Whether you’re calling an Uber Black to Equinox in a matching Lululemon set or riding a Citibike to Blink Fitness in a tattered pair of basketball shorts, there’s no avoiding the fact that the streets of New York City are practically a runway.
So you’ll have to forgive fashion and fitness experts for weighing in regarding what your gym look says about you.
“New York is a fashion capital, so when you’re going out to work out in New York, you really need to make it a style,” Ari Serrano, 30, designer and host of What New York Wears, told The Post.
“Being in the big city, you’re turning your athletic wear into, like, a look because in New York, every time you step out, you want to make a statement.”
Sure, showing up to brunch in Soho sporting a slicked-back ponytail, Lululemon tennis dress and chunky Nike sneakers is very on-trend, but as athleisure has become the norm, some people still actually wear workout gear to — wait for it — work out.
Certified personal trainer Jess Paris, 36, explained that choosing a great outfit can help lead to a great session.
“Going through a workout is hard enough, so getting started by putting on something that makes you feel good, fashion-forward and positive about yourself is going to help you feel more confident during your workout,” the fitness expert explained to The Post.
So for those who actually wear their fitness gear to work up a sweat, this is what your gym clothes say about you, according to the experts.
Full tracksuit
Swaggering into a gym in a tracksuit ensemble lets everyone know that you’re not just a fashionista in training — you’re there to actually train.
“If I see somebody wearing like a full Adidas or Kappa Kappa tracksuit or something like that, I would think they’re an athlete or someone that probably jogs outside every morning and takes workouts very seriously,” Serrano said.
He noted that he’s noticed a definite uptick of people wearing tracksuits and windbreakers with bold colors reminiscent of the 1980s — like everyone just finished shooting a Jane Fonda workout video.
T-shirt, basketball shorts and a drawstring bag
If you’re throwing on a ratty T-shirt repping your high school soccer team and a pair of tattered basketball shorts with your squeezable water bottle slung over your shoulder in a drawstring bag, you may have a more relaxed pursuit in mind than exercise.
“I would think they’re going to, like, the YMCA or an old traditional gym … or are maybe a stoner,” Serrano joked.
Ski mask (no, really)
Whether or not you should wear a mask has stirred up debate since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and although mask mandates have been repealed, some have stuck with the practice even when working out.
But if you pop over to the West Side Highway, you’ll likely see a few runners — typically men — dash by in a tight, all-black outfit topped with a Nike ski mask covering most of their faces.
“He looks like he’s about to rob something, but he’s just actually just, like, fully suited up,” Serrano said.
“This guy is super serious about his health. He’s somebody that’s really anal and wants to be outside and say that he’s outside jogging every morning and is, like, super scared and prepared for COVID.”
Matching sportswear set and headphones
Strutting into the gym with the newest matching Lululemon set, Nike crew socks and bright Hoka sneakers while chatting away on your Bluetooth Apple Airpods Max headphones means you’re ready to get down to business.
“Somebody that’s working out with their headphones on in the meeting, talking out loud, not paying you any attention — they’re going to Equinox or something more high-end,” Serrano suggested.
“They don’t have a lot of time and just walked in really fast, ignoring everybody just trying to go to the gym and get their session in right before their next meeting,” Serrano said.
Sneakers
Work out for a mile in someone else’s shoes and you’ll understand how serious they are.
“Shoes are the biggest telltale sign if somebody doesn’t know what they’re doing,” Paris revealed, noting that the wrong footwear could lead to injury.
“If they’re wearing Converse or Nike Air Force Ones, you know they’re not really prepared.”
The fitness trainer explained that lots of popular sneakers are made for athleisure and not actual workouts — although they may be touted by amateur trendsetters all over their social media feeds.
“Influencer wannabes are probably not well versed or trained and kind of just share what they think they know,” whether or not the styles and brands they’re suggesting are actually a good fit for your workout.
Although the latest viral athleisure trend may be cute, Paris advised “wearing the clothing that works best for that workout and not necessarily the most trendy.”
