Every January, avid gymgoers see their stomping grounds besieged by wannabe fitness buffs who only recently willed themselves off the couch. The ensuing scene can be annoying — and unsightly.
“You would be surprised how many people forget to wear the proper workout attire,” says Johanna Chase, a personal trainer at New York Sports Clubs.
Among the offenses Chase has witnessed: bare feet on the exercise equipment, dress pants on the treadmill and too-small bras on the women.
If you’re feeling like you missed the memo on proper gym attire, you’re in luck. Whether you’re getting ready to break out a Downward Dog or climb atop a stationary bike, we spoke to trainers at the city’s most popular exercise classes for their fitness do’s and don’ts.
Yoga
Putting 20 people in a (sometimes heated) room with the intention of having them bend and contort themselves can make for some awkward situations — like an unintentional mooning, or worse. “You have to be considerate of the yogis around you,” says Clivio, who has seen her fair share of flesh flashing over the years.
Ladies:
Do: Wear a tank top with a built-in bra. And try it out in a Downward Dog before you buy it, to ensure you’re not spilling out of the top.
Do: Opt for three-quarter-length cropped pants, so you’re not adjusting them during inversion poses.
Don’t: Wear anything that’s loose-fitting, like a T-shirt that will fall over your head while you’re upside down.
Don’t: Wear short-shorts. “When you are in Downward Dog, they can be really revealing,” says Kay Kay Clivio, a lead teacher at Pure Yoga.
Guys:
Do: Wear spandex or fitted shorts under a pair of basketball shorts or longer mesh shorts.
Don’t: Think your running shorts are right for the yoga studio. “Short running shorts are not appropriate for Warrior 3 and many other poses. Ever. A lot of dudes do it, and I’m like, whoa. If there is any gap between thighs and privates, there is going to be a problem,” says Clivio.
Models: On guy: Asics “2-N-1” shorts, $27.60 at asicsamerica.com • Nike “Legend Dri-FIT” shirt, $22 at City Sports, 64W. 48th St. | On girl: Anue Yoga “Temple Keyhole,” $49.99 at newbalance.com • “Wunder Under Crop” pants, $73 at lululemon.com
Indoor Cycling:
Indoor cycling has become a religion in the Big Apple, with studios like Flywheel, SoulCycle and even Aqua Studio — where riders spin their stationary wheels in a pool — popping up all over the city. And only in a place like New York would people go so overboard to look so sharp and treat their bikes like a sporty runway. Flywheel master instructor Kate Hickl says she sees people come to a one-hour class like they are going to the Tour de France training camp. Word to the wise: Don’t bring outdoor cycling indoors!
Ladies:
Do: Opt for pants that are fitted or midcalf-length to avoid them getting caught in the pedal or riding up when you’re indoor cycling.
Do: Wear a headband or a bandana.
Don’t: Overdo it on jewelry and accessories. Hickl once ripped her nose ring out while wiping her face. Ouch.
Don’t: Rock a blowout and heavy makeup — even if you’re sitting next to Jake Gyllenhaal at SoulCycle.
Guys:
Don’t: Come in like you’re going on a five-day ride. “People like to sport their gear, which isn’t necessary. I’ve seen a lot of guys in unitards. It’s an attention thing,” says Hickl.
Do: Wear light layers with wicking fabrics.
Models: On girl (left): “Slash Back” tank, $36 at Flywheel locations • Asics “Lite Show” capris, $55 at asicsamerica.com | On girl (right): Lululemon “Racer Yogi” tank, $48 at lululemon.com • Pheel “Red Snake Getaway” capris, $82 at Flywheel locations • New Balance “The Airy Racer” bra, $38 at newbalance.com | On guy: Nike “Legend Dri-FIT” shirt, $22 at City Sports, 64 W. 48th St. • Nike “HyperwarmDri-FIT Max” compression tights, $60 at modells.com
Weight Lifting:
For rookies looking to bulk up with some serious weight lifting, Mark Hunt, co-owner of Steel Gym in Chelsea, wants you to know that it’s not the time to put on all of the gold in your safety deposit box. Minimal is always best. And wear the right shoes. “This means no flip-flops,” says Hunt. “Or bare feet.”
Ladies:
Do: Wear a sports bra. “They ease back strain and reduce the risk of upper-body pain,” says Hunt.
