This guy used to be a model
Welcome to the bane of the fitness world… spandex! We have all seen people in it. I don’t care how fit you are, spandex is just not attractive. Add this to the fact that most people that DO wear it are those that definitely should not be.
The one that kills me is bicyclists (sorry to those of you). I have nothing against cycling but it seems that more and more people just take it to a competitive level that is not needed for a casual Sunday ride. I mean, is shaving that tenth of a second of your time down to the local grocery store and back really worth subjecting me to the sight of you in spandex? Oh yeah… and get the hell out of my car lane! That is why the city built a bicycle lane right next to it… but I digress, that is another issue.
So does wearing compression clothing at the gym, on the bicycle, at the track, the grocery store, or even target really offer you up any of sort of an advantage?
Well I found a study published in October of this year that tested exactly that. This study was conducted by the School of Human Movement Studies at Charles Sturt University in Australia. They took a look at the effects of wearing compression clothing on the effectiveness of both exercise and recovery. The mode of exercise used in the test? HIIT (Our favorite! I thought that was pretty cool).
Participants performed a 10-min exercise protocol of a 20-m sprint and 10 plyometric bounds every minute. Blood tests were conducted to measure all sorts of good stuff at intervals before exercise, after exercise, 2 hours after exercise and 24 hours after exercise.
What did they find? Well, practically nothing. The only difference at all between wearing compression garments and not was at the 24 hour mark where a barely noticeable (and I mean barely) increase in muscle recovery was detected. Interesting to note however is that after 24 hours, participants did report a small reduction in perceived muscle soreness.
The SoG’s conclusion, ditch the spandex!
What are your thoughts?.
January 19th, 2009 - 9:11 am
I would never wear spandex but I always joke about getting a pair of really tight jeans once I lose a lot more weight.
January 19th, 2009 - 9:33 am
One word – chafing.
Whether riding or running, anything that isn’t skin tight will bunch up between the legs and turn my thighs into hamburger.
And if they’re working out? Applaud them. It’s the one wearing spandex while standing in line with a cart full of ho-ho’s and Coke that deserve the scorn.
January 19th, 2009 - 9:34 am
Bill,
Fair enough, I can see the comfort argument coming into play. Don’t get me wrong, i can totally see the advantage of spandex for competing. A 10th of a second does matter there. So tour de france guys, spandex on. I can also see your argument for chafing for longer distance runners and activities where chaffing might be an issue. In mymode of exercise though, i.e. HIIT, sprints, etc, chaffing is not really an issue. Not a big believer in the longer distance stuff. Definitely no need for the spandex while lifting weights in the gym or gorcery shopping though
January 19th, 2009 - 9:57 am
As a counterpoint, a study published in Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research:Volume 23(1)January 2009pp 101-105, “Effect of Compression Stockings on Running Performance in Men Runners” found significant performance improvements in male runners wearing compressions socks that they could only partially explain.
They saw a slightly higher aerobic capacity (observed via higher VO2 max) and anaerobic threshold, but this only partially explained the difference.
It’s interesting to note that the study you mention involves high intensity interval training, and this one is more focused on pure endurance (“running to exhaustion”).
It was also strictly compression stockings – not the other compression garments it appears the study you mention tested.
However, other studies HAVE found a number of beneficial effects of compression garments. To quote the introduction to the study I mention “The positive effects of compression garments have become increasingly interesting for athletes across various disciplines. Some authors have determined favorable effects of compression stockings, tights, or sleeves on venous hemodynamics, arterial perfusion, deeper tissue oxygenation, and muscle oscillation, with corresponding effects on lactate kinetics and muscular soreness. They have a number of other cited sources for these claims, which I have not yet verified.
In short, I think it’s too soon for a conclusion either way, and there might be something to this.
January 19th, 2009 - 10:05 am
Chris,
Good information there! I guess it just goes to show the old addage “you can find a study that says anything”. Maybe this is a situation where compression clothing may be good for endurance activity but pointless for HIIT and strength training. I could definitely see that.
January 19th, 2009 - 2:34 pm
I found your site from gohealthygofit. Great stuff here. That pic is hillarious!
January 19th, 2009 - 3:14 pm
Chuck Tizzle,
Welcome to the site! I am glad you like it.
January 19th, 2009 - 5:52 pm
The picture made me giggle. A lot.
