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The Best Men’s Workout Clothes for Your All Your Training Needs

Seriously, it’s time to retire those cotton gym shirts from high school.

collage of workout shorts, black tshirt, and gray socks Courtesy

By Cory Smith and Ben Emminger

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Look, we get it. There’s something about those ratty old college t-shirts and high school shorts that makes us come back to them training session after training session. While keeping a few pair around is fine for nostalgia’s sake (or for curating the ultimate cut-off lineup), fitness apparel has changed phenomenally over the past few years. Materials are better equipped to withstand the rigors of hard-nosed training, no matter your discipline. Fabrics accentuate your workouts with moisture-wicking, stench-busting perks. Logos and branding actually stay in-place after more than one trip through the wash cycle.

As impressive as the workout apparel sector is, though, narrowing it down to just a few picks is a task too difficult for even the most dedicated athletes (us included). So, rather than ignite a firestorm in the comments, we’ve decided to take a broader approach by identifying brands we think do the category justice.

How We Tested

If you’re aiming at a new 1RM, these could be the shorts ideal for your setup. We appreciate the gusseted crotch for added mobility, and the Aeroready moisture control helps eliminate any pooling sweat across the profile. Plus, the elastic waistband stays stable across your midriff eliminating any rollover or readjustment that may plague other silhouettes in your go-to gym wardrobe.

For that sleek, next-to-skin sensation throughout your entire flow, it’s tough to beat these impressive compression yoga shorts from Alo Yoga. The 9-inch inseam provides worthwhile coverage, and the comfortable waistband sits cozily across the midsection without bunching up during poses. This feature compliments the unhindered mobility, too, so feel free to take a crack at more advanced yoga disciplines if your heart desires.

We like this top because of its subdued style and cozy fabric, but there’s still a lot going on across this minimalist garment outside of looks alone. While its namesake athlete wasn’t known for mobility, this t-shirt is plenty capable of stretching and accentuating your movement through training, which is why this high-fashion silhouette is a staple among our running shirt lineup week in and week out.

The first feature of note across the impressive silhouette is the multidirectional waistband that sits comfortably across the midsection without feeling too tacky or constrictive. Additionally, we admire the shorter cut of these briefs as they provide ample coverage without feeling too lengthy across the thighs. Plus, the Run XP briefs are lightweight and practically disappear across the frame, letting you focus on your lifts and runs, not on your undergarments.

While the skull logo across the thigh warrants standing out in a gym setting, you’d be hard to remember you’re wearing these impressive shorts thanks to the lightweight build and breathable profile overall. The mesh pockets are also a nice convenience, too, perfect for keeping your phone and other essentials in-tote without worrying about excess sweat clouding up your screen or case.

Take your training with a dose of versatility? These impressive shorts from Gymshark are prime for a variety of workout needs thanks to their breathable makeup and premium aesthetics. We also appreciate the zippered pockets that allow for improved gear security when getting to the training center. Plus, the Stay-Put waistband is comfortable across the midsection without showing any signs of drop or looseness.

For running endeavors and other circuits, this top is prime for performance. We love the inclusion of Tercel fabric along the blend which gives this t-shirt a heightened sense of breathability and coolness allowing for outdoor-oriented workouts, too. While some may prefer a tighter collar (admittedly, it’s a little rounded), for keeping cool and comfortable, it’s hard to beat this top.

While this stylish top is made from cotton, which can lead to unnecessary sweat, we still hold this t-shirt in high regards, especially for CrossFit training. The cotton blend is still breathable and lightweight for high-intensity movements, and the F-Lite Tee is plenty durable to withstand the typical scrapes and scuffs you’re bound to encounter in your local CrossFit box.

Ideal for those brisk early morning jaunts, this premium long sleeve cloaks your torso in a thermoregulating merino blend that also helps defend against any growing funk you may develop mid-workout. Plus, at just 9.9 ounces, this long sleeve is exceptionally lightweight, adding less bulk to your training ensembles.

Taller athletes, rejoice! The Enzo Tee features a scalloped hem at the bottom for added coverage, and the polyester blend provides ample comfort and durability to sustain a hard-nosed weekly routine. Just don’t limit this t-shirt to training-related wear, though. We’ve found the sleek aesthetic and minimalist branding to be too good looking to not wear on daily occurrences, too.

workout shirtLululemon

BEST NIGHTTIME RUNNING LONG SLEEVE

Lululemon SenseKnit Running Long Sleeve

While we love this top for nighttime running, there’s plenty more daytime uses for this effective top, too. The compression laid out across this silhouette is supportive, not constricting, and the engineered mobility zones ensure you’re flexible and agile enough for whatever your training routine calls for.

