by James - This article may contain affiliate links.
So, you’ve decided to start working out, and your first session is on stretching. Since you’ve never been to a session entirely dedicated to stretching, you’re wondering if you should wear anything special. What do you wear to a stretch session?
Wear a comfortable outfit that doesn’t limit your movements during a stretching session. It should be snug so that you don’t have to adjust it frequently and avoid distractions. Gym shorts or basketball shorts with a t-shirt are ideal for men, while women should wear a top with yoga pants.
Read on as we go over ideal outfits for a stretching session and tell you what type of clothing to avoid.
We’ll also give you product recommendations to ensure your first day at the gym goes smoothly.
If you are in a hurry to see the products we recommend for a comfortable stretching session, check out the products below.
Contents
- 1 Best Clothes for Women to Wear to Stretch Sessions 😍
- 2 Best Clothes for Men in a Stretch Session 🤩
- 3 Tips for Dressing for a Stretch Session 😮
- 4 Other Items You Need for the Sessions 😃
- 5 Recommended Set for Women 👩
- 6 Recommended Set for Men 🧔
- 7 Recommended Accessories for a Stretch Session ✅
- 8 Final Thoughts 🤗
Best Clothes for Women to Wear to Stretch Sessions 😍
Bottoms
Leggings and yoga pants are your best bets.
These outfits should be tighter so they won’t require adjusting, especially in standing stretches where your feet are wider.
A higher waist is also preferred as you’ll be less exposed when doing stretches involving inversion, such as the forward fold.
You can also wear shorts, especially during the summer.
However, they’re not ideal for dynamic stretches because you’ll sweat and may feel uncomfortable.
Tops
Ideally, you should wear a snug top that doesn’t need a lot of readjusting and makes you feel confident.
A loose top with long sleeves is only comfortable for simple static stretches, but it’ll be distracting as you go into more complex poses, such as the downward dog.
Plus, you’re bound to have a few embarrassing moments if you’re not careful.
Other Items
In addition to tops and bottoms, here are a few more tips that’ll make your stretching session safer and more enjoyable:
- Jewelry: It’s more comfortable not to wear any. But if you enjoy wearing jewelry while working out, wear small items that don’t make noise and distract you and other people.
- Hair: Don’t wear a ponytail since you can’t lie down comfortably and move your head from side to side.
- Socks: Only wear socks if you’re stretching on a mat. Otherwise, you have a high risk of slipping and falling.
Best Clothes for Men in a Stretch Session 🤩
Gym Shorts
Your shorts should be form-fitting—neither too tight nor too loose.
Otherwise, you have to readjust them frequently when you go into a lunge or squat, which becomes distracting.
Alternatively, you can go for shorts with a compression liner for a snug fit.
T-Shirt
Make sure your t-shirt is form-fitting. As you stretch your arms, you don’t have to adjust your shirt once you return to a standing position.
Your t-shirt should allow for your full range of motion.
Moreover, if you need to lie down on your back while covered in sweat, you may make an unfortunate squelching noise when you move.
If you’re exercising during the colder months, you can wear a light jacket, but avoid hoodies.
Tips for Dressing for a Stretch Session 😮
Now that we’ve covered the basics of what to wear, here are a few other things you should consider to get the best results from your session:
- Never wear jeans. Jeans restrict mobility. Even stretchy jeans won’t give you enough room for a perfect stretch.
- Dress in layers. Instead of wearing a thick shirt, put on a regular t-shirt or top and a jacket. As your body warms up, you can take off layers.
- Choose breathable material. Polyester is the ideal choice, including Coolmax. Supplex is also effective at wicking moisture because it contains nylon and polypropylene.
- Avoid cotton: Cotton only absorbs moisture but doesn’t allow it to evaporate. So, it’ll expand and feel heavier as you work out.
Other Items You Need for the Sessions 😃
Different gyms or studios offer different items and amenities.
Before attending your first class, ask them what they provide and what you should bring. A few essential items for a stretching session are:
- Towel: Microfiber towels are best for drying sweat as they’re soft and highly absorbent. If you don’t prefer the feel of microfiber, you can use a towel made of soft cotton.
- Mat: Your mat should be at least 5 mm thick to provide adequate cushioning and stability. It should also have sufficient grip to prevent slipping.
- Water bottle: Staying hydrated is essential during exercise regardless of your type of activity. Your bottle should hold around three to four glasses of water for a comfortable session.
- Props: These include resistance bands, yoga straps, blocks, foam rollers, and other equipment determined by your instructor.
Recommended Set for Women 👩
CRZ YOGA Athletic Long Sleeves
This athletic breathable running shirt is excellent for a stretch session.
It’s snug, and the long back hem gives you extra coverage for inversions.
