With every new year comes 101 resolutions – and here at Marie Claire UK, we’re all about building a body for life rather than fad diets, we think about goal setting too (opens in new tab) Can be a useful life tool for unlocking your full potential. So, if you want to focus a little more on your health and fitness this year, make sure you have the best gym wear that can help make it a reality.
Not convinced? according to a study (opens in new tab) Of 2000 regular gym goers surveyed by Barbell Apparel in 2021, 69% said simply getting in their fit kit is key to motivation. But it doesn’t stop there, as 79% believe that dressing well at the gym is an important step towards achieving your fitness goals.
So, it’s no surprise that searches for gym clothing have increased by 22% in the last month alone.
Luckily the gym wear game has never been stronger, designers, high street brands and sports labels have responded to our need for functional And fashionable kit. sound good? We thought so. While you’re here, don’t forget to check out our guide to the best running shoes (opens in new tab)best tennis skirt (opens in new tab) and even the best sustainable sports brands (opens in new tab) for inspiration.
It doesn’t matter if you’re doing a sweaty HIIT session or not (opens in new tab)a calming yoga class (opens in new tab) or simply going for a daily walk (see Benefits of Walking (opens in new tab), here), the right clothes are very important. With that in mind, shop our edit of the best gym wear below.
Best gym wear: 12 bits of fit kit to buy now
All the products in this roundup are tried and tested by the team Marie Claire UK, We enlisted the help of our health editor, Allie Head (opens in new tab)who is an avid marathon runner, loves strength training (opens in new tab) And has tested its fair share of workout gear.
We’ve also enlisted the help of our ecommerce writer, Grace Lindsey (opens in new tab), who even though can skip the running malarky, loves an intense HIIT workout and is making it a goal to do one Pilates class a month this year. Grace tests products for a living, so she knows what to look for when it comes to good quality gym wear.
Keep scrolling for their top recommendations. Trust us, you won’t regret it.
Health editor, Ally Head, and ecommerce writer, Grace Lindsay is testing out some of the best gym wear
(Image credit: Future)
best workout leggings
If You’ve Read Our Guide to the Best Gym Leggings (opens in new tab), then you’ll know that there really are thousands of options to choose from. It was hard to narrow it down, but both Aly and Grace agreed that the bottom two couples were their absolute favorites.
Lululemon Wonder Train High-Rise Tight 25″
Lululemon leggings are famous for a reason. Yes, they’re more of an investment, but they’re easily the most comfortable leggings we’ve tried and they literally last forever. There are plenty of styles to choose from, but our health editor, Allie Head, is a big fan of the “Wonder Train” style, which is designed with sweat and support in mind. Allie has even run several half marathons in them, so you know you’re in good hands.
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adnola ultimate leggings
For those of you looking for leggings that can be worn to your Saturday morning Pilates class and then to brunch afterward, this Adnola pair might be more your style. Our ecommerce writer, Grace Lindsay, is a big fan of the brand, and these leggings are her go-to choice for more low-intensity workouts. They’re incredibly flattering, come in a range of different colors and have a range of leg lengths too (just like Lululemon). The only downside is that they’re not as sweat-wicking (that said, they’re still pretty impressive).
best sports bra
If You Are Looking For One Of The Best Sports Bras (opens in new tab)It is important to consider what type of support you are looking for.
If your breasts are slightly larger and you’re planning on doing a more intense workout, you may want to opt for something more supportive. However, if you’re doing more gentle exercises like a yoga or pilates class, a low support bra may work for you.
We’ve included our top picks for each, so you’re totally covered no matter what.
Under Armor Infinity Mid Cover Sports Bra
For medium support, you can’t go wrong with this bra from Under Armour. The design features a soft, breathable structure, the material is super sweat-wicking and also features mesh panels for added airflow. It runs true to size and comes with adjustable straps to fit you perfectly.
