Ally Head
Knowing what constitutes the best gym wear - in other words, the fit kit that will genuinely stand the test of time and support you through even the sweatiest of workouts - can sometimes feel like a chore. Will the sweat-wicking leggings genuinely sweat wick? And will that extra supportive bra genuinely be extra supportive or just another gimmick?
To help you cut through the noise, we've asked four fitness experts who test workout gear for a living and tried literally thousands of designs in their time for their desert island kit picks.
The below are the best of the best, never rolling down, stretching after a few washes, showing sweat patches or providing inadequate support. We're not about buying for the sake of it here at Marie Claire UK, rather, investing in items that'll last the long run. Know this, though: one study carried out by Barbell Apparel in 2021 found that of 2000 regular gym-goers, 79% of people believe that owning good gym wear is a key step in achieving your fitness goals.
So yep - having supportive, sweat-wicking workout clothing is important. Luckily the gym wear game has never been stronger, with designers, high street brands and sports labels answering our need for functional and fashionable workout kit.
For the expert's recommendations, keep scrolling, and don't miss our guides to the best gym leggings, best sports bras, and best gym trainers, while you're here.
Best gym wear: 19 bits of fit kit to buy now
All of the products in this roundup have been tried and tested by team Marie Claire UK.
We enlisted the help of MC UK Senior Health Editor, Ally Head, an avid marathon runner who loves strength training, Junior Shopping Editor Valeza Bakolli, who might skip the running malarkey but loves an at-home Barre or yoga workout, fitness writer and triathlon-loving Alice Barraclough, personal trainer and strength training-fan Chloe Gray, and personal trainer and head coach at PASSA Lillie Bleasdale, who's current marathon personal best sits at an impressive 3:03, not forgetting Pilates and sound bath-loving health writer Dionne Brighton and HIIT- loving Editor Grace Lindsay.
Keep scrolling for their top recommendations.
The best workout leggings
If you've read our guide to the best gym leggings, then you'll know that there are quite literally thousands of options to choose from. We picked our experts' brains about their ride-or-die leggings items that they use day in, day out, and couldn't live without. It was hard to narrow it down, but all four fitness pros agreed that the below pairs were their absolute favourites.
1. Best investment leggings
What we thought when testing? lululemon leggings have a cult-like following for a reason - because, simply put, they're the best. They're an investment, but they are easily the comfiest leggings we've tried and they really do last forever.
While there are lots of styles to choose from, MC UK Senior Health Editor Ally Head is a big fan of the "Wunder Train" style in black. Designed with sweat and support in mind, they're butter soft, sweat-wick well, and never cut you in half, either (she's run several half marathons in them, so you know you're in good hands).
Bleasdale agrees, adding that they're one of her go-to's for strength training, long runs, and recovery yoga. NB, here: the 25" leg length will be great for petite women under the height of 5 foot 2 but do opt for a longer leg length if you're taller and don't want a cropped fit.
2. Best Affordable leggings
What we thought when testing? For those of you looking for leggings that can be worn to your Saturday morning Pilates class and then to brunch afterwards, this Adanola pair might be more your style. Brighton is a huge fan of the brand, and these leggings are her go-to for more low-intensity workouts. They're incredibly flattering and come in various colours and leg lengths, like the lululemon tights.
The only downside is that they're not as sweat-wicking as other competitors (read: lighter colours will show sweat patches) and can pile and bobble more easily.
3. Best training leggings
What we thought when testing? There's a reason Nike is globally renowned for its fit kit - it's one of the best brands on the market and won't break the bank, either. Head's go-to workout legging from the brand is their One Luxe legging, worn by athletes and celebrities alike.
While they feel slightly thin when you first put them on, they insulate and sweat-wick well, keeping you warm, cool and supported throughout your session. Oh, and they come in sizes XXS-3XL - we love a great size range.
The best sports bras
If you're looking for one of the best sports bras, it's important to consider what kind of support you're looking for.
