12 Best Men's Activewear Brands for Gym and Workout Clothes - menshealth.com

12 Best Men's Activewear Brands for Gym and Workout Clothes - menshealth.com


12 Best Men's Activewear Brands for Gym and Workout Clothes - menshealth.com

Posted: 04 Jun 2019 06:01 AM PDT

Do you ever feel like you hear about a new activewear brand every single day?

Whether the 411 comes from targeted posts on Facebook, influencers promoting on Instagram, or just a new logo on a slick pair of joggers that catches your eye at the gym, there seem to be a never ending amount of brands producing fitness clothing. And with specialty gear comes specialty prices—most of the newer brands are expensive to the point of being prohibitive, even though they've largely not been tried and tested by the general public. How can you know if you'll regret shelling out the dough for a shirt one of your favorite follows was rocking on the 'Gram?

We decided to help narrow the playing field by asking some of our favorite fitness experts and trainers—you know, the guys who spend their days (and early mornings, and evenings, and sometimes even nights) decked out in activewear and athleisure. Who better to give you the truth about the best fitness gear? Here are pricey men's activewear and athleisure brands that are worth the price tag, according to trainers and fitness pros.

Men's Activewear Brands That Are Worth The Money

1. WOLACO, $30 to $98

Ever been working out and have your cell phone crash to the ground from a loose pocket, or ever had to place your phone on the ground because your shorts or pants don't even have a pocket to begin with. This brand saw a gap in the market and filled it—men's compression shorts and pant with sweat-proof pockets made to securely stash your cell phone. While their shorts and leggings are most popular, they also make tops, too.

Essential Gear: North Moore Shorts

WOLACO North Moore Compression Shorts

"I'm obsessed with leggings, but it's so hard to find a pair that fits like a glove and has a functional pocket.

The North Moore Shorts fit perfectly and have two built-in jostle-free pockets! The Clinton Tank is extremely lightweight and so comfortable. Also, I love the colors that it comes in.

"I love the Wolaco compression tights. I own some of the compression shorts, which are great, but what I love the most is a good 3/4 compression legging. Their material is a little thicker, which makes them durable but also gives them a tighter feel, which I love. Even though they seem to be thicker than some other brands they keep you cool and don't overheat you."

  • Mat Forzaglia, NFPT-CPT, creator of In Time Fitness, and trainer at NeoU in New York City

2. Roots of Fight, $40 to $350

Think: clothing that not only performs, but also inspires. That's the winning pairing that Roots of Fight features in each of their pieces, which celebrate legendary athletes like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. As the brand's promotional material puts it, "Each story we tell depicts the unending fight at the root of every human triumph." This gear has that old school feel with a new school design that performs well in the gym or on-the-go.

Essential Gear: Mike Tyson Tee

Roots of Fight Mike Tyson Tee

"Having boxed my whole life and being involved in the culture, I love what roots of Fight is doing. While being comfortable and stylish, they pay tribute to the fighters who helped build the sport and paved the way for fighters like Floyd Mayweather and any up and coming fighters. My favorite is the

Mike Tyson sweatshirt that says Brooklyn on it, because that's where I'm from."

3. Fourlaps, $34 to 128

Quality over quantity is this brand's motto. If you have great gear that can hold up to intense workouts and lots of laundry sessions, then you don't need a ton of it. Fourlaps uses odor-resistant, moisture wicking technology in all of its fabrics. The brand's "Level Collection" fabric even has the ability to allow heat to escape when you sweat, while trapping in the warmth when the weather gets chilly.

Essential Gear: Advance Short

Advance Short

"I'm a huge fan of Fourlaps! I love their hats, tees, and their joggers and track pants are clutch. Given my role as both a trainer and entrepreneur, it's important for me to be able to work the training floor, and then rush out the door to a meeting or an event and still look on-point and stylish. Fourlaps gear is perfect for both."

4. Outdoor Voices, $35 to $115

Choose from either the Rec Kit (made for everyday activity), or the Tech Kit (which is designed to keep you cool during high intensity workouts) from this brand and you'll get a matching top and bottom for $95. While that's a good chunk of change, the company focuses on making versatile products that can handle a ton of work, so it will be worth every penny.

