What to wear at the gym (clothing for men advise)

blackburnguy
blackburnguy Posts: 4 Member
edited November 21 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, Just about to join a gym, I`ve got to do an induction, but before i go need to buy "gym clothes"

I did have a look at sport direct (i know, but there cheap :/ ) they advised tracksuit bottoms and gym top, so much polyester!! is that better then 100% cotton. aiming to go 3 times a week so getting shorts, joggers, tops x3 and some trainers.

I`m still a chunky monkey so don`t want tight clothing, so any advise will be welcome.

Thanks

Replies

  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I always wear shots and a tank...a light cotton hoody if it's chilly, ankle socks and shoes.
  • isthatpoisontoo
    isthatpoisontoo Posts: 21 Member
    I'm not a man, but I do wear clothes.

    Cotton holds water really well. So when you sweat, it stays in your tshirt and makes you uncomfortable. I steal my (male) partner's sweat wicking tshirts when I go to the gym, and wear them loose, they're much better than cotton.

    You're in the UK, no? Is Decathlon not cheaper than Sports Direct?
  • blackburnguy
    blackburnguy Posts: 4 Member
    Hi, i`ll have a look at decathlon website, thanks, only went to SD as i was walking past, so popped in, (i changed my headline as it didn`t sound right)
  • csman49
    csman49 Posts: 1,100 Member
    Wiggle is good for online stuff. Decathlon is good value for money. Wear whatever you're comfortable in.
  • samhennings
    samhennings Posts: 441 Member
    I just wear some cotton joggers and any old tshirt. Nothing fancy.

    Picked up some Admiral (old school brand!) joggers in Primark for £8, do the job just fine.
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    please don't wear a half top with your mid drift exposed and shorty shorts.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Polyester will wick perspiration away from your skin whereas cotton just get wets & clammy feeling.

    Workout clothes can get a little pongy after a while and polyester seems to hold the stink more than cotton - soak them in a bucket of water with a cup of vinegar thrown in every now and again before you wash them.
  • cbrook29
    cbrook29 Posts: 57 Member
    I wear dry-fit clothing because I dislike sweaty clothes. You can get some nice gear at Walmart also. As you slim down you might want more form fitting clothes to show off your gains!!
  • jbouton40
    jbouton40 Posts: 54 Member
    BrianSharpe wrote: »
    Polyester will wick perspiration away from your skin whereas cotton just get wets & clammy feeling.

    Workout clothes can get a little pongy after a while and polyester seems to hold the stink more than cotton - soak them in a bucket of water with a cup of vinegar thrown in every now and again before you wash them.
    That's a great idea. My kids always say my gym stuff stinks
  • jbouton40
    jbouton40 Posts: 54 Member
    Depends on how and where you sweat. I have to wear dark shorts because it looks like I wet my pants.
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    I don't know how I managed to get through workouts back-in-the-day in non-wicking clothes. I still wear a heavy cotton hoody to stay warm between sets, but after that, no cotton thank you.
  • barryplumber
    barryplumber Posts: 401 Member
    I wear dry fit clothing as well they will get wet from sweat but it takes a lot to get them wet. I don't go for under armor or Nike stuff i buy the much cheaper at Walmart just as good for my propose i mean its gym cloths not like your going out somewhere fancy.
  • 95savvy
    95savvy Posts: 114 Member
    wear what makes you comfortable, and confident. B)
  • gsayler860
    gsayler860 Posts: 25 Member
    Dry fit shirts are the way to go. I however have found that the cheap shirts tend to have itchy stitching on the insides. Nike Pro Combat shirts are the way to go IMO. Pricey but they fit well, hold up forever and look nice.
  • rileyes
    rileyes Posts: 1,406 Member
    Moisture wicking underwear ("knickers" old chap) and socks too. Also test the clothes by bending over or other movements you may be doing at the gym. I know it's fashionable to wear the pants below the butt, but... Also you probably want your shirt to be long and on the tighter side unless you want to show off your abs when doing a deadlift or downward dog.

    I prefer form fitting clothes for certain workouts as they make me feel more streamlined--less flopping of clothes.
  • blackburnguy
    blackburnguy Posts: 4 Member
    Hi, thanks for the advise, in the end i got some 3/4 polyester shorts, (thanks to charity shop) i tried shorter but didn't feel good in them. and 2 polyester tops, they should do me for now, next.. trainers, then i`m ready to bring on the pain.


  • colors_fade
    colors_fade Posts: 464 Member
    edited July 2015
    NPR had a thing on polyester and the fact that bacteria likes it better. I always wondered why my "sports" shirts, which were polyester, stunk way more after one workout than my cotton stuff.

