Balancing Fit and Function: Mastering Activewear Design Through Motion Testing

When it comes to functional fitness apparel, fit is everything. A poorly fitting garment can hinder performance, cause discomfort, and even increase the risk of injury. That’s why forward-thinking brands go beyond static measurements and integrate activewear motion testing into their design and fitting process.

The Benefits of Motion Testing

Motion testing allows you to:

• Identify fit issues in action: Spot discomfort, tightness, or restriction during real-life movement.

• Ensure comfort: Eliminate chafing, rubbing, or irritation that static fitting overlooks.

• Maximize performance: Ensure clothing supports rather than restricts motion.

• Enhance customer satisfaction: Execute athletic wear fit strategies that actually work for your target audience.

How to Incorporate Motion Testing

1. Choose the right activities: Match tests with the product’s intended use. For example, test running shorts during sprints and jogs.

2. Simulate real conditions: Use treadmills, yoga mats, or indoor cycling to mirror real-world activity.

3. Pay close attention to garment behavior: Watch how moisture-wicking fabrics stretch, recover, and interact with the skin.

4. Incorporate feedback: Collect observations from models and testers to refine your fit and material choices.

Case Study: Testing Running Apparel

A performance-focused brand developing functional fitness apparel recently put this method to the test.By testing their shorts and tops during a variety of running movements, they were able to:

• Identify chafing issues: Adjust seam placement that caused irritation during motion.

• Optimize fabric choice: Select a more breathable fabric to prevent overheating.

• Improve fit and durability: Modify waistband designs to stay secure through intense movement.

Conclusion

Incorporating motion testing into your design process transforms good activewear into great activewear. When garments are built using smart activewear design principles, they don’t just fit, they function flawlessly.

Looking for some help in fitting your performance apparel? We love to help performance brands impeccably fit their garments to increase customer loyalty for years to come. Book a free call with us to explore how we could work together today!

And you can always check out more content on this topic on our YouTube Channel.