What Do Guys Wear to Yoga?
What should guys wear to yoga? It’s a question that sounds simple enough, yet finding advice on what men should wear to the yoga studio or even to practice at home can be difficult.
Since a majority of yoga practitioners are female, there is no shortage of information on clothing options for women out there. But when it comes to us guys, not so much.
But as more and more men discover the amazing benefits that yoga offers, I’m confident this will change over time. Until then, I’ve created this guide to help you navigate the murky waters of yoga clothes for men and choose the right clothing based on your needs.
Gym Clothes vs. Yoga Clothes
Most of us guys get into yoga asana practice for its physical benefits. So it’s easy to think that we should just wear our typical gym getup to the yoga studio (or lounge room).
While this is true in a sense, you will also need to make sure that your clothes are comfortable, breathable, easy to move in, and absorb sweat correctly. That means those pair of old cargo shorts you might chuck on for a weightlifting session in the gym might not be the best choice for yoga, where you’ll be doing a tonne of bending, twisting, and stretching in various poses.
Fit is also incredibly important when it comes to picking the right outfit for yoga, as loose-fitting shirts can end up sliding up and getting in the way when in inversions (like downward dog or headstand).
Tops
When it comes to what guys should wear on top for yoga, it comes down to the usual suspects – T-shirts and tank-tops. Most tops are made out of 100% cotton or natural fibers, or synthetic fibers.
Synthetic vs. Cotton
Cotton Tops
Cotton is super comfortable. It’s also good at keeping you warm. However, if you live in hotter climates or you’re doing a hot yoga class, cotton t-shirts or tank-tops will soak up a sweat very quickly. This can result in you feeling sticky and uncomfortable.
Synthetic Tops
Generally speaking, shirts made of synthetic materials move sweat away from your skin. A synthetic T-Shirt is also much lighter than a cotton t-shirt. Synthetics will wash easier, dry faster, and last much longer than cotton.
Overview of Synthetic vs. Cotton Materials
Cotton can absorb up to 8% of its weight in water. Most synthetic materials will absorb less than 1%.
Good quality synthetic t-shirts will allow air to pass through (breathability) at five times the rate of cotton.
Synthetics whisks moisture away from your skin. Cotton traps it next to your skin.
Synthetic T-Shirts are lighter. They weigh about 60% as much a cotton t-shirt.
Synthetics wash easier, dry much quicker, and last much longer than cotton.
I’ve experimented with both cotton and synthetic shirts in my practice, and personally I prefer a simple, black cotton shirt when the weather is cooler. I find that cotton shirts also keep sweat away from my face and off of the mat better than synthetic shirts. However, if I’m practicing in the heat or planning on a hot yoga class, then I will usually go for synthetic (or shirtless).
T-shirts for Yoga
A popular choice for guys practicing yoga is loose-fitting (but not overly loose) t-shirts. I recommend a comfortable, sweat-absorbent shirt that allows you to easily lift your arms up without restricting your movement or rising up too much, showing off your stomach.
My favourite t-shirt is a simple, black cotton shirt (like below). Make sure you get a good quality shirt that will last. You can pick up a plain cotton shirt fairly cheap from stores like H&M, Target, and Kmart.
My trusty black cotton t-shirt. A safe choice for guys practicing yoga.
If you don’t mind paying a little more, brands like Nike make good quality cotton shirts. I’ve had this Nike v-neck tee from Nike for a few years now and it’s still going strong. I should note, however, that this shirt is a little short for my liking and ends up showing too much if I raise my arms up!
Brands like Nike offer good quality cotton and synthetic shirts that are great for yoga.
Tank-tops for Yoga
I’m a bit fan of tank-tops for yoga. Sleeveless tops are great if you want to be able to cool off quickly after your yoga session. Tanktops also have the added benefit of showing body angles and alignment due to their tighter fit. This is useful if you require feedback on your poses or adjustments during class.
Like t-shirts, you want to make sure that you find a tank-top that is comfortable, snug-fitting (not too tight or too loose though), and made of a material that suits you. I picked up a great synthetic tank-top from Target for about $15!
Bottoms for Yoga
What kind of pants can guys wear for yoga? When it comes to bottoms guys have a choice between shorts or long pants. Most guys have a preference one way or another, and it really comes down to overall comfort and mobility.
Shorts
If you are practicing yoga in a cooler climate you might want to opt for long pants. If you are practicing in a warmer environment (like a hot yoga class or Bikram yoga) then shorts are going to be a better option.
