Beginner's Series: What to Wear and Bring to the Gym

I can't really think of a subheading for this one. Here's what to wear and bring to the gym, if you're new and uncertain.

SHOES

For an absolute beginner, a clean pair of sneakers will suffice. 

However, it is important to note that running shoes are not good for working out with heavy weights. You want something with a flatter sole that provides more stability.

Weightlifting trainers are worth the money, but if you can’t afford or find them, a good quality pair of skateboarding shoes will be fine to get started. 

Many an internet fitness guru will go off about the benefits of training barefoot. Some of them are correct. However, the reality is that most gyms don't allow it, and the ones that do will usually only allow it in specific areas. 

Gym Clothes

Loose fitting shorts and a t-shirt are all you need; only get fancier than that if you want to.

Bear in mind that while many gyms (at least the good ones) tend to be cold, you will warm up as you’re working out. A light zip-up hoodie is the best gym sweater for MOST people. 

Most gyms require shirts. Some gyms will have rules about how short your shorts can be or how much of your back can be exposed. This is often less of a conservatism thing and more of a "sweat stains on the equipment are gross" thing. 

Accessories and Supplies

Any fitness related watch: Can be great, but is not strictly necessary. You do want something that can count seconds, but a regular watch can do that. 

Lifting belts: Unless you’re at a high performance gym, 90% of the people using them don’t need them. Beginners never need them, unless their doctor or physio has said otherwise.

Lifting gloves and wrist straps: See above. Develop your grip strength by actually holding on to the weight. If you can’t grip it, it’s too heavy. (If you have a disability that makes you an exception, you already know.)

Grip chalk (if allowed): Is less oversold, but also not necessary for beginners. 

Sweat bands: If you find it more comfortable to wear one than not, wear one.

Compression socks and the like: Only if your doctor recommends.

Water bottle: There are a million water bottle related gimmicks, and most of them are just that. Use whatever one you like the best. 

Extra hairbands, if you have long hair: Gym employees are always being asked for these, and we usually don’t have any.  

Tissues: Exertion can make your nose drip. Usually there is a box at the desk, but not always.

Band aids: Often, an employee has to fill out a form just to give you a band aid. They don’t like this any more than you do. (But if you got blood on anything, please say something.)

*On that note, if an employee gives you a band aid by placing one/a box of them near you, they are saving your time by exploiting a loophole that allows them to not have to fill out an incident report after giving you a band aid- because they technically didn’t give it to you.

Glasses: Some people assume for some reason that they can’t or shouldn’t wear their glasses. Unless you’re doing extremely intense aerobic training, glasses aren’t going to be any problem.

A good combination lock: If that’s how the lockers work.

A good phone case: It’s easy to drop your phone in there.

Deodorant stick: If you’re not using the gym showers or changing there, a deodorant stick is good to have, in case you end up not going directly home/are taking public transport.

*If you don't want to change there, but have a way to discreetly change just your shirt, a change of shirt will make you feel much better.