The Best Women's Activewear (For Actually Working Out In)
New year, new you? If you are on a hunt for the best women’s activewear for actually working out in, you are not alone! I love that athleisure is such a huge trend these days but it also comes with some cons. For example, so much activewear is not designed for performance, it’s designed for walking to brunch in.
As someone who does high intensity workouts 3-6 days per week at Barry’s and Soulcycle, I need items that are squat-proof, compressive, and moisture wicking so that sweat doesn’t show through. They also need to just generally fit properly with enough support and the ability not budge while I’m doing burpees or sprinting on a bike.
Since I workout so often, I need a ton of activewear to avoid doing laundry every other day. Last fall I was in major need of an activewear refresh, so I started buying and trying everything that looked decent. I found a lot of really great things that check all of the above options, and below I am sharing those with you!
The Best Women's Activewear (For Actually Working Out In)
Girlfriend Collective
My absolute favorite activewear set! I only discovered Girlfriend Collective a few months ago and have since bought at least five or six different sets - that’s how much I love them.
There are so many reasons to love Girlfriend Collective. First, they’re made from old water bottles and fishing nets. Recycled materials = great for the environment, of course. My favorite compressive leggings, for example, diverts 25 bottles from landfills. They also believe that health and wellness comes in all different shapes and sizes which is why you’ll see a wide variety of models on their site.
All of that sounds great on paper but what about the actual product? The good news it is it’s AMAZING. For one it’s reasonably priced (my favorite leggings are $68 and my favorite bra is $38), much less than my previous favorite from Alo. They suck you in, keep you up, and do everything else you’d want them to do. There are SO many different color options which is the reason I literally cannot stop buying them. Don’t worry - they’re very high quality and moisture wicking so no one will see sweat marks post-workout.
My favorite leggings from them are the compressive high-rise ones. Click here to shop them at Nordstrom or here to buy them from Girlfriend directly (there often more color options on their own site).
I also have one pair of the seamless LITE high-rise leggings. They are incredibly comfortable and lightweight (much thinner than the compressive). Click here to see availability at Girlfriend (they are not available at Nordstrom).
The top I love is the paloma bra. I love the look of workout sets but don’t like working out in a literal bra so this is a nice happy medium since it’s like a top/bra combo. You can still see skin in between this and the leggings but you don’t feel inappropriate walking around in it because you are mostly covered. Cannot recommend more! In addition to all my sets I’ve also bought some of these in neutral colors to wear with other (non-Girlfriend Collective) leggings. Click here to see availability at Nordstrom and here for Girlfriend’s own site.
They have shorts too (click here to see those), maternity leggings (click here, moms!), and more.
Cute, functional, good for the environment, what more could you ask for? How about $10 off your first order? Click here for that discount.
Colorfulkoala
These ones have truly surprised me because they are said to be a dupe for Lululemon’s $98 Align Leggings yet they are only $23. My workouts are generally high intensity without the ability to be readjust my outfit constantly so I’d rather spend a bit more to get ones that perform well. But to my surprise, these are actually fantastic.
They feel like absolute butter, aren’t see through, are lightweight (so much so that you feel naked to be honest), and moisture-wicking. They are high waisted so they suck you in a bit, not nearly as much as the compressive ones from Girlfriend though. I thought for sure they’d only last a few wears but they’re still going strong after a ton of workouts and laundry cycles.
My only complaint is that there are not more colors! Click here to see the solid color options and here for the patterns.
There are also a lot of great inexpensive workout tops on Amazon. The ones I have bought and like are this crossover cropped tank (currently $15), this knotted crop top (currently $17), this backless twist top (currently $14), and this cute bra top (currently $25)!
Alo Yoga
Alo’s Airlift High Waist leggings are my OG favorite. They are a bit pricier than the others but they’re also the most versatile. If you’re looking for something very multi-purpose, this is it. They’re great for working out, of course, and do a good job of sucking you in and staying in place. But because they’re not *super* compressive, they’re still insanely comfortable — enough to lounge around in. But, unlike the ultra comfy Colorfulkoala ones, they are thick. Thick enough to wear in public.
Long story short: I use these for everything. Working out, wearing on the plane, wearing around town, even sleeping in. They’re the only ones on the list I can say that for. Well worth the money, in my opinion! Which is why I have 6+ pairs.
Outdoor Voices
Outdoor Voices has a great mission and some great products. I bought the TechSweat leggings and Doing Things Bra and liked them but ended up returning for a less expensive Girlfriend set. However, there is one thing from them that I absolutely love, and that is their exercise dress!
I grew up playing tennis and have been looking for years (literally) for a cute tennis dress that doesn’t cost a fortune. They’re all either hideous and cheap or really cute but really expensive. Until I found Outdoor Voices! The Exercise Dress is incredibly versatile. It has built in shorts so you don’t flash anyone and a phone pocket so you can run errands sans purse if needed! It’s not just for playing tennis and exercising, though. It’s cute enough to wear literally anywhere — around town, to the farmer’s market, on a boat (one of the reviews said it’s great for impromptu swims even), and more. It is incredibly flattering, comfortable, and the number one reason I’m dying for SF to warm up. Click here to check it out.
Want 20% off your first order? Click here!
Forever 21
Forever 21 activewear, like all things from Forever 21, is incredibly hit or miss. I’ve gotten pretty good at figuring out what is and isn’t going to be good from them, and this set is no exception. It fits amazingly, sucks you in, is super flattering, feels great while working out, and is only $26 for the entire set currently. It’s probably not going to last long (it sold out super quickly last time), so get it quickly! Click here for the leggings and here for the bra.
Adidas
I first discovered Adidas UltraBOOSTs when I bought a pair of Adidas by Stella McCartney shoes solely based on how they looked. I literally chased someone down to find out who made them and when she told me “they’re pretty expensive, but they’re UltraBOOSTs so they’re actually really good and not just cute” I had no idea what an UltraBOOST was. Fast forward to today and they’re one of the only sneaker types I have bought since then.
They feel like literal clouds. If you haven’t tried them before, just trust me on this. I can almost guarantee you’ll put them on your foot and be in awe. They’re also high performing and a cult classic for a reason. Truly the best of the best. And side note: the non-Stella McCartney collab ones are totally reasonably priced.
Sweaty Betty
I realized as I was writing this that I don’t currently have a good gym bag. All of my research has pointed me to one place though, and that is Sweaty Betty’s Icon Luxe Kit Bag. My roommate owns it and raves about, along with every other person on the internet. It has a million different pockets (internal and external), space for your laptop, a strap for your yoga mat, and can be worn on your shoulder or as a carryall. Not only is it great for the gym but it’s functional enough to use as a weekender bag and it happens to be beautiful, too!
I have one on it’s way to me and will be sure to update this post after I’ve had time to fully test it out. Spoiler alert though: I already know I’m going to love it.
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