What Should You Wear to the Gym?
This may seem like a no-brainer but based on my experience, it might be a good idea for me to recommend what you should wear to the gym. More people than I care to mention have apparently forgotten the personal appearance and general dress codes that are innate to most of us.
In general, you should wear comfortable clothes that allow full range of motion. Examples are t-shirts, tank tops, running shorts, athletic shorts, long sleeve t-shirts, sweat shirts, sweat pants, running pants, athletic socks and shoes, baseball caps, skull caps, and weight-lifting gloves.
However, like I already mentioned, it seems further explanation is warranted.
If you are a woman who wears tank tops, please wear a sports bra.
If you will be exercising in such a way – and you know who you are – that you should wear a pair of spandex-type shorts under your other shorts, again, please do so.
Your clothes should not have holes in them or be splattered with paint, dirt, or grass stains.
You will make more friends if your clothes are free of curse words and offensive language.
Your shoes should not be the ones you wear to mow the grass. You want support and stability while you exercise. Wear sandals or flip flops at your own risk.
If possible, leave your jewelry at home or secure it in your locker. I know that many of us go to the gym directly from work, however there are safety concerns. A necklace can easily get stuck in a machine, and a ring can get caught in a cable. Rings can also get bent on the bottom if worn while lifting weights or using bars. I speak from personal experience. After having to get my wedding band reshaped twice, I finally learned my lesson and stopped wearing it to the gym.
And, dare I say it, don’t leave your “dirty” clothes in the locker overnight, and please don’t wear them a second day without laundering them. Take your clothes and your towels home every day. Those who share the locker room will appreciate it.
Don’t forget about deodorant. And know that dousing yourself with perfume or cologne is not a substitute.
With all this being said, I know that there are days where you forget to pack your socks so you end up wearing dress socks while you exercise, or you didn’t bring a t-shirt so you are wearing your v-neck undershirt or your long sleeve button down dress shirt while you lift weights. This happens, and they are exceptions. In these cases, you should be proud of yourself for staying at the gym and working out!
