A few years ago I finally gave hot yoga a try. As someone who is insanely hot-blooded and doesn’t enjoy sweating, I didn’t think I’d like it at all. But I do enjoy yoga, and it seems as though there’s only hot yoga available these days. I gave it a try and ended up loving it! There are so many benefits to it from the great stretching, increasing blood flow and the mindfulness that comes from it.
Hot yoga temperatures can vary from the lows 90s (which is where I like it to be) all the way to over 105. The heat is there to help loosen your muscles, which people may argue is just mental. There are also claims that it may help burn more calories and increase your heart rate. I believe it’s all bull shit, to be honest. But my favorite studio in Atlanta, Highland Yoga, does a fantastic Vinyasa class with great yoga teachers. And it just so happens to be hot, so I power through. To me, the yoga teachers really make it so once you find a few you like, it can really make all the difference in your practice.
What To Wear To Hot Yoga
Whenever I head to my yoga classes, it’s always the same uniform and essentials for me. My hot yoga outfit formula took a few classes to learn what I needed and felt my best in. From what to wear, what to bring and most importantly, which mat to invest in!
Leggings
Most people prefer to be in leggings when they do any sort of yoga. They move easily with you, don’t ride up like shorts do, and provide some traction when you are doing certain poses and stretches. I always recommend investing in moisture-wicking leggings, ones that have good stretch and aren’t see-through when you bend over. Personally, I wear my Align lululemon leggings. I also do love my Athleta Salutation leggings as well. Below are some favorite leggings from Athleta. Always a great price and good quality.
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Tight Fitting Shorts
Hot yoga is well, very hot. So sometimes it’s more tolerable to wear shorts. However, I recommend wearing fitted ones, something like a biker short. With all the movements, and inversions, it’s best to have things that are more fitted in yoga. I have found though that I am one of the very few people in hot yoga who wear shorts. I’m just SO hot that it gives me a bit of relief. However, your legs do get sweaty and it can be hard to hold tree pose and a few others when your legs are sliding against one another.
Sports Bra
I always recommend investing in quality, supportive sports bras for working out in. They make all the difference in high-intensity workouts. Hot yoga isn’t going to have you jumping or running, so you can opt for bras that aren’t meant for high intensity workouts. Either way, I personally love the bras from lululemon. Expensive, but lasts a while and are of high quality. You just want to make sure you’re choosing ones with moisture-wicking technology and that gives you full range of movement and stays comfortable as you sweat through class.
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Moisture Wicking Tops
Should you choose to even wear a top in hot yoga, definitely opt for moisture-wicking. Crop tops are great too since it’s just so hot. I recommend keeping your tops more fitted. Flowy tops can get in the way of downward dog. So long as it’s fitted around the waist and stays put, you’re good!
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Hot Yoga Essentials
Now that we’ve figured out the best clothes for hot yoga, it’s time to discuss your hot yoga essentials. Never head to a hot yoga class without the following items. They’ll ensure you have an enjoyable class and don’t look like a total newbie. Plus, if you’re heading out after class to run some errands, you’ll want to freshen up to prevent any breakouts and make you feel less gross! Here’s what I always have with me.
Water Bottle
Not only is a water bottle great for a workout, but it’s essential for a hot yoga class. Since you’re spending 60 minutes sweating non-stop, it’s crucial to hydrate during the session. I recommend drinking a bottle before you head in then refilling right before class starts. Aim to finish that bottle during the class to make sure you’re staying hydrated. This will also to reduce muscle cramping and any lightheadedness you may experience during hot yoga.
Yoga Mat
If you’re going to be taking a lot of yoga classes, I can’t recommend investing in a quality mat enough. I love my lululemon one. It doesn’t require a towel to prevent slipping from all the sweat. I’ve noticed cheaper mats can easily get slippery and fall apart quickly.
If you have a cheaper mat or one that gets slippery, I’d recommend adding a yoga towel to your mat. It will help absorb sweat and also extend the life of your mat. Just wash it after each use. They’re really great since they’re super thin and absorb sweat really well.
Towel
Most studios will offer small towels for you to grab. But if you want to bring your own, great. Some studios just don’t offer things like mats and towels, so be sure to check ahead of time. Oftentimes, you can pay a small fee to use theirs.
Post Yoga Toiletries
Since there’s SO much sweating that happens at hot yoga, I recommend bringing a few post-yoga toiletries. Especially if you aren’t heading straight home to shower. I usually always have a travel face wash with me so I can cleanse my face of sweat and prevent any breakouts. This also means, I always have a moisturizer with me too. Deodorant and some perfume are essential too for feeling refreshed after a sweaty yoga session. I’m super oily, and these are some of my favorite skincare products and routine for people with oily skin.
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Best Fabrics For Hot Yoga
When shopping for your hot yoga outfit, it’s really key to focus on fabrics. While we usually think natural fibers like cotton and linen are ideal for hot weather, workout clothes are different. The best fabrics for hot yoga are going to be the synthetic ones like Lycra, Spandex and polyester. When done right, these fabrics are actually lightweight, moisture-wicking, and fast-drying. This is exactly what we want when we’re in a hot yoga class and the thermostat is set to over 95 degrees.
Some of my favorite brands to shop that make great quality fabrics and pieces for hot yoga, and all my workouts, include lululemon, Nike, Adidas, Zelle and Athleta. And for a more affordable option, you can shop Old Navy workout apparel, and even Abercrombie & Fitch if you still want quailty products at a more affordable price.
Hot Yoga Clothes FAQ
Do you wear shoes to hot yoga?
Nope, it’s a barefoot situation. Most studios actually require it (better grip, and nobody wants sock sweat anywhere near their mat). Let your mat do the gripping for you.
Should I wear shorts or leggings?
Depends on your heat tolerance. Leggings are the safer bet since they won’t ride up and give you traction in poses like tree pose. I wear shorts because I run hot, but fair warning, sweaty legs sliding against each other mid-pose is a real struggle. If you’re new, start with leggings and maybe try out shorts to see how you feel about it.
Do I need special “hot yoga” pants, or can I wear my regular leggings?
Nothing needs to be labeled specifically for hot yoga. What matters is the fabric. Stick with moisture-wicking synthetics like Align or Salutation leggings, and skip cotton entirely. It gets heavy and stays wet the second you start sweating. Any proper workout legging will work!
If you’re heading to your first hot yoga class, I hope these tips from choosing fabrics, outfits and yoga essentials, make your flow so much more enjoyable. Hot yoga is such a great workout and helps to improve your flexibility, and now you’ll feel and look your best as you can while sweating through your vinyasa.
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