As if possible bacterial and fungal infections weren’t enough, as well as the risk of acne and even getting sick, there’s another risk factor attached to keeping your workout clothes on for way too long. No, it has nothing to do with your health, which is a relief, but it still can put a damper on your day-to-day life. If you really love your exercise sets in every color of the rainbow and want to give them a longer than average shelf life, we suggest you quickly remove them after your workouts.
If you think about it, workouts usually last anywhere from half an hour to about two hours, so exercise clothing is usually worn for shorter periods of time than other pieces, such as jeans or your favorite leather jacket. While you’ve had your vintage, fringed denim jacket since high school, can you think of leggings that have ever lasted that long?
In the spirit of being stretchy, breathable, and perfect for movement, activewear is typically thin and slightly delicate. While good quality workout sets will surely last, reserving them for just the gym or pilates classes will extend their life considerably. You’ll know it’s time for you to replace your workout clothes when you notice that the clothing is becoming threadbare, if there’s a smell you can’t get out of them, or if your sports bra isn’t as supportive as it used to be (per Women’s Health).
