What Is a Pump Cover?

You walk into the gym, scroll through social media, and notice that it seems like everyone is on the oversized-apparel bandwagon for their training — until their workout heats up and their coverage comes off. Enter, the pump cover. Your key to confidence, comfort, and warmth, as you suit up for whatever work you're looking to tackle.

We'll cover the best pump cover t-shirts, hoodies, and more from REP Fitness, including style tips and the benefits of using it — so you can layer up and hit the gym feeling ready.

What Is a Pump Cover?

To define a pump cover, we first must define "pump." Pump refers to muscle pump — also known as transient hypertrophy — which is the increase in muscle size and fullness that occurs during weightlifting. As you're lifting, your heart works to pump more blood to the muscles that are working, supplying them with oxygen, nutrients, and a larger appearance.

A pump cover is a term that's most often used in gym-settings, and it refers to a loose fitting cover up — like oversized gym shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants. This apparel is used to help gym-goers stay warm through their warm-up, to keep bodies hidden until muscle's get pumped up and ready to be featured, and has taken the fashion world by storm — oversized is in.

Read More: Want to Live Longer? Build Muscle

Best REP® Pump Covers

REP has you covered with an assortment of sweatshirts, t-shirts, and joggers. The following are our most popular pump cover choices:

• Best Pump Cover Shirt: Men's Bulk Up Heavyweight Crew T-Shirt
• Best Hoodie Pump Cover: Unisex Daily Driver 2.0
• Best Zip-Up Hoodie Pump Cover: Unisez Zip Hoodie
• Best Crewneck Pump Cover: Unisex Daily Driver Crewneck Sweatshirt
• Best Long-Sleeve Pump Cover: Long-Sleeve Tri-Blend Crew T-Shirt
• Best Men's Jogger Pump Cover: Men's Apollo Joggers
• Best Women's Jogger Pump Cover: Women's Vellus Joggers

Best Pump Cover Shirt: Men's Bulk Up Heavyweight Crew T-Shirt

These oversized pump cover shirts are built to work over your regular workout clothes, when you're interested in a more boxy fit, or when you're in the weeds on a bulk cycle. The Bulk Up Heavyweight crew t-shirt has a roomier build though the shoulders, chest, and midsection, for an ultra-comfortable fit. With comfort front of mind, we've also taken out the tag for an itch-free wear.

While these shits are made roomier, consider sizing up if you're looking for an even more relaxed fit.

Best Hoodie Pump Cover: Unisex Daily Driver 2.0

This unisex pull over hoodie is a midweight gym staple, built from soft, breathable, and durable ring-spun cotton. Constructed with an athletic fit that shows off your shoulders and arms even before you've peeled off your pump cover, this hoodie will keep you looking good while feeling comfortable.

Whether your goal is to build muscle, lose fat, or you're just trying to keep up with the kids, this pump cover hoodie can help you feel confident in and out of the gym.

Best Zip-Up Hoodie Pump Cover: Unisez Zip Hoodie

Add style to your workout, and into the rest of your day, with the REP® Zip Hoodie — featuring a front zip so you can adjust how warm your are through your sets. Available in white stone, black, gunmetal and black, heather navy, and heather light blue, and in sizes ranging from X-small to 3X-large, these hoodies are available in the right size and style to suit your aesthetic. 

Best Crewneck Pump Cover: Unisex Daily Driver Crewneck Sweatshirt

A classic crew pull-over may be exactly what your workout's been missing. The Daily Driver crewneck is crafted from a soft, breathable fleece, with a tagless design to keep you itch-free during your reps. You'll also love this pump cover's relaxed fit, with a stylish drop shoulder design for an oversized look.

Best Long-Sleeve Pump Cover: Long-Sleeve Tri-Blend Crew T-Shirt

When the weather's cold, but not too cold, a long sleeve t-shirt pump cover is the way to go. This shirt is constructed from a blend of polyester, rayon, and cotton fibers, providing an ultra-soft and breathable wardrobe staple. The athletic design highlights your shoulders and arms, but for a more relaxed fit, consider sizing up.

Best Men's Jogger Pump Cover: Men's Apollo Joggers

Best Women's Jogger Pump Cover: Women's Vellus Joggers

Whether these joggers are your workout attire, or you're wearing them over your shorts or leggings, these pants are built to support your effort with style and comfort. With a buttery-soft feel, SILVADOR™ anti-odor technology, and a high-performance breathable fabric blend, these pants are ready to move with you wherever you go.

How to Style a Pump Cover

Pump covers are meant to add size, so keep that in mind when choosing what to pair with them. There are two routes you can typically take: equal out your proportions with a pair of fitted shorts or leggings, or go all-in on the oversized look with an equally baggy pair of sweats or pants.

Keep in mind that big and baggy is the name of the game for pump covers, so you may want to go up a size (or two or three) to give you the aesthetic you're after. 

Takeaway

Whether you like the oversized look or you're trying to hide your muscles until they've had a chance to plump up, the REP® apparel line has options that'll get the job done, support your performance, and last from first rep to last.

We don't want to toot our own horn, but REP® apparel stands among the best workout gear on the market. So gear up, get lifting, and get ready for the grand reveal that a quality pump cover can deliver.

FAQs

Why do people wear pump covers?

If you're wondering what is the purpose of a pump cover, there isn't just one answer. Pump covers are worn for a wide-range of reasons. They can help warm you up before your workout, hide your muscles until you've worked up a solid pump that you're ready to show off, and they're trendy and fashionable. Plus, outside of all of these reasons, pump covers are comfortable — making them perfect for the gym, lounging, and anywhere else.

How do I choose the right pump cover shirt or hoodie for my workout?

Picking out the right gym clothes shouldn't be a workout in itself. When looking for the perfect pump cover for your workout, you don't have to find apparel that's marketed as a pump cover. Just find an oversized shirt or sweatshirt that's comfortable. Peruse apparel with drop sleeves, a boxy fit, and consider sizing up for the perfect oversized fit.

Are pump covers suitable for all genders and sizes?

Yes! Men, women, and non-binary individuals of all sizes can add comfort and confidence to their workout with a pump cover. REP wants lifters of all sizes to have access to the apparel that makes them feel good and perform better, with options from X-small up to 3X-large.

Rosie Borchert is a NASM-CPT, former Nike Volleyball coach, and fitness writer whose work has appeared on BarBend and Tonal. If anyone would like to hire her to play beach volleyball, snowboard, binge watch TV, or go climbing, please get in touch.

This article was reviewed by Ashley Boyer, ACE-CPT, for accuracy.