Exercise clothes - do they really make a difference?

I love and swear by my under armor running shorts some are designed for the heat. That's just me though

oh goodness yes - there is an expression, when it comes to fitness clothing that cotton is rotten

I love Nike Drifit running pants- they have plus sizes which I need and they actually have to fit my hippo hips

Yes. compression shorts and under armour shirts, as others have said, help keep you dry and cool. No gimmicks!

A lot of the cheaper ones will work too. Just make sure they are a tech / dry / performance / whatever synthetic and not plain cotton. Cotton just gets wet and saggy and heavy. Generally the thinner the better. Although they look pretty extreme (and make you feel a little self-conscious) because they're so tight, the Under Armour compression fit shirts really feel comfortable when you're sweating or soaking wet from an adventure race.

I have under armor heat gear shorts and tops and I feel like they make a difference.

They keep me much cooler in the gym.. esp because it can be just as bad in there as it is outside!

Proper fitness gear is essential - here in the UK the supermarkets sell their own branded stuff so I'm sure in the US they do as well...have a look online, or even go onto eBay or Amazon to have a look!

Another agreement from me. They do make a difference. I've purchased mine from Wal-mart. I'm not sure I'm prepared to spend the money on the fancy name brand stuff until I get to my goal weight or within a few lbs anyway. I'm on my third size change already.

yes they cling less to you and don't get weighed down with sweat which makes it more comfortable to keep exercising.

You can find some good ones at Kohls in the clearance racks and even at bobs stores and they constantly offer $10 rewards coupons and 20% off coupons too....get 1 and try it out and see if you feel a difference....I have 2 that I rotate around on my high exercise/out in the heat days and they are life savers and make a difference to me.

I've started running - and sweating more than I ever have before. I'm coming in now with my T-shirt soaked, literally. I haven't done it yet, but I bet I could wring it out and get some sweat to drip out of it. It's supposed to hit 100degrees F today in Charlotte. I'm running/walking before the sunrise, and at sunset - but it's still in the 90's.

Do the high dollar exercise shirts make a difference? Is there any difference in the high dollar exercise one's and the cheap one's at say, Target?

Thanks,

PC

Yes, the technical gear is much more comfortable. It wicks sweat away from your body, keeping you drier and cooler in warm weather and drier and warmer in cold weather. The seams are generally flat-locked for extended wear and to reduce chafing, and the seams are generally placed in areas less likely to chafe you in the first place. They're also designed to withstand literally hundreds if not thousands of washings without changing shape or color. They usually don't have any interior tags (again to avoid chafing).

The more expensive pieces generally have better seam placement and finishing and sometimes also have an antimicrobial feature to inhibit bacteria growth so the clothes get less stinky. Good quality pieces last for years. I've had some of mine for over a decade.

I'd decide whether to spend a lot of money or pick up the cheaper ones based on how long you think you'll be at this size (why buy a $60 shirt that you'll wear for 2 months?) and how frequently you anticipate washing them.

Whatever you decide to spend, do NOT use fabric softener on these pieces in the washer or the dryer. Fabric softener will plug up the pores in the fabric, meaning they won't wick as well and will be less breathable.

Yes - and what Target has is perfectly fine (all my exercise clothes are from there). Yeah it can get pricey but if you just start off with a couple shirts and a couple shorts, and then purchase more when you can it is totally worth it.

I bought a crapton of $11 Asics racerback tanks off of Amazon.com. Go cheap but stick with brands you and your friends trust. There is no sense in going broke!

Yes! I haven't run in anything but synthetics in over a year because I would feel like I'm drowning in sweat otherwise. Make sure you hit stores when they have sales...especially if you start going with brands that are uber pricy.

Invest in good socks! While it's going to make a dent in your wallet...suck it up and spend the $13 a pair...the lack of blisters and having non-sweaty feet is worth it. Because they are such good construction....these socks last a long time.

YESSSSS! i have another post on here describing it, but i once depantsed myself in race because i wore cotton leggings instead of dry-fit material. It was super embarrassing, and i will never run unless properly attired again.

TJ maxxx and Marshals usually have great deals....or i like to wait for runners warehouse to have a clearence sale on shorts!

My boyfriend and i always fight about the socks....i love dry fit, he only wears cotton, and never has a problem. I think it depends how much you are sweating and how sensitive your skin is.

I absolutely love dri fit shirts, i still sweat like a mad woman, but the shirts and pants don't feel like they weigh me down. They are light and breathable. If i'm running outside or at the gym, that's my preference for clothing. I do like the nike brand, and under armour, champion by target is great too. Also, like others have said, by a couple at first to get started and go from there.