The strange thing about gym wear

[Bede735]

Off topic, I know, but there's usually a gym in the same complex as a swimming pool, so I'm quite aware of it. So, what I've found is - women invariably wear sleeveless tops, while men wear short-sleeved t-shirts.

Now why is that? If men are comfortable not wearing a top at the pool, why don't they wear a sleeveless top at the gym? Is it not a more practical garment to work out in? Or does wearing something like them signify gayness?

[Minimalist75]

I see men in everything from hoodies to string tanks at my gym.
Tanks do seem to be in the minority, but there are still plenty of them.
My only question is, since some women work out wearing only a jog bra or skimpy halter top,why do men need to wear any shirt at all?

[Dooley67]

In the gym at the Y where I go, there are men in t shirts, muscle shirts, and tank tops, often depending on the weather outside.

D67

[PSDave]

I wear a T shirt at the gym because I sweat a lot and it absorbs it and I don't have it running down my side.
When it comes to what other guys are wearing I haven't really paid that much attention. I gave up on trying to figure out why guys wear what they do ages ago. I still marvel at guys that wear these knot watch caps pulled down to their eye brows or walk around with hoodies with the hood up. I live in the desert and somehow a watch cap and a hoodie when the temps are approaching 110 degrees makes no sense. For me--I wear as little as possible and live in my speedos when the temps are over the 100 mark. On that same note, why do guys think speedos show too much when they walk around with their pants below their butt cheeks with their underwear on full display.
Also -- if it is OK for a female to wear a sport bra playing tennis (or whatever) why don't they wear regular bras without shirts?
See what I mean -- no figuring out other peoples wardrobe choices!

[Bede735]

I find when I'm really hot I sweat at the shoulders so a sleeveless top is better for working out in.

[sebbie]

Make great wear for stationary Rowing. Either that, or a compression tee and jammers

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

On that same note, why do guys think speedos show too much when they walk around with their pants below their butt cheeks with their underwear on full display.


Excellent point. This is one fashion trend that I am happy to see fading away. I once saw a guy with his pants so far down that you could see his entire butt in his "decorative" boxers. I wondered how he could walk like that.

[Dooley67]

When I was working as a school psych I used to see boys in school walking around with their pants below their butts so that their boxers were showing. I asked several principals if they could tell the kids to pull their pants up. Their replies were that they could do nothing because it wasn't disruptive to learning. They had no answer when I asked wasn't it disruptive to common decency. There was one kid with whom I had a good relationship who I kept threatening to buy him a belt that fit. A few years later when he was in high school, he told me "l finally smartened up because all the kids who did that were the losers and I don't want to be one of them."

D67

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

I like your post. It underscores the 80/20 rule. 80% or more follow the status quo, the 20% or less create a new status quo. I suspect Eli Whitney, Henry Ford, the Wright brothers, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and others like them would have pulled the pants up and set a new standard. Not exactly a swim post, but your response got me thinking.

STS

[California Dolphin]

[QUOTE=SwimTeamSpeedo]I like your post. It underscores the 80/20 rule. 80% or more follow the status quo, the 20% or less create a new status quo. I suspect Eli Whitney, Henry Ford, the Wright brothers, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and others like them would have pulled the pants up and set a new standard. Not exactly a swim post, but your response got me thinking.

As I've always preached to everyone on this board, if you want things to change (whether it's government, getting rid of A-Holes in the workplace, or skimpier men's swimsuits or athletic shorts), you have to make an effort to initiate it.

[Bede735]

When you're a kid it's very difficult to go against fashion. Back then I used to wear flared trousers and grow my hair over my ears, even though I knew it looked stupid.

The good thing about getting older is not doing things that look stupid, just to conform. So for example, wearing baggy shorts to swim in is stupid - therefore I won't do it.

[shaulis]

Thank goodness that trend is all but dead. I like to think that the guys smartened up to the fact it looks ridiculous to trip over your own pants walking down the street. I don't know if the threat of fines for "sagging pants" many towns passed made that much of a impact on teenage guys. Their girlfriends had to tell them they look bad and pull their pants up.

[NE_OH_thonger]

Don't bet on it. I went to an open job interview for a store opening locally. The guy sitting in front of me looks dressed OK, until he stands up and goes towards the interview table. Then I realize he's wearing his khakis sagging halfway down his ass, and slide sandals. To no one's surprise, he ended up walking out without a second interview (And I left once I found out that the store was paying less than I am making in my current position)