Jump to:
The days of it being acceptable to turn up to the gym in old, sweat-laden band t-shirts, baggy three-quarter length cargo shorts and tennis shoes are well and truly over. Gym clothes for men have moved on; we now live in an age of anti-sweat t-shirts and energy-recovering shorts, so you need to move on too.
But it's not just a style thing. Sure, athleisure is in and your good-for-nothing-else gym clothes are definitely out, but choosing the correct gym attire will have you performing, as well as just looking, better.
But where to start? There are so many options to choose from it can be difficult to sort gym wear from gym scare, and with relative new kids on the block like Gymshark and Lululemon competing with established brands like Nike and Adidas, it has become even harder to know what to go for.
To help you, we’ve compiled a list of the most up-to-date and science-backed gym clothes for men from the best men's gym wear brands around. Heed our advice and you'll look, feel and perform better for it. But if you're still not sure why you should care about the clothes you work out in, we've also included a few reasons why you should be judicious about your gym wardrobe.
The Top
What is a gym wardrobe without a muscle-revealing vest or T-shirt? When it comes to gym tops, there are few better than those we've listed below. Each is made with dry-wicking technology to keep you cool when you're piling up the reps. But why does the material of the clothes you wear to the gym matter?
How Your Gym Kit Affects How You Perform
If old bands t-shirts produced better gains then we’d be urging you to dust off yours. Unfortunately for you – and Led Zepp – the science doesn’t support that. Instead, labcoats believe that dressing for the task at hand is what will make you perform at your best.
Take this study, published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, that found 'clothes systematically influence wearers' psychological processes', or, in other words, the clothes we wear influence the way you feel. So if you want to lift a heavy barbell, make sure you're dressed for the job.
Dri-FIT Men's Fitness T-Shirt
You're an athlete, so why not let everybody in the gym know it? This t-shirt definitely does that, but more importantly, it also features Nike's Dri-FIT technology, which is the brand's high-performance, microfibre, polyester fabric that moves sweat away from the body and to the fabrics surface, where it evaporates.
Gymshark Crest T-Shirt
The classic Gymshark tee — yours for £20. Gymshark's Crest T-shirt will elevate your workouts with a comfortable fit that won't have you making mid-workout wardrobe adjustments. There's also 11 different colours to choose from.
Under Armour Baseline Cotton Tank
Ready to ditch the sleeves? Under Armour's signature cotton tank fits nicely and keeps you mobile with a free range of motion. The super-soft cotton-blend material is also lightweight and quick-drying.
Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Short-Sleeve Shirt
If you're looking for a gym top that will keep you cool, calm and collected during even the most intense of sessions then this is it. Designed to be the ultimate technical training top, the Metal Vent Tech is built for "ultimate breathability" and features Lululemon's anti-stink Silverescent technology.
The Benefits of Wearing Breathable Fabrics
If you’re wearing cotton to the gym, the simple fact is you’re going to sweat and you’re going to retain heat and moisture, so wearing a lighter more breathable fabric is just common sense. This idea has been backed by science, where a study looking at how performance in the heat is affected by clothing concluded that clothes with lower water vapour resistance, so gym wear that doesn’t keep heat locked in, can significantly boost running speed.
The Shoes
Ok, so these are really made for CrossFit, but if you're going to invest in a pair of shoes to lift heavy in then why not invest in a pair made in collaboration with some of the world's most accomplished athletes, including the fittest man in the world? In order to create the perfect training shoe, Nike put the Metcon through thousands of hours of testing and brought experts like three times Crossfit champion Mat Fraser in to really make sure they cut the mustard.
Alternatively, you could try a pair of weightlifting shoes. Designed solely for weightlifting, the shoes can make compound and olympic lifts — that’s anything from barbell snatches to deadlifts and squats — safer and more reliable, by way of improving your form with several design tweaks that aren't seen in conventional trainers.
While you may not automatically think Converse and deadlifting go together, let us assure you they really do. Converse feature a hard, flat rubber sole necessary for your strongest lifts, as well as some ankle support provided by the high-tops. For wide-stance squats (where you don’t want a heel but need to be close to the floor), deadlifts, and bench press, Chuck Taylors are a pro choice.
The Benefits of a Proper Pair of Weightlifting Shoes
You wouldn’t walk onto a building site wearing your favourite pair of brogues, nor would you feel comfortable stepping into a business meeting in your Adidas sliders because in every other facet of life, outside of the gym, we accept there’s footwear that is and isn’t appropriate.
The same is true of what you wear to the gym. A study on the effect weightlifting shoes have on how people squat, published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, suggested weightlifting shoes contribute to an optimal knee-flexed, upright posture during squatting when compared with generic athletic trainers. Put simply, if you’re aiming to lift heavy you should get your footwear right first.
Read more: The Best Weightlifting Shoes
Why It's Worth Investing in a Decent Pair of Running Shoes
You now know the importance of a good pair of weightlifting shoes, but occasionally you'll want to forgo the weights room for a run on the treadmill, or better yet outside, and for that you'll need to invest in a pair of running shoes.
For race days or speed sessions, a carbon-plated shoe like the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3 will supply more cushioning underfoot than your average trainer and reduce the weight up top, which results in unprecedented energy return and comfort.
Now, we understand that these are pretty expensive. They're also best suited to speed work rather than longer efforts. If you're looking for more of an all-rounder at a more affordable price point and better suited to long runs, you can't go wrong with shoes like the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v13, Asics Gel-Nimbus 25, Hoka Clifton 9, or the On Cloudmonster.
The Bottoms
Whether you're heading out on a run, doing a CrossFit class or lifting weights in the gym, a reliable pair of gym shorts will let you focus on the task at hand. After all, the last thing you need is to be distracted by what you're wearing. Here's a few of our favourites.
Lululemon T.H.E. Linerless Short 9"
Choosing training gear need not be complicated. Sometimes a pair of black shorts are all you need, but still, there are black shorts and there are black shorts. These, from Lululemon, are the latter, so as well as looking good are made from breathable fabrics and include plenty of storage space.
Gymshark Arrival 7" Shorts Stone Grey
These 7" sports shorts from Gymshark are made from a breathable and lightweight 100% recycled polyester. They have open side pockets for and feature an adjustable internal drawcord for a sturdy fit. They also come in a range of colours.
For those who prefer a looser fitting pair of shorts when working out, these fleece training shorts form Nike are a great option. They feature Nike's Dri-FIT technology, which helps to moves sweat from your skin as you exercise and are made from a French terry fleece, which feels soft against your skin.
New Balance Impact Run 7 Inch Short
With reflective branding for late night runs, a stretchy mid rise waist and easy access zip pockets, these 7" shorts from New Balance leave no box unticked. Made from an active stretch material, they're designed withstand even the deepest of lunges.
Read more: The Best Joggers for Men
The Socks
Not the most glamorous piece of gym kit, but try doing a workout without them and you'll know about it. When it comes to socks, everyone has their own preference, but we think you'll get along with these just fine.
These cushioned training no-show socks are made to stop you from slipping while you move around and feature arch supports that provide extra support so your feet stay comfortable. In fact, so good are these socks, there's no need to restrict them to just gym use.
Lululemon Power Stride Crew Sock 3 Pack
Prefer more of a crew sock? Regardless, when the weather gets a little colder, we suggest you go for something like Lululemon's Power Stride Crew socks, which are engineered with integrated cushioning for extra comfort whether you're squatting, sprinting or cycling.
