What to wear to the gym: important tips

What to wear to the gym

Whether you’re getting ready to make working out a part of your life or just looking to update your current workout gear, you may be wondering what to wear to the gym.

Regardless of the activity, your clothing should help you achieve your goals, not hinder them. 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 each session, every time.

The good news is that following a few simple tips will help you look and feel your best while exercising. Keep reading for our essential guide on what to wear to the gym.

How the right clothes improve your workout

You dress one way when you give a presentation at work and another way when you watch the game on Sunday, right? This is because the right clothing can enhance your experience. They can put you in a confident mood 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 yourself, mobility is critical. The right gym clothes should be comfortable and flexible so you can use your full range of motion. It should also help prevent chafing and wick away moisture so you don’t run.
• Productivity – High-quality gym clothes clear the way for your body. This will help you get the most out of every workout. Also, when you look good, you feel good. A positive self-image can boost your confidence and therefore your productivity.
• Injury prevention – Some activewear, such as compression clothing, supports muscles, absorbs vibration and promotes blood flow. This can potentially reduce your risk of injury and increase your endurance during hard workouts.

The best way to test out new gym clothes is to see how you feel once you put them on. Ask yourself:

• Do I like the way they look on me?
• Do I feel supported and can I move freely?

If the answer is yes, you probably made the right choice.

Clothes for the gym

Now that we’ve covered how quality sportswear can elevate your workouts, let’s take a look at some key items you’ll want to pack before your next sweat session. Activewear is a huge industry and the options can seem endless. That is why it is important to be purposeful when assembling a sports wardrobe.

Ultimately, there are three main categories of clothing that you will need to consider when starting out.

Tops

When choosing training tops, look for products made of durable but delicate fabric with a loose and comfortable fit. Make sure they allow full range of motion of the arms and body.

You should also:

• Choose breathable fabrics – Breathable fabrics that wick away moisture from the body. This helps sweat evaporate quickly to keep you cool and dry. Polyester and spandex are great fabric choices when it comes to choosing the perfect sportswear.
• Avoid cotton – It can be comfortable, but cotton is the opposite of breathability. Instead, it absorbs moisture and holds it on your skin. The longer you strain, the wetter and heavier the cotton shirts will be. Not ideal.
• Give preference to versatility – A solid fitness program will consist of a variety of activities, some indoors, some outdoors. For this reason, it’s smart to choose sportswear that can cover up several different bases. That way, you don’t have to think too much about what to wear when you’re getting ready.

For women, quality sports bras are also a must. When shopping for sports bras, remember that they should fit a little tighter than a regular bra, but not so much that it’s difficult to breathe.

If you’re a regular at the gym, try to have five reliable top options. Laundry days and rest days can coincide.

Lower parts

As for the bottom, the right choice will depend on the activity. For example, you’ll want lightweight shorts that don’t chafe when you’re running. For lifting, you may want to use tapered joggers that won’t bunch up when you squat or lunge.

Regardless of the type of training, briefs should be:

• Flexible – Don’t let your pants restrict your movement. Stretchy, flexible fabric is key.
• Cozy – Wide bottoms tend to get in the way or ride up during exercise. Instead, opt for a stiffer (but not restrictive) bottom that you can set and forget.
• Functional – Convenient features like zippered pockets can make life easier by offering a safe 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 pair of joggers (or a pair of yoga pants) is a good starting point.

Shoes

Shoes play an important role in training success. This is because your feet are your foundation. They also absorb a lot of shock during running or HIIT workouts. Treating them right will make you feel capable and energetic.

Just like tops and bottoms, different workouts require different types of shoes. 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. Taking care of your feet during cardio will increase your endurance over time.
• Shoes for cross training – When lifting weights or doing HIIT workouts, you need a solid base and a stable heel. Compared to running shoes, cross training shoes are a bit heavier and generally have more grip.
• Court shoes – Sometimes you might want to sweat on the tennis or basketball court. Wear court shoes for these events. They’re tighter than running shoes and offer great lateral support (so you can turn easily without spraining your ankle).

It’s easy to let your feet get forgotten when choosing your gym wardrobe, but investing in quality footwear will give you a solid base for any fitness activity.

Accessories

Don’t forget about additional services! Adding useful accessories to your workout wardrobe can boost your confidence even more and make you want to hit the gym even more.

While personal taste comes into play when choosing add-ons, there are a few popular items you may want to consider:

• Headbands – In the latter 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, too).
• Compression socks – Compression socks provide steady, gentle compression that can help blood return to the heart, reduce foot and ankle pain, and reduce the likelihood of varicose veins and blood clots.
• Gloves for weightlifting – Pumping iron can be difficult for you. A good set of weightlifting gloves can prevent blisters, support your wrists and reduce the chance of slipping. After all, using chalk to grab can be messy. Gloves provide a much cleaner option.
• Headphones – Nothing will motivate you to work out like scrolling through your favorite tunes. A set of over-the-ear Bluetooth headphones that deliver clear, crisp sound can enhance your entire gym experience.

Investing in a durable duffel bag, a quality gym towel and an insulated water bottle can also enhance your gym experience and help you focus on your workout rather than the logistics of gym clothes and accessories.

More tips for a heavy wardrobe

Building your workout wardrobe is an ongoing process, and feel free to keep updating your arsenal as your workouts change or intensify. Also, if you feel like a product is no longer serving you, don’t 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 big 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 purpose of workout clothing is to eliminate all hindrances to mobility and load, so make sure yours does just that.

Activate your sportswear at Chuze Fitness

A top-notch gym wardrobe can help set you up for success. After all, fitness is about getting into the flow; a solid choice of clothing clears the way to get into the zone.

Aside from the clothes, the great atmosphere also makes it easier to settle in and stay committed to your training plan.

U Chuze Fitnesswe believe that a fantastic gym environment is something everyone deserves, whether you’re a veteran exerciser or ready to take your first foray into fitness. That’s why we fill our gyms with luxury that comes at an in-store price. In addition, you can make new friends and enjoy our group activities or take advantage of our high-class benefitslike red light therapy and infrared sauna.

Success awaits you. Try a friendship today!

Sources:

UPMC Health Beat. Do compression garments help athletes? https://share.upmc.com/2022/03/compression-clothing/

American Academy of Pediatric Sports Medicine. The shoes are training shoes, 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 over 25 years of experience in club management, personal training, group exercise and instructor training. Ani lives with her husband and son in San Diego, California and enjoys hot yoga, snowboarding, and all things wellness.