If you are new to visiting a gym for your fitness needs or you haven’t been to one in awhile, it is important to know what is acceptable to wear and what is not. All gyms have their own dress codes that you need to follow. Some of their rules are in place for safety and others are in place due to sanitary reasons. Always ask your gym for their dress code so that you can ensure you will be compliant. If you haven’t received a copy as of yet, follow these rules and you should be good for your first visit.

What not to wear:

• 100% cotton: While cotton is a breathable fabric, it does absorb all of your sweat so you end up soaked. The longer something sits wet, the more bacteria forms.
• Worn out shoes: Older shoes provide less tread, cushioning, support and shock absorption, which can throw off the alignment in your body.
• Non-supportive bra: If you don’t wear a supportive sports bra to the gym, you can experience upper back and shoulder pain as well as tissue damage and increased chances for sagging.
• Jewelry: Leave your jewelry at home; don’t take it to the gym. The gym equipment may scratch your jewelry, it can distract you during your workout, or it may get caught in the gym equipment.
• Too tight clothes: Wearing too tight of clothing to the gym can be uncomfortable, and restrict your circulation.
• Too large of clothing: If you wear too baggy of clothing to the gym, your clothes can get caught in the fitness equipment, which is a safety risk.
• Makeup: There is no reason to wear makeup to the gym. It isn’t a place to get a date; it is a place for physical fitness. Sweating can cause a build up dirt and oil underneath your makeup, which then leads to irritation and acne breakouts.

What to wear:

• Fitted Clothes: It is important to wear clothing that is moisture wicking and is fitted to your body. Don’t wear anything too tight however, as you don’t want to restrict circulation. Make sure the clothes are easy to move around in and movement isn’t impeded.
• Supportive Shoes: A good pair of supportive shoes is essential at the gym. A supportive pair of shoes can prevent foot pain and alignment issues with the body.
• Hair Tie: Bringing a hair tie is essential (if your hair is long enough). When you are trying to work up a good sweat, it is hard to focus with hair whipping in your face. Plus, putting your hair up will help your body feel a little bit cooler.
• Socks: Socks are an absolute must. If you don’t wear socks in your athletic shoes, you can get blisters and the shoes will start to smell from the odor of your feet sweating into your shoes.
• Supportive Bra: Wearing a supportive sports bra is an important one for the ladies. With your chest properly supported, workouts will be less painful and you can prevent future skin and sag issues.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when getting your outfit ready to head to the gym. But, if you follow our tips you will have a great workout with no clothing issues.