worse. Try to stay away from low riding pants as well as they may compress the back nerves if their height isn’t appropriate.
Waist issues arising from clothes that are too tight
Have you ever thought about the possibility of harming your immune system by wearing clothes that are too tight? It’s okay to say no as the correlation is not exactly easy to make. However, research shows that wearing clothing which is too tight around the waist can cause serious problems related to circulation, the immune system, and can disrupt the natural flow of the lymphatic fluids. And that’s not all.
Exercise pants or tops that are too tight around the waist can result in acid reflux, yeast infections in women if they are tight in the groin and erectile and fertility issues in men. The main reason behind these conditions arising is excessive moisture as a result of sweating or increasing body temperature while working out.
In addition to the hips and waist, the stomach should also be paid close attention to when it comes to wearing the right sportswear. Putting too much pressure on the area can lead to heartburn, inflammation, ulcers, or bladder leakage. On the other hand, hot allowing your diaphragm enough space can not only limit your movement but cause problems for the whole body as a result of oxygen deprivation.
What can you do?
To prevent any of the mentioned above negative scenarios, make sure that you allow your body to breathe and move freely, even if you have chosen to go for tight clothing when working out or exercising. It is always advisable to test the desired clothing items and try to perform a few movements, typical for your sport or workout. Don’t rely on the material to stretch over time but rather ensure that you feel comfortable in the present moment.
Risks of wearing clothes that are too loose
Now that we’ve covered the potential risks of working out in clothes that are too tight, it’s time to move on to look at the outcomes of the opposite – wearing clothes that are too loose. If you are fond of keeping your workout clothing free and flexible, it might be a good idea to consider some of the following consequences.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with loose sportswear and in some cases, it is actually a preferable choice over tight clothing. However, it is important to keep some boundaries in mind to avoid overdoing it. As you can imagine, wearing tight clothing is more closely associated with physical harms to the body whereas loose clothing can become a reason for a number of harms, which may not be related to internal discomfort but may still be dangerous.
For example, if your clothing is too loose it can easily get in the way of your workout by causing tripping or falling. Certain yoga pants that burst towards the bottom can get you in trouble by getting caught under the foot while moving. Even if you have already formed a habit of avoiding to step on them, a passer-by may find your yoga pants underneath their foot at some point. For the same reason, athletes and people participating in sports or exercises try to avoid loose drawstrings, sleeves, pants, or even long ponytails, which may cause discomfort and harm.
How to choose the right workout clothes
Now that you are familiar with all the risks associated with wearing clothes that are too tight and clothes that are too loose, it is up to you to make the right choice and choose a pair of sportswear that is just the right fit.
The design of the clothing will always be created with the purpose of offering a more compact or loose look but crossing the border on either end will not bring anything positive your way. When choosing the right sports clothing, remember that your sports gear is there to support you and allow you to push forward with your physical goals. It should be an extension of the body and should provide all the freedom for you to perform at your best.
Try to spend enough time trying out your next outfit before you hit the gym or the yoga studio to ensure that you’ve made the right choice. And remember, a pair of leggings and a sports bra will always do the trick. Just make sure they fit right and leave enough room for you to breathe, move, and be yourself!
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