Gym attire has come a long way from its humble T-shirt-meets-spandex-bottoms origins, and the best workout clothes for women today have to meet a variety of standards before they can claim a prime spot in your rotation. Your activewear must be versatile and high-quality enough to handle wherever your wear it—while still making you feel like your best self.
From exercising to lounging to finishing a ’fit, the best women’s workout clothes keep pace with your life. “I believe activewear has a purpose for each workout,” says Tatiana Lampa, a NASM-certified personal trainer and creator of the Training With T app. “But I also believe in athleisure. I want to be able to pair my workout top with a cute jean jacket, or wear my black shiny leggings out to dinner.” Marissa Miller, an ACE-certified personal trainer, agrees on versatility being the biggest consideration of all. “I look for workout clothes I can live in outside of the gym,” she says. “Realistically, I’m running around doing errands or meeting up with friends directly before or after workouts, so my clothes have to move seamlessly with my lifestyle.”
Our top picks for women’s workout clothes
- Best for Everyday Wear: Vuori and Zella
- Best for Court Sports: Athleta
- Best for Yoga: Lululemon and Alo Yoga
- Best for Running: Nike
- Best for Budget: Colorfulkoala
- Most Sustainable: Patagonia and Girlfriend Collective
How to shop for the best workout clothes for women
Your go-to workout leggings and sports bras should be substantial enough to support high-impact exercises like running or HIIT circuits and comfy enough for lower-impact activities like yoga, pilates, hiking, or walking. Among the dozens of trainers Glamour spoke to, the majority recommended looking for workout clothing made from quick-drying, breathable, and moisture-wicking fabrics; synthetic polyester and nylon are ideal sweat-wicking materials because they evaporate and leave you feeling drier and cooler for workouts. Plus, styles with smart design features like hidden pockets and drawcords; and supportive compression.
What are the best workout clothing brands for women?
“The beauty nowadays with a multitude of activewear brands is how you can mix and match the high-end with the more affordable,” Sharon Kaufman-Van Ommeren, a personal trainer and macro coach at MacroFit by PeruvianPrincessFit, tells Glamour. You’ll find a staggering amount of fitness-oriented options and trendy styles—bodysuits, matching workout sets, exercise dresses, to name a few—from mega-retailers like Amazon and even sought-after designer brands.
To help you wade through this world of choice, we surveyed Glamour editors, testers, fitness trainers, and influencers to bring you the the best workout clothes for women in 2024. Below, you’ll find their favorite brands and standout activewear pieces from sportswear icons like Nike, Adidas, Lululemon, and New Balance; buzzier brands like Girlfriend Collective, Outdoor Voices, and Alo Yoga; and smaller brands you’ve maybe never heard of but should definitely check out, like Janji.
Gap’s sister brand is a mainstay for workout gear that goes as hard as you do. Beyond the essentials, it carries a ton of beloved everyday styles—think sleek jackets, comfy travel pants, and, of course, pickleball outfits that you can wear on and off the court. “Athleta is great for basics, but also offers a wide variety of styles that work for a ton of activities beyond the gym and running,” says Liz Schmoll, a UESCA-certified running coach and ISSA-certified personal trainer.
- Pros: Quality, durability, size inclusivity
- Cons: Size inconsistency, limited color options
- Size range: 00-26
- Return policy: Hassle-free return policy within 45 days of the date of purchase.