7 Best Workout Shirts for Men in 2024

Leading an active lifestyle is essential for your health. This is especially true in today’s age, where we’re often sitting for work, school, and play. While dieting is one way to keep your body fit, you can’t overlook the conditioning offered by exercise. Working out is hard, yes, but there are things you can do to make the process easier. For instance? Snagging one of the best workout shirts for men will have you ready to hit the trail, gym, or court in a heartbeat.

A proper-fitting workout shirt will hug your body just right, offering full range of motion and providing support via moisture-wicking properties and enhanced breathability. In other words, they’re an incredible boon for all types of exercise.

In today’s article, we’ll be reviewing the best men’s workout shirts on the market. You’ll find hot options from brand favorites like Nike and Adidas, as well as some more specialized options for all your workout needs. Ready to go? No more excuses — let’s jump right in!

Our Top Picks: Best Workout Shirts for Men

We’ll start with our favorite pick overall:

• Best Overall: Adidas Men’s FreeLift Sport Prime Heather Tee. If you’re seeking a versatile, lightweight, and polyester workout shirt, the Adidas FreeLife is the best option on the market.
• Best Budget: Hanes Men’s Cool Dri Performance Short Sleeve T-Shirt. Break a sweat — not the bank — with an ultra-soft, quick-dry shirt from Hanes.
• Best Moisture-Wicking: Reebok Men’s Supersonic Crewneck Workout T-Shirt. Don’t sweat the sweat with Reebok’s Spandex and polyester moisture-wicking Supersonic Crewneck.
• Best Style: Champion Men’s Classic Graphic Tee. Look as good as you feel in Champion’s classic tee that comes in a variety of stylish colors.
• Best Tank Top: PUMA Men’s Essential No.1 Sleeveless Tee. Drop the sleeves for a cool, refreshing top that’s ideal for both lifting and casual wear.
• Best Long Sleeve: Nike Men’s Legend Long Sleeve Tee. If it’s starting to get cold outside, it’s time to switch to the Nike Legend Long Sleeve with Dri-FIT fabric. Just do it.
• Best Hoodie: Under Armour Men’s Tech 2.0 Hoodie. Pop the Under Armour Tech 2.0 Hoodie over your athletic wear, or use it as a standalone long-sleeve for pounding out the reps in protective fashion.

If you’re seeking a well-rounded workout shirt for men, you can’t go wrong with the FreeLift Sport Prime Heather Tee from Adidas.

This slim-fit t-shirt is made from 100% premium polyester, and it offers full torso coverage with a crewneck collar. It also tapers from top to bottom, providing a broad fit at the shoulders and a slimmer fit at the waist — meaning there’s plenty of room for those guns!

Our favorite part about this shirt? Despite all the support it offers, you barely notice it’s there! That’s because the Adidas Men’s FreeLift Sport Prime Heather Tee weighs just four ounces, making it one of the lightest options on the market. Overall, this cling-free t-shirt is a fantastic choice when shopping for fitness attire.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Hanes? Really?

Just hear me out, because this isn’t your grandpa’s old Hanes tee. This is the Hanes Men’s Cool Dri Performance Short Sleeve T-Shirt.

Coming in under $15, this tee is outfitted with all the same features you’ll find in more expensive brands. For starters, it’s made from 100% polyester, so it’s lightweight and keeps its shape in the wash. But it also boasts Cool Dri technology to wick away sweat, and FreshIQ odor protection to keep your smelling fresh and clean after those intense workout sessions. Oh, and did we mention the UV-blocking UPF 50+ rating?

There are no two ways about it. This is the best cheap workout shirt for men, bar none.

If you sweat like a waterfall, you’ll want to consider the Reebok Men’s Supersonic Crewneck Workout T-Shirt. That’s because this shirt boasts a proprietary polyspan fabric that drys quickly and wicks moisture from your skin. It also hugs your skin like a perfect-fitting glove, ensuring the quick-dry material can work its magic without restricting your range of motion. Oh, and it looks pretty sharp too!

Reebok is a premier name in the athletics world, with experience creating clothing for various sports and activities. As such, the Men’s Supersonic Crewneck is custom-designed to twist and turn with your body whether you like hitting the slopes or pushing your limits at the gym. Choose from over 40 different color variations and get back to focusing on your performance, not your outfit.

