What shirt should I work out in?
March 5, 2012 8:04 AM Subscribe
What shirt should I work out in?
I've been going to the gym in cotton t-shirts. Should I be going to the gym in some sort of new, high-tech shirt that wicks away moisture the moment I sweat it out, and maybe has a pocket for my iphone? Something that does for getting too hot what polar fleece does for getting too cold?
I've been going to the gym in cotton t-shirts. Should I be going to the gym in some sort of new, high-tech shirt that wicks away moisture the moment I sweat it out, and maybe has a pocket for my iphone? Something that does for getting too hot what polar fleece does for getting too cold?
Response by poster: Not talking. Listening to Fresh Air podcasts!
posted by musofire at 8:15 AM on March 5, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by musofire at 8:15 AM on March 5, 2012 [4 favorites]
You're working out in a temperature-controlled gym, so your need for fancy workout clothing is less crucial than if you were exercising outside. Then again, if you're uncomfortable from all the sweat, I'd hit up your local sporting goods store and check out what they have there.
posted by radioamy at 8:19 AM on March 5, 2012
posted by radioamy at 8:19 AM on March 5, 2012
I am a lady who sweats, and cotton is definitely not my preferred work out garb.
I found cotton-lycra pants to be too warm for my exercising and have found Nike Dri-fit a satisfactory improvement.
I've also been reasonably happy with a reebok branded high-tech shirt with holey panels on the back and sides and with a mondetta shirt I bought for its professed breathability.
Which is to say, most high-tech fabrics have worked for me, and you could likely find one with one or more pockets.
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 8:19 AM on March 5, 2012
I found cotton-lycra pants to be too warm for my exercising and have found Nike Dri-fit a satisfactory improvement.
I've also been reasonably happy with a reebok branded high-tech shirt with holey panels on the back and sides and with a mondetta shirt I bought for its professed breathability.
Which is to say, most high-tech fabrics have worked for me, and you could likely find one with one or more pockets.
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 8:19 AM on March 5, 2012
Check out biking jerseys. They've typically have pockets on the back near the waistline, and are very breathable.
posted by chrisfromthelc at 8:31 AM on March 5, 2012
posted by chrisfromthelc at 8:31 AM on March 5, 2012
I absolutely wear technical gear for sweating. And by "technical," I mean any shirt you can buy in any fitness-type store. You don't have to spend $100 per shirt or anything ridiculous like that. (I have friends who swear by merino wool and other high-end gear, but I honestly don't like it any better than the low rent stuff. Anything is better than the wet sack of potatoes you'll have on your back when your cotton t-shirt gets sweaty.)
Then again, if you're perfectly comfortable in the cotton t-shirt, who cares? I wish I could comfortably wear regular cotton t-shirts when I worked out, as I have a zillion of them, and wouldn't have to wash my workout clothes once a week! :) But I find them uncomfortable for working out.
posted by iguanapolitico at 8:47 AM on March 5, 2012
Then again, if you're perfectly comfortable in the cotton t-shirt, who cares? I wish I could comfortably wear regular cotton t-shirts when I worked out, as I have a zillion of them, and wouldn't have to wash my workout clothes once a week! :) But I find them uncomfortable for working out.
posted by iguanapolitico at 8:47 AM on March 5, 2012
Best answer: Yeah, cotton is the worst for the gym. The problem with cotton is that when it gets wet it stays wet. Even if I'm not too hot or too cold I don't want to stay wet. Even wool works better than cotton for drying.
The whole point of sweating is that it cools you off by evaporating, and if it only makes it as far as your shirt it's not working.
That's where the synthetic fabrics come in -- they wick, so you don't stay wet. They're also often cut better than standard cotton t-shirts for the gym, so they don't bind as much, or ride up, all that sort of thing.
Swing by a sports store and get one shirt, give it a try. I think you'll prefer it.
For the phone, you might find that an arm strap or a waist pack or clip works better than a pocket, it'll reduce the bouncing around.
posted by mendel at 8:51 AM on March 5, 2012
The whole point of sweating is that it cools you off by evaporating, and if it only makes it as far as your shirt it's not working.
