10 Best Tips When Shopping for Fitness Gear in Doha

Shopping is one of the most preferred weekend activities in Doha. In many cases, just looking at items on display offers tremendous satisfaction to a person.

Some products can do you a world of good, especially in terms of your health and well-being. When this is the case, you need to be smart about shopping.

When you’re planning to shop for some fitness gear, you must come prepared with knowledge of the different kinds of sportswear and equipment available and more. Fortunately, seasoned buyers and fitness experts offer many tips to ensure you get what you’re after.

Here are the 10 best tips you need to know when shopping for fitness gear in Doha, Qatar:

Clothes

When you go shopping in Qatar for your workout clothes, be sure to:

1.     Get the size right based on your body and activity.

Gym clothes need to support ease of movement while keeping you comfortable throughout the workout. That means you need to figure out the right size that fits you.

Your clothes should not be too big and not too small for your body. They also need to match the kind of exercise you’re planning to try.

Although loose and comfortable clothing is generally okay, it isn’t recommended for certain kinds of workouts.

For example, you may hit a snag – literally – when running or riding a bike wearing loose or wide-legged pants. These could potentially get tangled with the pedals or your feet, leading to an accident.

If you’re doing some yoga or other exercises that require stretching parts of your body, you should consider buying sportswear that has stretchy fabric, too. Take note of the fit and make sure you can still move about without having to exert unnecessary effort because of too-tight clothes, though a body-hugging piece is not a bad choice either. The key is to find the balance.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid any piece that gets in the way of the position or activity you’re trying to do.

2.     Consider sweat-wicking capabilities.

Since most exercises trigger sweat, most of your sportswear should have a good level of sweat-wicking capability.

Many synthetic fabrics used in breathable gym clothes can draw sweat away from your skin. This not only makes moisture evaporate faster but also keeps you cool throughout your workout.

Look for clothes made from polypropylene, nylon, bamboo fiber, and spandex for activities that could leave you drenched.

3.     Go lightweight if you’re not sweating a lot.

If you don’t expect to sweat a lot, you should consider clothes made of cotton and calico. Both materials are soft, lightweight, and comfortable, making them perfect for less intense workouts like stretching or walking.

Both materials are highly sweat-absorbent, which is why they’re not recommended for medium- to high-intensity exercises that can cause too much sweating.

4.     Incorporate proper undergarments into your ensemble.

Many people use their regular undergarments during workouts, but the truth is, supportive undergarments are as important as the other gym clothes you wear.

For women, a good sports bra is irreplaceable in providing flexibility and support. Meanwhile, men will benefit from a protective cup, especially when engaging in contact sports.

5.     Think about your specific needs.

Aside from the clothing fit and material, workouts, and your gender, you also need to factor in other things that you need when choosing sportswear.

If you’re one of those who don’t like to expose skin when going to the gym, workout pants are a better choice than shorts.

In the cooler month of January, you may want to use full-sleeved shirts or sweatshirts to stay comfortable while jogging in Doha. Some running clothes also come with small pockets hidden inconspicuously to store some cash, keys, and even snacks.

The bottom line is to think about the details of your exercise environment and your own preferences and look for apparel that addresses your specific requirements.

Equipment

After you’re done shopping for clothes, you may also want to buy some home gym equipment in Doha. For that, you must:

6.     Know your goals.

Physical fitness goals depend on the kind of lifestyle a person has. This means what you do every day will affect what you want to achieve, the kind of exercises you need to perform, and, ultimately, the equipment you should have in your home gym.

For example, if your goal is to enhance your strength, your focus should be on compound lifts, which target more muscle groups in the body. This will ensure that you gain substantial strength rather than bulk up (as you would with isolation lifts).

That said, your focus should be on using barbells for back squats rather than leg extension machines if you’re building leg strength.

But if you’re after overall fitness, you may need a more balanced combination of strength, strength-endurance, and endurance training. This means you’ll have to divide your training time and equipment funds among those three goals.

7.     Assess your goals and commitment level.

Once you determine your goals, you also need to assess how committed you are to achieving them.

If you’re after general fitness like muscle toning, flexibility, and weight management, you would only need the following workout tools for beginners and other people looking for casual workouts:

• Aerobic step.
• Adjustable bench.
• Fitness ball.
• Exercise mat.
• Dumbbells (heavier if you’re going for squats and lunges; lighter for side and overhead lifts).

You can also toss in some resistance tubes and bands to add variety and flexibility to your home gym.

But if you’re into more serious fitness goals like strength training and muscle development, you may need to buy:

• A complete set of barbells, dumbbells, and plates.
• An exercise bench.
• A barbell rack.

This should be enough to help you with your fitness goals without siphoning all your savings.

8.     Determine the available space.

Before you finalize your list of home gym equipment, make sure you visit and measure the area they will be going into. Your effort in doing research and the money used to buy equipment will only go to waste if the equipment can’t fit in the room you plan to transform into your home gym.

Pay attention to the full size of any piece of equipment that needs to be assembled. You also need to factor in the space you’ll need while using them.

9.     Determine your preferences.

If you’ve never tried working out before, you might want to visit a nearby gym first and train under a pro before buying your own equipment. This will give you a chance to get a feel of the exercises and establish your preferences.

Of course, if you already have preferences and know your physical limitations, you only need to note them when buying fitness equipment in Doha, Qatar.

10. Stick to a budget.

Finally, you have to create a budget for your home gym. This will help with your search for the ideal gym machines and tools while keeping you from spending more money irresponsibly.

If you think you’re spending more than it’s worth, compare the amount of money you’ll need for a home gym and for a gym membership – along with the pros and cons of each setup.

Shop for Fitness

Exercise is critical for your physical and mental wellbeing. Make sure you’re fully equipped for workouts by buying the right fitness gear in Doha, Qatar.