When we are talking about workout clothing, it is more about how it affects your working performance rather than how you look. The best activewear fabric increases workout efficiency by enhancing comfortability.
Thing to consider while choosing activewear fabrics
Before purchasing workout clothes, you should know the properties gym clothes should have. Here are a few factors you should consider while choosing your activewear.
Moisture management
Moisture management is a hot topic for activewear. Moisture management is how the cloth behaves in the presence of moisture or sweat. Whether it absorbs the dampness quickly and becomes heavy like cotton or if it is moisture-wicking.
Wicking the moisture means the fabric draws the sweat quickly and evaporates it readily. Good gym clothes are moisture-wicking. It does not get heavy after absorbing sweat from your body.
Breathability
Breathability is another name for thermoregulation and air circulation within the fabrics. A breathable fabric is the one through which the hot air of the body escapes, thus keeping you cool. It is perfect for warm weather.
The vice versa is workable for the cool weather. The fiber that is knitted tightly does not allow the air to flow and does not allow the hot air to escape, thus keeping you warm.
Sportswear should also be odor-resistant, durable, comfortable, and stretchable.
Types of best workout fabric
Bamboo
You have heard most frequently about bamboo furniture, toilet tissue, and disposable cutlery, but now bamboo pulp is also used in manufacturing exercise apparel. Bamboo fabric is super soft. The reason for the high demand is its environment-friendly nature. The bamboo fabric is biodegradable.
Bamboo is the most luxurious sportswear fabric, and it is anti-irritant means it does not irritate humans with sensitive skin.
The fabric of this nature is best for summer and winter as well because it regulates the temperature according to the climatic condition. The bamboo-containing fabric keeps you warm in winter and cools in summer.
This fabric is moisture-wicking, odor resistant, and protects you from UV rays.
Nylon
Another sportswear fabric for all seasons is nylon which is in high demand. It is known for its stretchability. It freely and comfortably moves with you and quickly recovers to its shape. The apparel made of nylon absorbs the moisture too fast and removes it to the upper surface so that the moisture evaporates. In a nutshell, nylon is moisture-wicking.
This fabric is incredibly breathable, so it controls the body temperature and keeps your body temperature in a comfortable zone. Due to this range of benefits, nylon is used in almost all sportswear, gym wear, and tracksuits like T-shirts, shorts, leggings, underwear, and jackets. Nylon also has antimicrobial properties. It is mold and mildew-resistant.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene fabrics are composed of thermoplastic polypropylene polymer. It is the most commonly produced and frequently used fabric for active fabric. Polypropylene has the property to transfer moisture which means instead of absorbing sweat, polypropylene sends it to the upper surface, so the sweat evaporates quickly.
Polypropylene is a highly stretchable and very breathable fabric. It does not absorb moisture but it is good at resisting your body odor. This is the reason it is widely used in the fabric of undergarments.
Its thermal conductivity (ability to transfer heat) is low. Polypropylene is perfect for cold weather. In cold climates, it does not allow the body’s heat to escape from the body.
A slightly high temperature may damage the fabric. It melts quickly at a high temperature, so you should avoid washing it in warm water.
Spandex
Spandex is a remarkably stretchable fabric. If you are going to perform such an exercise where you need to stretch your body, then spandex is best for you. Spandex is slightly moisture-wicking and has limited breathability.
Washing and then drying in the dryer and ironing it very often decrease its stretchability. High-moving workouts like yoga and weightlifting become comfortable with spandex gym clothes.
Polyester
Polyester is another high-demand fabric, perfect for any type of activewear and for every weather. It contains all the properties a gym clothing should have. It is moisture-wicking, breathable, and durable. Polyester is a high-strength fabric, and it is incredibly durable.
The polyester fabric is so elastic that if you stretch it by 5 to 6%, it will retain its shape. Polyester being the derivative of plastic, is wrinkle-resistant. This fabric is hydrophobic in nature, so how much you sweat, the moisture will not hinder your exercise. It does not resist microbes, and this is the only reason it is not liked by some gym enthusiasts. Polyester is not as soft as cotton and wool.
Cotton
Cotton is not a good workout fabric as it is not moisture-wicking. It quickly absorbs moisture but does not evaporate it. After absorbing moisture it becomes heavy and D-shaped.
Cotton fabric is highly breathable, so during the workout in which you will not sweat you can wear cotton-based sportswear. Cotton is also odor resistant and easy to wash.