That's where the synthetic fabrics come in -- they wick, so you don't stay wet. They're also often cut better than standard cotton t-shirts for the gym, so they don't bind as much, or ride up, all that sort of thing.
Swing by a sports store and get one shirt, give it a try. I think you'll prefer it.
For the phone, you might find that an arm strap or a waist pack or clip works better than a pocket, it'll reduce the bouncing around.
posted by mendel at 8:51 AM on March 5, 2012
I usually use low-end wicking shirts that I buy at MEC (I don't think I've spent more than $30 on one) or ones that I've picked up in races. It's all about what you're comfortable in, though. If you don't feel too hot in a cotton shirt, stick with what works.
Re: the iPhone though, I wouldn't recommend putting it in a shirt pocket if you sweat a lot (like me!), since wicking material = wet, wet pockets. I use an Armpocket band with my phone. It's a bit bulky, but stays put and keeps my phone dry (also, has places for keys and other things).
posted by Paper rabies at 8:53 AM on March 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
Re: the iPhone though, I wouldn't recommend putting it in a shirt pocket if you sweat a lot (like me!), since wicking material = wet, wet pockets. I use an Armpocket band with my phone. It's a bit bulky, but stays put and keeps my phone dry (also, has places for keys and other things).
posted by Paper rabies at 8:53 AM on March 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
If you've got a Costco membership, they usually have some decently wicking t-shirts. Failing that Winners (TJ Maxx, Marshalls in the U.S) usually has some decent activewear prices.
Haven't really seen any with pockets (i think they figure you'll use your shorts for that).
posted by backwards guitar at 8:56 AM on March 5, 2012
Haven't really seen any with pockets (i think they figure you'll use your shorts for that).
posted by backwards guitar at 8:56 AM on March 5, 2012
I think it all depends on your comfort. I am OK with sweat so I use old t-shirts (and don't want to spend my precious cash-money on the other stuff). If you get the "technical" gear you will be less likely to have sweat stains. There is literally no significant performance reason to pick one or the other.
posted by Anonymous at 9:04 AM on March 5, 2012
posted by Anonymous at 9:04 AM on March 5, 2012
Cotton t-shirts do have two advantages: cotton stinks more slowly than wicking fabric, and t-shirt sleeves cover your armpits, which thus do not operate like a stink-wafting bellows when performing pull-down exercises. To minimize cotton t-shirts' disadvantages, choose thinner fabric.
(I sometimes wear cotton t-shirts and sometimes don't. I can't speak to my own stink, but have been a victim of the bellows effect from fellow gym patrons.)
You can hang your phone around your neck if you use lariat-style earbuds, which are practical but dorkish.
posted by feral_goldfish at 9:17 AM on March 5, 2012
(I sometimes wear cotton t-shirts and sometimes don't. I can't speak to my own stink, but have been a victim of the bellows effect from fellow gym patrons.)
You can hang your phone around your neck if you use lariat-style earbuds, which are practical but dorkish.
posted by feral_goldfish at 9:17 AM on March 5, 2012
I've found out two things: your need for fancy technical clothes depends on the type and intensity of your workout, and once you go fancy you have a hard time going back. So if you're perfectly comfortable working out in cotton T-shirts, keep going.
I have all sorts of clothes for all sorts of workouts, and I find that lightweight cotton or cotton-blend shirts are usually fine. The heavyweight Beefy-T cotton shirts, though? Ugh, yuck. Like working out in a tablecloth or something.
As for brand recommendations, the C9 line at Target is inexpensive and generally decent. Under Armour has good shirts, too. If you know you like plain cotton, many brands have styles that have technical fibers in a soft cotton-like knit. I'd recommend those over the slick obviously-synthetic-feeling stuff.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:20 AM on March 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
I have all sorts of clothes for all sorts of workouts, and I find that lightweight cotton or cotton-blend shirts are usually fine. The heavyweight Beefy-T cotton shirts, though? Ugh, yuck. Like working out in a tablecloth or something.
As for brand recommendations, the C9 line at Target is inexpensive and generally decent. Under Armour has good shirts, too. If you know you like plain cotton, many brands have styles that have technical fibers in a soft cotton-like knit. I'd recommend those over the slick obviously-synthetic-feeling stuff.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:20 AM on March 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
Should I be going to the gym in some sort of new, high-tech shirt that wicks away moisture the moment I sweat it out, and maybe has a pocket for my iphone?
