What to wear to the gym: basic tips

What to wear to the gym

Whether you’re getting ready to make exercise a part of your life, or just looking to upgrade your current gym outfit, you may be wondering what to wear to the gym.

Regardless of 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 boost your physical and mental health, it makes sense to get the most out of every session and every time.

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

How the right clothes elevate your training

You dress one way for a presentation at work and another when you watch the game on Sunday, right? That’s because the right clothing can enhance your experience. They can put you in a confident frame of mind 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 your body, mobility is critical. 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 when you sweat.
• Performance – High-quality gym clothes will clear the way for your body to perform. This will help you bring out the best in every workout. Plus, when you look good, you feel good. A positive self-esteem can increase your confidence and therefore your performance.
• Injury prevention – Some active wear, such as compression wear, supports muscles, absorbs vibrations and promotes blood flow. This can potentially reduce your risk of injury and boost your endurance during tough workouts.

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

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

If the answer is yes, you probably made a good choice.

Basic gym clothes

Now that we’ve covered how quality activewear can elevate your workout, let’s take a look at some of the key items you’ll want to pack before your next sweat session. Activewear is a huge industry and the possibilities can seem endless. That’s why it’s important to take a targeted approach when putting together your gym wardrobe.

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

Tops

When choosing workout tops, look for ones that are made from strong yet soft fabrics with a loose, comfortable fit. Make sure they allow full range of motion for your arms and core.

You should also:

• Choose breathable fabrics – Breathable fabrics are fabrics that wick moisture away from the body. This helps sweat evaporate quickly and keeps you cool and dry. Polyester and spandex are both excellent materials when it comes to choosing the ideal gym clothes.
• Avoid cotton – It may be comfortable, but cotton is the opposite of breathability. Instead, it absorbs moisture and keeps it trapped on the skin. The longer you push, the wetter and heavier the cotton shirts will become. It’s not ideal.
• Prioritize versatility – A solid fitness program will consist of a variety of activities, some indoor and some outdoor. For this reason, it’s smart to choose activewear that can cover up several different foundations. When preparing, you don’t have to think too much about what to wear.

For women, quality sports bras are also essential. When shopping for sports bras, remember that they should fit a little tighter than a regular bra, but not so tight that they can’t breathe.

If you’re a regular at the gym, try to have five solid variations of tops. Wash days and rest days may overlap.

Lower parts

When it comes to bottoms, the right choice will depend on the activity. For example, when jogging, you will want lightweight shorts that do not chafe. For lifting, you may want to use tapered joggers that won’t bunch up when squatting or lunging.

Regardless of the type of exercise, the lower part of the gym should be:

• Flexible – Don’t let your pants restrict your movement. Flexible, supple fabric is the name of the game.
• Comfortable – Pouches tend to get in the way or come off during exercise. Instead, opt for tighter (but not restrictive) bottoms that you can set and forget.
• Functional – Practical 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 exercise. Three pairs of shorts and a pair of joggers (or pairs of yoga pants) is a solid starting point.

Footwear

Footwear plays a vital role in exercise success. That’s because your feet are your foundation. They also absorb a lot of shock when running or HIIT training. If you treat them right, you will feel capable and full of energy.

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 motion and protect you from ankle or heel injuries. By taking care of your legs during cardio, you can increase your endurance over time.
• Shoes for cross training – When lifting weights or HIIT training, you want a solid base and a solid heel. Compared to running shoes, cross shoes are generally a bit heavier and more “grippy”.
• Court shoes – Sometimes you might want to work up a sweat on the tennis or basketball court. Walk in the courts for these activities. They are thicker than running shoes and offer excellent lateral support (so you can easily turn without spraining your ankle).

It’s easy to let your feet become an afterthought when curating your gym wardrobe, but investing in quality footwear will give you a solid base of support for any fitness activity.

Accessories

Don’t forget the accessories! Sprucing up your workout wardrobe with some useful accessories can further boost your confidence and motivate you to hit the gym even more.

While personal taste comes into play when choosing accessories, there are a few favorites to consider:

• Headbands – You don’t want to be wiping sweat from your eyes every ten seconds during the late stages of a cardio burst. An absorbent headband can keep sweat at bay (and looks pretty stylish, too).
• Compression socks – Compression socks provide steady, gentle compression that can help blood flow back to your heart, reduce leg 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 likelihood of slipping. After all, using chalk for grip can be a mess. Gloves provide a much cleaner option.
• Headphones – Nothing gets you excited about working out like cranking up your favorite tunes. A set of bluetooth in-ear headphones that provide clear and crisp sound can enhance your entire gym experience.

Investing in a sturdy bag, quality towel and insulated water bottle can also enhance your gym experience and help you focus on your workout – not the logistics of your gym clothes and accessories.

More tips for a heavy-lift cabinet

Building your workout wardrobe is an ongoing process, and you should feel free to keep updating as your workouts change or intensify. Also, if you feel like an item is no longer serving you, don’t be afraid to try something new.

Anything that makes you feel strong, confident and ready to bring your best is the way to go.

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 all barriers to mobility and exertion—so make sure yours does just that.

Activate your activewear at Chuza Fitness

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

Aside from the clothes, the awesome atmosphere also makes it easy for you to lock in and stick to your workout plan.

On Chuze FitnessWe believe that a fantastic gym environment is something that everyone deserves, whether you are an experienced iron pumper or ready to make your first attempt at fitness. That’s why we give our gyms a luxury feel that comes at a corner store price. In addition, you can make new friends and have a lot of fun in our selection of group lessons or take advantage of our top class benefitssuch as red light therapy and infrared saunas.

The success you are dressed for awaits. Try a membership today!

Resources:

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

American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. Footwear – Training shoes aka 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. He 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 loves hot yoga, snowboarding and all things wellness.