Words: Tom Cleminson and Paddy Colman
You can’t climb without rope, run without trainers or swim without goggles so why go to the gym in a 20-year-old T-shirt? From sweat wicking tops to high-tech supportive trainers, the right equipment can seriously improve your workout. Gentleman’s Journal’s fitness editors Tom Cleminson and Paddy Colman have trawled the market and chosen the best sports clothing and wearable fitness tech to help you get the most out of each and every gym session.
Up top
Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Muscle Tank
With a seamless construction and anti-‘stank’ technology that inhibits the growth of odour-causing bacteria, this tank will keep you fresh no matter how hard you go. The muscle cut is designed not only to vent sweat but also amplify the appearance of your shoulder and chest making it a gym bag essential.
Nike HyperDry Breathe Tee
Combining sweat-wicking fabric with a non-restrictive design, the Nike Breathe Tee will stay comfortable throughout your workout. Crafted from stretchy materials with minimal seams, the hem is cut slightly longer at the back allowing you to move comfortably and stay covered as you bend, stretch and squat.
The North Face Dryzzle Jacket
This no-fuss, simply designed shell jacket from The North Face features a breathable Gore-Tex shell that completely blocks out the wet to keep you comfortable and dry. With a hood, covered pockets, storm flap and adjustable hem to keep things watertight, it is compact, light and easily stashed at the bottom of your gym bag ready for your next outdoor training session.
Down below
Lululemon License To Train Boxer Shorts
Train hard, run hard, sweat hard. These performance boxers have targeted walnut support, contain sweat-wicking technology, and are hardy enough to see you through any high impact activity. In fact, they’re so comfortable, you’ll forget you’re wearing anything at all.
Under Armour Vanish Shell Shorts
These liner-less lightweight stretch shorts offer an attractive and simple design that’s focused entirely on function and performance. Created using a quick-drying shell fabric with breathable mesh panels, their streamlined pockets, elasticated drawstring and wide-cut leg ensures a superior fit.
Nike Tech Pack Sweatpants
Nike engineered the Tech Pack sweatpants for versatility in both functional fitness and as casual wear with a relaxed fit. Features include two large zipped pockets and a ‘storage tunnel’ for your keys/phone while the woven four-way stretch material contains recycled polyester for added sustainability credentials.
On your feet
Nike Metcon 5
Featuring the very best in cross-training technology, the Metcon 5 has it all. Chain-link patterning for rope-climbs? Check. Hyperlift inserts to help maintain heel-to-ground contact and balance and stabilise heavy lifts, high-rep squats, wall balls, thrusters and rowing? Check. There’s even a dual-density sole for flexibility, comfort and protection and a heel clip to reduce friction in a handstand press up. This is the ultimate training shoe, for the ultimate athlete.
ON Cloudflow
The patented Cloudflow cushioning system sets Swiss outfit On apart from its competitors by creating the perfect running trainer. With 18 Cloud elements fitted to its outsole, this trainer is designed to fire you forward. Boasting lightness and abrasion pads to ensure high grip at high speed, this shoe will eat a 10km, half marathon or marathon for breakfast.
Vivo Barefoot Stealth II
The natural foot is wide (fan-shaped), flexible (with three dynamic arches) and sensory (with thousands of nerve endings). The Stealth II’s have been designed to allow maximum sensory feedback with minimal interference through a 3mm barefoot sole. The upper is constructed with durable hex-mesh providing both support and stretch zones to assure responsive foot control and an adaptive fit. If you’re new to ‘barefoot’ training expect incredible feedback throughout your session as formerly dormant stabilising muscles are fired up reminding you that movement is a skill to be both felt and enjoyed.
The tech
Master & Dynamic MW07 True Wireless Earphones
Available in seven colours, these stylish, lightweight and truly wireless headphones are rammed with tech for the ultimate workout. Custom silicone “Fit Wings” offer an extra secure in-ear fit with the quick pairing technology and 20+ metre range ensuring no matter what your workout or location, your tunes will keep on pumping.
Apple Series 4 Watch
Packing 30% more screen than the Series 3, this watch is the ultimate workout buddy. From advanced fitness tracking to real-time training stats and third-party app compatibility (hello Strava, Headspace and Happier), you’ll never truly train alone again. Other features like Apple Pay, iMessage and Spotify compatibility makes this our go-to fitness tracker.
FITcademy Premium Membership
Imagine having a personal trainer available to you, anytime, any place at the touch of a button. FITcademy is the online personal training platform that cares, offering personalised, and goal focused training programmes, expert diet plans and a wealth of funny, informative content at a much lower price than one-to-one personal training. The best part? Clubhouse members get an extra 15% off premium membership.
Looking for more fitness advice? Here’s how to eat yourself healthier this summer…
Looking for more fitness advice? Here’s how to eat yourself healthier this summer…
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
