Bodybuilding has been a popular form of physical fitness for decades. In its early days, bodybuilders were often seen sporting a unique style of gym clothing that was both functional and stylish. This old-school bodybuilding clothing was an integral part of the sport's culture and was an expression of the bodybuilder's dedication and passion for the sport.
In the 1970s and 1980s, bodybuilding was still in its infancy and was often viewed as a niche sport. It was during this time that bodybuilders began to develop their own unique style of gym wear that would become iconic in the sport. The gym wear of this era was often made of spandex, a stretchy material that allowed bodybuilders to show off their muscles without restriction.
Where to buy Old-School Bodybuilding Clothes
At Urban Gym Wear, we stock a massive selection of gym clothing catering for all types of athletes, bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts. We're not your average gym wear retailer. You can find hundreds of old school bodybuilding clothing items in our store that you won't likely find elsewhere. We have pieces styled similarly to those worn by bodybuilders in the 70s, 80s and 90s.
If this is the sort of thing you're searching for, keep scrolling and discover some of our favourite pieces.
Gorilla Wear Buffalo Old School Workout Outfit
A three-piece set, made up of a bodybuilding rag top, loose fitting sweatpants or loose shorts designed for big quads. The ribbed fabric and striking logos provide a classic and tough look. Each piece of the set features a huge Gorilla Wear logo and old-school taping.
Gorilla Wear Mercury Mesh Pant & Richmond Rib Tank
A summer old school bodybuilding outfit from Gorilla Wear. This set consists of a stretchy ribbed tank top that provides maximum comfort and ventilation and a pair of oversized mesh pants made of breathable and lightweight material.
GASP Original Hoodie
A warm and comfortable hoodie designed for both gym and lifestyle use. This high-quality hoodie has a flattering fit and a big logo print across the upper back which helps to emphasise the width of your shoulders and back.
Gasp Original Tee
The perfect tee for the not so average athlete. Loose-fitting soft and comfortable tee with a big logo print. This tee comes in several colours, so you can find the perfect one to go with any outfit.
Gasp Iron Tee
Be bold and make a statement with the oversized GASP Iron Tee. This is a high-quality heavy cotton tee with huge printed details. Wear it to the gym or with your favourite pair of jeans.
Gorilla Wear Sheldon Workout Top
A classic Gorilla Wear item with old school appeal. Roomy, flexible and breathable, making it perfect for intense workouts.
Brachial Tracksuit Pants Spacy
Super baggy sweatpants with an elasticated waistband and ankle cuffs. They're soft and fluffy inside, making them warm and comfortable. These sweatpants feature 3D embroidery details, patches and woven logo details.
Gorilla Wear Rogers Hooded Tank Top
What's not to like about a hooded tank top? You can wear it during the summer, and you can wear it over a long-sleeve tee during the winter. Best of all you can put the hood up, block everything out, and get in the zone.
Gorilla Wear Augustine Old School Range
The Augustine Old School Series from Gorilla Wear is a reintroduction of one of their first-ever clothing lines. This clothing is aimed strictly at hardcore old school bodybuilding fans. The range features a pair of oversized shorts, baggy sweatpants & an oversized workout tee, all of which are available in 4 colours. All items are roomy and functional.
Brachial Tracksuit Trousers Gym
Loose-fitting eye-catching sweatpants with many big stitched details and prints. These sweatpants are made with a heavy sweater fabric and do a great job of keeping you warm during the winter.
Gorilla Wear Texas T-Shirt
A new addition to the Gorilla Wear range, the Texas T-shirt is an oversized baseball style t-shirt that features a big, bold Gorilla Wear vinyl print on the front. This t-shirt allows for superior freedom of movement during workouts.
Bodybuilding rag tops were a staple of old-school bodybuilding clothing. These tops were often made from lightweight, breathable cotton and had a loose, relaxed fit that allowed bodybuilders to move freely during their workouts. The tops were usually brightly coloured, with bold graphics and graphics that reflected the bodybuilder's dedication to the sport. Bodybuilding rag tops were also a popular choice for post-workout wear, as they provided a comfortable and casual alternative to the tight-fitting muscle shirts and tank tops. They were an essential part of the bodybuilder's wardrobe, both in and out of the gym, and continue to be a popular choice among bodybuilding enthusiasts today.
Gorilla Wear Classic Workout Top
The Gorilla Wear Classic Workout Top is a real old school rag top. It is still one of their best selling products to this day. The design features an extremely loose fit with a large Gorilla Wear logo to the front and print on the back of the neck.
A lot of competitive bodybuilders use this top as a warm up layer over a stringer or tank top.
GASP Vintage Sweatpants
These GASP sweatpants have a retro design, with a modern-day fit and build quality. If you like your sweatpants loose and with big prints, then these are the ones for you.
Gorilla Wear Functional Mesh Pants
These pants are made with a lightweight, comfortable & breathable mesh which helps you stay cool during workouts. They are perfect for the summer, due to their breathable mesh composition. If you're the type of person who prefers to wear full length bottoms to the gym over shorts on a hot day, these are for you.
Brachial T-Shirt Sign Next
If you want a loose-fitting t-shirt with spacious sleeves which provides unrestricted movement, this it the t-shirt for you. The design features a large printed Brachial logo to the front and stitched Brachial tags. This tee also comes in 6 colours!
Gasp Stringer
You've asked and GASP has made it happen. GASP reintroduced a classic loose-fitting stringer into their range. The design features raw cut edges and a super loose fit. This stringer is perfect for the summer, and to wear to at the gym during competition prep.
Golds Gym Muscle Joe Stringer
You can't say Oldschool gym clothes and not mention the Golds Gym Muscle Joe Stringer. This is the tank top made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger. If you've seen the movie Pumping Iron you may recognize it from his scenes filmed within the gym. This tank top was worn by many legends from the golden age of bodybuilding.
Bodybuilders of this era also wore tight-fitting tank tops, which were similar to muscle shirts but were sleeveless. These tops were made from stretchy material that allowed for full range of motion during exercises, and they were often adorned with bold graphics and bold colours, making them an eye-catching part of the bodybuilder's wardrobe.
GASP Ribbed T-Back
GASP have described this t-back as lighter to train in and more suited to those that don't want something oversized. A stylish stringer style tank made with a soft, durable ribbed material. Its stretchy and fitting with contrasting neck and arm holes. One of our best sellers and most popular tank tops in the bodybuilding community.
Bodybuilding Shoes
Gorilla Wear High Tops
These shoes provide the perfect combination of looks, durability, and practicality. You can wear them to the gym and out on the street. Their flat and grippy sole makes them the perfect shoe for deadlifts or those who prefer to squat with a flat foot and low bar position.
Gorilla Wear Troy High Tops
High-tops designed for heavy lifting and maximum support. These shoes are lightweight, durable and comfortable. There are 4 colour options available, meaning there's a pair suitable for any outfit.
The old-school bodybuilding clothing of the 1970s and 1980s was an integral part of the sport's culture. It was a combination of form and function, designed to showcase the bodybuilder's physique while also providing support and comfort during training. While the sport has evolved over the years, the old-school bodybuilding clothing remains a cherished part of its history, and continues to be celebrated by bodybuilding enthusiasts today.
You can find all of the above items and many more in our Oldschool Bodybuilder gym clothes collection.