Pilates Fitness Friday, What You Wear When You Sweat Matters
- Michael King
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
People think Pilates Fitness Friday is about exercises, but today it is about clothing. You move, you sweat, and your clothes sit against your skin for long periods. This matters more than people realise.
Some leggings use treatments that aim to make the fabric sweat resistant or quick drying. These treatments often involve PFAS. PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in many industries. They do not break down fast in the environment or in the body. They stay in your system for long periods.
PFAS exposure links with changes in immune function, hormone balance, fertility, and metabolism. Studies that looked at activewear found higher PFAS levels in certain products. The concern is highest in areas with thin skin, because absorption happens faster.
Not all leggings use these treatments. Some brands avoid PFAS. Some fabrics avoid chemical coatings. You have options, you just need to check.
Here are simple checks you can use before buying clothing for sessions where you know you will sweat.
• Look for PFAS free or fluorine free labels.
• Choose organic cotton, bamboo, or recycled polyester that states no chemical finishes.
• Search for Oeko Tex Standard 100 or Bluesign approval. These labels show the garment was tested for harmful chemicals.
• Avoid anything described as water resistant, stain resistant, or extreme quick dry. These features often need chemical coatings.
• Wash new leggings before wearing them. This helps reduce surface residues.
Your skin is your largest organ. It absorbs more than people think. You spend hours each week teaching, moving, and sweating. Clothing that sits close to the body needs attention.
This is not about fear. It is about awareness. You choose what sits against your skin. You choose what you teach in. You choose what you sweat in.
Fitness is not only movement. It is also the environment you create for your body. Clothing is part of that environment. Choose well.
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