Some costumes are only convincing if you are built for them. If you lift, these are the characters that reward the time in the gym: superheroes, action stars, anime fighters and barbarians.
These 14 muscular characters range from Superman and Goku to Rocky and Conan. Each pick lists the key pieces, and the button under it opens the full guide with a shopping list. Not built like a superhero? A padded muscle suit does the work. Also try costumes for men with long hair or costumes for men with blonde hair.
14 iconic costume ideas for muscular guys
1. He-Man
A silver chest harness over a loincloth, or a muscle suit if you would rather not go bare. Add a blond bowl-cut wig and hold your sword high.
What you will need:
- Silver chest harness, loincloth or muscle suit, tights, sword, blond wig
2. Superman
A fitted blue suit with the S on the chest, red briefs worn over the top, a yellow belt, red boots and a cape. It is the classic for a reason, and it looks best on a broad chest.
What you will need:
- Blue fitted suit, red briefs, yellow belt, red boots, red cape
3. Rocky Balboa
USA-flag boxing shorts, red gloves and white boots. Get the abs-printed shirt or bring the real thing, and yell for Adrian.
What you will need:
- USA flag boxing shorts, red gloves, white boots, brown wig
4. Conan the Barbarian
A muscle shirt, shorts, arm guards and sandals, with a headband and a toy sword. If the muscles are real, skip the shirt.
What you will need:
- Muscle shirt, shorts, belt, arm guards, sandals, toy sword
5. Goku
An orange gi worn over a navy top, with a navy belt, wristbands and ankle boots. Add spiky black hair and a Kamehameha pose.
What you will need:
- Orange gi, navy top, navy belt, navy wristbands, boots
6. Broly
A muscle tee, white pants, a red cloth around the waist and gold accessories. The legendary Super Saiyan needs the biggest frame you have.
What you will need:
- Muscle tee, white pants, red waist cloth, gold necklace, green wig
7. The Terminator
A dark T-shirt under a leather jacket, black pants, leather belt and boots, with fingerless gloves and sunglasses. Say very little and say it flatly.
What you will need:
- Dark T-shirt, leather jacket, black pants, leather boots, sunglasses
8. Rambo
Dark tactical pants, a black belt and brown military boots, with a headband and a prop rifle. The look is bare chest, long hair and a stare.
What you will need:
- Tactical pants, black belt, military boots, headband, prop rifle
9. Bane
A tactical vest, black cargo pants and boots under a thick brown jacket with white lining, with the mask over the face. Add a menacing voice.
What you will need:
- Tactical vest, cargo pants, brown jacket, black boots, mask
10. All Might
A red, white, yellow and blue hero suit with yellow boots and a huge grin. Add the spiky blond hair and a muscle suit for the Symbol of Peace.
What you will need:
- Muscle suit, red and blue hero suit, yellow boots, spiky blond wig
11. King Leonidas
Gladiator-style briefs, a red cape, arm and leg guards and sandals, with a shield and a spear. This is Sparta, and this is the costume built for it.
What you will need:
- Gladiator briefs, red cape, arm and leg guards, sandals, shield
12. Johnny Bravo
A plain black fitted shirt, light denim, black sneakers and sunglasses, topped by the exaggerated blond pompadour. Flex often and say 'Whoa, Mama!'
What you will need:
- Black fitted shirt, light denim pants, black sneakers, sunglasses, pompadour wig
13. Gaston
A bright red shirt with yellow collars, matching yellow gloves, black pants and boots. No one hunts like Gaston, and no one flexes like him either.
What you will need:
- Red shirt with yellow collars, yellow gloves, black pants, black boots
14. Popeye
A black sailor top with a red collar, blue pants and a yellow belt, with a pipe and a can of spinach. The famous forearms are the star of the costume.
What you will need:
- Black button-down, red collar, blue pants, yellow belt, sailor hat, pipe
Show off the work you put in
These characters look best on a strong frame, and a costume is a good excuse to show the work. Browse the full list below for more muscular costume ideas.
