What To Wear To The Gym: A Guide For Beginners

Key Takeaways

• Sports bras help reduce breast tissue damage for women. Tank tops keep men sweat-free during high-impact workouts. Check out tips on picking what to wear to the gym for the first time to enhance your comfort and performance!
• There are also certain items JoyScore recommends avoiding, like pure cotton fabrics, stretched-out clothes, and gym wear that is too loose or too tight. Keep reading for more details!

What To Wear To The Gym?

1. Best Women Clothes To Wear To The Gym

Sports Bras

The first thing on your list, when it comes to what to wear to the gym female, should be a quality, form-fitting sports bra. With extra support given, you can easily prevent sagging, reduce discomfort, and prevent potential damage to the breast tissues and ligaments during your workout.

Sports bras by JoyScore

There are many different styles for you to choose from, from low-impact designs that are great for yoga or Pilates to high-impact sports bras designed for the tough stuff like stair climbing, burpees, and squat jumps.

The key is to make sure the fit and comfort of your sports bra are supportive but not so tight that it would interfere with breathing. The material should be nylon or spandex to give it that breathable feel, keeping the skin dry and cool, which will prevent acne or rashes on your skin.

Sports Short-Sleeved T-Shirts

If you want to feel the mix of comfort, convenience, and modesty, try JoyScore's sports t-shirt made from viscose, a lightweight fabric that won't cling to your body, even when you sweat.

Sports T-Shirt by JoyScore

Also, our sports t-shirt is an extra versatile creation. Wear it with high-waisted leggings for this perfect, hugging result on the waist at yoga. In colder months, layer it under a hoodie or jacket so that you can easily remove it as you begin to heat up. For high-intensity workouts, put a sports bra underneath for added stability and support.

Sports Jackets

When the fall winds begin to blow strongly, as well as with colder months arising, the time will come to take stock of certain sports jackets to keep you warm. In relation to this, we recommend considering sports jackets that are manufactured from good thermal materials such as down, wool, and cashmere. They can be breathable, sweat-wicking, and lightweight.

Sports jacket. Source: cashkaro.com

Sports Jumpsuits Or Sports Suit Set

One of the great things about sports jumpsuits is that they eliminate any need to match tops and bottoms, offering convenience but, at the same time, a nice flow. Made from soft, stretchy nylon, they provide full-body compression, waist shaping, hip lift, and belly control, flattering your curves beautifully.

Sports jumpsuit by JoyScore

Equally, you can go for a sports suit set that will keep everything in place for a smooth appearance. Both of these sportswear outfits are ideal for light classes of yoga and Pilates, as well as HIIT workout sets.

Sports suit set by JoyScore

Sports Leggings

When it comes to deciding “what should I wear to the gym,” sports leggings are every girl’s best answer. Here are some things you should check when buying sporty leggings:

In terms of length, if you are not in the mood to keep pulling your leggings down after every move, go for full-length leggings that hit your ankles. Consider footed leggings or stirrup leggings if you want something that holds things in place.

Sports leggings by JoyScore

Look for leggings, in terms of material, made from a moisture-wicking mix of nylon and spandex or polyester for maximum comfort during your workout. In case it is extra cold outside, thick wool fabric would be an alternative to keep the legs warm.

Design-wise, the leggings should sculpt your hips and butt for that perfect post-workout selfie, or find high-waisted ones with an exaggerated V-shaped waistband to give shape to your midsection. For those who run more often on the treadmill, look for leggings with pockets so that your phone or keys are secure.

Actually, we have prepared a full guide on how to choose different types of leggings, which you can read to learn all the details.

2. Best Men Clothes To Wear To The Gym

Tank Tops

Tank tops are one the best clothes to wear to the gym because they allow your skin to breathe, especially since they’re made from a performance polyester blend rather than cotton. They cover less area and are dry quicker than T-shirts; this way, it is much easier to keep cool. Besides, when one sweats a lot in a HIIT workout, it is easy to wipe clean.

Tank top for men by JoyScore 

Sports Polo T-Shirts

It is weird for some people to wear a polo shirt at the gym. Still, in case you wear sports polo t-shirts made of a cotton-and-synthetics blend, for example, by JoyScore, they will not only comfort and provide flexibility while limiting odor retention but also offer neat and stylish looks, perfect for gatherings after working out.

