When It's Time For A New Sports Bra

Sports bras may not look worn out, but the support and elasticity eventually give out. Champion, a major manufacturer of sports bras, recommends replacing a sports bra after 100 workouts or 8 months to a year of regular use, whichever comes first. But how do you define a workout? One workout may be a 16-mile run, 30 minutes on the stationary bike, or an hour of step aerobics, so some judgment is called for.

Signs that your sports bra is shot:

-You notice that you’re bouncing more; the bra doesn’t seem to support your chest as well as it used to.

-The elastic on the straps or bottom band is noticeably stretched out and doesn’t seem to fit snugly when you put on the bra.

-The fabric is ripped so that underwires are exposed; this will lead to chafing.

Moisture-Wicking Fabrics Manage Sweat And Wet

Active wear for runners has come a long way since the days of old cotton sweatpants. Those cotton sweatpants now serve as post-workout lounge wear, while moisture-wicking fabrics take center stage to “take the wet out of sweat.” Nearly all sports apparel manufacturers have some trademark moisture-wicking material: Champion’s Double Dry, Nike’s Sphere, and Under Armour’s ColdGear are a few examples.

But whatever the name, the principle of moisture-wicking fabric remains the same. The fabric moves moisture away from your skin, which keeps your drier and eliminates the cold, clammy feeling of a wet cotton t-shirt. The moisture-wicking properties hold true whether you’re wearing a bra or t-shirt on a hot, humid day or layering a moisture-wicking long-sleeved shirt under a vest, another shirt, or jacket for a cold-weather run.

Compression Pants Pump Up Performance

When a sports apparel guru says compression wear, we aren't talking about grandma’s support hose. Several sports apparel manufacturers offer tights and shorts with strategically placed compression panels to support muscles and, in theory, reduce muscle fatigue. Basically, steady compression stimulates blood flow. Just as compression bandages help wounds heal more quickly by moving fluid away from the wound, compression panels in sports apparel may improve circulation, although there are no randomized, controlled scientific studies on this topic.

Anecdotally, some athletes find these items comfortable, and believe that they do reduce muscle fatigue. But others find them uncomfortable, and don’t believe they make a difference in performance. If you want to try sportswear with compression panels, several styles are available from the major sportswear manufacturers. As with any performance apparel, test-drive the clothes during practice and training before a competition.

New Coconut-Based Sports Fabric Protects From Sun And Odor

Just when you thought that sports wear couldn’t evolve; Cocona products have arrived on the scene. Sports apparel items in Champion’s new Vapor women’s sportswear collection are made with Cocona fiber and yarns, which contain activated carbon that’s derived from coconut shells. The carbon-based fibers not only trap and absorb fabric odors, but they block 96 percent of the sun's UV rays.

Antimicrobial Sports Apparel May Benefit From Heated Drying

Cocona, a fabric that contains active carbon made from recycled coconut shells, provides both sun protection and odor resistance. Some sports apparel manufacturers now offer clothes made from this material, such as the Vapor collection from Champion's sports clothing line. The Cocona company specifically recommends washing their clothes in warm water and drying them in the dryer, rather than hanging them to dry, to maximize the odor management characteristics of the carbon-based fabric. But consider the style of garment and the potential for shrinkage before putting sports apparel in the dryer, and read the label for guidance. If you are concerned about shrinkage, avoid the dryer and dry the Vapor athletic clothing or other Cocona fabrics with a hand-held hair dryer.

Marathon Women: Avoid The Rub With Seamless Bras

Chafing around the area of the bottom band of sports bras is a problem for any woman during a long workout or competition, regardless of her cup size.

For women who run marathons, chafing is almost inevitable if you have a poorly fitted bra. If you are moving continuously for several hours, something is bound to start rubbing somewhere. But seamless sports bras have made a world of difference. As a moderate, 34B marathon runner, I’ve found that seamless bras essentially don’t chafe at all, and they are so lightweight you feel like you’re (almost) not wearing them. Most seamless bras come in a racerback style so there's no strap slippage, which could also cause chafing during a marathon.

But don't run your marathon in a brand-new bra, regardless of the style. Even if it's your favorite, it's best to wear it for a training run and wash it once before a competition, so you are sure that it fits well.

Layering 101: Stay Warm, Dry, And Comfortable

When you’re preparing for an outdoor run or other exercise in cold, windy, or rainy conditions (or all of the above), plan your cold weather sports apparel by combining several lightweight layers rather than wearing a single, heavy coat. The layers will trap heat between them to keep you warm without the bulk of a single heavy layer.

-Base Layer: For your base layer, to wear right next to your skin, choose a lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric, such as Champion’s Double Dry or Nike’s Sphere. The base layer moves moisture away from your skin and keeps you from feeling clammy and chilled. Some thermal clothes can be worn as base layers or on their own in warmer weather.

-Middle Layer: For your middle layer, choose a slightly heavier top that can be worn over the base layer, or by itself on a moderately cool day. A lightweight fleece or a half-zip top is good choice for a middle layer.

-Outer Layer: For your outer layer, choose a top or jacket that is wind-resistant and water-resistant, but also somewhat breathable, so you don’t overheat. Read the labels; some jackets list suggested temperatures at which you’ll be comfortable in them.

Thermal Tops Are A Snug Foundation For Winter Sports

When you’re selecting athletic clothing for cold weather a thermal top is a great base layer. Choose a thermal top that fits fairly snugly against your skin to trap warm air. Also, be sure your thermal top is made from a moisture-wicking material to keep the sweat from building up on your skin and giving you that chilled, clammy feeling.

Elliptical Trainers and Stair Machines: Repetitive Motion Merits Friction-Free Gear

Are you addicted to the StairMaster or elliptical trainer? Or are you just starting to use these machines? In any case, using a fitness machine involves more repetitive motion than running or walking outdoors because the terrain underneath you doesn’t change. With that in mind, look for exercise clothing, especially bras, that are seamless, because even though you aren’t bouncing, you are engaging in a repetitive motion that can cause rubbing, especially if you are working out for more than half an hour.

Bring Lightweight Sports Jackets To Protect From Post-Yoga Chill

Even on a warm day, you may start to feel chilled after a workout as your body cools down. If you’re taking a yoga, Pilates, or aerobics class at the gym, bring a lightweight, moisture-wicking sports jacket to slip into afterwards, especially if you have worked out in a tank top or sports bra. The moisture-wicking jacket will absorb some sweat and control that post-workout chill, which is especially helpful if you’re not going home right after the class. Some good choices include Nike’s Dri-Fit lightweight zip-front jackets or Adidas’s ClimaLite styles. Pull-over jackets with hoods and half-zips are great for the post-workout, too. Since wind- and water-resistance isn’t the primary objective, this is an occasion for the fashionable but functional workout jackets with curved seams or designs.