Yoga Clothes for Men (UK): A comprehensive guide to yoga essentials for men

June 6, 2021

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Although scrolling social media can sometimes lead us to think that yoga is the preserve solely of flexible women in designer apparel, acrobats and hippies, that’s far from the reality.

Since the inception of yoga somewhere around 2,700 B.C., men of all ages, builds and preferences have been practising this ancient discipline. In fact, all of the ancient texts that lay the foundation for the whole physical, mental and spiritual practice of yoga were written by men. It’s only really in the last half century since yoga came to the West that it has been adopted more heavily by women.

And it’s no accident that this has coincided with the mass growth in awareness and prioritisation of physical and mental health, and the various dimensions of wellness.

It’s scientific fact that yoga is fantastic for our health: For building and maintaining strength, keeping our bodies flexible, aiding with digestive health, increasing mindfulness, all over body awareness – so that we can identify and work on any developing aches and pains or health concerns before they develop further – and so much more besides.

So, if you’ve found yourself interested in expanding your horizons and getting started with yoga, you can rest assured you’ll be following in the footsteps of generations of dedicated men.

However, since the Westernised interpretation of yoga initially adopted a more feminine aesthetic, not only do men have to look a little harder to find classes and teachers that can understand the physical needs of male yogis, you might have difficulties finding the right yoga clothes for men too.

A quick Amazon search for yoga pants will flood you with women’s fashion, and even renowned brands still place a heavier emphasis on women’s clothing.

But worry not, we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive guide to the best yoga clothes for men, in which you can find out which manufacturers can equip you with the right items and accessories to get you started.

What should guys wear for Yoga?

If you’re like me, you’ve decided to take on yoga for its abundance of benefits for body and mind. Yoga can help improve your focus, relieve your stress levels, enhance your mindfulness, and of course boost your physical fitness in terms of strength, flexibility and cardiovascular capacity.

So, if yoga is just another form of exercise, can we just wear whatever we would normally wear in the the gym?

Well, in all honesty, you could. Classic T-shirts, vests and gym shorts you might wear when weightlifting, or playing football can be adequate if they’re made of breathable materials with plenty of elasticity. But in most cases, they’re not. Gym clothes are usually loose-fitting but made of stiff materials that provide support, rather than flexibility. So, if you try to stretch (in) them, they’ll be more likely to rip.

As men like us bring a lot of inherent muscle tightness with us to our yoga mats it’s going to be challenging enough to loosen up tight areas like our hips, thighs and hamstrings as it is, without the added resistance of strengthened cloth.

Yoga requires a lot of movement, bending, stretching and twisting, so your clothes should be designed to give you almost complete freedom of movement. Gym clothes can rarely do that.

What are the essential yoga clothes and accessories for men?

You don’t need to break the bank to get kitted out for yoga, especially when you’re just starting out. Unlike mountaineering, skiing or other equipment-intensive sports there are only a few things you’ll need to get started with yoga:

A comfortable T-shirt or top
Flexible shorts or pants
A high-quality yoga mat
A pair of yoga blocks
Hand towel
Mat towel
Mat carrier

And don’t forget to always take some water to your yoga practice. You’ll soon notice that yoga is much more strenuous than it looks and rehydrating is essential for muscle recovery. Otherwise, you’re going to feel pretty tired and drained all day. Trust me on that.

Which materials and properties should you look for when buying new yoga clothes?

While yoga pants are certainly a yoga-specific item, most clothing items that men (and women) wear to their offline and online yoga classes aren’t designed solely for this discipline, and you won’t always find a special ‘yoga shirt’ or ‘yoga tank top’.

So, instead of looking for a specific sub-category of clothing, pay attention to the properties and materials of your yoga apparel.

Breathability

Breathable activewear is a must for anyone practising yoga. It will allow plenty of air to pass through, keeping your body temperature as low as possible during a physical activity that will build up some heat.

