Explain: Dressing Up at the Gym

Nov 20, 2007 @ 12:14pm

On the mornings we make it to the gym, we typically roll out of bed and jog straight there - we'd never make it otherwise, and anyway, we don't care what we look like on the treadmill.

But apparently, some girls do.

Their workout clothes always match, whether they're in head-to-toe American Apparel or matching Stella McCartney for Adidas gear. Their ponytails don't move because there's Aqua Net in their locker room, plus a Lauren Conrad headband from Chanel on their head. And the best part is, they actually wear make-up - freshly applied lip gloss and mascara that's waterproof and three layers thick.

We assume these are the same girls we see on the street who make us think, "Wow, they're SO put together." But what's the point of looking pretty at pilates?

Do the boys make them do it? Or will they work harder in hip hop class if they actually look like they could be in the video? Maybe they're just insecure - or smart enough to realize they could end up on YouTube at any time.

But please, someone, explain.

posted by Cynthia C

Nov 20, 2007 12:56PM

I think it's just a "if she does it, I'll do it too" kind of thing. Around here, practically every female wears SOMETHING Lululemon (http://www.lululemon.com)

posted by rachael

Nov 20, 2007 1:03PM

I'm not going to lie...I may swipe a little mascara before running out of the house to the gym. But thats only because I am so completely obsessed with it. The clothes I wear on the other hand are a complete nightmare. My outfit usually consists of old purple adidas soccer shorts and a t-shirt from some fraternity date party I attended in college. But its the gym, where else can you wear all those random, ratty t-shirts you have laying around??

posted by guest

Nov 20, 2007 1:08PM

Perhaps these girls are smarter than us by taking pride in how they look at all times of day. I mean, is it really much different than getting ready to walk down the street to grab a cup of coffee? It's true you never know who you are going to run into, and no one wants to be caught with messy hair in sweats with no make-up when you see your ex for the first time again.

posted by samantha

Nov 20, 2007 1:21PM

I don't understand it either. Though I'm not one to talk, I cannot leave the house without mascara and blush on.

posted by Kate

Nov 20, 2007 1:30PM

I do it to a certain extent--at least a little mascara and benetint, and Torn sweats. Pride in one's appearance is a nicer way of putting it; I usually say that I just can't be seen by anyone looking like the proverbial bag of @$$.

Over the summer, it got to the point where I would cover up and suffer if my mystic tan was wearing off, but I snapped out of that.

posted by bighugforfashion

Nov 20, 2007 1:36PM

Actually the waterproof mascara thing somehow escaped me, but now thinking about it, it is actually a good idea. The matching head to toe thing is personal preference. It is my belief that women who do this are trying to get the attention of all the sexy personal trainers at the gym. (All Crunch members should agree) All the PT's at my gym are sexy as hell. Maybe I should have a change in my gym warddrobe.

But it could be the fact that with all those mirrors in Cardio Strip tease, maybe looking sexy to yourself will actually make one dance better resulting in an awesome workout.

posted by superflippy

Nov 20, 2007 2:01PM

There are some people who just won't leave the house unless they're suitably spiffed up. I knew a girl in college who wore pearls and a hair bow to gym class - no lie.

But while you won't catch me wearing pajama pants to the grocery store, I generally don't care what I look like at the gym. I go to a small women-only gym where everyone else also wears mismatched sweats.

posted by FWD

Nov 20, 2007 2:15PM

I love the look of cute exercise clothes in fitness magazines, but I work out exclusively in sweat pants left over from high school, random running shorts I don't remember buying, and those huge white T-shirts you get in packs of 3 at duane reade. And my socks almost never match.

posted by amandabug

Nov 20, 2007 2:33PM

my college roommate had on all of her jewelry and makeup when she hit the school gym. i never questioned it, because i've seen her fully made up to walk to walgreens or fall asleep with her makeup on, but i assume she either didn't have the time to take everything off before she got into her gym clothes, or she didn't have time to do her makeup or accessorize between getting home from the gym and going out again.

posted by guest

Nov 20, 2007 2:48PM

screw that !i look like crap when i jog...i dont put any special effort into, though i may have the days old makeup on...to be honest, all the guys i know think its pretty funny/pathetic when they see gilrs trying to look all pretty for the gym...whats the point? isnt excersicing one of the few times we are allowed to look sweaty and dishevelled?

posted by guest

Nov 20, 2007 3:23PM

i can understand. working out makes me feel good but so does looking good. impressing guys doesn't even factor in.... i'm using the gym at an isolated women's college. not that i go out and blow my cash on cute gym clothes, but sometimes when im in a rut i get myself something cute from american apparel, to get me a little more motivated to go back.

posted by missryanm

Nov 20, 2007 4:21PM

I think it's fine as long as you actually workout (as opposed to just lounging and posing).

