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Skip the Workout Apparel

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Waiting for a complete wardrobe overhaul before starting your workouts? Don’t.

When I was 22, I learned firsthand how endorsement deals between shoe companies and major league ballplayers worked. Adidas reached out to me. In exchange for donning their spikes and batting gloves, they offered me cash and a selection of merchandise. The cash part is self-explanatory; the “merch” was much more interesting.

Every season, we’d receive a thick catalog with all the latest trends (snickering). My velour tracksuit game was on point. My closet had shoes of every color for every outfit. My pops had hoodies with three stripes for his morning walks.

Eventually, I arrived exactly where Adidas wanted me. I wasn’t willing to wear another brand. I had a soft, old, quality pair of Nike sweats that I stopped wearing because I didn’t have shoes to match. I’m ashamed (not really).

This wasn’t an accident. The apparel companies spend millions to make sure you’re thinking like I did. They want you to assume that training sessions require special outfits and coordinated shoes. Oh, and it doesn’t stop at the outer layer obsession. They have designed useless undergarments like compression shorts to take advantage of your buying habits. From deadspin.com:

Manufacturers of compression apparel want customers to feel that way. Adidas tells me its Techfit “focuses your muscles’ energy to generate maximum explosive power, acceleration and long-term endurance.” Under Armour says its leggings “deliver increased power and stamina.”

Enough people believed these claims to make sales of compression gear jump 170 percent from 2008 to 2010, giving it a 5 percent share of the sports apparel market, according to a recent consumer-research report. Customers are willing to pay a premium for the squeeze; according to the same report, retail margins for compression gear are 46 percent, compared to 43 percent for regular athletic clothing.

If only I had access to this “maximum explosive power” technology in that 1999 catalog, I’d have smashed Cal Ripken’s record. With my goods well supported, who knows how many bombs I would have hit.

Perhaps I have convinced you that most workout gear won’t make you a better athlete. However, everyone knows that top shelf running shoes are essential to keeping those athletic feet safe and thriving, right? Bzzzz. From smashrun.com:

Actually, there was a study done with 4,358 runners in the Bern Grand Prix (a 9.6mile road race) where they found that 40% of the participants experience injuries not because of training surface, running speed, weekly mileage or even competitive training…”runners in shoes that cost more than $95 were more than twice as likely to get hurt as runners in shoes that cost less than $40″

You’ve been following the blog for a long time, so you know I prefer to workout sans shoes these days. Additionally, I don’t have any fancy accessories or flashy workout clothes. I like my shirts tattered and torn and my sweats soft. I wear flip-flops to the gym and take walks barefooted.

If society is pressuring you to be a fashionista (like my misguided 22 year old self), remember the true spirit of training. It’s gritty, sweaty, dirty and anything but pretty. It doesn’t matter how much glue you spent on your gear. Nobody looks attractive deadlifting 400 pounds.

Save your shekels and spend them on a suit and tie or a little black number instead. Fancy gym clothes are a waste.

Grab your cutoff whatevers. I’ll meet you at the weight pile,

Kap

Comments

  1. Kristin says

    I hear you, but I do think it’s worth investing a bit to be sure you have the right clothes for the activity. For example, when I started running (outside, in New England) I spent a good chunk of cash on clothes to be sure I was never able to use the winter cold as an excuse not to run. And going to a yoga class in a regular t-shirt is a mistake no woman makes twice.

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  2. says

    I couldn’t agree more with the idea of the workout taking precedence over the apparel. I grab a pack of v-neck t-shirts and black gym shorts and I’m good to go. But as an active single gay man, I still gotta look decent. You never know who you’ll run into at the gym! HA

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  4. Richie Ernst says

    I workout alone in my basement, so I can care less what name is on my clothes or if they are color coordinated. As for running sneaks, I prefer Asics gel and try to wear bright clothes when out getting my Prefontaine on!

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  5. Matt says

    “With my goods well supported, who knows how many bombs I would have hit”. This is too funny! Great article, couldn’t agree more.

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  7. Ed H says

    I try not to ask too many questions but since you touched upon the topic… After putting off getting back into shape for far too long, I just started focusing on that aspect of my life (I think I’m winning the food battle). I don’t have a great deal of time so I’ve narrowed my workout to squats, pullups and dips every two to three days. After almost a month I feel great.

    To my question, squats sans shoes is acceptable? Also, I’m doing 3 sets of 12 (or to failure on set 2 and 3)… should I try to incorporate the 5×5 principles on this limited routine?

    Veeeerrrry much appreciated.

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    • ~Al~ says

      Wear flat soled shoes like Chuck Taylors if you don’t want to go barefoot, but avoid running shoes when squatting because of the way they are designed to absorb impact can mess up your form. 12 reps is too many at one time if you are into your working weight. 10 reps when you are warming up is okay tho.

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      • Ed H says

        Actually, I do want to go barefoot but thought it might be bad. I researched a bit and your comments are spot on, including the chucky reference.

        My thoughts: first, form is everything; second, you must fatigue your target area; third, have quality within the fatiguing (i.e 5 vs 8 vs 10 vs 12 reps, sets, etc.). Thanks for the quality response.

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  8. Ed H says

    Too funny…. It’s not the first time I’ve seen this, but your google ad is contradicting your message by offing a two piece workout gear for $25….

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  9. says

    Velour track suits were the shit back in the day. Everyone had to have them. I proudly admit to having a stunning purple velour track suit.
    True story : I dated a pitcher on my college baseball team who refused to wear anything but Adidas apparel. He insisted i had adidas gear as well (we wore matching clothes a lot) and bought me quite a bit since I couldn’t afford the brand. A relative got him an Reebok hoody for Christmas and he damn near had a heart attack. He re-gifted it because he was upset that she didn’t get Adidas like she was told.

    I wish I could say it’s only restricted to workout apparel but it’s the same with dance/practice apparel as well. I get catalogs advertising specialty leggings that will help build calf muscles and other crap that promises to make a woman a more complete dancer. $200 leggings will do nothing for my turns and lifts. That’s all practice and hard work. I flat out refuse to endorse any of that nonsense.

    My two cents love. Now I gotta find my purple suit and reminisce
    -kelebek

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  11. ~Al~ says

    So my Puma track suit and Kangol that I wear out to the club are the reasons why nobody will talk to me?

    A.D.I.D.A.S. is a great Korn song, btw.

    ~Al~

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  12. says

    I’m with you Kap. If it helps motivate someone to get their exercise because they like to wear their shiny new duds, more power to them. I’m just an old gym rat though, and if I’m not sweating, I’m not trying hard enough. If I’m concerned about how I look, it will be after my shower, not before. I used to run a sporting goods store, so I’m well aware that the proper equipment has little to do with the logo.

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  13. Christian says

    I have to call you out on something you said in this article that is totally wrong. “Nobody looks attractive deadlifting 400 pounds.” I would argue that EVERYBODY looks attractive deadlifting 400 pounds, everybody.

    Reply

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