What to Wear to the Gym

Whether you’re getting ready to make working out part of your life, or you’re simply looking to upgrade your current athletic attire, you might be wondering what to wear to the gym.

No matter the activity, your clothes should help you accomplish your goals—not get in the way of them. And since hitting 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 get you looking and feeling your best when exercising. Read on for our essential guide on what to wear to the gym.

How Proper Attire Elevates Your Workout

You dress one way when giving a presentation at work and a different way when watching the game on Sunday, right? That’s because the right clothes can enhance your experience. They can put you in a confident state of mind and help you feel more comfortable, regardless of what it is you’re doing.

Going to the gym is no different. Proper workout clothing can elevate your gym experience in several key ways:

Comfort – When it’s time to push your body, mobility is crucial. Appropriate gym wear should be comfy 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 wear clears the way for your body to perform. This helps you bring your best to every workout. Plus, when you look good, you feel good. Positive self-image can boost your confidence and, by extension, your performance.
Injury Prevention – Some activewear, like compression clothing, supports muscles, absorbs vibrations, and encourages blood flow. This can potentially lower your risk of injury and bolster your endurance during tough workouts.

The best way to test 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’ve probably made a solid choice.

Gym Wear Essentials

Now that we’ve covered how quality activewear can level up your workouts, let’s go over some of the key items you’ll want to pick up before your next sweat session. Activewear is a huge industry, and the options can seem endless. That’s why it’s important to take a targeted approach when assembling your gym wardrobe.

Ultimately, there are three core clothing categories you’ll need to consider when starting out.

Tops

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

You should also:

Choose breathable fabrics – Breathable fabrics are ones that draw moisture away from your body. This helps sweat evaporate fast to keep you cool and dry. Polyester and spandex are both excellent fabric choices when it comes to choosing ideal gym wear.
Avoid cotton – It may be comfy, 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 cotton shirts will get. 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 a few different bases. That way you don’t have to overthink what to wear as you get 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 normal bra, but not so snug that it becomes difficult to breathe.

If you’re a regular gym goer, aim to have five solid options for tops. Laundry days and rest days can overlap.

Bottoms

When it comes to bottoms, the right choice will depend on the activity. When running, for example, you’ll want lightweight, non-chafe shorts. For lifting, you may want to go with tapered joggers that won’t bunch up as you squat or lunge.

Regardless of the workout type, gym bottoms should be:

Flexible – Don’t let your pants limit your movement. Stretchy, pliable fabric is the name of the game here.
Snug – Baggy bottoms have a tendency to get in the way or ride up as you perform your 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 offering a secure spot for your phone or AirPods case.

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

Footwear

Footwear plays an essential role in workout success. That’s because your feet are your foundation. They also absorb a ton of impact when running or doing HIIT training. Treating them right will keep you feeling capable and energized.

Just like tops and bottoms, different workouts require different types of footwear. You’ll want to have a few options, such as:

Running shoes – These support and cushion your feet during repetitive motion, 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 foundation and a stationary heel. Compared to running shoes, cross-training footwear is a little heavier and more “grippy” overall.
Court shoes – Sometimes, you may want to sweat it out on the tennis or basketball court. For these activities, go with court shoes. They’re denser than running shoes and offer superior lateral support (so you can easily pivot without spraining an ankle).

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

Accessories

Don’t forget about the extras! Polishing off your workout wardrobe with some useful accessories can further boost your confidence and make you even more excited to get to the gym.

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

Headbands – During the late stages of a cardio blast, you don’t want to be wiping sweat out of your eyes every ten seconds. An absorbent headband can keep sweat at bay (and look pretty stylish, too).
Compression socks – Compression socks provide a steady, gentle squeeze that can help blood flow back to your heart, reduce foot and ankle pain, and lower 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 blistering, support your wrists, and reduce the chances of a slipping accident. After all, using chalk for grip can be messy. Gloves provide a much cleaner option.
Headphones – Nothing gets you hyped for a workout quite like cranking your favorite tunes. A set of over-ear, bluetooth headphones that deliver clear, crisp audio can enhance your entire gym experience.

Investing in a sturdy duffle bag, a quality gym towel, and an insulated water bottle can also enhance your gym experience and help keep you focused on the workout—not the logistics of your gym attire and accessories.

Other Tips for a Heavy Lifting Wardrobe

Building your workout wardrobe is an ongoing process, and you should feel free to keep updating your arsenal as your workouts change or intensify. Additionally, 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 plenty of versatile options out there that blend both, but the goal of workout wear is to remove all barriers to mobility and exertion—so make sure yours does that.

Activate Your Activewear at Chuze Fitness

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

Beyond clothing, an awesome atmosphere also makes it easier to lock in and stay committed to your workout plan.

At Chuze Fitness, we believe a fantastic 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 infuse our gyms with a luxury feel that comes at a corner store price. Plus, you can make some new friends and have a blast in our selection of group classes, or take advantage of our high-end perks, like red light therapy and infrared saunas.

The success you’re dressed for awaits. Try out 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. 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. She’s 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.

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