Gym Clothing Glossary

A garment deliberately cut with extra room through the body and often the shoulders and sleeves. It is not simply a regular-fit shirt in a larger size. Compare measurements rather than relying on the size letter.

A cut that follows the body more closely than an oversized style without being designed as compression wear. Regular does not mean skin-tight; the actual room varies by garment.

A roomy cut with less body-hugging shaping. Brands use relaxed and oversized differently, so neither label replaces a size chart.

A construction where the shoulder seam sits down the upper arm rather than at the edge of the shoulder. It changes the silhouette; it does not automatically mean the garment is the wrong size.

The way fabric hangs and falls around the body. A roomy cut and a fluid drape are different things: fabric can hang softly or hold a more structured shape.

The extra space between your body and a garment. More ease gives a looser fit, but useful training room also depends on the cut and how the fabric moves.

For shoulder, sleeve and layering checks, read How Should a Hoodie Fit?

Measurements taken from the clothing itself, not from your body. The Bait Dogs Size & Fit Guide lists garment measurements in inches. Compare with a similar piece you already like.

The width across a top laid flat, from one underarm to the other. It is a flat width, not the full chest circumference. Check the chart's measuring instructions before comparing numbers.

The top-to-bottom measurement of a garment's body. Starting points can differ between charts; use the stated method rather than assuming every brand measures from the same place.

The hem is a finished garment edge, usually the bottom edge when discussing a shirt's length. A cuff finishes a sleeve or trouser opening and may be ribbed or elasticated.

A loose shirt or layer worn over training clothes, often during warmups. It describes a use, not a special fabric. Keep it on or take it off as comfort allows. Read What Is a Pump Cover? for the full field note.

Casual or training trousers commonly shaped narrower toward the ankle, often with a cuff. The name describes a style, not a guarantee of running-specific fabric or performance.

A trouser cut that keeps a relatively consistent leg width instead of narrowing sharply toward the ankle. It describes the leg shape, not the fabric weight.

Grams per square meter: the weight of a given area of fabric, not the weight of the finished garment. It is not a quality score.

A relative label for more substantial fabric. There is no universal cutoff across garment types, and heavyweight does not mean oversized.

For fabric-weight comparisons and definitions of jersey, fleece, French terry, ringspun and combed cotton, use What Does GSM Mean in Clothing? Product materials, care instructions and any published weight belong to the individual listing; do not infer them from a fit label.

Need a longer explanation? Return to the Bait Dogs Lifter's Field Manual. Start with the term. Check the chart. Choose the fit that lets you do the work.