What To Look For When Choosing Spin Clothes

Spinning
/ By SpinMeRight

At the gym, the one class you can always count on to be jam packed with people is spin class. But, it’s much more than just a class at the gym. There are some studios that have taken it much further and created specialized boutique studios that do nothing but spin class, and let’s not forget that you can do it at home whenever you want with your own spin bike.

It doesn’t matter where you are spinning, you’re going to need to have the right spin clothes so you’re comfortable, dry, and you have fun cycling.

What To Wear

You may think that when you attend a spin class, you can wear your normal gym clothes. While yes, you can, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Why? Because gym clothes aren’t going to be comfortable enough to wear while you’re engaging in the intense spin workout. Spin clothing is made from certain materials that are intended to maximize your comfort while you’re riding a bike.

Shirts

When you go to a spin class, you’ll find that the majority of the folks are wearing a short sleeved shirt, or even a sleeveless top. As you can imagine, they choose these tops because they are lightweight and they can keep you cooler than a long sleeved shirt.

When you are trying to decide which shirt to choose, look for descriptions that say “moisture-wicking” or “breathable.” We strongly recommend against choosing cotton because it soaks up any moisture and it clings to the body, making your workout quite uncomfortable.

Bottoms

People have their own preferences on what kind of bottoms they wear. Some will wear pants, but most will choose shorts. Now, you don’t want to wear any old shorts—it is recommended that you choose cycling shorts because they have a padded bottom which will help you get used to the bike seat.

You can find shorts that have less padding in the rear so that you can go do other exercises without having to change your shorts, however shorts with lots of padding tend to be preferred because they give you the most comfort while cycling.

Also, there is an internal liner that you can use that will wick away any moisture from your body. It isn’t recommended that you wear undergarments with bike shorts so you don’t have to worry about uncomfortable rubbing or chafing. When you’re looking for Men’s cycling shorts, look for a pair that has numerous panels to get a better, more comfortable fit. Always remember—more panels means better fit.

Shoes

The shoes you’ll want to wear are not going to be your normal running or gym shoe because they aren’t going to do well if your spin class uses bikes with a clip and not a cage.

Special spin shoes are designed to keep your foot and the lower leg in a specific position which will ensure your comfort while spinning. It’s always a good idea to find out before the class what kind of shoe is recommended. It’s always better to be safe than sorry later on.

Best Materials For Spin Apparel

When you start browsing for spin clothes, you’re going to want to pay close attention to the material that is used. We recommend that you stay away from cotton because it’ll soak up all the sweat and will make you feel very uncomfortable after a hard workout. We do, however, recommend these fabrics instead:

Bamboo – The bamboo pulp creates a natural fabric that’s breathable, light, and wicks away moisture. With bamboo clothing, you can go from one activity to another, run errands, and still feel fresh and dry.
Nylon – Like bamboo, it’s lightweight and it’ll wick away moisture. Also, it dries pretty quickly, so by the time you’re done your workout, you won’t want to ring out your clothes from all the sweat.
Polyester – Much like the previous ones, this fabric is lightweight, wicks away moisture, and it’s non-absorbent. That means that the sweat will evaporate from your body instead of seeping into the material.
Polypropylene – This material is much like polyester, but with one extra feature—it’s completely water resistant. This is great for those who go to spin class, but also likes to participate in bike races where getting caught in the rain is always a chance.
Spandex (Lyrca) – This material is probably one of the most common materials you’ll find in men and women’s bicycling apparel. Spandex gives your clothing the stretch it needs to give you unrestricted range of motion, and a comfortable fit every time you put them on. The material is also breathable, dries quickly, and wicks away moisture.

Spin Clothes Wrap Up

When you’re looking for a spin outfit, or even a cycling outfit for a race, you’re going to want to choose clothing that is specially designed for that activity. The clothing should be light weight, breathable, and it should wick the moisture away from your body while you sweat so you don’t feel like a giant dishrag.

For that very reason, it is strongly advised that you avoid cotton workout clothes for spin class. Why? Because when you spin, you’re going to sweat a lot. Instead of cotton, we would recommend any of the five materials we mentioned.

Ultimately, what you decide to wear to your spin class is entirely up to you. If you prefer being covered up instead of wearing shorts and a short-sleeve or sleeveless top, there are pants and long sleeved workout and spin clothes in these materials we’ve mentioned. It’s all about personal preference and what makes you feel the most comfortable while you get your workout groove on.

Increase Your Endurance And Cardiovascular Health!