The era of skinny joggers is long behind us. Instead, gym pants have grown more relaxed; taking inspiration from the 80s fashion scene to introduce oversized silhouettes with sleek modern finishes.
The latest pair to hit the streets? Pumper pants.
Now, let us explain.
If you haven’t already seen them on your IG feed, chances are you’ve scrolled past someone on TikTok wearing a pair while casually deadlifting 305.
While the lift is impressive. It’s the ’fit that’s making news. Somewhere between a jogger and a sweatpant, pumper pants offer a baggy lightweight ’fit to summer styling. Inspired by the designs of old-school bodybuilding, these new gym pants are lightweight enough to keep you cool as you push your limits repping to failure and roomy enough to sink deep into the bottom of a sumo squat.
Our pumper pants are the perfect pants for the gym, you just didn’t know it yet. Here’s everything you need to know. including how to style pumper pants and get the sizing right.
What Are Pumper Pants?
Pumper Pants are full-length, oversized gym pants specifically designed for weightlifting. With a nod to the old-school bodybuilding era, the new fashion statement features an elasticated waistband that sits comfortably on your hips. The trousers then balloon out to create an oversized silhouette before coming in at the ankle with a simple cuffed hem.
Unlike ordinary gym pants made from jersey or performance materials, pumper pants are engineered from an authentic 100% cotton woven fabric that feels weightless.
Baggy, roomy, comfy, and lightweight, they bring a whole new vibe to your workout outfits and are the perfect pants for lifting. Oh and did we mention they have pockets to hold your essentials too? Say no more, here’s how to style ‘em.
"Pumper pants have quickly become our go-to when styling across our Gymshark campaigns - we're classing these as one of our gym kit staples now. There are so many ways to wear and aesthetic trends to tap into when styling our pumper pants.
We love the effortless simplicity of the classic ribbed tank and pumper pant combo - get that anime main character vibes with tight black Element tanks or t-shirts (for that Toji effect, IYKYK.
Or you might choose to go old-school by pairing them with a cropped top (we recommend either a raw hem top or a washed fabric to nail that vintage feel) - there's a way to wear the pumper pants for everyone." - Alanya, Senior Stylist
What To Wear With Pumper Pants
If you’re wondering how to style a pair of pumper pants (or any other style of oversized pant for that matter), you’re definitely not alone.
The trick is all about playing with proportions and utilizing the power of layering. Using lightweight pieces layered under open shirts, doubling up on the baggy silhouettes, and using accessories like socks to add some dimension to your outfit.
As you know, old-school gym clothes are everything at the moment, so you can really lean into the retro style with our pumper pants. We’re talking about styling your pumper pants with our best retro selections; mesh shirts, muscle tanks, retro track tops, raglan tees, and rag tops.
Picture yourself working out on the palm-tree littered Venice Beach or on the set of the iconic Arnie documentary, ‘Pumping Iron’, the next time you’re thinking up a new gym outfit.
The gym can be a place where you can still have fun with your outfits, no need to rock the same old moisture-wicking t-shirt and gym shorts combo every day, so why not add a little touch of the old-school?
So whether you’re looking for tips on how to style pumper pants for daily street fashion, or you’re about to head to the gym and want to know what you can pair with your new oversized gym pants to nod to the old-school bodybuilding fashion era, we sat down with Brona Coley - Stylist at Gymshark, to give you the latest.
Here’s our seven ways to style your pumper pants.
Ribbed Tops
Oversized pants look great when paired with tighter-fitting tops like our Ribbed Tank, the form-fitting silhouette shows off your physique and the sleeveless touch shows off your arm day pump nicely, giving that classic lifting aesthetic. Longer length ribbed tanks can be tucked into the pumper pants if you like your pants lower-slung, or gathered around to meet the waistline for a slouchy look.
Go Oversized
For a comfortable companion to your already baggy ensemble, why not choose a boxy-fit oversized tee for a relaxed gym look that hits all the marks on the fashion front while still being gym-ready? XXL looks can be worn in and out of the gym. Try layering our pumper pants with a ribbed vest and oversized varsity shirt for a casual affair, or how about our iconic Power T-Shirt for a heavy upper-body session?
