Wear comfortable, loose-fitting athletic clothes and supportive sneakers. That’s the short answer, but the specifics depend on which part of your body is being treated. Your therapist needs to see and touch the area they’re working on, and you need to move freely through exercises like squats, stretches, and balance work. Choosing the right outfit makes your session more effective and less awkward.
The Basic Formula
Think gym clothes, not street clothes. Shorts or athletic pants with an elastic waistband, a T-shirt or tank top, and a pair of sneakers will work for most appointments. The goal is twofold: your therapist can access the body part they need to evaluate, and nothing restricts your range of motion during exercises.
Skip jeans, skirts, dresses, and anything tight or structured. Skinny jeans, for example, limit your ability to squat or stretch and make it impossible for your therapist to observe how your muscles and joints are actually moving. Leave jewelry at home too, especially large necklaces, bracelets, and rings. They can snag on equipment during upper-body exercises or simply get in the way when your therapist is working with their hands.
What to Wear for Lower Body Therapy
If you’re being treated for a knee, hip, or leg issue, shorts are your best option. Your therapist needs to see and feel your knees, thighs, hips, and lower legs directly. For knee problems in particular, shorts are essentially required so your therapist can observe how the joint tracks during movement and apply hands-on techniques without fabric in the way.
Loose athletic pants with an elastic waistband are a decent backup, but leggings are trickier than you might expect. They’re popular for workouts, but most leggings can’t be rolled up past the knee, which limits your therapist’s access. If your treatment involves the hip, your therapist may also need to access your lower spine, so pants that sit at the waist and can shift easily are better than anything tight or high-waisted.
What to Wear for Upper Body Therapy
For shoulder, neck, or arm problems, wear a loose-fitting shirt, tank top, or sports bra. The easier it is for your therapist to reach the affected area, the more thoroughly they can evaluate what’s causing your pain. A button-down shirt works in a pinch since you can unbutton it, but a simple tank top or sleeveless athletic top is ideal. Avoid heavy layers. You’ll be asked to remove coats or thick outerwear before your session starts anyway.
Pelvic Floor Therapy Has Different Rules
Pelvic floor physical therapy involves both movement assessment and internal examination, so your clothing needs are a bit more specific. Workout attire is still the recommendation, but the details matter. Wear a loose shirt you can lift to expose your abdomen, since your therapist will likely assess your abdominal wall. For your lower half, choose pants that are easy to take on and off, because you’ll undress from the waist down for the internal portion of the exam (you’ll have a sheet for draping).
Leggings and yoga pants actually work well here, unlike in orthopedic PT, because your therapist wants to see how your legs move during the assessment portion. Avoid jumpers, rompers, and anything that connects your top and bottom as one piece. If you’re coming from work, consider bringing a change of clothes. Your shirt could get wrinkled or pick up lotion from hands-on treatment.
Aquatic Therapy Requires a Swimsuit
If your therapy takes place in a pool, bring a bathing suit, a towel, and water shoes or flip-flops for walking around the pool deck. Therapy pools are typically kept between 86°F and 92°F, which is warmer than a standard lap pool but can still feel cool after prolonged immersion. A neoprene suit or rashguard adds warmth if you tend to get cold. Bringing a second dry swimsuit is worth considering if your sessions run long or include breaks between pool time.
Choosing the Right Shoes
Wear athletic shoes with a firm sole and good heel support. Stability sneakers or walking shoes with moderate cushioning and a reinforced heel are ideal. You’ll be standing, balancing, stepping, and possibly using equipment like treadmills or resistance machines, so your shoes need to keep you steady. Sandals, flip-flops, and any kind of heel lack the traction and support that therapy exercises demand.
Cotton vs. Moisture-Wicking Fabric
You don’t need to invest in expensive performance fabrics for PT. A study from Western Michigan University compared polyester moisture-wicking shirts to 100% cotton during 90 minutes of moderate exercise in the heat and found no significant difference in body temperature, sweat rate, perceived exertion, or how hot participants felt. The polyester shirts did absorb less sweat, so they felt lighter and dried faster, but that didn’t translate to any measurable cooling advantage. Wear whatever feels comfortable. If you tend to sweat heavily and don’t like the feeling of a damp shirt, synthetic fabrics will stay lighter. Otherwise, a cotton T-shirt works just fine.
A Quick Checklist
- Lower body PT: Shorts (preferred) or loose athletic pants with an elastic waistband. Avoid leggings if your knee or hip needs direct access.
- Upper body PT: Tank top, sports bra, or loose T-shirt. Skip bulky layers and jewelry.
- Pelvic floor PT: Loose top, easy-on/easy-off pants. No rompers or jumpsuits.
- Aquatic PT: Swimsuit, water shoes, towel. Consider a rashguard for warmth.
- Footwear: Supportive sneakers with firm soles. No sandals, flip-flops, or heels.
- Always avoid: Jeans, skirts, dresses, heavy accessories, restrictive clothing of any kind.