If you’re getting ready for your first Pilates class, you may be unsure what to wear. Don’t worry! Here’s a quick guide on what to wear to Pilates class to help you feel comfortable and look great.
Some Basic Points
This is a fitness activity, of course, so you know right off the bat that activewear will be the focus of your outfit. But what kinds of pieces are best for Pilates? To help you decide what to wear, keep the following points in mind:
- Likely to be inside. Nearly all Pilates classes are held inside—meaning you don’t need to worry about keeping yourself warm or dry out in the elements. The studio should be climate controlled, meaning you can wear whatever is most comfortable without worrying about the weather.
- Group setting. You will probably be taking this class with others. Class sizes usually range from 10 to 15 people, or more. With that in mind, you’ll want to choose clothes that you will be comfortable wearing around others. You don’t want to be feeling self-conscious about your outfit while you should be focusing on the class and getting the most out of the exercises.
- Ease your way in. If you are just getting started and trying Pilates for the first time, don’t feel like you need to rush out and spend a lot of money on apparel before you even know if you like the class. You probably already have something around the house that will work just fine for your first class, and you can always spend money later on better gear if you pick this up as an ongoing hobby.
Don’t overcomplicate things when trying to decide what to wear to Pilates. This is supposed to be an enjoyable activity. Stressing about your clothing is not going to contribute to a positive experience. Keep the tips above in mind, and you’ll be on the right track.
The Right Pieces
If you look around at others in your Pilates class, you will likely notice that most, if not all, of the people are wearing form-fitting clothing. Yoga leggings, tank tops, running shirts, and other activewear pieces are very popular.
This is for a good reason. As you move your body in and out of various positions during class, you don’t want loose clothing to get in the way. With form-fitting pieces that hug your skin, you can do your best to follow the directions of the instructor without getting tangled up in loose pant legs or baggy shirt sleeves.
And while some people feel a little self-conscious in form-fitting clothing, remember that loose clothing can often reveal more than you’d like, or get in the way of the equipment that’s sometimes used in Pilates classes.
In addition to your own personal comfort, form-fitting clothing can help your instructor to better identify your movements and offer suggestions for improvement. If they can see how you are engaging your muscles and limbs, they can help you to optimize your form for the better results.
The Right Materials
As you look for the best pieces to wear to Pilates, be sure to check the materials that they are made with. While form-fitting clothing is ideal, it should not be made with restrictive materials. You need a full range of motion in class, so look for items made with flexible synthetics like nylon and lycra. Synthetic materials can also help manage sweat and moisture to ensure you stay comfortable throughout the class.
Women: Consider A Sports Bra
While Pilates might not involve the same kind of impact as an activity like running, women will likely be more comfortable in a sports bra than a standard “everyday” bra. Sports bras are designed for movement, so they tend to be much more comfortable during Pilates or any other kind of exercise class.
Since, like other activewear, most sports bras are made from synthetic materials, you should be able to wash them right along with the rest of your workout gear when class is finished.
Keep Your Pilates Outfits Fresh
Don’t let something small like not knowing what to wear hold you back from signing up for a Pilates class. Of course, once you’ve picked out the perfect outfits, you’ll want to keep them fresh and ready for the next class.
The trouble is that synthetic materials in activewear need to be handled differently than cotton. If you use a regular detergent for your activewear, you may find that the body odor lingers—even after washing. This happens because most detergents are made to treat cotton and don’t target the buildup of oils and bacteria in synthetics.
But don’t worry. You don’t have to do anything crazy to keep your activewear fresh. Simply use a dedicated sports detergent, like WIN Activewear Detergent, to remove the odor and help preserve the quality of your favorite Pilates pieces. WIN is specifically formulated to handle the synthetic fibers in your activewear. Order a bottle today, and good luck with your Pilates adventures!