Activewear has to be practical, but your choice of workout attire also plays a major psychological role as well. What you wear has a direct influence on getting you in the mood to work out as well as keeping you motivated during your workout.

There are numerous clothing lines specifically dedicated to fashionable activewear. If you’re a Project Runway fan, you would have seen that Heidi Klum has teamed up with New Balance and launched an activewear line in October available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Sporty fashionistas have been outfitting themselves in Stella McCartney’s sportswear line for Adidas since its launch in 2004. The former creative director of Chloé collaborated with Adidas for a line that marries functional high performance activewear with relaxed style.

Not to mention the many affordable options from tried and true sportswear brands such as Nike and Reebok and low price chain stores such as Old Navy.

Whether your exercise routine takes you to the streets for a brisk walk, or to the gym for a dance class, wearing the right workout attire is an important part of helping you achieve your physical goals. Whether you opt for high fashion sportswear from a designer house or simple modern pieces from a mainstream line, there are specific qualities to look for in your workout apparel.

Fabric

While you work up a sweat, your clothes should be made of a fabric that’s breathable and wicks that moisture away from your skin as quickly as possible.

Though cotton is ideal for casual wear, as you work up a sweat cotton absorbs the moisture but it doesn’t wick it away from the skin or help it to evaporate quickly. This  leaves cotton apparel wet and heavy after a workout. For these reasons cotton is a subpar fabric choice when your exercise routine will involve working up a sweat.

Synthetic fabrics specially designed for activewear such as COOLMAX® and SUPPLEX® are ideal for keeping you dry and comfortable during your work out.

Flexibility

As you move, your workout apparel needs to move with you. Working out means lots of rapid and repetitive movements. Clothing that is restrictive will not only inhibit and frustrate you during your workout, but can prevent you from performing your workout correctly and safely.

Activewear should be chosen for the specific type of workout you will perform. If you’ll be jogging or attending a spin class, steer clear of long baggy pants that can can slow you down or get inadvertently caught in exercise machines.Footwear

Once you’ve chosen the ideal workout apparel, don’t overlook choosing the appropriate sneakers for your exercise routine. Do not take for granted the stress your workout has on your knees, ankles and feet. Wearing the correct sneakers for your workout significantly lessens the stress on your body and makes you more comfortable during your workout. Keep in mind that not all sneakers are made equal. The ideal sneakers for running are built differently than sneakers appropriate for the repetitive lateral movements involved in aerobics for example. Seeking the advice of an expert in a sportswear store when choosing your sneakers.

Though feeling confident about your appearance and workout attire has a powerful way of getting you excited to workout, remember not to take it too far. Wearing makeup during your workout, especially heavy makeup such as foundation can clog your pores while you sweat and lead to breakouts. We all have imperfections we want to hide, so if going completely bare faced leaves you feeling self conscious opt for a lightweight tinted moisturizer that’s oil free so it won’t clog your pores while it evens out your skin tone. There’s nothing wrong with a little waterproof mascara to wake up your eyes and lip balm to soften your lips but leave the lipstick at home.

You wouldn’t head to work in a tattered inappropriate outfit, so don’t do yourself a disservice by thinking any old t-shirt and shorts will do when you workout. Invest in quality sportswear that will keep you comfortable and confident so that you can get the most out of your exercise routine.

Tyrina Talks Fashion is your weekly serving of fashion forecasting, trend reporting, figure analysis and helpful fashion tips and tricks. Email Tyrina with your fashion questions and photos at tyrinaalicia@hotmail.com. Visit www.primadonasales.com