Choosing what to wear to yoga class can feel daunting at first. If you’ve never been to a class before, entering a room full of people that look like experts can be scary.
The added stress about how they’re all dressed and whether you bought the right clothes doesn’t help!
Sure, there might be people in the class who have been doing yoga for years and can do handstands on their yoga mat all day long. But that doesn’t mean you have to worry about jumping in as a newbie.
In this post, we’ll look at how you can suit up for your first class. – here’s what to wear to yoga class.
What to Wear to Yoga Class
For your first yoga class, you’ll probably be worrying about what to wear. It may feel overwhelming, considering all the options in front of you, both online and in stores.
There are so many different clothing brands out there that sell high-end yoga gear. The gigantic number of options, and the fact that so many people already seem to have it all figured out, can make that first step really stressful.
You might be thinking that a lack of the right gear means you shouldn’t show up to class.
That’s not the case. There are no rules when it comes to attending a yoga class. The whole purpose of yoga wear is for your own comfort and mobility. That being said, be sure to wear clothes that you can move in.
That can mean shorts, sweatpants, t-shirts, tank tops, whatever you like. And yes, yoga pants (yoga leggings) are an option but not a requirement. Whatever the combination may be, just make sure you’re comfortable and the material is breathable or sweat-wicking.
A headband to keep your hair out of your face, a water bottle, and potentially a yoga towel if it’s going to be a sweaty practice. A fast microfiber towel should do the trick. Functionality and comfortable clothes are key!
Yoga is always practiced barefoot. No need to think about yoga socks! I recommend wearing slip-on shoes to the yoga studio so you can get in and out of them easily.
You should also make sure that your yoga outfit will stay put. During the class, you will go from lying on your back to bending at the waist, and many other positions in between.
Hot Yoga Clothing?
There are many different styles of yoga classes. Some of the most popular are Hatha, Vinyasa, and Kundalini.
Your local yoga studio will also have descriptions of the style and intensity levels you can expect at their different classes.
One common type of yoga class is called ‘hot yoga’. Hot yoga just means that the yoga studio will be heated to a temperature of at least 80 degrees. Working up a sweat while running through the postures helps people relax more and bend deeper into the stretches. There is no difference in the positions or the sequencing of moves at a hot yoga class, just the temperature.
Here are some of the benefits your body will get from hot yoga:
- You’ll burn more calories
- You’ll detox stress better
- You’ll clear out the pores in your skin
What to wear to hot yoga class can be a little more complicated. Because it will be hot and sweaty, you will see people dressed expecting to sweat. Men will often be shirtless by the end of the class. Women will sometimes wear a loose t-shirt over a sports bra with the intention of removing the t-shirt after the first few minutes of class.
Wear what you feel comfortable in, but remember to factor in the sweat. All of your clothes should be fast-drying or wicking breathable material. Don’t wear anything cotton unless you want to get and stay soaked! Also, don’t forget to bring a towel. You’ll want to have that handy as the class progresses.
Yoga Pants for Women Are Everywhere – What Do Men Wear to Yoga?
All of the popular yoga brands like Lululemon mostly cater to women. The yoga pants craze has caused a huge surge in the options that are out there. These spandex tights are thick enough to be comfortable and modest, yet tight enough to be supportive for exercise.
They’re extremely popular because of their high level of comfort and stretch. Women often use them as loungewear or pajamas since they’re great for all-around use, not just for practicing yoga.
The yoga pants surge is generally not as common in menswear. Here are some examples of clothing men wear to yoga:
- Running or yoga shorts
- Spandex or compression shorts
- Any moisture-wicking, form fitting t-shirt, activewear tank top, long sleeved top, or crop top- personal preference
- You can skip the ‘high quality’ yoga socks- not necessary unless you really want to cover your feet
Avoid baggy or loose fitting workout clothes they can interfere with the yoga poses, imagine a t-shirt bunching up on your face while in inversions and downward dog!
Well-known brands like Prana have developed shorts that are specifically made for yoga and they make these for men too.
Add Yoga to Your Training
What do you wear to yoga class? The right answer is whatever you want, as long as you can move comfortably, with a wide range of motion. The most comfortable, range-promoting clothing are the ones made of stretchy material.
Since you’re moving around in different flexible positions, you’ll want to wear things fit a bit tighter to keep them from getting tangled up as you move around. The important thing is to sign up! Getting involved in a regular yoga class will do wonders for your training.
Following a training plan already takes up a lot of time, so if you’re worried about adding yoga to an already busy workout schedule, take a look at this guide to finding more time for training.
So what are you waiting for?! You probably already have everything you need to go to a yoga class, so it’s time to get out there and give it a try!
