The 10 Best Workout Outfits for Men 2023

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been wearing the same workout outfits for years. T-shirt that is too big for you. Mesh shorts that have seen better days. Running sneakers that have been worn out. You know, the kind of dress that would be better suited to painting my house than going out in public.

Teeanime recently purchased new workout equipment in order to keep up with my training habit. We didn’t give it much thought, and simply purchased whatever looked cool, had good reviews, and would be comfy in the gym.

Something strange occurred. I felt a lot more secure at the gym when my clothes fit. That day, I had one of my best workouts ever. That piqued my interest. Exercise has been shown to enhance confidence. However, we rarely hear about how confidence can improve your workout.

10 GYM ESSENTIALS FOR MEN

Gentleman Within has put together a list of 10 gym essentials for looking good, feeling more confident, and getting the most out of your workout.

Whether you’re a weightlifter, crossfitter, runner, or Richard Simmons jazzercise fanatic, these 10 items will change the way you workout forever.

Here’s what guys should bring to the gym to ensure an optimal workout.

1. The Right Shoes

Choosing the correct shoes or sneakers may appear simple. You’re good to leave as long as your feet are covered, right? Choosing the appropriate shoes might make a big impact depending on your workout schedule.

Running shoes are required if you spend time on the treadmill or at the track. Running shoes have a softer and more flexible midsection while remaining solid on the heel and toe. They are intended to relieve repetitive strain on your foot.

If you wear the improper shoes, you will get pain in your legs and knees. Plantar fasciitis, which can take at least 6 months to heal, is another possibility.

If you merely run a mile or so, we recommend the New Balance Roav or the Adidas Ultra Boost 22 running shoes. These strike an excellent blend between appearance and functionality. They provide adequate support for casual runners. However, if you run more than 8 miles each week, you should go to a running store and spend some money on a shoe designed just for your foot.

If you’re not much of a runner but enjoy lifting weights, these Adidas Powerlift Cross Trainers are for you.

When performing squats, deadlifts, or kettlebell swings, the firm heel and die-cut wedge in the center assist keep your foot planted. These exercises can be harmful if your technique isn’t correct, and wearing the proper footwear helps maintain your gravity balanced.

2. Compression Socks for Better Circulation

According to a study conducted at Stellenbosch University in South Africa that tracked the times of ultramarathon runners, those who wore compression socks were able to cut 12 minutes off their pace.

While most laboratory research is ambiguous about whether compression socks improve performance, they have been shown to aid in recovery.

Compression socks provide full circulation to your legs and feet, which lowers swelling dramatically. This means that you’ll require less recuperation time after a lengthy run.

Only three days after their huge race, the South African marathon runners with compression socks were ready to start training. Not so with the others.

When you look at compression socks, you’ll discover that each pair has a range denoted by the term mmHg. This is a scientific measurement that shows how much pressure is used.

Pressures of 15-20 mmHg are ideal for runners or intense crossfit workouts. This level of pressure will stimulate and relax your legs and calves.

For any training regimen, 20-30 mmHg is as high as you want to go, and it’s only good for lengthy runs like a half-marathon or more.

Anything above 30 mmHg is considered excessive compression for a workout. Doctors recommend compression socks with a pressure of 30 mmHg. That’s a step too far for us.

We propose these FITS Compression socks or Copper Compression socks for lower-level compression. We’d choose Cambivo compression socks for a little additional compression.

3. Moisture-Wicking Shirts to Stay Dry

I used to workout in cotton tees every day. Cotton is fantastic, but it absorbs a lot of sweat. You can picture what 5 sweaty t-shirts languishing in a container for a week will smell like when it’s time to do the laundry. After a few whiffs of that, I began cycling in moisture-wicking clothes.

A shirt made of the proper fabric will not retain any unpleasant odors or scents. You don’t even have to dry them after washing them. Simply hang them up or put one on immediately.

I’ve noticed that workout clothing fit better as well. Because they’re designed for a more athletic clientele, there’s a little less leeway around the stomach and waist than in other, more traditional shirts.

In terms of confidence boost, I’d say the shirt was the most important aspect in showing off my muscles in the gym. What’s the point of performing all those bicep exercises if your biceps are concealed beneath baggy sleeves?

We enjoy the Under Armour UA Tech short sleeve shirt or the Baleaf workout shirt. The Baleaf shirt has fluorescent material on the sleeves so you can run like a champion boxer at dawn and dusk.