Essential Gear: Sunday Shorts

Outdoor Voices Sunday Shorts

"I'm extremely picky when it comes to performance gear. It all comes down to comfort for me. I prefer the tighter, slim fit, which is why I'm currently digging

Outdoor Voice's Sunday Shorts. They are the perfect length, extremely comfortable, and not 'poofy' on my legs, which is key for me—I have a tough time finding shorts that don't flare out at the sides due to the pockets. I also love how versatile they are— I'll wear them during a high intensity workout at my gym, but also while I'm waking my dog or going to the grocery store.

"Outdoor Voices shorts are just the right length—gotta love split shorts to show off those running legs—and have all the pockets you ever need when you're out on a run. I can hold my MetroCard, cash, keys and gels without the shorts falling down. The brief liner is also super comfortable even when things get sweaty. The Merino Longsleeve T-Shirt is great for those colder mornings and later nights to keep you warm, but it's also still breathable and wicks away moisture."

5. Rhone, $68 to $88 for core products

Rhone isn't just for gym bros. The brand aims to produce activewear for the young professional–and they've been pretty successful in that mission. While their core products include activewear and some streetwear pieces, they also have a popular commuter pants and just launched a dress shirt, too.

Essential Gear: Mako Short

Rhone Mako 9

"I have multiple pairs of shorts, shirts, and tank tops from Rhone. I really enjoy their gear for going on runs or bootcamp-style classes, where I don't have to worry about them wearing from a barbell. They are comfortable, and have enough stretch in them that allows zero restriction. The clothing is presentable and fitted, which in my line of work really is helpful."

  • Mat Forzaglia, NFPT-CPT, creator of In Time Fitness, and trainer at NeoU in New York City

"I've been running a lot lately and tried a bunch of brands, and nothing comes close to comparison in fit, function, and durability than Rhone. It's great for all around functional fitness."

"I like Rhone for athleisure. The clothing feels really good and it's great if you want to be relaxed and stay sporty, but look dressed up a bit."

6. No Bull, $32 to $129

You might be more familiar with No Bull's pricey lifting shoes, but did you know they make apparel, too? The brand identifies its target consumer as one who trains hard and doesn't have time for excuses, insisting that its gear will show up if you do, but it can't show up for you. The clothes are everything you need to workout, and nothing you don't.

Essential Gear: Coach Long Sleeve Tee

Coach Long Sleeve

"I'm a fan of minimalism and understatement. No Bull apparel and shoes are not flashy, yet have a bold, unique design with quality material that doesn't intrude on your performance. Living in a time where your appearance and activities often reflect your values and identity, I strongly identify with the brand's message of no BS and putting in the work. I feel their products inspire and allow you to do just that."

7. Olivers, $38 to $158

Simple, understated style is the name of the game with this brand. Pairing fabrics made out of merino wool, celliant, cordura nylon, and four-way stretch nylon results in gear that not only looks dapper but performs well, too. Bonus: All of the gear is made in California.

Essential Gear: All Over Short

All Over Short

oliversapparel.com

$68.00

"I'm a fan of Olivers, especially their

All Over Short. I love this short because the material is durable—I've had them for years and they've never ripped or torn from barbells scraping against them. They also don't bunch up or ride up, which is key in order to keep moving without having to adjust them mid-workout."

Andrew Mariani, NASM, trainer at Fhitting Room in New York City

8. Lululemon, $14 to $498

Those who think this brand just makes women's yoga gear—or solely yoga gear in general—are missing out on a treasure. Once you wear one of Lululemon's signature t-shirts or tanks for a workout, there's no turning back. Each piece of clothing comes with a tag that explains what it was made for; a high intensity sweat session versus a recovery day.

Essential Gear: Metal Tech Vent Long Sleeve

Metal Vent Tech Long Sleeve Shirt

Lululemon amazon.com

$98.00

"I enjoy wearing Lululemon gear. My favorite piece is their

Metal Tech Vent long sleeve shirts. I'm a fan of long sleeve workout tops and this particular shirt fits perfectly around the body and arms. It allows me to move without any restriction and it also feels good—which are my top two most important qualifications for workout gear. Not to mention, I like how it looks on me."

