We’d be lying if we said we didn’t dress to impress at the gym. Workout clothes can help show off a great physique or hide what you aren’t ready for other people to see yet. While women usually have it easy when it comes to selecting workout attire, most men are clueless. Be sure to heed the following advice the next time you’re stumped about what to wear to the gym.

Probably the most important thing men need to know when it comes to workout attire is to avoid spandex at all costs. No man really looks right in it, even the ones with the great bodies, and it can be distracting in a gym atmosphere. Plus, you never want to draw that kind of attention, especially if you’re sporting spandex bottoms.

When shopping for workout clothes, you don’t need to go above and beyond to purchase the most snazzy and top-line brands. Simply go for what makes you comfortable. The activities you do at the gym will also help dictate whether you need a plain gray shirt and loose shorts or a tank top and more form-fitting bottoms. Remember that when you workout, you’ll be sweating so you’ll want to wear workout attire a breathable, absorbable fabric such as cotton, nylon, and polyester. You don’t want any sweat, oil, or dirt to be trapped on your skin, which often happens with spandex and any other tight fitting fabric. Pay attention to color coordination as well. Even though it isn’t a fashion show, it’s best to wear an outfit that goes together. Additionally, lighter colored fabrics, such as light gray, tend to show less signs of sweat stains, compared to darker clothing. Ideal colors to wear to the gym include red, gray, black, navy blue, and other earth tones. For bottoms, choose wisely. If you want to wear shorts, go for the type that falls slightly above the knees and offers comfort and support. Avoid wearing baggy, loose shorts if you’re doing exercises other than playing basketball.

Keep the logos, brand names and other distractions minimal when it comes to your workout tops. Sporting popular athletic brands is acceptable but make sure the logos and designs are small. It can be distracting to other gym goers to see someone walking around looking like a human advertisement.

When in doubt, buy a few options that you can mix and match so that you don’t have to sport the same workout attire each time you go to the gym. If you tend to sweat a lot, then you’ll want a dry, fresh set of workout clothes to change into while at the gym so buying more than one outfit for the gym may be more appropriate for you. Avoid unnecessary jewelry, including watches (sports watches are okay). For footwear, keep it simple with a pair of sneakers that are comfortable and made for sports or working out. White, cotton socks are ideal for gym wear, however, you’ll want to stick to ankle socks and keep them white - no funky colors. Long, white socks are a no-no when it comes to workout attire.  

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