Under Armour shirts have a more relaxed drape, yet they are still tailored. Baleaf shirts have narrower sleeves that draw attention to your arms more than a conventional shirt. Even if you don’t have big weaponry, you’ll get an illusory advantage.

A few other highly regarded moisture-wicking shirts that Khoi (GW Founder) has experience with are the super stretchy SilkCut Crew Shirt from Tani, Twillory’s Performance Undershirt (use code GENTWITHIN20 for $20 off). Finally, Ten Thousand, a new brand, features athletic wear for athletes who want to appear as good as they perform.

4. Performance Shorts to Let Your Boys Breathe

Performance shorts can be really beneficial in the gym. This became evident when I had to stop my jump rope workout six times to pull up my basketball shorts.

A breathable lightweight fabric on your legs, similar to the moisture-wicking shirts, is a fantastic suggestion. Particularly if you have buttsweat. This may be too personal for all of you readers, but I suffer from buttsweat (when I work out, not really any other times). I had to wear darker shorts so no one could tell how much perspiration was dripping down there.

No issues since switching to performance shorts. I can wear royal blue shorts, crimson shorts, or any other color shorts. I mean, it wasn’t on my bucket list, but now I have more options.

GW’s creator, Khoi, prefers Wolaco’s Spring Short and All Citizens’ Contender Training Shorts for performance/training shorts. The Spring Short is ultra-lightweight and suitable for long-distance running, whereas the Contender Training Shorts are designed for performance and functionality. It has a specific phone compartment as well as an extremely handy concealed pocket on the inside front. These options, according to Khoi, are fantastic, especially All Citizens, which tick the boxes for style, comfort, and fit.

The Hylete’s 4-way stretch shorts and the Neleus 3-Pack shorts are also worth looking into. I prefer obtaining the three pack because I can’t rewear without washing due to the aforementioned butt-sweat problem. QALO’s Primitive Training Shorts are another excellent lightweight choice.

The drawstring is done nicely by Neleus, and the two strings let you to obtain a secure fit so they stay raised whether you’re doing box jumps or squats. Finally, Ten Thousand has a tactical short that is well worth a watch.

5. Compression Shorts to Prevent Chafing

Runners, bicyclists, and powerlifters all reported feeling more exerted during training while wearing compression shorts. This suggests they believed they could move greater weight with less effort. The apparent ability to do more resulted in improved performance.

Compression shorts are required for any contact sport, such as boxing or martial arts. They’ll help you secure a cup so you don’t have to worry about cheap shots.

Compression shorts, which are made of moisture-wicking textiles, also help to reduce chafing, which can be a major issue for long-distance runners. When doing heavy lifting leg days, I like to wear compression shorts. I have more control over my squats, deadlifts, and box jumps. I just have one pair, which I keep for my weekly heavy leg day.

For functionality and comfort, we like the Champion Powerflex, Hylete compression short, and Wolaco’s Grand 2-in-1 short. If you’ve never done a workout in compression shorts before, you’ll notice a difference right immediately.

6. Workout Gloves to Help with Blisters

Gloves are useful in a few situations (no pun intende). When doing heavy deadlifts, I’ve seen some people rip their hands up.

I don’t mind the callouses that result from my workouts. Guys’ hands should not be flawless. A little roughness has beauty. However, if you’ve seen some of the ugly blood blisters that heavy powerlifters develop, you might want to invest in a pair of workout gloves for those long days.

These Atercel workout gloves thoroughly protect your palms and finger tips. They also help to support your wrists. Pullups and chinups can be taxing on the wrists, so a pair of these Amazon best-sellers does double duty.

And runners may find themselves out on frigid mornings and snowy evenings. In that scenario, you should wear gloves to keep your hands warm. Some people, however, prefer not to wear gloves at all because they cannot use their phone or a touch screen.

These Lanyi gloves keep the cold at bay while still allowing you to change the tune on your phone. They’re lighter and more form-fitting than the majority of other alternatives on the market.

Nike’s Tech Running gloves are an even lighter weight choice. Having too much wiggle room in your gloves is a formula for dropping your phone, tripping over your headphones, and plunging into the bushes.

7. Headbands to Keep Sweat Out of Your Eyes

Nothing stops a workout faster than sweat in the eyes. It hurts. This is where the humble headband comes into play.

