Worst Fitness Fashion Disasters
Wednesday August 13, 2008
Last week, I posted a blog entry asking readers to discuss the worst fashion faux pas they see at the gym. The fact that so many readers had something to offer tells me that, a) there a lot of you exercising at the gym (great job) and that, b) many of you are taking advantage of the unique people-watching opportunities the gym offers.
I'm all for expressing your own personal style and the gym is definitely a place where what you wear should be secondary to what you're doing. But, when what you wear interferes with other people's workouts, or your own, it may be time to update your workout wardrobe. My latest article discusses the worst fitness fashion fisasters and some basic fashion rules when it comes to exercising at the gym.
Comments
Smelly clothes are baaaaad. But worse than that is being next to someone on some aerobic machine early in the morning and having to smell his huffing and puffing bad morning breath. You really should brush your teeth before you work out! Ewe, gross!
I really appreciate you writing about rules and atire at the gym. I’m at the gym 6-7 days per week training, so it is a huge part of my life and has been for many years. The fact is, you’re together with alot of people in a small amount of space, so the rules help people set guide lines. I’ve noticed a huge trend of new comers to the gym and I’m so proud of everyone of you for being there. I’ve also noticed people are sticking it out these days, not just a few months and then all of a sudden quit. Also, if you see someone that’s in great shape at the gym and they’re there every day, talk to these people, because they will teach you the equipment and training for free. I always make time to help other women and men with their fitness goals and I’m happy to do so, because someone did it for me along time ago. Keep working out and remember, people watching at the gym, the different dress and peoples quirky ways, make going every day much more fun. Bottom line is they’re not sitting on the couch!
While most of your points were on the mark, some were just plain ludicrous and the reason why some insecure or very overweight people do not go to the gym not wanting to risk being made fun of or ridiculed by the “buff” and “hip and happening” people. My work out clothes are not the latest fashion? Oh horrors! Forgot my workout shorts so I can’t work out in my jeans? What do you care if I am too hot or uncomfortable? Wearing a regular bra instead of a sports bra? Maybe I don’t need one and even if I do, it is of no concern to you. When I go to the gym I don’t care what anyone else is wearing. I just listen to my books on tape, do my workout and go home. Just mind your own business. That way you won’t be offended by what others are wearing and they can work out without suffering your dirty looks.
Thanks for the great article! Even though my gym has rules prohibiting working out in street clothes, I typically see someone working out in such attire almost every time I’m in the gym. Memberships are obviously more important than policy based on the lack of enforcement. Two peeves I have that I didn’t see mentioned are (1) The cigarette smokers: why do they bother coming to the gym in the first place and they certainly don’t realize that they STINK!! Super Bleh!! (2) Naked in the steam room: My personal reward after a long workout is a 5-7 min session in the steam room. Even though gym policy prohibits it, there’s usually some fool hearty soul that thinks it’s OK to ply the steam room tile with his bare behind. First I have to say this is REALLY gross and second, these people must not realize that locker rooms & associated areas a home to more bacteria than the biohazard incubator at the CDC. The ewwwwwwww factor is off the scale on this one.
One of my big complaints is hand lotion. It seems I’m always cleaning off equipment because of the slime. Also, perfume is pretty disgusting. As far as clothing is concerned, I don’t get some of it but I’m usually so concerned with my own stuff I don’t pay too much attention.
I’m with Kari.
It’s one thing to complain about unsafe, unhygienic, or perhaps unrespectful practices, but to complain about the style (i.e. 80s) or something that won’t hurt anyone (i.e. jeans) only perpetuates the fear many people have of making a fool of oneself and being judged at the gym.
Worst Fitness Fashion Disasters is a sad and superficial article.
Working out is supposed to be about fun and/or health. Who cares what people wear during exercise.
It seems to me that those who feel uncomfortable about other people’s outfits just don’t feel comfortable about human anatomy. That is their problem!
Paige,
Now that I know what you yuppies don’t like I’ll work harder at it. Why don’t you all just worry about TRAINING.
