When it comes to working out and going to the gym in general, nowadays we’ve got a ton of different options when it comes to style, fit and material. Of course, there are some of us who just throw something on and head out, and there are also those who meticulously plan and strategize on what to wear and when.
So, who is right? We can say the truth is somewhere in the middle because,as the title suggests, there are some types of materials that are ideal for working out and going to the gym.
How do we know this? We actually use a certain set of criteria to determine the best material for workout clothes and base our research on them. Here are some of these criteria:
- Moisture regulation – possibly the most important piece of information (if you disregard the design aspect), since you need material that’s breathable and able to transport sweat away from your body.
- Breathability – breathability comes hand in hand with moisture regulation as it helps the body cool off and not overheat.
- Durability – for some this is one of the top priorities, but for others it’s at the bottom of the list. Whether you belong to the first or the second group, sportswear durability is important since you’re likely to put additional stress on it (unlike your regular, everyday clothes), so you’ll want this material to be a bit more durable and last longer.
- Drying – when your clothes get wet, it starts getting heavy, sticks to your body and makes you feel so uncomfortable you might even cut your exercises short. This is why it’s important to choose clothing made up of quick-drying materials.
- Comfort – even though you need to pay attention to the functional aspects of your workout clothes (such as moisture regulation and durability), at the end of the day you want your clothes to be comfortable to wear. The last thing you’d want is to go out to the gym and feel like your clothes don’t fit well, restricts your movement or makes you feel uncomfortable (especially around other people).
- Pricing – the price comes down to your personal preference and how much money you’re willing to spend. Since we’re talking to a larger audience (of people visiting our website and reading our blog), we try to hit that sweet spot between a reasonable price and high quality.
Which Material To Avoid?
Before we dig into the most desirable materials for workout clothes, let’s talk about the one you should avoid. This might be a bit of a controversial take since this material is one of the most loved and used all around the world – cotton!
Though cotton is the most preferable material for everyday clothes, when it comes to working out, it might not be the best choice. Why? One of cotton’s major properties is it absorbs moisture quickly… so, if you are the type of person who sweats a lot, you might soon find yourself in a “sticky” situation rather quickly.
Some researchers consider polyester part of this category too, because poliester does trap in more bacteria and is not that odor resistant. So, if you plan on engaging in some light, aerobic exercises (such as walking or relaxed cycling), polyester can work, but if you plan on getting more intense, you should probably try a different material.
The Best Materials for Workout Clothes
There is no material that ticks all the boxes, one is good for light exercising, one for heavy lifting, and another for running. It’s important to keep this in mind and choose material based on the workout you plan on engaging in.
Spandex
If you’ve been practicing yoga, or any other range-of-motion type workout, you probably already heard of spandex – a light weight material, able to expand, stretch out and get back into its original shape!
Sure, spandex is not the most breathable or moisture-wicking material, but it was not intended for high intensity workouts anyways. So, if you need a material that’s not going to restrict your movement, dries quickly and is able to stretch out in all the different shapes and sizes, spandex is the way to go!
Wool
I see you raising your eyebrow already, but wool is the type of material that’s going to keep you warm when it’s cold outside, but it can also help you cool down!
Let me explain. Wool is, natural material and, as such, is incredibly breathable. So breathable, in fact, it will help regulate your body temperature and keep you dry (even if you’re working out in the summer). Of course, you’re not going to be working out in a thick wooly jacket, but you can try activewear and you’ll see how good of a job it will do for you.
Poly-Dri
We already talked about polyester as being an inferior option for any type of high intensity training, but poly-dri is an improved version of it, that doesn’t trap as many bacteria, is odor resistant and dries quickly. So, even though we generally don’t recommend polyester for high intensity training, poly-dri has the potential to be a gamechanger. Give it a try and let us know what you think.
Bamboo
When it comes to ticking all the boxes, bamboo clothing is as close as it gets! It is:
- Moisture-wicking
- Breathable
- Quick-drying
- Odor-resistant
- Sustainable
So, if you are looking for the best material for your sportswear and solid sports t-shirts, bamboo is the way to go! Not only does it not use plastic, it’s also naturally hypoallergenic, as well as UV protective!
You must be thinking bamboo t-shirts are much more expensive, as compared to cotton ones at least, but you can hop on to Amazon and get some for under $10 (if you buy in bulk)!
Nylon
Even though nylon sounds like something you’d want to pack up for your next fishing trip, this material is one of the premier choices for athletes, both professional and amateur. You can think of nylon as a combination of spandex and polyester, which is quick-drying, durable, stretchy, comfortable, and incredibly breathable.
So, when it comes to the best material for your sportswear, you can go the natural route and choose bamboo, or the synthetic one with nylon. Whatever you choose, you won’t regret it!