While making the decision to start an active lifestyle is challenging (but so rewarding!), actually getting started is a difficult process. One of the most difficult parts of starting an active lifestyle is figuring out what to wear. While you might be tempted to wear that old t-shirt from your senior year of high school, a pair of Walmart sweatpants and some regular sneakers you found in the back of your closet, let’s review some of the basic dos and don’ts for activewear that any beginner needs to know. We’ll even throw in some recommended workout accessories for your activewear closet! WHAT IS ACTIVEWEAR? Simply put, activewear is anything that you wear to work out. However, true activewear has some additional benefits that make working out easier and more comfortable. It changes over time — activewear is as much fashion as it is functional. Activewear is helpful because many items can whisk away moisture and stretch with you as you do different exercises. Here are some other benefits of activewear: ODOR RESISTANT Some odors are easily trapped in your clothing. These odors can make it unpleasant to work out, or they can cause bacterial infections or even rashes. Activewear can help to alleviate and reduce odors so you don’t have any buildup of harmful bacteria or pollutants. If you spend a lot of time doing high intensity or outdoor workouts, then this is probably the number one reason activewear would be good for you to invest in. This goes for more than just clothes too — our silicone rings are great alternatives for regular metal rings because they resist moisture and reduce odors! MOISTURE RESISTANCE We’ve already mentioned it briefly, but the moisture wicking or moisture resistant aspect of activewear helps to make it a great option for workouts of all kinds. Even doing a brisk walk around the neighborhood can benefit from wearing moisture resistant activewear. DURABILITY Because activewear is built with activity and exercise in mind, it’s also much more durable than regular loungewear. While sweatpants and t-shirts might seem like a good idea when you’re first starting out, they’ll lose their fit after a few wears and may even start to fall apart after a couple of washes. Quality activewear is built for intensity, so it will last through many handwashes and even the most intense spin class you’ve ever taken. WHAT ACTIVEWEAR IS BEST FOR BEGINNERS? That’s a great question! Activewear for beginners can seem like a lot, especially with so many different types of activewear out there. Things can feel even more confusing for women — with so many different types of sports bras, shorts and shirts, it’s no wonder beginners get confused or worried that they aren’t getting the correct items. But, beginners everywhere don’t need to stress — finding proper activewear is easier than you think. Let’s go from head to toe, giving an overview of some of the best activewear items you should have as you start your activewear journey. HEAD Your head doesn’t usually need any activewear, but if you find yourself outdoors often, then a quality hat might be a good investment. Many people choose to wear ballcaps, but you should consider wearing a brimmed hat with a tie under your chin. That way, if you’re running or hiking, the hat won’t fly off while you’re working out. SHIRTS Finding the right activewear shirt can take some time. You don’t often realize how much the right shirt can make an impact on your workout. Men: For most men, a short-sleeve shirt with moisture-wicking material in a light, solid color will do the trick. The light color helps to reflect rays of sunlight away from you and make you cooler instead of warming you up — however, when you’re working out in the winter time, a darker shirt will be your best bet to help you retain heat instead. Women: Women have two different things to consider when choosing activewear shirts — their type of sports bra and the shirt they might wear over it. Some women simply choose to wear their sports bra, but some choose to wear both, especially if you’re a beginner to exercising. There are lots of different sports bras out there, and the type of workout you’ll be doing will determine which type of sports bra will be best for you. For lighter exercises, such as yoga or walking, a thinner sports bra should be fine. However, for more intensive workouts, such as running, Pilates or even HIIT, then a sports bra with your specific bra size would be a much better choice. This way, you’re supported in the way that you know will work, and you can find a good set that keeps you cool and supported through your entire workout. PANTS/SHORTS Pants and shorts take a bit more thought for both men and women. Length, material and purpose are all important factors to consider when choosing the right shorts for your activewear. Men: Most men prefer to wear longer shorts when working out, and many choose to wear leggings underneath their shorts. However, many runners like to wear shorter length shorts while working out. For biking or higher intensity workouts, you’ll often find that men will wear bike shorts. For less intensive workouts, a lightweight running short is common. For group sport activities, such as basketball or fantasy football, you’ll find that many people like to wear basketball shorts. Browse Our Silicone Sports Rings Women: Typically, women tend to wear leggings of different lengths, shorts or soft pants, depending on the workout. For yoga, Pilates or another lighter exercise, many women wear leggings or soft pants known as yoga pants. For running, biking or other high intensity workouts, many women choose biker shorts, lightweight running shorts or leggings. SHOES The proper footwear is essential in establishing your activewear closet. Each workout, sport or type of exercise has shoes that work best with it. The climate or terrain can also impact your footwear choices. Hiking requires specific footwear, and some gyms make you wear certain types