Best Men’s Gym Tops To Withstand Your Biggest Workouts

No list of gym wear would be complete without Nike. The company has been at the forefront of the sports industry ever since it was founded in 1964 (as Blue Ribbon Sports, it was renamed Nike in 1971). The vast majority of Nike's clothing uses its renowned Dri-Fit technology – a proprietary polyester fabric – to help wick sweat away from your skin before quickly evaporating. What's more, Nike promises the technology will retain its performance throughout its life, so you won't need to worry about replacing it. 

Lululemon is a Canadian sports brand founded in 1998 and although its primary focus is on yoga, the company also produces clothing for multiple sports and disciplines. The Metal Vent shirt is described as "the ultimate technical training tee", meaning it accompany you on your morning run or your evening session on the gym floor. It's available in a multitude of colours, but its headline feature is a seamless construction, meaning you need not worry about it chafing – something that other training gear can be guilty of. 

Adidas is the world's second-largest producer of sportswear – behind Nike – and for good reason. Not only is the company's three-stripe logo one of the most valuable in the style stakes, but its clothing offers plenty of performance to match. This All Set Tee for example, benefits from the German manufacturer's Aeroready technology, which works to move sweat away from your body, while slits in the side allow it to move as freely as you wish. We're particular fans of the heathered look as well. Who said you can't look good while you train?

Rhone may be a brand you haven't heard of before, but the American startup's clothing should definitely be on your radar when buying some new gear for the gym. While it clearly has many competitors in the same arena, Rhone spends much more on its fabrics than some of the big boys – the Silvertech line, for example, employs actual silver in its construction to control odour – to not only give its customers high-performing products but ones that provide a more premium feel. 

Under Armour is another heavy hitter in the sportswear field, thanks in no small part to its large number of sponsorship deals – it provides clothing for Sydney FC and has tie-ins with Tom Brady and Dwanye "The Rock" Johnson. That's not to say its clothing can't match it's high-profile status, as this Seamless Shirt offers a figure-hugging fit, but without making you feel constricted. As the name suggests, it boasts a seamless construction to keep chafing at bay and an anti-odour technology means you won't stink up the gym or the cafe when you get your post-run feed. 

Reebok started life as a British-based company – the Union Jack flag still features on its "Classic" line of clothes and shoes – but was bought out by American Paul Fireman in 1984. Since then, the company has introduced various firsts, including the first athletic shoe designed specifically for women. Today, Reebok produces clothing for all manner of sports and training exercises, including the ActivChill shirt. It's not just a fancy marketing term, ActivChill employs a unique weaving process that sees tiny air portals move sweat away from the body, keeping you cool no matter the weather. Reebok says it's best suited to HIIT workouts, but it will be just at home in the gym or outside. 

Outdoor Voices was founded in 2013 by Tyler Haney. She has since stepped away from the company, leaving in 2020, but it continues to honour the same traditions upon which it was founded. Those being a supportive community for anyone who simply "turns up" to keep active.

The Sweatee T-Shirt is, as its name suggest, the ideal top for your beastly workouts. It provides a soft, comfortable fit, with sweat-wicking properties. A touch of spandex allows it to stretch, so those barbell bench presses can be carried out with ease.

Castore is a British brand that may charge a little more for its clothing than some of the more recognised names on this list, but in return, you get clothing that is fully tested before it even enters full production. The company's mission statement is to "make athletes better", and to do so, it tests its clothing for 100 days before it gets full approval. The Watson stretch tech shirt benefits from patented technologies to keep you comfortable during casual training sessions. It promises to wick moisture away from your body, while also providing a seamless cut and maximum ventilation. 

2XU – Two Times You – proves that Australia can compete in the A-league when it comes to activewear. The company, which was founded in Melbourne in 2005, works with athletes, universities and sports scientists when developing its range of clothing, with the ultimate goal – as the name suggests – to multiply human performance. The GHST shirt claims to offer the "world's lightest moisture-wicking fabric", so not only will you be kept sweat-free, but you won't be weighed down when working out, either. UV reflection and IR blocking technologies keep it cool when outside and a reflective logo on the back will let motorists see you clearly at night.

Californian-based brand Olivers has set out to create a range of simple menswear essentials, but are versatile enough to wear both in the gym or casually at the weekend. The Convoy tee can be had in a number of colours, allowing you to team it with whatever gym shorts you already own, or a pair of jeans or chinos for hitting the town at night. It's made from 100 per cent Merino wool, so feels soft against the skin, but Olivers has also instilled its own technologies, and as a result, the Convoy helps fight against body odour, and can even protect you against the elements should you find yourself in a sudden downpour. 

Reigning Champ is a sportswear brand hailing from Canada. Founded in 2007, the company has the sole focus of producing minimalist, essential pieces, but ones that are functional enough to accompany you during the toughest of workouts. The Copper jersey uses copper in its construction, offering a natural combatant against body odour, while flat-locked seams prevent chafing and a split hem improves movability.