Comfortable Outfits for Being Active
tasc Performance

Comfortable Outfits for Being Active

Comfortable Outfits for Being Active

When you think of working out, you probably don’t associate the idea with being comfortable. That’s understandable, as most workouts are designed to push your body to its limits to increase those limits later on. As they say, “no pain, no gain.”

We’re not here to rewrite how fitness works, but we are here to make some changes to how it feels.

No one can stop a heavy deadlift or a long run from feeling like a heavy deadlift or a long run, but with the help of modern innovations and some forethought, you can minimize every non-essential discomfort and distraction.

One of the best ways to do this is by wearing comfortable workout clothes. This isn’t going to happen with the cheap, everyday activewear of the past. Cotton and synthetic fabrics aren’t going to cut it anymore. It’s time for modern fabrics that do it all without compromise.

Today, our Tasc Performance guide is all about comfortable activewear, also known as athleisure. Not only is athleisure apparel super practical and performance-optimized, but it’s also trending big time so that you can be comfortable and stylish all at once!

Read on to learn what factors can make or break your exercise comfort levels and how to choose clothes that will keep you comfortable.

What Factors Determine How Comfortable My Activewear Is?

To experience improved comfort levels during your workout, you won’t be able to settle for the typical, cheaply made, poorly designed workout clothes of the past.

There are a few major factors that can cause discomfort during exercise:

  • Hindered range of movement
  • Uncomfortable fabric texture
  • Inhibited thermoregulation

Most of these areas are handled by the fabric at the foundation of your workout clothes.

The garment's design, including the fit and even the seam placement, is important as well, but more so in ensuring nothing is terribly uncomfortable from the get-go. These factors won’t help as much when the heat turns up — which is where the fabric comes in.

Range of Movement

Range of movement is your ability to move your joints and contort your body into the positions needed for your workout.

This is more prevalent in certain types of exercise than others. For instance, yoga has a focus on achieving the greatest range of movement possible, while a controlled jog requires a smaller range.

The intensity of your workout is often relevant as well. A game of soccer, for example, could require a wide stretch or awkward body position at any moment.

In terms of comfort, being able to move how you need without feeling your clothes work against you is an excellent feeling. It’s a freeing mode of exercise that encourages focus and peace of mind.

To this end, always choose workout clothes that promote a greater range of movement rather than hinder it.

Something as simple as choosing the right fit can make a difference. Clothes that are too tight are especially guilty of hindering movement, but clothes that are too loose can get caught up in certain positions and hinder you as well.

Fabrics with stretch capabilities can also contribute towards a better range of movement, so it’s always a good idea to find styles with this quality for your exercises.

Uncomfortable Fabric

We’re guessing this one needs no explanation — everyone knows how much an uncomfortable fabric texture can keep you from feeling comfortable, no matter the activity.

Traditional activewear fabrics simply don’t cut it in this area. Cotton may be soft, but not when it’s wet. As soon as you start to sweat, cotton will absorb the moisture but take a long time to dry, leaving you sticky and uncomfortable.

Synthetic fabrics have been a popular option because they dry more quickly than cotton, but unfortunately, most synthetic fabrics aren’t soft at all.

Not only do they feel grating to the skin, but some chemical treatments required for most synthetic fabrics can cause further issues.

Wearing silk might not be an option, but modern fabrics such as bamboo and beachwood achieve a similar level of softness without compromising in other areas.

Thermoregulation

The most important performance qualities for your activewear relate to your body’s thermoregulatory processes.

That may sound like an intimidating term, but it’s an intuitive concept once you look closer. Thermoregulation is how your body keeps its temperature balanced. Your body is looking for a middle ground that’s just right — not too hot, not too cold.

What you wear affects your ability to thermoregulate all the time — but no time is more important than when you’re exercising.

During exercise, your body temperature usually rises rapidly. The more intense your activity, the more this affects you. Your environment and hydration levels are relevant as well, but it’s essential to a quality workout to ensure your clothes don’t hold you back.

The Solution: Better Fabrics

Cotton is a very traditional material for garments, including some workout clothes. As sports sciences progressed, we realized cotton was problematic in keeping you cool and dry.

Cotton absorbs sweat and takes a long time to dry. When you’re drenched in sweat and can’t dry off, this inhibits your ability to thermoregulate. You start to overheat, which increases your fatigue and can lead to serious problems if you don’t address your temperature or take a break.

Being wet and sticky is just plain uncomfortable, too.

Synthetic fabrics are better at drying, but they aren’t soft, and they have a whole host of other problems as well.

Both these traditional fabrics suffer from an inability to resist odor buildup and serious sustainability issues. They were never ready to last for the long term.

That’s where better fabrics, like bamboo, come to the rescue. Having found new ways to harness natural resources around us, we’re realizing that there are incredibly sustainable and practical fabrics at our fingertips.

Here at Tasc Performance, we’re blending bamboo with organic cotton for the top contender in this new world of materials.

Bamboo does the heavy lifting with superior performance qualities: breathable material to keep you cool and excellent moisture-wicking to keep you dry.

Bamboo is also odor resistant, super soft, wrinkle-resistant, hypoallergenic, and free of chemical treatments. Add in a bit of eco-friendly organic cotton for an extra soft texture, and you’re all set to exercise in the greatest comfort you’ve ever experienced.

Styles To Workout and Be Comfortable In

Thanks to the rising trend of athleisure, comfortable activewear is a popular look that’s easy to style for an array of occasions. Let’s take a look at some options!

The first thing you’ll want to invest in is a pair of comfortable, versatile athleisure bottoms. Joggers are super popular across the board. The fitted lower leg and ankle band keep them from sliding around during exercise, while quality materials such as bamboo ensure you’ll be cool and dry when the heat turns up.

Try our Varsity Brushed Lightweight Joggers for men or women to see why this trend is taking off. They’re ready to lounge around, cruise on your commute, or go out on the town too.

For an alternative look, our Carrollton Fitness Pants or Allways Pocket Leggings for the ladies achieve the same top levels of comfort and performance.

Next up, knock out the fundamentals with a few activewear tops for any occasion. Invest in some short and long sleeves for the widest array of options. Our Carrollton Fitness T-Shirt and NOLA Long Sleeve T-Shirt are some of the best available.

You’re going to need some layering options too. There’s a variety of athleisure outwear that can enhance your workouts in any season, such as our Apex Brushed Quarter Zip or Recess Athletic Fitted Long Sleeve.

A sports bra works under another top or on its own, and our Allways Sports Bra even comes in colors to match your Allways leggings.

Conclusion

With the newest innovations in activewear fabric and attire design, athleisure can take your workouts from totally uncomfortable to comfortable and unhindered. For more ways to improve your active lifestyle and wardrobe, stick around for future Tasc Performance styles and guides.

Sources:

Thermoregulation | Healthline

Toxicity of Synthetic Fibres & Health | Austin Publishing Group

What is Ethical and Sustainable Fashion? | Good On You

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