I love my Stella Gym clothes for this reason. Whenever I feel like slacking, I remind myself that I need to live up to my badass outfit.

posted by guest

Nov 20, 2007 4:29PM

I understand. I never leave the house without my contacts and a little makeup, even if I were being carted away to the hospital I would still try for these things. They make me feel pretty, and I have a certain way that I view myself that usually involves these things. I just don't feel comfortable when what is in the mirror doesn't match what's in my head, and I want others to view me the way I view myself.

posted by Ellen

Nov 20, 2007 4:45PM

I never match when I work out at the gym, mostly because all of my comfy sweats/t-shirts are a hundred years old and I love them. And other than washing my face, I don't wear any makeup either.

But I am a ballet dancer and when I go to work in the morning I do wear makeup, even though I'm going to work to sweat. I feel better about myself when I have makeup on at the studio, basically because I have to look at myself in the mirror in a leotard for 6 hours at a time.

posted by guest

Nov 20, 2007 4:50PM

The gym is one of the few places where I'm COMPLETELY surrounded by men. While I wouldn't say that I'm insecure or trying too hard, I am more confident when I know I look good. I think most women would agree.

posted by guest

Nov 20, 2007 5:12PM

In high school I took gym class with a girl who would reaccesorize for gym. Red shorts red headband etc. Totally bizarre.

posted by jaja

Nov 20, 2007 5:51PM

The treadmill at the fitness club is simply an extension of the catwalk that is the sidewalk that I strut everyday. Why lower my standard of presentation because of a little sweat? I say dress up, dammit, and work...out.

posted by guest

Nov 20, 2007 6:50PM

Honestly I can't believe the amount of Lululemon I see in the gym and there isn't even that much yoga at my gym! Seriously that stuff is some pricey...but also lovely and technically pretty bang on.

posted by Jacqueminette

Nov 20, 2007 8:54PM

When I can't work out outside (either due to weather or darkness), I head to the gym. I don't wear eye makeup, and rarely wear blush during the day; it's kind of a non-issue. Though if there is a blemish that I find particularly odious, I will slap some concealer on it first thing.

posted by guest

Nov 21, 2007 1:38AM

gosh. i just think its for the fun of it. if i went to the gym often i'd go decked out in 80's short shorts high pony and sweat band. It would motivate me.

posted by pratishtha

Nov 21, 2007 2:06AM

Ummm... I'd say that it's far more motivating being at a gym with good-looking people around you. Raises standards or something. I don't really out on any make-up, since I try and work up a clean sweat, but cute gym clothes are really my thing.

posted by dumbbrunette5

Nov 21, 2007 4:24AM

since i absolutely loath working out i do tend to match my gym outfits and stuff just cuz it cheers me up a bit from the pain of the stairmaster. but id never wear makeup at the gym, that would be too much.

posted by Lindsaysue12

Nov 21, 2007 7:59AM

I used to work at a gym. When girls would come in all dolled up, us staff would make fun. The best was the *spring breakers*. Girls who would come in only a month b/4 spring break, then we would never see them again. They would wear cropped, fitted PINK VS sweats, an ANF beater, full hair and makeup and tanned, orange skin.

When I go to the gym, I'm in gym shorts I've had since 10th grade, and ratted old T shirts. I don't care what I look like when I work out. Its MY time to zone out and not worry about the hotty mc.hotterton jogging next to me.

posted by guest

Nov 22, 2007 3:37AM

One of my old roommates was on a swim team with a girl who would put on a full face of makeup at 5:30 in the morning just to go jump in a pool.

posted by haleygrrrl

Nov 23, 2007 4:49PM

Usually when I'm heading out to the gym I'll also stop by the grocery store or the drycleaners.
so I admit I do throw on a little bit of concealer just incase I run into anyone I know.
As for matching clothes...I've done it. I don't make a habit out of it though.

posted by guest

Nov 24, 2007 6:47PM

When you feel sexy, working out is rewarding instead of a painful chore. I don't wrap myself in logos for the gym, but everything is certainly shorter, tighter, brighter, kinkier when I go to get my sweat on. It's key to keeping me at the gym year-round, and boosting my happiness and self-image.