With the cooler weather upon us, you might find yourself heading to the gym more than you are heading to workout outside. That means that you need to make sure that you have gym appropriate clothing. What does that even mean? What are some good ideas of things you should and shouldn’t wear to the gym? We have it all covered in this article.
What NOT To Wear
1. Regular Work Clothes
Gym clothes should look like you are going to the gym, not heading out to a corporate event. That means no pants, no flip flops, no skirts, tights, etc. This should be a no-brainer.
2. Just a Sports Bra
If you are running around your neighborhood on a hot’s summer day, I have no problem with you running only in your sports bra, but not at the public gym. Sure, it’s great to be confident, but people don’t want to see all your nooks and crannies. That goes double for any other revealing tops or bottoms. Keep it PG, 13-year-old boys might be going to the same gym as you.
3. Thongs
I know that if you are wearing spandex pants or shorts, it is going to look better not to have that underwear line. But, not better for our lady parts. Thong underwear can rub against your vagina during your workout time and release unhealthy bacteria. This can lead to infections. Instead of a thong, opt for invisible seam underwear.
4. Cotton T-Shirts
Once again, this is not the material consistent with most athletic gear. And it is going to show those unwanted sweat stains to the public. If you want to be comfortable as possible for your gym experience, opt for performance fabrics like polyester or Lycra. These tend to have a very distinct feel to them.
5. Don’t Rewear!
I know that you might not be a very sweaty person, but you never know what odors can grab hold of your gym clothes. This is particularly the case during your time of the month. During your period, only wear the shorts or leggings to the gym once!
What To Wear
1. Tank Tops
When you start attending an indoor gym regularly, you may find that many of the long sleeve shirts your wore outside to workout are too hot. Tank tops are a great alternative that can be worn all year round. These shirts give you the opportunity to move around a lot and are paired well with a pair of shorts or leggings.
2. Spandex
Now, be careful that you aren’t buying spandex shorts or leggings that are too tight for you to feel comfortable working out in. However, spandex is a great way to feel more in control during a workout. Wearing baggy sweatpants when the weather starts to get cold can impair your running and lifting abilities. Don’t be afraid to try out spandex calf pants and full pants to see which you like better. If you don’t want them to be so tight, many pants are made to flair out at the ends.
3. Running Shorts
Maybe you are someone who thinks they would sweat too much in spandex, then try running shorts. My favorite type of running shorts are the ones that come with spandex attached underneath. That way, I don’t have to worry about my underwear sliding around or chafing during my workout. Even though you might want to wear pants to go to the gym, you might get too hot to complete a long run or bike ride in full leggings.
4. Sports Bra
Now, with a shirt over top of it. But, make sure that your girls are secure when you are working out. This is going to make you and everyone around you more comfortable.
5. Tennis Shoes
It’s important to know when you need to get new tennis shoes. If you are not a serious runner, you can most likely replace your shoes every 9-12 months. However, if you are logging some pretty serious miles, you might want to replace your shoes every 4-6 months. If you start feeling twinges in your shins and knees after running, that might be a sign that your shoes are starting to get worn out. Take your shoes to a running shoe company like Finish Line to see if they are too worn out for you to continue using.
I hope that these tips have given you a better idea of what you should and shouldn’t wear to the gym.
For some simple gym workouts to get you started, check out our article here.