How to Dress for the Gym

There's no need to dress like a model for a workout, but proper gym clothes can make the difference between a satisfying sweatfest and a fruitless attempt at fitness.

Instructions

1. Purchase reliable footwear. This is essential to a good workout. Pick out shoes that have good tread, are not too heavy and if possible, recommended by a fitness trainer.

2. Invest in a good sports bra. Guys--unless you have cleavage, move on to the next step. Gals--don't skimp when it comes to support. And please, please don't wear a regular bra to the gym. Not only will you ruin the bra with sweat stains, but you will not have the type of support needed for heavy exercise.

3. Pick a tee, any tee. Gym clothes are not uniforms and t-shirts are a dime a dozen, so the most important thing is your comfort. Most prefer a regular fit t-shirt that is not too baggy, but not suffocating. Some men prefer to wear synthetic fiber blends or mesh tops as they have greater breathability. Similarly, both men and women sometimes prefer to wear tank tops.

4. Wear shorts that offer flexibility, but are not too revealing. Shorts that are too long can scrape against your knees or distract from proper leg movement. Shorts that are too loose can slide up to reveal underwear on equipment that requires lying down. Shorts that are too tight (unless they are spandex) are distracting as gym clothes. Concentrate on the workout, not on picking your wedgie without anyone noticing.

5. Keep your socks short. By all means, make sure you wear socks, but choose pairs that are thin and cut off close to the ankles. Thick, legging-like socks produce more sweat, clog pores and distract every time you have to pull them up. And for those of you who care about fashion, long socks are most definitely out of style.

6. Get that hair out of your face. Proper gym clothes will be of no use to you with sweaty hair stuck to your forehead and neck. This goes for anyone, regardless of gender. Your hair may be sexier down, but let's face it, you're not going to win any beauty contests at the gym.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring a towel. Clothes for the gym should always include a small towel. This is proper gym etiquette.

• Add a fun techy gadget to your gym attire. A sports watch, heart rate monitor, steps monitor or iPod can be a huge motivator to get you through that last mile.

• Some gyms have dress codes. Yes, this seems strange, but rules are often put in place to maintain cleanliness. For example, some gyms don't allow sleeveless clothing to reduce the amount of sweat left on machines.