Exercise clothes - do they really make a difference?

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Replies

  • Seanb_us
    Seanb_us Posts: 322 Member
    Hi,

    What do compression shorts do for you? Why wear them? Won't they unflatteringly accentuate my belly?

    Cheers,

    Sean
  • Pseudocyber
    Pseudocyber Posts: 312 Member
    Hi,

    What do compression shorts do for you? Why wear them? Won't they unflatteringly accentuate my belly?

    Cheers,

    Sean

    If they're the tight shorts/underwear - I hike them up and keep everything from moving around - and try to minimize chafing when walking/running "long" distance 1-10Mi.
  • linsical
    linsical Posts: 34

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

    That's exactly what I was going to say TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross I can usually get really great deals on Under Armor, Nike, Adidas and other brands for realyl good prices!!
  • dreamtoned10
    dreamtoned10 Posts: 163 Member
    Nike Dri-Fit....

    I couldnt be without my nike dri fit trackie bottoms and sports tops and my nike pegasus runners....
  • TheMaidOfAstolat
    TheMaidOfAstolat Posts: 3,222 Member
    Ok, here's another question ... for guys - I'm working on reducing/flattening/tightening up my "man boobs" ... but am also finding that running, I guess my chest is jiggling and my nipples are getting raw. I didn't think men had this problem, but guess I'm wrong about that. I've heard of bandaids - thought women did that. What do guys do? I have a fairly hairy chest, and don't really look forward to ripping hair out of my chest with bandaids. :noway:

    Men have this problem too, lol. We all have nipples..so we have the same problems. Use some BodyGlide or start using bandaids. The guys I know that race....most of them shave all their body hair off and use BodyGlide for the chafing. Also...while your nips might be raw...wait a while...they'll bleed at some point. Bleeding nipples and black toes are signs of a true runner...IMHO.
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    Bleeding nipples and black toes are signs of a true runner...IMHO.

    Black toenails are more often a sign of poorly fitting shoes.
  • nuttyfamily
    nuttyfamily Posts: 3,394 Member
    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

    It isn't a matter of cheap or expensive but rather of what material they are made of.

    There are cheaper tech shirts at WalMart and Target and they work just as good as the Under Armour, Nike, Adidas, etc.

    Cotton is rotton as they say.
  • BenKnowsFitness
    BenKnowsFitness Posts: 451 Member
    Hmm, I never even thought about this. I just throw on anything and go for it. Now that you mention it, my cotton shirt is like a soaked towel after a good run. It’s kind of like my trophy (or from what it sounds like, my “dumb *kitten*” trophy).

    Anyway, I guess I need some coaching. So please (men), give me a few name brands and models. I need shorts, shirts, socks, and undershorts (I guess). My Nike’s are worn down darn near to the nub so if you know of any good running shoes. Any help will be seriously appreciated.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I vote trying the Target stuff until you get down to your goal weight. And good job so far!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,027 Member
    Equipment for any type of work (regardless of sport) makes a difference! Moisture wicking workout clothing does so much more than reduce moisture, but helps to reduce the friction on the skin. And the ones you buy at Target or Walmart work just as good as Nike, Underamour, etc.
  • Pseudocyber
    Pseudocyber Posts: 312 Member
    Use some BodyGlide or start using bandaids.
    Cool - thanks for the tip!
    The guys I know that race....most of them shave all their body hair off and use BodyGlide for the chafing. Also...while your nips might be raw...wait a while...they'll bleed at some point. Bleeding nipples and black toes are signs of a true runner...IMHO.

