Gab Esposito’s gym edit

A young man wearing a red long-sleeved shirt and black shorts sits comfortably on a weight bench with a barbell, set against a light wood wall.

Gab Esposito’s gym editWorking up a sweat with the dance prodigy

The post-summer gym phobia and sluggish return to work is real, but as dancer Gabriele Esposito advises, getting active is the best way to re-energise and find zen. And yes, what you wear at the gym does matter. Read more below.

By Nayeun Kim

29 September 2024 · 5 min read

While most of us might only dream of standing on a big stage flanked by an adoring crowd, the Neapolitan dancer Gabriele Esposito lived that reality by entering — and winning — the dance division of the Italian equivalent of So You Think You Can Dance, Amici, at just 18.

It’s been many moons since Amici, but Esposito is more in-demand than ever. Adding choreographer, model, jewellery designer, and full-time internet hottie to his CV, he’s outgrown the stage that first launched him into the spotlight. Still, irrespective of such success, dancing remains his true love — evident in the way he effortlessly rolls out viral-worthy dance videos for his burgeoning social media following.

You may be thinking, “Gosh, does this genetically blessed Italian hunk ever slow down?” The answer is yes, and no. Paradoxically, Esposito explains his way of finding zen is getting active. “When I have no energy, I go to the gym,” he says. “When I move my body, it energises me. And not just dancing — it has to be a mixture of sports.” Channelling your energy properly is often overlooked, but with unexpected sincerity, he affirms, “an active life is a top priority if you want to continue doing the things you love.”

For this GUEST EDIT, Gabriele Esposito leads the way on how to break out of post-summer gym phobias and get back to working up a sweat.

Go-to gym gear

“ I love the shape it makes. It’s giving ‘corset’ for men. ”

- Gabriele Esposito

Warm up essentials

When faced with a stylish heartthrob like Esposito, the conversation naturally begins with a question about his go-to gym outfit. “Grey sweatpants,” he says definitively. “I literally have a wardrobe full of grey sweatpants — I just change the colour of my tank top and running shoes.” Asked if his gym look is a reflection of his daily style, he agrees, adding that it’s usually a combination of tight and baggy. “I love the shape it makes. It’s giving ‘corset’ for men.”

Taking one quick scroll at his Instagram, his statement proves to be true, with the dancer rarely photographed outside the uniform of slightly cropped tops paired with baggy bottoms. He describes the yin and yang of his outfit combination in two words: “sexy and comfy.”

Intrigued if Esposito’s pre-workout planning is as deliberate as his approach to fashion, he explains how it’s a lot more intuitive. By that, he means there’s no meal prep, no motivational mantras, no overnight coordinated outfits. “I just go with what I feel like on the day,” he says. It’s another reminder that going to the gym is time for yourself to disconnect from the outside and recharge. It shouldn’t feel like a chore. But don’t be fooled by Esposito’s carefree attitude — his fierce dance discipline takes over the moment he steps into the training room.

As for Esposito’s one non-negotiable for getting a good workout? “Warm up,” he says. A minimum of 10 minutes is essential, if not fundamental, whether you’re a beginner or professional. “You’ll know when your body is ready to go. Your muscles will literally feel warm,” he says. And the risk of skipping this step? “Disaster.”

Train like a pro

A young man with curly blonde hair runs on a treadmill, wearing a light purple tank top and brown shorts, in a bright gym environment.

Make power moves

Esposito has another caveat — training shoes. Not having the right footwear could easily result in “your worst day.” He’s right: How many times can you recall slipping into a random old pair of running shoes or retired sneakers, only to realise you’re more blistered than bulked? It’s the sort of memory that hangs on as the perfect excuse to never step foot into the gym again. “It’s difficult to find the right shoes for you,” he sympathises. “That’s why I buy the same shoes in different colours if they fit well.”

Besides revealing himself to be a sales assistant’s dream client, Esposito has some shopping advice himself. “Don’t wear nylon, wear stretch fabric. Pockets are useful. Buy tank tops from womenswear. Ninety-nine percent of the time, it has to be from womenswear — it’s a better fit.”

It’s an interesting observation, but what exactly is the difference between the two? “Oversized tank tops? They’re not for me!” This is less of a matter of vanity, but practicality, continues Esposito. “When I’m training at the gym, I want to see my body so I can see which muscles are working.” Before pausing to add, “and [womenswear is] just cuter.”

“ Who wouldn’t want to work out with Spiderman, c’mon. ”

- Gabriele Esposito

With the gym fit down pat, we ask what other secrets Esposito has to getting and staying fit. His answer is rather straightforward: “It’s not about how many push ups you do but how you do them,” he says. If you want to make each session count, choose quality over quantity.

Given Esposito’s background in jewellery design, we take the liberty to ask if flaunting some bling at the gym is chic or a faux pas? “Alora, it’s not the best, probably not chic, but I never take my jewellery off,” he laughs. And how about some innocent flirting? “I love flirting at the gym. It’s such a cliché, but it’s fun. Why not!” As for getting pumped up, it’s a RuPaul playlist — every time. His dream gym partner? “Tom Holland. Who wouldn’t want to work out with Spiderman, c’mon.”

All jokes and cheek aside, when Esposito said being active energises him, he wasn’t playing around — just look at how he’s recently added kickboxing to his routine. “Oh, it’s very fun,” he says. Likening the sport to dancing on stage, he admits the high from performing in front of lots of people is something he misses and wants to feel everyday. “Kickboxing gives me the same adrenaline rush…maybe because I’m constantly getting punched in the face,” he laughs.

Find your inner Rocky Balboa

It’s not totally unexpected from a sport that requires a lot of guts. But just how does he prepare for the grind? “It’s a lot of mental work. You have to prepare your mind to be focused and learn to pay attention to your surroundings,” Esposito explains. With all the chat about clothes and confidence, does it affect his performance? “That’s the funny thing. I wear short shorts, tank tops…clothes that make me feel comfortable and it does make a difference.”

Throughout our conversation, Esposito emphasises the same point: to get into a performance mindset, find clothes that fit well and make you feel confident. It’s clear that the real life Hercules is the perfect example of the well-worn “look good, feel good” approach. When asked about what he’ll be doing after our interview winds up, he simply smiles and says, “I’m going to the gym.”