Okay, you caught us. This probably isn’t the best tee to work out in. It’s more of a casual athletic shirt suited for everyday use and hitting the hoops on the way home. But its versatility isn’t what secured the Champion Men’s Classic Graphic Tee a spot on our list. No, sir. This tee is simply one of the finest looking athletic shirts on the market. 

First off, it comes in nearly a dozen colors, ranging from heather gray to regal navy to scarlet red. No matter which color you choose, the Champion logo is featured smack-dab on the pecs and contrasts the background color to a tee. Meanwhile, the athletic fit with set-on trim offers unrivaled range of motion and extreme comfort. 

Not convinced? Don’t just take our word for it. The Champion Men’s Classic Graphic Tee boasts near-perfect consumer ratings across the web!

Prefer that sleeveless look? We’ve got you covered with the PUMA Men’s Essential No. 1 Sleeveless Tee (AKA tank top).

This cotton jersey is as stylish as they come, with a single-tone background and the vibrant PUMA logo front and center. Its cotton construction fits and feels like a dream, while stitched-in Dry Cell technology draws moisture away from your skin, keeping you dry and comfortable throughout your workout.

The PUMA Men’s Essential No. 1 Sleeveless Tee is the perfect option for those hot summer days.

The Nike Men’s Legend Long Sleeve Tee is one of the best long sleeve workout shirts because it’s comfortable, soft, and features Dri-FIT fabric that wicks moisture away. It’s made from 100% polyester and also has the famous crewneck, providing extra support while working out.

This premium shirt is available in nearly two dozen different colors and sizes. The price range for this tee is anywhere between $20 and $50, depending on the size (don’t worry — it’s always an excellent fit, no matter which size you choose). The quality of this t-shirt lives up to the standards that the company has set. It also has the famous benchmark in the form of design, and the iconic swoosh gets plenty of glances in the gym.

Ready to take your workout to the next level? Just do it.

No list of best workout shirts for men would be complete without an option from Under Armor. True to form, we present to you a unique, one-of-a-kind top that’ll take your workout to the next level. Say hello to the Under Armour Men’s Tech 2.0 Hoodie!

Meticulously crafted from 100% polyester, this silky-smooth workout shirt features everything you need for those late-night or winter gym runs. Lightweight and breathable, it offers just the right amount of protection without bogging you down. Its material wicks moisture faster than Speed Racer, and stitched-in anti-odor technology keeps you smelling fresh and clean throughout your workout.

As far as functionality goes, the front “kangaroo” pocket offers a handy spot to stash your phone while pumping that iron. It’s one of the best lifting shirts overall.

What to Look for in the Best Workout Shirts for Men

Having some trouble finding the right workout shirt? Check out this quick ‘n easy buyer’s guide to learn more about what to look for.

1. Fit

The most important consideration when choosing a workout shirt is whether or not it fits! While different brands offer their own sizing guides, there’s a general baseline among US and EU manufacturers.

2. Material

While material is an important consideration when choosing any piece of clothing, it’s particularly important for workout clothes. That’s because, unlike traditional clothing, workout clothes are designed to get wet. And not from water — from sweat. 

That makes looking for moisture-resistant and sweat-wicking fabrics essential. Polyester is among the best moisture-wicking fabrics, as it dries in a heartbeat. It’s also incredibly breathable, lightweight, and durable. In other words, it’s precisely what you need your workout clothes to be.

Another oft-seen material is cotton. Unfortunately, cotton doesn’t work well on its own, as it’s not moisture-resistant in the least. It’s also relatively heavy. On the flip side, it’s ideal for everyday wear, it washes well, and it’s naturally odor-resistant. If you opt for a cotton top, make sure it’s blended with an elastane like Spandex or Lycra. This provides the best of both worlds, giving you the benefits of cotton alongside sweat-wicking and stretchy properties.

3. Style

Why even bother working out if you don’t look good doing it?

That’s (mostly) a joke. But the best workout shirts for men do come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. While you’re in the market, consider picking up a shirt that you’ll feel stylish in. Studies indicate that feeling good in what you wear can boost your performance! Who said style doesn’t matter?

Our Process

For this guide on workout shirts for men, our team spent 4 hours researching the most popular options from over 25 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about one hundred user reviews (both positive and negative) to discover what shoppers thought about each shirt. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 7 workout shirts for men on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.

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Further Reading