Men who workout a lot know how important it is to have the right exercise clothes. Workout clothing helps you stay cool, dry and comfortable while exercising. There are many types of fitness clothing for men that are designed for specific athletic activities.
They use synthetic “cool technology” fabrics to help maintain the body’s temperature. Some even have odor protection to keep you cool and confident while you workout.
Choosing the right workout clothes can be a challenge. This buying guide will help you decide what type of fitness clothing for men is best for your workout.
Compression Clothing
Biker shorts are good examples of compression clothing. They are made of synthetic material, usually spandex, and provide support for your muscles to combat fatigue, cramps and overexertion.
Compression shorts and shirts are tight-fitting to prevent chafing especially between the inner thighs and the underarms. Cyclists favor this type of fitness clothing because they prevent the clothes from getting tangled in the bicycle’s gears.
Compression shorts are also ideal for runners.
Fitness Shirts
While cotton T-shirts are fine for your average workout, there are certain sports and physical activities that require specialized jerseys or workout shirts.
For high-intensity workouts, breathable jersey tops that are perforated and made of synthetic materials can help regulate body temperature.
Some fitness clothing for men have sections with porous weaves to help keep the air moving, especially in sweaty areas like the underarms.
Fitness shirts can be made of synthetic material that is cool, quick-drying, and wicks moisture away from the skin.
Jerseys for biking are tight-fitting to make them more aerodynamic. They are usually made from a blend of spandex and some “breathable” materials.
Exercise Pants
For jogging or high-impact exercise, exercise pants made of polyester-blend provide support as well as a full range of movement.
Some workout pants come with “wrap-around” zippers near the knees so you can unzip them and turn your pants into shorts.
Sweatshirts
Sweatshirts and hoodies help you stay warm before and after your workout. These fitness clothing for men are also great if you will be jogging or exercising outdoors in the cold.
Look for sweatshirts and hoodies that have pockets where you can store your car keys, identification, etc. while you exercise.
Best Fabrics for Fitness Clothing
Fitness clothes are more comfortable when made of materials that are suitable for the physical activity you plan to do.
Below are the most popular fabrics used in fitness clothing for men:
Polyester
This synthetic material is common in workout clothes because it is cool and lightweight. Polyester dries quickly and resists stretching and shrinking.
On the negative side, it pills easily and collects static electricity. Polyester is often blended with other synthetic materials such as spandex.
Nylon
Nylon does not absorb moisture and dries quickly. It is not as soft as polyester but is more affordable. Nylon fitness clothes are easy to care for but they do have a tendency to pill and collect static.
Cotton
Cotton is fine for light exercise but you may want to avoid cotton gym clothes if your workout is heavy. Cotton absorbs moisture and does not dry quickly, so you may be soaked if you exercise rigorously.
Spandex
Spandex can stretch up to 5 times its original size. Many types of fitness clothing for men use a blend of spandex and polyester that is lightweight, breathable and stretchable. It is the ideal material for form-fitting exercise clothes.
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