It may seem easy enough to throw on a pair of sweatpants and an old, baggy T-shirt when you head to the gym. But paying attention to your workout wear can actually affect the quality of your exercise session. The right clothes can help you perform better. Choosing clothes that flatter you can even make you feel better about yourself while you are at the gym. An effective workout should be your first priority at the gym, so choose clothes that help you achieve this goal.
Features
All clothing that works for exercise shares specific features. Choose fabrics with a little give, to allow for some freedom of movement. Look for bottoms with loose waistbands and non-binding buttons or straps. One-piece tops without embellishments, as opposed to shirts with buttons or zippers, allow for greater range of motion and do not pinch or cause discomfort when you lie down for crunches or stretching.
Mode of Exercise
Before deciding what to wear, consider the type of workout you plan to do. When performing cardiovascular exercise, as with the elliptical machine or running on a treadmill, workout shorts or capris with an elastic waistband and a T-shirt allows for movement and air flow. Men might prefer longer, basketball style shorts, which allow for air flow but do not look skimpy. In a yoga or Pilates class, you want comfortable but fitted clothing, like tights or compression shorts and a tank top so that when you bend over, your shirt does not fly up over your head and your shorts do not ride up your backside. Form-fitting clothes also help your instructor see your alignment and muscle balance in such mind-body classes, so they can help you adjust if necessary, yoga teacher Natasha Rizopoulos writes for "Yoga Journal." If you plan to attend a kickboxing class, a workout skirt may be inappropriate, as you will be lifting your legs to kick --- so choose fitted shorts or workout pants. For cycling indoors, padded shorts can help make your ride more comfortable.
Types of Fabric
Choosing the right fabric for your workout wear can help you feel more comfortable. While 100-percent cotton has always been a popular choice, the introduction of synthetic fibers and cotton blends provides you with more options for functional and versatile fitness clothing. Spandex combines cotton with Antron nylon --- known for its strength and durability --- to provide stretch and forgiveness in clothing, notes "American Fitness" magazine. Supplex is another popular fabric used for fitness wear. It looks and feels like cotton, but stretches more readily and returns to its shape easily. Supplex also dries quickly, making it a good choice for high intensity, sweat-inducing exercises. Coolmax fabrics provide advanced cooling technology as it is made from fibers that "wick" moisture away from the skin and helps it evaporate.
Footwear
Proper footwear helps prevent injury and improves your performance. For general fitness, cross trainers, accommodating front-to-back and lateral movement, are ideal. You can use them in fitness classes, to go for a short run or to perform strength training. When you become more specialized, choose shoes made specifically for your sport of choice. Runners benefit from shoes specifically designed to bear the impact of the sport; basketball shoes help maximize performance on the court; cycling shoes provide a stiff bottom to promote power in your pedal stroke. Always wear socks with your shoes; choose non-cotton varieties like Coolmax or Smartwool to prevent blisters, podiatrist Stephen M. Pribut recommends on his website.
Considerations
What you choose to wear is largely up to your personal style preferences. However, consider the temperature of the environment where you will be conducting your workout --- shorts might not be a good choice for a run outside on a 30-degree morning. Think through your entire workout before heading to the gym --- if you plan to attend a yoga class after your run, pack a dry set of clothes for optimal comfort.
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