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The Best Gym Clothes for Men: Our Top Picks, From Shoes to Shorts to Bags
Our best-rated gym gear, all in one place
The most important thing you can take to the gym is a solid plan. If, like me, you go to a PureGym, it never hurts to have a solid backup plan, too. What you wear comes second (or should I say third?). But it's also true that good-quality kit will help you get the most out of your workouts, keeping you cool, comfortable and able to move freely with good form. All of that makes the best gym clothes for men an important consideration in your training.
But where to start? As with all menswear, finding gym clothes that fit well and match how you train takes some trial and error. This is where our expertise comes in. As Men’s Health editors, we’ve tested more gym kit over the years than we care to count, reviewing each item during everything from brutal WODs to solo HYROX events.
Here, I’ve brought together the top picks from all our gym wear guides, covering everything from gym tops and gym shorts to gym shoes, gym bags, workout headphones and more.
Best Gym Clothes for Men
How I Selected the Best Gym Clothes
As the ecommerce editor for Men's Health, it's my job to test the latest gym clothes for men and recommend the best options to buy. With the help of the wider Men's Health team, each item is put through its paces across a variety of workouts – from heavy lifts to outdoor cardio in all seasons. We judge the style, fit, price, versatility and performance, with particular attention paid to stretch, comfort, moisture-wicking ability and breathability.
Below, I've listed the top-rated pick from each of our respective gym wear round-ups.
ThruDark Force Core T-Shirt
Pros
- Raglan sleeve design allows a full range of motion
- Streamlined fit across the upper body
- Very quick-drying and moisture-wicking
- Drapes comfortably over the shoulders and upper arms
Cons
- Those with more muscular builds may find their usual size too tight
I highly rate the ThruDark Force Core T-Shirt. It’s the one I reach for when I have a heavy lifting session on the cards thanks to its excellent stretch, range of motion and breathability. The raglan shoulder cut gives you plenty of room through the arms and shoulders, making it especially practical for overhead presses and pulls.
ThruDark’s DarkMatr™ Hex Tech fabric performs exceptionally well in the heat. Even during a 40-minute cycle commute in 32-degree weather, with a rucksack pressed against my back, the fabric stayed surprisingly dry and retained very little moisture.
The fit is athletic but roomy, with enough length to ensure coverage during exercises like pull-ups without excessive bunching. I wear a size large and find it true to size, though broader builds may want to size up for a looser fit.
Read More: Best Gym Tops
Features at a Glance
| Material | Dark Matter™ Hextech made from recycled nylon |
|---|---|
| Colours | Raven Grey, Obsidian Black, Stone |
| Sizes | XS – 3XL |
Vuori Kore Short
Pros
- Three inseam lengths and plenty of colours to choose from
- Lined and unlined version
- Soft and comfortable inner liner
- Unrestrictive feel when squatting and lunging
Cons
- No zipped pockets
Out of all your gym clothes, it's important to be selective about your shorts. Lower-body workouts demand the freedom of movement that an ill-fitting pair can derail. That means considering your preferred inseam length, materials and choosing between lined or linerless. With the Vuori Kore Short, there's plenty of scope to customise all these areas.
I personally prefer the lined Kore Short in the 7" inseam for the gym. It gives me freedom of movement around the quads, while still providing enough coverage above the knees and a fitted feel around the glutes, making them a well-suited pair for transitioning from the treadmill to the weight room.
As for functionality, they stay comfortable even towards the end of workouts, with strategically placed vents for breathability ensuring all that sweat build up can escape and great stretch.
Read More: Best Gym Shorts for Men
Features at a Glance
| Material | Recycled polyester, polyester, elastane |
|---|---|
| Colours | 10+ |
| Sizes | XXS – XXL |
Pros
- A reliable, no-nonsense gym shoe
- Firm and stable when lifting
- Excellent grip on outsole
- Well suited to workouts that combine weights and cardio
- Stylish design and colourways
Cons
- Could be more breathable
- Toe box may be too narrow for people with wide feet
The Adidas Dropset 4 has become my go-to gym shoe thanks to its balance of stability and light cushioning. I find the Repetitor foam's compression firm enough for heavy squats and deadlifts, while still offering enough responsiveness enough for box jumps and burpees.
The Energyrods boost stability in the midfoot under load, while the outsole wrap and padded Geofit construction keep the foot locked in during lifts. Grip is excellent on both soft gym flooring and wooden lifting platforms, with no slipping during testing.
