I am not a sporty person by any means, but committing to a consistent workout routine has forced me into a space that had been unfamiliar to me for so long. Scarred by Texas athletic culture, once I came to Boston, I kept up with the mythical “3-10-30” treadmill routine or the occasional run. Then, wanting more, I began to seek out exercises on TikTok and YouTube, and in the past three months, I have seen significant results in my strength. This shift in my life has led me to think about the outfits I wear to the gym. Once I finally built enough confidence in my body and workouts, I began to go sans shirt and just work out in a sports bra. This liberation was a big deal for me because I have never been one to even show my bellybutton due to my self-consciousness and body dysmorphia.

Although I belong to Planet Fitness in Downtown Crossing for just $10 a month, thanks to student deals, I recently began making my way around all of the major fitness classes in Boston (SLT, SoulCycle, Barry’s Bootcamp, etc.). Not only are these studios significantly nicer than Planet Fitness, but these pricey classes make working out feel luxurious. There are Le Labo products in the all-white marble locker room at SoulCycle, and attendees compare their Sweetgreen salads and Pressed juices and all sport some version of the same workout gear, usually embellished with the little Lululemon circle.

Because there is a contrast between the different gyms I attend, this greatly affects what I will wear. If I’m going to an overpriced Pilates class, I will most likely be unfamiliar with the workout. So to ensure I won’t get judged, I wear my Lululemon Align Tank-Top to compensate for my lack of Reformer machine expertise. On the other hand, I know I will be stared at if I go to the male-dominated Planet Fitness wearing a sports bra for a self-guided workout. And after a couple uncomfortable experiences with testosterone-blasted older men watching me in my bra as I do squats in the mirror, I am no longer as enthused to wear a sports bra as a top. Despite the “judgment-free zone” being advertised, I often do feel judged and exploited.

No matter how cringey it sounds, through my “fitness journey,” I revisit the same dilemma: how do I look the part at the gym while preserving my personal style and my savings account? This is a difficult question to answer, as one pair of Lululemon leggings costs as much as a year’s subscription to Planet Fitness. It is not lost on me that my dilemma is unavoidable if I can embrace wearing an old T-shirt and Nike shorts to work out in. But truthfully, half the fun and the motivation for me to work out is looking the part, and unfortunately, knowing I have the same logo on the back of my leggings as everyone else helps me feel more secure. However, I shouldn’t feel the need to invest in clothes that don’t make me feel like myself—but does functionality ultimately trump personal style?

Luckily, I embraced athleisure in high school, so I have a small collection of Lululemon leggings left to rotate throughout the week. Exhausted from always running loads of laundry, once I depleted my stash of bras, I decided I needed to sacrifice a fraction of my paycheck to my athletic-wear cause. To help save money, I committed to not buying any tops, only small bras that offer limited support to my boobs, so I ravaged through the sales rack and picked up a few discounted items. I can now say that from my socks to my headband, my workout fits are coordinated, but I still personally feel weaker than my biceps.

I find it ironic that some of the most expensive pieces I own are the ones that are constantly sweated in and thrown into my laundry basket. While building a second wardrobe of workout gear seems superfluous and materialistic, I can justify it by knowing I will continue to work out. And though there are some days I don’t feel comfortable enough to show my midriff, nevertheless, I feel empowered, taking control over my body by wearing what I want and participating in the workout. Whether it be walking into a cycling class or plain-old Planet Fitness, I feel like I’m making an investment in myself, which makes it all justifiable to me.

Sweaty Style