    When I have to shave my body hair, or my nipples bleed, I know I'm running too much!!! :noway:

    Thanks!
  • bobbybdoe
    bobbybdoe Posts: 472 Member
    Yeah they do. You get a better and easier range of motion. Working out with jeans or regular pants is a bit harder.
  • chozynvessel
    chozynvessel Posts: 12 Member
    I think they do make a difference. Especially moisture wicking socks and shirts. I am not a runner so I don't know about special shorts but I get a lot from the Xersion line at JCPenneys and you can get them on good sales and not spend a ton but they dry quickly and keep a lot of moisture from the skin and they fit great too. Highly recommend them.
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    Hmm, I never even thought about this. I just throw on anything and go for it. Now that you mention it, my cotton shirt is like a soaked towel after a good run. It’s kind of like my trophy (or from what it sounds like, my “dumb *kitten*” trophy).

    Anyway, I guess I need some coaching. So please (men), give me a few name brands and models. I need shorts, shirts, socks, and undershorts (I guess). My Nike’s are worn down darn near to the nub so if you know of any good running shoes. Any help will be seriously appreciated.

    I'm not a man, but Nike, Addidas, Sugoi, Asics, Champion and several specialty running retailers all make men's workout clothes of moisture-wicking material. There are others that I'm sure I am forgetting. All of the running shoe manufacturers make wicking socks in addition to most of the companies that make running apparel. I personally have always worn Asics socks.

    One item that I know many men buy are undershorts with some windbreaker-type material over the , err, sensitive area for cold weather outdoor sports. ;) It's the soft wicking material inside with the windbreaker stuff on the outside to cut down on chilling in cold/windy weather.

    For running shoes, your best bet is to go to a specialty running store and get professionally fitted there so you are in the proper shoes for your gait, weight, mileage and running surfaces. You may pay full price there, but you can also return/exchange for 30 days usually. Once you know what shoes you need, you can look for sales on future pairs. Shoe manufacturers change out their inventory twice a year, usually only changing the color of the shoe, so it's fairly easy to find discounted shoes if you're a popular size.

    ETA: For the women, Moving Comfort is very good stuff and does have an extended size range for plus-sizes. Athleta's own brand is decent as well, though it's usually just a knock-off of some other manufacturer's last season pick.
  • weightloss12345678
    weightloss12345678 Posts: 377 Member
    Under Armor is pretty good if not the best out
  • Pseudocyber
    Pseudocyber Posts: 312 Member
    Hmm, I never even thought about this. I just throw on anything and go for it. Now that you mention it, my cotton shirt is like a soaked towel after a good run. It’s kind of like my trophy (or from what it sounds like, my “dumb *kitten*” trophy).
    LMAO. Benf, I had the same thought ... "I'm soaked - I must have exercised". :laugh:
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    Taekwondo in a 100 degree dojang in a typical cotton tank and no Underarmor Heat shorts = MISERABLE

    The same workout in the heat shorts and quick dry tank (even under the uniform) = Much, Much better!

    Plus when you're done you feel better faster. In the winter it has the same effect. Because of the quick dry I don't get chilled after a hard workout when I go out into the night air. The quick dry isn't wet and collecting coldness!

    It's worth the expense for the good shorts. I have several of Target's $10 tanks and those seem to work just fine but again, spend the money on the quality shorts since there will be a lot of friction. My husband has a pair of lesser quality and they've begun to come apart while mine are still like new. They were purchased about the same time.
  • Pseudocyber
    Pseudocyber Posts: 312 Member
    Well, I went to Target and got an XL Champion shirt. According to their size chart, I should have been able to fit into a large, but I picked it up and said "uh uh". Got home and put it on - man! I'm glad I got an XL ....

    I guess I'm not used to wearing tight clothes. It's a little big in my shoulders, but it's tight everywhere else!

    I ran 3 miles, and it was wet on front and back. I like that it didn't seem to move and chafe like a regular T-Shirt. Didn't really notice a heating/cooling difference.

    I also had bought some $10 socks at the running store - I like those! They are more cushioned on the bottom, less on the top. It seems my feet are cooler, but it could be my imagination.

    I also wear a "frog tog" - sort of an absorbent, spongy bandanna. I soak it in water, wring it out half way, and then put it on my head and it stays wet and cool to the touch - so it cools my head.
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