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8 Best Compression Shirts for Gym-going Men
In life as in menswear, the right gear makes all the difference – that holds true for gym-going or crushing miles on the trail as much as it does for your daily grind at the office.
And the best compression shirts fit the bill handily for performance training across the board, whether lifting weights or cruising through CrossFit.
- More than meets the eye: Compression shirts boast a variety of seemingly hidden features, like combating muscle fatigue through improved circulation, all through a closer fit and improved fabric.
- Only the best will do: You’ll find compression shirts being offered up by brands you know and love, as well as ultra-targeted workout styles fit for grueling training sessions. A selection of both types should get the job done.
- Find the right fabric: Your choice of compression shirt can help power your workout in the right way – specifically, through wicking away moisture and improving mobility, whether worn on its own or as a base layer.
The best compression shirts (at least ones with medical-grade ratings) can reduce muscle fatigue and amp up your circulation, all the better to boost the results of your hard-earned training.
More importantly, there’s moisture-wicking comfort at play.
Beyond that, they streamline your gear – and they fit and feel a lot better than an old college logo tee.
Just like the best compression shorts on the market, the best sportswear companies make expert examples of top compression shirts – in both long and short-sleeve varieties.
Training sessions are rarely about compromise, no matter your pursuit of choice, so opting to wear one of the best compression shirts shouldn’t lead to compromise, either. That’s why my go-to compression shirt has long been Under Armour, dating back to grueling football two-a-days and four quarters of intensity.
Under Armour HeatGear Compression Shirt
Under Armour’s HeatGear technology was born out of a desire to find a shirt that performed better in the heat than thick cotton, and that same approach holds true today.
It’s now been updated with mesh underarm and back panels for added breathability, and the ergonomic design is highly durable.
ATHLIO CoolDry Compression Shirts
Both long-sleeve and short-sleeve compression shirts have their place, with long-sleeve compression shirts coming in especially handy for brisk morning training sessions.
Yet ATHLIO’s short-sleeve option, available in a handy three-pack, should prove especially useful, with its versatile and easily wearable raglan sleeve design and neutral colorways.
GymShark Ultra-Tight Fit Compression Shirts
Few things should get in the way of a high-intensity training session, and your compression shirt certainly shouldn’t be one of them.
That’s why GymShark takes things to the next level with a snug, useful fit that hits all the right marks. Its wide range of options also boast details like a seamless design for an ultra-streamlined workout.
ShockDoctor Compression Shirts
ShockDoctor cuts no corners with its lineup of athletic gear, with a specific emphasis on football (the American variety, that is) and more recently hockey.
In my experience, ShockDoctor compression shirts are some of the most durable and performance-minded on the market, and they even offer padded tops for sporting dependability on the court or gridiron.
Leforever Compression Shirts
The best compression shirts should be able to suit a variety of needs – in any silhouette you please.
If you value a next-to-nothing feel with superb moisture-wicking, Leforever tank tops might be of use, but the company’s close-fitting short-sleeve and long-sleeve options are just as utilitarian (and worth a slightly higher price tag).
NOBULL Compression Shirts
Innovation is the name of the game with NOBULL, with its lineup of training sneakers that don’t cut any corners – the same can be said for its rugged, next-level lineup of compression shirts.
The two make the perfect pairing, and while they won’t make your workout any less grueling, they’ll help in terms of moisture-wicking and durability.
Adidas TechFit Compression Shirts
One of the more convenient things about scouring high and low for the best compression shirts (again, in both long and short-sleeve varieties) is that you needn’t look far – the brands that power the rest of your workout, as with Adidas joggers and training sneakers, have compression shirt options aplenty.
The TechFit lineup should prove particularly moisture-wicking and easy to wear.
RyderWear Compression T-shirts and Tops
When every rep counts, and when a personal best calls for loading up more plates, the same-old, same-old in terms of workout gear won’t do.
Ryderwear takes on this problem head-on, delivering seamless and easy-to-layer T-shirts and tank tops in a vast array of colors and fabrications – it’s one less thing to worry about as you amp up for a new PR.
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