Whether you work out at the gym or outdoors, at home or while playing a sport, wearing the right workout attire is essential for staying comfortable and finishing your routine successfully. Wearing the wrong type of clothing can take its toll on your performance and hold you back from doing your best. You may need layers for an outdoor workout, supportive shoes for intensive indoor exercises, and loose-fitting clothing for stretching or yoga routines. Whatever your exercise of choice may be, here are some tips for selecting workout clothing:

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Best Picks for Workout Clothing

Runners: You'll need a pair of supportive shoes with strong tread and clothing that's suitable for the climate. If you're running outdoors in a cool climate, make sure you're wearing enough layers to stay warm; long-sleeved fleece sweatshirts, thermal tees and zip-up jackets are great clothing picks for runners. You may also need a pair of sweatpants or shorts designed to wick away moisture so you can get through that challenging run with ease. Moisture-wicking garments are key to staying cool in hot weather, too.
Indoor aerobics: When you're preparing to work up a sweat with an indoor aerobics routine, you'll need some lightweight clothing and a comfortable, supportive pair of shoes. Lightweight clothing such as cotton shorts, t-shirts and tank tops are great picks for aerobics class. A pair of cross trainers will also help you maintain balance and good form as you perform each move on that slick gym floor.

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Outdoor winter sports: If your workout is taking you into the great outdoors, make sure you layer with a waterproof jacket and thermal layers that help trap the heat while releasing moisture. You'll need to stay as warm as possible to protect your muscles and joints, and your best bets are fleece and thermal cotton for pants, shirts and jackets.
Clothing to Avoid When Working Out

Even when you want to keep up with the latest fashion trends, some clothing just isn't suitable for your workout routine. Because you'll be working up a sweat with most exercise routines, you'll need to steer clear of the following materials:

• Heavy Lycra: Too much "stretch" material can make you uncomfortable and make it hard for your skin to breathe during a major sweat session. Make sure there's enough cotton blended into those Lycra pants or tops for optimal comfort.{relatedarticles}
• 100 percent cotton: While this type of clothing is great for summer and casual events, you will probably sweat to the point of discomfort. Look for cotton and poly blends designed to wick away moisture instead.
• Fleece: Fleece is not a workout-friendly material when you're working up a sweat indoors, but is appropriate as layering material when you're working out outdoors. Try and avoid fleece to ensure optimal comfort during your indoor workout.