by Paul Hanson

With AI technology weaving its way into almost every aspect of our lives, it was only a matter of time before it started to take over the fitness industry. Ozy reports that a growing number of fitness firms are turning to artificial intelligence to provide their consumers with affordable and convenient at-home training options, utilizing technology that didn’t even exist 10 years ago.

Following suit with the fitness boom in Nashville, the personal training industry in the U.S. is expected to hit $9 billion in revenue in 2019 and the fitness equipment market is expected to reach $12 billion by 2022. Now more than ever it’s important for brands to start innovating their products to stay in the game. Brands like Munich-based Freeletics and Silicon Valley startup Tonal have already started incorporating artificial intelligence into their fitness products, like AI-led fitness plans and advanced equipment that measures and compares each rep to track performance.

But AI isn’t the only advancement making waves in the fitness industry. Similar to the impact AI is having on workouts and equipment, nanosilver-infused fabric is changing the way we think about performance wear.

What is Nanosilver Technology?

Nanosilver is just like it sounds — it’s a nanoparticle of silver. Similar to the pain relieving properties of copper, silver has insane antibacterial properties. As the most profitable nanotechnological product on the market, it has been hailed as a holy grail of germ killers and is infused in many common consumer products, like clothing, toys, and cosmetics. While nanosilver may sound like a new concept to some, it’s actually existed in the clothing industry for quite a while. Back in the mid-2000s, we started seeing the first examples of clothing companies incorporating nanosilver technology directly into their products.

Nanotechnology in the Marketplace

In the last couple of years, we’ve seen trends like athleisure and smart clothing blow up in the performance wear industry. Athleisure was almost a $46 billion market in the U.S. in 2016 and is expected to double by 2020, reaching $83 billion, with smart clothing estimated to be a $1 billion industry in 2020. The fitness apparel industry is evolving at lightning speed and in order for brands big and small to keep up, nanosilver is the golden ticket.

As it stands now, the nanotechnology market is red hot — by 2024, the global market is expected to exceed $125 billion, according to Research and Markets. Nano-Tex, a leading provider of nanotechnology for textiles, has been supplying their clothes to 100s of well-known brands for years. Eddie Bauer has been using nanotechnology in their clothes since 2005 and lululemon released their first line of nanosilver-infused performance wear back in 2014.

When searching for workout clothing, comfort and flexibility are a must-have. But you also want to know that your gear is going to work and perform as hard as you do. Not only will nanosilver-infused athletic wear feel great, but it will also enhance your overall athletic performance in numerous ways.

Total Elimination of Odors

Nashville’s fitness enthusiasts live for a good sweat-sesh, but the post-pump stink is never ideal. When you’re sweating during a workout, your body produces a bacteria which leads to some smelly BO. Because of silver’s antibacterial properties, the nanosilver technology in your performance wear kills the bacteria on your skin and keeps you and your clothes smelling fresh. And since the particles are found directly inside the fabric, the nanosilver will never wash out and will continue to eliminate odors for the entire lifetime of the fabric. Another plus? Less stink means less laundry, so it’s a win-win for both!

Water Resistant Fabric

Another awesome feature of nanotechnology is its ability to repel water. Think of the fabric like a leaf — when water droplets land on the surface, it slides right off without even being absorbed. This is due to the hydrophobic foliage found in most plants. Nanotech-infused fabrics can now incorporate this ability right into their clothes with the help of silicone, a naturally water-resistant material. So after working up a good sweat, you can stay dry, comfortable, and transition from gym to leisure with ease.

By eliminating odor and creating water-resistant fabric, nanotechnology is getting rid of all the distractions you have to deal with during a workout. Without these distractions, you can put all your energy into your making your time at the gym the best it can be. Nanosilver-infused fabric doesn’t just pave the way for the future of athletic wear: it completely transforms the way you workout.

Paul Hansen is the Founder of IRON-JOC, a performance wear brand made for men who work hard and train hard. IRON-JOC is disrupting the athletic apparel category by creating durable, high quality apparel at lower price points than other high-end fitness apparel brands.