There’s enough cushioning for short runs, but I’d choose a more responsive shoe for anything over 1km. Overall, it’s an excellent all-round cross-training shoe for workouts that mix lifting, dynamic bodyweight work and short cardio efforts.
Read More: Best Gym Shoes
Features at a Glance
| Material | Textile, rubber, Repetitor foam, EnergyRods carbon-infused plate |
|---|---|
| Colours | 9 |
| Sizes | 3.5 – 17 (Half sizes from 3.5 – 14.5) |
Stubble & Co The Kit Bag
Pros
- Padded compartments
- Separate shoe pocket
- Durable, weather-proof outer material
Cons
- No bottle holder
The title of 'Best Gym Bag' is hotly contested, but the Stubble & Co Kit Bag is the one bag that ticks all my boxes. It can be worn as a duffle or backpack and has a smart look and feel that makes it a great gym-to-office option.
The standout feature is the clamshell opening design, which lets you see everything at a glance instead of rummaging around for smaller items. There’s also a handy internal mesh pocket for organising all the stuff you want to keep separate.
The 30L size hits the sweet spot for anyone who needs a bag that’ll take them from the gym to the office, or vice versa – but you can safely go up to 65L without it becoming too bulky. It looks great and it's waterproof, although I’d like to see exterior bottle pockets and more supportive shoulder straps when carrying heavier loads.
Read more: The Best Gym Bags for Stashing Your Kit
Features at a Glance
| Capacity | 30L | 40L | 65L |
|---|---|
| Colours | Black | Yellow |
Represent 247 Numbers Vest
Pros
- Stylish design and colourways
- Breathable and lightweight, even when wet
- Soft, comfortable material
- Close-fitting neckline
- Good balance of coverage and freedom of movement under armpits
Cons
- Pricey
- Slightly tight across the chest
Like all Represent 247 kit, the Numbers Vest looks great. But more importantly, it performs well across both strength work and cardio.
The mesh panelling under the arms and across the upper back keep air flowing during hot-weather sessions, wicking away sweat effectively and remaining lightweight and comfortable throughout workouts.
I wear a medium and find the fit good overall, although it is slightly tight across one side of my chest, so broader builds may want to size up. The shoulder cut gives you plenty of freedom to move, while the length provides enough coverage for exercises like pull-ups.
Read More: Best Gym Tank Tops for Men
Features at a Glance
| Material | 100% Polyester |
|---|---|
| Colours | Graphite Grey, Teal, Jet Black |
| Sizes | XXS – XXL |
Step One Boxer Briefs
Pros
- Soft and breathable material
- Snug, long-line fit
- Comfortable and close-fitting
Cons
- Expensive – although multi-buy offer reduces cost
Made from the same sweat-wicking, flexible materials as your gym tees and shorts, performance underwear is designed to cling to your quads and not ride up on you mid-rep. Unlike your day-to-day cotton briefs, they also don't hold onto sweat as much, minimising chafing and discomfort.
Long-lined and streamlined, these boxer briefs from Step One feel almost like compression shorts, fitting snugly around the glutes and quads. They're specifically designed for guys with thicker legs and feature ride-up-resistant panels around the inner thighs to ensure they don't bunch up during squats and lunges. A '3D Comfort Pouch' also keeps your assets supported and in place.
The bamboo–polyester blend helps to keep you cool during workouts, avoiding that soggy fabric feeling you really don't want.
Read more: The Best Men's Underwear, Tested
Lululemon ABC Warpstreme Jogger
Pros
- Versatile across cardio and weights
- Tapered fit for running
- Lightweight and quick-drying
- Can be worn day-to-day
Cons
- Expensive
The ABC Jogger stood out in our testing for its classic tapered fit and general versatility for both strength work and lifting. The lightweight, four-way-stretch fabric moves easily during both types of workout, while moisture-wicking and odour-resistant properties help keep us feeling fresh and dry through sweaty sessions.
They’re also smart enough to wear beyond the gym, with multiple inseam options for a fit tailored to your body shape and a hidden zip pocket for storing keys or cards. The roomy ABC construction – short for ‘anti-ball crushing’ – also gives you extra space where it matters.
These are a strong choice if you want one pair of joggers that can handle any scenario.
