What To Wear to Hot Yoga
Attending hot yoga can be an enjoyable, beneficial and challenging experience. The room temperature in which you’re doing hot yoga can vary from location to location. However, you should expect humidity levels typically starting at a minimum of 40%, with temperatures usually ranging from 85 degrees to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Each session often lasts around an hour but may be longer. As challenging as it is, hot yoga provides numerous benefits, from better flexibility to enhanced balance. Considering how much you’ll sweat and move your body into various positions, choosing the right activewear for women is a must.
Comfortable Attire
The key to choosing clothes for hot yoga is to strike the right balance between comfort and coverage. Avoid wearing too much fabric - you might be tempted to remove pieces or even cut them right off! For instance, you may feel great walking into class with a long-sleeved shirt, but you’re likely going to regret it not long after. Tops with cap sleeves or thick or thin straps are usually ideal.
Form-Fitting Clothes
Some people make the mistake of thinking that sporting baggy clothes is the way to go for hot yoga, but this could be one of the most uncomfortable options. Your clothing needs to move with you, which baggy clothes tend not to do. They can even become annoying during certain positions as the clothing shifts out of place or goes over your head while you’re bending forward. Comfortable, form-fitting individual hot yoga pieces or entire yoga outfits can help you move freely and feel comfortable while ensuring the instructor can properly evaluate your form.
Non-Restrictive Clothing
Being form-fitting doesn’t mean the clothing should be restrictive. You need to be able to move freely without feeling like it’s limiting your movements. Restrictive clothing isn't just uncomfortable to wear to a hot yoga place - it can make it harder to balance and to move your body into yoga poses. If your clothes are holding you back, that's not just uncomfortable - it can also be dangerous.
It’s not only about the visible clothing you model. What you sport underneath it matters. Wear panties that are comfortable and breathable, such as seamless thongs that will stay in place and not show panty lines through your shorts or leggings. Before you settle on any pair of panties for your hot yoga class, consider wearing them in advance while exercising, such as going for a bike ride. It gives you a chance to evaluate if they feel hot or uncomfortable and if they stay where they’re supposed to without riding up.
Moisture-Wicking Attire
Comfortable, moisture-wicking attire is your best option for hot yoga. Avoid cotton clothing, as it can feel hot and heavy, especially as it absorbs and retains sweat. You don't want to get into the hot yoga studio hoping to enjoy the experience, only to be bogged down by the extra weight of sweat-soaked clothing.
Look for hot yoga gear that specifically states it’s moisture-wicking. The fabric hauls all that sweat away from your skin, which can help keep your body at a more preferred temperature.
Clothing With Strategic Cutouts
Tops and bottoms with strategic cutouts can help provide beneficial ventilation during a hot yoga class. For instance, a tank top with a cutout in the back or leggings with mesh panels can help you feel more comfortable.
Before you wear the clothing to a hot yoga class, make sure the cutouts don’t compromise how you feel while wearing it. Let’s say you’re sporting a top with strategic cutouts. Try it on before class and move around a little to check that the panels won't make you feel like you need to constantly adjust the top.
Leggings and Biker Shorts
Leggings and biker shorts are two of the best options to wear to a hot yoga session, but there are a few key points to keep in mind. For starters, make sure they don’t shift down when you get into hot yoga poses. If it’s a significant concern, select the high-waisted variety. You should also opt for ones that aren’t composed of cotton.
Everyone will be sweating in the hot yoga class and will undoubtedly show it all over their clothing. However, if you’re anxious about showing it in certain spots, such as your derriere, think about going for black biker shorts or leggings. They may exhibit some sweat but will hide it much better than if you model colors like gray or red.
Check that your leggings and biker shorts are opaque before wearing them outdoors and to the hot yoga class. Some options can be slightly or extremely see-through, especially while bending. The best way to check is to go out in the sun and have a trusted individual let you know if anything is showing through your yoga bottoms.
The leggings and biker shorts must fit properly. If they’re too loose or too tight, they could easily slip down or shift out of place and won’t fit comfortably. You’ll likely find yourself spending more time adjusting them than paying attention to what’s happening in the class. Focusing and following proper form is essential for a variety of reasons, especially for avoiding injury.
While shopping for hot yoga clothing, check the sizing chart to ensure you get the right-sized pieces corresponding to your current measurements. When you receive them, try them on to check how they look and evaluate how well they fit. You wouldn’t want to suddenly realize in the middle of the class that your clothing is too small or too big.
Sports Bra
Sports bras are much more stylish and comfortable than they used to be. Nowadays, they’re available in a variety of styles, types, sizes and colors, so it’s easy to find ones that meet your needs and preferences.
To ensure your sports bra has the right level of support for a hot yoga class, check to ensure it is labeled as a medium or maximum support bra. This type of sports bra will provide you with the support and comfort you need.
While online shopping, inspect the sizing chart so that you know you’re buying the correct size. It wouldn’t hurt to take new measurements before you place an order, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve done so.
Make sure to review the material the sports bra is made of. It gets bonus points if it’s made of moisture-wicking material. As previously mentioned, avoid ones made entirely of cotton. Otherwise, you may feel uncomfortably hot and drenched.
There’s no shame in showing sweat, especially considering you’re doing a hot yoga class, and everyone else will do the same. However, as with the biker shorts and leggings, getting a sports bra in a black hue will help mask some of the sweat marks. It’s also a versatile color, letting you wear it during multiple situations outside of hot yoga class.
Lightweight Clothing Pieces
It’s vital that you wear lightweight clothing to a hot yoga class. This isn’t the time to opt for ones just because they’re your favorite pair or because they’re super comfy during TV show binge-watching sessions.
What’s more important is whether it will be comfortable and safe for you to wear to a hot yoga class. For example, as much as you may want to model your favorite baggy sweatpants to the session, they’re not ideal for hot yoga. Stick to lightweight clothing that feels good on your skin, particularly after exercising.
You also want to avoid seemingly lightweight clothing items that can quickly become uncomfortable. For example, if you find a pair of fantastic opaque leggings you want to wear to hot yoga, inspect the inside to make sure they’re the correct size and not fleece-lined, or you’ll likely be in for an uncomfortable session.
Shop for High-Quality Hot Yoga Gear Today
If you’re excited to start your hot yoga journey, there’s no better time than now to start shopping. Don’t make the mistake of picking just any apparel. What you wear matters not just for your comfort level but for your health so you don’t overheat.
Take time to choose the right pieces that fit perfectly, feature the style you love, and are comfortable and not restrictive. Look for items you feel good about repeatedly wearing. As fabulous as hot yoga is, chances are you’ll want to continue with more sessions after the first. Shop with us at Leonisa today for your new favorite high-quality hot yoga gear, which you’ll want to model to every class.
