Getting swol in style

HSU students sport fashionable workout gear

By | Alexandria Hasenstab

Humboldt State is not known as one of the most fashion-forward universities out there. However, if you’re looking for current fashion trends around campus, you might want to check out the gym. Students head to the Student Recreation Center to hit the weights, but with current athletic clothing available in endless colors and styles, they look ready to hit the runway.

Junior environmental science major Andie White is one of the students who regularly goes to the gym in stylish attire. She choose to wear blue patterned leggings with a blue athletic long sleeve top to work out in.

“I prefer to wear things that motivate me,” White said. “I like to wear bright colors because it makes me feel good.”

The cliché, look good, feel good, is certainly applicable to the gym.

Psychology professor Mary Bockover believes our outward appearance can affect our confidence.

“When people feel like they look good, then on psychological grounds, they may believe others see them in a more favorable light,” Bockover said. “Conversely, when we feel like we don’t look good, it can negatively affect our self esteem and the willingness to be in front of others.”

Indeed, working out in such a public space requires a certain level of comfort. For students like Andie White, a choice of clothing means the power to be comfortable and motivated to work out in front of others.

White says some of her favorite brands are Nike and Adidas. B oth of these brands are sported by many students in the gym.

Marjani Ellison is a junior environmental engineering major who can be seen wearing bright green Nikes while working out.

“They’re a little brighter than the green of Humboldt,” Ellison said. “But as a player of the football team I feel like I should come out and represent Humboldt State every day.”

Athletic clothing has become so fashionable that many people wear it as normal street clothing. However, many students don’t feel the need to pay the high prices that are common with popular athletic brands.

Senior psychology major Miranda Beach says she doesn’t usually dress stylish when she works out.

“You caught me on a good day, this is what was clean,” Beach said of what was she was wearing. “I think it does give you a confidence boost when you think you look good, but most of the time I’m pretty in the zone.”