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Working out, whether it’s at a gym, in a park with friends, or anytime anywhere really, is never really all that much fun. Sweating, feeling out of breath and being sore the next day isn’t really the definition of a good time.
But fortunately, with modern advances in science and fashion – there are quite a few things you can do (or wear) to make the entire workout experience a lot more comfortable. The clothing you put on your body affects your mood and outlook – more than you might think.
No matter what skill level you have, and what body type you have – there are ways to be cute, comfy – and still get a good workout in. Here are our top recommendations for the best workout clothes for women.
Our Top Pick
Adidas Swift Run
Shoes are probably the biggest concern when it comes to a comfortable workout. Too tight or stiff and you end up with blisters. Too loose and you can’t keep them on your feet.
if you’re actually moving faster than standing doing body weight squats. When it comes to shoes, I look for something in between, and this pair from Adidas definitely take the cake. Definitely recommended.
Other Great Picks
Fruit Of The Loom Built-Up Sports Bra
There is nothing more important to a workout than a great sports bra, and Fruit Of The Loom makes a great one. Affordable, comfortable, and durable, this is a perfect pick to last all year. Highly recommended.
Ryka Influence
These stylish cross trainers are perfect for the gym, as well as working out outside. And with over 2,000 positive customer reviews, they are nearly flawless. Available in a multitude of colors, we are partial to the black, sugar, and plum combination – but it’s impossible to go wrong with any color pick.
Puma Fenty Sweatsuit Pant
These sweatsuit pants work just as well outside of the gym, as they do inside it. A great casual look on a day off, pair them with some white tennies to look ultra-slick. Not to mention – these pants are super-comfy. Highly recommended.
Ultracor Leggings
These leggings boast of anti-camel toe technology – yes, really. They are perfect for a cycling or HIIT class, or really any activity where you are moving a lot. There’s great flexibility in the fabric, yet they are strong enough to still hold together after many washes.
New Balance FuelCore Nergize
With over 5,000 glowing reviews, this pair of cross trainers from New Balance is one of the best ways to protect your feet in the gym. Lightweight, sleek, and stylish, you can also put these shoes through anything – and they’ll still come up smelling like roses. While are flashier shoes, and more expensive pairs – we simply love these.
RAW Synergies Amino Slim
Amino Slim is a great supplement for any woman who takes her gym time seriously. With over 1,400 positive reviews, and appetite control, it’s a great complement to a healthy diet. Remember not to rely on any one supplement to cause weight loss – but rather, think of supplements as a perfect addition to a healthy lifestyle.
IUGA High Waist Yoga Pants
With over 12,000 stellar ratings, these high waisted yoga pants are perfect for the gym – or just to lounge around in. The pockets are particularly useful, and we found ourselves wearing these nearly 7 days a week, during our testing. We give them our highest recommendation.
Puma Tazon 6
With over 4,000 glowing reviews, this pair of Puma cross trainers is perfect for any workout. Whether you are inside the gym, or out on the trail, these shoes will hold up. We especially loved the distinctive design and color selections.
ODODOS Out Pocket High Waist Yoga Pants
These yoga pants have a pocket on the outside – which we absolutely loved during our testing. With over 15,000 positive customer reviews, they are the perfect mix of affordability and comfort, and we wore ours all day – not just at the gym. Highly recommended.
Hanes Performance V-Neck
This great performance v-neck will make every workout much more comfortable. Additionally, this tee is also very affordable, which means it’s easy to grab 10 or 12 shirts, and be set for years. While you can get fancier or choose a more upscale brand – we think this t-shirt provides the best overall value.
Ihuan Workout Gloves
These flawless workout gloves will keep your hands well protected. No blisters, no callouses, and no risk of injury. These gloves are also very affordable, which means you don’t need to break the bank to stay fit. While you can spend more, or go with a bigger brand name – we think these gloves provide the best bang for your buck.
ASICS Gel-Venture
This classic shoe from ASICS is a true gym essential. We love the stylish look, the steady performance, and the bright colors. You can also take these shoes on trail runs, and out onto the pavement. Highly recommended, and if you choose just one pair of running shoes – make it these.
Apple AirPods
AirPods are one of the the most comfortable headphones to use during a workout. Since AirPods go directly in your ears, unlike over the ear headphones – they won’t slide off when you are working your abs on an inversion table, or anything else involving a lot of motion.
Lululemon Scuba Hoodie
Basically anything Lululemon is synonymous with athletic satisfaction, but they really took it to another level when they created this hoodie. It slides over your head easily, but is still soft and comfortable enough to move in with ease. This hoodie is our favorite for any type of workout.
Adidas Cloudfoam
Adidas has a history of making great athletic footwear, and the Cloudfoam is no exception. With over 7,000 stellar user reviews, we expected this shoe to be great – and we weren’t disappointed. In our testing, the Cloudfoam was lightweight but sturdy, provided plenty of support, and felt like a dream. Definitely recommended.
