Gym Newbie - what to wear

[AquaSky]

Thinking of joining the gym, but my main problem is having nothing to wear for it! I am not a typical 'gym/sports/casual' wear kind of girl. I feel underdressed in flat shoes and i'm uncomfortable without makeup. I wore trainers once meeting a friend and she couldn't believe it, cause its not something i'd ever usually wear.

I have never owned anything 'branded' and I wouldn't say its something I care much about, however I don't want to look unstylish at the gym. (Which sounds silly because i'm there to work out and its not a fashion show)

What trainers should I be looking at? Brands? Puma? New Balance? Adidas? Nike?

Tops, where can I buy a nice top. Hoodie, preferably ones that zip up at the front all the way so I can wear it open.

I have leggings so that isn't a problem.

I wear cotton tops all the time for exercise - no issue whatsoever and much nicer than synthetic in warmer temperatures IMO.

Please have some clean gym trainers and don’t wear your gross outdoor running shoes in the gym. Apart from that, doesn’t really matter, however you’re comfortable.

If it's the appearance side you're concerned about:

Cotton will show sweat stains.
Avoid grey.
Check your leggings aren't see through when you squat.
Use a dark coloured towel to avoid it getting covered in make up.
Chose a practical hairstyle. Caps look great but it must be so hot under there.

Are the leggings you own already the casual cotton/jersey type or in a sports material. I would advise against the normal lounge wear ones as they will get very sweaty very fast.

Sports bra is important. If you are bigger chested you will want a high impact one.

Then a sports top, either tight or loose, whatever you prefer. People wear all types from vests to short sleeves to long sleeves.

I don't personally need a hoodie ever as within 2 mins of exercise I'm boiling, but people do wear them.

Trainers depends on what you will be doing in the gym. Brands doesn't matter from a fashion point of view. Its worth going to an actual shop and trying some on to make sure they fit right and are comfortable

All in all, the most important thing is that the clothes fit right and feel comfy (you don't want to be pulling up your leggings every 5seconds)

I would reccomend a sports bra/crop top with a t shirt and a pair of leggings to get you started. Try Primark as they're cheap and cheerful and will keep you going until you're more comfortable in the gym/ have lost inches, but mainly are more clued up as to what you want.

I would say no make-up or any dangly jewellery- just like in PE class, lol - as you want to move unencumbered. When you put in the effort your make-up will slide off with the sweat so best not to bother. It's a gym, not a catwalk.

Good luck with your fitness journey!

As for brands of clothes I wouldn't worry. The supermarkets have quite good and affordable exercise gear, as do H&M (their exercise line is called MOVE). Decathlon are good for that sort of thing too

I don't understand it either. But it seems to be the in thing from my observations at the gym

I bet most of them are wearing brands for their instagram photos.

🙄

Do you have a Decathlon near you? I have several pairs of their trainers and really like them, they are own brand so not expensive. Pretty much everyone where I go has at least one Decathlon item, although I admit it's not at all a snazzy trendy type place. I also have leggings fron H&M, they have a lovely wide waistband that sits nicely across my wibbly middle.

If you have any boobs at all though please spend on a bra, mine is from Triumph and was not cheap but keeps my

32F chest properly held in place.

Wow, thanks for the ideas everyone!

Most likely I'd be using the equipment mostly, so cross trainer, exercise bike etc. So trainer wise, something suitable for that is what i'm looking for?

I honestly could not tell you what make of trainers people wear to the gym. I wear Asics because I find them the best for running and my neutral pronation, but I assume they’re all broadly similar.

I do a lot of classes as well as treadmill running at the gym. I’m a Sweaty Betty fan and I’d say more than 50% of the women in my classes wear their leggings. Their 7/8 power leggings are fantastic and withstand constant washing and tumble drying (I think you’re not supposed to tumble dry, but sod that). One of my friends wears the M&S range (You Move or something like that). I also have lots of SB vests. I wouldn’t recommend their sports bras - just getting them on and off is a work out. I like zip front bras as they allow no jiggling and I have several from M&S.

Gymshark are good.

H&M gym year (yoga pants, sports tops etc) are cheap and good as are M&S sportswear. TK Maxx is good for branded items.

Agreed different classes call for different clothes, eg shorts etc. I like to have a rotation of different items for eg gym proper (weights etc) and classes.

and also a good sports bra is key, especially if you have a bigger bust but you can get away with sports bra top for low impact/yoga workouts.

I rate gym shark for leggings.

I have a few nice longline Under Armour vests which I tend to wear with a sports bra under. I do a lot of spin and HIIT. Speaking from experience cotton gets hot quickly and shows sweat

Trainers I have Asics and Nike x

I’m slim build so just wear my normal bras being honest as I don’t need sports bras ..
You don’t have to wear brands , no one cares 🤷🏻‍♀️..
Once you have comfy bottoms & comfy T- shirts that you feel comfortable working out in ..
I just wear normal Nike trainers …

I wear a sports bra, sports leggings or cycling shorts and a t shirt or vest and trainers.

I gym a lot and do spin classes. My favourite bottoms are lululemon and Nike tops and trainers. However, H&M and M&S also do really nice gym wear if you don’t want to spend too much to start with and until you find what you feel comfortable in.
You only need really good trainers if you decide to start running.
To be very honest, I go to a high end gym but take very little notice of what people are wearing. Gyms tend to feel a bit chilly when you walk in but you soon warm up so you don’t want a hoodie or sweatshirt to work out in, but you might want one when you’re finished and walk back to car or bus .
Just go and enjoy x

As a regular gym goes for many years. Over weight and just gone 60 now. Let me tell you. No one cares what your wearing. We are all far to procupied Doing our own thing.

Sweating like I've been thrown a bucket of water to catch. Bright red. Don't care.

Just grab a pair of trainers. A t shirt a comfy bra and some gym/yoga trousers from Asda and away you go. Massive water bottle and a little towel. Enjoy. Well done for looking after your health.

If your doing weights and bike you can wear any trainers really. I generally do bike and then abs workouts I just bought done reeboks that I liked the look of. I used to run and might start again now the weather's better you definitely need good trainers fir running like Hoka and Asics. I get sooooo sweaty in the bike I wear crop sports bra tops abd leggings and shorts in the spring summer. I find it hot all year around because of the exercise I do I could never wear a hoodie or even a tshirt! I towel is a good idea - I used tea towels orsmall hand towels as you can get nice colours. I don't t notice people wearing any particular brand. I get leggings off temu! My sports bras I get from sports direct they have loads of good deals I like the fit of the USA pro ones best but I just buy what's cheapest and they're usually between about £4 - 6!