Recently, I read an article about "Why Yoga Pants Are Bad for Women" (published by the New York Times, February 17, 2018). The article addressed the tight fitting yoga pants women wear to the gym and asks "What happened to sweat pants?"
The author writes:
"We aren't wearing these workout clothes
because they're cooler
or more comfortable
....because they're sexy."
I agree that some women wear them to attract attention....but some wear them to stimulate circulation, hold in muscle heat, and support veins in the legs. The difference is some wear them everywhere, others only to the gym. The pants with the fancy cutouts kind of defeat those purposes - so why wear them? To look sexy.
Are they necessary in order to get a good workout? No. If you don't believe me, look at the men in gyms. They wear loose shorts, sweatpants, and loose jogging pants. Very few wear anything that could be considered tight.
Personally, I find the following true for me (before you criticize me, remember these are only MY preferences, what works for me. It may be different for you and that's fine. 🙂):
Regarding the health benefits and issues of tight yoga pants (not the "classic"), if you are serious about your workout, whether it be weights or other activity, you will sweat in certain places - not just under your arms. You will also sweat in your crotch, breast folds, between the thighs, in the butt area, etc. This is where the tighter pants have a tendency towards creating health issues, especially for women.
Reader's Digest published an article (no date available) titled "How leggings can make these 7 health problems worse".
Here are the 7 issues
they wrote about,
but there are
many more issues:
1. Chafing: this is pretty much self explanatory.
2. Ringworm and other fungal infections (red, scaly, itchy patches of skin)
3. Folliculitis: all body hair, and I mean ALL body hair is susceptible. Here is an excellent article on it: https://www.aocd.org/page/PityrosporumFollicu
4. Jock Itch: not just a male issue. A fungal infection caused by tight pants combined with sweat.
5. Bacterial Vaginosis: I hear females in the locker rooms talking about this sometimes. I think it occurs more often than is discussed. Most women don't make the connection between tight leggings and sweat together with this one.
6. Yeast infections: tight leggings, heat, and sweat create the perfect environment for this common problem that creates itching and/or a white curd-like discharge. (other related infections caused by this environment includes Bacterial Vaginosis). More information can be found here:
https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/sexual-health-vaginal-infections#1
7. Skin Dryness - Dermatitis is a common condition that has many causes and occurs in many forms. It usually involves itchy, dry skin or a rash on swollen, reddened skin. Or it may cause the skin to blister, ooze, crust or flake off.
Some of these can be avoided by not wearing skin tight pants in the first place or at least only wearing them for short periods of time, showering soon after removing them (swimming, saunas don't count) and taking extra care not to let your female body parts stay in a hot, sweaty, tight pair of leggings for very long (over an hour).
"Tight pants. For women,
overly tight pants or jeans
can lead to fungal infections like Thrush."
https://bbc.in/1GEeDOz
Men and women have the choice of what to wear at the gym. However, women (especially) should consider the health of their bodies over the sexy appearance before making that choice. Women in child-bearing years and menstruating should be especially careful as should menopausal women. Hormones pay a part in these issues as well, both in the young and the older woman.
Ask yourself:
What's more important to me, the health of my body (which is the reason you are going to the gym, right?) or that I look cute (sexy, stylish, whatever your motivation) while I am trying to workout? Age doesn't matter in this situation, this applies to the young woman and the older woman the same.
Remember, tight yoga pants can be beneficial for certain activities in the gym, but not for everything.
They should be worn for short periods of time with a shower immediately after removing them. Put thought into what you wear and consider all the pros and cons of your workout attire. As women, of all ages, our bodies need to be cared for if we expect them to perform well for us and see us through our entire lives.
If you are interested in other articles on this subject the following links will be helpful:
www.elitedaily.com/p/are-yoga-pants-bad-for-you-6-things-that-could-happen-if-you-wear-them-all-the-time-7699357
www.nytimes.com/2018/02/17/opinion/sunday/yoga-pants-sweatpants-women.html
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/photo-stories/bad-things-that-can-happen-to-you-if-you-wear-yoga-pants-all-the-time/photostory/62295315.cms
www.today.com/health/7-reasons-your-yoga-pants-could-lead-health-issues-t100245
www.yourtango.com/2015284080/four-disgusting-diseases-you-might-get-if-wear-yoga-pants
Do you wear different workout gear according what you are doing or do you wear the same thing for everything? Do you workout in tight yoga pants and then go home without a shower first? Have you considered if the clothes you wear are healthy or unhealthy for your body before you wear just for the "appearance"? What are your thoughts on this blog?
XOXO
The author writes:
"We aren't wearing these workout clothes
because they're cooler
or more comfortable
....because they're sexy."
