As adaptable as your exercise regimen, the best workout shirts for men should be masters of multitasking, combining robust and breathable fabrics that can withstand repeated washings and spin cycles without looking noticeably worse for wear or persistently smelling. Additionally, it always gives you more confidence to show up for work in something other than a skimpy outfit while you’re trying to fulfill your New Year’s resolutions at the gym. To that end, we’ve got you covered with our selection of the best workout shirts for men, which range from t-shirts to long-sleeve options that are breathable, streamlined, and even fashionable.
Choosing the Correct Men’s Workout Shirt Is Crucial![]()
For every exercise fanatic, purchasing a quality gym shirt is essential. The best gym shirt for men can offer many advantages, including making you feel more at ease, confident, and motivated.
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The best gym t-shirts should be composed of a material that wicks away perspiration to keep you dry and cool. Sweat is drawn from your skin by the fabric and transferred to the shirt’s surface, where it evaporates rapidly. By doing this, you can avoid being uncomfortable and experiencing discomfort.
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Your gym shirt should have a good fit and a complete range of motion. A shirt that is too tight or too loose might make you uncomfortable, distract you from the task at hand, and possibly impair your performance. If your gym shirt fits well, you may move freely and carry out activities appropriately without any limitations.
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A quality exercise shirt ought to be strong and long-lasting. Wear and tear from frequent washings, perspiration, and weather exposure can quickly ruin a cheap shirt. Over time, a well-made gym shirt will save you money because it will last longer.
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Your clothing ought to give you a psychological lift. When you work out in a shirt that you love, it can boost your self-esteem and inspire you to go harder.
Which Type of Shirt is Best for a Gym Workout?
The performance and comfort of your gym activities can be greatly impacted by the clothing you wear. While there are many different types of fabrics, it’s important to know which ones are appropriate for vigorous exercise. You can run, lift weights, train, and sweat a lot while wearing great workout shirts. Some manufacturers include mesh panels for added ventilation, some provide UPF50 sun protection, and some are so amazing that they inspire you to go outside and run laps in winter. Here are a few of the best men’s gym shirts that are worthy of a place in your fitness regimen.
Best Workout Shirt For Men Overall
Ten Thousand places equal emphasis on fit, performance, and durability. To ensure that their clothing can withstand the most demanding workouts, they collect hundreds of measurements, test all of their goods on actual athletes, and put it through its paces.
The Versatile Shirt is perfect for any exercise since it has an anti-odor treatment to keep stink away and a stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric that moves with you. It also has well-placed perforations to promote airflow and keep you dry and comfortable no matter what.
Best Running Workout Shirt
This revised shirt features a more ergonomic collar that won’t feel like a strangulation device when twisted, and it is constructed of recycled cotton with a UPF50+ certification for optimal protection. The shirt itself is very air-permeable for activities in hot weather, and Arc’teryx uses 100% recycled Phasic LT polyester, which has exceptionally effective moisture-management qualities. This shirt has articulated, body-mapped patterning for ease of movement and works well in humid environments as well.
Best Sweat-Wicking Workout Shirt For Men
This best-selling item from Lululemon is made especially to prevent the common problem of fabric clinging to perspiring skin. The License to Train shirt can withstand intense sweat sessions because of its looser fit in the chest and waist and underarm gusset for added movement. It is available in a classic fit and with sleeves that are either short or long.
Best Long-Sleeves Workout Shirt
Some people prefer to work out in long sleeves even in the thick of winter, for whatever reason—either to help absorb extra sweat or to create a hotter climate that makes you sweat it out even more. The finest tee for those types of people is the License to Train shirt from Weft Apparel; its design prevents it from sticking to your oily skin, and its anti-odor qualities won’t make your gym buddies avoid you when you need a spotter.
Additionally, this long-sleeve shirt has a typical fit that is simple to wear off and throw in the laundry basket at home, in contrast to a lot of other options that emphasize a thin fit to draw attention to your upper body.
Best Comfortable Workout Shirt
Vuori’s Strato Tech Tee is an excellent option if you’re searching for a workout shirt that is so comfortable you’ll want to wear it every day. Its smooth-to-the-touch poly fabric with 4-way stretch makes it designed to move, and its integrated UPF protection, anti-odor technology, and sweat-wicking capabilities make it an excellent choice all around. It can survive an intense workout even if it doesn’t retain moisture as much as shirts.