Solomon Bamiro, NASM, former Harlem Globetrotter, coach at Tone House in New York City

"Lululemon gear is my favorite athleisure wear because, for starters, its as comfortable as can be. They are presentable and are fitted, so I can still look professional as a fitness professional. The

5 Year Basic Tee is one of my favorites because its super comfortable, but also a fitted t-shirt. It's stretchy, so it hugs your body just right, and if it feels too tight, you can stretch it out a little before putting it on, and it will fit great."

Mat Forzaglia, NFPT-CPT, creator of In Time Fitness, and trainer at NeoU in New York City

"I have the Lululemon Metal Vent Tank in every color. I especially love the fit of this tank because it accentuates all the right places of my body. I'm also a fan of the quality of material Lulu uses—clothing from other brands end up smelling over time when you workout in them a lot. My Lululemon gear doesn't and I wear them on the regular."

Keoni Hudoba, chief instructor at Barry's Bootcamp in New York City

9. Virus, $35 to $88

Priding itself on making gear than can hold up against the toughest of training sessions and competitions, this brand keeps up on the latest technology so that you're able to push your limits with apparel that can keep up. The company makes training and recovery apparel, but also have some coveted transitional pieces, too, like its Icon X Joggers.

Essential Gear: IconX Joggers

IconX BioCeramic Performance Pant

virusintl.com

$88.00

"All of the apparel from this brand is perfect in my opinion. The way it fits an athletic frame is not only sophisticated but also sporty. Being a coach who spends a lot of his time running around New York, for me, the gear is perfect because it can easily transition from a workout to the street. It's the ultimate brand for me."

Kenny Santucci, NASM, coach at Solace in New York City

"I love Virus' compression tights for lifting and doing any kind of workout that taxes the lower extremities. I always feel more confident going for heavy lifts with these on."

Andrew Mariani, NASM, trainer at Fhitting Room in New York City

10. Nike

Chances are you're intimately familiar with this mega-brand if you're a gym rat, athlete, or even if you don't watch sports on the regular. But there's a good reason that it's the top dog in sports. That means the brand is always innovating with new technologies like Flyknit and Dri-FIT, which keep getting upgraded and integrated into more of its stellar gear.

Essential Gear: Nike Pro Tights

Pro Hypercool 3/4 Black Tights

Nike amazon.com

$27.99

"I'm a big fan of the

Nike Pro Line for three reasons: it looks cool, it's comfortable, and it fits well. It's not too tight that it looks weird, but also not so baggy that you look like you're wearing a trash bag. The line is a little pricey, but it's great."

Ben Bruno, CFSC, trainer based in Los Angeles, CA

"I grew up on Nike and they're still consistently coming up with new ways to be innovative. They're making clothing that allows me to focus on my training movements, being very specific to the personal details of their material and design, whether you're doing yoga or showing up for a HIIT class. Nike seems to have an item to make sure you maximize each workout, assuring functionality and comfort—all without compromising the fact that their clothes look great, too! Look good, feel good, perform great—that's what always keeps me motivated and a loyal brand customer."

Curtis Williams, NASM, former NFL wide receiver, creator of Training C.A.M.P., coach at Performix House in New York City

"Nike's running apparel is great because they offer gear to face any weather condition. Whether your out for a run in the cold, rain, or wind they have the proper gear to keep you warm and dry. "

Nick Panebianco, NASM, trainer at Trooper Fitness in New York City

"Nike makes a great training short that I own every color in because I like them so much! These Flex shorts are fitted but also have a stretch in them, so they're not restrictive when I'm squatting or performing other hip bending movements. Since I train a lot with a barbell, I look for gear that is not going to fade or deteriorate from the bar rubbing against it, over and over. These shorts have proven to be worthy for training in my opinion."