Is this your question? Should you? I mean, there's nothing wrong with getting a "high-tech shirt," and I find them preferable.
I worked out in plain tshirts for a long time. It's not the end of the world, but those synthetic shirts you can buy at your local running store are infinitely better after you work up a sweat. They're not that expensive, especially when they're on sale.
I guess my question would be why shouldn't you? Is there something about cotton tshirts that you are really attached to when working out?
posted by deanc at 9:22 AM on March 5, 2012
Is this your question? Should you? I mean, there's nothing wrong with getting a "high-tech shirt," and I find them preferable.
I worked out in plain tshirts for a long time. It's not the end of the world, but those synthetic shirts you can buy at your local running store are infinitely better after you work up a sweat. They're not that expensive, especially when they're on sale.
I guess my question would be why shouldn't you? Is there something about cotton tshirts that you are really attached to when working out?
posted by deanc at 9:22 AM on March 5, 2012
Best answer: Seconding Metroid Baby, the C9 line from target is cheap and a step up from cotton. For me, at least, having some gym gear that I like and feels good working out is a help staying motivated and not feeling like I fit in at the gym. (I know you shouldn't worry about fitting in at the gym, but it's a little more of a subconscious thing.)
posted by mercredi at 9:25 AM on March 5, 2012
posted by mercredi at 9:25 AM on March 5, 2012
The U.S. equivalent of MEC is REI, and they have wicking fabric workout shirts at decent prices. e.g., REI OXT Tech T-shirt
posted by needled at 9:25 AM on March 5, 2012
posted by needled at 9:25 AM on March 5, 2012
So, what are you doing at the gym? Wicking cloths would be better if you are slogging out hours on a cardio machine. If you are doing anaerobic activities loosing fitting cotton that offers a good deal of
mobility is fine.
What needs are not being met by cotton tshirts? Everything else is just an excuse to dump money on cloths you would be embarrassed to wear to walk the dog.
posted by munchingzombie at 10:14 AM on March 5, 2012
mobility is fine.
What needs are not being met by cotton tshirts? Everything else is just an excuse to dump money on cloths you would be embarrassed to wear to walk the dog.
posted by munchingzombie at 10:14 AM on March 5, 2012
I've tried to like synthetic technical fabric, but I find it a bit nasty and smelly. If I'm exercising for an hour or less, I'm fine in my cotton t-shirt. If I'm going for a long hike or bike ride, I break out the wool t-shirts. They can be pricey, but I can usually find them on sale online. Smartwool, Ibex, Icebreaker--those sorts of brands. I also stick with wool socks for exercise. Maybe I'm imagining it, but it feels like wool regulates my temperature a lot better than synthetic fabrics.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 10:16 AM on March 5, 2012
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 10:16 AM on March 5, 2012
I've worn expensive underarmor wicking shirts and give-away no-name shirts with material that feels the same and haven't noticed any difference at all. Also if it's hot enough and you're outside, they keep you a good deal cooler than if you were just shirtless.
posted by cmoj at 10:55 AM on March 5, 2012
posted by cmoj at 10:55 AM on March 5, 2012
Cycling jerseys are awesome, but considerably more expensive than regular style wicking sports shirts at sale prices, plus an arm band or something that can hold your iPhone. I just bought some Adidas sport shirts from Macy's for $5 a piece (75% off), minus a coupon which brought it to $4 per.
Depending on how profusely you sweat, you may want to consider how to protect your phone when "wearing" it during exercise. My Android is in an Otterbox and I still put it in a ziploc bag... maybe I'll upgrade to a neoprene pouch, if it doesn't weigh down my bike too much.
posted by Giggilituffin at 11:16 AM on March 5, 2012
Depending on how profusely you sweat, you may want to consider how to protect your phone when "wearing" it during exercise. My Android is in an Otterbox and I still put it in a ziploc bag... maybe I'll upgrade to a neoprene pouch, if it doesn't weigh down my bike too much.
posted by Giggilituffin at 11:16 AM on March 5, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Ideefixe at 8:07 AM on March 5, 2012