Fittin Racerback Sports Bra
Although a bit tough to figure out at first, once this bra is on your body you will never want to take it off. With over 10,000 positive reviews, it’s clear that all women love the fit of this sports bra. A true must-have.
Under Armour Play Up Shorts
With over 2,000 positive customer reviews, these simple shorts from Under Armour are perfect for any gym trips. With a cool look, great comfort, and extreme durability – they are very difficult to beat. Get a few pairs of these, add some leggings – and your legs will be set for the gym for years to come.
P.E. Nation Sports Bra
The P.E Nation brand is pretty popular with Instagrammers – and for good reason. This bra is extremely comfortable, photogenic, and very cute. The elastic under-band allows the bra to stretch to the perfect size, and the fabric itself is a mix of nylon and elastane. As a result, the bra stretches in all the best places, and stays tight where it needs to.
Beats By Dre
If you’re not doing workouts that are too intense, Beats headphones are very comfortable. They completely cover your ears to block out noise from anyone else around you, so you can truly focus on your fitness goals. They also have great battery life, so they work well for long runs, as well as hikes. And when it comes to sound quality – they are simply unbeatable.
Why Do I Need Specific Workout Clothes?
There are a number of reasons why you’ll want specific workout clothes. For starters, the fabric used for workout clothes needs to be specialized.
It needs to be breathable, flexible, thick, and durable. It should be be able to withstand the most daunting yoga stretches – but also survive 100+ washes.
These are not easy requirements to meet. Brands like Lululemon tend to be more expensive partially because their products are made with better quality fabrics.
Certain types of fabric are also great at wicking away moisture. This comes into play when you start to sweat.
This can also help prevent chafing and rashes, which are definitely two things you don’t want. While you may able to get away with wearing normal clothes to the gym, we don’t really recommend it.
Not only are workout-specific clothes better – they are very affordable. You won’t be breaking the bank, and your body (and workouts) will be better off as a result.
We are personally biased towards cotton, as it is very breathable. However, sweat does not evaporate off of cotton as fast as it does from some other materials, so your own mileage may vary.
We also like very breathable yoga pants and leggings, which can also be worn throughout the week – not just when we’re at the gym. Some performance fabrics are specifically designed to not grow bacteria, and also wick away sweat – but they also tend to cost more.
What To Eat Before A Workout
Eating before a workout can be a little uncomfortable, if you do it wrong. First, make sure you don’t eat right before your workout, if you can help it.
Pre-workout meals can be eaten up to three hours before your workout begins, but we don’t recommend eating closer than thirty minutes before you enter the gym. If you do, you are much more likely to experience great intestinal discomfort (or worse).
Protein and carbs are two of the best choices before a workout, but don’t over look healthy fats. Something light is usually best, as you can eat a larger meal after your workout is complete.
What To Eat After A Workout
Protein and carbs are the best things to eat after a workout – and the more protein you can get, the better. This is why protein shakes are so popular after a workout – because your body is craving amino acids.
When going with carbs, opt for low sugar options. Some of the best choices include sweet potatoes, as well as yams.
You want to avoid anything that will spike your blood sugar too quickly, or be too high in sugar. Protein can come in any form, but opt for complete proteins (those containing all essential amino acids), whenever possible.
What Is An HIIT Workout?
HIIT simply stands for high-intensity interval training. In this form of training, you will quickly peg your heart rate, and then drop it back down.
This is different than steady state cardio, like jogging, where you will maintain a moderate pace for a long period of time. HIIT became popular largely due to the rise in prominence of MMA workouts and CrossFit.
A simple HIIT workout would be burpees, followed by hammer swings, then pull ups, followed by sprinting. This type of workout is usually done in rounds, with short breaks in between each round.
Ab Workouts – Which Are The Best?
Abs are always going to get the most attention when it comes to fitness. This is because they are the most glamorous muscle, which both men and women can appreciate.
Some of the best ab workouts are simple Tabata circuits. A sample workout would include planks, sit ups, leg raises, and v-sit holds.
Of course, there are endless ab exercises available – we like to mix and match new exercises cribbed from YouTube. What’s even more important than ab workouts though? Eating properly, as this has the most impact on revealing your sizzling six-pack.
The Best Workout Clothes For Women
There you have it – our top picks for the best workout clothes for women. There are tons of other great options out there too, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
Have you tried anything not listed here, that makes you feel like you’re floating on a cloud? Make sure to let us know, so we can check it out.
Now you have all of the tools, from top to bottom, to create the most comfortable workout possible. However you choose to stay fit – do it comfortably.
While it’s important to choose the right products for your workout, there’s also lots of other great fitness accessories out there. Make sure you check out some of our other top workout product reviews, while you’re here.