Mat Forzaglia, NFPT-CPT, creator of In Time Fitness, and trainer at NeoU in New York City

11. Softwear, $42 to $88

Sustainability is one of the core values of this 100 percent American-made brand. That commitment to excellence, plus the fact that this atheisure wear couldn't feel more supple against your skin put this brand on the "worth it," level.

Essential Gear: Jogger Pant

Jogger

wearsoftwear.com

$78.00

"These are by far the most comfortable pair of sweats I own. You can dress them up or down—they always look and feel great! And while they fall more into the athleisure category, the lightweight and form-fitting properties make them amazing to workout in, too."

Kenny Santucci, NASM, coach at Solace in New York City

12. Goodlife Clothing, $45 to $175

Goodlife Clothing produces simple, well-cut, essentials that you'll never stop using. These American-made pieces are cut to be aesthetically appealing and fit close to the body. It's gear with a goal—to help you live your good life.

Essential Gear: Supima Classic Crew

Goodlife

Tri-Blend Classic Crew

goodlifeclothing.com

$60.00

"Goodlife is my favorite all-purpose brand. I've worn it on fashion runways with a sport coat, and in a Tough Mudder race. The clothing never stretches out.

Steve Weatherford, Super Bowl champion, former professional football player, and fitness expert

Clothing Review: Men’s Babolat 2019 Performance Henley - Albany Times Union

Posted: 04 Jun 2019 05:19 AM PDT

Babolat Men's '19 Performance Henley (Parisian Blue)

Men's Babolat 2019 Performance Henley

Retail Price: $50.00

Details: Step onto the court with a classy look with the athletic Babolat Men's Performance Henley! Its 37.5 technology works to keep you at ideal temperature so you can perform your best for longer. This shirt also features a stand-up collar with a two-button placket,  360 motion technology to optimize freedom of movement on the court, UPF 50 protection, and a Babolat logo at left chest.

  • Content: 50% Polyester, 50% Polyester 37.5
  • Stand-up collar
  • 37.5 technology
  • 360 motion technology
  • UV sun protection
  • Colors:
    • Parisian Blue w/Silver (Playtested)
    • Black w/Parisian Blue (Playtested)
    • White w/Salsa

.

Fit: True to size
Chest/Torso: Regular
Sleeve Length: Average
Around Neck: Regular
Shirt Length: Average

.

Perf Henley Shirt Graham Dylan Tony Sherwin Total
Overall Fit 9 9 8 8 34
Neck Fit 9 10 8 9 36
Sleeve Length 9 10 6 9 34
Shirt Length 9 9 9 9 36
Shirt Width 9 9 8 7 33
Fabric Feel 10 8 10 9 37
Range of Motion 10 8 10 8 36
Moisture Wicking 9 9 10 9 37
Style 10 9 10 9 38
Looks 10 9 10 9 38
Total 94 90 89 86 89.75

.

Graham's Goffin's Comments: The light, wick away fabric is comfortable and well fitting. I particularly like the styling and comfort around the collar – as sometimes the traditional style can chafe my neck. 

.

Dylan Davis' Comments: I was surprised with the fit and feel of the shirt. It looks like it might be a little uncompfortable, but it wasn't. It wasn't as smooth as some dri-fit or cotton shirts, but it was plenty comfy. I didn't get a chance to test it on an exceptionally hot day, but I sweat plenty and the shirt felt great at the beginning and end of my matches. The design is simple and clean. Not much "style" except for clean and sharp – works for me!

.

Tony Attanasio's Comments: Great looking shirt and very comfy! Very high quality stuff! I compare it to Under Armor.  Way higher quality than Nike or Addidas in my opinion. The most impressive thing was after about 6 or 7 washings it still looks and feels brand new. My only complaint is the sleeves are slight short and tight. I recommend ordering a size larger if you like looser fitting tennis apparel.

.

Sherwin's Comments: Really liked the Henley shirt that Babolat came out with. Liked the look and feel of the shirt. Only thing was that it felt a little tight but I think the fit is more for the European market, more so than the US market. Other than that, it felt comfortable on the court and did not limit my range in the shoulder/arm area. One of the better tennis shirts I have and will be in my rotation durig my matches.

