What to wear to the gym
Whether you’re getting ready to make working out a part of your life or simply looking to upgrade your current workout outfit, you may be wondering what to wear to the gym.
Whatever the activity, your clothing should help you achieve your goals, not hinder you. And since going to the gym is one of the best ways to improve your physical and mental health, it makes sense to get the most out of every session, every time.
The good news is that following a few simple tips can help you look and feel better when you exercise. Read on for our essential guide on what to wear to the gym.
How Proper Dress Elevates Your Workout
You dress one way when you’re giving a presentation at work and a different way when you’re watching the game on Sunday, right? Indeed, the right clothes can improve your experience. They can put you in a confident mindset and help you feel more comfortable no matter what you’re doing.
Going to the gym is no different. Proper workout clothing can improve your gym experience in several key ways:
- Comfort – When it’s time to push your body, mobility is crucial. Proper sportswear should be comfortable and flexible, inviting you to use your full range of motion. It should also help prevent chafing and wick away moisture to keep you dry when you sweat.
- Performance – High-quality activewear sets the stage for your body to perform. This helps you perform at your best in every workout. Plus, when you look good, you feel good. A positive self-image can boost your confidence and, by extension, your performance.
- Injury prevention – Some sports clothing, such as compression clothing, supports muscles, absorbs vibrations and promotes blood circulation. This can potentially reduce your risk of injury and build your endurance during tough workouts.
The best way to test new activewear options is to see how you feel the moment you put them on. Ask yourself:
- Do I like the way they look at me?
- Do I feel supported and able to move freely?
If the answer is yes, you probably made a wise choice.
Sportswear essentials
Now that we’ve covered how quality activewear can improve your workouts, let’s go over some of the key items you’ll want to acquire before your next sweat session. Sportswear is a huge industry and the options can seem endless. That’s why it’s important to take a focused approach when putting together your workout wardrobe.
Ultimately, there are three main categories of clothing that you will need to consider when getting started.
Tops
When choosing workout tops, look for those made from durable yet soft fabrics with a loose, comfortable fit. Make sure they allow the full range of movement of your arms and body.
You should also:
- Choose breathable fabrics – Breathable fabrics are those that wick moisture away from your body. This helps sweat evaporate quickly to keep you cool and dry. Polyester and spandex are both excellent fabric choices when it comes to choosing ideal sportswear.
- Avoid cotton – It may be comfortable, but cotton is the opposite of breathable. Instead, it absorbs moisture and keeps it trapped against your skin. The harder you try, the wetter and heavier cotton shirts will become. Not ideal.
- Favor versatility – A solid fitness program will include a variety of activities, some indoor and some outdoor. For this reason, it is wise to choose sportswear that can cover a few different bases. This way, you won’t have to think too much about what to wear when you’re getting ready.
For women, quality sports bras are also essential. When shopping for sports bras, remember that they should be a little tighter than a normal bra, but not so tight that it becomes difficult to breathe.
If you’re a gym regular, try to have five solid options for tops. Laundry days and rest days may overlap.
Down
When it comes to stockings, the right choice will depend on the activity. When you’re running, for example, you’ll need shorts that are light and won’t chafe. For lifting, you may want to opt for tapered sweatpants that won’t bunch up when you squat or lunge.
Regardless of the type of training, sports stockings must be:
- Flexible – Don’t let your pants limit your movements. Stretchy, soft fabric is the name of the game here.
- Comfortable – Loose pants tend to get in the way or ride up when you do your exercises. Instead, choose tighter (but not restrictive) bottoms that you can set and forget.
- Functional – Convenient features like zippered pockets can make your life easier by providing a secure place for your phone or AirPods case.
Make sure you have a variety of bottoms for all types of workouts. Three pairs of shorts and a few pairs of sweatpants (or yoga pants) are a good place to start.
Shoe
Shoes play a vital role in training success. This is because your feet are your foundation. They also absorb a ton of impact when running or HIIT training. Treating them correctly will help you feel capable and energized.