Sweat-wicking capabilities

As mentioned, yoga can be a challenge for the body, so you can expect to be covered in sweat by the end of your class, especially if you’re doing a more demanding style like Hot Yoga, Power Yoga, Bikram, or Ashtanga. So, you’ll want to have yoga clothes for men that have sweat-wicking capabilities. Otherwise, your slick new yoga clothing could become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi due to excess moisture.

Stay away from materials such as cotton, especially if you’re practising yoga outside. While it’s a comfortable, natural material, it will soak up your sweat and become very uncomfortable very quickly.

Opt for breathable synthetic materials that ‘wick’ the sweat away from your body and allow you to move with ease.

Elasticity

You don’t want your clothing to restrict your movement whilst you’re easing your muscles into a challenging pose. Even if you take the baggiest of shirts and the most comfortable shorts you’ll find that they’re not the greatest for your yoga class if they don’t have any elasticity in the fabric.

As a general rule of thumb it’s better to go for skin-tight yet elastic clothes rather than loose but less stretchy pants and shirts.

The best yoga clothes for men will feel like you’re wearing nothing at all since they’ll be light and elastic.

Fit

Of course, you need to get the right fit. You don’t want to spend your entire yoga class pulling your pants up or suffering through the pain of tight-fitting clothing.

As with anything, it’s usually best to buy your yoga clothes after trying them out first. But, if you want to order online, double-check the size chart.

Price

You don’t need to blow your budget for a good pair of yoga pants, but you also don’t want the cheapest clothes that’ll fall apart after the first wash.

Always go for quality first, and don’t be afraid to spend just a little bit more. It’ll pay off in the long run as the clothing will last much longer – which is better for the environment too.

What are the best men’s yoga brands providing yoga gear and clothes for men?

Although the market is dominated by women’s yoga fashion, many brands have started offering yoga clothes for men in the past few years.

Even some of Europe’s most renowned sustainable brands have high-quality yoga apparel that’ll make you look and feel like a true yogi.

When trying to find good quality yoga clothes for men, check out brands like:

adidas
BAM
Domyos
Gymshark
Lululemon
Rhone
Warrior Addict

What are the best clothes to wear for Yoga?

The absolute best clothes to wear for yoga depend entirely on you. If you prefer loose-fitting, light clothing, you could go for something like ‘Dharma pants’ that are tight around your ankles but leave plenty of wiggle room further up your legs.

If you don’t mind wearing skin-tight clothing and looking a bit like a superhero, yoga pants might just be the thing for you.

As a general rule you’ll want to avoid wearing anything that’s too loose. After all, you’ll be doing a lot of varied poses that will, at times, leave you hanging upside down, so you don’t want your shorts and shirts to be flapping around, exposing body parts you’d rather keep tucked away. On the subject of which, if you opt for loose shorts, for heaven’s sake be sure to wear a pair of briefs underneath.

Follow the same tips for shirts. They shouldn’t be too loose, but if they are you can just tuck them in to secure them in place. Make sure that any shirt you wear (if you wear one at all) gives you complete freedom of movement as you’ll need your arms to be as comfortable as possible.

It’s usually best to go for tank tops or vests since they don’t cover your shoulders and restrict your movement in any way.

And as far as shoes and socks are concerned, you won’t need any. Most people do yoga barefoot on a mat, even when they’re outside. You’ll find it easier to balance, and you’ll better experience all the subtle benefits of strengthening and exploring the muscles in your feet and ankles that we neglect when wearing cushioned sports shoes.

Which men’s yoga clothes to buy?

Now that you have a general idea of what to wear to your yoga class, let’s take a look at some specific clothing items you could use.

Yoga Trousers & Pants for Men

adidas Yoga Joggers

You can’t go wrong when buying adidas joggers for yoga. Made from 42% recycled materials and comfortable French terry, these Joggers offer a perfect fit, whether you want to break a sweat in your local yoga studio (or chill at home by the TV).

They’re long-lasting, durable, and comfortable, and the low crotch allows for unrestricted movement.

