Many of you may not have given a thought about this topic although it makes for a major difference in the quality of your workout. For those of you who wear casual t-shirts and pants to the gym, please be ready to refresh your gym wardrobe. Compromising gym clothes for stylish clothes is the biggest mistake one can do and can seriously impact the results of your workout. Here we give you details about how to prepare yourself before every workout session.

1.  Upper body
If you think 100% cotton t-shirts are good for you, you’re absolutely wrong. Say no to pure cotton fabrics that are good in absorbing your sweat but are slow in drying which means your sweat will literally stick to your body. Instead invest in a quick-drying synthetic fabric or light-weight moisture-wicking fabric like polyester that work well in keeping you stay dry while you workout. Ladies should always ensure that they change to comfortable sports bras from their normal everyday bras before hitting the gym. Also for ladies with bigger breasts, it is important to wear a good-fitting sports bra (with wider straps) for a comfortable gym experience. Men can also go shirtless (only if the gym allows you to do so) as this can be the most effective solution.

2. Lower Body
Track pants and shorts are very obvious comfort clothes that you can wear to the gym. There are a few clothes that you ought to avoid wearing to the gym no matter what – like jeans, micro/mini shorts, skirts, dresses, etc. Too loose or too tight shorts should also be avoided while gymming. It is a cool thing to hit the gym after office hours but it is definitely not cool to exercise with your formal shirts and trousers.

3. Footwear
This is the most important factor that can build or ruin your workout experience especially when you have a lot of running or spinning to do. Buy good quality footwear always and never look for cheap ones. The dynamics of each shoe is designed with a lot of consideration by eminent brands and hence it is important to invest in a good shoe. Also, ensure that you buy the right size (if you have doubts, get a professional to help you out at the store). Sandals, flip-flops and formal shoes are a strict NO-NO.  Some people prefer to go barefoot but it is better to research for yourself and see if your body likes it that way.

4. Head Gear
Your head clearly doesn’t need any protection unless you’re banging your head while working out. So stay away from caps, goggles and any such unnecessary items. If you’re wearing headphones ensure that your volume is not very high such that you’re also able to hear things that are happening in the background. Girls with short hair may use head bands to keep it away from the face.

5. Towel

Carry a soft, clean towel that is capable of good absorption everytime you hit the gym. Some gyms provide towels but it is always better to carry your own. Never share towels with your gym-mates and never ever re-use towels without putting it for a wash.

These are pretty much all that you need. Some may want to wear hand gloves but it isn’t always necessary unless you’re doing a strenuous workout that can directly hurt your hand. Anything beyond this is certainly not sitting in the column of benefits.

References:
http://www.business-standard.c om/article/news-ians/dress-rig ht-before-hitting-the-gym-1160 92000498_1.html

http://www.womenshealthmag.com /fitness/what-not-to-wear-to- the-gym