We know, athletic socks are probably the last item you’d expect us to highlight from such a performance-laden brand as Nike, but train in a bad pair of stockings and you’ll understand their importance. Thanks to a versatile, comfortable makeup and ultra-approachable price point, it’s hard to imagine a time where these crew socks weren’t worn at least once during our weeks of training both on the road and in the gym.

Don’t worry about overheating with these premium joggers from Nobull. Climate-regulating technologies help your legs maintain that comfortable, cozy vibe no matter how hard you press your training. Additionally, the subtly porous fabric helps wick away moisture, perfect for defending against those nasty sweat stains that can tarnish any workout fit.

These impressive bottoms have long been our favorite running shorts for a number of disciplines and training sessions. The stretch ripstop fabric provides ample coziness while the HeiQ ant-odor treatment keeps the Strider Pro fresh enough for multiple wears before hitting the laundry hamper. Plus, the 5-inch inseam gives enough coverage across the thighs for sun protection while still giving a breathable sense of coverage.

Offered in both 5-inch and 7-inch inseams, the best-selling Sykes short features Path Projects’s signature linerless technology for unencumbered movement. The durable shell is super stretchy and DWR-treated for water resistance. Carry everything you’ll need with ease in the three zippered pockets, back phone pocket, front key pocket and additional small back pockets.

As one of our best shorts and liners for yoga, these colorful bottoms feature a drawcord-free waistband and 10-inch inseam. The Super Mojo Short II is linerless, allowing you to transition easily from frog pose to warrior without hassle. Additionally, these shorts feature UPF 50+ sun protection, perfect for when you want to take your flows outside into the open air.

Okay, so cotton may not be the most ideal fabric for training purposes, but sweating through a workout isn’t always a bad thing … especially when you’re dripping through a stylish top. We love the comfort baked into this silhouette as well as the vintage-looking logo across the front. While not the most performance-laden pump cover on the market, now and again, it helps to kick it back to the days of Arnold and Ronnie.

Ideal for those scenarios when you need to catch a quick workout in-between Zoom meetings and work-from-home requirements, these bottoms pack a ton of plush across their silhouette with enough stretch to facilitate active movement. While not the best for dedicated training in the confines of a gym, if you’re sneaking away from the webcam for a quick rowing session, these are a must-own.

These shorts are built on the premise that the only thing that matters when working out … is the workout. Made with a four-way stretch and durable DWR-treated fabric, the Mako short is fully featured with gusseted seams for superior mobility. The shorts also boast a media pocket for your phone, adding another layer of convenience to the profile.

Being comfortable under a barbell is a must when going for a new PR. Thankfully, these workout-minded bottoms from Saxx ensure that aesthetic with a built-in liner featuring the brand’s BallPark Pouch. Plus, the Flat-Out seams across this garb eliminate any chafing areas, perfect for agility-related sessions where your body’s more in motion.

Whether running, hiking or working out at the gym, Smartwool running socks are fit for any challenge. A Virtually Seamless Toe helps defend against chafing, while Indestructawool technology helps boost durability for a sock that’s there with you session after session. We really enjoy the mesh venting, too, that keeps your feet cool and comfortable with maximum breathability and moisture management.

Thanks to a tough-as-hell makeup, this sleek, subdued t-shirt has become a staple in our strength-oriented regimen. The material is beefed up enough to withstand errant scuffs and abuse while the tailored fit creates the perfect silhouette across our frame. While the thicker makeup may not be ideal for outdoor workouts, this Durable Shirt can certainly toughen up your next lifting circuit in a hurry.

Running isn’t always filled with clear skies, and for those wet and stormy conditions, we often turn to this impressive outerwear option. An internal hem cinch-cord helps keep the waist locked in-place during jogs, and the FutureLight material has proven its durability through a plethora of inclement forecasts. If you need a running jacket worth its weight in performance, look no further.

If ever there was one training tee everyone should own at least one of, it’s this one. Moderately priced, you can get a few for the cost of one of the more expensive workout tops. The lightweight, 100-percent polyester fabric wicks moisture well and dries fast. For bigger guys, it comes in nine different sizes, up to 5XL, as well as a tall fit for longer torsos.

As a lightweight pump cover, it’s hard to keep this hoodie off your radar. The half-zip nature of the Ponto Performance Hoodie gives some versatility to the makeup, while its pima cotton build sits cozily across the skin for early sets or light cardio days. The thermal qualities may be lacking across the silhouette, but for warmer workout conditions, this is the perfect pre-workout fit.

If you’re going to wear tights, make them compression tights. If you’re going to wear compression tights, wear the best: 2XU. These graduated compression tights feature 2XU’s proprietary PWX fabric with circular knit 360-degree stretch to increase blood flow and help improve recovery.

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