What to Wear to the Gym: Clothes, Gear & Accessories

There are no points for style, but there are a few things you’ll need to feel comfortable at the gym.

There is no shortage of stores trying to sell you expensive athleisure. But matching sports bras and yoga pants or hundred-dollar branded gym shorts aren’t what gets you into shape.

Instead, it’s all about having the right gym gear and feeling comfortable and confident wearing it. Knowing what to wear to the gym is the first step to a great workout, and we’ve got you covered with tips to help you look and feel good without spending a fortune. Let’s dive in!

Water bottle

If you bring absolutely nothing else to the gym, bring a water bottle. Your body needs to stay hydrated while you work out, regardless of time or intensity. It’s cheaper (and better for the planet) than buying water each time you go to the gym, plus, you can choose a bottle size that gives you enough water to fuel you for your entire workout.

Doctors and trainers recommend drinking eight ounces of water about 30 minutes before you exercise. Then, drink another 7-10 ounces of water for every 10-20 minutes of exercise. For a one-hour workout, that’s about 42-60 ounces of water.

Slim water bottles are ideal for one-handed drinking. If your gym has a water bottle refilling station, make sure you choose a water bottle that will fit into that space (some water bottles might be too tall).

Planning on doing some weight training? Bring your water in a blender bottle; after you’ve finished your water, refill the bottle and add your favorite protein powder to fuel your post-workout recovery.

Fitness apparel

What to wear to the gym? It’s an age-old question that goes way beyond style. Remember that it’s not just about how you look, but how your clothes make you feel. In general, you should choose clothes that are slightly loose and allow for movement and comfort. But you don’t want clothes that are too loose, as they could get snagged on cycle pedals, weight bars, or your own two feet.

Some items to bring include:

Sneakers

It’s best to wear close-toed sneakers in the gym. You never know when a weight might go rogue or when an exercise machine will catch a toe. Choose sneakers that offer good arch support and slip resistance.

Depending on the types of exercises you’re doing, you may want to find footwear created with those moves in mind. For instance, running shoes, walking shoes, cross-trainers, and weightlifting shoes each feel different on the foot and are designed for different levels of performance.

Flip-flops

When your feet are hot and tired after a good workout, flip-flops offer some much-needed relief. They’re also handy to wear in the shower if you choose to rinse off when you’re done.

Socks

It’s helpful to carry a backup pair of socks. Dry socks help prevent blisters and odor. The best material for gym socks is nylon or acrylic. The synthetic fibers don’t hold moisture, plus they add quite a bit of cushion.

Also, consider sock length: ankle or no-show socks work well for running, while crew socks or mid-calf socks work well for general workouts. If you’re engaging in outdoor sports, consider taller socks that provide more leg protection.

Shorts

Shorts can vary in length and style. It all depends on your personal preference. Ideally, choose shorts that allow for movement and materials that wick away moisture and heat. Elastic waistbands will move with you better than stiff waistbands.

Shirts

Polyester tends to be king when it comes to workout shirt material. It’s lightweight, breathable, and durable, plus it dries quickly if you’re in an intense workout.

Sports bras

Like regular bras, sports bras can offer varying ranges of support and coverage. The sports bra should fit snugly, but not too tight. You should be able to fit two fingers between your shoulder and the strap. Wider bands tend to offer more support than smaller bands.

Gloves

Not all workouts require gloves. If you’re doing yoga, pilates, or cardio (like treadmills or ellipticals), you can skip this item. For weight training, gloves can add a little extra grip, especially when lifting heavy weights.

You might also be able to increase the duration of your weight-lifting workout with gloves, as they add more stabilization and take some of the pressure off your hands. You can lift heavier weights for longer periods, which means getting a little more from each workout.

We also recommend wearing gloves while working out if you have a cut, allergies, or other skin conditions. While our PureGym staff takes care to do thorough cleanings of equipment, wearing gloves may help keep skin conditions from worsening while working out.

Towel & toiletries

A small towel is a handy tool to wipe down equipment before and after each use, as well as to keep your “homemade body glitter” at bay. If you plan to shower, you might prefer to bring your own full-sized towel.

Other locker room staples include deodorant, baby wipes, skincare and makeup (especially if you’re working out on your lunch break), shampoo, conditioner, soap, hair ties or a headband, and a first aid kit. PureGym has many of these items on hand if you forget yours; just ask the front desk.

We’ve found packing cubes to be immensely helpful in organizing your gym bag. You can toss all of your toiletries into a cube and keep them separate from your clothing, shoes, and other gear.

Lock

PureGym offers lockers for member use at all of our locations, but you may want to bring your own combination lock for privacy. Locks will protect your personal items and ensure only you have access to them. We love combination locks because you won’t have to carry a key with you while you exercise.

Workout log or notebook

Can’t keep track of your PRs or workout plan in your head? Bring along a notebook so you can jot down notes about each workout. You might want to track reps, weight, duration, specific exercises to try, or even times when you feel a pinch or extra soreness.

Gym bag

Not keen on carrying a million items to the gym? Toss them all in a gym bag for easy transport.

This is also a great way to make working out a habit that sticks. One study on habit formation shows that the easier something is to do, the more likely you are to do it. So, instead of gathering up all your gym accessories each time you want to exercise, leave a bag packed for grab-and-go convenience.

Miscellaneous gym accessories

What else to bring to the gym besides the obvious? These gym accessories are a matter of personal preference, but you might find them helpful in knocking out your workout:

Phone charging cable
Wearable devices, such as a smartwatch or fitness monitor
Earbuds or headphones
Healthy snacks
Pre/post-workout drinks
Armband/wristband weights
Muscle gel

You might find a few other items to add to this list. The more you work out, the better you’ll know what to bring to the gym.

Create your ultimate gym experience with PureGym!

Every workout is as unique as you are, and so are the gym gear and accessories you bring with you. Think about the types of exercises you’ll be doing and how long each session will be to figure out what you need to bring to the gym.

At PureGym, we take some of the planning off your shoulders with water, sports drinks, and other essentials in our locations. Just ask a staff member!

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