The best workout brands for every fitness routine

Man doing sprints and jumps. — Karsten Winegeart/Unsplash

Even though we may only be about halfway through the middle of winter, it is never to late keep track of, and on top of your training routine. There are ways to stay motivated, fortunately, like opting in for some new athletic gear from one of the best clothing brands for men. The best workout clothes are built to last. While it’s OK to wear your old pair of best workout shorts, you should take into consideration investing in high-quality garments that could not only elevate your workout but your style as well; form and function.

So, we gathered some of the best brands for men’s workout gear or clothes available online, from staple household names to some newer kids on the block. Hence, there’s bound to be one that’s going to be the perfect fit for you and your type of fitness, whether that’s hoops in the park, sprints on the track, or arm workouts in the gym.

Tracksmith

Tracksmith is a vintage-inspired performance brand that celebrates running culture. The products are equal parts stylish and functional, with nods to Ivy League athletic nostalgia. From tanks and tees to windbreakers and short-shorts, the Boston-based brand has become a favorite among novice and professional runners alike.

Price Range: $$-$$$
Perfect For: The indie marathon runner who owns a record player and celebrates each race with high-end craft beer.

Alo Yoga

Alo Yoga has built a steady following among yoga and fitness devotees alike. The brand’s sleek and technical tanks and shorts are meant for maximum mobility for headstand inversions, deep hip openers, and other challenging yoga postures. The not-so-flashy yoga gear remains functional first and minimalist in style and color for a clean-cut, less-is-more modern aesthetic.

Price Range: $$$
Perfect For: The fashion-forward guy who takes a Vinyasa class on his lunch break and drinks oat milk lattes.

Puma

Puma covers just about every style: Classic, sporty, cool, and casual, with a consistent solid fit and function across the board. Aside from their huge lifestyle sector of streetwear and kicks, the brand also offers accessories and apparel for the basketball player, soccer player, gym rat, and motorsport athlete (think flashy colors and bold logos).

Price Range: $$
Perfect For: The multi-hyphen athlete who isn’t afraid to show off bright colors and bold logos.

Lululemon

A man squatting after a seemingly tiring run.

Once you go Lulu, it’ll be hard to wear anything else. Although pricey at times, the fabric and fit make the brand’s leggings worth the investment. The Canadian brand was started with yoga in mind, but it now offers gear for training, running, golf, casual attire, and athleisure.

Price Range: $$$-$$$$
Perfect For: A minimalist who values basic style and comfort now that his startup took off.

Ten Thousand

The only way to become better is to work with the best. That means not only in fitness but in life and business as well. That is why Ten Thousand spends countless hours creating and collaborating with the best athletes in the world, from world-class Olympians to pro-level CrossFitters and record-holding endurance athletes, all to make sure their products hold up to the world’s toughest conditions. If it works for them, it will work for you.

Price Range: $$ -SSS
Perfect For: Those looking for no-frills, workout clothes that work just as hard as you do.

Fabletics Men

Men at the gym, seemingly having a conversation.

Fabletics recently launched its first menswear collection in partnership with Kevin Hart. The brand’s approach to men’s activewear is to be affordable and approachable without sacrificing fit and style — and without putting too much thought into it. You can purchase items at regular retail prices or join their flexible VIP program, where members are offered new styles and special deals every month. If you’re not ready to make a purchase, you can easily skip the month, and a credit will be added to your account to use at any time, as it never expires. Fabletics Men takes the stress out of shopping while also keeping your gym drawer updated.

Price Range: $-$$$
Perfect For: The three-day-a-week gym-goer that hates shopping and brand names but cares about looking fresh with minimum effort.

Nike

In the decades since its founding in 1964, Nike has gone on to become the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel. Christened with the brand’s iconic swoosh, each product is as sleek as it is practical, marrying functionality with a fashion-forward aesthetic. This is perhaps why Nike has always been such a hit with athletes and streetwear enthusiasts alike and has garnered such a solid reputation among myriad customers. While the company is best known for its shoes (particularly the Air Jordan and Air Max models), it also boasts a wide range of other products geared toward nearly every sport imaginable.

Price range: $-$$$
Perfect for: Rounding out your style with some tried-and-true gear.

