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 gear, you may be wondering what to wear to the gym.
Regardless of the activity, 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 boost your physical and mental health, it makes sense to get the most out of every session, every time.
The good news is that with a few simple tips, you can look and feel your best while exercising. Read our essential guide on what to wear to the gym.
How proper clothing improves your workout
You dress one way when you give a presentation at work and another when you watch the game on Sunday, right? This is because the right clothes can enhance your experience. They can put you in a state of confidence and help you feel more comfortable, no matter what you’re doing.
Going to the gym is no different. The right workout clothes can enhance your gym experience in several key ways:
- Comfort – When it’s time to push the body, mobility is crucial. Appropriate gym clothes 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 as you sweat.
- Performance – High-quality gym clothes pave the way for your body to perform. This helps you to give your all in every training session. Plus, when you look good, you feel good. A positive self-image can increase your confidence and therefore your performance.
- Injury prevention – Some active clothes, such as compression ones, support muscles, absorb vibrations and stimulate blood flow. This can potentially reduce your risk of injury and increase your endurance during hard workouts.
The best way to try out new gym clothing options is to see how you feel as soon as you put them on. Ask yourself:
- Do I like how this looks on me?
- Do I feel supported and can I move freely?
If the answer is yes, you probably made a good choice.
Basics of gym clothes
Now that we’ve covered how quality activewear can enhance your workout, let’s go over some of the key items you should pick up before your next sweat session. Activewear is a huge industry, and the possibilities can seem endless. That is why it is important to take a targeted approach to putting together a wardrobe for the gym.
Ultimately, there are three key categories of clothing that you will need to consider when starting out.
Cannons
When choosing workout tops, look for ones made from sturdy yet soft fabric with a loose and comfortable fit. Make sure they allow you full range of motion in your arms and core.
You should also:
- Choose breathable fabrics – Airy fabrics are those that draw moisture away from the body. This helps sweat evaporate quickly to keep you cool and dry. Polyester and spandex are excellent fabric choices when it comes to choosing the ideal gym clothes.
- 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 longer you push yourself, the wetter and heavier the cotton shirts will be. It’s not ideal.
- Prioritize versatility – A solid fitness program will consist of various activities, some indoors and some outdoors. For this reason, it is wise to choose active clothing that can cover several different bases. That way, you don’t have to think too much about what to wear while getting ready.
For women, quality sports bras are indispensable. When shopping for sports bras, remember that they should fit you a little tighter than a regular bra, but not so much that it’s difficult for you to breathe.
If you’re a regular at the gym, try to have five good t-shirt options. Washing days and rest days can overlap.
The lower part
As for bottoms, the right choice will depend on the activity. For example, when you run, you’ll need lightweight shorts that don’t chafe. For lifting, you may want to go with tapered running pants that won’t bunch up when you squat or lunge.
Regardless of the type of exercise, the lower part of the gym should be:
- Flexible – Don’t let your pants restrict your movement. Stretchy, pliable fabric is the main thing here.
- Snug – Baggy bottoms tend to get in the way or ride up while you’re doing exercises. Instead, choose tighter (but not restrictive) bottoms that you can fit and forget.
- Functional – Practical features like zippered pockets can make your life easier by offering a safe place for your phone or AirPods case.
Make sure you have different bottoms for all types of exercise. Three pairs of shorts and a pair of jogging pants (or a pair of yoga pants) is a solid starting point.
Footwear
Footwear plays an essential role in the success of exercise. This is because your feet are your foundation. They also absorb a ton of shock when running or HIIT training. By handling them properly, you will feel capable and full of energy.
Like tops and bottoms, different workouts require different types of footwear. You’ll want to have several options, such as:
- Running shoes – They 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 lifting weights or HIIT training, you want a firm base and an immobile heel. Compared to running shoes, cross-training shoes are a bit heavier and overall more “grippy”.
- Court shoes – Sometimes you might want to sweat on the tennis or basketball court. Wear court shoes for these activities. They’re denser than running shoes and offer superior lateral support (so you can easily turn without spraining your ankle).
When organizing your gym wardrobe, it’s easy to let your feet become an afterthought, but investing in quality footwear will give you a solid foundation for any fitness activity.
Accessories
Don’t forget the extras! Sprucing up your workout wardrobe with some useful accessories can boost your confidence and make you even more excited to hit the gym.
While personal taste comes into play when choosing accessories, there are a few popular items you may want to consider:
- Headbands – During the late stages of cardio, you don’t want to be wiping sweat from your eyes every ten seconds. An absorbent headband can keep sweat at bay (and look pretty stylish).
- Compression socks – Compression stockings provide a stable, gentle grip that can help blood return 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 arms. A nice set of weightlifting gloves can prevent blisters, support your wrists, and reduce the chance of slipping. After all, using chalk to hold can be messy. Gloves provide a much cleaner option.
- Headset – Nothing motivates you to exercise like playing your favorite song. A set of over-the-ear bluetooth headphones that deliver clear, crisp sound can enhance your entire gym experience.
Investing in a sturdy gym bag, a quality gym towel, and an insulated water bottle can also enhance your gym experience and help you stay focused on your workout—rather than the logistics of your gym clothes and gear.
Other tips for a heavy wardrobe
Building your workout wardrobe is an ongoing process, and you should feel free to keep updating your arsenal as your workout routine changes or intensifies. In addition, if you feel that an item no longer serves you, do not be afraid to try something new.
Whatever makes you feel strong, confident and ready to give it your all is the right choice.
While looking good is a huge plus, remember to always prioritize function over fashion when deciding what to wear to the gym. There are plenty of versatile options that combine both, but the goal of workout clothes is to remove any barriers to mobility and strain—so make sure yours does.
Activate your sportswear at Chuze Fitness
A great gym wardrobe can help set you up for success. At the end of the day, fitness is all about going with the flow; a solid choice of clothing paves the way for you to enter the zone.
Aside from the clothes, the great atmosphere also makes it easier to lock in and stay committed to your workout plan.
On Chuze Fitnesswe believe that a fantastic gym environment is something everyone deserves, whether you’re a veteran or ready for your first foray into fitness. That’s why we infuse our gyms with a luxurious feel that comes at a corner store price. In addition, you can make new friends and enjoy our selection of group courses or take advantage of our premium ones privilegessuch as red light therapy and infrared sauna.
The success you are trained for awaits you. Try a 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. Footwear – training sneakers also known as 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 25+ year career in club management, personal training, group exercise and instructor training. Ani lives with her husband and son in San Diego, CA and loves hot yoga, snowboarding, and all things wellness.
