Why it Matters What You Wear to the Gym

If you're new to the world of fitness, you might think that all you need to worry about is getting to the gym and doing the right exercises to get the results you want. However, that's only partly true. There are a lot of factors that could potentially affect your performance, and one of the most important ones is the outfit you decide to wear. Here's why what you wear to the gym matters if you want to see results from your workouts.

Even though it's tempting to throw on our favorite cotton t-shirt before we walk out the door, and even though, at the end of the day, you absolutely should wear what feels most comfortable to you, pieces of clothing made of 100% cotton fabric are terrible for strenuous exercises. They absorb all the sweat you produce during your workout, which means that you'll feel damp, gross, and maybe even a little chilly before long. When you're trying to focus on getting through a particularly tough workout, you might feel tempted to quit early if you feel so uncomfortable.

Alternative: Look for tank tops, short-sleeve shirts, or long-sleeve shirts made out of moisture-wicking, sweat-repellent, breathable materials instead. We promise they're just as comfortable as cotton, if not more so!

Loose-fitting sweatpants and gigantic T-shirts are fine for coffee runs, trips to the store, or lounging around your house, but you should NEVER wear them to the gym. Not only will you have difficulty completing your workouts, especially if they involve a lot of motion/bending over (think about a big shirt hanging in your face while you're trying to do yoga), but they're a safety hazard. It's easy for loose clothes to get caught in workout machines, which can potentially cause serious injury to yourself or someone else. On the other hand, you also don't want to wear clothes that are so tight that they restrict your movement or negatively affect your range of motion.

Making sure they fit: Before you buy any workout apparel, you should try it on and move in it. Ideally, it will fit you without feeling like it's digging into your skin OR hanging off your body. Your clothes should be supportive and flexible, giving you room to breathe without becoming a safety hazard.

We want your exercises to go as smoothly as possible, and we hope these tips help you navigate your next shopping trip when it's time to buy some new athletic apparel! Stay safe and keep working hard.