How to Dress for the Gym
How long does it take you to get ready for work in the morning? How much thought goes into getting dressed for a date? Yes, what you wear to these places is probably more important than how you look in the gym, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care at all. The gym is full of attractive people, and can be a great place to land a date, or at least turn heads. Just make sure you get your reps in and aren't just waiting outside of the yoga room. When it comes to gym fashion, simplicity is key. If you wear clean clothes and dress for what you’re doing, you’re already better off than a lot of guys in the gym. But if you really want to up your game, we’ve got you covered, from head to toe.
Shoes
Shoes are the glue that hold an outfit together, that's why some of us have so many of them. In the gym, wear shoes that compliment your training. If you’re running, wear running shoes. They have support specifically designed for heel-to-toe movement. If you’re lifting weights, and you should be, look for something with flat soles, especially if you’re squatting or doing heavy deadlifts. You can buy lifting shoes, or if you’re going for a more casual look, Converse Chuck Taylors are a great choice. The Nike Metcon is great hybrid training shoe that can take you from your warmup to your last rep. I see some guys in the gym rocking Jordan’s and other flashy, brightly coloured kicks. If you’re the type of guy that can pull them off, or if you’re headed to the court after chest day, then go for it. You just don’t want to be the guy that looks like he cares more about what’s on his feet than what’s on the bar.
Socks
It’s what inside that counts. Inside your shoes, that is. Poorly chosen socks can make a nice outfit look dorky, fast. Keep things simple with no-show ankle socks or calf-high basketball socks for support. Stick with simple colours, think black, white or grey, and make sure they’re clean. Socks won’t add to your aesthetic, but stinky feet can definitely take you down a peg.
Legs
Yeah, tattered and stained sweatpants may have been common in the 90s, but times have changed. Today, athleisure is all the rage. People want something they can wear to the gym and then out for a smoothie, afterwards. Nobody wants to see you in your baggy, greased stained sweats, even if you are just there to train hard. Whether you prefer shorts or pants, go for something well-fitting, in basic colours. Tight, but not too tight, joggers look great and can help protect your shins during deadlifts. Gym shorts also work well, especially if you plan on working up a real sweat. Just make you wear something that fits (just above the knee) and isn’t too easy-breezy on the stretch matt.
Top
There are a lot of options for the upper body; sweat-wicking performance gear, classic cotton tees, long sleeves, hoodies, etc. Just like with shoes, go for something that supports your training style. If you’re mostly lifting weights, you probably don’t need skin-tight, neon performance gear. If you’re a cardio bunny, who likes to spend hours on the treadmill, go for something comfortable to prevent chaffing and irritation. But since most of us aren’t high-performance athletes, you probably don’t need to spend money on a closet full of top-of-the-line lycra spandex. Never underestimate the power of a well-fitting, classic t-shirt. Long sleeves also work well, especially on leg day. I personally like to wear a hoodie to-and-from the gym, and I usually keep it on for my first few warmups sets. It’s super comfy and compliments the Canadian climate perfectly. Oh, and unless you’re an absolute monster, stay away from those low-cut tank-tops. Nobody wants a side-view of your nipples, no matter how aesthetic you are.
Whatever your style or training preference, look to keep it simple in the gym. Clean, well-fitting clothes will help you look and feel like you’re on your game.
Check out the Suppy Instagram page for simple style inspiration @suppyca.
