SportConn

Sport Blog

Tools & Features

What is athletic fit?

by

What is Athletic Fit?

What is athletic fit? - A group of athletic friends happy together

When it comes to buying clothes, you might have come across the term “athletic fit.” But what does it mean? Is it just for athletes, or can anyone wear athletic fit clothes?

In this article, we will have a look at what athletic fit means, why it’s popular, and how it differs from other types of clothing fits. We’ll break it down in simple terms, so by the end of this, you’ll know exactly what to look for when shopping for athletic fit clothing whether as an athlete or a non-athlete.

What Does Athletic Fit Mean?

Athletic fit is a style of clothing designed for people with a more muscular or toned body shape. It’s called “athletic” because it’s made for individuals who are active, exercise regularly, or have a body type with broader shoulders, a wider chest, and slimmer waists. However, you don’t have to be an athlete to wear it—anyone who prefers a closer, more tailored fit can benefit from athletic fit clothes.

The key thing to know about athletic fit is that it’s meant to hug your body in the right places. For example, shirts and jackets with an athletic fit will be a little tighter around the chest and shoulders but have more room around the arms to allow for movement. Pants or jeans will fit snugly around the thighs but not be too tight at the waist or hips. The idea is to give you a comfortable fit that shows off your body shape without being too loose or too tight.

Why is Athletic Fit Important?

What is athletic fit? - 3 athletic friends on athletic clothing

Athletic fit is important because not everyone has the same body shape. Many people, especially those who work out regularly, find that regular clothing sizes don’t fit them well. For example, someone who lifts weights might have bigger arms and shoulders, but their waist might be smaller than someone who wears the same size in standard fit clothing.

If you’re someone with a muscular or toned body, you might have experienced the problem of finding clothes that fit your shoulders or legs but are too baggy around the waist. This is where athletic fit clothing comes in handy. It’s specifically tailored to accommodate a more muscular frame while still giving you a flattering, comfortable look.

For those who are active or who have a strong build, athletic fit clothing can be a game-changer. It prevents that awkward feeling of wearing something too loose or too tight, making you feel more confident in your appearance.

What are the Differences Between Athletic Fit and Regular Fit

Although, we mentioned earlier that athletic fits are clothes designed for athletic body sizes. But that’s not the only difference. Below, we will take a look at the difference between athletic and regular fit in detail.

  • Regular Fit: Regular fit clothes are designed to be more straight and roomy. They are usually cut evenly from the shoulders to the waist, without a lot of tapering or shaping. This can be great for people who prefer a more comfortable, relaxed look. However, for those with a more athletic body, regular fit clothes might feel too loose in certain areas, like the waist or legs.
  • Slim Fit: Slim fit clothes are designed to be tighter all over. They are snug from the chest to the waist and often have a tighter fit around the arms and legs. Slim fit can look stylish on some body types, but it can feel uncomfortable for people with a more muscular build because the clothes might be too tight around the chest, arms, or thighs.
  • Athletic Fit: Athletic fit is designed to offer a balance between regular and slim fits. It’s tapered to fit broader shoulders and a larger chest while slimming down at the waist. Athletic fit pants and jeans are cut to allow more room for larger thighs and hips, but they still fit well at the waist and won’t look baggy.

So, if you’re someone with a muscular build who struggles to find clothes that fit perfectly, athletic fit is designed with you in mind. It offers the best of both worlds—a tailored, sleek look with the comfort and flexibility you need.

Where Can You Find Athletic Fit Clothing?

What is athletic fit? - 3 athletic friends on fancy athletic clothing

At this point, we believe you now understand what athletic fit is and how it differs from casual or regular fit. But you might be looking to get them but don’t know where. In this section, we will reveal where you can look if you need athletic clothing.

  • Jeans and Pants – Athletic fit jeans and pants are very popular for people with larger thighs and a smaller waist. Brands like Levi’s, Gap, and Banana Republic offer athletic fit jeans that provide more room in the thighs but taper down for a clean look. These jeans are great if you have a more muscular lower body because they prevent the tightness or pinching you might feel in regular slim-fit jeans.
  • Shirts and Jackets – Athletic fit shirts and jackets are designed to fit well around broader shoulders and chest areas while slimming down around the waist. Some brands that offer athletic fit shirts include Under Armour, Nike, and even dress shirt brands like Express or Brooks Brothers. These shirts give you a fitted look without feeling restrictive.
  • Suits: For those who need to dress up, athletic fit suits and blazers are a great option. They’re tailored to fit a more muscular upper body while still giving a sleek and stylish appearance. You can find athletic fit suits at many men’s fashion retailers, such as Men’s Wearhouse or J.Crew.

