antibacterial workout clothes
woman running in antimicrobial leggings

Antibacterial Workout Clothes – Polygiene in Activewear

man running in the mountains in antimicrobial activewear

As more people than ever participate in sports and physical exercise, and activewear is a prominent part of everyday fashion, the demand for innovative, high-performance apparel has increased substantially. Customers want more from their workout clothing. And Polygiene antibacterial solutions for workout clothing ensures brands can deliver exactly that.

What are antibacterial workout clothes?

Antibacterial workout clothes refer to activewear apparel treated with technologies or finishes that inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Whereas regular workout clothes provide bacteria with the perfect growth conditions (bacteria love warm and damp environments), antimicrobial activewear stops the bacteria from proliferating. In doing so, it prevents the nasty smells associated with odor-causing bacteria and microbes, keeping your gear fresher-smelling for longer.

The rising demand for anti stink workout clothes 

Antibacterial treatments have become increasingly popular due to lifestyle changes and the way many people now incorporate physical exercise into their everyday routines. It is not uncommon for people to squeeze in a gym workout before heading to the office or do the weekly shop after a yoga session. As a result, gym wear is no longer restricted to environments associated with exercise. Athleisure is the new norm – antimicrobial leggings, T-shirts, and odor-control socks are incredibly popular.

At the same time, there is a greater demand for innovative apparel that enhances comfort and performance during physical activity. Polygiene antibacterial activewear technology does exactly that. Especially when coupled with other textile technologies, such as Polygiene® StayCool.

Why choose antibacterial gym wear over standard gym clothing? 

Regular gym gear often performs well when it comes to ensuring freedom of movement, wicking sweat away from the skin, or keeping the wearer cool. But it falls down when it comes to long-term freshness. In most cases, you get a single wear from a sweaty gym shirt before needing to wash it. Antibacterial activewear enables you to go much longer without washing.

With this in mind, the main reasons for choosing antibacterial gym wear over standard items include:

  • Less washing also means you minimize water and energy use, making treated products a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option.
  • Antibacterial clothing stays fresher for longer, so you can go about your day with total confidence.
  • As it requires less washing, it lasts longer. Washing machines are tough on fibers and cause premature wear and tear. This means you get more wear from your favorite top or new antibacterial leggings.
Woman running outside with light blue running apperal
anti stink workout clothes

Types of antibacterial gym wear

You can integrate antibacterial technology into a wide range of clothing. Polygiene technology is compatible with almost all textiles. As such, manufacturers can use it to provide long-lasting 24/7 protection in:

Worn tight to the skin, which limits airflow, leggings accumulate bacteria quickly and benefit enormously from antibacterial treatment. Antibacterial leggings are one of the most sought after types of gym wear.

Often worn in warm weather and during sweat-inducing activities, antibacterial shorts prevent unpleasant microbial odors.

Designed to collect sweat, headbands are prone to nasty smells. Our specialised technology ensures that does not happen.

These garments are in direct contact with the chest and underarms, two particularly sweaty areas.

Antibacterial underwear prevents bacterial buildup in another area that can get pretty sweaty.

A notorious spot for bacteria and odor, your socks and feet need antibacterial protection to stay fresh.

Polygiene’s antibacterial technology for clothing

Polygiene® StayFresh provides 24/7 protection, keeping textiles fresher for longer. Based on a naturally occurring salt found in water and soil, the silver ion technology inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria. It does so in three main ways:

The technology works to prevent bacterial growth on three levels.

  1. It binds to the cell wall to disrupt growth.
  2. It interferes with bacterial DNA to prevent cellular replication.
  3. It interrupts enzyme action to prevent energy production.

Combining antibacterial action with Polygiene® StayCool

To further improve activewear performance, manufacturers can integrate Polygiene anti-odor solutions alongside our game-changing textile cooling technology, Polygiene® StayCool. Ideal for apparel worn in warm climates or during intense workouts, it enhances moisture-wicking to facilitate improved evaporation. Most importantly, it features a thermo-reactive polymer matrix that binds to fabric fibers and activates upon contact with sweat, cooling the fabric between 2 – 3°C (4.3 – 5.4°F). So when you sweat, you benefit from a cooling effect that improves comfort and performance.

Examples of Polygiene antibacterial gymwear products

Several leading activewear brands integrate Polygiene technology into their collections, including:

  • Arc’teryx – one of the world’s most iconic outdoor brands, Arc’teryx leverages Polygiene technologies to ensure customers benefit from truly outstanding performance.
  • MP Activewear – known for its sleek, stylish, and functional gym gear, MP uses Polygiene StayFresh for odor control in several product lines.
  • O’Neill – the original California surfwear brand, O’Neill incorporates Polygiene treatments into several products. This not only delivers extra value for customers but also complements O’Neill’s commitment to sustainability.  

You can browse more Polygiene-treated activewear on our Sports and Outdoor product page.

Polygiene ensures the future of activewear is antibacterial

With consumers looking for longer-lasting apparel that performs better in testing conditions and looks (and smells) great whether you’re in the gym or your local cafe, demand for antibacterial clothing is growing. And, as industry leaders in the textile technology sector, Polygiene is positioned to provide you with the most effective antibacterial treatments available. Together, we can shape the future of activewear. And we can make it fresher than ever.

Get in touch with Polygiene to discover how your activewear collection can benefit from antibacterial technology.