Best men’s gym clothes

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With sweat-wicking fabric, stretch, durability and style, these are the brands you can depend on to support you through your workout

We noted in our round up of the best women’s gym clothes for 2021, studies have shown that people are more likely to exercise when they like what they’re wearing. A survey of 2,000 gym-goers conducted in the US in 2018 showed that 9 out of 10 gym-goers believe that simply putting exercise kit on made them feel more motivated to workout when they weren’t feeling up for it.

Second only to seeing physical improvements, putting on exercise clothing is the most motivating thing you can do to push you into actually working out.

Not only that, the correct gym clothing will make you feel more comfortable - wicking away sweat and keeping you cool as you heat up - not to mention help activate your muscles and increase performance. That, and, crucially, good gym kit will make you look great - which is one of the goals, right?

Gym tops

Here’s the thing: if you’re working out in an old t-shirt, you’re likely getting fairly sweaty and uncomfortable as your workout goes on. This is why it’s worth investing in a decent gym top: sweat-wicking material will transform your workout - they wick moisture away and dry swiftly, so you’ll be comfortable throughout. They also stop you from smelling sweaty too swiftly.

Nike’s Dri-Fit is the most beloved sweat-wicking material, but each sports brand tends to have a proprietary fabric made from microfibre, designed to sweat-wick and breath for a drier, cooler workout.

Base layers

Why base layers? If you’re outdoors, they will keep you warmer, and absorb sweat, to prevent you chaffing. They can also support as you move, decreasing the likelihood of injury. Weightlifters also claim they assist in the activation of muscles.

Compression leggings/tights

You may see men stalking the weights cages at your local gym in compression tights, and wonder why. They’re onto something. Studies have shown that compression tights help endurance, reduce the time it takes to hit exhaustion, helps regulate muscle temperature, improves stability, and improves recovery time. That’s impressive.

A quick entreaty: put shorts on over your gym tights. Regardless of your musculature, it’s uncomfortable to see bulging groins around the gym. David Bowie in Labyrinth, you are not.

A quick look at the best brands

Best for sweat-wicking cardio gear: Gymshark, Lululemon men’s, anything labelled Nike DriFit

Best for breathability and stretch when weight-training: Under Armour, Reebok, and Adidas

Best for looking cool and showing off the flesh: Cos, Lululemon men’s, Gymshark Stringer Vests

Best budget exercise gear range: ASOS 4505

Best deluxe, high-spec, stylish brands: Iffley Road, Boss X Russell Athletic

Best for eco credentials and sustainability: AllBirds, Organic Basic

Best men’s gym clothes UK: top training gear from Nike DriFit, GymShark, Adidas, Reebok, and Under Armour