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
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.