Yoga is currently one of the most popular workout regimens. It has been around for many years and is practiced in many cultures. This is a workout that can be done in your house, in the park, in your yard, in a yoga studio, or at the local gym. Yoga can be practiced no matter what level of experience you have. No matter where you practice or who you practice with, one thing remains the same, yoga clothes. There are many types of workout clothes on the market, most of very generalized so as to be efficient no matter what regimen you adhere to.
Others, however, are made especially for specific workouts and yoga is a prime example of this. The thing about yoga clothes is there are many options to choose from. Different fabrics, different price ranges, different places to buy, and many other variations. The purpose of this article is to compare and contrast the different aspects of yoga clothes to help make a determination as to the best choice for you. If you are interested in an in-depth comparison of yoga clothes.
The first consideration to compare is the price. It is important to find great yoga clothes that are within your budget and this is not always an easy task. Here we will compare yoga clothes with different price ranges and see how they stack up.
$0 – $15 ~
1 Tops –
Twist back tank from ROMWE $7.99
Loose Gym Sports Vest from Walmart $8.88
1 Bottoms –
Flared Yoga Pants from Appleletics.com $8.99
Yoga Leggings from Walmart – $9.79
1 Bras –
Comfort Sports Bra from Champion $9.99
Active Woman Sports Bra from Steep & Cheap $4.99
$16 – $25 ~
1 Tops –
Box Jump Tank from Athleta $19.97
Racerback Tank from Google Express $21.95
1 Bottoms –
Lattice Hem Yoga Leggings from Old Navy $18.00
Knotted Hem Yoga Leggings from Old Navy $16.00
1 Bras –
Low Impact Sports Bra from Gap $24.00
Active Bra from ROMWE $19.99
$26 – $50 ~
1 Tops –
Sleeveless Loose Tank from DHgate online store $27.77
Short Sleeve Yoga Tee from Etsy $28.00
1 Bottoms –
Long Yoga Legging from Beyond Yoga $35.40
Elastic Yoga Pants from Fits4Yoga $39.98
1 Bras –
Sweaty Betty Yoga Bra from Sweaty Betty $31.00
Low Impact Sports Bra from Under Armour $34.99
$51 +
1 Tops –
Chi Top from Athleta $54.00
Keyhole Yoga Tank from YogaOutlet.com $59.99
1 Bottoms –
Yoga Leggings from K-DEER $98.00
Compression High Waisted Long Leggings from Beyond Yoga $75.00
1 Bras
Enlite Sports Bra from Lululemon $98.00
Yogi Convertible Bra from Nordstrom $68.00
People often wonder what exactly the differences between cheap yoga clothes and expensive ones. It would seem at times that there is no difference, but that is not actually true. The biggest difference is in the quality and the material used. Cheaper varieties use a great deal of spandex and polyester because they are much cheaper than the alternatives. The more expensive brands use more cotton, nylon, and bamboo to make their clothes. You will also find better, more sturdy stitching on the more expensive pieces. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the cheaper brands. The function well and perform their task accordingly. The main thing you will find is that the expensive brands tend to last longer and are able to take more abuse. Regardless of whether you buy cheap pieces or expensive ones, it is very important to take good care of them. For example, if you buy a yoga top that boasts the ability to wick away moisture, do not use fabric softener when washing that top. The reason for this is that the fabric softener eats away at the coating that helps it keep the moisture away. You may also want to consider line drying your yoga clothing.
Now, let’s compare materials. The material that a piece of workout clothing is made from can make or break the entire experience.
Cotton – Cotton is one of the most recommended fabrics for workout wear in general and especially for yoga. This a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric that also stretches well. It is very important to have a stretchy material to do yoga in because most of the movements require a great deal of stretching. The prime fabric for yoga clothes is a mixture of this and the next fabric. A cotton/nylon blend creates an optimal fabric that keeps you dry and comfortable while you workout.
Nylon – Nylon is very similar to cotton in that it also wicks away sweat. It is also quite stretchy and breathable. When you combine nylon with cotton you get an amazing fabric for any workout, but especially for yoga. The praises of a cotton/nylon blend cannot be sung enough.
Lycra Spandex – The defining characteristics of spandex is its natural stretchiness and form-fitting nature. Spandex is found in most workout clothes for several reasons. It provides plenty of stretch without losing its shape. Also, it is fairly cheap and easy to come by. This makes it a great choice for workout clothes.
Polyester – Polyester is fine by itself, but it only makes a great piece of workout clothing when combined with other fabrics. The most popular combination is polyester, spandex, and cotton. On its own, it is fairly stretchy, but not particularly breathable. It also does not have any natural moisture reducing properties. This is why it is best when combined with other fabrics. Polyester is also quite cheap which is a big pull for some.
Bamboo – Cloth made from bamboo fibers makes wonderful workout clothing. It is insulating to keep you cool in hot conditions and warm in cold conditions. It wicks away moisture to keep you dry while you workout. Bamboo is also quite flexible. Its biggest selling feature, however, is that fact that it is antibacterial. This means that all of the nasty microorganisms that spawn in sweat and dirt are killed by the bamboo.
For more information about yoga clothes be sure to check out Om & Ah.
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