How to Know When It’s Time to Replace Your Activewear ASAP

As hard as it is to part with your favorite workout leggings or some other piece of activewear you’re obsessed with, it's just not designed to last forever and it is subject to its own seasonality and life cycle.

Of course there’s a nostalgia that comes with some of the gym pieces in your wardrobe, but there are some parts of your fitness gear that need regular updating, and believe it or not — ignoring that loosening thread could actually be damaging your health.

If you want to get the best results from your activewear — and stay safe, you should stop ignoring the necessary upkeep and replacement of your workout tights, sports bras, shirts or sneakers. You should always check your gym clothes for cracks, tears, or yellowing, and replace them with new ones, especially since most activewear is fairly inexpensive and other gear may have useful upgrades.

So look out for these signs you need to replace your workout gear.

Tights

Even if our high quality workout leggings offer a lifetime guarantee, some brands need replacing every one to two years. Opt for tights or stretchy pants that contain spandex and more nylon than cotton, which sops up sweat and causes fabric to break down extra quickly. When the seams and waistbands become looser and your form-fitting leggings are feeling a little less so than before, it's probably time for a change. 

Shoes

If you feel pain in your feet, knees, shin splints, or aching joints, you should consider checking regularly for the cushioning and if it has broken down, or if the soles are worn out. Depending on how often you workout and the kind of exercise you do, you generally need to replace your sneakers every six months to one year.

Sports Bra

If we should choose one type of fitness gear worth investing in, it would definitely be the sports bra. The benefits of a well-fitting, high-quality and activity-appropriate sports bra are plenty. But how to tell if it’s time to make farewells with your bra? If you notice frayed elastics or faded color/fabrics of your sport bra, it’s pretty obvious sign that it’s time to move on.

A pro tip is to raise your hands above your head, and notice if the band on the bra slides around. If it is, that’s a sign that it is no longer locking your breasts in place. You can test the straps by wiggling your fingers under them and if you feel little resistance it’s probably not doing its job anymore.

Shirts

If your top is with built-in bras, then the same rules that go for stand-alone sport bras apply here.

The regular tops however (the ones without built-in bras) that are not made to be supportive, but to cover up instead are recommended in darker colors, so they don't pit stain or discolor as quickly as light-colored ones. In order to prevent deodorant residue to cause damage, we advise to wash them quickly instead of letting them sit in your hamper for days.

Always choose air drying for your performance fabrics since they are designed to dry quickly, so it won't take too much extra time.

Yoga Mat

What influences the most how long your yoga mat will last is the way you are using it. Not a rocket science, right? You might be notorious for wearing through your mat however if you practise Ashtanga Yoga for instance, but for the gentler forms of yoga the same mat can last for years.

Keep in mind that If your mat is not so comfortable any more, its surface starts to flake on you, it is not gripping, or if it has thinned out so much that it no longer provides enough cushioning, it’s a clear sign that it’s time to replace your activewear mat for new one.

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