Do: Get a weight belt and gloves for gripping, if you’re getting the hang of it.
Don’t: Wear bangles or any kind of loose jewelry. “Even rings can be a hazard and dangerous,” Hunt says.
Guys:
Do: Wear shorts or pants over more formfitting under garments — a simple pair of spandex shorts under basketball shorts will do.
Do: Opt for underwear made from synthetic wicking material, to avoid “serious problems such as odor and chafing,” says Hunt.
Don’t: Oil up with skin moisturizer before hitting the squat station. It clogs pores — and leaves a mess.
Models: On girl (left): Lululemon “Wunder Under” crop pants, $73 at lululemon.com | On girl (right): Fox “Hello” bralet, $29.50 at foxhead.com • Lululemon “105 F” singlet, $52 at lululemon.com •Asics “Lite Show” capris, $54.99 at roadrunnersports.com | On guy (right): Champion mesh “Lacrosse” shorts, $16.99 at modells.com • Nike “Legend Dri-FIT” shirt, $22 at City Sports •Asics “Kayano 20” sneakers, $160 at Foot Locker
Interval Training:
The interval training classes at As One Fitness near Columbus Circle have drawn serious triathletes and even New York Rangers. The workout — a cousin of CrossFit and boot camp — focuses on functional training, such as burpees (squat thrusts) at full speed, followed by short intervals of rest in between. This, says co-owner and trainer George Vafiades, is why some make the mistake of piling on the clothes, thinking they aren’t going to break a sweat. They are sorely mistaken.
Ladies:
Do: Opt for a tank top with a sports bra underneath and three-quarter-length leggings.
Don’t: Wear your hair loose.
Guys:
Do: Wear light fabrics.
Do: Wear underwear. “[Going commando] is more of a faux pas, but also if you’re doing a lot of burpees, that can get awkward,” says Vafiades. Ick.
Don’t: Sport full-on compression gear meant for outdoor and cold temperatures. “I’ve seen people do this, and they end up practically on fire,” Vafiades says.
Models: On girl: Lululemon “Scoop-Neck,” $48 at lululemon.com • “Boylston” capris, $80 at newbalance.com • Nike “Free TR Connect” sneakers, $105 at Lady Foot Locker | On guy: Under Armour “Evo Coldgear Mock” and Nike “Hyperwarm Max Compression” tights, $60 each, both at modells.com
Dance:
At her AKT in Motion Studios on the Upper East Side, Anna Kaiser — who counts Kelly Ripa and Sarah Jessica Parker as devotees — encourages her pupils to express themselves through their clothes. After all, it’s a dance-based curriculum. “[The fashion] is part of the fun,” says Kaiser, whose preferred brand is adidas by Stella McCartney.
Ladies:
Do: Wear colorful layers. “They help your body get warmed up quickly, and you can peel them off,” says Kaiser.
Do: Rock a hat to keep hair out of the face in a stylish way.
Don’t: Wear casual sneakers like Vans.
Don’t: Don super-tight threads. “Those clothes can be so stifling,” says Kaiser. “And they feel generic.”
Guys:
Do: Wear tennis shorts — or opt for functional and less-intimidating basketball shorts, especially if you’re just dipping your toe into the dance-workout world.
Don’t: Come to the class thinking you’re auditioning for a role in “Breakin’.”
Don’t: Wear long pants. “I try to tell guys they’ll be sweating a lot,” says Kaiser.
Models: On girl (left): Champion “Absolute Workout” tights, $34.99 at modells.com • Gap “Hug Me” hoodie, $49.95 at gap.com • Boots: model’s own | On guy (left): Adidas “Track Jacket,” $60, and “Revo Remix” pants, $40, both at modells.com | On girl (right): HBsuper by HoodieBuddie “Shore Thing” hoodie, $62 at hoodiebuddie.com • Lululemon “In a Flash” bra, $52, and “In the Flow” crop, $78, both at lululemon.com • Mizuno “Creation 15,” $160 at Lady Foot Locker, 120 W. 34th St. | On guy (right): Nike “In the Lane” shorts, $35 at nike.com • Tank, $14 at City Sports • Asics “Kayano 20” sneakers, $160 at Foot Locker • “The KC” hat, $42 at baldwindenim.com