Listen: You do what you gotta do. Gym memberships are certainly not cheap. Even at-home subscriptions and workout gear can run up the bill. That's why I write about on-sale gym equipment, and it's why I'm here talking to you about the best cheap workout clothes for men.
Let me also say, don't get your hopes too high when it comes to cheap workout clothes. At the end of the day, quality and cost tend to go hand in hand. But when you're hard-core sweating and washing and drying clothes weekly, who cares? Honestly, nothing is going to be as cheap as the old raggedy clothes you already have—an old T-shirt from camp, some shorts from your high school baseball team, or whatever. This stuff has fallen by the wayside because of Matching Set culture, but let me just say: Nothing looks as cool as working out in a cutoff sweatshirt and some beat to fucking hell tennis shoes. If you've got those, use them first.
Rant aside, don't feel bad about looking for affordable workout clothes. Your stationary bike costs a fortune. Your running shoes and marathon gear cost a fortune. Your massage gun costs a fortune. There's no shame in looking for a deal on your workout clothing. And, thankfully for you, I've tried so fucking many. From accidental purchases to true research, rest assured knowing I've felt all the performance fabrics out there. This is my thesis. These are the best cheap workout clothes that I'd buy with my own money.
H&M
H&M Sports Shorts
H&M DryMove Sports Shirt
Now 23% Off
H&M Water-repellent Sports Bag
Now 68% Off
Honestly, H&M has quite a nice little active section. The OG fast fashion brand makes dirt cheap activewear. With regular washing, H&M performance stuff won't last you forever, but it doesn't claim to either. The shorts and shirts are nothing special, but about the same as any of the premium brands, functionality wise. That said, the real standout is that all-black gym bag. It's water repellant, low key, and sturdy enough to serve as an emergency weekender.
Lululemon's We Made Too Much Section
Lululemon Pace Breaker Short
Now 43% Off
Lululemon License to Train Shirt
Now 37% Off
Lululemon Steady State Jogger
Now 25% Off
If you're picky about the quality of your clothing, but don't care as much about the color, Lululemon's We Made Too Much Section is a gem. Lululemon likes to release its core pieces in some crazier colors, and sometimes the stock doesn't sell. When it doesn't, it goes to the (somewhat hidden) We Made Too Much section. You can score shorts, shirts, joggers, and underwear for waayyy below retail. It might take a few tries to get shorts and shirt in matching colors, but if you're cool with mixing and matching, this is a great bet.
Nike
Nike Crew Socks (6-Pair)
Now 18% Off
Nike Dri-FIT 7" Brief-Lined Shorts
Now 53% Off
Nike Dri-FIT T-Shirt
H&M is your best bet for very cheap options, but beyond that... I might just have to steer you back to the big name brands you're trying to avoid. Think of it like this: If you need a full closet refresh, you'll drop between $250 and $450 on a set of Nike workout gear. (That covers anywhere from three to five sets.) Sounds like a lot, yes. But, put simply, it'll last longer and perform better than the dicey stuff you'll find on Amazon. In the long run, when you factor in the cost of replacing cut-rate stuff that falls apart, you might even save a little money by going with the Swoosh.
Champion
I actually love Champion for workout gear. It's the best in the game for sweats. Performance brands don't have anything on a classic Champion sweatshirt-sweatpants combo. The brand also make some pretty sturdy gym shorts. They're a little bit more expensive than other brands, but they're made to last.
That said, the real hack is repurposing old Champion gear. Play the long game here. Start with a pair of $30 Champion sweatpants (ridiculously cheap) or $40 sweatshirt. After a two or three years of wearing them around the house and to the corner store, don't toss them out. Cut the pants into shorts and the sweatshirt into a t-shirt. Now, with a second life, you can get another year, two, or three out of a pair of Champion sweats; they're that durable. Bonus point: Sweat shorts and sweat T-shirt will get you a little bit sweatier—helps you cut water weight. Embrace the '80s bodybuilding look and wear some damn cutoffs.
Hanes
Hanes Cotton Undershirt
Hanes Cotton Shorts
Now 40% Off
Hanes Double Tough Socks
You don't need performance fabrics. And honestly, if you're looking for cheap clothes to workout in, I'd push you away from performance fabrics. Cheap poly-whatever shirts or shorts are going to disintegrate after a few washes. Cotton Hanes gear, on the other hand, is going to hold up over time, even if it gets a bit threadbare. No, it's there's no sweat-wicking or moisture control, but like I said, you'll survive. As a half measure, you can ditch performance T-shirts for Hanes tees and keep your techy shorts. You'll still save a ton of money.
Uniqlo
Uniqlo DRY-EX Shorts (5")
Uniqlo DRY-EX T-Shirt
Uniqlo Crew Neck T-Shirt
I stumbled into discovering Uniqlo activewear by accident. I play in a Lower Manhattan soccer league, and one week I forgot a pair of shorts. Closest clothing store was Uniqlo. I ran there, bought the first shorts I saw, and ran back. Now, they're the only shorts I'll buy. The five-inch Dry-Ex shorts have a fit I like—not obscenely short and tight, but not big like Patagonia Baggies. They're thicker than any other gym shorts out there, and they stand up better to my industrial strength laundromat dryers. The Dry-Ex shirts are the same, but once again, a little rich for my blood. I'll take a cotton shirt from Uniqlo any day. (Size up, they run tight.)
GymShark
Gymshark Arrival Shorts
Gymshark Arrival Regular Fit T-Shirt
Gymshark Arrival 5" Shorts Black
Now 15% Off
Want to look like an IG Influencer? Throw on some GymShark. I was surprised to find out how affordable this stuff is, but it explains why it's taken over every gym in America. Thankfully, the men's stuff is a little more low-key than the women's. A black performance tee and shorts won't run you too much, and you won't look that much like a TikToker.
Amazon Essentials
Amazon Essentials Tech Stretch Training Short
Amazon Essentials Active Performance Tech T-Shirt
Now 13% Off
Amazon Essentials Cushioned Athletic Socks
Now 30% Off
I put on the Amazon Essentials and deadlift 100 pounds... Jokes aside, you can score some decent activewear for pretty cheap in the Amazon Essentials section. No hate. The fabrics are fine, and they get to your door within 24 hours. What more do you need?
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