January 19th, 2009 - 7:09 pm
Candy,
You get the impression he just finished the last leg of the tour de france don’t you? Yeah… me neither. lol
January 19th, 2009 - 7:52 pm
It’s funny that you mention bikes going into the car lane. I ride my bike occasionally in LA and it’s about the most dangerous thing that I do as a person. I understand and abide by the laws of the road, but for some reason LA drivers almost try to swerve and hit you for the fact that the bike lane does prevent them from making a right turn at 100 mph! LA drivers are unforgiving and they do not understand the reason for having a bike lane, even if a bicyclist stays in the lines.
P.S. My bicycle attire consists of basketball shorts and a cotton t-shirt, just in case there was a little spandex-confusion there.
All the Best,
Andrew R
January 20th, 2009 - 12:15 am
Dude, I like that you are getting scientific in your rant LOL.
Anyway, at the gym I work at we have one of the trainer girls wearing tight pants and short shorts. And man, I cant tell you ain’t nothing wrong about that.
It doesn’t hurt that she has a perfect body though.
Stay cool SoG,
Yavor
January 20th, 2009 - 8:53 am
Andrew,
Thank you for clearing up that you don’t wear spandex when riding!
I could potentially see that. Our city makes huge beautiful bike lanes that don’t get used though. Cyclists really don’t use them just out of sheer nose-up attitude. If I remember living in so-cal, LA drivers may be part of the problem too
Yavor,
That does sound intriguing… I may have to visit your gym for further… “research”. At least that is how i will explain it to the wife
January 20th, 2009 - 9:16 am
Sorry, gotta be the female voice here: sports bras are a godsend. Trust me. I love me my spandex in certain places.
January 20th, 2009 - 9:33 am
I can’t focus on writing a good comment becasue I keep laughing at the picture….
Marc
January 21st, 2009 - 7:47 am
I wear the bike shorts also, for chafing and comfort (padding). I’m not that in shape either. Granted I could ride 50 miles in South Florida heat (116 on the deck) no problem, but I’m 6′4″ and 260lb. So not pretty in spandex. They don’t make the baggy version with the padding in my size. So I wear the spandex with baggy shorts over them. Problem solved. Also wear compression shorts while playing ball to keep stuff from flying around, once again shorts over them. Same if I happen to wear a compression top for some reason. Moisture wicking or warmth or whatever.
Of course, gave up riding every day and now only about once per week. Now focusing on weight lifting and trying to get some HIIT in.
Certainly, there’s nothing wrong with a beautiful women wearing a little spandex and I mean a little. Don’t know how many times I’ve almost wrecked because they would be stetching after walking the trail. Yes, walking. Of course there would always be plenty of men around when they did. Maybe they were just out for the vitamin D….
January 21st, 2009 - 9:00 am
Joe,
I am in total agreement. I actually have a pair of those underarmor underoo’s to wear under my baggy shorts in situations that may perpetuate chaffing. Interestingly enough, I haven’t had to use them since going primal. I guess primal exercise consists of anti-chaffing workouts! I think you are really going to enjoy the HIIT and it will help you in your goals.
January 21st, 2009 - 9:01 am
Rachel,
Yes, Women sing the praises of sports bras and I can understand why. Speaking of, whatever happened to the sportsbro men wore in the 80’s? lol.
January 21st, 2009 - 9:12 pm
SoG,
I remembered this post tonight while getting in a speedy 11-mile run. Wearing my compression tights (it was 28F with the wind chill). And my UnderArmor compression shirt under my long sleeve (the compression shirt is very important – it prevents the complete removal of the nipples on cold long runs, which leads to very bloody shirts, horrified looks and painful showers).
I certainly wouldn’t require those pieces if I focused on HIIT. But the pursuit of endurance events is the one piece of Primal that I adamantly stray from, mainly due to my love of it over the past three decades.
But it’s great to stick to a Primal diet while doing it. Instead of sucking down a fabricated, engineered carb bar after tonight’s run (which I would have done a year ago), a couple of apricots and a piece of smoked salmon were tonight’s choice to restore my glycogen as well as get some protein and fat. In the end, the ratio of carbs to protein to fat were probably similar between the two meals, but I know I’m better off this year.
Keep the great posts coming!
