What is a meathead gym owner doing talking about what you wear to the gym? Maybe I have been dating Jen Sinkler for too long and all the spandex fumes have affected my brain.
Stereotypes be damned, I am going to write about it, because this is important.
Your state is the most important, and most under-appreciated factor in training. If you walk into the gym well rested with 8 hours of sleep (physical), having eaten a solid meal some time beforehand (chemical), and a positive state of mind (mental) then I’d be prepared to wager money you’re going to have a good lift.
If you’re missing a leg (or more) of this three-legged stool, you stand a good chance of having a crap session. I wouldn’t bet on you.
One of the factors that will affect your mental state is clothing. I don’t think many women will need to be convinced that when you look good, you feel good. Guys, I’ll let Bobby Wade do the talking: “You play how you look and how you feel, so when we’re looking good, … guys are bouncing around a little bit more, ready to play.” Indeed, as new jerseys seem to have helped the 2006 Titans to a six-game winning streak and a shot at the NFL playoffs.
My favorite gym shorts brand, HYLETE (use code ‘Movement’ for 25% off your first order), has a constant stream of social media posts like this one:
First run with my @trainhylete hoody. iPhone stayed put in the pocket, perfect fit, cool feature. 2 PR’s too! twitter.com/rook403/status…
— Rook (@rook403) January 6, 2013
Jen Sinkler has experienced the same phenomenon with her Lift Weights Faster t-shirts. In fact, she started a Facebook album with all the pictures people have sent in and their stories of feeling great or setting PRs in the shirt. A few guys have even mentioned that they’ve proved to be, ahem, productive conversation starters with women.
It’s not just coincidence at play. When you feel good, you perform better. When you look good, you feel good. Why wouldn’t you perform at your best when you walk into the gym in fresh clothes and a little swagger?
Every time you set foot in the gym it’s an opportunity to perform. If you’re just showing up to check the box quit and join a different gym. Or start a new program. Or do a completely different activity. Life is too short to just go through the motions of anything. Either change direction and do something different or attack every session like the the opportunity it is to do better and better.
How you look when you train is something you have absolute control over, why not take every advantage you can get? You don’t need to go out and buy the latest, most expensive Lulu gear but pick up some threads that fit and make you feel like you’re about to do something awesome. Throw away your gym shirts and get a couple performance tees that are cut a little more flatteringly. Stay within your comfort zone, by all means, but are you currently looking as good as you could when you show up to the gym?
speaking as token gay guy of the online facebook fitness community, i would like to say this is p much common sense that i see a lot of guys not following. not only will u look fun, funky, fresh if you drop that garbage u wearin but you might just get lucky before u head home that day
ty n much luf
LOL – I always claimed bobby wade was the best slant receiver in vikes history. I love that you quoted him here.
Nice article, I had never really considered gym clothing as part of mental state –> performance, but I certainly agree.
Mike
I’ve worn my “lift Weights Faster” shirt to the gym on multiple occasions and have not yet been approached by a beautiful fit women–please help.
It doesn’t matter what you wear to the gym it matters how the clothes you wear to the gym fit. All you need is a t-shirt that fits and either shorts or sweatpants that fit and your fine. No point of spending lots of money for gym clothes you only wear 1 hour out of the day. Plus you don’t go to the gym to impress people you go to workout. Then after your workout you should wash those clothes because they smell. Therefore you have to wait until your next laundry day in order to wear them again. Spend money on clothes you wear everyday outside the gym where the majority of people see you.
Kurt,
I happen to disagree, but I respect your point of view. I don’t think you have to spend a lot to get great gym gear. My favorite brand Hylete is always running deals and specials. It’s not about impressing people at all, it’s about feeling GOOD in what you’re doing. Incidentally, I’ve since learned there is actually a term for this, it’s called enclothed cognition.