Adidas

Of course, no roundup of fantastic men’s workout clothes would be complete without Adidas, the sort of hip older brother to Nike’s all-American vibe. While the two brands are pretty similar (shhh, don’t tell the die-hards), we think Adidas has a somewhat broader focus than Nike’s specific “anyone can be an athlete” one. What this means is that Adidas dabbles in pretty much everything from tracksuits to the best running shoes to accessories and has slightly more crossover appeal between the gym and the outside world. Plus, celebrities love an Adidas moment, and the brand has certainly benefited from a heavy dose of influencer clout over the years.

Price range: $-$$
Perfect for: Looking cool while hitting the grind.

Rhone

Rhone has made a name for itself with a line of streamlined workout gear designed for optimized mobility and performance. What this means is that each article of clothing is infused with all the tech you’ll need to get some serious work done in your next spin class, including antimicrobial, four-way stretch, and moisture-wicking properties. While the duds may not be anything fancy to look at, their simplicity is emblematic of their purpose: to help you achieve your fitness goals without fuss. You can’t really go wrong with any of the goods, but we’re especially big fans of the Mako short and Swift short-sleeve shirt.

Price range: $$-$$$
Perfect for: Filling out your workout wardrobe with some awesome essentials.

Under Armour

A man weightlifting at the gym. — Under Armour

While Under Armour has traditionally favored substance over style, the brand has recently upped its fashion game in keeping with the rising athleisure trend. The extensive line of athletic gear here is probably most appropriate for those looking to do some serious training at the gym as opposed to those who want to look fly at a post-workout brunch. Notably, many of the items are built with recovery in mind, especially those outfitted with the brand’s proprietary UA Tech, which not only actively cools but also helps fight pesky odors and moisture.

Price range: $-$$
Perfect for: Hitting the gym with precision and comfort.

Gymshark

A man stretching in his yoga pants. — Gymshark

One of the more affordable options on the list, Gymshark is a popular athletic brand featuring tops and bottoms ranging in price from $18 to $50. Advertised as being “built for graft, not for glamour,” the workout line is relatively bare-bones and is constructed mostly with cotton fabric. While this may not be a great fit for those in search of uber-intense athletic garb that’ll wick moisture or absorb odor, it could be a real winner for those gym rats who want something that’ll transition seamlessly between different spaces, especially as many of the items feature interesting graphics and bright colors.

Price range: $
Perfect for: Spending less and bringing some contemporary style into your workout wear rotation.

Vuori

A man kneeling on one knee. — Vuori/Facebook

California-based Vuori does athletic wear with a West Coast sensibility, creating clothes that are technically sound but still totally chill, bro. What this means is that the collection of joggers, shorts, and shirts is probably best suited to those guys who want fantastic workout gear but don’t necessarily need it to look like workout gear. In the place of sheeny polyester or breathable mesh, fellas will find bright colors, fun patterns, and an overall relaxed aesthetic that’s at home on the beach and the weight room.

Price range: $$-$$$
Perfect for: Diverting from the athletic wear norm.

Outdoor Voices

If athleisure is your MO, Outdoor Voices might just be the athletic brand for you. Though the collection here is certainly not as expansive as the others in this roundup, its specific focus on contemporary silhouettes could really work for guys who want to stay on-trend. We’re especially intrigued by the new EcoMesh T-Shirt, which combines mesh with 100% recyclable polyester for a top that’s as breathable as it is eco-friendly. Other standouts include the Sunday Short and RecTrek Jogger. Plus, you can take advantage of the OV kit deal, in which you can pair one bottom with one top for just $95.

Price range: $$
Perfect for: Modernizing your workout gear with some trendy styles.

Ryu

Ryu Apparel is all about designing clothes for the athletic individual, whether they’re hitting leg day or just hitting a local cafe. In this vein, the goods here are specifically built to look as natural in the gym as they do outside it, which could be a plus for those with an exceptionally active lifestyle. Available in an array of muted colors, Ryu’s hoodies, pullovers, joggers, and shirts are all constructed with an airy knit jersey incorporated with just a touch of spandex for stretch. The resulting collection is therefore comfortable, breathable, and super functional.

Price range: $-$$
Perfect for: Pulling off that post-gym glow, even on your cheat days.

Fourlaps

Fourlaps is a New York City-based brand that draws inspiration from the kinetic energy and grit of its hometown. The result is a diverse array of tops, bottoms, and accessories that are as tough as they are stylish. Take the popular Rush Hoodie, for example, which amps up a classic silhouette with supersoft French Terry and breathable mesh. Or consider the Extend Short, crafted from a four-way stretch material that’s also moisture-wicking and antimicrobial. All in all, it’s a great brand for city-dwelling athletes in need of workout gear that can handle both the gym and the urban jungle.

