Gym Workouts

Your gym workout clothes are not nearly as important as actually getting yourself to the facility and getting on with your personalized gym workouts. However, choosing appropriate gym workout clothes can help you to feel more comfortable and more confident as you exercise.

During the last 14 months, I've been working out at Golds Gym. During this time, I've noticed an interesting phenomenon about workout attire. The people who work out in the morning (from 6:00AM to 8:00AM) wear clothing that is comfortable and functional. This includes both the men (60%) and the women (40%). However, many of the people who work out in the evenings (6:00PM to 8:00PM), appear to be trying to make a fashion statement. Women seem more prone than men to be concerned about the manner in which they dress for their workouts. Women in the evenings wear sports bras and snug fitting apparel such as Capri fit pants and shorts, and stretchy pants with flared legs.

During the last several years, there has been a proliferation of workout clothes made with fabric blends that wick (pull) moisture away from the body. Another advantage of these blends is that they dry very quickly. Plenty of active-wear manufacturers have created their own proprietary brands of synthetic fabrics such as Nike Dri-FIT® or Champion Double Dry®. Many people choose these fabrics for medium or high-intensity workouts such as weight training or kickboxing. These activities tend to generate a lot of fluid loss. These types of fabrics not only wick moisture away but also breathe which helps to keep you cool.

Almost everyone agrees that shoes are the most important gear for working out. There are formulas for determining when it's time to buy a new pair of shoes (i.e. after you've run/walked/jogged 500 miles). I know that I can wear a good quality pair of shoes ($100+) for approximately one year before the soles are no longer properly cushioning my feet. Consequently, I have a habit of purchasing a new pair of shoes each year on my birthday.

My best advice for choosing shoes most appropriate for your particular workout is to go to a store that specializes in athletic shoes. They'll be able to fit you properly and to give you excellent advice based on their personal experiences. Do yourself a favor and stay away from discount stores, department stores, etc. Find an expert and trust their advice. If it costs an extra $35 to get the good stuff, and you purchase new shoes once each year, it's only costing you an extra 10 cents per day to wear an excellent pair of shoes instead a mediocre pair of shoes.

Keep in mind that the clothes you wear for workout routines should be comfortable without being binding. It's no fun trying to workout in clothes that limit your range of motion. And, if you need to make a fashion statement with your gym workout clothes, go ahead. Life is short. Play hard.