Old-School
Certain silhouettes are like a post stamp from a certain era, and there’s no shortage of old-school workout clothes to style with your pumper pants. Our Property of… Collection and Cut-Off Tanks are relics of the golden era of bodybuilding. Chopped raw-edged cuffs, premium heavyweight fabrics, and sporty stamped retro wordmarks add even more of a vintage touch to your Pumper Pants outfit to give yourself one seriously retro gym ‘fit.
Our in-house Stylist - Brona Cooley gave us the lowdown on achieving the ultimate 80s vibe, suggesting to wear the men’s Power Crop Top for the waist-baring old-school look!
All-Black
There’s something about an all-black outfit that makes you look immediately cool. Effortlessly chic, versatile, and with an element of mystery, it’s the perfect way to achieve a minimalist wardrobe. Pair our black pumper pants with a black ribbed tank top, as sported regularly by Gymshark athlete David Laid. Then, complete the look with a pair of fresh black crew socks and technical blacked-out sneakers.
Graphic Tees
Along with the Ribbed Tank, our Stylist Brona Cooley’s other favorite way to style the pumper pants is with a graphic tee. Don’t be afraid to mix prints here. The Graphic Tee brings a much-welcomed edge to the pumper pants outfit. Take your bold menswear look to the gym or for leisurely occasions to make a statement in the best way possible.
Socks Peeping Out
It’s happening again: We’re hitching up our pants a little up the calf to show off our socks. First, we pulled our joggers up our calves to let our socks peep from underneath. Now, we’re hiking up pumper pants to create even more of a tapered silhouette to show your crew socks and draw attention to your box-fresh weightlifting shoes (extra points if you’re on the barefoot hype).
For The Girls
Hold up… pumper pants aren’t just for guys. The girls have been showing us yet again that flicking over to shop the menswear section is key to a versatile workout wardrobe. Remember the mesh shorts moment?
"For the girls, think layers and quite literally treat them as pump cover for your legs - they're the perfect pants to throw on for your leg day over the top of a tight short (think adapt, power, lift contour shorts even). We love that layered look at the waistband to see a pop of color or pattern." - Alanya, Senior Stylist
Pumper pants plus strappy sports bra = little top big pants combo done right.
Is It Okay To Wear Baggy Pants To The Gym?
Baggy pants tend to stir up mixed opinions, with some embracing the old-school vibes and some cringing at the 90s throwback. But, with baggy cargo pants and jeans firmly trending, it was only a matter of time before baggy pants were in for the gym.
We’re no strangers to a baggy trouser, especially for rest days, just check out our roster of oversized sweatpants… but pumper pants offer a fresh new take on gym clothes.
Understandably, there can be concerns about wearing baggy clothing to the gym. Wearing looser garms to the gym might pose some safety hazards, especially if the pants have floor-length hems that might snag on equipment, drag on the floor, or be tripped on. So, if you want to dress oversized in the gym, make sure you choose cuffed baggy pants to prevent such hazards.
So now you know how to wear baggy pants to the gym. Opt for cuffed bottoms to prevent trips, choose fitted shirts on top for a balanced proportion, or a loose gym shirt for a relaxed and fashion-forward lifting ensemble.
Pumper Pants Sizing
Wondering how pumper pants fit and what size you should buy? We’ve got you covered.
Guys: Select your usual size for a classic oversized fit. If you’d prefer a baggier fit around the leg (or a looser-fitting waistband), we recommend sizing up.
Ladies: If you’ve shopped our menswear products before, we recommend selecting your usual size for a loose fit. If this is your first menswear purchase, opt for your usual womenswear size (i.e. Small for Small); however, feel free to size up for a roomier, more relaxed fit.
"Styling top tip: go oversized on these already baggy pants, the bigger the better." - Alanya, Senior Stylist
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Final Thoughts
Pumper pants are having their moment. And, if you’ve got a keen eye for seasonal style, we guarantee that this easy-styling pair of gym pants will be seen more frequently in the free weights corner of your local gym. Roomy, lightweight, and kitted out with the coolest patterns and pockets for storing your essentials; it’s time to rewind the clock and sport a pair of pumper pants.
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