Getting down to the gym is a weekly or even daily occurrence for many of us. What do you wear when you go to the gym? Do you prioritize fashion, function, or comfort? Some train in their old t-shirts and shorts, or their favorite sports team’s gear. Some even dress to impress whilst training at their local gym. But, there is more to just looking good at the gym, read on to find out why what you wear in the gym really does matter.
Feeling Good
This may seem like the most obvious point: you want to feel good while you’re in the gym! What you wear can have a huge impact on how you’re feeling. The experts over at www.gymgiantgear.com say “the way you feel affects the way you train” and we couldn’t agree more. Think about it, if you feel very uncomfortable in your new shorts, sports bra, or tank top, you aren’t going to feel comfortable with all the movements of the gym. The last thing you need is to try and start a workout whilst feeling uneasy about your clothes.
At the same time, you probably want to feel like you look great! Adding a bit of style to your workout gear can boost confidence. Having a high level of confidence when you are trying new exercises or working out in an extremely crowded space can be a real game-changer. Walk into the gym with your head held high and know that you’re going to absolutely crush your workout. You’ll be sure to work harder if you feel and look great.
Preventing Injury
We’ve discussed how you don’t want to feel uncomfortable in the gym, but this feeling can also lead to injury or accidents. If something you’re wearing is too tight, you will feel restricted. If your body feels restricted, you may move differently or awkwardly, which is not the way to move whilst exercising. You need to feel comfortable enough to lift properly, run properly, and generally move correctly for each exercise.
On the flip side, some items of training gear are specifically designed to prevent injury. You may have compression clothes designed to help with strains, this can be great for weight lifting or cardio. There are of course also items specifically designed to prevent overheating, which is perfect for those super intense workouts. Consider also extra support for your joints or feet when doing high-impact exercise.
Improving Performance
As well as being designed to keep you comfortable and safe whilst exercising, gym gears are actually designed to boost your performance whilst training. Proper gym clothes are high-quality fabrics designed for performance. They work with your body to keep your temperature regulated, as well as helping you deal with the rigorous strain of a workout. Most are also designed to help absorb sweat and keep you feeling dry and strong, thus also preventing any blisters or chafing. Once again, comfort is key here. Feeling comfortable and strong in your clothes will definitely boost your energy level and performance.
What Not to Wear
When considering why gym gear matters, we should also consider what you shouldn’t wear, and why. There are a few standard wardrobe items covered in this list that you may not have considered.
- Old Sneakers: You should always wear purpose-made gym shoes. Wearing beat up old sneakers can lead to sudden and serious injuries, especially if running or doing an explosive workout. You need proper shoes with adequate support to keep your arches and ankles safe.
- Cotton T-Shirts: Cotton is highly absorbent and will soak up all your sweat. Unlike the specifically designed drying workout clothes, this will lead to you feeling like you’re wearing a soaking towel. This can lead to blisters, chafing, and even bacterial build-up.
- Jewelry: People tend to keep their rings and necklaces on 24/7, which is fine in normal daily life, but in the gym, it can be both dangerous and damaging. If you managed to catch a ring or necklace on a piece of machinery you could seriously hurt yourself. You could also destroy jewelry at the same time, so it’s a definite no-go. Leave the ring at home so you know it’s safe!
So there we have covered some definite dos and don’ts of what you should wear to the gym and why it really matters. If you have been feeling uncomfortable at the gym, or simply want to up your style game whilst keeping it safe and practical, we hope this advice has been a great deal of help. Good luck and enjoy your training in your new gear!