Choosing the right exercise clothing is not always easy to do, especially if you are a bit self-conscious about your appearance. You want your clothing and footwear to be stylish, but they also need to be functional. If you spend some time researching online or shopping at clothing stores, you should be able to find the right kind of workout gear for your needs.

When you buy exercise clothes, a good rule of thumb to use is to buy clothes for the way you look now, not the way that you want to look in the future. Wearing clothes that are too tight may make you look unattractive, and they may also be non-functional. If you constantly need to adjust your clothing during a training session, you may end up spending more time in the gym than you want.

Go to a clothing store and select several outfits to try on. If you are self-conscious about your weight, pick some dark clothing instead of bright colors or pastels. Your shirts should be loose-fitting, but not so large that they make you look sloppy. Large shirts can also get in the way during an exercise.

Try to select some workout shorts that come down to at least the middle of your upper legs. If you do a lot of bending during your workout, you may want your shorts to have some extra room in the seat. Coordinate the shorts with your shirts so you have a nice looking outfit.

Choosing the right kind of footwear depends on your exercise routine. Certain exercises require shoes that are light in weight, while others require more ankle support. If you perform more than one type of workout, you may want to buy a different pair of shoes for each activity.

For example, if you are a runner, you need lightweight shoes that are designed specifically for running. It is a good idea to go to a running store to buy your shoes, instead of a standard shoe store. The sales staff will measure your foot and look at its design. If you are a distance runner, make sure to let the salesperson know how any miles you run each month. This will help them to recommend the right kind of shoes.

If you play basketball, you may want to buy high top shoes to support your ankles. It is easy to turn an ankle with all of the running, cutting and jumping basketball requires, so pick a pair of shoes that will give you enough protection. Many chain shoe stores have a wide selection of basketball shoes to choose from, so do some comparison shopping to find a pair for a good price.

It is also important to choose the right kind of socks to wear with your shoes. Depending on the type of shoes you pick out, you may want the brand of your socks to match the shoes. Decide how high you want the socks to come up on your ankle, and then try them on with your shoes to see how they look.