These long sleeves are made of sweat-wicking materials, so you won’t feel uncomfortable as the session progresses.
The shirt comes with an attractive price tag and in a range of colors to enjoy the variety without paying too much.
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- Affordable
- Variety of colors
- Comfortable and functional
- Slim fit and long
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- Complaints about tight sleeves
- Doesn’t stretch much
Iuga High-Waisted Yoga Pants
IUGA’s products are a combination of style, comfort, and affordability.
And these activewear yoga pants are no exception.
The extra soft fabric gives you a streamlined look, while the flat waistband enhances your mobility.
Moreover, with the non-see-through fabric, you’ll have extra peace of mind when stretching.
But best of all, you won’t have to worry about your cell phone, credit cards, or valuables.
These pants have two large side pockets and a hidden pocket on the waistband with plenty of room for your belongings.
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- Great look and fit
- Soft and matte fabric
- Non-see-through fabric
- Multiple pockets on the sides and waistband
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- Complaints about non-accurate sizes
Recommended Set for Men 🧔
ODODOS Slim Fit T-shirt
This form-fitting t-shirt is ideal for a stretch session as it’s snug enough to avoid constant adjusting while providing adequate give due to its four-way stretch material.
This shirt is 92 percent polyester and 8 percent elastane, a synthetic fabric with superior stretching properties.
The crew neck and short sleeves give you an excellent range of motion.
And there’s a slight slit on the sides for extra mobility.
The company has a 30-day refund policy. So, you can shop and try their product with no downside.
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- Excellent cooling
- Lightweight material
- Four-way stretch fabric
- Full money-back guarantee within 30 days
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- Complaints about small sizes
prAna JD Shorts
These compression shorts eliminate all your concerns about coverage during a stretching session.
Plus, they fit perfectly and extend into various poses with complete comfort.
Made of moisture-wicking polyester, they’re thick enough to conceal your groin area even if you sweat excessively.
They’re so good that many customers end up buying multiple pairs.
However, check the chart size before purchasing, as you may have to go up a size.
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- Well washing and quick dry
- Keeping its shape in different poses
- Absorbs and evaporates sweat quickly
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- Not true to size
- Doesn’t have an inner lining
Recommended Accessories for a Stretch Session ✅
Gaiam Essentials Premium Yoga Mat
A functional mat is essential for a stretching session.
As a beginner, you need a lightweight yet durable option that gives you extra cushioning to protect your knees.
Luckily, the Gaiam Essentials yoga mat is all of that and more. It’s 6 mm thick and features a non-slip texture to prevent accidents.
Plus, it comes with a minimal carrying sling, making it effortless to take the mat to your workout sessions.
The extra-long design (72 inches) makes this mat appropriate for women and men. And you’ll have a large array of colors to choose from.
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- Durable
- Extra-long
- Non-slip surface
- Doesn’t absorb sweat
- Thick and comfortable
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- No grips for sweaty hands
- Complaints about the smell during first use
EYQ Water Bottle with Time Marker
You need to drink a cup of water (8 ounces) every 15 minutes when working out.
So, for an hour-long stretch session, you’ll need a water bottle with at least 24 ounces of capacity.
Fortunately, this 32-ounce EQY bottle holds enough water for any stretching session.
You’ll feel rejuvenated with every sip and have enough energy to keep going until the end. Plus, it has markers that tell you when it’s time to take the next sip.
The bottle is entirely made of eco-friendly food-grade Tritan copolyester to ensure healthy drinking.
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- Comes in different colors
- Made of eco-friendly materials
- Has a carry strap to easily carry it anywhere
- Reminds daily water consumption with time markers on the bottle
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- Complaints about leaks while drinking
- Isn’t dishwasher safe
Acteon Microfiber Gym Towels
Sweating is inevitable during a stretch session, especially when doing dynamic stretches.
A soft towel made of highly absorbent hygienic material is what you need to soak up the sweat.
These microfiber towels contain special silver ions that keep your body odor-free and enhance cleanliness.
Each towel is 30 by 16 inches, but you can squeeze it into a small four-by-two roll.
Plus, it only weighs 2.5 ounces. So, you’ll have no trouble fitting into any gym bag.
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- Quick-drying
- Easy to wash
- Super absorbent
- Silver ions absorb odors
- Compact and lightweight
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- Some customers don’t enjoy the feel.
Final Thoughts 🤗
So, what do you wear to a stretch session?
Your outfit for a stretch session should be comfortable and form-fitting to allow freedom while avoiding frequent adjustments.
Women should wear a snug top with yoga pants or leggings, while men are better off with a t-shirt and gym shorts.
For maximum breathability, wear clothes that contain polyester, polypropylene, and nylon.
And stay away from cotton.
Last update on 2022-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
