Best men’s training kit for 2026—The 13 gym pieces to help you make it your biggest year yet.

(8-minute read)

Men are pushing boundaries in fitness like never before, and sport culture is taking things to the next level. In the last year alone, Lewis Hamilton, British racing driver and lululemon Ambassador, broke new ground by joining Ferrari, while tennis champion Jannik Sinner rose to victory at the men's single tournament and lifted the iconic trophy for the first time. It’s no wonder then that everyday men are feeling inspired to see what they might be capable of and expecting gear that can keep up with their ambition.
 
According to Business of Fashion, gym kit outpaced the rest of the fashion industry in China, the US and Europe in 2023, and it’s picking up momentum. Global spending on sportswear is projected to grow 7% a year through 2027, which means one thing: the days of training in an old pair of shorts you used to throw on for the occasional five-a-side game? They’re over.
 
If men’s sport is levelling up globally, then naturally the training kit must step up too. Men demand more from their training kit nowadays, made from engineered fabrics that can support their most ambitious training year yet.
 
 

They deserve gear that wicks sweat, feels light, and withstands every shoulder-shaking deadlift and daily wear-wash cycle of a gym-goer. Kit that works hard and bridges the gap between performance and everyday confidence.

Just ask lululemon Ambassador Nathan Dyke, who knows that feeling good plays a huge role in training potential. You’ll often spot him wearing his License To Train Hoodie, whether he’s mid-session or heading out for a coffee. “It’s not a big baggy ‘pump cover’,” he tells us from his car, post-workout. “It’s more fitted and something I like to wear to and from the gym. People will know that you work out when you wear it. I get a lot of compliments, and it feels luxe.”
 
As we look ahead to another monumental year in men’s sport, with the football tournament just around the corner, it’s never been a better time to step into your own goals for the year and invest in the right clothing and accessories that help you unlock your potential.
 
 

Shop lululemon’s 2026 edit of the best men’s training gear to turn a dream into a breakthrough.

License to Train Short

Heavy reps, explosive movements, and deep squats demand shorts that work as hard as you do, especially when you’re pushing yourself harder than ever before to chase possibility in 2026. Built for durability and mobility, these shorts are made to withstand intense sessions without clinging or restricting your range

“I’ve been scraping barbells up them and slamming my body on the floor with burpees, but the abrasion resistant tech can literally be put through anything,” says lululemon Ambassador, Connor Minney. “And they will look good as new. 10/10.”

Breathable, lightweight, and distraction-free, they’re your go-to for pushing through big lifts or smashing out intervals. Put them to the test and push through what you think you’re capable of, and you’ll see what we mean.

• •  Four-way stretch fabric for maximum mobility during lifts and lunges
• •  Abrasion-resistant material designed to handle high-intensity training
• •  Quick-drying, sweat-wicking fabric to keep you cool when the heat’s on

How design invites you to push through your toughest workout—License To Train.

‘For our License To Train range, we heard from both guests and ambassadors that they wanted to feel powerful and confident in their gear during training sessions. They also wanted a distraction-free experience for those harder, heavier kinds of gym workouts. All the products within License to Train are specifically designed with fabrics, technologies, fits and features that consider how you move, sweat, and ultimately feel during those tough sessions.’
 

—Kateline Schiller, Senior Manager of Product Education at lululemon

License To Train Short Sleeve

Hoodie off, this is the ideal training partner for a heavyweight gym session if you’re wanting to unlock your potential. This comes in a classic fit, unlike the Metal Vent Tech’s slim fit, which gives you more room in the chest and the waist.

Great for men with a bigger build who want to push that bit more this year, this shirt is ideal if you’re wanting to concentrate on your mobility and range during each set, rather than wearing kit that hugs each and every muscle.

“For me, it’s a long game and your best bet is to really focus on your form in the gym. I always go for quality, full-range reps over quantity,” says Nathan. Make space for every move. Lift, lunge, and stretch without restriction.

• •  Underarm gusset to help you hit a full range of motion
• •  Made from Silverescent™ technology that’ll prevent the stink when you hit the changing room

License to Train Hoodie

When you’re grinding through a gruelling set of Russian twists and counting down the seconds to rest, the last thing you need is a layer that gets in the way of what your body can do. This hoodie gives you the coverage you want, with enough ‘give’ to move freely and enough shape to show just how hard you’re working.

