Everyone knows that exercise is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. As well as being good for you, staying in shape is also in fashion, and people are just as likely to get active for aesthetic reasons as they are for their health. Social media has contributed to gym memberships soaring in recent years. All kinds of people are active nowadays, from skateboarding teens, to marathon-running grandmas, to those who hit the gym every day for the Tinder pics. The start of the new year always sees an extra spike, as people put their resolutions into action, and try to work off the Christmas turkey.
Not everyone finds it easy though. Some have no great love for physical activity, and getting up and about can be a real chore. It can also be a vicious cycle, the less you do, the more out of shape you get, and the less you feel you can do. What role can sportswear play then, for both the sporty and the sport-averse? Can those who love sports get extra motivation from sportswear, and for those on the sidelines– can it help get them up and about?
The New-Stuff Effect
People generally like getting new clothes and equipment. It’s nice to have new things, we want to try them out. Sportswear is no different. Get someone a new t-shirt and they’ll want to wear it, and if it’s a performance t-shirt, it won’t feel right to put it on and then sit around at home. It’s true that a lot of sports clothing, such as baseball and football tops, can be worn in normal life, but most of the time we want to see it in action.
This is especially true for children. They like new stuff even more than adults, so you can carefully think about what sportswear to get them, and then nudge them into trying the sport. Get them to look and feel the part first, and the rest will follow.
There’s also a documented psychological aspect to wearing sportswear that can influence an individual’s motivation to exercise. The concept of “enclothed cognition” suggests that the clothing we wear can impact our mental state and behavior. When individuals dress in sportswear, they are more likely to feel ready for physical activity and, as a result, are more likely to get involved.
The Extra Little Boost
As the name suggests, performance clothing can increase performance. Depending on the apparel, and the difference in quality, you might get a marginal boost that only makes a difference at the top level, or something much more significant. Sportswear brands invest a lot in the science behind performance clothing; high-quality sportswear is designed to provide comfort, flexibility, and support, which doesn’t just make you feel better, it can also increase your output.
Materials like moisture-wicking fabrics keep the body cool and dry by drawing sweat away from the skin, preventing discomfort and reducing the risk of overheating during intense workouts. Compression wear, designed to improve blood circulation and reduce muscle fatigue, is another example of how sportswear can enhance performance, as it helps athletes recover faster and perform better.
Getting better at something gives us motivation to carry on, and having the right sportswear can do just this. If you’re a newcomer, you might find things a little difficult at first, so it helps to have the right clothing to make things easier.
The Added Confidence
Wearing sportswear can also boost self-confidence. When people feel good about how they look, they are more likely to participate in physical activities, whether it’s going to the gym, attending a fitness class, or just going for a run. The rise of athleisure – sportswear designed to be worn both during exercise and as everyday fashion – has further blurred the lines between fitness and fashion, making it more socially acceptable and even trendy to wear sports gear throughout the day.
Sportswear brands are much more concerned with body confidence these days, and cater to more shapes and sizes, and those with disabilities. This normalization and broadening of sportswear can encourage more frequent physical activity and lead to a more active lifestyle.
Social media also plays a role here. Whether you’re showing off your new gear, posting a new sporting journey online, or looking for support to help you with a challenge, having your friends and family there to help can keep you motivated and help drive you on.
The Strength in Numbers
For some people, sport is very much an individual pursuit, but for others, it’s easier to do in a team or group. Your group might be friends, family, or colleagues. You might be members of a club, or people coming together to support a charity. Either way, matching gear can create a team atmosphere, where everyone helps each other to get started, and push that bit harder.
Companies are jumping on this bandwagon now. Showing concern for the well-being of your employees is an increasingly significant factor in attracting and retaining the best talent, and developing employee healthcare and team-building programs is an excellent way to do this. Blank and custom sportswear can be surprisingly affordable nowadays, especially when you buy in bulk, which is good news for businesses.
If your company offers gym memberships, exercise classes, or organizes sports events, giving sportswear out can really complete the package. It can be part of an onboarding pack, a reward for long-standing employees, or you can design a kit for team-building events to increase the team spirit and get everyone involved. The added bonus here is the extra advertising you get for your brand.
Onwards and Upwards
As technology advances, the future of sportswear looks even more promising in terms of promoting healthy lifestyles. Innovations such as smart fabrics that can monitor heart rate, body temperature, and hydration levels are on the horizon. These garments will provide real-time feedback to wearers, helping them optimize their workouts and prevent injuries.
Additionally, as sport and exercise remain in fashion, driven by social media and the image-conscious Gen-Z, sportswear brands will continue to push sportswear to the masses and invest in new technology.
The role of sportswear in promoting healthy lifestyles is undeniable. From enhancing physical performance to boosting psychological motivation, sportswear is a key factor in encouraging individuals to adopt and maintain an active lifestyle. So if you have someone in your life that you want to help get active, and their birthday is coming up soon– you know what to do.
Whether you need the extra motivation yourself, are trying to help a friend or relative lead a healthier lifestyle, or want to take advantage for your business, we hope this helps to see the benefits of having the right sportswear. For any other clothing you need, visit our website, and for fashion news and tips, head over to our Instagram @wearewordans.