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Want a more supportive bra? Look no further than OnRunning. The brand’s active bras have been tested by pro athletes over a two-year period—during testing, the designers went through six prototypes. This is great if you are a runner who trains over long distances as the straps have responsive elastic to move with your body and ensure that the bra supports you properly. Also, it is breathable due to the mesh panel at the back. Win, win
best workout top
Invested in a sports bra and are now looking for a top to wear with it? luckily for you, here Marie Claire UKWe’re big fans of oversized gym t shirts (opens in new tab)Because let’s face it, we don’t always feel comfortable working out in just a crop top.
It’s important to note here that the second t-shirt below is made from cotton, and is therefore best worn for low-intensity workouts like Pilates or weight lifting (it won’t make you sweat as much as the first one). .
See our top picks below.
Gymshark is one of the best affordable gym wear brands out there and t-shirts are no exception. If you’re looking to get in a more intense workout, choose a studio T-shirt. This design is breathable, sweat-wicking, and made from a super soft, stretchy material that won’t chafe during your workout.
Pee Nation One Shot T Shirt
When it comes to stylish, on-trend gym wear, no one does it better than Pee Nation. This top is designed for light sweat sessions, and can also be styled with jeans and trainers for a casual daytime look. Two outfits in one? were sold Made from organic cotton and touting its sweat-wicking ability, our one tip is to be sure to size down. We found it ran a bit large.
best workout shorts
Workout shorts are a great alternative to leggings in the summer, but some roll down, some roll up, and well, some just aren’t supportive. All,
We’ve rounded up the best running shorts (opens in new tab) and best cycling shorts (opens in new tab) So you can choose a pair depending on the workout you do. It goes without saying that running shorts are best for running, while cycling shorts can be worn for all kinds of sweaty sessions like running, cycling, gym sessions and more.
Nike Flex Essential 2-in-1 Women’s Training Shorts
If you’re craving a classic running short, say hello to this pair from Nike. Our health editor, Ally, tested them on a 20-mile run, and found them both supportive and flattering. They come with a tight base layer and a loose outer layer, giving you a lot of flexibility. They also come with sweat-wicking technology to keep you cool. For just over £30, what more could you want?
Sweaty Betty Power 6″ Cycling Shorts
Prefer to hit the gym in a pair of cycling shorts? Our favorite power shorts are by Sweaty Betty. Like the brand’s Power Leggings, these shorts are supportive, sweat-wicking and look great (if we do say so ourselves). We’ve worn them for various gym sessions and they never wriggle or move around, which is a huge plus. They also come with a lot of pockets to store your stuff, in case you don’t fancy going to the gym.
best matching gym set
Never underestimate the power of matching gym sets (opens in new tab), When we wear one of these, we feel like we have our lives completely together when really we have five piles of laundry to do and 1000 emails to get back to. For that little bit of escapism, check out our favorites below.
Mp3 Women’s Custom Reversible Sports Bra
Our ecommerce writer, Grace Lindsey, raves about this MyProtein set. Not only is it affordable, but the bright colors inspire you and the sports bra is reversible, so you get two looks in one. It’s not the most supportive because of the halterneck fit, but it’s great for a low-impact workout class or daily walk.
mp women’s adapt leggings
The leggings are just as impressive, and Grace was surprised by how soft and comfortable they were when trying them on. She found that they didn’t roll down, buckle at the knees or dig into the waistband, so they get a five-star review from us.
Allbirds Women’s Natural Run Form Tank
Allbirds is one of the best sustainable sportswear brands and was certified B Corp in 2016. Aly is a fan of the Natural Run Form tank and matching shorts, and we can totally see why. The tank is just a little longer than your typical sports bra, which means you don’t even have to wear a top. It also comes with an in-built bra, which makes it more supportive than other options.
Allbirds Women’s Natural Run Short
Pay attention to these shorts—they’re much longer than standard running shorts that sit at mid-thigh. That said, they do mean they offer more coverage than your average running short and come with handy pockets on both the front and back. Both lightweight and breathable, they’re made from a blend of durable materials designed to wick away moisture and keep you cool, no matter what.
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