The gym gear that’s helping us to get fit this summer.

Summer is fast approaching and it’s time to shed the spare tyre and get beach ready. If you haven’t seen the inside of a gym since the dark days of January – or maybe never – why not invest in some new kit to get you over over the turmoil? Whether you plan to join a spin class, pound the treadmill or embark on Hellweek at Barry’s Bootcamp, we have the sportswear for you. Here, the MR PORTER team present the gym-ready items on their Wish Lists.

Marathon training is never going to be comfortable. You’ll sweat like a donkey, your stomach will churn and the relentless pavement pounding will set your teeth (and knees) on edge. There’s little you can do about these discomforts, but you can certainly mitigate the misery by investing in some decent kit. I’m training for my next long-distance run (I recently did the Hackney Half Marathon in London) and I’ve learnt – the hard way – that comfort and performance are key. That’s why I’ve invested in these Athletic Propulsion Labs TechLoom Pro running shoes. They’re fitted with Propelium soles, which are engineered to enhance performance and comfort. This Arc’teryx zip-up top, which is ventilated and waterproof, will protect me in any climactic conundrum. Stretching after jogging helps your body cool down and speeds up recovery, so I’m investing in a Triggerpoint roller. The only thing left is beating my personal best.

Since I was practically old enough to walk, my father made sure there was a tennis racket in my hand. This summer, I’ll be playing in this Lacoste polo shirt. Its breathable jersey and the piqué fabric wicks away sweat, which helps to keep you cool during intense matches. Having previously suffered knee injuries, I know wearing appropriate footwear is essential. These Nike Zoom Vapour tennis sneakers are ace (sorry). Not only are they incredibly supportive and flexible for the court, they look good, too. Whether playing in winter or summer, I always use an SPF moisturiser. This Lab Series Daily Moisture Defense Lotion absorbs quickly, minimising any faff before and between games.

Before straddling a bike, familiarise yourself with “The Rules”, cycling’s comprehensive code of conduct (google it). Rule number nine: “If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.” A bit of drizzle, then, is no excuse, especially when you have the right gear. Not only will this Café du Cycliste jersey in a striking shade of on-trend pink get you noticed on the road, it is both waterproof and windproof. On the bike, as in real life, you’ll want to keep the rest of your kit pared back, so team it with a pair of equally hardy bib shorts (which will keep all your, ahem, bits in place) and a robust but lightweight pair of shoes, for dancing on your pedals.

It has been more than three weeks since the Masters left our screens, and yet the sight of those gorgeous Augusta fairways – manicured to perfection, lined with azaleas and honeysuckle, and lit by dappled evening light – still lingers in my memory. It’s enough to make a man want to pick up a three-wood, whatever one of those is, and have a swing at it himself. I expect I’ll be terrible. But at least I won’t be terribly dressed, thanks to this on-trend pastel combo of a Kjus Golf polo and Dunhill Links shorts, with course-ready footwear by Ecco Golf.

My normal gym routine can be pretty monotonous. To mix it up a bit during the summer months, I enjoy putting my body to the test in the great outdoors. One of my favourite things to do is wake up early for a hike – breathing in all of the crisp cool air, watching the sun rise and taking in the great views. There’s nothing like it. Patagonia and Arc’teryx are two of my go-to brands. The quality and durability of the fabrics are second to none – breathable, comfortable and cool. I like to layer my look to be ready for cooler temperatures or unexpected rainstorms. I also like to take protein powder with me to keep my performance at a high level. Bodyism’s Clean and Lean Vegan Protein Shake is amazing and helps to get my energy levels back up after a strenuous hike. It’s important to maintain a fit and healthy body, but you must feed it the right nutrients for optimal results.

I have recently hung up my rugby boots to concentrate on CrossFit. When you lift heavy weights you want to avoid knee pain, so I make sure to stretch my quads, my IT band (the muscles on the side of the thighs) and my hamstrings using a hand-held roller, such as this one, which finds the most difficult-to-reach areas. Half an hour after a session, I always have a Neat Nutrition shake. My favourite one is the chocolate flavour Lean Protein one. It’s made from quality ingredients, including high-grade organic matcha green tea and naturally occurring proteins, that aid muscle repair and encourage fat loss. If you want to look like a CrossFit pro, invest in a pair Nike Metcons. The new DSX model has gripped rubber soles for a firm footing and is lightweight and breathable.

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