Nat: "I used to be that person at the gym..."

I used to be that person at the gym.

The one on the treadmill dressed in a ratty old t-shirt with holes in the sleeves and also along the hemline. The one heading to a Body Pump class wearing layers of cotton, rather than layers of lycra.

It was 2008, and I was developing an interest in exercise. But I was also working at a video store, and found it difficult to justify spending my incredibly hard-earned dollars (it was essentially slave labour – I had to alpabetise the DVDs every damn DAY) on things like t-shirts made out of sweat-wicking material.

While I could find it within myself to afford the gym (student prices, woo!), I couldn’t afford the wardrobe. And so my gym clothes consisted of…

–       A pair of old cotton shorts with “HAWAII” printed across the bum, purchased in 2002 and two sizes two small

–       A pair of dance pants, left over from after-school-activities days, with flares that wouldn’t have been out of place at a dress-up party

–       One old school shirt, made of vaguely sweat-wicking material

–       One extremely oversized NRL jersey, won in a raffle.

Oh, and was I ashamed. The gym was, and remains to be, a sea of either cute or at least relatively practical workout outfits, and I was extremely out of place.

People at the gym are judge-y. They stare. Especially if you’re wearing shorts emblazoned with a giant HAWAII. I’m just sayin’.

I eventually found myself a job at a sports store and was able to stock up a wardrobe of acceptable gym wear. But I still have all of the above items stashed in my workout outfits drawer – for every possible “just in case” situation.

Naturally, I was intrigued when I came across an article in NY Mag called, “In Defense of Disgusting Gym Clothes”.

It was written by Maggie Lange, who only wears ugly black leggings, stained white t-shirts and hockey socks to the gym. No Lululemon. No compression gear. No matching headband and top. Not even a sweat-wicking t-shirt.

She does make an excellent point in that it’s a bit of a waste buying ridiculously fashionable workout gear, considering that you’ll just be turning them into “mops of perspiration”:

No matter your choice of gym routine, the thing you’re most likely to be doing is sweating. It’s also probable that you produce some phlegm. I use my sleeves or the midsection of my shirt to wipe my forehead or my nose. Wait, what? Boogies on your clothes — that’s truly revolting! It certainly is, but that’s what happens when you heave yourself about on a stationary bike as someone interjects inspirational baloney at you. You’re there to breathe hard and get fit, and these things take priority over protecting your garments from nastiness.

Her other arguments? That disgusting clothes have more character, and that they’re likely to be more comfortable than a potentially see-through pair of tights.

All very valid points. And I do like someone who pushes back against the status quo of the judgey gym. But you know what? I don’t think I’ll ever go back to the old clothes now. And this is why:

1)   Getting new workout gear can prove excellent motivation to actually get out there and exercise. Got a new pair of shoes? You want to use them, don’t you? (Incidentally, it’s totally been proven that just wearing exercise gear will make you want to exercise. Excellent.)

2)   I already feel self-conscious enough at the gym. I turn a next-level shade of red in the face, and often do things like fall off my treadmill or miss a step and face plant during step class. I feel much better if I do so while at least wearing a nice outfit.

3)   Workout clothes are pretty. And comfy. I have a pair of Female for Life tights that I would live in if it was socially acceptable to go to work in them.

4)    Fabrics like cotton will trap the sweat and make you uncomfortable, cause irritation and probably result in bacne. Nobody likes bacne. Get that moisture-wicking stuff out, pronto.

5)   You can get seriously good workout gear for incredibly reasonable prices these days. Michelle Bridges range at Big W, anyone? The sale racks are also an excellent place to hunt for bargains, and online shopping is also a winner.

So thank you, Maggie, for your valiant attempt at defending the can of worms that is disgusting gym clothes. Unfortunately, in 2014… I am officially over on the non-disgusting side.

What do you wear to the gym?