A Guide to Men’s Yoga Pants (UK)

June 6, 2021

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Men’s Yoga Pants

Not so long ago, in Western countries, many people believed that yoga was primarily for women. Yoga teachers seemed to primarily be women, classes were filled mostly by women, and yoga clothing and accessories were primarily targeted at women.

Fast forward to 2021 and things look very different. Men participating in yoga are no longer regarded as being a little on the fringes as more and more modern men are becoming interested in exploring the capabilities of their bodies and living a healthy lifestyle.

And it’s only logical that since more and more UK men are becoming active members of yoga studios – both in the real world and online – the demand for yoga shorts, clothes, pants, and trousers has never been greater.

So if you’re looking for a way into the world of men’s yoga pants, but don’t know where to start, we’ve outlined what to look for when buying men’s yoga pants.

Is it OK for guys to wear yoga pants?

Although Instagram is guilty of perpetuating an image and aesthetic of yoga being very particular and stylised, this is far removed from the core purpose of yoga.

Yoga is a completely open ground for all, whether you’re male or female, whether you’ve been practising for decades, or you’ve just walked in off the street for your first class, and whether you have all the most stylish, performance-tested apparel and accessories, or you only own one T-shirt and pair of shorts.

Therefore, don’t overthink what to wear for yoga. The most important thing is to feel comfortable and have freedom of movement of all of your limbs.

When it comes to yoga pants, there are a number of reasons they are so popular, in addition to giving you better circulation than jeans, making exercising comfortable and easy, and being cheap and versatile.

There are many benefits of yoga for men, but wearing yoga pants also offers a few unique benefits:

They provide increased comfort due to being lightweight, which makes them perfect for working out
They don’t hinder you while exercising, providing increased flexibility that makes your practice more enjoyable and progressive over time
They are designed to provide you with the right grip you need for doing certain yoga poses – such as crow pose where the exposed skin of your thighs would otherwise burn the skin on your arms
Most are moisture-wicking, breathable, and can be used for other sports.

Yoga pants are considered a unisex garment today. So, is it ok for guys to wear yoga pants? Absolutely. If wearing tight pants makes you feel weird, you can always wear shorts over them.

In addition, due to the increasing social acceptability of men’s yoga pants, many activewear brands have begun designing yoga pants, trousers, shorts, and clothes for men. These very functional clothes help maintain blood circulation while practising and prevent low blood pressure.

What should guys wear for yoga?

More and more men are becoming interested in how yoga helps build discipline, strength, flexibility, and patience. Yoga also has the added benefit of not needing much to start – just a yoga mat and workout clothes.

Men who are into yoga get to reap many health and physical benefits, and having appropriate attire certainly helps with things like deepening stretches and giving you the support and confidence to try more demanding poses as you evolve your practice.

Yoga requires lightweight clothes that can absorb a lot of sweat and give the necessary freedom for movement. Many men make a mistake in believing that regular gym clothes will do the trick, but often they won’t.

Yoga is all about dynamic movement, bending and stretching. Therefore, you need stretchable and breathable clothes that won’t hinder you when doing different poses. Whether you prefer shorts or trousers, just make sure they are form-fitting and comfortable enough.

Many people choose compression pants because they reinforce muscle movement, enhance blood circulation, reduce strain in the muscles, and increase the flow of oxygen.

Is there a difference between yoga pants and leggings?

Many people wrongly believe that yoga pants and leggings are the same thing because they look so similar. However, even though they do share some similarities, there are some critical differences. Leggings can be worn anytime, anywhere and during anything but exercise.

On the other hand, yoga pants are designed to be activewear or fitness wear.

Put simply – yoga pants are designed for exercise and sports, while leggings are more of a fashion garment than something you would wear during fitness activities. Yoga pants come as capris, wide-leg pants, and sweatpants, while leggings are always skin-tight.

There are also different lengths like booty length, ankle-length, and cropped.

While yoga pants may be more expensive than leggings, they won’t become see-through during bending and stretching and will stay in place while exercising. On top of that, they also have a thicker/larger waistband that is still flexible enough to make you feel comfortable while bending over.

How do you pick the right yoga pants?

If your body measurement sits somewhere on the borderline between two sizes, our recommendation is to go with the smaller size for a tighter fit. If that doesn’t work then, of course, go for a larger size for a looser fit.

