We Found the Best New Workout Clothes to Buy Now

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Welcome to MH Flex, where Men’s Health's Style Team finds the best new menswear releases of the month to help you keep the gains coming (while looking good too).

Here at MH, we're always trying the latest gym clothes to find the best gear that can handle even the toughest exercises, and look great doing so. Enter MH Style Flex's new video series, a showcase of the greatest activewear worth buying now, chosen by our fashion director Ted Stafford and fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S.

To kick things we off, we started with the three essential workout clothes: shorts, shirts, and shoes. We looked for fabrics with enough stretch to feel like a second skin, and moisture-wicking tech to keep us feeling and smelling fresh during our daily runs, heavy lifts, and crosstraining. Above all: we found hero pieces that we could mix and match with the rest of our gym gear to keep us locked in and motivated with our fitness goals.

Best Workout Sneakers

Our favorite new workout shoes offer design advantages specific to the exercises we're using them for. Take the Nike Metcon 9, a great Crossfit sneaker with a flat heel and inner plate that provide stability for lifting heavy, while its springy Nike React foam offers ample cushioning for HIIT drills.

For running shoes, we're loving the Asics GT-2000, a stable sneaker that offers a smooth ride. Also great: On's Cloudsurfer, a great everyday trainer with ample cushioning.

Aero Glide

Salomon steps out of its trail shoe comfort zone to deliver this max-cushioned trainer that works well for daily runs.

Flow Dynamic Training Shoes

A bouncy training shoe that’s great for athletic moves and extra-breathable for long sessions, thanks to its UA Intelliknit upper.

GT-2000

A balanced and stable daily trainer that offers a smooth ride regardless of distance, while also offering enough versatility for your gym workouts, too.

Nano X3 Training Shoes

Reebok’s new Lift and Run chassis system delivers a shoe that manages to be great for deadlifts while also hanging in for mile-long runs and box jumps.

Solimar

A solid jack-of-all-trades shoe that thrives whether you’re walking, going out for a quick run, or getting a quick weight-room workout (although we wish it had a bit more lateral stability).

Go Run Ride 11

An ultra-affordable runner that offers a nice cushioned ride and delivers a wider sole for added stability.

Cloudsurfer

A well-built lightweight daily trainer that, like all On shoes, is all about its magical cushioning and comfort.

Dropset 2 Trainer

A standout crosstrainer built for general strength work, with a weightlifting shoe-style heel, and an extra-wide toebox that lets you ground your feet for lifts (and works great for wider feet too).

Metcon 9

Nike’s latest Metcon release is an ultra-versatile trainer that delivers lifter-like stability (thanks to the larger Hyperlift heel plate) with just enough toebox freedom to keep you running and jumping.

TechLoom Tracer

APL’s first-ever training shoe delivers a lace-locking system that keeps you from having to retie your shoes and terrific lateral stability for skater hops, shuffles, and anything your next Barry’s showdown can throw at you.

Workout Shoes | Running Shoes | Arch Support Shoes | Long-Distance Running Shoes | Trail Running Shoes | Crossfit Shoes

Best Workout Shirts

These gym shirts are purpose built for performance and style. Lululemon's Metal Vent Tech shirt is form-fitting (read: super flattering) but not constricting, and features odor-fighting tech. YPB's new InfinityKnit Tee has raglan seaming for extra mobility and a clean finish. Meanwhile Ten Thousand's Versatile Shirt lives up to its name, thanks to a breezy-but-secure fit and quick-drying material.

When it comes to sleeveless shirts, we gave Vitality's Kinetic Tank top marks for its buttery-soft fabric and low armhole that offer plenty of breathing room when we're lifting. Meanwhile Gym Shark's heat-mapping ventilation really keeps our cool, plus it comes in a bunch of great colors that play well with all our gym fits.

Metal Vent Tech Short-Sleeve Shirt

Lululemon's gym fits are hard to beat. We love the Metal Vent Tech's form-fitting-but-non-constricting cut that looks as great as it feels. Meanwhile its Silverescent fabric keeps B.O. at bay for less washing and more exercising.

