What to wear to the gym
Whether you’re getting ready to make working out a part of your life or you’re simply looking to upgrade your current gym attire, you may be wondering what to wear to the gym.
No matter the activity, your clothing should help you achieve your goals – not get in the way. 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 workout session, every time.
The good news is that with a few simple tips you can look and feel your best while working out. Read on to find out what to wear to the gym.
How the right clothing enhances your workout
You dress one way when you’re giving a presentation at work and you dress another way when you’re watching the game on Sunday, right? Because the right clothing can improve your experience. They can put you in a safe state of mind and help you feel more comfortable no matter what you are doing.
Going to the gym is no different. The right workout clothes can improve your gym experience in several ways:
- comfort – When it comes to challenging the body, mobility is crucial. Appropriate sportswear should be comfortable, flexible and allow you to exercise your full range of motion. It should also help prevent chafing and wick away moisture so you stay dry when you sweat.
- Performance – High-quality sportswear gives your body the freedom to perform at its best. This will help you perform your best in every workout. And when you look good, you feel good. A positive self-image can increase your self-confidence and therefore your performance.
- Injury prevention – Some sportswear such as compression clothing supports the muscles, absorbs vibrations and promotes blood circulation. This can potentially reduce your risk of injury and improve your endurance during tough workouts.
The best way to try new activewear options is to see how you feel once you put them on. Ask yourself:
- Do I like how these look on me?
- Do I feel supported and can I move freely?
If the answer is yes, you probably made a good choice.
Sportswear essentials
Now that we’ve discussed how quality activewear can improve your workout, let’s go over some of the most important things to pack before your next workout session. Activewear is a huge industry and the possibilities can seem endless. That’s why it’s important to be specific when putting together your sports wardrobe.
Ultimately, there are three basic clothing categories you need to consider when starting out.
Tops
When choosing workout tops, look for ones made from sturdy yet soft fabrics with a loose and comfortable fit. Make sure you are able to use your arm and core movements to their full extent.
You should also:
- Choose breathable fabrics – Breathable fabrics are those that wick moisture away from the body. This means sweat evaporates quickly and you stay cool and dry. Both polyester and spandex are excellent fabrics when it comes to choosing the ideal sportswear.
- Avoid cotton – It may be comfortable, but cotton is the opposite of breathable. Instead, it absorbs moisture and holds it on the skin. The longer you exert yourself, the wetter and heavier cotton shirts become. Not ideal.
- Prioritize versatility – A solid fitness program consists of a variety of activities, some indoors and some outdoors. For this reason, it’s smart to choose activewear that covers the body a few different bases. This way you don’t have to think too long about what to wear while getting ready.
High-quality sports bras are also a must for women. When purchasing sports bras, keep in mind that they should fit a little tighter than a regular bra, but not so tight that it makes breathing difficult.
If you’re a regular gym goer, you should have five solid top options. Wash days and rest days can overlap.
Bottoms
When it comes to bottoms, the right choice depends on the activity. For example, when running, you need light, chafe-free shorts. For lifting, you may want to use tapered sweatpants that won’t give when you squat or lunge.
Regardless of the type of training, training pants should have the following characteristics:
- Flexible – Don’t let your pants restrict your freedom of movement. Stretchy, supple fabric is popular here.
- Cozy – Baggy pants tend to get in the way or ride up during exercise. Instead, choose tighter (but not restrictive) bottoms that you can set and forget.
- Functional – Convenient features like zipper pockets can make life easier by providing a secure place for your phone or AirPods case.
Make sure you have different bottoms for all types of workouts. Three pairs of shorts and a pair of sweatpants (or yoga pants) are a good starting point.
footwear
Shoes play an essential role in training success. Because your feet are your foundation. They also absorb a lot of shock while running or HIIT training. If you treat them right, you will feel powerful and full of energy.
Just like tops and bottoms, different workouts require different types of shoes. You need some options, such as:
- Running shoes – These support and cushion your feet during repetitive movements, protecting you from ankle or heel injuries. By caring for your feet during cardio workouts, you can increase your endurance over time.
- Cross training shoes – When lifting weights or doing HIIT training, you want a firm foundation and a stationary heel. Compared to running shoes, cross-training shoes are slightly heavier and overall have a better grip.
- pumps – Sometimes you might want to sweat on the tennis or basketball court. Wear pumps for these activities. They are denser than running shoes and provide excellent lateral support (so you can turn easily without spraining your ankle).
When putting together your exercise wardrobe, it can be easy to let your feet take a backseat, but investing in quality footwear will give you a solid foundation for any fitness activity.
Accesories
Don’t forget the extras! Sprucing up your workout wardrobe with some useful accessories can further boost your confidence and make you even more excited to hit the gym.
While personal taste plays a role when choosing add-ons, there are a few popular items you may want to consider:
- Headbands – In the late stages of a cardio workout, you don’t want to be wiping sweat from your eyes every ten seconds. An absorbent headband can keep sweat away (and looks pretty stylish, too).
- Compression stockings – Compression socks provide even, gentle pressure that can promote blood return to the heart, relieve foot and ankle pain, and reduce the risk of developing varicose veins and blood clots.
- Weight lifting gloves – Pumping iron can put strain on your hands. A nice set of weightlifting gloves can prevent blisters, support your wrists, and reduce the risk of a slipping accident. Finally, using chalk to grasp can be messy. Gloves offer a much cleaner option.
- headphones – Nothing gets you excited for a workout like playing your favorite music. A set of over-ear Bluetooth headphones that deliver crisp, clear sound can improve your entire gym experience.
Investing in a sturdy duffel bag, a quality gym towel, and an insulated water bottle can also improve your gym experience and help you focus on training—not the logistics of your gym clothes and supplies.
More tips for a heavy lifting wardrobe
Building your workout wardrobe is an ongoing process, and you should keep updating your arsenal as your training changes or intensifies. Additionally, if you feel like an item is no longer serving you, don’t be afraid to try something new.
Whatever makes you feel strong, confident and ready to do your best is the right choice.
While good looks are a huge plus, remember to always prioritize function over fashion when deciding what to wear to the gym. There are many versatile options that combine both, but the goal of workout clothing is to remove any barriers to mobility and exertion – so make sure your clothing does that too.
Activate your activewear at Chuze Fitness
A top-notch workout wardrobe can help you achieve success. After all, fitness is all about getting into the flow; Choosing solid clothing paves the way into the zone.
Beyond clothing, a great atmosphere also makes it easier to stick to your workout plan and stick to it.
At Chuze FitnessWe believe a fantastic gym environment is something everyone deserves, whether you’re a seasoned athlete or ready to make your first foray into fitness. That’s why we give our gyms a luxurious feel that’s available at a corner store price. You can also make new friends and have a lot of fun in our range of group courses or benefit from our high-end offer Advantagessuch as red light therapy and infrared saunas.
The success you have chosen awaits you. Try it membership Today!
Sources:
UPMC Health Beat. Does compression clothing 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 leads the group fitness and team training departments. She has a career spanning more than 25 years in club management, personal training, group exercise and coach education. Ani lives in San Diego, California with her husband and son and loves hot yoga, snowboarding and all things wellness.
