You can probably already guess that what you wear to workout should be different than what you wear as your business attire. Rather than looking professional, the goal with workout clothes is that they feel comfortable and functional. You want to be able to perform your best while wearing them!
Depending on your preferred type of exercise, there are lots of different options to choose from. And we’re here to help you find the unique workout clothes and style for you! You can mix and match any of these options to create a gym-ready look that makes you feel your best.
Bottoms
For women, you’ll want to make sure you have shorts on hand for days when it’s hotter outside or when the air conditioner isn’t running in the gym. But for those colder days (or really any day you don’t feel like wearing shorts), leggings will become your staple item! The great thing about leggings is that they come in lots of different colors and prints. However, it’s best to keep a couple of pairs of black leggings around so that you can be sure they’ll go with any shirt you pick out. Biker shorts are all the rage these days for women, as well. They’re basically leggings in a shorter style, so if you’re a leggings fan, you might like these, too!
Men will generally wear shorts during workouts, and maybe sweatpants when the weather gets cold. Though you’ll warm right up once you start exercising, so keep that in mind before deciding on sweatpants for inside the gym … you may regret it. “Sworts” (shorts made of sweatpants material) are also making a comeback in the men’s athleisure department. So, if you’re looking for the comfort of sweatpants without the heat, try these!
Tops
Both men and women are similar when it comes to workout tops. You can decide between t-shirts, tank tops, or long-sleeve shirts depending on what you’re most comfortable wearing. If you’re doing a lot of arm work (yoga, lifting weights, boxing, and so on), you might find that tank tops give you greater mobility. If you run outside in the cold a lot, a long-sleeve shirt paired with a running jacket might be better suited to your needs.
When it’s cold, layers will be your go-to! Show up at the gym in a sweatshirt, and then consider taking it off after your warm-up and switch to just a tank top. Or if you’re doing more of a low-impact workout, you might want to keep your sweatshirt on the entire time. Ultimately, it’s up to you and your preference!
Shoes
Now, let’s get to the fun part! You may think all workout shoes were created equal, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Some are great for hiking; others are ideal for biking. Some make good running shoes, while others are perfect for weightlifting. The workout shoe world is a crazy place (and one that’s pretty hard to navigate). Check out this article on the best shoes for every type of workout!
If there’s one piece of shoe advice we can give you, it’s to make sure that your shoes are supportive (this video will show you how!). But don’t worry if you find out your shoes aren’t supportive enough … it doesn’t mean you have to throw them away. Just get an arch support like Superfeet® or similar insoles to compensate! Trust us, you’ll feel a noticeable difference.
And there you have it—your workout wardrobe! It may take some time for you to figure out what’s comfortable for you. But as long as you have these basic pieces in your wardrobe, you’ll be dressed and off to the gym in no time.
Time to start a workout routine? Read our post for tips!
