Words: Josh Lee
When needing to get in the mood for something – be it a wedding, a quick beeline out of town, or the everyday work routine – we tend to assess our wardrobe and analyse the items we’ll be wearing for the situation or occasion, as such an act will get us excited about either donning some old favourites or having to buy a few select pieces to plug any gaps.
This notion can be applied to the workout, and though there’s a certain appeal in using some shiny Technogym equipment, we just have a soft spot for acquiring new gym wears and seeing the potential in each piece – the breathable vest that will allow you to do just one more rep; the marathon-made trainers that’ll make that final 100 metres on the treadmill a bit more pleasant; the shorts that the sales manager said would turn you into Eliud Kipchoge.
Bearing this in mind, and to keep you firmly on the bike, the rowing machine or the dumbbells, we’ve rounded up an essential selection of workout gear for you to put in the basket now.
The contemporary foundations
In recent years, On has become the brand of choice for the city runner, a label that mixes several crucial pillars – breathability; timeless, neutral colourways; minimally embellished designs – in order to appeal to as wide of an audience as possible. The Performance-T moulds beautifully to the upper body – neither too tight that it prevents blood circulation, nor too baggy so that it flaps around – and is both extremely featherweight and quick-drying. Below that, the matching shorts are also snug, and the inner brief provides support rather than suffocation. Given the current winter bite, shrug on this windproof jacket when going to and from the gym.
The retro-looking options
Founded as an antidote to the glaring neon and fluoro schemes common in the market, Tracksmith is venerated for giving performance a throwback-style aesthetic. Here, we have a retro-esque singlet, designed in an ivory colourway and produced in a lightweight ‘performance mesh’. What we like is that it’s a little loose, allowing for more airflow around the neck and chest (the swaying in the wind also imparts a sort of Sebastian Coe feel). For something you can pull on when not on the clock is the Grayboy Tee, which, like a decent pair of denim, gets better with more wears. With regards to going the distance, we’re big backers of the Eliot Runner, a neutral trainer whose footbed is triple the thickness of its counterparts.
The final bits
We’ve been fans of Vuori for a few years now, as it upholds that tough-to-achieve skill of balancing performance and functionality with a lifestyle aesthetic – and the brand’s accessories and add-ons are of particular note. For those grey winter days, inject a bit of brightness with the Clarity Dad Hat, a piece that’s defined by its mustard hue. As part of your post-workout gear, consider the pared-down stylings of the Fleet Sport Jogger. Meanwhile, we also recommend that you pick up a fair few pairs of the label’s anti-odour socks and have them on constant rotation.
Want more fitness content? This is the modern-day guide to gym etiquette…
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