While working out certainly isn’t something new, a recent trend has emerged of new and avidly creative designs for workout gear of all types. There has been glow in the dark gym leggings popularized, special technology tennis shoes, and more. While the extra tech and adornments are nice, many still favor something comfortable and stylish that helps to keep cool while exercising. And as fitness enthusiasts ourselves, we know workout gear can play a part in productivity. No one likes having to walk or run on thin flat-sole running shoes that make it hard to keep up.
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a tank top or leggings either. There are a variety of quality workout clothes for women that still get the job done. In this list we have complied what to look for in the best workout gear for women, and some good item choices as well. These items meet the requirements for long-lasting quality gear – flexible/won’t tear, sweat absorbent wicking fabric, comfortable, and form fitting:
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The best workout gear for women when at the gym – weightlifting, cardio, anaerobic exercises, etc.
TOPS
The most common types of workout tops for the gym are sports bras, tank tops, and short sleeve shirts to keep cool. There are certain fabrics, materials, and other components woven into athletic tops that help to maintain a cooler temperature. Number one being a wicking fabric. What a wicking fabric does is absorb moisture, and in this instance sweat. The faster evaporation of sweat from the fabric creates a cooling sensation when contact with the air is made.
Another choice of workout tops for many heavy-trainers are cotton shirts. Cotton is known to be a proficient moisture absorbent. However, while it does work in keeping cool and absorbing sweat, it tends to “cling” to the body when drenched and becomes heavy. So, while cotton shirts are convenient, you may want to try other natural fibers, or synthetics like nylon or polyester. Aside from keeping cool, the best workout gear for women when going to the gym should also be form-fitting for free movement. Avoid baggy shirts that can get in the way of your range of motion.
BOTTOMS
You’re going to be moving around a lot at the gym, so you’re going to want something that can take the constant stretch without tearing or loosening. Good stretchable materials include spandex and nylon. Spandex is one of the most commonly found materials in activewear. It is a form-fitting fabric that stretches to fit the individual’s body shape with no type of constriction. Not to mention, spandex makes a great choice for gym bottoms because of how comfortable they are, thanks to the soft microfiber composition. Nylon has a very durable and lasting stretch quality. It is also another wicking fabric and has a natural ventilating property.
SHOES
Since you are going to be using your gym shoes quite often, you’re going to want them to be of long-lasting quality. “You get what you pay for” is an applicable quote when looking for the right gym shoe. However, since the floors are typically padded or carpeted at the gym, this allows for more flexibility with your options. For lifting weights, you want shoes with a good grip and support. If you’re a heavy lifter, there are even specially designed weightlifting shoes. For simply using the treadmill or other strength/cardio equipment or exercises – lightweight, comfortable, and shoes with grip, are also good qualities to look for.
ACCESSORIES
A lot of the exercise equipment at the gym requires a good grip. With sweat remnants from previous users, or our own, can make it difficult to have a steady grasp. These gloves are a useful and convenient piece of workout gear that can make your trip to the gym much easier. They feature a special padding on the hands for optimal traction, and removable fingertip-pads for better handling.
The best workout gear for women while jogging, walking, biking, aerobic exercises etc.
TOPS
For outdoor aerobic exercises like walking or jogging, your activewear tops should adjust to the temperature outside. If it is hot outside and the sun is out, wearing a shoulder-less top can lead to prolonged sun exposure and sunburn. In the colder temperatures, you may be tempted to wear a heavier jacket. However, our body naturally warms itself up with physical activity, and with a heavy coat on can cause discomfort. The best thing to do is wear light layers, like long-sleeves under a tank, etc.
Being outdoors or prolonged endurance activity can of course create smelly clothes. Activewear tops with anti-odor treatments/additives have been found to be worth the try. A tip to prevent your workout gear from smelling is to not leave it laying around for too long without washing it. This can cause bacteria to collect and grow even more, causing the stinky smell.
BOTTOMS
When doing any type of prolonged leg exercise, you do not want extra baggy or long pants to trip you up. Leggings and capri-length yoga pants make a great choice for outdoor activities. Capris help to keep cooler with the open-air exposure, and leggings give full range of motion. Mesh design leggings provide additional ventilation. Wicking fabrics and breathability are important for activewear bottoms. You don’t want excess sweating and stains while running causing discomfort in already warm temperatures.
You also want your workout bottoms for running/anaerobic exercises to be supportive and made of soft, smooth materials. For the summer months, breathable or shorter active wear will help to keep your body temperature cooler. And vice versa, for the cooler months you may want to opt for wool material leggings. It is not as heavy as it sounds, but wool does a great job at preserving your regular body temperature when working out, making this fabric a great choice for activewear bottoms during colder weather activities.
SHOES
The best workout gear for women should have shoes that complement. Since you are going to be on your feet a lot, you are going to want some comfortable footwear. To get the best performance out of your running shoes, they should have gripping non-slip soles. This will give you better stability with your feet planted on the ground. Of course you want your training shoes to fit comfortably, not too tight or too large. Try to find a shoe that also takes the shape of the natural foot arch. This will give an even more comfortable supportive feeling while jogging.
ACCESSORIES
Another item on the list of the best workout gear for women includes these moisture wicking headbands. The material is made from moisture-absorbing microfibers that help to eliminate sweat faster and keep you cooler. It is functional for warm or cold temperatures and comes in a variety of colors and patterns to match your other workout gear. We personally like these headbands because they can be tied and wrapped in so many ways you don’t just have to use them for exercise.
The best workout gear for women for yoga, Pilates, balance & flexibility exercises, etc.
TOPS
The best workout gear for women who do balance and flexibility exercises like yoga or Pilates should be something that is of a stretchy, seamless material to follow your movements. Relaxation is also practiced with yoga, so you want activewear that is ventilated and loose – but not too baggy. For more intense training, again form-fitting materials like spandex make for good tops. They are oftentimes seamless, providing full support. Sleeveless shirts are generally better for flexibility classes because they give you a full range of motion.
BOTTOMS
Activewear bottoms for balance and flexibility exercises are variable. Some may prefer a more form fitting legwear, while others feel more comfortable with looser, more flowy pants. It depends on the type of yoga and poses. The material should also be smooth, able to follow your stretches and movements easily.
SHOES
Depending on which type of exercise class you are going to, shoes may not be a requirement. Yoga socks, like these ones here though, make a good choice. They provide grip and keep your feet protected. For other balance/flexibility workouts, heavy-duty sneakers are not a requirement. Comfort and support are good qualities and leave a wide variety of choices and designs for shoes.
ACCESSORIES
Whether you do your own yoga routine at home or at the gym, it is convenient to have your own exercise mat. You want a mat that has some thickness to it, for better support and comfort. This one here is non-slip, making it useful for more intensive training and better traction. An easy-to-clean mat is important, since bacteria will collect overtime. This mat also features an anti-tear closed-cell surface that helps to prevent bacteria and moisture from forming in the gaps.
Put your newfound workout gear to the test with 10 of the best strength exercises for women:
Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals or experts. What is written throughout the content of our website is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical or professional advice. What you choose to do with the information provided is at your own risk and discretion. Before making any significant changes to your diet and / or lifestyle, be sure to contact your health practitioner.