They say the first impression is the last impression and no other phrase could more accurately describe the importance of clothes in the life of a personal trainer. If you’re a gym instructor then you know your choice of apparel is usually the first thing a client notices about you and what will essentially attract or repulse potential clients even before you’ve had a chance to impress them. Most personal trainers working for giant gym franchises do not have to give their wardrobe choices a second thought as they are already assigned a uniform. This dress code prevails for good reasons:

1.It establishes a sense of uniformity amongst the trainers of a gym.

2.It separates the staff from gym members.

3.A thoughtful uniform represents professionalism.

However, whether you’re a gym owner looking to have uniforms manufactured for your employees or a self-employed personal instructor, it is important that you reflect upon some important factors in order to make an informed decision when building your wardrobe.

• Quality
• Spending most of your day training people at a gym, the first thing to keep in mind before making your purchase is the quality of the fabric. The usual factors you should keep in mind is it’s durability, breathability, stretch and drying properties. It’s important that the cloth you decide upon be able to undergo extreme wear-and-tear before taking its last breath. As a trainer, the lifespan of your gym outfits should be the last thing you need to worry about. The most popular sports fabrics are:
• 1.Tencel
• Made from eucalyptus trees and wood pulp, Tencel is one of the best fabrics for working out in. In addition to being durable, it wicks sweat, a property created due to the tiny fibrils of the fabric. It is also as strong as it is soft (which is to say, VERY!) and is cooler than linen.Apart from being breathable, Tencel is also completely biodegradable, making it a smart choice not just for you, but for the planet as well.
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• 2.Bamboo
• A great alternative for cotton, bamboo is a top-notch workout fabric that, unlike cotton, absorbs moisture and keeps you dry even during the most intense workout. In addition, it also has hollow microfibre properties that keep to warm in the winters and cool in the summers, making it the perfect fabric for gym trainers.
• 3.Nylon
• Lesser known as polyamide, nylon is a popular fabric used in the manufacturing of stockings. However, it also makes for a good sports fabric, owing to attributes like durability, breathability, mildew-resistance and softness. It also dries quickly, an important factor for trainers who are on their feet for the most part of the day.Nylon is a lightweight fabric which has a lot of stretch and quick recovery, making it an excellent workout partner.
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• 4.Polyester
• An excellent insulator and a UV repellant, polyester is ideal if your training sessions involve outdoor activities. However, it is not as durable and breathable as nylon and is an accommodating host for the growth bacteria responsible for leaving your clothes smelly. To avoid this, polyester is often mixed with nylon and lycra to make it more breathable, durable, lightweight and soft.
• Functionality
• As a trainer, sporting a trendy piece of item is not as important as wearing something comfortable which supports your functionality. Wearing denim to the gym is going to serve no purpose if you cannot squat properly and help your clients do the same. Similarly, wearing construction boots in the gym is not going to help you do those front lunges or leg presses. And while gym members may be under no obligation to follow a specific dress code, as a trainer, you cannot Hence, it is necessary to segregate your workout clothes on the basis of your exercise.Your choice of attire also plays a huge role in landing clients. If what you’re wearing causes discomfort to other people, they will prefer not being trained by you. Hence, whether you’re a gym owner looking to have uniforms made or a self-employed trainer, it is important that you choose an outfit facilitating complete movement, be it an indoor workout or outdoor.
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Apart from being comfortable, clothes also help enhance your professional image. It is only when you resemble an expert in your field that you will be treated like one.Wearing flannels or denim, extremely-baggy clothes or super-tight ones, can all lead to your clients getting a poor impression of you and will have a drastic effect on your clientele.

As a trainer, sporting a trendy piece of item is not as important as wearing something comfortable which supports your functionality.

• Professionalism
• Apart from being comfortable, clothes also help enhance your professional image. It is only when you resemble an expert in your field that you will be treated like one. Wearing flannels or denim, extremely-baggy clothes or super-tight ones, can all lead to your clients getting a poor impression of you and will have a drastic effect on your clientele.To avoid this, you can opt for gym-friendly fabrics like polyester, nylon, Tencel and so on that will not only give you room to move around freely but will also help improve your professional image.It is also important to not wear any controversial piece of clothing since you never know what effect it might have on your clients. Wearing the wrong outfit, in most cases, can result in the termination of the services of a personal trainer. Remember, when in doubt, go with a basic t-shirt or a tank top. That never hurt anyone.
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• Different
• It is important that it separates you from regular gym members in order for people to be able to approach you with ease and confidence. This, of course, shouldn’t be a problem for trainers working independently but if you’re an instructor at a gym, standing apart from the crowd will work to your benefit. Make sure to not wear something which will easily blend in with the crowd. For this purpose, a uniform is always a good idea. But you can also decide upon a particular colour or invest in a badge that specifies your position in the gym. Whatever you decide upon, make sure your outfit makes it easy for members to recognize you amongst all the people present at the gym.In addition to having proper knowledge about this field, it is also important to divert a little of your attention towards your wardrobe. As a personal trainer, it is your responsibility to appear professional and approachable to not only be able to help members but also expand your clientele. Stay away from fabric which does not dry easily, has no stretch and isn’t breathable. Be mindful of what your workout is going to be like and dress accordingly. And remember, cleanliness is the key to holding clients.By paying attention to everything mentioned above you will not only be able to retain clients but it will also help you maintain a positive relationship with them.