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The 20 Best Workout Clothes for Men, Tested by Fashion and Fitness Experts

Tackle all your fitness goals in style.

By Christian Gollayan and Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S.
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Courtesy of Retailer

FINDING WORKOUT CLOTHES and gear that are functional but still look great used to be quite the challenge. While baggy T-shirts and old sweatpants were once the norm for working out, it's now all about combining the best of performance and style while hitting your KPIs. Because when you look good, you feel good—and you perform even better.

The best workout clothes and gear on the market combine technical specs with a nod to fashionable aesthetics. From household names to niche athleticwear operations, there's plenty of options when it comes to workout gear that fits the bill. And that's largely a good thing, giving you a variety of options tailored to your specific needs. But the sea of options can also make finding the best of the best activewear quite overwhelming when all you want to do is get out there and sweat.

  • Reign Tech Short Sleeve

    Best Workout Shirts

    Rhone Reign Tech Short Sleeve

    $68 at Rhone
    Read more
  • Hoodie

    Great Workout Hoodie

    On Running Hoodie

    Read more
  • Sunday Performance Jogger

    Great Workout Pants

    Vuori Clothing Sunday Performance Jogger

    Read more
  • Glycerin 20

    Great Running Shoe

    Brooks Glycerin 20

    Read more
  • Flite XT Zero Tab

    Great Workout Socks

    Swiftwick Flite XT Zero Tab

    Read more

Whether you're still getting in the groove with your new fitness journey or you're already a gym pro, the right athletic pieces can help you feel much more motivated and enthusiastic about your time in the gym—or wherever you decide to grind it out. And finding those pieces shouldn't take endless energy better spent actually pushing the limits in said athleticwear. To help make your shopping quest as quick and painless as possible, check out the 20 best workout clothes and gear that will have you looking and performing at your very best. Now go out there and crush those reps.

Best Clothing Brands for Men | Best Workout Hoodies | Best Workout Shirts | Best Gym Shorts | Best Workout Pants | Best Cross Training Shoes

    Best Workout Shirts

    Rhone Reign Tech Short Sleeve

    Reign Tech Short Sleeve
    Best Workout Shirts

    Rhone Reign Tech Short Sleeve

    $68 at Rhone

    When it comes to finding the right fit for a workout shirt, ideally you want it to feel like a second skin. Enter Rhone's short sleeve tee, which has a broken-in (while still secure) fit that's loaded with gym-friendly specs like an anti-chafing, moisture-wicking fabric. Plus, it's infused with gold (yes, really) to fend off stink. Taking it outside? It also has a UPF50+ exterior for adequate sun protection. The Reign's suite of features made it an easy cinch for our Men's Health Fitness Awards.

    Mat Forzaglia, NFPT-CPT, creator of In Time Fitness, has multiple pairs of Rhone's gym tees. "They are comfortable and have enough stretch in them that allows zero restriction," he previous told Men's Health.

    Great Workout Hoodie

    On Running Hoodie

    Hoodie
    Great Workout Hoodie

    On Running Hoodie

    On took the standard raglan sleeve hoodie template and added in their crafty Swiss engineering. A darted elbow provides your arms with uninhibited motion without getting any tug from the sleeve. The lace guard is like a little tie clip but for hoodie drawstrings. A mesh Kangaroo pouch opens from the top with a secure zipper closure. The whole thing is made form a recycled polyester/tencel/elastane blend that is super flexible and breathable.

    Great Workout Pants

    Vuori Clothing Sunday Performance Jogger

    Sunday Performance Jogger
    Great Workout Pants

    Vuori Clothing Sunday Performance Jogger

    Equal parts practical and stylish, these soft mid-weight knit joggers are ideal for on-the-go active types. Get a pair of these anti-sweat pants in black camo and nobody at lunch will know you’ve come straight from the gym.

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    Great Running Shoe

    Brooks Glycerin 20

    Glycerin 20

    Brooks is no newbie in the running space. Their latest iteration of the always-innovative Glycerin sneaker is the 20, which comes with a new impressively soft, nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 cushion, among an improved fit with air mesh, and a redesigned wider sole for smoother, easier transitions.

    So, what does nitrogen do? It’s a special infusion process that allows them to fine tune the softness without sacrificing weight, durability, or responsiveness. The result is plush comfort with a balanced, form-fitting stride. If you’re a runner looking for a controlled, super soft cushion in your footwear, get your feet in these babies. No wonder this won a Sneaker Award.

    Read more: Best Running Shoes for Men

    Great Workout Socks

    Swiftwick Flite XT Zero Tab

    Flite XT Zero Tab
    Great Workout Socks

    Swiftwick Flite XT Zero Tab

    Proprietary GripDry fire keeps you blister-free no matter your training, and these socks offer enough grip and feel for anyone who wants to deadlift sans sneakers.

    Read more: Best Compression Socks

    Great Workout Underwear

    nike Dri-FIT ReLuxe Men's Boxer Briefs

    Dri-FIT ReLuxe Men's Boxer Briefs
    Great Workout Underwear

    nike Dri-FIT ReLuxe Men's Boxer Briefs

    These ReLuxe boxer briefs are made with 75% recycled polyester that's moisture-wicking and incredibly stretchy. Couple the fact they're outfitted with Nike's signature Dri-FIT tech and you've got a breathable pair of underwear that's going to keep you cool in all workouts.

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    Great Workout Tank Top

    Under Armour Project Rock Brahma Bull Tank

    Project Rock Brahma Bull Tank
    Great Workout Tank Top

    Under Armour Project Rock Brahma Bull Tank

    An ultra-comfortable, ultra-light tank that offers plenty of arm room for you to get through any exercise, from pullups to power cleans to kettlebell swings.