We also recommend that you choose pants made of organic and natural materials, like bamboo, organic cotton, and cotton. These are gentle and soft fabrics, suitable for men with sensitive skin but also made to last and sustainable. They also happen to be the most breathable and comfortable fabrics, so are generally a popular choice for both yoga pants and workout gear.

More importantly, natural materials have temperature regulating properties and will keep you dry and cool while exercising, preventing bad odours and wicking away moisture.

Your yoga pants should work great for all types of yoga, as many yogis tend to vary the intensity of their yoga practice on different days, from the strong and dynamic Ashtanga, to the deeper, slower, restorative benefits of Yin yoga.

Aside from choosing the appropriate size, you should also look for the following qualities when buying yoga pants:

Ease of movement and comfort
Performance properties
Durability
Fit and style
Design
Colour and pattern
Sustainable production

What are the best men’s yoga brands?

With the number of activewear brands rapidly increasing, more and more are looking to capitalise on the ever-growing uptake of yoga by men.

While options were lacking in the past, that’s not the case anymore.

Here’s our guide to some of the best brands creating yoga gear for men at the moment:

BAM Men’s yoga pants made from bamboo

Bamboo yoga pants are specifically designed for yoga and flow exercise. BAM’s trousers are crafted from a bamboo viscose-cotton blend and are incredibly soft and comfortable. More importantly, they can also regulate temperature.

The deep tapered ankle and leg cuff ensure your pants won’t hinder or ride up while you move and bend.

These lightweight pants are designed to flex with you and are supremely comfortable and smooth, as well as odour inhibiting and anti-allergenic.

Bam1228 Mens Bamboo Balance Pants Black Bamboo Clothing 1

adidas yoga trousers

adidas yoga trousers are just perfect for regular yoga. They wick away sweat effectively, making them a perfect choice for your yoga journey. They’ll provide all the flexibility and freedom of movement you need while doing different poses.

These trousers come with a regular fit and elastic waist with a drawcord and are moisture-absorbing. Made of a high-performance, recycled material, Primegreen, they are a suitable fit for all men who want to support eco-green initiatives in their efforts to lead a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.

Gymshark bottoms

Gymshark trousers are an excellent fit for every gym bag. They are reliable, comfortable, and understated – everything you need to support your yoga efforts. These are perfect trousers for joggers and regular gym goers with the ability to endure and support even the most stressful training sessions.

What makes them suitable for yoga is their ability to seamlessly stretch, providing you with the necessary flexibility and freedom of movement you need to take your favourite (and least favourite) poses.

Lululemon trousers / Lululemon men’s yoga pants

Designed for yoga, Lululemon pants are high-stretch trousers that are so comfortable and lightweight that you won’t need any other pants in your life. While the materials do a great job at wicking away any sweat, the trousers come with a four-way stretch that follow the movement of your body as you workout. That makes them perfect for yoga and other similar exercises.

BAM shorts made from bamboo

If there was ever a perfect pair of yoga shorts it would be BAM’s.

Aside from allowing countless men to discover the unprecedented benefits of yoga, BAM’s shorts provide enough comfort and mobility to support your exercising and not hinder or ride up your leg as you workout, bend, and stretch. They are flexible enough, allowing for full freedom of movement without being too restrictive or tight.

Ideal for training, running, and yoga, BAM’s shorts are supportive, flexible, temperature regulating, breathable, and moisture-wicking enough to ensure each training session is an enjoyable one.

If you’re looking for a perfect pair of shorts to support your quest towards body awareness and mental clarity, BAM is all you need.

Bam1085 Mens Align Bamboo Yoga Shorts Navy Bamboo Clothing 1

adidas tights

Yoga requires proper support for the muscles, and adidas has just the thing you need to make your efforts free of distraction or stress. Coming with a locked-in compression fit, these multisport tights offer quick-drying comfort, wicking away sweat, and providing you with a comfortable fit capable of supporting your exercising routine.

Made with Primegreen, these tights are a perfect choice for all those who need professional sports equipment and still care about the environment. If you’re looking for a perfect match for your dynamic yoga sessions, these tights should be your option number one.

Domyos trousers

If you want a slick look while doing your yoga poses, but you’re also into comfort and flexibility, Domyos trousers might just be your matching fit.

