Exercise is challenging enough on its own, so it is good to know how clothing can make your workout more enjoyable and potentially more effective. Whether you are an average, everyday athlete or a professional, certain clothing can help you to balance your body's temperature using synthetic, "cool technology" fabrics. Some fabrics have "cool technology" and odor protection, are strengthened durability and may even be made from recycled materials, "Fitness" magazine reports in a clothing review.
Shirts
For average workouts, the obvious choice is cotton T-shirts; however, if you prefer exercising outdoors and do not want tan lines from T-shirt sleeves, wear tank tops. Tank tops will also keep you cooler by allowing more air to flow to your skin. If you participate in more high-intensity workouts, try a more breathable option --- jersey tops, for example, are perforated and synthetic. Athletes wear them, because they are the most effective at dealing with sweat and balancing body temperature. Biker tops are meant for biking because they are tight-fitting, which makes you more aerodynamic. They are typically made from spandex or a blend of spandex and "breathable" materials.
Shorts
Compression shorts, also known as biker shorts, are made of synthetic material. They support your muscles to prevent them from cramping and overexertion. If you find your legs chafing during exercise, compression shorts can give you relief by providing a smooth fabric layer between your legs or between your skin and your running shorts. Compression shorts are tight-fitting, which is an asset for cyclists in keeping clothes from tangling in the bicycle gears. They are also ideal for yoga to precisely monitor your body's form and alignment in mirrors.
"Transforming"
You can zip up or snap off clothing to adjust your cooling level --- going from wearing pants to shorts without leaving your exercise area to change clothes. Some pants are made with a zipper near the knees, which wraps around the legs entirely --- so that when you fully unzip them, they turn into shorts. If you are biking and expecting cold temperatures, bring arm warmers to slide on your arms, turning your short-sleeved jersey into a long-sleeved one.
Shoes
Toning shoes saw a popularity explosion in the mid-2000s, with advertisements claiming that they will increase muscle tone. However, experiments conducted by the American Council on Exercise reveal that toning shoes are not effective for this purpose. The organization suggests normal workout shoes, and adding hand weights if you are looking for additional toning. Coordinate the type of shoe with the type of exercise or sport you primarily do. Most fitness shoes are self-explanatory. Some of the options include running shoes for jogging and running, and cross-training shoes for both cardiovascular and weightlifting exercise.
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