BAM Bamboo Balance Pants

BAM has some of the best yoga clothes for men, and its bamboo yoga pants are virtually perfect.

Made from, you’ve guessed it – bamboo – they’re incredibly soft and comfortable. You’ll barely even feel you’re wearing them. They’re lightweight, breathable, anti-allergenic, and odour inhibiting, so they’ll keep you looking in top shape.

These yoga pants narrow down for a comfortable tight fit around your ankles, and no matter what pose you take, you can rest assured they’ll stay in place without sliding up.

Lululemon City Sweat Jogger

If you want to add a splash of colour to your yoga kit bag, these Lululemon trousers could be a great choice. Modern, unique, and practical, they’ll ensure your yoga session goes by smoothly.

These trousers boast a four-way stretch, so you can rest assured they can handle any exercise you put them through. The material has added lycra but is fully breathable and comfortable.

BAM Align Bamboo Yoga Shorts

If you’re looking for yoga clothes for men more suitable for the warmer months, try these BAM shorts. They offer a slim fit to ensure that you remain appropriately covered even with your legs up in the air, and yet they leave plenty of wiggle room to keep you comfortable.

Just like BAM trousers, the bamboo material has sweat-wicking and temperature-regulating capabilities, reducing any unpleasant odours that might ruin your yoga focus.

adidas Techfit Long Tights

There’s a reason why women’s yoga clothing mainly consists of tights. They’re lightweight, perfectly fitting, elastic, flexible, and made just for yoga. So, if you’re not afraid to let your bulge show, check out these adidas tights.

You’ll almost feel the liberating freedom of wearing your birthday suit, and if that thought’s making you feel uncomfortable, you can easily put some lightweight shorts on top of them and enjoy your yoga class to the fullest.

Domyos Dynamic Woven bottoms

Domyos trousers feel like a second skin. Silky smooth, lightweight, stretchy, and sleek – you’ll never want to get out of them.

The wide, flat waistband will ensure that nothing’s digging into your skin while you’re holding your yoga pose, while the elastic material allows the trousers to flow perfectly with your body.

Yoga Shorts for Men

Warrior Addict Anti-Gravity shorts with base layer

Warrior Addict’s ‘anti-gravity’ shorts are ideal for those who want to remain comfortable during hot yoga classes without exposing too much skin. They’re designed to stay in place even when you’re inverted and hanging upside down.

Made from 100% recycled polyester, they’re sustainable, skin-friendly, antibacterial, and sweat-wicking.

Alo Yoga Unity 2-in-1 shorts

Alo Yoga offers high-quality yoga gear for men and women. However, what truly stands out are their Unity 2-in-1 shorts.

Coming in various colour combinations, these shorts feature a compression underlayer that makes wearing underwear completely unnecessary.

The underlayer stays in place whatever you do, so you’ll be perfectly covered without any nasty surprises for your fellow yoga students.

Lululemon RVT Boxer shorts

As already mentioned, if you want to go to your yoga class in shorts, you’d better make sure you have something underneath to avoid embarrassment. These Lululemon ‘Boxers’ will keep everything covered, even though you might not actually feel like it. They’re so lightweight and comfortable; you’ll forget you even have them on.

Yoga Tops for Men

BAM Focus Bamboo Yoga Sweat top

BAM’s bamboo long-sleeved top is ideal for spring and early autumn as it helps keep you at a comfortable temperature when the weather’s unpredictable.

It’s lightweight and breathable, with a crew neck that doesn’t try to strangle you as you move about. If you want to wear it during colder months, it’s perfect for layering, so you can easily pop a vest or thicker shirt over it.

Lululemon In Sequence Tank top

During summer you only have two options for your yoga apparel: go shirtless, or opt for a light tank top. This Lululemon top isn’t skin-tight, but it has a slim fit that’ll ensure your pecs and abs remain nicely visible as you go about your day.

The top has a convenient hem loop that you can attach to the drawcord to keep the shirt in place when you’re inverted.