Why so harsh? I’m a long-time fan of this site, so I find it difficult to believe that Paige’s intentions are to make anyone feel bad about working out at the gym. I took the article to be lighthearted as well as funny…and, seeing some of the outfits at the gym and some of the more offensive clothing, I have to agree with her list. Personal style aside, there are things that are inappropriate at the gym and this list covers it. Lighten up!
While I’m not sensitive to what styles/fashions people are wearing in the gym, I do believe that folks should dress appropriately for where you are & what your doing. Would you wear a swimsuit or shorts & a t-shirt to a formal function? Not. Nothing screams out “DORK” quite like working out in street clothes. Also, wearing things like blue jeans (with rivets) and street shoes can damage equipment seats and treadmill decks & belts. It seems to me that many of the people I see working out in street clothes also sweat a lot as a result; those same individuals also appear equally clueless about mopping up after sweating all over the equipment. Ewwwwwwwwwww…
tight bike shorts in the gym! disgusting. 1970’s short BBall shorts, just as bad.
I’m with Adam, when I think people need to lighted up a bit. But I’m also with Kari and Diedre when they state that people shouldn’t be so concerned with what others are wearing. I could care less if you are in jeans, slacks, or clothing that seems ‘dorky’ to me, as Brad puts it (he seems very vain and shallow). Hey, if you forgot your gym bag and you power through your workout, you’re tops in my book. But, I do agree that there is hygiene to consider, and I don’t want to work out around someone with short-shorts and no underwear, or similar. I wear old t-shirts with the sleaves cut off. They are washed and clean, and soft and comfortable. You go to the gym to get in shape and look good, not go to the gym to look good AT the gym. Overall, the article was fun to read though.
I really don’t care what people work out in as long as they are respectful of others and wipe up their sweat. What really ticks me off is the one girl who is so proud of her body that she wears a thong and itty bitty triangles in the community hot tub or sauna. I don’t want to see her pimply behind. It’s nasty and gross and not the place to expose your “assets.” I know there are some out there who will say, I’m jealous and petty….but guys…honestly, what does that kind of attire say to you? Who’s going to say “she was asking for it!” when she complains to management that someone touched her inappropriately? The gym is for working out, not working it.
Overall I have to agree that the article was in fun, and yet had some very valid points to keep in mind. When I go to the gym, I am there for myself and my workout, however if it inhibits my workout then I am upset. The guys/gals who dont wipe down the equipment when they are done make me mad as heck….and I have to agree with proper attire in the steam room and hot tubs. Atleast keep your towel on in the steam room. I dont want to look at ur junk. Finally, and I could care less what shape you are, but I think the bod should be mostly covered in the work out rooms…such as the women wearing sports bras as a top (and some of them should NOT be showing off their bods just yet) as well as the guys who wear the half shirts (regardless if they have the 6 pack abs or are showing off the 6 pack they drank the night before)…cover up! BUT keep working out-it changes your life forever!
i’d like to know what’s the best sports bra out there…seriously
I’d have to agree about the no underwear, exercising in your tightie whities, or unsafe clothing. But this isn’t really a question of fashion.
Ususally I wear a pair of running shorts, with underwear, and a sleeveless tee shirt, along with socks and good workout shoes. Often by the end of the workout I don’t smell so good, often there is a strong odor of ammonia. Oh and sometimes I wind up farting. It can’t be helped, they just come out.
A few women wear just sports bras. For the most part they are the more athletic women who work up quite a sweat and I don’t begrudge them that.
I’m going to repeat the idea that once we get past basic consideration of others that the whole idea of fitness fashion implies a judgement of others appearance and is thus highly toxic to those who may need the gym the most. How about a topic next week of transcending our opinion of others while at the gym?
As to consideration, my biggest annoyance is the folks who work out with friends and spend more time talking than working out while hogging the machine they are sitting on. Visiting is fine but if your’e going to slow down your workout by socializing go sit somewhere else so others can use the machine.