Price: $$
Perfect for: Folks in need of workout clothes that are practical yet fashion-forward.

Nobull

A man in his tank top weightlifting. — No Bull

As the name suggests, Nobull is a brand that skips the frills in favor of no-fuss workout gear that’s functional, durable, and affordable. While you won’t find playful graphic tees or sleek joggers in this collection, you will discover plenty of essential items built to last through both workouts and passing trends. It’s a straightforward approach to athletic apparel that could work wonders for guys in search of optimized basics, from T-shirts to compression tights, zip-up sweaters, performance hoodies, lightweight shorts, and more.

Price: $-$$
Perfect for: Serious athletes in search of no-frills gear to get them through the grind.

Olivers

A man sitting on his car's driver seat. — Olivers

Are you someone who finds most athletic brands to be a little, well … intense? Then Olivers Apparel might be for you! The Los Angeles-based company sells a bevy of workout essentials that are as accessible as they are effective. From the All Over Short (built with quick-drying four-way stretch) to the Bradbury Jogger (made from lightweight, water-repellent fabric), the items here are designed with subtlety and optimization in mind. It also doesn’t hurt that they look as good outside the gym as they do in it.

Price: $$
Perfect for: The casual gym rat looking to score some straightforward yet stylish essentials.

Modest Vintage Player

While the company may have been born under the guise of mastering the craftsmanship of leatherwork, MVP has slowly begun to expand its lineup of products covering everything from all types of sports gear (golf, tennis, combat sports, all ball sports), custom leather workout accessories, to their minimalistic design of luxurious French Terry sweats. No matter what they do, their aesthetics look like they came out of a vintage sports catalog from the 1960s, and we absolutely relish that.

Price: $$-$$$
Perfect for: Those who love classical workout gear.

Where can I buy men’s gym clothes?

The thing with men’s workout clothing is that it’s available in plenty of different places these days. Gone are the days of needing to go to an old-school sporting goods store (although that’s always an option!) — we’re talking about easy and effective online shopping experiences that make getting men’s gym clothes as easy as a few clicks.

Brands like Olivers, Fourlaps, and Outdoor Voices offer a sleek, smooth shopping experience online, while you’ll always find more traditional workout clothing brands in stores. For our money’s worth, you can’t beat the experience of buying your new favorite workout clothing online as you scroll. Some workout brands also offer laid-back athleisure gear for the stylish man, too. Of course, you can find men’s gym clothes at dedicated retailers like Nike and Adidas, but brands like Tracksmith offer a stylish and more curated alternative. Each is worth your time in its own way.

What are the best workout clothes?

The best workout clothes, for us, have to check a few crucial boxes. They need to be performance-minded, ready to wick away moisture (in the case of base layers and training shorts), and equally ready to warm you up or cool you down when absolutely needed. The best workout clothing brands, then, do more than one thing well. After all, if you’ve invested in the best athletic sneakers for multiple purposes, why not look for the same from your workout gear?

A brand like Tracksmith is fit for training but more geared toward intensive running (to name but one example), so if you want a brand that can handle multiple training situations, versatility in men’s gym clothes is crucial. (And don’t forget socks from a brand like Bombas, too). The best workout clothes are ready to be worn at a moment’s notice. They can also stand up to repeated wear. Lastly, they should be affordable and yet high quality, be it men’s workout shorts or a moisture-wicking T-shirt from your shopping list. Men’s gym clothes from a brand like Nike or Adidas are hard to argue with.

Where can I buy good workout clothes?

Men’s gym clothes are best bought from sources you know and trust or you’ve researched (like our picks above!). Brands that bridge the gap between training and off-duty moments, like Olivers, are a great bet for the guy who needs a one-stop-shop. And brands like Fourlaps, which covers everything from athleisure sweats to training tees, should check plenty of boxes, too.

Your favorite gear and sneaker brands, like Adidas, are as reliable as it gets as far as workout clothing brands are concerned. The great news in all of this is that so many of the best picks for men’s workout clothing can be found online, either on your phone or desktop, without missing a beat. If it’s the intensive and uncompromising gear you seek, Gymshark and Under Armour deserve your consideration, too (just scroll up and click through to shop online). For training sessions that never miss a day, you need workout gear that operates in the same manner.

Whether you are looking for the latest and greatest workout brand on the market today, or want something a little less flashy and a lot more subtle, this list has everything you need to upgrade your wardrobe with the best workout brands.