Training is a process that takes a lot of time, much more that contests. It’s preparation for the fight, bettering your spirit and body, a sign of sacrifice. A lot of things get put aside in that process, like looks for example.

Weightlifters have special shoes, boxer wear gloves, footballers have cleats and padding. But what do armwrestlers wear? Armwrestling training doesn’t require any special gear. An armwrestler can train in any shoes they want, or even barefooted. Of course, clothes should be comfortable. An there are some esthetic standards, although they are not written in stone. Some like to train barefoot, some wear flip-flops. Shorts, jeans, sweatpants – all present at the gym. So we’ve decided to ask the specialists what their preferences are.

Oleg Nazarov, Belarus:

I work out in shorts. They give me lots of space for squats, and my legs don’t sweat as much as in long pants. I also wear a boxing shirt and classic trainers.

Artem Taranenko, USA:

My training gear is trainers, a t-shirt (plus a hoodie, when I want to cut weight and keep my arms warm). If I’m doing squats, I wear leggings with shorts over them.

Polina Dzierżynskaya, Belarus:

I prefer weightlifting to armwrestling, though I do both. I am a girl above all else, so I want to look good. I wear a boxing shirt, leggings and trainers. Why? When I work out, I want to see my muscles tense. Besides that, this is a very comfortable outfit for all purposes, and it outlines all the right curves (laughs). I wear all natural fibers, and I choose my colors carefully – nowadays I’m wearing pink and black. You can look stylish even when you’re working out. I prefer known brands, their quality is always reliable.

Artur Chetverik, Belarus:

I wear things that I feel comfortable in, cotton pants and t-shirt. Ordinary trainers. Some like to show off in leggings and tank tops, I focus on comfort and health. In winter I wear a hoodie, until I feel warmed up. As for training in flip-flops – not only does your foot slip and slide, but you can also get easily injured.

Vadim Akperov, Russia

When it’s warm outside, I wear shorts to the gym, when cold – I wear a tracksuit. I always wear trainers. Many wear jeans, flip-flops. I wouldn’t say that’s bad, different strokes and all that. Although jeans are going a little bit too far. In winter I often wear a longsleeve, though I prefer t-shirts. Choosing clothes by color is too much for me, comfort is the most important factor.

Be stylish or comfortable, or maybe both? That’s an individual decision. But what you wear to tournaments is a different story altogether. Some tournaments look more like a Brazilian fiesta than a sports competition. Why and how to prevent that – in the next part of the article.

Artur Grigorian