When going to practice any kind of sport for the first time, a person has a question: how to choose the right equipment? Clothes for training should not hinder the athlete's movements or cause him discomfort. One of the interesting categories is clothing for bodybuilding - modern sports kits are selected depending on the activity or competition. To learn more about this type of sportswear, it is recommended to consider their types, materials and additional elements.
Types of kits and their features
Literally, the name "bodybuilding" is translated as "body building", which is what athletes who have chosen this sport do. For a long time, it was believed that such a hobby should only attract men, but later women also became interested in forming a beautiful pumped-up body. In order to carry out daily training, it is necessary to choose clothes wisely, which are represented by the following sets:
- For women;
- For men.
In addition, it is necessary to understand what materials the sports wardrobe is made of. Only the best fabrics will provide the athlete with high results and comfort during training.
Women's
Experienced athletes who have reached heights in this area recommend using only cotton T-shirts and vests: they absorb sweat well and do not irritate the skin. As a rule, bodybuilding clothing can be divided into 2 categories: training and competition. The latter option is used only for demonstrations of a pumped-up, beautiful body on stage.
Women's workout clothing sets consist of the following items:
- Tank top or T-shirt – depending on the level of comfort, some girls choose tank tops, the other half prefers T-shirts. One way or another, these components of the sets are made in bright colors. Good quality tank tops do not change their color after washing, which cannot be said about more affordable models. Some women who are not involved in bodybuilding buy such products for everyday wear, as they absorb moisture well;
- Closed clothing like a rashguard - this is the intricate name for a closed golf made of elastic materials with the addition of synthetics. It fits perfectly on a girl's slender figure and also protects against excessive sweating. This type of sportswear is suitable for bodybuilding outdoors, and if training takes place indoors, it is better to choose a rashguard with mesh inserts in the armpits and on the back;
- Top - the most popular type of clothing for women's sports is a top - it gracefully emphasizes the girl's figure, without restricting her movements during bench press and other exercises. The top is selected based on the size of the chest and the width of the back. Often the top is equipped with small foam inserts, its cup is soft, which does not cause discomfort during training;
- Leggings - are made of elastic materials, often their style is made with a high waistband, which allows the pants to be firmly fixed on the hips and waist. The colors are very diverse - from traditional black to colored options. It is better to choose products made of opaque fabric - this will not only protect the girl from unwanted glances, but will also be proof of the quality and long service life of the leggings;
- Jacket – also made of synthetics with elastane admixtures. The cuffs are necessarily equipped with an elastic band to prevent discomfort during training. The collar of the jackets is made of knitwear, which allows the girl to be protected from the wind during outdoor competitions. A bright jacket will look attractive, especially if there are no prints on it;
- Bodysuits – are available with or without cups. For bodybuilding, it is better to use a soft cup, avoiding bodysuits with supporting bones;
- Shorts – are made of lightweight fabric, allowing the body to “breathe”. In such shorts you can not only do sports, but also go for a walk.
The choice of clothing will depend on the climate and temperature conditions in the gym or outdoors.
Men's
The most common set of clothes for bodybuilding for men is a sports T-shirt and shorts. These two items will be the best option for effective training. Some features of clothes for men:
- The shirt should be moisture-absorbing to ensure maximum comfort during training;
- There shouldn't be many seams on your clothes: the best choice is a seamless T-shirt made of thick but lightweight fabric;
- The product should fit the athlete's figure;
- The unique design of the product will allow you to stand out in the gym;
- It is better to choose a style of the product similar to a wrestling suit - it beautifully exposes the shoulder muscles, demonstrating all the work of the athlete;
- If there is no need to show off your body contours, you can opt for loose-fitting T-shirts;
- The main parameter when choosing a T-shirt will be the size of the chest - this is the largest indicator for bodybuilders;
- Instead of shorts, some men choose joggers - tight, long leggings;
- If a man’s choice falls on long trousers, it is better to take tapered options;
- Shorts should be made of soft, lightweight, but double-layer fabric;
- Double layering is achieved by using mesh instead of lining;
- The waistband on the shorts should be elastic.
Long-sleeved tops are also popular among athletes: they beautifully hug the body contours, emphasizing all the muscles. The sleeves on such items are made with a raglan, which does not restrict movement during bench press.
What are the best fabrics?
Athletes' opinions on the type of fabric for bodybuilders' clothing are divided. Some believe that the material should be exclusively natural, while others insist on choosing synthetic items. Experienced masters of sports tend to think that the best choice is a combination of synthetics and natural fibers.
The following types of fabrics are used today:
- Cotton is a natural material that is easily wrinkled, shrinks after washing and does not stretch. Cotton products are pleasant to the touch, however, in some people they can cause skin allergies (very rare);
- Nylon is an alternative to natural silk and is widely used in the manufacture of clothing for bodybuilders. It retains its shape well, is elastic, does not wrinkle, and is easy to care for. Nylon has a smooth surface and high wear resistance;
- Lycra - items made of pure lycra are unlikely to be found on the shelves of sports stores, but many items with lycra admixtures are in demand among athletes. Just 2% of lycra fibers allows you to qualitatively change the composition of the fabric;
- Polyamide - items containing polyamide can serve for a long time. They are characterized by air permeability, lightness, quick drying, softness and high durability;
- Elastane - this material is used to make tight leggings and shorts for women. Elastane threads add elasticity to clothing. Elastane is not afraid of sweat, sea water or sun, it is a highly resistant material;
- Polyester – compared to cotton fabrics, polyester retains moisture on the surface of clothing several times less. It dries quickly and quickly removes moisture from things.
The information obtained allows us to conclude that the most optimal combination is cotton and synthetic fabrics. The combination of lycra and polyamide has also proven to be effective during training.
Additional elements
In addition to the use of special clothing, there is additional equipment for bodybuilders. It includes various elements that help make the training correct and effective.
| Element | Description |
| Shoes | Quality sports shoes should have a comfortable sole with cushioning. Working out in the gym barefoot is considered unethical and unsafe. |
| Bag | It is better to choose a roomy bag where you can put water, sportswear, shoes and other accessories. Bags are sewn from durable material, equipped with side pockets, a long strap to hang the product on the shoulder. The shape of the bag is usually cylindrical. |
| Straps | Two pieces of thick fabric or leather are needed to additionally secure the arms to the bar. The straps are equipped with Velcro and special fasteners. |
| Belt | A weightlifting belt is a must for bodybuilding. It will help to fix your back and prevent internal organs from shifting. |
| Gloves | Calluses appear very quickly during training, so the purpose of leather gloves with cut fingers is to protect the bodybuilder from calluses. Although gloves are not a mandatory attribute, athletes recommend purchasing them. |
Having familiarized yourself with the features of bodybuilding clothing, you can go to a sports store to choose a training kit. It is worth paying attention to the appropriate size - it is important that the shorts are not too tight and do not restrict movement.
Video
Photo
