The Rules: Exercise

Sun Herald

Sunday June 5, 2005

Words Kirsty Munro

If you have to work up a sweat at the gym, yoga studio or park, you might as well look good while you're at it. Here's how to maximise performance and style.

Shoes

Matching the right footwear to the activity is essential. While those old-school sneakers look great for a casual Saturday, lack of cushioning and inadequate ankle support make them uncomfortable and possibly dangerous for high-impact sports such as running and aerobics. Shoes should lace up rather than fasten with Velcro as laces offer greater support. Also, know your foot type. When walking or running, do your feet pronate (roll inwards), supinate (roll outwards) or are they neutral? You can tell by examining the wear pattern on the heels of your flat shoes and many sports stores offer a testing service that involves walking over pressure pads that monitor foot balance. Choosing shoes for your foot type will help avoid future pain.

Bottoms

Exercise generates sweat so look for comfortable fabrics that wick perspiration away from the body. In cold weather, leggings protect you from the elements; in summer, wear comfortable shorts that don't ride up. Brands such as Running Bare, Puma, Nike and Reebok have high-tech, fashionable options. For men, the short, loose shorts you find so comfortable may be considered obscene by fellow runners or patrons of the cafe you frequent after training. For lower-impact sports, such as yoga and pilates, wear long, fairly loose tracksuit pants for comfort and warmth but be sure they are contortion-proof.

Tops

The oversized T-shirt is a no-no for several reasons. For one, it makes you look fatter than you are so you won't notice your fabulous progress. Also, heavy cottons tend to trap sweat. A well-fitted top that absorbs and draws moisture away from the skin is best for any exercise. Avoid cropped tops unless you have abs of steel. There are many sleeveless options to keep you cool - and covered. For men, you don't need to wear lurid colours. Brands including Latitude and Nike produce

ranges in subtle shades.

Underwear

Men need to keep the nether regions dry and supported. You might want to invest in comfortable sports briefs with quick-drying and asset-holding properties, such as the new range from Mitch Dowd that uses Coolmax fabric and supportive panelling. Other brands include Bonds and Jockey Performance. For women, a sports bra is vital.

If you're an A-cup, you might get away with a cropped top with a built-in elastic shelf-bra. Anything more deserves a properly designed bra for support. In the old days, sports bras made you look as if you were wearing a bumper bar. Now they're so comfortable and attractive you can wear them every day. Berlei has a big range with different levels of support and sweat-wicking features.

Cover-ups

It's important to keep warm after a work-out.

Old-school brands such as Pony and Adidas have taken the hip-hop scene by storm and every wannabe MC is strutting the streets in some vintage reissue tracksuit. A stylish, well-cut track top makes a fine substitute for a casual jacket but draw the line at matching bottoms - unless you're a hip-hop mogul. Track pants are great for hopping into your car for the drive home but, like all exercise gear, they're not meant for daily wear.

Must-haves

High-tech fabrics to keep you sweat-free. If you have to, choose performance over fashion - but the two are no longer mutually exclusive.

Must avoid

Shapeless, de-motivating sweats. Unless you're auditioning for a music video, save the track pants for the gym.

© 2005 Sun Herald

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