What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. It’s the beginning of a new year, and likely some of you have set some health goals that includes a regular exercise routine. Hopefully you’ve stuck to it through January and are still going strong. Or maybe you’re off to a slow start due to bad weather, a bad cold, or just the general malaise that winter can bring about, but you’re ready to get back at it. Working out can not only help you fit into your suits better, it can make you feel better in general, which begets the confidence every well dressed guy wants to feel.
The Shirt: Under Armour “Fitted” Sleeveless – $17.99 ($29.99). The cut to shreds, old-t-shirt, spaghetti strap abominations that the true meat-heads roam around in will always be gross looking. But a fitted sleeveless? Totally fine. Your pits breathe better, and the freedom of movement is nice. Meanwhile, UA’s “Fitted” is not quite compression, but not baggy either. Perfect for working out in. UA isn’t cheap, but is often on sale (check Amazon too) and they seem to hold up in heavy-duty wash cycles better than super cheap workout gear.
The Watch: Timex T5E901 “Ironman” Watch – $34.50 You’re working out, not heading to New York Fashion Week. Function over looks here fellas. Dead simple and all but indestructible.
The Jacket: Your Favorite Team’s Warm-up/Track Jacket (price varies). For getting to and from the gym, and/or an extra layer when you need it. Look, it’s the little things that can mean the difference between getting going… and giving up. For those early mornings or the late afternoon, after-work doldrums, having a jacket with your favorite team’s colors and logo can be just enough of a distraction. It sounds completely idiotic, but it can work. Looking forward to their next game? Wondering who they’ll sign as a free agent in the off-season? Excited about the progress they’re making? Oh wait, look, you’re now 20 minutes into your workout. Ta-da.
The Listening Device: iPod Shuffle 4th Generation – $48.95. Apple’s 4th generation iPod shuffle is probably the greatest workout music provider ever. It. Is. Tiny. No massive iPhone strapped to your arm. It has a built in clip (with good tension mind you) that sticks to the waist band of your shorts with ease. The only drawback is Apple’s ear buds. They can be awful for sweaty workouts. Get a pair of buds with silicone covers. They’re much more comfortable.
The Shorts: Lands’ End Active Shorts – $14.99-$39.50. A good pair of active shorts should be fairly easy to find, but these shorts from LE come highly reviewed. They’re moisture wicking and anti-microbial, with a couple deep pockets and an elastic waistband with drawstring. 6 colors in the line-up, with 4 currently marked down to $14.99.
The Bag: Wodison Lightweight Gym Bag – $38.99. With a separate compartment for shoes and a waterproof lining, it might not look amazing, but it’s ideal for the gym. It also folds down into a 10″ x 11″ square, should you ever need to take it packed in a suitcase on a trip. Sold through Amazon.
The Sunglasses: C9 Champion Sport Sunglasses – $19.99. Sport sunglasses aren’t the most stylish eye-wear out there. But in an outdoor workout situation they’re going to be much more comfortable than your slippery wayfarers. Sport sunglasses have rubber padding on the nose bridge and arms to help keep them in place when the sweat starts to pour.
The Water Bottle: Nalgene Tritan 32 oz. Narrow Mouth – $9.99. Have you ever been in the middle of a hard workout, went to take a swig from a wide mouth bottle, and due to your upper body being exhausted half your water cascades down your chin and shirt? That’s not an issue if you’re working out outdoors on a hot day, but in the gym, a narrow mouth bottle will assist you in not looking like you need a bib.
The Socks: Darn Tough Vermont 1/4 Merino Wool Ultra-Light Athletic Socks – $15.95. Cheap cotton socks work fine of course, but if you’ve got a big event (say a run or other competition) coming up, consider adding wool to your rotation. They wear better, help prevent blisters by wicking moisture, and can take a pounding.
The Cross Training Sneakers: Reebok Workout TR – $79.99. Warning: These are NOT Standard running/gym shoes. Cross trainers can be a great option for guys that do cross-fit, kettlebell, or lifting regimens that require stable footing. They typically have a low drop to the sole, creating closer to a barefoot experience, which again is great for stability, but some people find them dreadfully uncomfortable (they are really uncomfortable for running.) If you do run as well as lift, try rotating shoes. Say, when your runners start to wear out, work them into the lifting rotation, and get a new pair for the streets. The powers that be here at Dappered prefer Brooks or Asics for running, but if you have a favorite brand, stick to it.
The Laundry Tip: Use some Vinegar. A little white vinegar can go a long way, either as a pre-wash soak or in the water of the machine itself. Synthetic workout gear, while functionally awesome, can really hold onto stink. Vinegar can help rid your stuff of that funk.