Men's Fitness Clothing Buying Guide

If you work out a lot, you know how much of a difference men's fitness clothing can make on your fitness routine. Athletic clothing is designed to help you stay cool and dry while exercising; the problem is that there are many types of exercise clothing available. You might have questions about the qualities you really need in fitness clothing, the best fabrics for workout clothes and the shirts and bottoms you want for different activities. This men's fitness clothing buying guide provides the answers you're looking for.

Types of Fitness Clothes:

1. Compression clothing. Compression shorts and shirts are tight spandex clothes usually worn as a base layer under outer exercise clothing. Compression workout clothes do a couple of things: They provide support, first of all, and also keep muscles warm so that you don't get cramps and strains. Furthermore, compression fitness clothes help prevent chafing by providing a slick layer between the inner thighs and at the underarms. Not everyone needs to wear compression shorts while working out. It just depends on your personal taste. If you're unsure, go ahead and get a pair; it never hurts to have this specialized sports apparel for various activities.

2. Exercise pants. Exercise pants, or jogging pants, come in a variety of styles these days. For lounging around the house, classic cotton jogging pants are probably just fine. If you want workout pants for jogging or high-impact exercise, however, pants made of a polyester blend will be more supportive. A little stretch is good for allowing you a full range of movement. Also, workout pants with zippers or snaps at the ankles can be handy if you want to remove the pants without too much hassle at any time during your exercise routine.

3. Fitness shirts. Fitness shirts aren't just your regular cotton tees. They are more akin to the specialized jerseys and sports apparel professional athletes and sports teams wear. Made of polyester or another synthetic fiber or blend, this fitness wear is designed to help you regulate body temperature. Many workout shirts have sections of porous, jersey-like weaves to keep the air moving in sweaty places like the underarms.

4. Sweatshirts. Men's sweatshirts and hoodies are good for staying warm before and after a workout. If you're running outside on a cold day, these gym clothes might be appropriate for the duration of the workout, too. The best hoodies and sweatshirts for pre- and post-workout have pockets so you can store car keys, gym passes and identification while you exercise.

Fitness Clothing by Fabric:


5. Cotton. While cotton is excellent for most daily activities and works okay in fitness applications, it collects moisture and doesn't breathe as well as some athletic wear made of synthetic materials. This means you may be soaked during a heavy workout. Cotton also tends to shrink. If you don't have a regular, rigorous exercise routine, however, cotton gym clothes will probably work just fine. Cotton is also much less expensive than most synthetic fabrics.

6. Polyester. Polyester is common in fitness apparel because it is lightweight and breathable. It is crisper than nylon, yet softer, and it resists shrinking and stretching. Polyester is also quick-drying. However, it pills easily and tends to collect static.

7. Nylon. Nylon is much like polyester, although it is probably not quite as good when it comes to athletic clothing. It is more affordable, however. Lightweight and strong, nylon is fast-drying, partly because it doesn't absorb much moisture in the first place. It is also easy to care for. Like polyester, nylon does have a tendency to pill and collect static.

8. Spandex. Spandex can stretch to up to 500 percent of its original size and then recover its original length. It is also lightweight, which makes it great for fitness wear. A common form of spandex is Lycra, the brand name for spandex produced by DuPont. Often, blends of two or more fabrics create the best fitness apparel. A polyester-spandex workout shirt, for example, would be breathable and stretchable, and it wouldn't shrink in the dryer.