A headband is essential if you are a heavy sweater. Chasing your sweat away from your eyes is too distracting and can take your attention away from the activity at hand. Furthermore, it can be hazardous. You can’t afford to have a drop of perspiration slide into your eye if you’re carrying a lot of weight.

If you have longer hair, headbands can assist keep it out of your face and keep stinging perspiration drops off your brow.

The French Fitness Revolution 6 pack appeals to us. There are several fancy headband technologies available, such as “sweat channeling,” but I’ve found that a plain headband is sufficient.

By purchasing six, you will have enough to last the entire week and then some. If you prefer something more simple, look into QALO’s athletic headband, which comes in three fashionable colors: blue, black, and electric.

In a pinch, these are simple to clean. They’ll be ready to wear straight away because they dry so quickly.

8. Headphones to Go Harder

The next thing we added was a big one: the headphones.

With a good pair of headphones, you can block out noise and concentrate on the task at hand. Have you not seen all those NBA players standing around before a game?

A lot of people need music when they work out.

A study done in 2006 found that people could run faster and for longer when they listened to music. It not only kept people from getting bored, but it also helped them get into a rhythm when they ran.

I don’t know what else could be a better reason to bring earbuds.

We like the Treblab Z2 over-ear headphones because they can be used without a wire. You never have to worry about pulling on the cord and ripping your headphones off in the middle of a rep.

For earbuds, we recommend the Apple AirPods, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, and the Senso Bluetooth earbuds. They stay in place better than headphones and work well if your workout includes a lot of cardio or cross training.

Bone-conduction headphones are a must-have for runners who run outside. You can hear your music clearly, and because there’s nothing in your ear, you can still hear what’s going on around you.

AfterShokz is our top pick for the best bone-conduction headset. Even better, they have a reflective strip so you can be seen better on the road.

Get the most out of your workout, no matter how you do it, and pump the jams.

9. A Better Body Spray to Smell Good

Nothing is worse than BO at the gym. You know the guy that leaves a trail of body odor that is both terrible and amusing, leaving everyone shaking their heads in distaste and laughter.

A easy approach is to bring a performance body spray with you to the gym on all of your workouts. To emit a fresh aroma during your workout, spray a little before coming to the gym or in the locker room on your body and underarms (don’t overdo it here). It’s especially useful after a workout if you’re pressed for time and don’t have time to shower.

For a slightly less expensive choice, we propose Offcourt Performance Body Spray or GUESS Effect Deodorizing Body Spray.

While OffCourt will not replace our special occasion or date night perfumes, it does have a place in our gym body refreshing toolkit.

All three scents are distinct, with our personal favorite being the Fig Leaves + White Musk (fall tailored), closely followed by the Fresh Citron + Driftwood (summer tailored).

Regardless of what you use, always deodorize before and after every workout. It’s common politeness for people around you, it makes you smell better, and it makes you feel more confident.

10. A Water Bottle that’s Reusable

To round up our list, we’ve included a water bottle, which is an everyday necessity. Not only is staying hydrated essential for your health and well-being, but it’s also critical to maintain your H20 intake at the gym to ensure peak performance.

Many gym members forget to carry their own water bottle, forcing them to make numerous visits to the water fountain. While we have nothing against water coolers and the like, it’s always best to have your own water readily available.

While plastic water bottles are definitely convenient, they are not the most environmentally friendly, do not store as much water, and lack the utility of the following recommendations.

The Pogo Plastic Water Bottle with Chug Lid is a best-seller on Amazon. If you prefer a squeeze bottle, Gatorade has you covered with the easily identified green “G” logo bottle.

Looking for a way to keep your water cool? S’well offers a vacuum-insulated triple-layered container that will keep anything you’re drinking cool for 36 hours. Takeya also offers vacuum-sealed stainless-steel bottles with a spout or straw lid and carrying handle.

Conclusion

Before you go, although they aren’t on the list of gym essentials, minimalist fitness trackers deserve a note.

As a result, if you’ve been working out for a while, you’ll find that you go through plateaus. It occurs when you continue to exert the same amount of effort while receiving fewer outcomes.

Gym style can also be like this. We don’t give much thought to what we wear to the gym, and it’s easy to fall into a routine. Try out a handful of these 10 workout-enhancing clothing items and let us know how they work for you.

Were you able to lift greater weight? Can you run faster? Bike further?

Feeling more assured?

Just like we predicted.