Just like ups and downs, different workouts require different types of shoes. You will want to have a few options, such as:
- Running shoes – These support and cushion your feet during repetitive movements, protecting you from ankle or heel injuries. By taking care of your feet during cardio, you can increase your endurance over time.
- Cross training shoes – When you lift weights or do a HIIT workout, you want a firm base and stationary heel. Compared to running shoes, cross-training shoes are generally a little heavier and more “grippy”.
- Pumps – Sometimes you might want to sweat on the tennis or basketball court. For these activities, opt for pumps. They’re denser than running shoes and offer more lateral support (so you can easily pivot without spraining your ankle).
When organizing your gym wardrobe, it’s easy to leave your feet as an afterthought, but investing in quality shoes will give you a solid foundation of support for any fitness activity.
Accessories
Don’t forget the extras! Polishing your workout wardrobe with useful accessories can further boost your confidence and make you even more excited to hit the gym.
While personal taste comes into play when choosing add-ons, there are a few popular ones you might consider choosing:
- Headbands – During the latter stages of a cardio session, you don’t want to wipe sweat from your eyes every ten seconds. A sweatband can prevent sweating (and look really stylish, too).
- Compression socks – Compression socks provide even, gentle pressure that can help blood flow back to your heart, reduce foot and ankle pain, and reduce your chances of developing varicose veins and blood clots.
- Weightlifting Gloves – Pumping iron can be hard on your hands. A nice set of weightlifting gloves can prevent blisters, support your wrists and reduce the risk of slipping. After all, using chalk for adhesion can be tricky. Gloves offer a much cleaner option.
- Headphones – Nothing makes you want to workout more than blasting your favorite tunes. A set of over-ear Bluetooth headphones that deliver crisp, clear sound can enhance your entire gym experience.
Investing in a sturdy gym bag, quality gym towel, and insulated water bottle can also enhance your gym experience and help you stay focused on the workout, not the logistics of your gym outfit and of your accessories.
Other Tips for a Heavy Wardrobe
Building your workout wardrobe is an ongoing process, and you should feel free to continue updating your arsenal as your workouts change or intensify. Also, if you feel like an item no longer serves you, don’t be afraid to try something new.
Whatever makes you feel strong, confident and ready to give your best is the right choice.
While looking great is a huge advantage, remember to always prioritize functionality over fashion when deciding what to wear to the gym. There are plenty of versatile options that blend the two, but the goal of workout clothing is to remove all barriers to mobility and effort, so make sure yours does that.
Activate your activewear at Chuze Fitness
A top-notch sports wardrobe can help you succeed. After all, fitness is all about getting into a flow; strong clothing choices pave the way to get in the zone.
Beyond the clothes, a great atmosphere also makes it easier to lock in and stay committed to your training plan.
HAS Chuze Fitnesswe believe a fantastic gym environment is something everyone deserves, whether you’re an iron pump veteran or ready to take your first foray into fitness. That’s why we give our gyms a luxury atmosphere at an affordable price. In addition, you can make new friends and have fun in our selection of group classes, or take advantage of our top-of-the-range classes. benefitslike red light therapy and infrared saunas.
The success you are dressed for awaits you. Try one membership Today!
Sources:
UPMC Health Beat. Do compression garments help athletes? https://share.upmc.com/2022/03/compression-clothing/
American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. Shoes – Training shoes, also called Cross-Trainers. https://www.aapsm.org/aerobicshoes.html
WebMD. Compression stockings: benefits and side effects. https://www.webmd.com/dvt/choose-compression-stockings
Reviewed by:
Ani is the Vice President of Fitness at Chuze Fitness and oversees the group fitness and team training departments. She has had a career spanning over 25 years in club management, personal training, group exercise and instructor training. Ani lives with her husband and son in San Diego, California and loves hot yoga, snowboarding, and all things wellness.
