When you’re looking to hit the gym, what you wear can play a big role in your mindset and performance. Orangetheory Spring Hill Studio Manager Katrina Huckerby, who as a dancer, comes from a world of both fashion and peak athleticism knows this well. The lifelong dancer moved to Nashville a decade ago to join the Nashville ballet, but after an injury halted her career in dance, she fell in love with the intensity of Orangetheory workouts. She began attending classes at the Franklin studio before working there and
eventually going on to become the studio manager of Orangetheory Spring Hill.
With a background in dance— and even having a dance clothing company at one point—Huckerby loves all things style and fashion when it comes to gym gear; however, she also knows that comfort and functionality are of utmost importance when selecting
good workout attire.
“As far as trendy goes, everyone loves the monochromatic look, where you wear one color,” she explains about what’s in right now. “I see the younger generations wearing the leggings sports bras or t-shirts and shorts with the ankle socks and sneakers. That seems to be a younger thing. But as we get older, you want to feel more comfortable in what you're wearing, so the whole t-shirts and shorts situation is more typical gym wear,” she says. “My best recommendation is just to wear what you are comfortable with. A lot of people come in thinking, ‘I have to wear the leggings. I've got to wear the cute little tank tops.’ But if you're more comfortable wearing your gym shorts that are a looser fit and a t-shirt, go for it!”
She does recommend that if you’re focusing on form when lifting weights and want to be sure that you are moving with precision, form fitting clothing can be beneficial. “I personally prefer the more tighter-fitting clothing just because I can see my form and
that's what I'm working on,” she says.
Fabric is also a big component of a comfortable gym outfit. Orangetheory carries their own line of Orangetheory branded apparel including co-branded clothing items by Nike, Lululemon, Beyond Yoga, and Vuori. These items are available both on their website and in-studio in a variety of colors. “Anything at ShopOrangetheory.com or in-studio is going to be a quality gym-wear item,” she says. “Our clothing products range from cotton tees to spandex blends, which offer varying sweat-wicking properties and
different levels of comfort. Ideally, you wear what fits you and what you feel comfortable in!”
Huckerby also suggests hang drying gym clothing to help maintain the shape and extend the life of your gym wear.
In addition to the clothes you wear in the gym, Huckerby stresses that your footwear is just as important. She suggests going to a footwear store to get custom-fitted for whatever type of exercise you’re focusing on, whether that be running, weightlifting, etc.
“We want you to wear shoes that are comfortable and supportive,” she says. "If you're a runner or want to become a runner, or if you are a power-walker, you want to wear a running shoe that has enough foam cushion and provides support for your feet and ankles. And you want to wear cute shoes, right!? If you love your shoes and they feel good, you're on the right track! If your focus is strength training, you're likely taking our Strength50 classes, so you'll want a shoe that has less foam cushion, shoes that give you more stability and support so you can focus on improving your form while lifting."
When it comes to gym courtesy, Huckerby encourages gym-goers to prioritize good hygiene and wear clean clothes not only for their own performance but out of respect for those in the class as well. She also advises to not wear anything that is overly distracting to other gym-goers. "If it’s uncomfortable for you to wear and causes you to constantly be pulling at your clothing, it can be distracting to those around you, and we want every person in the studio to feel comfortable in their skin while getting out of their comfort zone in the workout." Orangetheory.com
“My best recommendation is just to wear what you are comfortable with."
"Anything cotton-based is going to be a more natural feel."