Embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions can happen at any time or anywhere, whether it’s at work, the beach, or the gym. The worst part is, you might not even realize it. Having a malfunction anywhere can be extremely uncomfortable, especially at the gym where you’re so determined to get a productive day of workouts in.
While sometimes malfunctions are inevitable, more likely than not they can be predicted and avoided, allowing you for a successful day at the gym. For many people, the endorphin rush associated with working out begins before they even get to the gym. It involves picking out the exercise attire. While picking out the perfect active gear to wear to the gym, it is important to keep a few things in mind to prevent any awkward malfunctions.
First, make sure you have the correct sports bra on for the type of workout you will be doing. For instance, you don’t want to be wearing a bra you’d usually wear to yoga if you’re doing high-intensity workouts that day, because it wouldn’t provide enough support. Wearing an incorrect bra could result in an embarrassing slip at the gym. When discussing the correct bra, celebrity trainer Kira Stokes suggests that you “Look past if they’re super cute, that doesn’t mean they’re super supportive. Bras can be fashionable and functional. Learn to read the label like you would read a nutrition label.”
Another step to prepare for the gym is to check your leggings before even buying them from the store. Do a check in the fitting room: bend over or pretend to do a workout you’d do at the gym to determine if the material of the leggings will prevent anything underneath them from being revealed. Kira warns that even if the leggings passed the “opaque” test the first time, they will eventually begin to wear out and can become more transparent over time, so it is important to check the leggings every so often to prevent any mishaps.
While these are only two ways to check the quality and reliability of your fitness attire, there are many more steps to prevent any wardrobe malfunctions, such as shopping for shorts with built-in linings to prevent any accidental flashes when you bend over or finding the perfect shirt to hide any profuse amounts of sweating.
The key to avoiding any bad wardrobe moment is using the dressing room as your own personal gym. “Jump around, get crazy in there,” Kira said. “Run around the store, give yourself a minute to feel how you feel in the clothing so you don’t waste money and get really frustrated with the brand that you’re buying.” Buying clothes that you know will support you and that you’ll feel confident it will ultimately result in a better workout.