I believe that many people have taken a lot of detours when choosing fitness clothes. Before, I didn’t know that many of the labels of gym clothes were written as nylon, and some were polyester.
Why are some easily deformed? Why do some have bad elasticity and some rub against the skin? Why do some people even go running in cotton t-shirts?
Today, I just studied the difference between several fitness clothing materials! The following are 8 common materials used in fitness clothing.
Bamboo Fiber
Bamboo fiber fabric refers to a new type of fabric that is made of bamboo fiber through a special process using bamboo as a raw material, and then woven.
Features: soft and warm, antibacterial moisture-absorbing and breathable, environmentally friendly, anti-ultraviolet, natural health care, comfortable and beautiful, can repel peculiar smell, regulate body temperature, UPF value is above 50. Experts point out that bamboo fiber is a natural and environmentally friendly green fiber in a true sense.
People use it in a series of products such as towels, bathrobes, underwear, T-shirts and so on.
This is not widely used in China, but the foreign sports outdoor leisure brand Tasc Performance and other brands will mix chemical-free bamboo fiber with organic cotton, wool and spandex to design fitness clothing.
Bamboo fiber can be said to be the Swiss Army knife of high-performance fabrics.
We can wear for a marathon, then go to spinning class, and then run. We can keep our clothes dry during exercise and also have sun protection. It’s really good for outdoor sports!
Cotton
In the comparison of cotton and polyester, cotton won in the odor test. A recent study in Belgium found that cotton clothes emit less odor after exercise than polyester because synthetic fibers can breed odor-causing bacteria.
But it is best not to wear a cotton T-shirt to go on a spinning bike. Because cotton clothing will absorb water, it may make you feel like a wet rag during strenuous exercise.
However, for yoga, weightlifting or other low-perspiration activities, you can choose cotton blended clothes-such as NB clothing.
Generally, cotton sportswear is not suitable for HIIT or running, and the quick-drying is not good, but it is suitable for walking and casual wear.
Nylon
Nylon is the first synthetic fiber to appear in the world, and nylon is a term for polyamide fiber (nylon). This synthetic fiber was used to make women’s stockings, which are soft as silk, mildew resistant, and dry quickly.
Nylon is also breathable, allowing sweat to drain from the skin to the surface of the fabric and then evaporate.
Traces of nylon can be found in all kinds of sportswear. For example, these brands such as certain fanaticism are all nylon fabrics, which is how high-tech.
But in fact, choosing sportswear is nothing more than focusing on the advantages of being light, not rubbing the skin and fitting the body, comfortable and soft, and breathable and wicking perspiration.
Even the most sweaty exercise with this fabric will not affect the movement at all. And nylon (nylon) has good elasticity, and it fits the body curve better when wearing sports.
Polyester
Polyester is the main fabric in fitness fabrics, and it is also the fabric we see most often on clothing labels. It is basically plastic fabric, durable, wrinkle-resistant, lightweight, breathable, and non-absorbent, which means that the moisture on your skin will evaporate instead of being sucked into the fabric.
Polyester can also block ultraviolet rays and can provide heat insulation even in humid environments.
But the main disadvantage of polyester is smelly. Synthetic materials will promote the growth of bacteria, and it is not as fast-drying as polypropylene or nylon materials.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene (PP for short) is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic.
Like polyester, polypropylene is also made of plastic. Unlike polyester, this synthetic material is completely waterproof.
Even if you sweat a lot after running and the outside of your clothes is wet, what touches your body is completely dry, like a protective layer.
Polypropylene forces water through its fibers, expelling it to the surface of the fabric to evaporate.
Spandex
Spandex is the abbreviation of polyurethane fiber, which is a kind of elastic fiber. Spandex-also known as lycra; elastic fiber clothing used to make tight clothing such as stockings and swimwear)-adds elasticity to sportswear.
This synthetic fiber can expand to nearly 600% of its size, provide an unrestricted range of motion, and then bounce back in place. Spandex is also breathable, absorbs moisture, and dries quickly.
That’s why some big brands use this material to make fitness clothes, because spandex products have the main benefits of allowing people to exercise freely; it can also prevent less abrasions; give exercisers maximum comfort; and also have antibacterial and moisture absorption effects. .
To sum up, the characteristics of spandex are good elasticity, acid and alkali resistance, sweat resistance, seawater resistance, dry cleaning resistance, and abrasion resistance.
Tencel Fiber
Tencel is similar to bamboo fiber and is made of wood pulp. However, Tencel contains tiny fibers, or small hairs, which give the fabric a sweat-absorbing performance and luxurious texture.
The textile made of Tencel is softer than silk and cooler than linen. In addition, Tencel has biodegradability, breathability and wrinkle resistance.
At present, no related fitness products have been found in China.
Wool
Wool clothing is suitable for hiking. This material creates pockets that can store air, so it is great at regulating heat and keeping the body warm.
Wool clothing is not only breathable, but also able to absorb moisture. The point is that the light fiber does not retain the odor. From socks, underwear to fashionable fitness equipment, you will find wool everywhere.
Summary
Most fitness clothes are basically made of nylon, polyester, and spandex (Lycra). The slightly better is the Lycra fabric, and the better is X-Static.
In short, according to your goal, whether it is outdoors or indoors, or sweaty sports, choose the most suitable one.
Regular fitness nylon, polyester, spandex are also OK!
Of course, you have to be optimistic about it. I want to say that most brands have similar materials. You don’t necessarily choose the most expensive one, and the most comfortable one is the most important.