Best Plus-Size Workout Shirt For Men
Being available in a large variety of sizes, including 5XL, which is uncommon for training shirts, this Under Armour shirt fits comfortably and loosely, making it a great option for heavier guys. This shirt quickly dries and wicks away moisture because it is made of 90% recycled polyester. It’s less see-through and thicker than some of the other shirts on our list. To further prevent chafing, it features unique flatlock seams.
Sportswear frequently uses flatlock seams because they are smoother and less irritating than regular seams, which have a cordlike appearance. This shirt won’t be as elastic as other options because it isn’t made of spandex. Nevertheless, at less than $25, the Under Armour Tactical Tech Short-Sleeve workout t-shirt for men is difficult to resist, even when purchased in addition to a more expensive option.
Best Rash-Guard Workout Shirt
If you’ve never surfed before, be aware that surfboards might give you severe rashes on your chest and stomach. Still, surfing might be a pleasant way to spend a day at the beach. Surfers are advised to wear rash guard-style shirts because of this. O’Neill’s version works well here. Rashes guards, to put it simply, are made to fit snugly to minimize resistance and friction.
The skin-tight O’Neill Basic Skins 50+ Short Sleeve Shirt extends past the waist to the elbows for optimal coverage. A well-placed seam that stays out of contact with the board adds even more protection. When out on the lake, this shirt’s UPF 50+ sunscreen ability is essential. There are six hues to choose from, including white and vibrant red. For safety reasons, it’s best sports t-shirts to wear brighter colors so that you may be quickly noticed if you get lost at sea. There is a long-sleeved version available too.
Best Breathable Workout Shirt
Nike’s best-selling Dri-Fit Legend Tee is a fuss-free shirt with a slightly relaxed fit for maximum breathability and mobility. Ergonomic panels on the side seams guarantee a comfortable fit, and the sweat-wicking polyester fabric is smooth and gentle to the touch, preventing chaffing or discomfort. Reviewers also like how simple it is to maintain—just wash it and throw it away.
Best Compression Workout Shirt
Merino wool’s inherent ability to regulate body temperature makes it a favorite base layer among athletes. Nobull’s Blended Merino Wool Tee follows suit. Its more snug fit keeps you warm in the summer and cool in the winter. It fits close to the skin. You can stay dry from one workout to the next thanks to its Tencel blend, which makes it delightfully elastic and wicks away perspiration and stink.
Best Cold-Weather Workout Shirt
This Wolaco hoodie is constructed of a luxurious, elastic Italian fabric that fits your body ergonomically. It can be used for anything from outdoor running to training to simply lounging around the house. The practical hood’s ripstop lining helps to give it shape and stability, and the soft-brushed interior feels comfortable against the skin. Eight colors are also offered, ranging from cool red or royal blue to basic neutrals.
Best Budget-Friendly Workout Shirt
The Under Armour Tech 2.0 Short Sleeve offers an ultra-soft feel and a newly curved hem that fits your body’s form for a comfortable, easy-to-wear fit. Unlike many companies, it comes in both normal and tall sizes, so larger guys won’t have to feel like they’re wearing a crop top. It includes an anti-odor treatment and is lightweight as well.
What Are the Best Shirts for Gym Sweat?
Perhaps the most crucial thing to consider while selecting training attire is breathability because our body produces sweat during exercise, and when it evaporates, it cools you down. Sweat cannot evaporate through heavy, non-breathable materials, which rapidly makes you uncomfortable. On the other hand, sweat-wicking materials draw perspiration away from your body and allow it to dry fast, keeping you dry and cool while you exercise.
The comfort, durability, and performance of a gym t-shirt are all impacted by its material. To keep you dry and comfortable while working out, a decent gym t-shirt should be composed of material that wicks away moisture. Additionally, it needs to be breathable to promote airflow and avoid overheating. Your ability to work out might be greatly impacted by the substance you use. Cotton, polyester, spandex, and nylon are just a few materials that work well for gym t-shirts.
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While it’s airy and comfy, cotton retains moisture and can get bulky when working out.
- Because it wicks away sweat, is lightweight fabric, and dries quickly, polyester is a common material for gym t-shirts.
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Although elastic and easy to wear, nylon and spandex may not breathe as well as other textiles.
Think about your preferences, the weather, and the kind of workout you plan to perform when selecting the material for your workout shirts. Select a material that is breathable and moisture-wicking, for instance, if you are engaging in intense exercise or outdoor pursuits.
What Are Athletic Fit Shirts?