Curt
Wow work out fashion. I never new there was one. I always figured common sense would handle this aspect of working out. Shorts, shirts, shoes, and socks. How hard can it be. Sports bra’s for women if thats what they want to wear. If you have never seen a woman’s chest I’m sorry you have to go through the pain of it. As far as the person in the steam room or sauna in the nude stopping looking or leave. Bacteria is every were. Take your vitamins and hope for the best. Last but not least stop your whining and get your workout on!!!!!
Wow work out fashion. I never new there was one. I always figured common sense would handle this aspect of working out. Shorts, shirts, shoes, and socks. How hard can it be. Sports bra’s for women if thats what they want to wear. If you have never seen a woman’s chest I’m sorry you have to go through the pain of it. As far as the person in the steam room or sauna in the nude stopping looking or leave. Bacteria is every where. Take your vitamins and hope for the best. Last but not least stop your whining and get your workout on!!!!!
Wow work out fashion. I never new there was one. I always figured common sense would handle this aspect of working out. Shorts, shirts, shoes, and socks. How hard can it be. Sports bra’s for women if thats what they want to wear. If you have never seen a woman’s chest I’m sorry you have to go through the pain of it. Last but not least stop your whining and get your workout on!!!!!
Sorry about the triple post. I tried hitting the stop button to fix my comment, but I see that it didn’t work.
Yikes! Workout fashion? I’ve always worn comfortable shorts/sweatpants and a t-shirt. Don’t want tight, confining clothes while I’m exercising! My peeve are those individuals who sweat gallons and then don’t wipe down the equipment and just walk away! Also, if you take a break from a machine and then come back, wipe it EACH TIME!! Doesn’t count as a “turn” if you walk away! Although some gyms truly are “meat markets” and I stay away from them - looks are all important there! If that’s what you’re into, go there! Stay away from my comfortable work out facility! We’ll all be happier.
I agree with the folks that say we shouldn’t be so all about FASHION. I say just wear something comfy & appropriate for workouts.At my gym there are numerous obese people who you’d consider total fashion disasters. Big baggy t shirts with big baggy pants or tights, unflattering colors, no sports bras under their t shirts so they bounce all over the place in aerobics class,etc. I wouldn’t DARE put them down! At least they’re at the gym trying to get healthy. Maybe they can’t find a sport bra or fashionable gym clothes that fit them. I’m an athletic,well toned size 12-14 & almost always have to get large or extra large in gym clothes & these people are 30-100+ lbs heavier than I am.Gym clothes tend to run small & aren’t always cut for “real people”. The obese could also be self conscious,ashamed of their bodies & want to cover up as much as they can
This country is way too obsessed with LOOKS & FASHION.The gym isn’t a runway. If you like
cute outfits & can wear them,fine. If not,wear what’s comfortable.
EIGHTY PERCENT OF HUMAN WISDOM IS LEARNING HOW TO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS !!!
I agree with Adam and moxiemoney - but mostly, wow folks, it seems some of the posting people need to work out a little more to get rid of their stress! This is just a conversation, and interesting and can be helpful to all.
I don’t go to a gym most of all because I am not comfortable in the sweat and old air or air conditioned air recirculating, and, wiping off machines after others use them and leave them yukky. I do exercise outdoors and it works for me.
Let’s take it easy on each other, be supportive, and be considerate. This is a small planet and we need to play nicely!
There are people that I do yoga with who wear extremely low cut tank tops and/or really short shorts. Ordinarily, fine, but when you manipulate your body in those yoga ways, I do not care to see down your shirt or up your shorts! It’s gross and distracting!
Wear almost anything, your choice ,I work in a gym and the DONTS I see are simple:
1. Motorcycle boots or any BOOTS
2.Spagetti strap tops with no bra under where your nipples are alost- or are - popping out
3. Baggy shorts on men- and tight shorts on women- to the extent we can see 1-5″ or rear crack when you sit at that bicep curl machine
4. Tshirts advertizing yourself-ie ” MY LOVE MACHINE IS HUGE”, or “STOP LOOKING AT MY BIG TITS”
5.Shoes caked with mud
6.Leather motorcycle chaps
5.and what’s with teased, big hair, heavy makeup and false eyelashes??