Sherwin So

Four women’s soccer stars have a new goal: Building a gender-neutral lifestyle business - The Washington Post

Posted: 04 Jun 2019 03:00 AM PDT


Four U.S. soccer players are launching a lifestyle brand, Re-Inc, that will have a gender-neutral sizing chart and start with streetwear styles designed for men or women. From left, Re-Inc co-founders Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath, Christen Press and Meghan Klingenberg. (Simon Forbes Keough/Simon Forbes Keough)

Meghan Klingenberg should have been on top of the world. As a member of the U.S. Women's National Team that won the Women's World Cup in Canada in 2015, she had just reached the pinnacle of her sport. There was a ticker-tape parade in New York. A rally in Los Angeles in front of 30,000 people. Her country cheering as she stood on the podium.

Yet "as cool as it was, as amazing as it was," she said, "something felt off." She wondered: "What is this nagging feeling that I'm having? And I realized that it's because Nike and U.S. Soccer and Fox [Sports] were all gaining value creation from our win, and we weren't able to capture any of that value," she said, other than their team's prize money, which was much less than what men's teams win — an example of the issues in the pay equity dispute that's been playing out in women's soccer.

Four years later, the same week the Women's World Cup starts in France, she and three other star players are launching a business that will play off the success and popularity of that 2015 team, creating an edgy lifestyle brand that will start with gender-neutral streetwear and clothing but could eventually branch into products like wearable technology or wellness items such as sunscreen.

Called Re-Inc, the brand founded by Klingenberg, Megan Rapinoe, Christen Press and Tobin Heath (the latter three are all members of this year's U.S. Women's National Team; Klingenberg is not) is designed to be gender-neutral and will highlight issues like equality and inclusivity.

There will be only one size chart — ranging from extra extra small to extra extra large, rather than separate sizing for men and women — and the first products will be beige T-shirts that are either cropped or oversized and read "liberté, égalité, defendez," a play on the French motto. More clothing items are expected over the summer.

Streetwear, said Klingenberg, a defender for the Portland Thorns who is 5-foot-2 and 120 pounds, "is a category where men design the clothes for men with men's sizing in mind. That works, but we feel like it could be better. We think we could do it different, and think we could do it in a way that's more inclusive." On the website, they intend to show male and female models in crop tops, say, or both genders in oversized tees, as well as presenting other clothing options in non-binary ways.

The concept is being launched at a time when young consumers are more likely than ever to be aware of gender fluidity and less likely to categorize products as just for men or just for women. Cosmetics companies have been showcasing gender fluidity in ad campaigns. A poll of millennials found that 50 percent believe the concept of gender is a spectrum. Millennial and Gen Z consumers increasingly expect gender-neutral advertising in the toy and fashion industries.

"As women's soccer players, we're always qualified — as I just did — as 'female athletes,' and we wanted to be able to change that narrative," Klingenberg said. "Whenever we're talking with the crest on the jersey, we have to keep in mind what our teams would like us to represent, what our country wants us to represent. We have to keep in mind what our sponsors want us to represent. . . . We wanted the freedom to fight for something instead of against all these things, and we wanted to create our own value."

The company name is also a hint that the four say they plan to do business differently, seeking out female and minority vendors and business partners, hiring for diversity, and possibly giving future employees an ownership stake. They have been funded so far by early-stage angel investors but expect to announce an investment by a top venture-capital firm soon, Klingenberg said.

The four women share decision-making responsibilities, with each specializing in her area of strength — a different approach than many businesses' hierarchies. Steve Nelson, co-founder of 3-D printing company Carbon, and Rocky Collis, a California lawyer who serves as outside general counsel to the U.S. Women's National Team Players Association, are also co-founders.

"We have four main co-founders who are women who all have the same amount of equity, and we have two dudes whose sole purpose — which, by the way, I think this is really cool — is to help us realize our dreams and goals," Klingenberg said. "I don't think there's many companies that start out that way."

For now, they plan to continue running the business that way. Jessica Tillyer, managing creative director at the consulting and design firm SYPartners who is advising Re-Inc, said: "We have no plans right now to put just one CEO in place, although that may happen. They're taking this circular leadership model, and I think it's actually working."