These are a plethora of options you can go with for athletic fits that not only looks good on you but feels great too.

Why Do Athletes and Active People Prefer Athletic Fit?

Athletic fit clothing is especially popular among athletes and people who work out regularly. This is because the fit allows for better mobility and comfort during physical activities while still looking stylish. Whether you’re playing a sport, going for a run, or lifting weights at the gym, athletic fit clothes are designed to move with your body and not restrict your movements.

For example, athletic fit t-shirts often have stretchy material that allows for easy movement while still fitting snugly around the chest and arms. This is ideal for activities where you need flexibility but don’t want your shirt to feel baggy or loose.

Pants and shorts with an athletic fit are also great for exercise because they provide extra room in the thighs and hips. This means you can squat, jump, or stretch without worrying about your clothes feeling too tight or ripping.

In addition to athletes, many people who just enjoy staying active—whether through hiking, biking, or playing recreational sports—find athletic fit clothing more comfortable for their active lifestyle.

How to Know if Athletic Fit is Right for You

Not every body type is built for athletic clothing. So how can you tell if athletic clothes are for you? Read on below:

  • You have a muscular build: If you have broader shoulders, a bigger chest, or more muscular legs, you might find that regular fit clothes don’t fit as well. Athletic fit clothes are designed to accommodate these areas without being too tight in other places.
  • You prefer a tailored look: Athletic fit clothing gives you a more fitted appearance while still being comfortable. If you like clothes that are closer to your body but don’t want them to be skin-tight, athletic fit is a great option.
  • You feel uncomfortable in regular or slim-fit clothes: If regular fit clothes feel too loose and slim-fit clothes feel too tight, athletic fit might be the perfect middle ground for you. It’s designed to give you more comfort and mobility without sacrificing style.

The Benefits of Wearing Athletic Fit Clothing

There are several benefits to wearing athletic fit clothing, especially if it suits your body type.

  1. Comfort: Athletic fit clothes are designed to give you more comfort by fitting your body shape better. Whether you’re working out or just going about your day, you’ll feel more comfortable in clothes that fit properly.
  2. Confidence: When your clothes fit well, you naturally feel more confident. Athletic fit clothes highlight your physique in a flattering way, helping you feel good about your appearance.
  3. Flexibility: Athletic fit clothes allow for better movement and flexibility. You won’t feel restricted in your clothes, whether you’re playing sports, running errands, or just relaxing.
  4. Style: Athletic fit gives you a sleek and stylish appearance. The tailored look is great for casual outings, workouts, or even formal occasions when you need to dress up.

To Wrap It Up

Athletic fit clothing is a middle ground for you if you feel regular fits are too loose, and slim fits are too tight. It doesn’t matter whether you are an athlete or not, you can choose athletic clothes if you feel like it.

The one factor you need to fulfill is your body type. Ensure you have the right body type otherwise you won’t fit well into athletic clothes.

Do you need more help on this? Hop on Sportconn to connect with sport apparel brands and sports professionals who can guide you on this.

Sportconn is a sports social platform that connects athletes, coaches, and businesses together to achieve their individual goals. Everyone is signing up, don’t be left out.

6 Challenges Professional Athletes Encounter

by

6 Challenges Professional Athletes Encounter

female professional athlete encountering challenges while seated in dressing room

Professional athletes encounter lots of untold challenges. As an athlete, the world sees you as someone who’s had it all figured out. To them, all you have to do is run, sprint, jump, swim, or perform specific moves based on the nature of your sport, and make money. 

The assumptions that you have it all figured out isn’t fair. And until they take a tour in your daily life, people can’t understand the challenges you face in the course of your career. 

Yes, being an individual professional athlete does come with its perks. These include flexible training and competition choices, bigger earning potential, absolute control over your career, getting the support of your loyal fans, families, and friends.

But in this article, we shall highlight 6 challenges all professional athletes face in their journey. 

Challenges professional athletes Encounter

1. Work-life balance

Many professional athletes almost do not know what it means to spend time with family and friends anymore. Or go out on a travel spree and have some time off. Even when they attempt these activities, their minds keep wandering back to their passion.