    So, I stopped wearing polyester.

    I now just wear cotton T-shirts from Old Navy, and then a pair of gym shorts.

  • AsISmile
    AsISmile Posts: 1,004 Member
    colors_fade wrote: »
    NPR had a thing on polyester and the fact that bacteria likes it better. I always wondered why my "sports" shirts, which were polyester, stunk way more after one workout than my cotton stuff.

    So, I stopped wearing polyester.

    I now just wear cotton T-shirts from Old Navy, and then a pair of gym shorts.

    Absolutely true about the bacteria, but for me cotton is not an option.
    I do the vinegar soak, but at some point the smell doesn't come out anymore. Atleast then I know it is time for new stuff.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    I know I'm not the only guy that looks at a shirt with holes in it and or stains on it and says 'this would be good for working on the car... or the gym' lol
  • betuel75
    betuel75 Posts: 776 Member
    95savvy wrote: »
    wear what makes you comfortable, and confident. B)

    yup, I cant wear "workout cloths". I work out in my surfer, skater everyday wear looking clothes.
  • rileyes
    rileyes Posts: 1,406 Member
    edited July 2015
    What's the stink? Try pure baking soda (edit: as under arm deodorant) instead of the other stuff. Also try the lighter-weight/moisture-wicking/non-snagging type fabrics.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    are people saying their clothes still stink after they wash them?

    never had that problem.

    supposedly sticking things in the freezer will kill odor causing bacteria, at least that was one recommendation from a denim company as to how to make jeans last longer (freeze them instead of wash them)...

    obviously you'd still want to wash them but if they still stink afterwards, its an option maybe
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    There is a reason there is so much polyester in sports shops, even Sports Direct....
  • professionalHobbyist
    professionalHobbyist Posts: 1,316 Member
    If you work out long and burn out your glycogen it often smells of vinegar

    Dicks Sporting Goods sells a strong detergent in the Cross Fit area just for funky workout clothes

    I can remember the name.... Drat!!

    I wash a load of bike clothes that get up to 2 1/2 hours of ride time sweat and regular gym clothes once with Tide and once with that special detergent. It gets the funk out.

  • cw106
    cw106 Posts: 952 Member
    D W sports,aldi and ex- catalogue shop groups have been my main hunting grounds for cheaper sports stuff as i was losing weight.
    the dreaded SD will get you started just fine tho.
    proper,comfortable training shoes will be an essential,more costly, purchase.
  • AsISmile
    AsISmile Posts: 1,004 Member
    No_Finish_Line wrote: »
    are people saying their clothes still stink after they wash them?

    never had that problem.

    supposedly sticking things in the freezer will kill odor causing bacteria, at least that was one recommendation from a denim company as to how to make jeans last longer (freeze them instead of wash them)...

    obviously you'd still want to wash them but if they still stink afterwards, its an option maybe

    Haven't tried the freezer yet. That's a good one.
    And yes, after wearing the same top every week for about a year I can't get the smell out. I am one of those unfortunate people that have the really obnoxious smell bacteria living in their armpits.

  • jerseygene
    jerseygene Posts: 131 Member
    AsISmile wrote: »
    No_Finish_Line wrote: »
    are people saying their clothes still stink after they wash them?

    never had that problem.

    supposedly sticking things in the freezer will kill odor causing bacteria, at least that was one recommendation from a denim company as to how to make jeans last longer (freeze them instead of wash them)...

    obviously you'd still want to wash them but if they still stink afterwards, its an option maybe

    Haven't tried the freezer yet. That's a good one.
    And yes, after wearing the same top every week for about a year I can't get the smell out. I am one of those unfortunate people that have the really obnoxious smell bacteria living in their armpits.

    Sticking them in to the freezer definitely works but i suggest that you put them in a plastic bag first and still give them a wash afterwards. and freezing your trainers works well too. i just leave them in overnight in a plastic bag.
  • kindrabbit
    kindrabbit Posts: 837 Member
    blackburnguy wrote: »
    Hi, Just about to join a gym, I`ve got to do an induction, but before i go need to buy "gym clothes"

    I did have a look at sport direct (i know, but there cheap :/ ) they advised tracksuit bottoms and gym top, so much polyester!! is that better then 100% cotton. aiming to go 3 times a week so getting shorts, joggers, tops x3 and some trainers.

    I`m still a chunky monkey so don`t want tight clothing, so any advise will be welcome.

    Thanks

    there's nothing wring with sports direct. If you get into the gym you'll want at least 2 or 3 sets of workout clothes. I'd avoid cotton track suit bottoms. There's nothing worse than a sweaty butt mark in your shorts!

    I'll second - no crop tops and shorty shorts please!
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