Worried about what to wear at the gym!

februarylove94

Hi, I guess I can call myself a newbie since I've created a brand new MFP account today after using my old one on-off for about two years and generally neglecting my health goals!

I'd love to make some friends on here to start my brand new (more motivated!) journey, but I'd also like a little help...

I'm always worried that people are going to be grossed out by seeing my muffin top through my t shirt at the gym. I obviously wobble a lot on the running machines so I get really embarrassed if someone is near by or behind me. Any advice on what else I can wear/if I'm completely off by thinking this?

Thanks in advance! Lots of love

LKArgh

First of all, I am pretty sure it is just in your head - and mine, you are not alone I have never noticed or care about how others look at the gym, so I am pretty sure it is reasonable to assume others do not really care about me either. However, since I do worry too, what I have found to work best is either a slightly roomier t-shirt than I would normally wear when not exercising, or a vest top under the t-shirt - one that fully covers your belly, not bra-like. Also I find that for me cotton pants, tights etc work better, since they reduce the muffing top. They are not as comfortable perhaps as stretchier materials (especially when you sweat a lot) but they tend to look better when you have a less than perfectly toned tummy.

Greytfish

People at the gym are generally focussed on thier workouts, their goals, and looking mostly at themselves. You'll do this too if you're smart. It will help you to begin to really see changes and also appreciate how hard you work.

refuseresist

I wear a baggy t shirt and kung fu pants. No one can tell what's going on under there!

Kr1ptonite

Just wear what is comfortable. I always wear hoodies. I just don't like wearing shirts to the gym. Just focus on yourself and reach those goals. I use to worry as well, as I was soooo overweight, but no one seemed to worry the we're just friendly and gave me support. Most are there for the same reason.

Kirst412

SO weird - just yesterday while I was getting dressed for the gym (which took me about 20 min) I was feeling the same way! Its crazy how our minds can mess with us! I know how you feel but, no one is worried about it! Obviously you want to wear what you are comfortable wearing but then just keep telling yourself I am here to make a better me - thats what the gym is all about!!

Will_Run_for_Food

You definitely don't need to be concerned about this. For the most part, people are there to focus on themselves, not others. The only thing that goes through my mind when I'm observing other people working out is "Good for them."

That being said, if you are concerned, the main thing to avoid is wearing anything that is too tight or too small for you at the waist. Just use common sense, sister!

sudmom

I do agree you should be comfortable, but I always work out better whan I have cute clothes to wear. Yes, my body is less than perfect, but a cute outfit can do wonders for your opinion on how you look. Plus if you get high waisted workout pants it really smashes that muffintop!

somethinginherair

It's true! Nobody pays attention to what other people are wearing at the gym. We're all too worried about ourselves to care about anyone else! What I mean is that we're all there for a reason.. Very few of us are completely satisfied with how we look. Personally, I'm too worried about my little jiggles to worry about anyone else's little jiggles.

toiletski

I'll usually wear higher waisted yoga pants and a cut up baggy tshirt that falls off the shoulders. My shoulders and traps are pretty toned but my arms and stomach, not so much yet. Accentuating what you like while covering what you don't gives you the confidence to do real work at the gym and not focus on hiding your flaws. I've dressed uncomfortably before and I could barely put in any work cause I kept feeling self conscious about how I looked. Boo to that.

run_way

Don't worry about it at all, you're there for you. When I'm at the gym I'm under such a time crunch and focused on my own workout that I generally don't even notice anyone else unless they're being really obnoxious. Wear what's comfortable and best of luck!

Hornsby

In to just reassure that no one is going to look at you and care what you are wearing. When I see someone with some weight to lose, I honestly think about how I hope they stick with it and am genuinely glad to see them trying. I would hope that people were thinking the same thing about me less than a year ago.

ecottencat

I guess I've been lucky to not care what other people are thinking and wear what I feel comfortable working out in. Honestly I don't look at what someone is wearing unless its like this insanely bright neon workout outfit, with that just see colors not what they look like. Don't worry about what you look like as long as are wearing something that is comfortable for you to work out in.

februarylove94

Thanks so much for the amazing support, guys!

I will invest in a baggier t shirt, I think, and for now switch to trousers that aren't as tight.

FitRican

The way I see it is this. I wish I were that important that people is really looking at me. Everyone is so submerged on their own they don't have time to be looking at me.

lockedcj7

I wear an XL t-shirt that's nice and light, (the free ones they give out for donating blood are awesome) and running shorts. Nobody sees my muffin top because I don't tuck in my shirt. Besides that, lots of people there are bigger than me. Maybe they just started, maybe they had much more to lose. They are getting healthier either way so I say, "good for them!"

