What to Wear to the Gym: A Beginner’s Guide

Have you ever felt a little nervous about hitting the gym? You’re not alone. Many fitness rookies feel intimidated by the thought of exercising in a room full of athletic gym-goers. You may feel worried about being slow, clueless, or simply out of place. 

Fortunately, gyms are much more welcoming places than you might believe, and we have a simple trick up our sleeves to help you feel confident when setting foot in your first spin class or weightlifting session. That’s right – drop-dead gorgeous activewear. 

Whether you’re a fitness virgin or a seasoned gym-goer, a comfortable and stylish gym outfit will help you feel great and stay motivated during tough workouts. Of course, everyone’s needs are different, and you may wish to purchase a varied array of workout clothes to suit different activities. 

To help you make the most of your workouts, therefore, we’ve put together a beginner’s guide to activewear. Forget bedraggled joggers and t-shirts that turn transparent as soon as you start sweating – these pieces will keep you feeling confident, protected, and ready to take on any challenge.

First things first: Keep things tight

Do you instinctively throw on the baggiest t-shirt and sweatpants you can find when preparing for a workout? It’s time to embrace form-fitting pieces. Tight tops and leggings are much more practical than loose activewear. As well as helping you to move much more freely, tight clothes are safer as they won’t get caught in heavy-duty gym equipment.

Worried that tight clothes will make you feel self-conscious about your body? Don’t fret – there are plenty of slimming pieces out there to flatter all body types. YUCO’s black liquid sports bra and leggings set, for example, is a must-have for anyone in need of a confidence-boosting gym outfit. The high-waisted leggings will make your legs look longer and leaner, while the perky bra will leave you feeling supported and sexy. Even better, both items contain breathable materials that will keep you dry and cool, even during high-intensity activities.   

Invest in a decent sports bra

Even small-busted women should invest in a sports bra. Here’s why: 

• It will keep you dry and comfortable. Unlike regular bras, sports bras contain moisture-wicking fabrics to prevent unsightly sweat patches. 
• Sports bras a simply more comfortable as they don’t contain underwire or fiddly straps. 
• It will prevent your breasts from bouncing around during intense workouts – a painful experience at the best of times.
• It’s perfectly acceptable to wear a sports bra on its own. Don’t be shy! Minimizing the amount of fabric on your torso will keep you feeling cool and fresh.

So, what should you look out for in a sports bra? At YUCO, all of our sports bras are breathable, sturdy, and gorgeously pairable. Our liquid bra in black, for example, looks amazing paired with our two-tone leggings in black and light brown. 

If you’re looking for a little more coverage, our white Finesse top sits somewhere between a sports bra and a crop top. It is breathable, supportive, and you can pair it with shorts or leggings. What’s more, it doubles up as a sultry evening top! Team this piece with a sleek pair of jeans and glamorous earrings for maximum impact.

Don’t be afraid to glam up

Who said workout clothes had to be boring? While functionality is important, YUCO offers a wide selection of stylish and pieces to help you turn heads and feel confident while working out. 

If you’re looking to inject a little color into your activewear collection, why not try our liquid bra and high-rise leggings in berry? As well as wowing your buddies at the gym, this form-fitting outfit is great for wearing to the beach, mall, or even a nightclub. 

If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a subtler splash of color in your gym outfit, try pairing our classic liquid bra in black with our liquid leggings in black with red zebra panels. These leggings are guaranteed to make you feel that little bit fiercer and ready to reach your gym goals. 

Try to avoid makeup

Okay, we know going barefaced can be daunting, but it will benefit your skin in the long run. Here are a few things to remember before you reach for your makeup brushes:

• Your pores need to be open during exercise to let out sweat. Clogging them up with makeup will quickly lead to congestion and (dare we say it) acne.
• A make-up free face feels fresher. Makeup will quickly turn gluey and sticky when you’re working out, leaving you feeling gross and uncomfortable. 
• Sweaty and smudgy makeup is not a good look. Remember that exercise will give you a beautiful flush and a healthy glow – why cover it up?

If you’re a heavy sweater, bring an extra towel with you to the gym to keep you looking dry and elegant during your workout session. It is also a good idea to carry makeup remover if you’re traveling from work and a hairband to keep your locks out of your face. 

Experiment with legging length

Leggings come in a range of lengths, each of which serves a slightly different purpose. Full-length leggings are very common and are great for working out during all seasons. If the weather is heating up and you’re willing to show off your legs, however, a pair of tight biker shorts may be in order.

Our high-rise liquid biker shorts are perfect for everything from dance classes to cardio sessions. They look amazing paired with our liquid bra in black and will keep you feeling fresh and cool when the mercury rises.  

If you’re a little on the shorter side or would like to keep your ankles bare, why not invest in a pair of our Action 7/8 leggings? Complete with functional pockets and shaping technology, these leggings will leave you looking amazing and feeling ready to take on the world. 

Remember – all of YUCO’s leggings are robust, seamless, squat-proof, and come complete with moisture-wicking technology. Whatever length legging you require, you can rely on our collection to deliver amazing results. 

Wear comfortable underwear 

This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people make regrettable underwear decisions when heading to the gym. Forget G-strings and other kinds of impractical underwear. If you want to make the most of your workout session, look for simple panties specially designed for exercise. There are plenty of great options on the market designed to wick away moisture and prevent rashes from appearing. If you’re keen to look as sleek as possible, search for seamless underwear that won’t be visible under your leggings. 

What not to wear to the gym

So now you know what you should be wearing to maximize your workouts, here are a few things to avoid:

• Jewelry: You don’t want to accidentally strangle yourself with a necklace or rip your earlobe with an earring. Store your jewelry away in a gym locker!
• Heavy gym shoes: Try to keep things light to boost your performance.
• Cotton: 100% cotton clothing will soak up your sweat and leave you feeling gross and stinky by the end of a training session.

Start your gym journey today with YUCO

YUCO’s activewear range represents an excellent place to start building up your collection of gym clothes. Explore our collections today!

Use code "WELCOME10" at checkout to get 10% OFF SITEWIDE at YUCO online store.