13.27 Clothing for Physical Activity and Dressing for the Weather

While physical activity does require some flexible, comfortable clothing, investing in expensive, activity-specific clothing is rarely a requirement to get started. For example, buying and wearing yoga pants is not necessary to attend a class! For most types of physical activity, the most important thing is to wear clothes that allow your body to move freely and doesn’t limit your range of motion.

A good pair of athletic shoes is probably your most important investment when it comes to being active. Your shoes should provide you with adequate support and cushion. Also, keep in mind that different activities may require different types of footwear. For example, while a running shoe is ideal for running in a forward direction, it’s not ideal for quick side-to-side movements common in sports like tennis or basketball. If you plan to do a lot of different types of activities, a good cross training shoe might be a better option.

The weather may also impact what you wear. Consider the following tips for outdoor physical activity during the summer months:

• Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s rays.
• Wear light-colored clothing to help keep you cool.
• Wear sunglasses or a hat or visor to protect your eyes.
• Never wear rubber or plastic clothing; these materials can trap heat and raise body temperature to dangerous levels.
• Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Consider the following tips for outdoor physical activity during colder months:

• Wear layers so you can take them off or put them back on as you need to:
  • First put on a thin layer made of a material that will draw sweat away from your skin. Avoid cotton because it stays wet and holds moisture next to the skin.
  • Over the first layer, wear a fleece layer for insulation.
  • On the outside, wear an item of clothing that’s waterproof and breathable, like a jacket.
• Wear thick, thermal socks or a second pair of the ones you normally wear when you exercise.
• Cover your hands. Wear a thin pair of gloves under a warmer pair of gloves or mittens. You could also wear a pair of socks on your hands to keep your fingers together and warm.
• Cover your ears and head. Wear a hat or headband. If it’s really cold, you may also want to wear a scarf or mask over your mouth.
• Protect your skin and eyes by putting sunscreen on your face and lips and wearing sunglasses. The sun’s glare off snow and ice can be quite strong.
• Know the symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite.

Sometimes it can be hard to gauge the temperature from inside, but if you dress in layers, you’ll be prepared for any weather.

If it’s dark outside, you also want to make sure you can be seen by others. Reflective clothing or bands and bright-colored clothes can help others see you and keep you safer. Further, wearing a headlamp or having a light for your bike will also make nighttime bicycle travel safer.

If you do not already have clothes or shoes to wear that will work and have a limited budget, shop around, look for sales, and consider visiting consignment or thrift shops to get what you need.