One of the questions we hear most from first-timers is: "What do I need to bring to class?" It's a fair question, especially when you're about to spend ninety minutes in a 40-degree room doing something you've never done before.
The good news? Bikram yoga doesn't require a lot of fancy gear or equipment. You don't need the latest yoga fashion or expensive accessories. What you do need is functional, practical, and straightforward.
At Bikram Yoga Darlinghurst, we've been helping students figure out the gear situation since 2002. We've seen every combination of kit you can imagine, and we know what works and what doesn't. This guide will save you from the trial and error (and the unnecessary spending) that many new students go through.
Let's break down exactly what you need, what's nice to have, and what you can skip altogether.
The four essentials
There are only four things you absolutely need for Bikram yoga:
Yoga mat
Your mat is your home base during class. It defines your space and provides cushioning for the floor postures.
For Bikram yoga specifically, you want a mat that's durable and can handle moisture. Standard yoga mats work, though some students prefer thinner mats because you can feel the floor better during balancing postures.
Don't stress too much about getting the "perfect" mat right away. If you have a basic yoga mat at home, bring it. If you don't, we have mats available for hire at the studio. Yoga mat hire at our Darlinghurst studio is one of those small things that makes a first class easier — no shopping trip required before you've even decided you like it.
Many of our students start with a hired mat and then invest in their own once they're committed to the practice. When you're ready to buy, ask our teachers for recommendations - we can point you towards mats that hold up well to the sweat and heat.
Mat care tip: Always hang your mat to dry after class. Don't roll it up while it's still wet, or you'll create a lovely breeding ground for bacteria. Many students bring their mats home to air out rather than leaving them in lockers.
Large towel
This is non-negotiable. You need a large towel that covers your entire mat.
Why? Because you're going to sweat. A lot. If you've never done Bikram yoga before, you can't quite imagine how much you'll sweat. The towel creates a barrier between you and your mat, absorbing sweat and providing grip.
Look for towels specifically designed for yoga, or use a large beach towel. The towel needs to be at least as long as your mat (standard mats are about 180cm long) and wide enough to cover it completely.
Some students prefer specialised yoga towels with grippy bottoms that stay in place on the mat. Others are perfectly happy with a basic cotton or microfibre towel. Both work - it's down to personal preference.
Many of our students actually bring two towels: one for the mat and a smaller one for wiping their face and hands during class. This isn't essential, but if you're someone who can't stand having sweat in your eyes, a small towel is worth it.
Water bottle
Bring water. Lots of water. We recommend at least 750ml, though a litre is better for most students.
Use a bottle with a secure lid that won't spill if it gets knocked over. You'll place your water bottle at the front corner of your mat, and occasionally people do accidentally kick them over during postures.
Room temperature or cold water both work. Some students prefer cold water, especially in summer. Others find that room temperature water is easier on their stomach. Experiment and see what works for you.
Here's a tip many of our students love: freeze your water bottle the night before. By the time you get to your water break, it will be perfectly cold but still liquid. There's something incredibly satisfying about cold water when you're in a heated room.
You'll have two water breaks during class - one between the standing and floor series, and one towards the end. You can also drink before class while you're waiting for it to start. Don't drink during the postures themselves unless you absolutely need to.
What to wear
This is where new students often get it wrong, so let's talk about it in detail. What to wear to Bikram yoga is honestly the question we're asked most, so here's the short version up front: less than you think, and tighter than you think.
Bikram yoga clothing needs to be:
- Minimal (you're going to be hot)
- Fitted (loose clothing gets heavy and in the way)
- Moisture-wicking if possible (though regular athletic fabric is fine)
For women, the most common outfit is a sports bra or crop top with fitted shorts or leggings. Some women wear just a sports bra and shorts; others prefer a fitted tank top. The key is that everything is close to your body and won't get heavy when soaked with sweat.
For men, most wear shorts - either fitted athletic shorts or board shorts. Some men practise shirtless; others wear a fitted tank or t-shirt. Again, fitted is better than loose.
What doesn't work: baggy t-shirts, loose shorts, or anything that will hold a lot of water. You'll be miserable in heavy, wet fabric.
Don't be shy about showing skin. Everyone in the room is dressed similarly, and honestly, everyone is too focused on their own practice to care about yours. Wear what keeps you cool and allows you to move freely.
Fabric matters less than fit, but moisture-wicking fabrics do help. That said, plenty of our students wear basic cotton athletic wear and do just fine.
Nice to have
These items aren't essential, but many students find them helpful:
Change of clothes
You'll want dry clothes for after class. Leave them in your locker.
Flip-flops (thongs)
Easy to slip on for walking to and from the hot room. Many students leave these at the studio.
Hair ties
If you have long hair, you'll want it up and off your neck. Bring several hair ties - they tend to disappear.
Mat bag
Makes transporting your mat easier, especially if you're walking or taking public transport to the studio.
Wet bag
Useful for carrying your wet towel and clothes home after class.
Electrolytes
Many of our students add electrolytes to their water before or after class. Coconut water, electrolyte tablets from the chemist, or just a pinch of sea salt in your water all work.
Toiletries
Our studio has showers, and many students shower before heading home or to work. If you plan to shower at the studio, bring your toiletries.
