Gear Up: Essential Workout Clothes for Men

If you’re lifting, sweating, or just trying to look half-decent on your walk to get coffee post-gym, you don’t need a six-piece activewear wardrobe. You just need gear that works and looks damn good. At Man or Beast, we keep it clean: breathable training tees, performance-built shorts, zero fluff.

This guide is your no-BS breakdown of what guys actually need to wear to the gym, with style, performance, and comfort all locked in.

The Shirt That Does It All: Breathable, Durable, Built to Move

If you’re still smashing workouts in old footy shirts or heavy cotton tees, it’s time to level up. A proper training tee is lightweight, quick-drying, and cut to move — no sweat patches, no sagging neckline, no post-workout stink.

What to look for:

• Moisture-wicking fabric – keeps you cool and dry during intense sets
• Lightweight build – no heavy, clingy cotton slowing you down
• Good structure – sits well through the chest and shoulders, tapers slightly at the waist
• Flat seams or no side seams – zero chafe during training

Your Go-To Gym Shorts: Not Too Loose, Not Too Tight

Let’s talk gym shorts. If they’re riding up, sliding down, or flapping like sails when you’re on the assault bike — they’re not doing their job.

Our training shorts are made for movement, no matter how you train. Enough stretch to squat, enough airflow to stay cool, and pockets that actually hold your phone when you’re running for the bus after.

Non-negotiables:

• 4-way stretch fabric – moves with you, not against you
• Elastic waistband with drawcord – stays in place without cutting circulation
• Breathable inner lining – keeps everything supported and sweat-free
• Zipped pockets – because your phone deserves better than the floor

Shop Our Men’s Training Shorts. Built for squats, sprints, and solid Sundays.

Do You Really Need Moisture-Wicking Shorts?

Yes. 100% yes. Especially in Australia.

Moisture-wicking fabric pulls sweat off your skin and helps it evaporate. That means:

• Less chafing
• Less stink
• Less swampy regret halfway through your workout

All of our shorts are made with sweat-wicking tech because we train in this stuff ourselves and we know what does and doesn’t work.

Gym Style That Doesn’t Try Too Hard

You don’t need loud prints, neon colours, or tech jargon. Good gear is:

• Simple
• Well-fitted
• Easy to pair with the rest of your wardrobe

We design with neutral colours, sharp cuts, and zero unnecessary branding, so you look good in and out of the gym, without looking like a walking billboard.

What to Avoid (Seriously)

• Cheap polyester that clings and smells after one wear
• No-stretch shorts that cut into your thighs on leg day
• T-shirts that lose shape after one wash
• No-pocket shorts – because where the hell do you put your phone?

If your gear's doing any of the above, it's not helping you train harder, it's just in the way.

Why Man or Beast?

Because we’re not trying to be some overbuilt, hyper-technical performance brand. We’re here to make men’s training gear that fits, breathes, looks good, and actually lasts, all designed right here in Australia.

Ready to upgrade your gym gear? Shop tees and shorts now