These days you can find men-specific types of yoga bottoms from brands like Lulemon, but the reality is that most men will do fine with a good quality pair of running or basketball shorts. Just make sure that if you are wearing loose-fitting shorts to a yoga class, wear a good pair of supportive briefs underneath to avoid any accidental flashes (if you know what I mean).
Personally I wear a pair of basketball shorts from Champion and I haven’t had any issues.
Long Pants
Looser fitting yoga pants are a great option for most guys
When it comes to long pants, you can keep it simple and go with a pair of track pants or joggers with a good fit, or you can wear full-on yoga pants. If you decide to go the yoga pants route, you want to make sure that you get a pair with the right fit.
Tight yoga pants
If you do a lot of Vinyasa classes or yoga classes that require a lot of movement, you might want to opt for a close fit so the material doesn’t get in your way during your flow. Full-on yoga leggings/tights will do the job here.
If you’re keen to try yoga pants for your next class but you’re not confident showing your “bulge” off, you can wear a pair of cycling shorts over the top of your yoga pants!
Loose fit yoga pants
Alternatively, if tight-fitting yoga pants aren’t you’re thing, you might want to try Dharma pants. Dharma pants generally have a looser fit and look great. These are like the yoga version of track pants/joggers. Of course, you can simply go for a pair of good fitting cuffed pants.
Can men wear yoga pants?
You might have noticed that some guys choose to wear tight yoga pants to yoga classes. While I wouldn’t say they are totally socially acceptable outside of the yoga studio just yet, they are gaining popularity.
Girls have been rocking them for years now and you have to admit – they look super comfy. But do they look good on guys? Well, like all clothing choices, it comes down to personal preference. Yoga pants do have a number of benefits over shorts or long pants:
Comfort. Yoga pants feel like you’re not wearing anything!
More flexibility in poses. Yoga pants won’t get in the way or hinder mobility like some types of shorts might
They provide grip for the knees in certain poses
Great for hot or Bikram yoga – Most yoga pants are breathable and draw sweat away from the skin.
Can be used for any sport like jogging, cycling, weight lifting – you name it.
What to Consider When Buying Yoga Clothes For Men
There are four main factors to consider when buying yoga clothes for your next yoga class: Comfort, sizing, material, and price.
Comfort
As I mentioned, comfort is incredibly important when considering which yoga clothes men should choose. Feeling comfortable and unrestricted in your yoga practice will allow you to focus all of your attention to each pose, instead of playing around with ill-fitting clothes.
To avoid your shirt sliding down in yoga poses, make sure that your shirt isn’t too loose
Sizing
If you’re used to buying clothes for the gym or sports, you likely go for looser fitting clothes. However, movements in yoga require clothes to be snugger and form-fitting. This will prevent your clothes from sliding up or restricting mobility in certain poses. The added benefit of tighter fitting clothes is that it is much easier to be aware of your body’s angles.
For example, if you decide to go with a simple cotton T-shirt for your next yoga class, you’ll want to ensure that it isn’t too long or loose as it might end up falling over your face in certain poses. Keep in mind that the opposite is true as well. Clothes that are too tight will also hinder your practice and cause discomfort.
Material
We touched on materials earlier, but to recap: you want to choose clothes made of materials that are sweat-absorbent, lightweight, stretchable, and durable.
Most types of yoga practice will involve working up a sweat while either lying, standing or sitting on your mat. If you find that you are sweating a lot on the mat, causing it to become slippery, then you will want to choose materials like cotton that absorb sweat.
Men should also wear clothes made of stretchable materials as they allow the widest range of movement in your yoga practice. That means no long-sleeved shirts or jeans when it comes to yoga clothes for guys.
If you know that you will be doing a lot of hot yoga or Bikram yoga, then I recommend that you opt for synthetic materials that do not absorb sweat as easily. This is because cotton will end up absorbing a tonne of sweat throughout the class and weigh you down throughout your poses. Not to mention it can become quite uncomfortable.
Price
Price is an important factor for anyone investing in new yoga gear. While I don’t advocate dropping $100 on a pair of designer yoga pants for men, you also shouldn’t skimp on quality for the cheapest gear possible.
Yoga is a demanding practice, and any clothes that you wear are doing to endure a lot of sweat, movement and hopefully a lot of washes! Make sure that the yoga clothes you choose are durable enough to withstand these demands. Otherwise, you’ll end up spending more on buying replacement clothes in the long run.
The Wrap
As more men are learning about the incredible mental, physical, and emotional benefits of yoga, the number of guys looking for information on what to wear to yoga is growing exponentially. I hope that this guide has helped demystify the world of yoga wear for men, and helps you to make more informed decisions when looking for the best clothes for your practice.
Until next time.
Namaste
