What to wear to the gym: essential tips

What to wear to the gym

Whether you’re getting ready to make exercise a part of your life, or you’re simply looking to upgrade your current workout clothes, 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 boost 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 make you look and feel your best when you exercise. Read on for our essential guide on what to wear to the gym.

How to lift the right clothing for your workout

You dress a certain way when you give a presentation at work and a different way when you watch the game on Sunday, right? This is because the right clothing can enhance your experience. It 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 clothing can elevate your gym experience in several key ways:

• comfort – When it’s time to push your body, movement is crucial. Proper gym clothing 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 while you sweat.
• performance – High-quality sportswear sets the stage for your body to perform. This helps you give your best in every exercise. Plus, when you look good, you feel good. A positive self-image can boost your self-confidence, and thus your performance.
• Injury prevention Some sports clothing, such as compression clothing, supports muscles, absorbs vibration, and encourages blood flow. This can reduce your risk of injury and boost your endurance during tough workouts.

The best way to test out new activewear options is to see how they feel once you wear them. Ask yourself:

• Do I like how these look on me?
• Do I feel supported and able to move freely?

If yes, you’ve probably made a strong choice.

Gym clothing essentials

Now that we’ve covered how quality activewear can elevate your workouts, let’s go over some essential items you’ll need to pick up 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 targeted approach when putting together your workout wardrobe.

Ultimately, there are three basic clothing categories you should consider when starting out.

Tops

When choosing workout shirts, look for those made from strong, gentle fabrics with a loose, comfortable fit. Make sure it allows full range of arm and torso motion.

You should also:

• Choose breathable fabrics – Breathable fabrics are those that pull moisture away from your body. This helps sweat evaporate quickly to keep you cool and dry. Polyester and spandex are two excellent fabric choices when it comes to choosing the perfect activewear.
• Avoid cotton -It may be comfortable, but cotton is the opposite of breathable. Instead, it absorbs moisture and keeps it trapped on your skin. The longer you push yourself, the wetter and heavier the cotton shirts will become. Not perfect.
• Prioritize diversity – A vigorous 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 Some different rules. This way you won’t have to think too much about what to wear when you get ready.

For women, high-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 tight that it’s difficult to breathe.

If you’re a regular gym goer, aim for five solid t-shirt options. Wash days and rest days can overlap.

Bottoms

When it comes to bottoms, the right choice depends on the activity. When running, for example, you’ll want lightweight, non-chafe shorts. For weightlifting, you may want to wear tapered jogging pants that don’t bunch up during squats or lunges.

Regardless of the type of exercise, your gym bottoms should:

• flexible -Don’t let your pants limit your movement. Flexible and stretchy fabric is the name of the game here.
• warm – Loose bottoms tend to get in the way or ride up while performing exercises. Instead, choose tighter (but not restrictive) bottoms that you can set and forget.
• Functional -Convenient features like zippered pockets can make life easier by providing a safe place for your phone or AirPods case.

Make sure you have a variety of bottoms for all types of exercises. Three pairs of shorts and two pairs of sweatpants (or two pairs of yoga pants) is a solid starting point.

shoes

Shoes play an essential role in the success of your workout. This is because your feet are your foundation. They also absorb a lot of impact when running or HIIT training. Treating them right will keep you feeling empowered and energized.

Just like uppers and lowers, different workouts require different types of shoes. You’ll need some options, such as:

• Running shoes – Supports and cushions your feet during repetitive movement, and protects 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 training HIIT, you want a stable foundation and stable heels. Compared to running shoes, cross-training shoes are slightly heavier and more “grippy” overall.
• Court shoes – Sometimes, you may want to go all out on the tennis or basketball court. For these activities, choose athletic shoes. They’re thicker than running shoes and provide superior lateral support (so you can turn easily without twisting your ankle).

When organizing your gym wardrobe, it’s easy to let your feet become an afterthought, but investing in quality shoes will give you a stable base of support for any fitness activity.

Supplements

Don’t forget the toppings! Sprucing up your gym wardrobe with some useful accessories can boost your confidence and make you more motivated to hit the gym.

Although personal taste plays a role when choosing add-ons, there are some common ones you may want to consider choosing:

• Gangs During the late stages of a heart attack, you don’t want to wipe sweat from your eyes every ten seconds. The absorbent headband can wick away sweat (and looks very stylish too).
• Compression socks – Compression stockings provide firm, gentle pressure that can help blood flow back to your heart, reduce foot and ankle pain, and reduce the chances of varicose veins and blood clots.
• Weight lifting gloves Pumping iron can be hard on your hands. A nice set of weightlifting gloves can prevent blisters, support your wrists, and reduce the chances of a slip accident. After all, using chalk to grip can be messy. Gloves provide a cleaner option.
• Headphones – Nothing gets you excited about working out like playing your favorite tunes. A set of Bluetooth headphones that deliver crisp, clear sound can enhance your entire gym experience.

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

Other tips for a heavy-lift wardrobe

Building your workout wardrobe is an ongoing process, and you should feel free to update your arsenal as your workouts change or intensify. Additionally, 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.

Although looking good is a big plus, always remember to prioritize function over fashion when deciding what to wear to the gym. There are a lot of different options that mix the two, but the goal of workout clothes is to remove all barriers to movement and effort – so make sure your clothes do that.

Revitalize your workout gear at Chuze Fitness

A top-notch gym wardrobe can help you achieve success. After all, fitness is all about getting into the flow; Strong clothing choices set the stage for getting into the zone.

In addition to the clothes, the great weather also makes it easier to commit to and stay committed to your workout plan.

in Chuzi FitnessWe believe that a great gym environment is something everyone deserves, whether you’re a seasoned pumper or ready to take your first journey into fitness. That’s why we give our gyms a luxury feel that comes at a convenience store price. Plus, you can make new friends, enjoy a selection of group classes, or take advantage of our cutting-edge classes Privilegessuch as red light therapy and infrared sauna.

The success you wear 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 Sports Podiatry. Shoes – 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:

Annie is the Vice President of Fitness at Chuze Fitness and oversees the group fitness and team training departments. She has had over 25 years working in club management, personal training, group exercise and coach training. Annie lives with her husband and son in San Diego, California, and loves hot yoga, snowboarding, and all things wellness.