If somebody is so shallow that they judge what I wear to the gym then I'm not likely to care what they think since they aren't my kind of people.

fleetzz

Have you seen anybody else at the gym yet? Don't worry about it. Many of the lean sculpted people have been exactly where you feel you are in the past. And if you get any comments or funny looks, ignore them. Those people aren't worth your time. Harassment or name calling ->complain to management.

JG762

I can honestly tell you that no one gives a damn what you look like/are wearing at the gym!
My only bit of advice is to please don't wear perfume/body scents when you work out, your exercising neighbors will thank you!

JDubIsShrinking

Wear what you're comfortable in!
I used to stray away from compression yoga pants, because I felt that I was far too fat for spandex. Now, I'm probably still far too far for spandex, but I'm most comfortable wearing compression capris and a t-shirt or tank top. You're there to work on you - not to impress anyone else. Crank up the music and have fun!

iecreamheadaches

who cares what you look like at the gym?! Just wear whats comfortable for the activity you are going to be doing. Its not a fashion show, and it shouldnt matter if you jiggle or wiggle or whatever, you're there to better yourself.

I usually wear an xl shirt with a large white t-shirt underneath (this is kind of a sweat absorbing layer as its been very cold here recently and I dont usually change back into my clothes after finishing at the gym, so i dont want to completely freeze outside walking to the car!), and a pair of capri sweats or a pair of my boyfriends smaller basketball shorts. Comfy, light, and allows good movement without a lot of unappealing visual (not that I care, cause in the warmer months I like to wear my tank tops to the gym).

DaveMurphy6

Make working out easier. A trick I learned was to have all my gym clothes colored Black, Grey, or white, That way you can grab any top and bottom without having to match everything up. Helps when you are in a hurry.

beaches61

I see people of all shapes and sizes at the gym, so I really think you are overthinking this. But if you feel self conscious, just wear something loose. I wear stretchy capri workout pants and a loose, comfortable t-shirt over a sports bra. Most of the people I see at the gym wear loose, comfortable clothes. It's not a fashion show.

195to135

Wear anything you want most people are there to work out and chances are won't even notice you unless you talk to them,
If you're really worried about people watching you pick a time the gym isn't as busy to work out until you're more comfortable working out in public.

DawnieB1977

I went to the gym a few weeks after having a baby and just wore loose gym trousers and a baggy vest top (tank top to Americans). No-one ever looked at me, as far as I can tell. I never notice what anyone's wearing. The only person who's ever stood out to me is the woman with a boob job who prances round in a crop top and tight trousers! Oh, and the woman who does my Zumba class and wears really short shorts! I don't need to see that while I work out!

I'm 29 weeks pregnant now and go to the gym with my huge belly and no-one gives me a second glance!

sullus

“You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.”


― Eleanor Roosevelt

justifit

Your funny. You sound like my sisters who refuse to go to the gym or pool because they feel someone is looking at them. LOL! Nobody is looking at you, Most people are focused on their work out. I am always glad to see someone in the gym at least working out. Relax, wear what you want. I look like a homeless old lady in the gym, then I transform on Saturday nights.

nicmax88

So relieved other people feel the same! All my gym tops are too tight as I have gained weight (because I stopped going to the gym?). I wear stretchy bottoms and one of my boyfriend's t-shirts, as I refuse to buy more gear if I'm going to lose weight again! Look crap in the gym so you can look great outside it!

CaitlinW19

For some reason, I have a thing about not wearing tops that will show massive sweat spots when I work out...I just feel totally disgusting with sweat spots. I can imagine some people feel the exact opposite and are motivated by seeing this product of their hardwork. I stick mostly with black tops for this reason. Plus, black is slimming, so I feel like I look kinda hot as I see myself in the wall to wall mirrors. :-) I stay away from grey completely and any other color that will visably show my sweat. It's probably weird, I know but it's easier to workout when you feel good about how you look and this is part of that for me.

turtledove773

I do agree you should be comfortable, but I always work out better whan I have cute clothes to wear. Yes, my body is less than perfect, but a cute outfit can do wonders for your opinion on how you look. Plus if you get high waisted workout pants it really smashes that muffintop!

I agree. Wear something comfortable but also something you feel good about yourself in.. My high waisted workout pants are awesome at hiding that Fluff! I also bought some long sleeved work out shirts from Walmart that have cinched sides and adore those for hiding as well, plus they are cute!

LassoOfTruth

I don't have any clothing options, but I suggest finding the fattest person at the gym and just exercising besides them. You won't be the focus. I'm typically the biggest gal at the gym all the time (325+ pounds here) so I'll let you run on the treadmill next to mine while I trot along at a 2.0 pace, sweating my rolls off.

sweetpea03b

It doesn't matter what you wear to the gym.... you're there to work out... it's not a fashion show. People are not worried about what you're wearing or what you're doing because they're too busy worrying about what they are doing/wearing. Wear whatever is comfortable for you that you don't need to fuss with so you can focus on getting your workout done.