Every year, the fitness industry rolls out the newest set of exercise clothes. Some boost performance, others help with weight loss… or so they say.

There’s a reason that you rarely see the same exercise clothing trends around two years in a row and it’s because most of them don’t work. That’s not to say ALL of them are useless.

Let’s take a look at the top 3 fitness clothing trends that actually work and help you accomplish your exercise goals.

3. Training Masks

You know the mask we’re talking about. It’s the same one that looks like Bane from the Dark Knight is the company spokesperson. Now before you get on your soapbox about the mask, let’s immediately clarify something:

The training mask does NOT help you acclimate to elevation, nor does it trigger the same benefits.

There, are you happy?

With that said, the training mask IS a useful piece of fitness clothing that has been shown in a number of studies to have positive exercise and performance-related benefits to the person wearing it. (Not to mention… You get to look like Bane. Come on. That’s reason enough.)

If you want to train for endurance-focused benefits, the training mask may be able to make it happen. A study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine Science cited that subjects wearing the training mask during their workouts saw a larger improvement in the following than those not wearing the mask:

• VO2 Max
• Peak Power Output (PPO)
• Ventilatory Threshold (VT)
• Power Output at Ventilatory Threshold (PO at VT) (1)

All in all, subjects were able to increase their endurance by using the mask during training; however, the company behind the mask doesn’t suggest using it during every single workout. Use it as a supplementary tool.

Want to train for elevation? Sorry but there’s no substitute for the real thing so get yourself a ticket to the nearest state or country with serious height.

2. Compression Socks

The same set of tightly bound socks that you see your grandparents wearing exploded on to the fitness scene and has been sticking around for a while. Extremely popular with runners and athletes who spend a lot of time on airplanes, compression socks have some decent scientific backing behind them.

Again, let’s first address some of the issues with the socks. First, these socks are not going to turn you into a super athlete capable of super hero-like speed. I know there have been some conflicting studies with that notion so let’s squash that before jumping into the real benefits.

Compression socks do have two valuable selling points:

First, studies suggest that wearing the socks may help with your endurance levels. One study published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research demonstrated that subjects wearing compression socks experienced a greater aerobic output. Put simply: They were able to outperform those subjects who were not wearing the socks. (2)

What’s more, compression socks may be able to boost recovery, which every type of athlete can benefit from. A study published in Sports Medicine confirmed that wearing compression socks can help to alleviate pain and soreness associated with exercise. The socks may also help to hasten recovery, allowing you to get back into your normal workout faster. (3)

Just like with the training mask, you don’t want to rely on compression socks for every workout. Use them once in a while as a supplement to your exercise program.

1. Neoprene Sauna Suits

Finally, let’s jump into the category of clothing that has been getting a lot of attention from researchers across the world: sauna suits.

We aren’t talking about the sauna suits from 30 years ago that were essentially trash bags. Speaking of those plastic hazards, check out our article on just how dangerous plastic suits can be for your health.

The best sauna suits of the modern age are made with neoprene, which ensures durability and flexibility. Neoprene sauna suits are ready to go on the ride as you move through your workout, regardless of the intensity. These things are built to last. What’s more, they don’t collect odor-causing bacteria like the plastic suits do.

Best of all, they may be able to promote a variety of benefits that can help you reach your fitness goal faster.

In a variety of studies conducted by Dr. Lance Dalleck at the University of Western State Colorado, the Kutting Weight sauna suit was shown to promote the following benefits:

Weight Loss

• Triggers an increase of calorie burning by up to 13%
• Increases EPOC levels (calories you burn post-exercise) by up to 22%
• Results in an overall greater weight loss of up to 40%

Performance:

• Increase of up to 67% in their endurance levels
• Boost in levels of VO2 max, peak power output, and ventilatory threshold

Tell Us What You Think!

Have you tried any of these clothing trends?

What results did you notice?

Let us know in the comments below!

References

1. Porcari, John P., Lauren Probst, Karlei Forrester, Scott Doberstein, Carl Foster, Maria L. Cress, and Katharina Schmidt. "Effect of Wearing the Elevation Training Mask on Aerobic Capacity, Lung Function, and Hematological Variables." Journal of Sports Science & Medicine. Uludag University, June 2016. Web. 30 June 2017.

2. Kemmler, W., S. Von, C. Köckritz, J. Mayhew, A. Wassermann, and J. Zapf. "Effect of Compression Stockings on Running Performance in Men Runners." Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2009. Web. 30 June 2017.

3. Engel, F. A., H. C. Holmberg, and B. Sperlich. "Is There Evidence That Runners Can Benefit from Wearing Compression Clothing?" Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.). U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2016. Web. 30 June 2017.

4. Dalleck, Lance. (2015) “Acute Benefits of Exercise with the Kutting Weight® Sauna Suit: Technical Report” Gunnison, CO. Western State Colorado University.

5. Dalleck, Lance. (2015) “Chronic Health and Performance Benefits of Exercise with the Kutting Weight® Sauna Suit: Technical Report” Gunnison, CO. Western State Colorado University.