Dress for success. Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. Dress for yourself. There are all sorts of clichés concerning how you should dress, and everyone could agree that what you put on in the morning has the potential to impact your day. Granted, the more invested you are in your clothing style, the greater the degree of impact. Regardless, when you wear something you feel confident in, you’ll carry yourself differently from days you throw on sweats.
These sartorial principles are not generally considered in terms of workout attire—but they should be. Let me tell you why.
Going to the gym is an inconvenience to some, a dreaded torture to others and an enjoyable activity for a lucky few. For those of us who cannot stand working out, any factor that can improve the experience is appreciated. Herein lies the relationship between feeling put together and a better workout.
Accidentally, I discovered that what I wore to the gym influenced my workout. Walking to the gym, it is almost impossible not to catch sight of yourself in some window or another. And when I see my self in mismatched colors, the least flattering t-shirt or baggy gym shorts, I want to get back to my room, shower and change as quickly as possible. My workout is cut short, and my motivation is severely lacking.
Then there are days when I get my act together. Cute gym clothes are different for everybody. I’m not recommending you wear your shortest, tightest spandex, but if that’s what motivates you to run an extra mile—so be it. I prefer sleeveless shirts and shiny running shorts. Tall black socks are a must. If your ponytail has a bump in it, redo it and you’ll thank yourself later. When you see yourself and approve of your appearance, a positive feedback cycle begins. You want to continue looking good, and hence your workout is harder, more enjoyable and—most importantly—produces results.
Like regular clothes, I only have so many workout clothes that I actually like. And if I’ve been working out a lot, or if I’ve been accumulating a lot of laundry (the latter is much more likely), sometimes I have to resort to the dreaded old t-shirt and ankle socks. On these days, just be proud of yourself for going at all, because an ugly gym day is better than a non-gym day.
Of course, there is also the fact that going to the gym takes a lot of time, and when my schedule is full, the absolute last thing I want to do is primp for the gym. To remedy the time dilemma, invest in good workout clothes and take care of them. Or cut the sleeves off of particularly unbecoming t-shirts to make them fit better.
Let me conclude with an example of my theory in action. When I got new running shoes, I actually went to work out more often because I liked wearing them. Going to the gym is as important as anything else you do. Dressing the part is definitely worth it.