Clothes for the gym

Short answer: At the gym you switch between hard work and rest at the machines. Your clothes have to keep up with both without getting heavy with sweat, and you need something dry to wear on the way home.

Movement without the fabric pulling

A lift needs room over the shoulders and back, and floor work needs the top to stay where it should. Fabric with a little stretch follows the movement without riding up or tightening across the chest. Choose a fit close enough to stay out of the way but not so close that it limits you, see bamboo T-shirts for men.

The rest between sets

You stand still for two minutes at a time, and a wet layer quickly turns cool, especially near a fan or open window. A fabric that moves moisture away from the skin makes a clear difference during rest. A sleeveless layer gives extra air under the arms on hard days, see bamboo tank top for men.

The trip home afterwards

After training, your body is warm and your clothes are wet. Step straight out into the cold and you cool down fast. A dry layer in your bag makes all the difference, especially in winter. Change your top before you leave and pull on something soft and warm, see bamboo hoodie for men.

Warm up in an extra layer

In the first minutes on the treadmill or bike, your body is not warm yet. Many people start in an extra layer and take it off once they get going. It makes the warm up more comfortable and gives you a layer to put back on if you take a longer break.

Fabric that does not get heavy

When a fabric soaks up lots of water and holds on to it, it gets heavy and clings to the skin. That is not just unpleasant, it can also chafe under the arms and on the shoulders. Choose clothing that feels light even after an hour of training, and that does not sag when wet.

Wash after every session

Training clothes should be washed after every use, even after a short session. Sweat and skin oils settle in the fabric and cause odour if left in the bag. Take them out as soon as you get home, hang them to dry if you cannot wash them straight away, and use a mild detergent without fabric softener.

Fit to suit the exercise

For running and cycling, a closer fit is often best, because loose fabric flaps and can chafe. For strength training, many prefer a bit more room over the shoulders. Move around in the clothes before you choose, and think about which exercises you do most. What looks good in the mirror is not always best in motion.

Pack your bag the night before

It is easier to get going when your bag is ready. Pack a top, a dry layer, socks, a towel and a water bottle the evening before. Then you do not have to search for anything when you are in a hurry, and you will not forget the dry layer for the trip home, which is what most often gets left behind.

Frequently asked questions

What should you wear at the gym

Something that gives room to move and draws moisture away from the skin between sets. A T-shirt or tank top with a little stretch suits most types of training.

Should you change after training

Yes. A wet layer cools the body quickly as soon as you stop moving. A dry layer in your bag makes the trip home much more comfortable.

Why do you get cold during rest

Because your body keeps giving off heat while evaporation from the wet fabric cools the skin. The more water the fabric holds, the colder it feels when you stand still.