Buzz
Your ultimate guide to this viral TikTok trend and gym essential.
The oversized tees, hoodies, and sweatshirts that fitness enthusiasts rock during their weightlifting sessions are taking TikTok by storm. It's not just because they look cool, but because they're the perfect pump covers! If you’re unfamiliar with the term, pump covers hide your muscles as they swell during your workout, and when the time is right, you reveal your hard-earned gains. Dive into our comprehensive guide to pump covers, covering everything from their purpose to picking the best one for your next gym session.
Understanding Pump Covers
A pump cover refers to an oversized t-shirt, hoodie, or sweater that helps keep your muscles warm as you lift weights. Once your muscles start getting pumped and full of blood, you can take the pump cover off to show off your improved physique—or leave it on to keep your gains under wraps.
How to Use Pump Covers
What exactly is a pump cover?
A pump cover is loose, oversized clothing designed to conceal your muscles at the gym. These baggy hoodies, sweatshirts, and t-shirts are commonly worn by gym-goers, but the term 'pump cover' highlights the muscle-pumping effect that naturally happens when lifting weights.
- Both men and women wear pump covers while working out. Men typically use them to hide their abs, biceps, and triceps. Women may also cover their glutes, upper thighs, along with their abs, biceps, and triceps.
Why do people wear a pump cover?
A pump cover keeps your muscles warm and enhances the muscle pump. The muscle pump is a natural effect that occurs when you lift weights. As you work out, your body heats up, which changes the water balance in your muscles. This causes more blood to stay in the muscles, making them appear larger and firmer for up to 72 hours as the spaces between muscle fibers expand.
Weightlifters use pump covers to either reveal or hide their muscle gains. 'Gains' refers to the noticeable increase in strength and muscle size that beginners experience within the first 6-12 months of training. Some lifters take off their pump covers once they achieve the muscle 'pump' to show off their progress. Others prefer to keep their gains concealed for privacy or modesty.
- New lifters often experience rapid gains due to a surge in muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and hormones like testosterone, HGH, and DHEA. Their bodies are more responsive to the intensity of the exercises during the first few months.
- Wearing a pump cover can also help boost confidence in the gym by covering up the body and shielding you from potential judgment from others.
Fitness influencers use pump covers to showcase their gym content. These creators generate massive engagement by filming themselves either removing or adjusting their pump covers to reveal their pumped-up muscles.
Some critics argue that pump covers contribute to unhealthy body image standards. For example, plus-size gym-goers sometimes feel excluded from the gym culture, believing that they need to conceal their bodies until they've reached a leaner, more muscular physique.
Top Pump Covers for Men & Women
Here are some of the best-rated pump covers that have caught attention online. T-shirts are a go-to for many lifters because they're budget-friendly, come in various styles, colors, and materials, and can be easily taken off or put on. Hoodies and sweaters provide excellent warmth to help muscles swell and are typically made from thicker fabrics. Baggy pants or shorts are perfect for covering your glutes and thighs, making them great for leg day.
- Top Pump Cover T-shirts
- Best Pump Cover Hoodies & Sweaters
- Best Pump Cover Bottoms
Opt for 2-3 sizes larger than your regular size. For instance, if a woman typically wears a medium t-shirt, she might choose an XL or XXL in men’s sizes for her pump cover. Likewise, a man who wears a large may want to go for an XXL or even XXXL.
For maximum coverage, choose long sleeves and heavier fabrics. For instance, if you want to hide the pump in your arms, go for long sleeves. To enhance the muscle pump, select a denser fabric like heavyweight cotton to accelerate the process.
When did pump covers become a trend?
Pump covers have been a popular trend on TikTok since at least 2021. Even now, new TikToks continue to surface, showing that the reasons for wearing them – hiding gains, revealing muscle pumps, and maintaining modesty – are still highly relevant. Rest assured, pump covers aren't going anywhere anytime soon!
- TikTok fitness stars like Charlie Caruso (@charliecaruso8), MDJ (@mdjfitness), and Leigh (@lvavf) are excellent examples of creators who have gone viral with their pump cover videos. They often share tips on using pump covers or demonstrate how removing them reveals the impressive results of their muscle pumps. The transformation is incredible!