Sports polo t-shirt by JoyScore

You can wear your sports polo with athletic shorts to give it a more casual and sporty look. It's all about balance; mixing the smart look of the polo with the relaxed, casual feelings of shorts creates a combination that is both stylish and comfortable on and off the course.

Sports Hoodies

For many gym-goers, sports hoodies are the go-to buddy in the gym, especially on cold winter days or when going to work out in a cold gym. They will keep your muscles warm and flexible and prevent injuries. More importantly, they have large pockets for storing whatever small stuff you may need to carry with you.

Sports hoodie for men. Source: sportscorner.qa

Mesh Shorts

Mesh shorts give you the freedom to maximize flexibility in the gym, whatever motion your legs go through, a squat or a lunge, or any other form of exercise. Plus, you can combine them with almost any kind of top, such as tank tops, polo shirts, and hoodies.

Sports mesh shorts. Source: shein.com.vn

Sports Joggers

Any kind of physical training would begin with the warm-up movements in the gym, which will make one's body sweat. This is where the role of jogger pants begins. Because they are loose and have good air circulation, the heat generated during exercise will escape faster.

Moreover, the joggers are very comfortable and allow many more lithesome movements of your body parts for a longer period during exercises.

Sports jogger for men. Source: walmart.com

Shoes Suited For Gym

When considering “what do people wear to the gym?” shoes also form an important component as they have a direct influence on your performance.

The choice of footwear depends largely on the type of exercise you do. Source: xeroshoes.com

If most of your focus is on weightlifting, wear weightlifting shoes that have a flat sole and are minimally cushioned. This form of shoes will give you balance while lifting weights. A flat sole allows the drive of your big toe down and the fanning of your other toes for better stability.

But for cardio, you will want to stick with a more classic running shoe with extra cushioning. These options will provide your feet with the comfort and support needed for fast-paced movements.

What Should I Avoid Wearing To The Gym?

100% Cotton Clothes

While pure cotton clothes may be light on at the start of your training, they hold inside all that sweat you generate in your training, making you heavy and clammy all over. That is why 100% cotton clothes are considered the sweaty most revealing gym outfits that most people avoid.

Pure cotton fabric tends to reveal sweat easily. Source: duradry.com

Ditch the pure cotton workout clothes for those made of blended synthetic fiber and cotton. These fabrics are breathable, quick-drying, and come in handy at camouflaging sweat stains during and after your workout.

Baggy Clothes

Too loose clothes are hazardous during gym sessions as they get in the way of equipment and result in injuries. Instead, look for items that fit well up without compromising free and comfortable movement.

Too Tight Clothes

On the contrary, clothes that are too tight should also be taken from the list of options for“What clothes should I wear to the gym?” 

Too much restraint hampers your performance considerably and limits the radius of movement. Not to mention how too-tight fabrics tend to tear more easily, and their seams tend to burst more often. After all, the best gym clothes are always about what makes you comfortable and confident.

Clothes Wear Out

All clothes, especially those used for extreme workouts, finally lose their shape, sag, or wear out. At this point, their use in the gym becomes unsightly and non-functional. Such is the case with stretched-out sports bras that no longer offer the required support.

For these reasons, upgrading your gym wardrobe with clothes that fit well and are good-looking is always a good idea, as it is much more motivating and thrilling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Can’t I Wear Cotton To The Gym?

Wearing cotton in the gym is also not advisable since it holds onto sweat and makes one feel clammy and uncomfortable. Your best solution is wearing synthetic fabric, which wicks away sweat and keeps you dry. All you need to do is wash it after every use to prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria on it.

What To Wear To The Gym For The First Time?

Comfort and fit are key considerations when it comes to workouts; as such, one should be made out of stretchy, moisture-wicking material such as nylon. The design should be such that it will draw the sweat and heat from the body to keep you cool. Women must have the liberty to wear a sports bra, crop top, or leggings, while men must have the comfort of a tank top and mesh shorts.

What Kind Of Shoes Should You Wear To The Gym?

Traditional running shoes with extra cushioning can be fine for most activities, but in regard to exercises focused on lower-body strength, flat-soled weightlifting shoes are some of the best choices because they allow you to push off with your big toe and spread your other toes for added stability.