The Impact of Gym Attire: Why What You Wear Really Matters

How Your Workout Clothes Affect Performance, Comfort, and More, According to a Human Performance Expert

When it comes to choosing workout clothes, do you prioritize fashion or comfort? Finding the right balance is key, as research shows a direct correlation between what we wear and our performance, motivation levels, and even the likelihood of injury during exercise.

To shed light on the subject, Nick Harris, a renowned human performance expert and creator of HPE Activewear, shares his expert insights on how our choice of gym attire can impact our workouts:

1. Injury prevention: Wearing appropriate clothing is essential for avid exercisers. Many sports injuries occur due to the lack of suitable equipment, including clothes. It is important to select clothing designed specifically for the sport or activity, providing ample protection against impact, strain, or overheating. Investing in high-quality compression wear, which enhances circulation and blood flow, can reduce fatigue, manage lactic acid accumulation, and improve power, endurance, and recovery.
2. Freedom of movement: Lightweight materials and well-designed activewear should feel like a second skin, allowing unrestricted movement during training. Exercising in total comfort enables you to focus solely on the task at hand and perform to the best of your ability. Pay attention to the design and tailoring of fitness clothing, opting for seamless garments that won’t irritate or rub against your skin.
3. Temperature regulation: A vigorous gym session will make you grateful you didn’t wear that old cotton top. Cotton absorbs sweat easily and retains moisture, leaving you feeling damp and heavy. Opt for light, breathable, and sweat-wicking fabrics that draw moisture away from the body, keeping you dry and comfortable. Intelligent fabrics like XT Air or XT Air ICE can also help regulate and maintain your body temperature, allowing you to perform at your best in ultimate comfort.
4. Performance enhancement: “Dress for success” applies to the gym as well. High-quality, intelligent fabrics work with your body to enhance performance, withstanding the rigors of intense training. Comfort remains a key factor in improved performance, so choose fitness clothing specifically designed for your chosen activity. Look for sweat-wicking fabrics if you’re likely to perspire, as they draw moisture away from the body. Seek out FRESHFIT technology, which incorporates silver ions to resist bacterial build-up and keep you feeling fresh.
5. Confidence boost: Clothing can be empowering, even during workouts, by contributing to our confidence levels and self-esteem. The concept of “enclothed cognition” suggests that the clothing we wear can trigger mental changes that positively affect our performance and confidence. Simply put, when you look good, you feel more confident. Investing in gym attire that makes you feel the part can help you conquer your workouts and feel better overall.
6. Skin impact: Low-quality and cheap activewear may contain fabrics that irritate the skin, causing rashes and itching during workouts. Exercise increases blood flow to the skin, which can also lead to itchiness. Sweat, dehydration, wearing tight clothing that hinders skin breathing, and washing workout attire with harsh detergents can contribute to skin issues. Opt for light, breathable fabrics that keep your skin cool and comfortable.
7. Motivation factor: New workout gear can be a powerful motivator to hit the gym. Feeling good and looking good while surrounded by mirrors can boost your confidence. However, constantly buying new gym clothes can be costly. To address this, HPE Activewear has introduced a new quarterly subscription box service, allowing users to curate a collection of luxurious, highly technical fitness clothing. This service offers customers significant savings on their best-selling products and fabric technologies, with a “build your own box” option to choose from a wide range of colors and designs that suit individual exercise preferences and lifestyles.

By considering these seven reasons, it becomes clear that what you wear in the gym truly matters. From injury prevention and improved performance to confidence and motivation, the right gym attire can make a significant difference in your workout experience.