YPB infinityKNIT Tee

A&F's foray into activewear has been a huge success. Case in point: its infinityKNIT tee, which has a soft-but-strong fabric that can take a beating, and a flattering cut to show off your gains.

Versatile Shirt

Anti-chafe flatlock seams and a highly breathable fabric make this an all-purpose gym shirt. Our favorite part: its great fit, which feels comfortable, yet secure.

TechKnit Dri-FIT ADV

Nike's famed Dri-FIT Adv fabric wicks away sweat, and has a seamless, soft feel that's like a second skin.

UA RUSH™ Energy Sleeveless

UA's sleeveless top hugs the body and stretches in the right areas so it doesn't restrict movement. It's the perfect blend of comfort and performance.

Swift Short Sleeve 2.0

This all-purpose workout shirt has side slit seams for extra mobility (and style points), while its Goldfusion tech fights odors for more wears between washes.

Apex Seamless Tank

Show off on arm day with the Apex, a next-gen tank with ventilation across the chest and sides to keep you looking and feeling cool.

Focus Tank

On's sharp-looking tank has a thick material that's great for Fall temps, and features a moisture-wicking interior to keep you from feeling swampy.

Flex Tank

UPF 50+ and a quick dry fabric makes this tank great for outdoor workouts, and gun show weather.

Kinetic Tank

We love the buttery-soft material on this crewneck tank, which has plenty of stretch to move in, and a raglan seam detail for extra mobility.

Workout Shirts | Compression Shirts | Moisture-Wicking T-Shirts | Tank Tops

Best Workout Shorts

Hype yourself up for leg day with these best-in-class shorts. Some of them are loaded with moisture-wicking technology (see: Nike Dri-Fit and Gymshark's Arrival Shorts), others like have performance fabrics that can withstand heavy wear and tear, while a few of them even have hidden zippers for extra storage. You can't go wrong with any of these bottoms. All of them look as great as they feel.

Interval Short

This is the closet thing we found to a perfect gym short. Its waistband doesn't pinch or ride up, and we love the bonded hems for a sleek finish that shows off our leg gains.

Form Dri-FIT 7" Unlined Versatile Shorts

Hands down, Nike's Dri-Fit bottoms have one of the most comfortable linings we've tried. Its exaggerated gussets offers a roomier fit for leg days.

Pace Breaker Linerless Short 7"

Light as air and moves with the body, Lulu's Pace Breaker is a classic running short. Minimal seams help prevent chafing, and extra elastane provides extra stretch without losing its sleek shape.

MotionTEK 7 Inch Lined Training Short

MotionTEK 7 Inch Lined Training Short

Guys who prefer a roomier fit will love YPB's lined shorts, which has convertible drawcords and a flat elastic waistband that offers extra comfort without any added bulk.

Pace Breaker Linerless Short 7"

Ripstop 7'' On-Set Short

An incredibly durable-yet-lightweight short that can hold up during even the most intense studio classes or runs.

7" Mako Short - Unlined

This training short has a goldilocks fit that keeps you comfortable and secure no matter what workout you're doing. Its internal media pocket can hold your phone and keys, so you can have your essentials on hand wherever.

Arrival 5" Shorts

A go-to lightweight short for hot weather workouts, it also has a supportive waistband to keep it from riding up. Its 5-inch inseam keeps is flattering while still offering enough coverage.

5" Lightweight Shorts

On's light, bright running short is a true style flex. Its perforated mesh back helps you feel fresh, while its antimicrobial lining fights swamp crotch.

Prime Train Short

Whether you're running errands or 5ks, Vitality's Prime Train Short can help get you there, thanks to an elastic waist and 4-way stretch fabric that's super comfortable. Sweat-wicking and quick drying tech can keep swamp crotch at bay, too.

Quad Short 2.0

You get a great swim trunk and mean gym short for the price of one with the Quad Short, thanks to its saltwater- and chlorine-proof fabric and mesh brief liner.

Gym Shorts | Running Shorts | Athletic Shorts | Cycling Shorts | Compression Shorts

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