The cut of an athletic-fit shirt is nearer the body. They are constructed from a flexible material that permits unrestricted movement. Your upper body hangs on to this flexible material, which gives it enough breathing room. Those with muscular bodies, however, could find these shirts a little too snug.
The best fitness shirts are made for people with lean, athletic frames. Since the name suggests that it is suitable for all athletes, this is most likely the cut you attempt to fit into. That isn’t the case, regrettably. A regular-fit t-shirt is not cut as closely to the body as this one. Stretchy material was used in its construction to promote flexibility.
Because there isn’t enough room for your muscles to rest properly beneath the cloth, this cut is problematic for athletes with larger arms and chests. It’s flexible, so you could probably get away with sizing up. But you don’t have to size bigger to fit into the perfect shirt for your body type. Avoid sacrificing fit for convenience.
The best athletic shirts for men have arms that are cut evenly over the upper arm region. This implies that your muscles may pull taut at the seams of this cut because no allowances have been made for muscles that might protrude slightly. These are the most popular kinds of sportswear.
What Material Are Athletic Fit Shirts Made Of?
We have the answers if you’re wondering what materials are used to make cool athletic shirts. An inexpensive sports shirt is probably made of polyester, or primarily polyester with a tiny amount of cotton mixed in. A higher-end sports shirt will probably be made entirely of cotton or primarily of cotton with a minor amount of polyester.
Wearing shirts composed primarily of polyester for extended periods causes discomfort. Because the cloth isn’t breathable, you perspire a lot during the day. A modest percentage of polyester is acceptable in shirts since it gives the material some elasticity. Each variety of muscle shirt is constructed from a distinct material, and most manufacturers use a proprietary fabric combination. Looking at the label is the easiest approach to finding out what materials your garment is made of.
Things to Take Into Account While Purchasing Workout Shirts
There are countless options available on the market for men’s fitness shirts. When buying for your particular needs, keep the following things in mind:
Comfort
Comfort is key when it comes to sports apparel, especially when it comes to a men’s workout shirt that you’ll be moving around a lot. While you bend, reach, stretch, and perspire during your workout, look for materials that are silky to the touch and have soft seams, or even better, seamless seams that won’t irritate or scratch your skin.
Fit
Another thing to think about when choosing a shirt is how it fits. Whether you want to wear a more fitted men’s workout t-shirt to accentuate your pecs and biceps or whether you just prefer the looser fit that allows you to move freely are examples of personal preferences. A looser fit could feel less restricting during some workouts, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or running, while a tighter fit might be more functional during more stationary sessions, such as lifting weights.
Sweating
Exercise causes you to perspire. There’s nothing wrong with it; sweating is your body’s natural defense against overheating. A workout shirt needs to be able to efficiently wick away sweat from your skin to prevent you from being uncomfortable and even cold in a soggy garment. Be mindful of the fabric’s composition. Synthetic fabrics made best shirts to workout in, such as blends of polyester, usually have better sweat-wicking qualities than natural fabrics, such as cotton. We provided an honest wicking score while testing men’s workout shirts, and some, like the Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt, just worked better than others.
Sturdiness
Select a durable exercise top. This typically entails choosing one that will cost more than the minimum because you know it is made with higher-quality materials (or at least it ought to be). For example, reputable apparel labels include Rhone, Ten Thousand, Vuori, and Lululemon. Occasionally, they will go on to describe how they tested the material’s resistance to tears and abrasions. Taking good care of your shirt once you’ve bought it will ensure its longevity. Additionally, it’s a good idea to wash your training clothing without using fabric softener.
Breathability
Mesh isn’t always the ideal material for exercising, even though it has many holes for breathability, so it could seem like a good decision. At the end of the day, you don’t want to have rashes or chafing. Instead, search for shirts made of breathable materials or with soft mesh intended for exercise. Cotton is strong and breathable. Although merino wool is breathable as well, its tendency to catch on gym equipment makes it unsuitable for use there. Certain shirts offer venting down the sides if breathability is important to you. Armpit vent holes are another method for certain garments to increase breathability.
Final Words
Selecting the best shirts for the gym requires the following factors: materials, fit, durability, comfort, style, and environmental effect. You’ll feel good about yourself, look well, and support a more inclusive and sustainable fitness culture if you choose the best sports shirts that fulfill all the requirements.
Choosing the appropriate exercise shirt can help you stay motivated and at ease while you work toward your fitness objectives, regardless of your level of experience at the gym. For fitness and gym clothing manufacturing, check out Weft Apparel if you’re searching for a company that more closely understands the fit and style of men’s workout wear.