I agree that some women wear them to attract attention....but some wear them to stimulate circulation, hold in muscle heat, and support veins in the legs. The difference is some wear them everywhere, others only to the gym. The pants with the fancy cutouts kind of defeat those purposes - so why wear them? To look sexy.
Are they necessary in order to get a good workout? No. If you don't believe me, look at the men in gyms. They wear loose shorts, sweatpants, and loose jogging pants. Very few wear anything that could be considered tight.
Personally, I find the following true for me (before you criticize me, remember these are only MY preferences, what works for me. It may be different for you and that's fine. 🙂):
- In actual yoga classes, I wear the "classic" yoga pants. They are form fitting at the waist to the knee then looser from the knee down. I have ease of movement and they are cooler.
- In Zumba, elipticals, treadmills, bootcamps, etc., the same "classic" yoga pants work, but the long legged tight pants support my muscles and veins better with all the jumping around and stress to the leg.
- In the weight room, my "classic" yoga pants work great, even the capri length that have a looser thigh. I am actually more comfortable in the weight room wearing these. However the tighter ones have been worn by me on occasion, also.
Regarding the health benefits and issues of tight yoga pants (not the "classic"), if you are serious about your workout, whether it be weights or other activity, you will sweat in certain places - not just under your arms. You will also sweat in your crotch, breast folds, between the thighs, in the butt area, etc. This is where the tighter pants have a tendency towards creating health issues, especially for women.
Reader's Digest published an article (no date available) titled "How leggings can make these 7 health problems worse".
Here are the 7 issues
they wrote about,
but there are
many more issues:
1. Chafing: this is pretty much self explanatory.
2. Ringworm and other fungal infections (red, scaly, itchy patches of skin)
3. Folliculitis: all body hair, and I mean ALL body hair is susceptible. Here is an excellent article on it: https://www.aocd.org/page/PityrosporumFollicu
4. Jock Itch: not just a male issue. A fungal infection caused by tight pants combined with sweat.
5. Bacterial Vaginosis: I hear females in the locker rooms talking about this sometimes. I think it occurs more often than is discussed. Most women don't make the connection between tight leggings and sweat together with this one.
6. Yeast infections: tight leggings, heat, and sweat create the perfect environment for this common problem that creates itching and/or a white curd-like discharge. (other related infections caused by this environment includes Bacterial Vaginosis). More information can be found here:
https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/sexual-health-vaginal-infections#1
7. Skin Dryness - Dermatitis is a common condition that has many causes and occurs in many forms. It usually involves itchy, dry skin or a rash on swollen, reddened skin. Or it may cause the skin to blister, ooze, crust or flake off.
Some of these can be avoided by not wearing skin tight pants in the first place or at least only wearing them for short periods of time, showering soon after removing them (swimming, saunas don't count) and taking extra care not to let your female body parts stay in a hot, sweaty, tight pair of leggings for very long (over an hour).
"Tight pants. For women,
overly tight pants or jeans
can lead to fungal infections like Thrush."
https://bbc.in/1GEeDOz
Men and women have the choice of what to wear at the gym. However, women (especially) should consider the health of their bodies over the sexy appearance before making that choice. Women in child-bearing years and menstruating should be especially careful as should menopausal women. Hormones pay a part in these issues as well, both in the young and the older woman.
Ask yourself:
What's more important to me, the health of my body (which is the reason you are going to the gym, right?) or that I look cute (sexy, stylish, whatever your motivation) while I am trying to workout? Age doesn't matter in this situation, this applies to the young woman and the older woman the same.
Remember, tight yoga pants can be beneficial for certain activities in the gym, but not for everything.
They should be worn for short periods of time with a shower immediately after removing them. Put thought into what you wear and consider all the pros and cons of your workout attire. As women, of all ages, our bodies need to be cared for if we expect them to perform well for us and see us through our entire lives.
If you are interested in other articles on this subject the following links will be helpful:
www.elitedaily.com/p/are-yoga-pants-bad-for-you-6-things-that-could-happen-if-you-wear-them-all-the-time-7699357
www.nytimes.com/2018/02/17/opinion/sunday/yoga-pants-sweatpants-women.html
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/photo-stories/bad-things-that-can-happen-to-you-if-you-wear-yoga-pants-all-the-time/photostory/62295315.cms
www.today.com/health/7-reasons-your-yoga-pants-could-lead-health-issues-t100245
www.yourtango.com/2015284080/four-disgusting-diseases-you-might-get-if-wear-yoga-pants
Do you wear different workout gear according what you are doing or do you wear the same thing for everything? Do you workout in tight yoga pants and then go home without a shower first? Have you considered if the clothes you wear are healthy or unhealthy for your body before you wear just for the "appearance"? What are your thoughts on this blog?
XOXO
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