What to wear to the gym

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

Whatever the activity, your clothes should help you achieve your goals, not hinder them. And since going to the gym is one of the best ways to boost your physical and mental health, it only makes sense to get the most out of every session, every time.

The good news is that by following a few simple tips, you'll be able to look and feel your best when you exercise. Read our essential guide to what to wear to the gym.

How the right outfit elevates your workout

You dress one way when giving a presentation at work and another way when watching the game on Sunday, right? Because the right clothes can enhance your experience. They can put you in a position 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 a number of ways:

• Convenience – When it's time to push your body, mobility is key. The right gym wear should be comfortable and flexible, inviting you to use your full range of motion. It will also help prevent chafing and wick away moisture to keep you dry when you sweat.
• performance - High quality gym wear clears the way for your body to perform. This helps you bring your best in every workout. Also, when you look good, you feel good. A positive self-image can boost your confidence and, by extension, your performance.
• Injury Prevention – Some active clothes, like compression clothes, support muscles, absorb vibrations and promote blood flow. This can reduce the 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 these look on me?
• Do I feel supported and able to move freely?

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

Gym clothes essentials

Now that we've covered how quality activewear can elevate your workouts, let's take a look at some essential items you'll want to pack before your next sweat session. Activewear is a huge industry, and the possibilities seem endless. That's why it's important to take a detailed approach when assembling your gym locker.

Ultimately, you'll need to consider three main clothing categories to get started.

Tops

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

Also here:

• Choose breathable fabrics - Breathable fabrics are those that remove 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 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, the wetter and heavier the cotton shirts will become. It's not ideal.
• Prioritize flexibility – A solid fitness program will have a variety of activities, some indoor and some outdoor. Therefore, it is ideal to choose active clothing that can cover you some 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 also essential. When shopping for sports bras, remember that they should fit a little tighter than a regular bra, but not so snug that breathing will be difficult.

If you're a regular gym goer, aim for five solid options for tops. Laundry days and rest days may overlap.

the bottoms

As for backgrounds, the right choice will depend on the activity. When you run, for example, you want shorts that are light and edgy. For lifting, you might want to go with tapered joggers that won't bunch up as you squat or lunge.

Regardless of the type of training, gym floors should include:

• flexible – Don't let your pants restrict your movement. Stretchy and flexible fabric is the name of the game here.
• comfortable – Lower bags tend to get in the way or rise while you exercise. Instead, opt for narrower (but not restrictive) bottoms that you can forget about.
• 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 workouts. Three shorts and a pair of joggers (or a pair of yoga pants) is a solid starting point.

Shoes

Shoes are essential to training success. That's because your feet are your foundation. They absorb a lot of impact when running or doing HIIT training. Treating them well will make you feel capable and empowered.

Just like uppers and lowers, different workouts require different types of shoes. You'll want to have a few options, such as:

• Running shoes – These protect and cushion your feet during repetitive movements, protecting you from ankle or heel injuries. By taking care of your feet for cardio, you can increase your endurance over time.
• Cross-training shoes - When lifting weights or doing HIIT workouts, you want a strong core and a stable heel. Compared to running shoes, cross-training shoes are generally a bit heavier and more "grippy".
• Court shoes – Sometimes you might break into a sweat on the tennis or basketball court. For these activities, go with shoes. They are more compact than running shoes and offer excellent lateral support (you can easily turn without twisting your ankle).

When putting together your gym wardrobe, it's easy to make your feet an afterthought, but investing in quality shoes will give you a solid foundation for any fitness activity.

accessories

Don't forget about extras! Sprucing up your workout wardrobe with a few handy accessories can boost your confidence even more and make you more excited to hit the gym.

While personal taste comes into play when choosing supplements, there are some popular items you may want to consider picking up:

• Headbands – In the latter stages of a cardio burst, you don't want to be wiping sweat from your eyes every ten seconds. An absorbent headband can keep sweat away (and look pretty cool too).
• Compression socks - Compression stockings provide a steady, gentle squeeze that can help return blood to the heart, reduce foot and ankle pain, and reduce the chances of developing varicose veins and blood clots.
• Weightlifting gloves – Pumping iron can be hard with your hands. A nice set of weightlifting gloves can prevent blisters, support your wrists, and reduce your chances of a slipping accident. After all, using chalk to hold can be messy. Gloves offer a much cleaner option.
• headphones - Nothing beats a workout to your favorite tunes. A set of bluetooth headphones that provide crystal clear audio can enhance your entire gym experience.

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

Other tips for a heavy wardrobe

Building your workout wardrobe is an ongoing process, and you need to keep updating your arsenal as your workouts change or increase. Also, 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 bring your best 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 many versatile options that combine the two, but the purpose of training wear is to remove all barriers to mobility and exertion; so make sure yours does that.

Activate your sportswear at Chuze Fitness

A high-quality gym wardrobe will help you achieve success. After all, fitness is about getting into a flow; strong clothes clear the way to enter the realm of possibilities.

Aside from the clothes, an awesome atmosphere makes it easier to lock in and stay committed to your workout plan.

At Chuze Fitnesswe believe that a wonderful gym environment is something everyone deserves, whether you're a veteran iron pumper or ready to take your first foray into fitness. That's why we give our gyms a luxurious feel at corner store prices. You can also make new friends and enjoy our selection of group classes or take advantage of our advanced classes. advantageslike red light therapy and infrared saunas.

He is waiting for the success that you are in disguise. Try a 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 or 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 Vice President of Fitness at Chuze Fitness and oversees the group's fitness and group training departments. He has a 25-year career in club management, personal training, group exercise and teacher training. Ani lives with her husband and son in San Diego, CA and loves hot yoga, snowboarding, and wellness.