Klingenberg met Nelson when she was a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he learned she was interested in entrepreneurship. He took her to visit local companies he invested in — he was a venture capitalist at the time — giving her a chance to chat up the CEOs. "It was such a cool experience for an 18-year-old kid."

While this is her first side project, she and Press have experience working as representatives for the players union and negotiated the collective-bargaining agreement that earned the team's group licensing rights back from the U.S. Soccer Federation. Rapinoe also leads her own training and lifestyle apparel business with her twin sister.

Klingenberg said the four women have an advantage over other teams of co-founders in that they already know each other well. She and Heath have been teammates since they were 13 years old; she's also spent at least 10 years playing with Press and more than five years with Rapinoe.

"I think we kind of take it for granted that we know each other so well," she said. "We don't need to take the time to get to know each other, or take the time to know what is going to make this person great. . . . We're able to work through things in a way that a lot of new teams maybe can't."

Read also:

The #MeToo effect: Sexual harassment charges with the EEOC rose for the first time in years

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Clothing Review: Men’s Babolat 2019 Performance 9″ Shorts - Albany Times Union

Posted: 04 Jun 2019 11:31 AM PDT

Babolat Men's '19 Performance 9 in. Shorts

Men's Babolat 2019 Performance 9″ Shorts

Retail Price: $47.00

For extra style and coverage, you'll need the Babolat Performance XLong Short! It features a comfortable elastic waistband, side pockets, 360 motion technology to optimize freedom of movement on the court, UPF 50 protection, and a Babolat logo at right leg hem.

  • Content: 87% Polyester, 13% Elastane
  • Elastic waistband
  • Side pockets
  • 360 technology
  • UV sun protection
  • Colors:
    • Black (Playtested)
    • White (Playtested)

.

Fit: True to size
Pockets: Average
Length: 9″ inseam 
20″ outseam (size M) 
*Note: Each size changes by .5″
Built-in Compression: No 
Overall: Regular

.

Perf Shorts Graham Dylan Tony Sherwin Total
Overall Fit 9 10 10 8 37
Waistband Fit 9 10 9 7 35
Shorts Length 9 9 8 9 35
Pockets Space 9 9 10 9 37
Fabric Feel 9 8 10 9 36
Range of Motion 9 9 10 10 38
Moisture Wicking 9 9 8 9 35
Style 9 9 8 9 35
Looks 9 9 10 9 37
Total 81 82 83 79 81.25

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Tony Attanasio's Comments: These might be the perfect tennis shorts to play in when the weather gets warm. They don't stick to you at all. Very comfy to play in. Like their shirts the shorts are also very high quality. After wearing Babolat apparel I wondered why I don't see more people playing in it. I think it's way better than the big names apparel like Nike and Adidas and the price is slightly lower. Check it out you won't be disappointed!

.

Graham Goffin's Comments: The elasticated waist band gave an extremely comfortable fit during play. The style was simple and straightforward (no frills). The length was a traditional and comfortable one that felt light and airy as I moved around the court. The wick away fabric worked as intended and kept me dry as I played. 

.

Dylan Davis' Comments: I am a big fan of the babolat shorts. The length on these is better than their shorter version with much better coverage. I like the thicker waist band and the fact that there is no bulk to the band or drawstring. The material is eerily soft.  It almost feels like these shouldn't be shorts, but the softness and light weight of the shorts makes them a breeze to wear. My only complaint – and it's not really a big concern – is that the white shorts are pretty much see through. Definitely want to wear compression shorts under these.

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Sherwin's Comments: The Babolat Perf Shorts were very lightweight and maneuverability was fantastic in them. Really liked the fabric of the shorts and how they performed in match situations. The only drawback is the waist as they ran a little on the tight side but, nothing that made them uncomfortable. They offer the shorts in a 7″ and 9″ length and we asked for the longer length. It was a good call as they seem to look short out of the package but when I tried them on, they were actually a good length. We tried a previous Babolat short a while back and the seven inch length was really, really short. Overall, a great pair of match day shorts and will be wearing them often.

Sherwin So

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