Nathan’s pick for a luxe pump cover is made of quick-drying fabric that won't cling to sweat-soaked skin. It keeps you comfortable and focused through every push, pull, and press. If you want to challenge yourself this year, you need kit that will enable you to change yourself during every set.

• •  Added Lycra® fibre for stretch and shape retention.
• •  Underarm gusset for greater mobility during warm-ups and when pressing overhead.
• •  And when it’s time to come off? There’s a locker loop for easy hanging.

Metal Vent Tech Short-Sleeve Shirt

Widely considered the ultimate training T-shirt, there’s a reason it’s the go-to for Lewis Hamilton, British racing driver and lululemon Ambassador.

The Metal Vent Tech tee uses seamless construction design to cut down on chafe so you can get the most out of each set, rep after rep. “Training is my anchor. Every time you get through a big session, you feel like you can do anything,” says Nathan.

Whether he’s coaching at Barry’s Bootcamp or hitting his own sessions, there is one piece of clothing that Nathan is rarely seen out of – the sleeveless version of our Metal Vent Tech top. make closing that gap between what you thought was impossible and what’s really possible with kit that works just as hard as you do.

Metal Vent Tech Sleeveless Shirt Updated Fit

Move freely, lift heavier, and stretch without limits in 2026. This tee is built to keep up with every rep as you move closer and closer to your breakthrough.

“I’ve worked hard on my arms and shoulders, and I feel so good wearing it,’ Nathan says. ‘I don't know the exact science behind it, but I'm sure it gives you a physical boost. I put it on and I’m ready for business. I feel like it’s my version of a superhero cape.”

• •  The slim fit has added elastane, which improves stretch and help keep its shape, wash after wash.
• •  The mesh construction makes it extra breathable – great news for when the going gets tough.
• •  Silverescent™ technology, powered by X-STATIC®, helps stop odour-causing bacteria in its racks

How construction enables you to tackle your biggest challenge—Metal Vent Tech.

“The Metal Vent Tech features combine to keep the guest feeling comfortable, confident, and distraction-free sweat after sweat. Seamless construction reduces the amount of seams in the garment, enhancing the wearers comfort by having less friction points.”

—Kateline Schiller, Senior Manager of Product Education at lululemon

Pace Breaker Lined Short 7”

The term ‘versatile’ is overused in the fitness space, but when it comes to these shorts, we really mean it. They’re well-ventilated and feel like a second skin, meaning they stretch with you as you go ass to grass in the squat rack. (And, just like the MVT tee, they’re equally comfortable out running, too.)
Keeping your reps high quality requires room to move, which is why Nathan reaches for the Pace Breaker shorts. But he changes up the style for different kinds of sessions. “I wear the lined version for treadmill work, or more dynamic sessions, because it removes any risk of chafing,” he says. “But I prefer to go linerless for weight training, as I like to have that feeling of freedom from less material.”
These shorts move with you through stretch, side plank, and everything in between. One design, all the performance. Inching ever closer to what you once never dreamt possible has never felt or looked better.

• •  Streamlined fit with extra room around the glutes.
• •  Grid mesh liner with a built-in pouch and drawcord for added comfort.
• •  Low-bounce side zip pocket keeps essentials secure.

3-in-1 Gym Duffle Bag 30L

When your kit list reads like a shopping receipt, this is the bag that can handle it all. Designed for life in and out of the gym, it’s built with enough room to stash your training gear, recovery tools, and clean clothes—clever compartments that keep everything in its place.

The cushioned straps make commuting less of a grind, while the removable shoulder strap doubles up as both a yoga mat carrier and a stretching strap. Fewer bags, fewer excuses. Turn your “can’ts” into “cans” in 2026, one clever and versatile piece of kit at a time.

• •  30L capacity with multiple compartments to separate clean and sweaty gear
• •  Removable shoulder strap converts into a yoga mat carrier or stretching strap
• •  Padded top handles and cushioned straps for all-day carrying comfort
• •  Water-repellent fabric to keep your gear protected on the move

Strong foundations with Zeroed In.

This collection goes heavy on quality and functionality whilst keeping it a little lighter on price – perfect for those just starting out and making evolutionary steps in their training.

Ready to upgrade your training game and push yourself beyond your limits? Then invest in gear that moves with you, without restrictions and distractions, so you can power through every pull, pump, and press with ease. Whether it’s machines, dumbbells, kettlebells, or punch bags, this kit keeps up so you can kick back with pride and confidence after every set. You haven’t even seen what you’re capable of yet – let’s get to work.