of sneakers on your feet in certain areas of the space. Running shoes come in different treads depending on the terrain you’re running on. It’s important that you have different shoes for different workouts and exercises. Some people choose to exercise barefoot. Of course, barefoot training is not without risks, but if you’re doing yoga or another exercise that focuses on balance, going barefoot is probably a good idea. TIPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT ACTIVEWEAR Even if you know which types of activewear are best for you, it’s important you find the right pieces. Here are some tips for finding the right activewear! MAKE A BUDGET Budgets are always helpful, especially when it comes to activewear. While our silicone rings are affordable activewear accessories, other activewear essentials aren’t cheap. Because activewear has many different functions, and it’s built to be durable, quality activewear can be more expensive than regular clothing. The price is worth it, though — for many people, having the right activewear can mean the difference between sticking to a workout routine or giving up entirely. Having a budget when you start shopping for activewear can go a long way in helping you find pieces that are best for you. Rather than buying a variety of pieces at once, you may find yourself needing to purchase a couple of items at a time to build your collection up. This is good because it allows you to find items you really like! THINK ABOUT UPKEEP If you’re headed hiking or mountain biking, or doing any outdoor exercising, honestly, bright white might not be the best choice for your activewear wardrobe. While activewear is built to be durable, it’s not usually capable of avoiding dirt, mud or grass stains. You can still find some light reflecting colors in all your favorite activewear, but thinking of the upkeep and frequency of needing to wash stains out of your activewear is something you should consider when choosing pieces. Knowing how to keep all your items clean, including how to clean rings and other accessories, will make choosing pieces that work best for you a breeze. GET ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS Measure yourself to find the right sizes. Activewear is supposed to fit your body well enough to support you while you work out, so it’s important you get the right sizes. Some activewear stretches more than others, while some pieces are pretty stiff. We’ve put together a handy ring size chart you can reference when measuring for one of our many silicone pieces. Accurate measurements will make it much easier to find items that fit you properly, making your workouts better and easier! CHOOSE PRACTICAL ITEMS While that top might look cute, you might only be able to wear it for one type of workout. When you’re first starting out, it’s important to find items that will work for a variety of workouts. These practical items are great starter pieces, but they’ll also be nice for when you’ve run out of specific items and need something quick to throw on down the line. AVOID TRENDY ITEMS Trends come and go, but durable pieces never go out of style. Sometimes the best thing you can do is choose a set of items that buck trends and work for a variety of workouts and exercises. Trendy items are typically impractical, so they don’t always make your workouts more enjoyable or efficient. CONSIDER DUAL ACCESSORIES Some weights can double as bracelets or anklets — and they look much more appealing than traditional weights! They pair seamlessly with your workout gear, and you can wear them while you walk, do Pilates or even when doing regular housework. SILICONE RINGS ARE THE BEST WORKOUT ACCESSORIES Silicone rings have a lot of benefits, especially when it comes to activewear. Here are some of our favorite reasons we love wearing silicone rings when working out! DURABILITY Our Q2X rings can withstand high pressures and temperatures before cracking or warping. They’re some of the most durable rings on the market — perfect for all your favorite workouts! COST We pride ourselves on making quality items at affordable prices. Compared to many other activewear accessories out there, our silicone rings make for a budget-friendly addition to your current activewear selection. You can easily add a rotation of silicone rings to your activewear collection without needing to blow your budget. VERSATILITY Our silicone rings are built for more than just exercise. No matter your tasks, career or even your travels, our rings are versatile and perfect for you. We offer a variety of styles, colors and sizes so that you can find your perfect accessory. PEACE OF MIND Metal rings are beautiful, but they aren’t always practical. And, wearing one while working out can lead to swelling and even ring avulsion. No one wants that! Our silicone rings are perfect for when you want to keep your metal rings safe and sound from getting scratched by workout equipment or even harming yourself during a workout class. MOISTURE RESISTANCE As we’ve mentioned before, our silicone rings are moisture resistant, making them the perfect accessory for your activewear closet. Because you don’t have to worry about our rings building up harmful bacteria, you can complete all your workouts without having to rush to clean your rings immediately after. Instead, about once a month, you can run your silicone rings through the dishwasher or lightly hand wash them with warm water and mild soap. Easy and convenient! THE BOTTOM LINE Finding activewear can feel like a challenge, especially if you’re new to everything. But, with a little patience, you’re sure to find the right pieces for you. Just focus on the types of workouts and exercises you like to do most, and then find items for those exercises within your budget. Durability and practicality are two of the main things to stay aware of when searching for items to complete your activewear closet. Image Credits c ruxandra/Shutterstock.com