Spandex is a privilege and not a right...
Article by Abigail Gunn
Matt Roberts Mayfair
November 2011
Spandex is a privilege and not a right... And let’s not even discuss sweatbands and other questionable sports attire just yet. Appearance should, I believe, always be considered in public in order to retain ones reputation and self-respect. However, cast your eye over any busy gym floor. You will be forced to see hot, perspiring bodies in a vast array of unsuitable, unflattering and unimaginable garments, garments that the wearer would otherwise not be seen dead in. Take, for example, the balding man who covers his shoulders on the beach whilst holidaying to hide his embarrassment of the hairs that appear to have slipped from his head and manifested themselves on his back. This man will probably be the guy in a white sleeveless vest, displaying his furry back and armpits quite happily on the lat pull-down machine. Or think of the aging beauty who spends thousands on a wardrobe of well-tailored trousers to hide the cellulite and saddle bags and hundreds more on coordinating caftans and swimwear to avoid flashing a glimpse of mummy tummy. There she will be performing sit ups in a cropped, too tight sports top and shorts, showing more than she ever did in her heyday on the beaches of St Tropez. Ow.
Being properly attired for the gym is, it appears, not as easy as one thinks and there are many things to be considered. The first being fashion versus function. The wonders of modern technology have brought sportswear a long way and now not only can everybody find a flattering and fashionable ensemble out there, but that ensemble will be working hard for you under the surface too. Sweat wicking fabrics are used by all the major sports brands now. These work by drawing any moisture away from your body to the outside, thus keeping you dryer and allowing that heavy, wet, post workout t-shirt to be a thing of the past. The other plus is that these fabrics are lightweight, breathable and usually allergy tested; so they are great for sensitive skins. Also, on the note of fashion v function, please consider what activity it is that these garments will be used for. I have witnessed many a man’s squat or lunge hindered by the non-flexible fabric of the cargo short (often accessorised with large buckled leather belt) or a seemingly modest stretch performed in a pair of inappropriate lycra leggings that would make even the most liberated of gym goers blush. Not good. Women, always try on bottoms before buying and bend over in the changing room mirrors to test out ‘see through-ness’ (behind a closed curtain of course!) to avoid such a faux pas.
Be age/body appropriate. Nothing is more attractive and inspiring in the gym than the sight of a lithe, toned and tight body encased in minimal, formfitting attire (read: spray-on lycra). Truly, no one can say they have not at some point been mesmerised by the muscles on display and what those muscles can do. But beware. It takes time, dedication and discipline in the gym to carry off this look well. For most of us, it remains most flattering to stick with a well-designed, form-skimming look. Gentlemen, cycling shorts are for cycling. Forcing other gym goers to view your hips and bottom – and the other things - clad only in the most waspish of fabrics is unfair. Linford Christie managed to pull off this look expertly. But that is a tough comparison; so avoid it. A good choice is a loose-ish pair of shorts with some give in them to allow for unrestricted movement. If you must choose short shorts, remember to pop on some tight, sports undershorts too. Imagine the horrors that may greet other gym goers were you on the rower or recumbent bike if this advice was neglected! Ladies, never underestimate the wonders of a well-fitting sports bra. Not only will the extra support allow the activity you are undertaking to feel more uplifting, it will also eradicate the possibility of a black eye or other exercisers losing concentration.
Appropriate footwear is one of the most important choices you will make, in terms of safety as well as style. If your chosen activity is running, I recommend a trip to a running specific shop and taking the advice of the experienced and well trained staff on hand to help you in what is a teeming mass of technology and choices. Tennis or squash specific shoes are also recommended if you play regularly as these have specially designed pivot points and a sole to help with a speedy change of direction. If you will be taking studio classes, general resistance training or making an appointment with a personal trainer (highly recommended), then a cross trainer is probably your best bet. These are designed to give you enough support, balance and grip for most general gym activities and come in many different styles. Ah, style! Do not underestimate the power of shoe selection. It will be as important now as it was during schooldays. Remember begging your mother for the trainers she would never buy for you. There are two options when it comes to choosing the style of your trainers: decide either to acquire a pair of shoes that have very few colours and will match any kit you decide to throw together – in which case black or white make a good base and keep them fuss free to avoid clashing; or you can make the decision that your trainers are your outlet for style when working out. Keep your gym kit sleek and and let your wacky/Day-Glo/high-tops do the talking.
On to accessories and accessorising ones gym style. The world of sports retail marketing relies on our delicate egos and our need for ‘things’ to keep the cash coming in. But in reality, do we really need any of these ‘must have’ accessories? Sweat bands, designed to keep sweat from blurring our vision: I believe eyebrows were nature’s solution - and far less embarrassing to be seen wearing - and for any excess that they cannot cope with, there are towels. Use them. Gym gloves are heavily overrated. They only make it tougher to grip. What is wrong with a few, well-earned callouses to show your friends you have been working out hard to keep in shape? Bum toning shoes: surely if they worked you wouldn’t be in the gym in the first place? Finally, if you need to wear a watch on the gym floor, make sure it is not your best. It only takes one scratch from a bar or dumbbell to instantly swipe thousands from its shiny, smug face. The same goes for jewellery. Rings can get ruined and earrings can be ripped out or lost amongst the foam rollers forever.
Phew! And you thought the workout itself was the tough part! I hope that these few tips will allow your journey into the world of fitness attire to be as bump-free as your behind in your well-chosen, supportive but flexible, fashionable yet functional new gym kit. And remember, if you’ve got the body, you’ve earned the right to show it off. Until then, train hard and avoid spandex!