-bill
January 21st, 2009 - 10:10 pm
Bill,
As more people post, I am starting to understand more and more the comfort benefits of compression clothes… especially in endurance training (which would explain why this did not occur to me). I think an important aspect of the UnderArmor though is that it is called “Under”Armor… lol. I would like to tell myself that was thier plan for emphasizing the comfort aspect as opposed to the wear tights to the gym like a douchebag aspect. But that could just be my perception
So for those of you wishing to punish your body with feats of endurance… rock on with the spandex, you get a pass. The rest of us can steer clear.
January 22nd, 2009 - 9:28 am
Funny you should ask about men’s bras SOG.
In November all the trendy news was about the *new* Japanese bra for men:
http://inventorspot.com/articles/mens_premium_bra_offers_hope_japans_overly_endowed_20078
January 22nd, 2009 - 2:09 pm
Ha ha touching a nerve with me! Spandex is one of those things that I can’t help but feel ridiculous in. I am in pretty good shape, but a big fella. (Although down from 38 to 34 inch waist, thank you very much, Paleo and Crossfit!
I wear them when I am on a tri bike, cycling in the park, or in a triathlon. that is IT. I think those two places or acceptable. Oh, and I don’t ride in the street. And one of these days, I am going to knock one of these entitled riders right on their ass. Yes, I ride a bike, yes I love it, but I hate cyclists. The spandex has padding in it, but again, you are right, it’s ridiculous. And as far as the women trainers, terry cloth shorts beats spandex ALL DAY LONG!
January 22nd, 2009 - 3:27 pm
Jim,
Rock on! I’m loving every point you make there.
January 27th, 2009 - 5:19 pm
Hi there, I am not sure I totally agree with you, but it is well stated. Keep up the good work.
January 28th, 2009 - 11:12 pm
Your outfit makes you look slim. Great! Cheers.
January 30th, 2009 - 7:37 am
looks like there is much work to be done!
just subscribed to your feed. I searched for “clothing” and I found your post “Does wearing tight clothing help your workout?”.
August 6th, 2009 - 6:53 am
Ok I am a swimmer and I have mates who are cyclist whom I have befriended during tourneys. One of them is a Tour De France competitor. I am mentioning him because I have discussed about the spandex/tight clothing for cyclists, sprinters or swimmers like me.
Well here it is. It basically all comes down to AERODYNAMICS. We are high speed athletes and we dont want to leave anything to chance when it comes to hampering our speed. These clothes which we are required to wear are made from low friction material. Its not really spandex and I cant explain everything as its pretty much confidential stuff for every team. Just to give you a note, Ian ‘Thorpedo’ Thorpe, the Australian Golden Boy in Swimming wears a kind of suit which is completely different from whats available in the stores/malls. This has extensive research to to back it up. Low friction aids high speed and thats the basic thing. Hope you get the picture! My post was nothing against but I just wanted to clear up what exactly is the background for cyclists/swimmers/sprinters/gymnast wearing tight non friction clothing!
Now when it comes to working out, your post is definitely good and informative. I really dont know why anyone would wear the tight dress for lifting weights in a gym, dont know why anyone needs it while working on a stationary bike, or doing HIIT on a treadmill. I personally prefer wearing a lose tee and an even lose short while working out or doing my daily HIIT!
Btw, your recipes for Primal Diets are pretty much awesome. I made that mayonnaise with EVOO and Egg Yolks yesterday and it really turned out delicious. Something which irks me about Primal Diet is the ‘Minus Dairy’ thing. I am a BIG fan of sugarless Fruit/Honey/Yogurt, but I miss it sometimes. Ended up here from Rusty’s blog!
One question about Honey! Any idea if Honey is degrading to the weight loss theory? I have a decent BFL but just was curious!
Cheers!
August 6th, 2009 - 7:25 am
Dude vs Wild,
I totally get the whole competitive advantage thing. In top level competetive athletics, a tens of a second can make all the difference in the world. Joe blow taking up my car lane for his weekend cycle though does NOT need the spandex.
As for honey, It is still a refined sugar. It has been naturally refined by bees but refined sugar all the same. It will spike you insulin, it will affect your hormones and it will affect weight loss. Some occasional honey certainly will not kill you but for weightloss less is definitely better.
Oh and don’t let the dairy thing irk you. A lot of us primal kids partake in dairy even though it is not technically primal or paleo.
The SoG