Running is not the same as riding a bike, as doing yoga is not the same as taking an aerobics class.

There are many exercises that allow you to be in shape, but to obtain a greater benefit, or simply to feel better, it is advisable to wear the most appropriate clothes to perform each type of physical activity.


It is not about going out to buy all kinds of shirts and pants, even more if you take into account the high price usually branded sportswear. But once you have chosen the sport you want to practice it is important to know what type of garment is best for doing that exercise.

Functionality, comfort and durability are three aspects that must be taken into account, in addition to the appearance, although there are other factors that influence the decision.

Loose pants are not ideal for riding bikes, while clothing with little flexibility will limit your movements in yoga and pilates classes.

"For customers it is important to know what exercise they are going to do," Dhyana van der Pols, head of textile and production innovation at the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), told BBC World.

"At present there are many trends, one of them is that the sport is having a fusion with fashion that you can see in fabrics, colors and fibers," he explained.

Once you consider the activities to be performed and how often, it is important to determine the measurement that best suits your body's texture, since there are garments that despite being a smaller size are flexible enough to fulfill the function that is needed.

"What manufacturers are concentrating on now is trousers that are compressed, ultra-light materials, that is, fabrics that help you improve performance and achieve your goals," said the specialist.

Van der Pols pointed out that it is important not to confuse comfort with vanity, as it could be detrimental when it comes to exercising; although it is also true that appearance also plays a relevant role for the motivation of people.

"An example is what happens in Colombia, where women like to have a good figure, with beautiful breasts and buttocks and correct proportions," explained the WFSGI leader.

"What happens there is that the shape of the clothes is important, so it has incorporated a technology of corrector figure in sportswear."

"Then you come across high-compression fabrics that have integrated functionality of the shape." People realized that before women had to wear bras to keep their shape under their sportswear, which was very uncomfortable. need was studied and that was why it was satisfied, "he said.

There are exercises that make you perspire more than others, while doing it in a gym or outdoors also makes a difference.

In any case the important thing is to make sure that the body stays as dry as possible and with enough ventilation to avoid overheating.

"Another trend that is very strong is high-intensity, high-temperature training, which takes place primarily indoors or in a gym with personal trainers and trainers," Van der Pols said.In this regard it is advisable to avoid cotton garments, which could be used in activities of low intensity or little movement.

The problem is that cotton is a material that does not let the body breathe, it also gets wet with sweat and becomes heavier and annoying.

In this case you should look for a type of synthetic material that serves to repel sweat, such as nylon and polyester, in addition to expelling moisture from the body through the fabric.

"It all started at the request of the professional athletes who demanded better fabrics," said Van der Pols.

"About four years ago, the trend was for moisture control, rapid drying, antibacterial and durability, which was what endurance sports were for. What happened next was that there was a transition from the same needs to the general market ".Covers

It is not as relevant to most tropical countries, but it is not important if the exercise is practiced outdoors early in the morning or at night.

To counter times of cold and heat it is advisable to play with layers that can increase or decrease as the body's temperature rises or falls during exercise.

The formula is to have a base layer that allows breathing to the body, but at the same time maintains the heat. Then you can choose a lighter layer and finally with a protective layer impermeable or that serves to cut the wind.

During hot days it is important to dress properly to avoid excessive sweating and keep the body hydrated.

"It is also happening that people not only want to look good during exercise, but before and after. People are not changing more when leaving the gym, they simply put on a windbreaker or a raincoat and continue with their daily routine. that in the last two and three years there has been tremendous technological development. "