While this sounds like a deep love for their sport, their inability to be in the present and cut out all forms of career thought infiltration in their moments can be a problem in their life.

Having a healthy balance between your sport life and real life is key. When you’re playing, you’re playing, when you’re bonding with family, do it completely. 

2. Pressure to deliver

This is a common pressure among athletes. There is an untold pressure in you to deliver on your targets, to be the best version of yourself. This is a good challenge to have, I must say, but at the same time, it can be mind crippling. 

Take for example, the night before a major sports event, you as a partaker in such an event can become restless all through to the day of the event. Anxiety creeps in, sometimes, even doubts.

And not just that one night, but every time you have a major event to partake in. These are some of the challenges you don’t often get to talk about as a professional athlete.

3. Money

Being a team athlete means a lot of things are being taken care of. These include health insurance, allowances, etc. The same cannot be said for individual athletes, especially beginners who face financial constraint in elevating their career. 

Unlike team athletes, beginner individual athletes wing things on their own and bear the risks all alone. Some of them consider throwing in the towel when they can’t keep up with funding.

4. Mental health

As a professional athlete, you’re at the mercy of stress, anxiety, and even depression. All of these stem from the constant pressure that comes with being an athlete. It’s a problem you have to deal with almost all the time. No one gets used to mental health issues, but there are proven ways you can manage them. 

5. Staying fit and healthy

Your body is constantly under fire from stretching or performing other strenuous activities your support entails. These can result in either internal or external injuries, or both.

If not properly treated, you might experience chronic pain in parts of your body even long after you retire as a professional athlete.

6. Nutrition

Finally, as an athlete, there are certain foods prescribed for you by sports nutritionists. They are essential foods that contain nutrients that help build your body the right way. This means your favorite calorie-loaded food has to go; a sacrifice you’ll have to make if you’re going to stay healthy and follow through with your passion. 

You can indulge yourself once in a while though. Just be ready to burn the calories all up with rigorous training afterwards.

professional athlete encountering a challenge, holding her head

How to Overcome Challenges as a Professional Athlete

A professional athlete encounter challenges in the course of their career, but you must stay strong mentally and physically to overcome them. Below are some of the important training you can give yourself when you are getting overwhelmed with challenges.

Develop a winning mindset

As athlete, bearing in mind that everything happens for a reason, as it’s only a matter of time before you go back to your winning days will come handy for you. The down moments will come, but don’t let it dampen your spirit. See every challenge as an opportunity to grow. The outcome is 50-50; it’s either you win or you don’t. If you win, it’s your victory, own. If you don’t, learn from it.

Practice positive talk

The wonders of positive self talk is it fills your subconscious in bits until challenges don’t feel like challenges anymore. In a way, you’re providing strength to your mental health. It doesn’t work immediately, but each time you talk positively to yourself, you close the doubt vacuum making you see nothing but a growth opportunity in challenges.

Embrace your challenge

Accept challenges when they come your way. Don’t fret. Don’t find shortcut to dealing with it. Accepting it helps you settle down and think of a solution. The good thing about overcoming a challenge yourself or with the help of a friend is when such challenge occurs again, you have a proven approach to tackle it.

Create a support system

Some professional athletes encounter the challenge of having to handle everything themselves. This can have its toll on them eventually. Don’t be lone wolf. Build a support system of family, friends, or colleagues who understand how demanding your sports life can be. These set of people are in the best position to provide you with support when you need it. Be sure to ask for honest feedback as this will help you under what you need to do better as an athlete.

Be sure to reciprocate their support when they need you too.

Be in the moment

In the midst of a challenge, it is almost natural for your thoughts to wander as human. And usually, this does not end well, as you might end up getting your sad for overthinking. So rather than go all the way, learn to be in the moment. Get into activities that demands your attention. Visit friends, have conversations, or play video games. Your problems are not suppose to overpower you. Remember you have this under control no matter how overwhelming it may be.

To Wrap It Up

Being an athlete comes with its perks and at the same time, it’s challenges. Beginner individual athletes are most the bearers of these challenges, especially pertaining to money. But with a good crowdfunding strategy, you will be able to get things in shape and follow through with your passion.

Are you a professional athlete looking for a platform to find people whom you share common interest with? Join Sportconn today and you’ll find answers to all burning quests.