The best gym clothes for men

Let's talk gym wear. This is the best gym clothing out there for men.

The best gym clothes for men

by Jack Barrell |
Updated on

Looking the part and feeling the part come hand in hand in the gym space, regardless of the circumstance, picking the best gym clothes matters. Every gym goer seeks something uniquely personal from their gym attire. Some demand practicality above all else, whereas others might prioritise style and fit, and then some yearn for a blend of the two. There’s no denying the tremendous choice out there when it comes to gym clothes for men; that’s why we’re shedding some spotlight on what's out there today.

Your gym fit can consist of the bare basics or multiple components; there are endless options out there nowadays to do whatever you like with your gym get-up. Keep things subtle and lowkey with a set of baggy joggers and an oversized tee, or get kitted out with a compression top and some 2-in-1 shorts. It's all down to personal choice, just like we noted when we discussed what to wear for your first gym trip.

The best gym clothes for men at a glance:

The best men's gym shorts: Gymshark Sport 5” 2 in 1 shorts - View on Gymshark
The best budget means training tops: MP Men’s Training Short Sleeve T-Shirt - View on Myprotein
The best men's training shoes: Under Armour Project Rock 6 Training Shoes - View on Under Armour

The notorious emergence of brands like Gymshark and Myprotein has made shopping for gym gear significantly easier and has done a world of good for the sheer choice out there. Let's face it, you'll come across great gym trainers at most high-street sportswear retailers, but they're not the be-all and end-all. Traditional brands like Nike and Adidas still have some serious quality, but why limit yourself?

Choosing the best gym clothes for men – how we decided

To be able to break down the best gym clothes for men, we’ve had to first establish what kind of gym clothes are available and what the current trends are. Keeping this in mind, we’ve attempted to tick off every style and every get-up we can. We know there’s a lot out there, trust us, but it’s our pleasure at What’s the Best to be able to narrow it down for you.

We’ve considered the best options on a conscious budget, as well as durability, comfortability and style.

The best mens gym clothes of 2023

The best men’s gym shorts

When Gymshark conjure up a new and seemingly innovative piece of gym wear, they rarely disappoint. We’re not ashamed to admit, the story is the same with these terrific 2 in 1 shorts.

A highly breathable 2 in 1 build provides a well-fitting, comfortable pair of training shorts that can withstand the most demanding of workout sessions. Gymshark offer these premium shorts in a selection of vibrant colour options. Due to the unique design of these shorts, they are somewhat pricier than a typical pair of sports shorts. But we’d certainly argue they’re worth it.

Pros

  • Breathable fit
  • 2-in-1 build gives the best of both worlds
  • Lots of colour choice

Cons

  • Pricier than a standard pair of shorts

Best men’s oversized gym tops

Boohoo tee
Price: £10.80 (was £18)

www.boohooman.com

There’s a huge market for oversized gym attire nowadays, with lifters always hunting for a new pump cover. This style is comfortable, low-key, and delivered in unique and trendy designs. BoohooMAN understood the assignment, as they offer a glowing range of oversized tees.

Available in a range of stylish designs, the BoohooMAN oversized tees are great value for money, even if the material may not be the most durable on the market, you cannot deny the price tag.

Pros

  • Comfortable and non restrictive
  • Bold, gym themed designs

Cons

  • Might not be as durable as designer brands

The best men’s training shoes

The shoes are an essential component to any fit, especially in a gym fit. You have so many aspects to consider, do you prioritise practicality and function, or style and design? Fortunately, the Under Armour Project Rock range can gift you both.

The partnership of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and sportswear giant Under Armour resulted in the Project Rock line. The Project Rock 6s are some of the best training shoes that the partnership has dished out. They're super sleek and crafted to enhance your training. The price tag is a bit more dear, but that’s reflective of that iconic logo you get on the side of these kicks.

Pros

  • Super comfortable
  • Gorgeous design
  • Practical

Cons

  • Price tag reflects the brand, not the quality

The best budget men’s training tops

Shopping for gym wear doesn’t have to be a pricy affair when there are brands out there like Myprotein. The Myprotein range has to be a serious consideration if you’re searching for budget gym clothing that doesn’t skimp on quality.

The MP Men’s Training Short Sleeve T-Shirts are the real deal. A lightweight and durable material means you’ll start your workouts comfortably and you’ll finish them comfortably. Designs are simplistic, so there is nothing to write home about, but we can’t demand too much with such a great price.

Pros

  • Cover-stitched seams for minimal irritation
  • Sweat wicking fabric for moisture management
  • Quick drying and breathable

Cons

  • May show signs of wear under extreme use

The best men’s joggers

There’s nothing more reliable than a solid pair of joggers, whether that’s for gym use or lounging around the house. The Gymshark crest joggers are an excellent all-rounder choice. Available in multiple base colours, these joggers come in a slim fit that’s not too tight that you can’t breathe, but equally not overly baggy.

For gym use and lounging around, the crest joggers are perfect. Extreme wear will see colours fade so they still need to be looked after.

Pros

  • Lots of colours to choose from
  • Soft, brushed back fabric inside for full comfort

Cons

  • Colours may fade under extreme wear

The best men’s tech fleece

There’s no man out there that shouldn’t have a tech fleece in his arsenal. The tech fleece is a multi-occasion piece of clothing that should be able to sustain gym, outdoor and home wear.

The Under Armour Half Zip Long Sleeve is Under Armour’s flagship tech fleece, and it's clear why. It’s made from quality material that’s breathable, comfortable, and affordable – that's a trio we can get behind. Under Armour may not be the flashiest of the high street sportswear brands but that by no means is a determiner of quality.

Pros

  • Material wicks sweat & dries really fast
  • Comfortable due to ultra-soft feel

Cons

  • Not as mainstream a brand as competitors

What to wear to the gym as a male

The gym has become a wholly inclusive space, especially with regard to what we choose to wear. Gyms do not typically have dress codes, you can wear practically whatever you like (within reason of course). The bottom line is, wear to the gym what makes you feel comfortable. We can guarantee that if you feel good and happy in what you're wearing, that will only bode well for your time in the gym.

Where to buy gym clothes

The choice is almost endless for gym and sportswear nowadays; there are many retailers with some real quality on the shelves. Of course, high street names like Nike, Adidas, and Puma offer an inclusive range of gym wear products.

In the last ten years,, online retailers have emerged that have changed how we get our gym gear. Gymshark and Myprotein are recent giants of modern sportswear, blending quality and affordability spectacularly.

Where to buy affordable gym clothes

There’s nothing wrong with hunting down the most budget-friendly gym clothing you can. There are plenty of names out there that offer gym and sportswear that won’t break the bank. Gymshark and Myprotein are two big names that offer affordable quality.

Another avenue you can take is scrolling through the more traditional clothing outlets and checking out their sportswear sections. BoohooMAN is a great example of securing some real gym wear bargains.

Jack Barrell is a Tech and Fitness Writer for What’s the Best. He is invested in all things entertainment and keeps well up to date with the latest sports and exercise trends too. On his off days Jack can usually be found doing one of two things; lifting heavy weights – or watching his favourite Star Wars for the thousandth time.

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