Fitness Clothing and Yoga Wear
Most of us practice yoga asanas because of the physical benefits it provides. Because of this, it's easy to think that we should wear typical gym attire to the yoga studio.
While this is true to a certain extent, you also need to make sure your clothing is comfortable, breathable, easy to move around, and wicks sweat properly. This means that those old pair of cargo shorts you wore while lifting weights at the gym might not be the best choice for yoga, where you'll be doing a lot of bending, twisting, and stretching in a variety of poses.
Fit is also very important when choosing the right yoga clothing, as baggy shirts can slide up during handstands and impede movement.
Maximum amount
When it comes to what men should wear for yoga, the most common ones are T-shirts and tank tops. Most tops are made from 100% cotton or natural or synthetic fibers.
Synthetic fibers and cotton
cotton top
Cotton is very comfortable. It also does a great job of keeping you warm. However, if you live in a hotter climate or you're taking a hot yoga class, a cotton T-shirt or tank top will absorb sweat quickly. This may cause you to feel sticky and uncomfortable.
synthetic tops
Generally speaking, shirts made of synthetic materials can remove sweat from the skin . Synthetic T-shirts are also much lighter than cotton T-shirts. Synthetic materials are easier to clean, dry faster, and last longer than cotton.
Overview of synthetic and cotton materials
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Cotton can absorb up to 8% of its weight in moisture. Most synthetic materials have an absorption rate of less than 1%.
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A high-quality synthetic T-shirt has five times the air penetration rate of a cotton T-shirt.
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Synthetic materials can strip moisture from your skin. The cotton traps it close to your skin.
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Synthetic T-shirts are lighter. They weigh about 60% of cotton T-shirts.
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Synthetic fibers are easier to clean, dry faster, and last longer than cotton materials.
I've tried cotton and synthetic shirts in practice, and personally I prefer a simple black cotton shirt when the weather is cooler. I find that cotton shirts keep sweat off my face and pads better than synthetic shirts. However, if I practice in the heat or plan to attend a hot yoga class, then I usually opt for synthetic (or go topless).
yoga t-shirt
For men who practice yoga, a popular choice is a loose-fitting T-shirt. I recommend a comfortable, sweat-wicking shirt that allows you to lift your arms easily without restricting your movement or rising too high and exposing your belly.
My favorite t-shirt is a simple black cotton shirt. Make sure you get a good quality shirt that will last a long time. You can buy cotton shirts fairly cheaply from stores like H&M, Target and Kmart.
My trusty black cotton T-shirt. This is a safe choice for men who practice yoga.
If you don’t mind paying a little extra, brands like Nike make good quality cotton shirts. I've had this Nike V-neck T-shirt for a few years now and it's still going strong. I will note, however, that this shirt is a bit short for my liking and if I raise my arms it looks too much!
Brands like Nike offer high-quality cotton and synthetic shirts that are perfect for yoga.
yoga vest
I kind of like yoga vests. Sleeveless tops are a great option if you want to cool down quickly after a yoga session. Since the vest has a tighter fit, it also has the added benefit of showing body angles and alignment. This is useful if you need feedback on posture or adjustments during class.
As with T-shirts, you want to make sure you find a tank top that's comfortable, fits you well, and is made of materials that work well for you. I bought a great synthetic vest from Target for about $15!
yoga pants
What kind of pants can boys wear when practicing yoga? When it comes to bottoms, men can opt for shorts or trousers. Most people have a preference of one kind or another, and it really comes down to overall comfort and flexibility.
shorts
If you practice yoga in a cooler climate, you may want to opt for long pants. If you practice in a warm environment, shorts will be a better choice.