This is a great example of why so many people are too self-conscious to go to the gym. While I’m sure that wasn’t the author’s goal, they should really think about whether this site is to encourage people to go to the gym or discourage them, because it’s definitely set up to do the latter.
Exercising in your underwear, soiled clothes, dangling earrings, exposed bits? Those absolutely should be considered ‘fitness fashion disasters’ because it’s unsafe of unhygienic. Florescent tights, speedos, and jeans? Mind your business.
If you’re so busy judging people at the gym, get out, you’re wasting space other people could be using.
(By the way, some of the things you mentioned aren’t even out of fashion. Looks like you’re out of the loop.)
I thought I’d add something that isn’t getting said here. I figure a lot of the women will be annoyed but we all know this anyway…. When attracive women in their 20’s and 30’s come to the gym in their skimpy shorts and low cut tops I really enjoy watching them. Yes I know it’s obnoxious and I try to be discrete. But I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t sometimes impact my choice of which treadmill to use. No I don’t hit on them or anything. Yes I know a lot of the guy here feel the same way and no doubt some of the women feel the same way about the younger more attractive men. I myself am not in that group, being 55 and 40 lbs overweight. Mostly I talk to the people my own age at the gym.
So I’ll put out there what isn’t being said. my vote is for more eye candy at the gym. Just don’t ask me to be part of it because I am no longer able to have that effect on people, if I ever did, and I really don’t care, since my real reason for going to the gym is my health and fitness. And no I’m not jealous of the young studly guys. I do get insanely jealous however of the folks without osteoarthritis who walk normally, blatantly flaunting their lack of degenerative disease. Has anyone noticed these people are everywhere?
Okay, if my knees hold out I’ll do extra time on the bike today in penance.
Curt
Curtis, you’re a riot!! Honesty and humor. I don’t think anyone here was playing fashionista nazi, I think all the comments on workout attire were right on the mark. I’m a very strong 200 pound woman, who has always felt very fat. I’m not, but I feel it. Anyway, there is NO line of attractive exercise attire for ANYone over 150 pounds. Even if it says it’s an XL, trust me, it isn’t. Yes, overweight people ARE self-conscious, but there are alternatives to showing it all and being inappropriate. That’s all I think anyone was trying to say. I thought your article was right on the mark and almost every comment had value.
Thank you for bringing this to the fore.
Oh puhlease! #1 is simply ridiculous. Technical athletic gear is the most practical for working out. Winter in the gym and running tights are so practical. Summer in the gym and it is running shorts.
Slapshot and Erindreg, it is just the human body.
Why do we always have to set standards by the prudes, the most easily offended? The lowest common denominator is not always right.
im 20 and hit the gym 5 times a week. I wear jogging bottoms or trackies and a vest or t-shirt and always look a tramp. dnt even look at what other people are wearing, but 1 thing i hate is when someone wears the same clothes all week without washing and stinks! have some decorum ( is that how you spell it? :S )
more eye candy at the gym pls!
Geeeeesh, Kelly Fuller. That was really not nice. Are you one of those mean people that suck? Paige, I think your hair is fine. I wear what ever suits my workout. Running shorts for the treadmill, tight pants for yoga/pilates and almost always a snug shirt just because it is more comfortable to me.
Sharon, there are some very nice exercise outfits out there. Jersey is a wonderful material that looks great on all shapes and sizes, Mom and I both have tunic and capri pants jersey outfits that are very slimming and attractive but modest too. We both get second looks! (Mom is 77) Not that I’m out to get second looks at the gym, but Curt might call it eye candy!
I am with Kari also. Just because it might not be something I’d wear, why should I care what others wear? I wear what I feel comfortable in — shorts and a t-shirt that I don’t mind getting messed up. Do some people annoy me with there habits at the gym, sure. But, that’s my problem, not theirs. I just do my thing and leave. It is not a social club to me.
I hate seeing women wearing anything showing the biiig body curves,I mean very tight cloth and exposed body parts….very bad shape