Features at a Glance
| Material | Nylon, Lycra, Elastane, Polyester, Elastomultiester |
|---|---|
| Colours | 5+ |
| Sizes | 28" – 32", XS – XL |
Under Armour HeatGear Compression Short Sleeve
Under Armour HeatGear Compression Short Sleeve
Pros
- Tight fit without restricting movement
- Mesh armpit panels aid breathability
Cons
- Only one compression level
It might sound counterintuitive to wear a base layer in the heat, but Under Armour's HeatGear Compression Short Sleeve essentially acts like a supercharged moisture-wicking layer that pulls sweat away from your body to keep you cool.
Under Armour lays claim to producing the original base layer and this latest version features the same style of ultra-tight fit and functional construction to ensure you can move and stretches in every direction.
Read More: Best Base Layers
Features at a Glance
| Material | Polyester/ Elastane |
|---|---|
| Colours | 10+ |
| Sizes | XS – 4XL |
What to Consider When Choosing Gym Clothes
Gone are the days when sweat-laden cotton tees would hamper your performance. Today, the best gym wear for men has moved on. We now live in an age of moisture-wicking, ultra-stretch materials – not to mention meticulously optimised gym shoes – that make it easier than ever to get the most out of your workouts. Here's what to look for.
Fit
Fit is everything when it comes to the best workout clothes for men. Like casual clothing, gym wear comes in a variety of styles and sizes to suit different body shapes. As a general rule, we'd suggest opting for tighter-fitting gym wear than you might otherwise rock day to day. Loose, flappy sleeves can snag on equipment and generally get in the way of your lifts. But equally, don't feel that you have to rule out boxy and oversized styles, which offer a less restrictive feel and more comfortable fit.
Comfort
Your gym wear shouldn't feel restrictive, heavy or abrasive. That means opting for lightweight, soft materials that don't rub or chafe. Opt for a fit that gives you the freedom to move fully, and breathable fabrics that don't hold onto too much sweat. Also prioritise styles and colours that you feel good in. Comfort is about more than just the material of your gym wear. Confidence in what you're wearing can boost your motivation to work out and arguably leads to better results from your training.
Odour
When you sweat and your gym wear gets wet, it retains odour. Opting for moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabrics will minimise the buildup of BO and prevent sweat from staining your kit. To prevent the natural buildup of odour over time, keep your kit dry between wears (no leaving it in your gym bag all week) and wash your dirty kit after each session.
Material
Workout clothes are typically made from a blend of materials, each of which brings different benefits. Polyester is the most common, thanks to its quick-drying, sweat-wicking and wrinkle-resistant properties. It's also lightweight, durable and versatile, making it an excellent material to use in performance-wear. You'll often find polyester blended with elastane, which provides stretch, giving gym wear more flexibility and support. Another material that's commonly used is nylon, which is also moisture-wicking and quick-drying, as well as stretchy and durable.
Seams
You'll find that a lot of activewear features flatlock seams. These lay flush against the fabric, which reduces rubbing and chafing during exercise. You can also find seamless gym wear, which has the same effect. Pay particular attention to this when choosing a workout tee, especially if you do lots of cardio.
Compression
Choosing to train in compression gear depends on the style of exercise you're doing and the benefits you're looking for. Compression clothing, by nature, fits tightly around your limbs, which can restrict movement, especially for more intense sessions with lots of movement. However, good compression gear should in theory act like a second skin, giving you a full range of motion while delivering the benefits of additional muscle support during workouts and increased blood flow, which is said to speed up recovery.
How Your Gym Clothes 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.
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.
More of Our Favourite Gym Wear
Best Gym Tops | Best Gym Shorts | Best Gym Bags | Best Tank Tops | Best Joggers | Best Underwear for Men | Best Running Shorts | Best Gym Shoes | Best Base Layers | Best Hyrox Shoes | Best Gym Headphones
Luke Chamberlain is the ecommerce editor for Men’s Health UK where he compiles expert-led buying guides and in-depth product reviews across gym wear, fitness tech, supplements, and grooming. Responsible for testing everything from the latest gym headphones to the best beard trimmers, Luke also enlists the help of leading health and wellness experts to help readers make informed choices when shopping online. He also covers major sales events for Men’s Health, including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, scouting and verifying hundreds of discounts in order to recommend only the most genuine deals on offer. A magazine journalism graduate from the University of Sheffield in 2018, Luke has also worked as assistant editor for Outdoor Swimmer magazine and as an ecommerce writer for The Recommended. When he’s not testing the latest health and fitness products, he’s busy plotting routes for his next trail run or gravel ride out of London. Follow Luke on Instagram at @lukeochamb
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