Made from stretchy, ultra-lightweight recycled polyester, these trousers provide you with all the comfort and support you need to seamlessly make transitions from floor poses to headstand.

They are perfect for warmer climes due to their incredible moisture-wicking ability, so you can count on keeping yourself dry, and slip-free, providing just enough support while shifting from pose to pose.

Rhone shorts

Designed for comfort and maximum flexibility, Rhone shorts are lightweight and durable enough to support your daily exercise. Since yoga includes a wide versatility of movement, you need a pair of shorts that won’t obstruct any deep leg lunges or squats. Rhone shorts come with a four-way stretch to ensure maximum ease of movement.

You won’t have to worry about sweating or any odours due to the latest Goldfusion-treated liner that will keep you whiff-free and dry at all times. Stretch and bend over as long as you want, knowing that your shorts have your every move supported and secured.

Warrior Addict shorts

Warrior Addict is a well-known activewear brand that has been a leader in the world of sportswear for men. Their yoga shorts, also known as Anti-Gravity shorts, have been designed to fit your exercise routine while providing enough muscle support and comfort to allow you to seamlessly shift between your favourite poses.

Made from 100% recycled polyester, these shorts are perfect for those who prefer fast-drying clothes while working out.

They are a two-layer pair of shorts, meaning they will keep you comfortable while stretching and protect your modesty during the more outlandish poses.

The shorts also contain an anti-bacterial, sweat-wicking fabric that prevents the build-up of unpleasant odours.

Alo Yoga shorts

When it comes to going to the yoga studio, there’s no set dress code, so if you want to bring your own signature, Alo Yoga shorts are worth a look. Coming in a range of colours and styles, provide everything you need to feel comfortable and safe while stretching.

Designed to support dynamic and mobile practice, Alo Yoga shorts come with a soft mesh lining that is quite breathable, providing extra comfort for the long run to see you through intense yoga sessions.

The shorts also have a wide waistband that is perfect for securing you while doing those headstands.

ASOS 4505 set

Just because you’re a member of the yoga studio doesn’t mean you should let your discerning sense of style go to pot. On the contrary, you have every reason to look your best while working that tree pose, and thankfully, ASOS has you covered in full.

The brand’s activewear offshoot, 4505, includes an entire yoga set that will keep you extra comfortable and trendy while maintaining that warrior one pose.

As a bonus, the set comes in an acid wash that will hide any sweat patches, allowing you to get right to it without a worry on your mind.

The set includes a t-shirt and shorts.

Lululemon boxer shorts

When piecing together their gym kit many people overlook the importance of wearing the right underwear. For yoga men, boxer shorts are almost as important as any other item they wear during practice.

With that in mind, Lululemon boxer shorts are designed to be super-soft and ergonomic. The boxers are made of quick-drying fabric to ensure maximum comfort for workouts, especially when dealing with poses that make you sweat the most.

Just like we worry about upper body sweat, below-the-belt sweat is just as gross, so put that worry to bed with a pair of top-quality, highly durable, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying boxer shorts.

Gymshark Men’s yoga pants 3/4 length

Gymshark 3/4 length yoga pants for men provide a full range of motion and are super-lightweight and stretchy enough to provide you with the necessary mobility to maintain your favourite yoga poses comfortably and effortlessly.

While some might think that wearing ¾ length pants may not be suitable for the yoga studio, they’re wrong. Yoga involves moving all over the place and having pants that cling to your claves rather than your ankle or thigh can be less intrusive during intense practice.

Final Thoughts

The right clothes and equipment can really help you feel prepared for the precision exertion of yoga poses, providing freedom of movement and support to ensure you’re doing things the right way.

BAM’s bamboo yoga pants for men seem to provide the most flexibility, while adidas yoga trousers are just perfect for regular, diverse exercise. Gymshark offers the highest quality trousers, while those who are into the combination of comfort and fashion should look to Lululemon yoga pants for men, as they are equal parts comfy and cool.

All these brands are offering eco-friendly, sustainable activewear solutions for a wide range of consumers of both genders to help support their healthy lifestyles.

As well as supporting your yoga journey, these pants and shorts are also suitable for travelling, relaxing at home, or going to the gym.

Additional Yoga Resources

Elsewhere on ManBodySpirit.com we’ve created a range of yoga resources covering pretty much every question you might have. Take a look at:

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