What you can leave at home
Let's save you some money and locker space. Here's what you can leave at home:
Yoga props
Bikram yoga doesn't use props. Your body and the floor are all you need.
Expensive activewear
Save your money. Expensive yoga pants won't make you better at yoga than cheap ones.
Grip gloves and socks
These are actually counterproductive in Bikram yoga. You need to be able to grip with your bare hands and feet.
Perfume
Please, no. The hot room amplifies smells, and strong fragrances can trigger headaches or nausea in other students. Come clean, but skip the scents.
Jewellery
Take it off before class. It gets hot, it gets in the way, and you might lose it.
Your phone
Leave it in your locker. You don't need it, and bringing it into the hot room is disrespectful to other students.
A small face towel
We mentioned this as "nice to have," but many experienced students never use one. Part of the practice is learning to be comfortable being wet. Try without first before deciding you need this.
Special situations
A few situations require specific gear considerations:
Glasses
Most students who wear glasses for distance vision practise without them. The combination of heat and sweat makes glasses impractical. If you absolutely need vision correction, consider contact lenses. You don't need to see perfectly to practise - the mirror doesn't need to be crystal clear for you to see your general alignment.
Long hair
A single ponytail often isn't enough. Try a bun or braid. Your hair on your neck when it's soaking wet is uncomfortable. Get it up and out of the way.
Sensitive skin
Some yoga mats and towels can irritate sensitive skin. If this is a concern, look for hypoallergenic options and wash your towel and clothing in fragrance-free detergent.
Taller students
Standard yoga mats are about 180cm long and 60cm wide. If you're taller or need more space, extra-long or extra-wide mats are available.
Looking after your gear
Taking care of your gear means it lasts longer and stays hygienic:
Your mat
Wipe down your mat after each use. Many students spray their mats with a mixture of water and a few drops of tea tree oil (which has antibacterial properties). Always let your mat dry completely before rolling it up. Deep clean your mat every few weeks with mat cleaner or a mild soap solution.
Your towel
Wash your towel after every single use. Don't let it sit wet in your bag - bacteria grows quickly in damp towels. Use hot water and skip the fabric softener, which can reduce the towel's absorbency.
Your clothes
Like towels, wash your yoga clothes after each use. They're going to be saturated with sweat, and there's no point in storing sweat-soaked clothes. Turn them inside out before washing to remove trapped bacteria.
Your water bottle
Wash your water bottle regularly, especially if you're using it for electrolyte drinks. Bottles can get gross quickly if not cleaned.
What the studio provides
At Bikram Yoga Darlinghurst, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to practise:
Mat hire
Available for a small fee. We clean all hire mats between uses.
Towel hire
Also available if you don't want to bring your own or if you forget yours.
Showers
We have shower facilities with hot water. Bring your own towel and toiletries.
Lockers
Available to store your belongings during class. Bring your own lock if you want to secure your locker.
Water refills
You can refill your water bottle at the studio.
Retail
We stock some yoga essentials if you need to purchase anything.
Building your kit
When you're just starting out, keep it simple. Hire a mat and towel for your first class if you're not sure you'll continue. If you love it (and we think you will), then start building your kit.
Here's a typical progression:
Your own towel
Buy your own towel. This is the first purchase most students make because having your own clean towel is important.
Your own mat
Invest in your own mat. You're committed to the practice, and your own mat feels like home.
Better clothing
Upgrade your clothing if needed. You'll know by now what works for you and what doesn't.
The extras
Consider nice-to-have items like a good mat bag, multiple sets of yoga clothes, or a special water bottle.
The key is not to over-invest before you're sure yoga is for you, but also not to skimp on the essentials once you're committed.
The yoga bag checklist
Once you have your gear, here's what experienced students pack in their yoga bag:
- Yoga mat (if bringing your own)
- Large towel for mat
- Small towel for face (optional)
- Water bottle (filled)
- Yoga clothes to wear in class
- Change of clothes for after class
- Flip-flops
- Hair ties (if needed)
- Toiletries if showering at studio
- Lock for locker (optional)
- Drawstring bag for wet items
Many of our students keep a dedicated yoga bag packed and ready to go. One of our drivers did the maths for us: "Drive, park, class, shower, drive means 2.15 hours at best." A packed bag and a ready shower kit claw back real minutes — sometimes the difference between making the 5:30pm class and missing it. They just need to add their water bottle and they're set. This makes it much easier to get to class consistently - there's no excuse of "I couldn't find my gear."
The short version
- You only absolutely need four things: mat, towel, water, and appropriate clothing
- For clothing, fitted and minimal beats loose and baggy every time
- Bring at least 750ml of water, preferably a full litre
- Mat and towel hire available at the studio for first-timers
- Skip the fragrances, jewellery, and phone
- Wash everything after every use - hygiene matters
- Build your kit gradually as you commit to the practice
- Keep a dedicated yoga bag packed and ready to go
Now you know exactly what you need and what you don't. No more excuses, no more confusion, no more standing in a yoga shop feeling overwhelmed by options.
Get your essentials together and book your class. At Bikram Yoga Darlinghurst, we've been welcoming students since 2002, and we're ready to welcome you too.
Our studio is at Level 1/2, 185 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. Book online or call us on 0449 228 740.
We'll see you in the hot room.