The reality is that most men can get away with wearing good running or basketball shorts. Just make sure if you wear baggy shorts to a yoga class, wear a pair of supportive briefs underneath to avoid any accidental flashes.
trousers
For most men, baggy yoga pants are a good choice
When it comes to pants, you can choose to keep it simple with a pair of fitted sweatpants or joggers, or go full-on yoga pants. If you decide to go the yoga pants route, you'll want to make sure you have a pair that fits well.
tight yoga pants
If you attend a lot of flow classes or yoga classes that require a lot of movement, you may want to choose clothing that fits closely so that the material doesn't get in the way while you're doing the activity. A full set of yoga leggings/leggings will do the trick.
If you’re tempted to try yoga pants for your next class but don’t have the confidence to show off your “bump,” you can wear a pair of cycling shorts over your yoga pants!
loose yoga pants
Or, if you don’t like tight yoga pants, you might want to try dharma pants which are generally looser and look great. These are like the yoga version of sweatpants/joggers. Of course, you can also choose a pair of well-fitting cuffed pants.
Can men wear yoga pants?
You may have noticed that some people choose to wear tight yoga pants to yoga classes. While I wouldn't say they are completely socially acceptable outside of yoga studios, they are becoming more and more popular.
Girls have been rocking them for years, and you have to admit—they look super comfortable. But do they look good on boys? Well, like all clothing choices, it comes down to personal preference. Yoga pants do have a lot of benefits compared to shorts or pants:
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Comfortable. Yoga pants feel like you’re not wearing anything at all!
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The posture is more flexible. Yoga pants do not impede or impede movement like some types of shorts
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They provide grip for the knees in certain positions
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Great for hot or Bikram yoga - most yoga pants are breathable and wick sweat away from the skin.
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Can be used for any sport such as jogging, cycling, weightlifting - you name it.
What to consider when buying men’s yoga wear
There are four main factors to consider when buying yoga clothes for your next yoga class: comfort, size, material, and price.
Comfortable
As I mentioned, comfort is very important when considering which yoga clothes men should choose. Feeling comfortable and unrestricted during your yoga practice will allow you to focus all your attention on each pose rather than wearing ill-fitting clothing.
sizing
If you're used to shopping for gym or sportswear, you'll probably choose loose-fitting clothing. However, yoga exercises require clothing that fits more snugly. This will prevent your clothes from slipping or restricting movement in certain positions. Another benefit of tight-fitting clothing is that it's easier to understand the angles of your body.
For example, if you decide to wear a simple cotton T-shirt to your next yoga class, you'll want to make sure it's not too long or baggy as it might fall down on your face in certain poses. Remember, vice versa. Clothes that are too tight can also hinder your practice and cause discomfort.
Material
We talked about materials before, but to recap: You want to choose clothing made from materials that are sweat-wicking, lightweight, stretchable, and durable.
Most types of yoga practice require sweating while lying down, standing, or sitting on a mat. If you find that your mat sweats a lot, making it slippery, then you need to choose a sweat-absorbent material such as cotton.
Men should also wear clothes made of elastic materials as they provide the greatest range of motion during yoga practices. This means no long-sleeved shirts or jeans for men's yoga wear.
If you know you'll be doing a lot of hot or Bikram yoga, then I recommend choosing a synthetic material that doesn't absorb sweat easily. This is because the cotton will end up absorbing a lot of sweat throughout the class and weighing you down throughout the poses. Not to mention it can get very uncomfortable.
price
Price is an important factor for anyone investing in new yoga gear. While I don't advocate spending $100 on a pair of designer yoga pants for men, you also shouldn't skimp on quality for the cheapest gear.
Yoga is a demanding practice and anything you wear needs to withstand a lot of sweat, movement, and hopefully a lot of washing! Make sure the yoga clothes you choose are durable enough to withstand these demands. Otherwise, you'll end up spending more money on replacement clothes in the long run.
pack
As more men learn about the incredible mental, physical, and emotional benefits of yoga, the number of men looking for information on what to wear for yoga has grown exponentially. I hope this guide helps you demystify the world of men's yoga clothing and helps you make a more informed decision when looking for the best clothing for your practice.