    Read more: Best Tank Tops for Men

    Great Compression Pants

    Gymshark Element Baselayer Leggings

    Element Baselayer Leggings
    Great Compression Pants

    Gymshark Element Baselayer Leggings

    Now 40% Off

    Yes, you've seen this brand plastered all over the internet—but the gear can perform in the gym, too. Use these leggings as a base layer to crush your strength training workouts.

    Read more: Best Compression Pants for Men

    Best Gym Bag

    Wingman Travel Backpack Duffel

    Travel Backpack Duffel
    Best Gym Bag

    Wingman Travel Backpack Duffel

    Credit: Courtesy of Retailer

    You’ll get a lot of miles out of this stellar backpack. This tricked-out 2-in-1 hybrid duffle backpack can be used for the gym or the office, with a laptop compartment, an interior water bottle holder, plenty of room for clothes, and separate shoe storage to keep things neat and tidy. With all these features, you wouldn’t expect this cool backpack to have such a sleek, stylish look.

    Read more: Best Gym Bags for Men

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    Great Fitness Tracker

    Apple Watch Series 8

    Watch Series 8
    Great Fitness Tracker

    Apple Watch Series 8

    There's not much more to say about Apple's signature fitness tracker that hasn't already been said—but we'll rave about it a little more. The top wearable on the market got better in its latest edition with a new skin temperature sensor, a crash detection monitor, and a low power mode for extended battery life. Plus you're still getting the best heart rate tracking, ECG readings, and blood oxygen levels one can get from a smartwatch.

    Read more: Apple Watch Series 8 Review

    Nike Phenom Elite Running Pants

    Phenom Elite Running Pants

    Nike Phenom Elite Running Pants

    Credit: Courtesy of Retailer

    These sleek, functional pants for your outdoor runs or morning hikes will block the wind and rain while keeping you looking modern and stylish. They are also lightweight, comfortable, and great for short or long-distance traveling.

    Read more: Best Affordable Gym Clothes

    Mack Weldon Performance Tight

    Performance Tight

    Mack Weldon Performance Tight

    Credit: Mack Weldon

    For today’s active men, workout tights are essential to have in the mix. Mack Weldon’s Airknitx four-way stretch with wicking anti-odor finish are stellar options for both look and comfort.

    Read more: Best Athleisure Brands for Men

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    Champion Classic Jersey Muscle T-Shirt

    Classic Jersey Muscle T-Shirt

    Champion Classic Jersey Muscle T-Shirt

    Now 25% Off

    Tank tops with a good look and fit are few and far between. This Jockey muscle tee hits many cords correctly with the arm hole giving just the right amount of room; not to droopy or overexposing. It has a great cotton-poly blend that assures a comfortable and flattering fit.

    Read more: Best Workout Clothes on Amazon

    Best Gym Shorts

    Lululemon T.H.E. Short 9" Linerless Shorts

    T.H.E. Short 9" Linerless Shorts
    Best Gym Shorts

    Lululemon T.H.E. Short 9" Linerless Shorts

    This workout short has the perfect proportions for both length and width. They are made of swift ultra fabric that’s lightweight with stretch and sweat-wicking attributes.

    Best Running Hat

    Nike Running Cap

    Running Cap
    Best Running Hat

    Nike Running Cap

    Credit: Courtesy of Retailer

    This cap looks great for any workout. With Dri-fit and AeroBill technologies, it's super lightweight, breathable, and sweat-wicking, making it the ideal choice to throw on.

    Read more: Best Hats for Men

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    Best Running Jacket

    Repeat Running Jacket

    Repeat Running Jacket
    Best Running Jacket

    Repeat Running Jacket

    Now 41% Off
    Credit: Courtesy of Retailer

    This bold blue jacket adds just enough interest to this stellar windbreaker without overwhelming your minimalist fitness gear.

    Rhone Lined Workout Shorts

    Lined Workout Shorts

    Rhone Lined Workout Shorts

    Now 13% Off
    Credit: Rhone

    If you’re looking for a sleek looking lined gym short, these are an all-around functional and stylish choice.

    Best Running Shirt

    Tracksmith Van Cortlandt T-Shirt

    Van Cortlandt T-Shirt
    Best Running Shirt

    Tracksmith Van Cortlandt T-Shirt

    Want a unique gym look with the technical fabric you need for comfort during your intense workouts? Tracksmith’s retro-inspired designs will stand out in any weight room or fitness class with rich colors and cool details, especially this T-Shirt.

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    Ten Thousand Interval Short

    Interval Short

    Ten Thousand Interval Short

    Packing on muscle to your legs is great and all, until your thick thighs feel like they’re being strangled in your constricting shorts. Ten Thousand's workout shorts will allow you to flex comfortably in a poly-spandex blended fabric.

    Alphlete Very Terry Jogger

    Very Terry Jogger

    Alphlete Very Terry Jogger

    A quality heavyweight jogger that’s built for your strength workouts, whether you’re resting dumbbells on your thighs to bench or simply battling to get through your regular squats and deadlifts.

    Read more: Best Joggers for Men

    Headshot of Christian Gollayan
    Christian Gollayan
    Deputy Editor, Commerce

    As Men's Health's Deputy Editor, Commerce, Christian Gollayan oversees all shopping content on menshealth.com. He relocated back to New York by way of Portland, where he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian's work has also been featured in InStyle, Food & Wine, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia. 

    Headshot of Ebenezer Samuel,  C.S.C.S.

    Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., is the fitness director of Men's Health and a certified trainer with more than 10 years of training experience. He's logged training time with NFL athletes and track athletes and his current training regimen includes weight training, HIIT conditioning, and yoga. Before joining Men's Health in 2017, he served as a sports columnist and tech columnist for the New York Daily News.  

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