It’s usually pretty easy to figure out what leads to gains and what leads to a plateau in your exercise program. Is it easy to find the best type of workout to wear to pursue those benefits?
In my experience, the answer is a resounding yes – if a product delivers the performance you need, you can tell right away. And while the market is saturated, there are hard-working brands that are climbing the ladder.
The best workout brands combine performance (like moisture-wicking fabric) with practical silhouettes based on the activity at hand. And unlike days gone by — when a cut-off college logo tie might suffice — there’s something deeper at play.
The best workout brands tend to use cool colors and stylish (small) dash designs. These are my preferred brands, and you should train and prepare accordingly.
Vuori
Most Known For: Designing some of the most comfortable, high-performance workout gear on the market, including proprietary stretch fabrics, in multiple colors.
The act of training is rarely that fun, but Vuori brings some excitement to the process – and a lot of performance.
Using incredibly lightweight fabrics and its 4-way stretch formula, Vuori makes workout tees, gym shorts and hoodies that are perfect for lifting weights, running distances and more.
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Ten Centuries
Most Known For: Designing and rigorously testing durable, all-purpose workout gear that can withstand distance running, weight training, team sports and more.
If you’re in awe of a few essential, versatile pieces that can do it all, Ten Thousand is easily one of the best workout brands to add to your rotation.
In my experience, the brand’s gear is ridiculously strong, wicks away moisture and retains its fabric quality after repeated washing and wear.
Songwriter
Most Known For: Bringing old-school, classic designs into the 21st century, combining retro cool with modern performance fabrics and training silhouettes.
There is an indescribable quality to the athletic gear of days gone by, in appearance if not in functionality.
What if a product offered the best of both worlds?
Tracksmith draws inspiration from the running and training gear of the past decades, and uses its proprietary materials to make it more practical.
Foreign Voices
Most Known For: Taking a modern approach to workout gear, designing fun, functional pieces in bright colors while focusing on sustainability.
It can be tricky to make waves in the crowded market for the best workout brands, but Outdoor Voices has caught the attention of those looking for active gear with a mix of both minimalist and stylish options.
Sustainability is also at the core of the brand, and its workout gear suits every training situation imaginable.
The champion
Most Known For: Unlocking the art of hard-working athletic gear, first for boxers and then for athletes everywhere, mostly including the classic hoodies and sweatpants.
Want to hit the gym in a way reminiscent of old training sessions? It’s hard to go wrong with Champion, the popular athletic brand that now makes nutritious, reliable workout food in addition to its popular selection of hard-wearing hoodies and sweatpants.
NO BULL
Most Known For: Powering your workout from the ground up with durable, comfort-focused shoes and training gear that’s compatible with most conditions.
NOBULL takes workout shoes seriously, making everything from golf shoes to running shoes to traditional training shoes. They also take the act of working out in general very seriously, at least in terms of ‘designing rugged, functional shorts, tops and outer layers.
Gymshark
Most Known For: Offers an affordable yet training-focused shopping experience for guys looking for gear designed for everything from swimming to running to cycling.
Can exercise be all things to all people? Gymshark certainly gives that look a shot, designing reliable wear for swimming, running, hiking and more, often using bright colors and graphics for the guy who appreciates an eye-catching look on the street or in the gym.
Lululemon
Lululemon was once known primarily as a women’s workout brand, but they’ve shifted into high gear as one of the best men’s workout brands.
They focus on the best fit and a variety of styles, covering you from quick morning training sessions to long hours in the gym, from sweats and running to track jackets.
Opened
Most Known For: Making some of the most efficient and effective running shoes in the crowd, complete with a full range of accessories and gear fit for every run.
There’s a good chance you’ve seen a pair or two (or more) of On shoes at the gym or on your track. The running and training shoes of the future seem to be everywhere, and they’ve expanded into a line of performance gear that accompanies every repetition of your next workout and every step of your run.
Satisfied
Most Known For: Taking a non-traditional approach to running gear by combining streetwear-style styles with contemporary trends, all made from functionally useful fabric using materials such as Dyneema.
Running is, by nature, a global community, and the act of running can literally unlock a runner’s high – both are at the heart of what Satisfy does.
The brand takes an irreverent approach to running gear, combining the worlds of GORP-core (or hiking) fashion with streetwear and athletic performance.