Take all the muscle lengthening, strengthening and mindfulness practices of yoga, turn the thermostat up—and welcome to hot yoga. It’s a time to get a workout in, break a sweat, and feel the many benefits that unheated yoga has to offer, just turned up to a higher degree. If it’s your first time and you’re wondering what to wear to hot yoga, our guide has all you need to walk confidently into the studio and get your sweat going.
Is it Better to Wear Shorts or Leggings to Yoga?
You can wear either shorts or leggings to yoga. It comes down to personal preference and what you’re more comfortable in. With shorts, you might feel cooler, but leggings will absorb and wick the sweat away from your skin which can help you feel better during the class and help prevent excess slipping on your mat from sweat.
Hot Yoga Pants
Yoga leggings are one of the most popular items to wear to hot yoga, even with the heat. Not only do they stretch and flex with every warrior pose and downward-facing dog, but they also wick and absorb sweat to keep you cool and prevent your mat from becoming a slip-and-slide. The adidas All Me Luxe 7/8 Leggings make for the perfect hot yoga pants with their high waistband and streamlined fit that won’t slip as you move. With their light-as-air fabric, you’ll barely notice them through class as they stay right in step with you.
Hot Yoga Shorts
If you’re a fan of letting your legs breathe, then hot yoga shorts offer freedom of movement and coolness combined. The adidas All Me 5-Inch Short provides the support and sweat-wicking properties of a legging but in the length of a short so you can get the best of both worlds. For men, the adidas Yoga Training Shorts offer a looser fit that will stay soft and flexible as you flow from pose to pose, and the AEROREADY fabric will manage moisture and keep you feeling good.
Hot Yoga Tops for Women
To top off your hot yoga clothes, you’ll need a shirt that can stand up to the heat. Many women opt for just a sports bra like the All Me Luxe Light-Support Bra from adidas. With yoga’s low-impact movements, light to medium support bras will be enough for most, depending on chest size. If you want extra coverage, a tank designed with a built-in sports bra offers support and sweat-wicking material for ultimate comfort and flow.
Hot Yoga Tops for Men
For men, a tee or tank will complete the hot yoga outfit and help to absorb sweat from dripping onto your mat. Look for shirts made with either adidas HEAT.RDY or AEROREADY fabric to keep you feeling cool even as the room gets hotter. These tops are also designed with a slim fit with maximum mobility so you can move distraction-free. Outside the heated room, you might feel chilly coming and going from class, so grab a cozy hoodie that will add an extra layer, and if you’re looking for an bonus level of sweat, keep it on through the class.
Hot Yoga Gear
After you’ve found your hot yoga outfit, don’t forget to gather your gear. You’ll need a yoga mat, a towel to wipe away sweat, and a water bottle to stay hydrated. Wear shoes to get to and from the studio, but during class, you’ll go barefoot on your mat to ensure optimal mobility and grip through each pose.
Overall, when searching for what to wear to hot yoga, look for performance fabrics that wick and absorb sweat, and have good stretch and freedom of movement so you don’t feel restricted. Apart from that, it’s up to you what kind of style you want to sport to class, as yoga is all about bringing your unique energy to the practice in whichever way you want to show up. Whether you’re a first-timer to yoga class or you’re practicing at home, you’ll get the wonderful physical, mental, and spiritual benefits from all that yoga has to offer—with a little extra sweat if the heat is turned up.