While yoga studios across the country remain dominated by women, men are increasingly turning to yoga for their daily workout.
In 2000, fewer than 1 in 10 yoga class attendees were men. Now, that number has risen to nearly 2 in every 10. While growth may seem small, that still adds up to millions of men practicing yoga in the U.S.
With a growing male following, yoga clothing designers are finally beginning to produce items designed for men.
If you’ve been hitting the mat in your favorite old tee and a pair of gym shorts, keep reading. We’re bringing you 4 men’s yoga clothing essentials you need for your next class.
1. Loose Joggers
For women, the bottoms of choice for getting their zen on are often yoga pants or leggings.
While there are plenty of legging options for men, if you’re not into form-fitting apparel, you need another option.
Unfortunately, most men’s sweatpants are loose fitting and heavy. They’ll slip and slide when you’re trying to get into position and will leave you hot and sweaty even if you aren’t enjoying a hot yoga session.
Luckily, men’s yoga clothing designers are finally catching on to this issue. They are now creating men’s yoga pants that aren’t heavy and loose, but still provide enough room to move around without restriction.
2. A Better Pair of Shorts
Like sweatpants, most men’s shorts are also far from fit for hitting the mat. Basketball shorts are way too loose and will leave you hanging out more than you might want to show when you lean into that headstand.
Even lightweight running shorts aren’t quite suited for yoga class. What you need are yoga pants for men designed for getting your zen on.
Yoga Crow has created lightweight shorts with an elastic waistband for keeping them in place and a tapered knee to keep them from riding too high on your leg that is far better suited for the sport.
3. The Right Top
Before you throw on your favorite old t-shirt for your yoga class, it’s time to rethink your tops of choice.
Cotton is hot and doesn’t give you the mobility you need to hit each of your positions. Instead, you need a better fabric.
A lightweight, breathable material designed for practicing yoga can help keep your mind off your clothes and on your breathing and movements during your next class.
Spandex is a popular fabric for yoga clothes for both men and women. If you’re looking for something less form-fitting, nylon or bamboo are also great choices.
4. Rethink Your Underwear
If you never think twice about wearing your everyday boxers to hit the mat, it’s time to update your wardrobe.
Normal boxers or briefs aren’t designed for the amount of sweat you’ll be producing during a yoga class. This will leave you feeling sticky and uncomfortable, and can even lead to the growth of microbes and infections.
Instead, it’s best to choose a breathable material designed to wick away moisture and that is anti-microbial.
Men’s Yoga Clothing You Need for Your Next Class
Any of the men’s yoga clothing options on this list can be great for taking your focus away from your clothes during your next session, allowing you to focus on practicing your poses.
But yoga is far from the only workout with a specific wardrobe. Choosing the right clothes for every workout can help keep you comfortable and safe.
If you’re not sure whether you’re wearing the right gear, check out this guide to choosing the perfect outfits for every workout.
