With new research showing that  29% of Americans now participate regularly in group exercise classes, and CrossFit on the new year action plan for many ages, including Gen X, Z and millennials, 2020 is clearly going to need some tougher gym gear.

High intensity classes are appealing as they encourage you to break a sweat, yield physical results, and create a post exercise buzz that’s hard to beat, but they do require a lot more from your clothes. Fortunately, it’s possible to  look good while you train hard: just remember these essentials.

High intensity, mixed activity classes offer an all round approach to fitness, which research has shown is  an effective and efficient way to exercise. They do, however, provide a somewhat unique challenge for gym clothing. Since a class like  CrossFit challenges the whole body to work hard, from squats to sprints and plyometrics to pull-ups, you’re going to need a material that can stretch, resist sweat, and stand up to weight training.

It’s a good idea to add knee supports and compression sleeves to look after your joints and muscles and aid speedier recovery too. Robust gym shoes are also a must - look for good grip and firm ankle support to keep you protected from injury as far as possible.

With a challenging and varied class like CrossFit, it can be both informative and plain old fun to capture data while you work out. Smart wear is a growing trend, with the market expected to grow past  US $9 billion within four years, so why not get ahead of the pack by investing in some wearable tech for your next gym class?  With shirts, shorts and even socks fitted with sensors to track your heart rate, muscle activity or calories burned, you can use your clothing to track your body’s response to the class, spotting opportunities to work harder, and gathering data to compare and review your progress regularly.

When choosing your next gym look, it’s also worth considering the impact your choice will make not only in the gym, but also on the planet in general. With more and more people choosing brands for their sustainability or ethical sourcing, you can use your purchasing power to make a difference. There’s a growing market of eco-conscious athletics brands waiting for your attention.

High-intensity workouts aren’t taking a break anytime soon, so your gym gear needs to be just as tough. Look for fabrics and designs that are comfortable and flexible, but also sweat-resistant and able to withstand working hard. Add in some tech for interesting and useful data capture, alongside eco-friendly credentials, and you’re all set for whatever 2020’s classes have in store for you.