Exercises for Men that Make You Look Better in Clothes
You've built a closet of beautiful shirts, blazers, and suits. But something feels off when you look in the mirror. Those clothes that should make you feel like a million bucks just don't fit right. Whether it's age or the effects of a desk job, your physical health influences how you look in clothes. But don't worry, it's not a lost cause. There are exercises for men like you to reclaim your body, style and confidence—one purposeful workout at a time.
This isn't about chasing the impossible physique of twenty-something fitness models. We're talking about exercises for men that reshape how your clothes fit, how you move, and, most importantly, how you feel about yourself.
We're not personal trainers, but we do know about basic exercises for men. And we're no strangers to the gym. We've also provided links so you can see proper techniques and create an exercise plan that suits you. Let's get to it.
Walking: It's Exercise!
Don't let anyone tell you walking isn't exercise. It's a simple movement that can reshape your body and boost your style one step at a time. High-impact workouts can strain your joints. Walking 7,500 to 10,000 steps a day can increase your metabolism, reduce stress and help your clothes fit better.
But the best part is that it's easy to put into practice. Park a little farther away to get extra steps in. Make walking with your partner after dinner a ritual. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. These subtle changes can lead to big results that make you look and feel more confident in every outfit.
Body Weight Squats: Stand with Confidence
Try bodyweight squats if you're looking for a powerful movement to upgrade your wardrobe's fit. Squats target your entire lower body, sculpting lean muscle in your glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings. Working these muscle groups helps you look stronger when delivering a presentation and makes you look forward to wearing shorts all summer.
Squats strengthen your core, improve posture, and create a more confident stance that makes every outfit look sharp.Just 3 sets of 15 squats can transform how your clothes fit and how you carry yourself.
Pushups: The Classic Exercise for Men
Create a more refined silhouette that makes your clothes drape better with pushups. This classic movement transforms your upper body, creating more definition in your chest, shoulders, and arms. (These muscle groups make dress shirts and blazers look phenomenal!)
Pushups also improve posture, preventing a slouched look that makes clothes hang awkwardly. Start small by doing pushups with your hands on a bench or countertop, and progress from there. Pushups done in proper form can make every piece of clothing look custom-made for your body.
Stretching: Move with Grace and Ease
Don't overlook stretching in your fitness journey. It's the secret weapon to preventing injury and better technique for the rest of your exercises. Regular stretching increases flexibility, reducing a stiff, uncomfortable look. It's a game-changer that improves posture, creating a more confident, upright stance that makes every outfit drape better. With 5 minutes of stretching a day, you can improve your body's alignment and make you move with greater grace and ease.
Plank: Build a Strong Core
Sometimes, how you look in clothes is determined by your posture. It's challenging to look stylish in an exquisite suit when hunched over due to poor core strength.
Planks may not help you build washboard abs, but they will help build a stronger core, making pushups and squats easier, and every outfit look as it should. The exercise also creates a balanced physique that reduces lower back pain and increases stability, helping you move confidently every day.
Bench Press: Work Your Upper Body and Look Amazing in Suits
So far, we've talked about simple exercises you can do at home. But you can take your workouts up a notch by going to a gym or getting equipment at home. A workout bench and a few dumbbells can help you build muscle and look better in clothes.
You can build functional strength and make your clothes more flattering with the dumbbell bench press. This exercise sculpts your chest, shoulders, and triceps, creating a defined upper body that makes dress shirts and blazers look impeccable.
Shoulder Press: Make Every Shirt and Jacket Look Custom-Made
The overhead shoulder press is another great exercise for men that you can do at the gym. Build stronger, well-defined shoulders, improving your posture while reducing the curved neck and back from working on the computer. Just a few sets of shoulder presses can reshape your upper body, ensuring your clothes fit like they were tailored for you.
Going to the gym can be intimidating. Take it slow, create realistic expectations and arrive prepared. Come ready to work and check out How to Start at the Gym as a Beginner from the Canadian Men's Health Foundation.
The journey to look better in your clothes isn't about perfection but progress. Each squat, plank, and press is more than just a physical movement—it's a statement of self-respect.
You're not trying to turn back time. Start small. Be consistent. Whether it's a 15-minute walk, a set of pushups, or some morning stretches, every effort counts. The best version of you is not about looking like someone else. It's about becoming the most confident, comfortable version of yourself.
Keep going. Read the article, A Growth Mindset and Men's Style: Refine and Never Get Stuck, and keep improving inside and out.
