You might have heard the famous phrase "dress for success" many times in your lifetime. However, have you ever applied it? If you haven't, you might be shocked to know that this statement is true even in sports and fitness.
In simple words, the athletic wear you choose will influence your performance in the gym and on the field. Something such as this might sound counterintuitive.
After all, would it matter when we can wear that comfortable T-shirt to avoid succumbing to hot weather and constant sweating? Yet, as comfortable and airy as your T-shirt might be, it has no place in your workout routines on the football field.
Purchasing the right sportswear when competing professionally could be a deciding factor in whether you win or lose. And here are a few reasons why.
The Right Sportswear Promotes Confidence
When competing professionally or working out in the gym, you must remain confident. So, ensure that your wear the proper athletic wear that gives you confidence while allowing you the freedom to display your physical skills without any difficulties.
Confidence can come from anything. It could be a color, style, or even a logo or design that holds significance. For instance, if wearing a sports jersey that has a symbol you cherish boosts the confidence and motivation to improve your performance, wear it.
Some people may feel confident with their names or initials on their jackets. If you're that person, you can get custom chenille letter patches online and incorporate them into your gear.
Being confident in what your wear puts you in a state of mind that increases your likelihood of performing better when you're on the field or in the gym.
The Right Sportswear Leads to Injury Prevention
Proper sportswear is more durable and designed to prevent your body from unnecessary cuts and bruises. However, those may still be inevitable. In addition, clothes that are too tight can result in body aches and strains.
Most athletic wear is made of fabric that stretches and contours itself around the body. So if what you're wearing is too tight, it can restrict your blood flow, resulting in poor blood flow, toxin builds up in the muscles and pain.
This can lead to underperformance, missteps, falls, and fractures. You'll be off the field for at least a few weeks, possible for good too.
Similarly, if they're too loose, they can be a nuisance. For gymnasts, your limbs are more likely to get caught in the fabric and cause you to trip and injure yourself.
Hence, always wear something that fits well and allows proper movement, which brings us to our next point.
The Right Sportswear Improves Your Freedom of Movement During Physical Activity
A tight shirt might make you look and feel ripped. However, it can restrict and hinder your movements when performing exercises and playing on the field.
Even if you're able to sprawl, swing, kick, or dunk, your performance will be affected if your body feels tight all the time.
However, ensure that your shorts don't ride up your butt when you jump or slip down. Moreover, if you purchase shorts too big for you, they will come in the way when performing complex movements.
Focusing on your freedom of movement is essential to exploring compound movements and exercising efficiently and effectively. If you don't, chances are you might do something wrong or suffer an injury if your sportswear is restricting your physical movements.
Compression Sportswear Aids in Recovery
According to a German study conducted in 2013, experts found that compression clothed helped improve recovery performance drastically.
But, on the other hand, a 2015 study from the USA states that there were little to no changes in performance among athletes who did and didn't wear active clothing. So, the verdict on compression clothing improving performance may be conflicting.
That said, compression sportswear provides you with a massaging effect that improves blood circulation throughout your body. This improved blood flow throughout your muscles and veins eliminates lactic acid produced during physical exercise.
Because of this, you will at least experience a boost in recovery since your muscles will be less stiff. Compression clothing applies direct pressure to your muscles and reduces soreness, especially after your workout session or game.
The Right Sportswear Has Sweat-Wicking Abilities
You'll be glad you left your old cotton T-shirt at home when going to the gym as cotton absorbs your sweat, making you look and feel clingy, heavy, and wet. While that might be a turn for some, it's a bad thing for your athletic performance.
Sweat-wicking sportswear will drive moisture away from your body by wicking it and evaporating it in the air through the fabric's surface. As a result, it will leave you feeling comfortable and dry during and after periods of intense physical activity.
Plus, these fabrics allow you to stay warm during the winters and cool during the summer so that you can enjoy your choice of sport in comfort. So, instead, go for sweat-wicking, breathable, and light fabrics such as nylon and spandex or tech-backed material such as Coolmax or Dri-FIT.
***
Investing in good sportswear matters and this article highlights a few good reasons why. It boosts your confidence, prevents injuries, allows full range of motion, aids in short-term recovery, and keeps you relatively sweat-free.
Wearing the right gear during your workouts or game time enables you to look the part and feel good when you burn away those calories while boosting your morale in the process.
So, it would be wise to throw away that old, drab T-shirt you're always wearing to the gym and go for some new, fresh pieces of athletic wear today.