Warrior Addict New Performance Men’s Yoga Vest

This Warrior Addict Tank is for more of a casual look. The plain black vest has wide armholes and a loose fit to allow complete freedom of movement.

Since it’s so loose-fitting, it features a hidden loop that allows you to secure the vest in place while you’re inverted. It’s lightweight and has sweat-wicking capabilities to keep you dry and cool as you practice.

Alo Yoga Triumph Crew Neck T-shirt

If you’d still prefer to wear a classic, sleeved T-shirt to yoga, you could opt for the Alo Yoga Triumph Crew Neck T-Shirt.

The sleeves have enough space to allow you to move with ease, regardless of the size of your biceps, so you’ll feel comfortable even after wearing it the whole day.

It has all the properties you’re looking for in a yoga shirt: Breathability, elasticity, sweat-wicking capabilities, and more.

adidas Parley Mission Kit Tank Top

This adidas singlet has a sporty mesh fabric that enhances its ability to keep you cool. It’s virtually water-proof as its sweat-wicking capabilities are out of this world, and its snug fit will keep you looking fine in any pose you take.

This tank top features Parley Ocean Plastic, upcycled plastic waste intercepted on remote islands, beaches, coastal communities and shorelines, preventing it from polluting our oceans.

Warrior Addict T-shirt

Every man needs a plain black T-shirt that goes well with any yoga pants in his closet. But, a plain T-shirt doesn’t have to be boring. This Warrior Addict T-shirt has an asymmetric design with decorative seams that give it a whole different appearance.

It’s made of sustainable fabrics; it’s stretchy, flexible, and an ideal choice if you want to boost your Instagram following with a few well-lit yoga pictures.

Which men’s Yoga accessories to buy?

By Japan yoga mat

If you want to practise yoga the first thing you’ll need is a good yoga mat.

Most studios will have one you can borrow, but if you’re going outside or joining an online class, you’ll need one of your own.

This tatami yoga mat by By Japan was inspired by tradition and culture. Featuring a PVC backing it’ll prevent you from sliding around your yoga studio and keep you securely in place whichever pose you’re holding.

adidas yoga mat

If you’re looking for a more modern mat, check out this adidas yoga mat. It has a grippy surface that holds it perfectly in place and allows you to practise yoga with peace of mind.

The anti-slide material is PVC-free, perfectly soft, and offers the utmost comfort.

Lululemon The (Big) Towel

A towel during yoga is a must-have to avoid gaining a reputation as ‘the sweaty one’ or ‘Mr slips-a-lot’.

A good moisture-absorbing towel will help you quickly mop up excess sweat, meanwhile adding to the grippability of your yoga mat.

This Lululemon towel is thick and cushiony, perfectly sized to fit most standard yoga mats, and heavenly soft. For added grip, you can spray it with some water before you start practising.

Yogamatters yoga bricks

Two yoga bricks are necessary for beginners who don’t yet have the required flexibility for certain poses. I’ve been doing yoga for 15 years and I still need them to help support my tight hips that have never recovered from all of the football I played in my youth.

These Yogamatters yoga bricks are soft yet firm, scratch-resistant, and durable. They’ll help add some reach and allow you to find stability even in the most awkward positions, and they’ll serve you for years to come.

adidas mat bag

Finally, if you’re taking your own mat to class, or on your travels (there’s nothing better for countering the impact of a long-haul flight than a good yoga stretch) you’ll need a yoga mat bag that’ll keep your mat protected on the go, and that’ll allow for easy carry.

This adidas mat bag has a modern design, fits most standard mats, and features a convenient pocket for your phone, keys, and wallet.

Final Thoughts

With the right yoga clothes and a few essential accessories all you have to do is join a yoga class, or find one online.

It won’t be long before you notice just how fantastic yoga can be for your body and your mind.

Additional Yoga Resources

Elsewhere on ManBodySpirit.com we’ve created a range of yoga resources covering pretty much every question you might have. Take a look at:

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