If you've got slighter bigger boobs you might want to opt for something more supportive, like one of the best sports bras for big boobs. If you love a high intensity workout, one of the best high-impact sports bras are a great option, or if you're doing something more gentle such as a yoga or Pilates class, then a low-support longline sports bra should do the trick.
We've included our top picks for each, so you're fully covered, no matter the workout intensity.
4. Best medium support sports bra
What we thought when testing? For medium support, you can't go wrong with this bra from Under Armour. The design boasts a soft, breathable structure, the material is super sweat-wicking and it even contains mesh panels for added airflow. It runs true to size and comes with adjustable straps to fit you perfectly.
5. Best running sports bra
What we thought when testing? Need a more supportive bra? Look no further than ON Running. The brand's Performance Bra is comfortable, breathable, and offers just the right amount of support. It's great if you're a runner who trains over long distances as the straps contain responsive elastic to move with your body and ensure the bra supports you in the right ways. Plus, it's breathable thanks to the full mesh racerback panel on the back. Win, win.
6. Most supportive sports bra
What we thought when testing? The Sweaty Betty Zero Gravity bra is one of Barraclough's top picks for its unrivalled support.
"There's been quite a lot of hype around Sweaty Betty's latest bra – the Zero Gravity Running Bra – and rightly so," she shares. "After over two years in development and numerous rounds of wear trials and bounce testing, it's finally hit the shops and we're impressed. Designed for running and high-impact exercise, this sports bra supports (not squashes) and is available in sizes 30A-38F."
Featuring thick almost neoprene-like seamless straps, an easy hook and eye closure and a quick-release top clasp so it's easy to get in and out of, this could well be our new favourite bra for chafe-free running. Plus, the colours are gorgeous, too.
7. Best sports bra for HIIT
What we thought when testing? Head wore this bra for her first Boston Qualifying Marathon, the London Marathon in 2021. She chose it for race day for a number of reasons - it's high support, easy to put on, butter-soft, and has never chafed (and she's tested it on a lot of long runs). As with all lululemon kit, it sweat-wicks well and dries quickly, too, meaning you're not left feeling uncomfortable.
The best workout tops
Invested in a sports bra and now you're on the lookout for the best workout top to wear with it? We have rounded up our top picks, including workout vests and more. Or if you prefer a little more coverage, luckily for you, here at Marie Claire UK, we're big fans of oversized gym t shirts, 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 so is best worn for lower intensity workouts like Pilates or weight lifting (it won't sweat wick as well as the first).
Check out our top picks below.
8. Best breathable T-shirt
Gymshark is one of the best affordable gym wear brands out there and the t-shirts are no exception. If you're thinking about doing a more intense workout, opt for the Vital T-shirt. This design is breathable, sweat-wicking, and made from a super soft, stretchy material that won't irritate you during your workout.
9. Best workout vest
What we thought when testing? Another of Barraclough's top picks was this lululemon top, which, in her own words, she's "low-key obsessed with."
"With a built-in bra, you don't need to wear a sports bra underneath it (small caveat here: this top is probably only supportive enough for those with smaller chests)," she explains. "I love the low scoop-back design and wearing it for yoga, Pilates and even strength classes."
Other need-to-knows: it's tight-fitting and ever-so-slightly cropped to just above the waist, meaning it's super flattering and pairs perfectly with high-waisted leggings. Oh, and it's made from lululemon's Nulu fabric, which means, just like the famous Align leggings, it feels buttery-soft.
10. Best Oversized gym t-shirt
What we thought when testing? When it comes to stylish, on-trend gym wear, no one does it better than PE Nation. This top is designed for lighter sweat sessions, and can also be styled with jeans and trainers for a casual daytime look.
Made from organic cotton and boasting sweat-wicking abilities, our one tip is to make sure to size down as we find these tees can run a little big.
The best workout shorts
Workout shorts are a great alternative to leggings in summer, but some roll down, some roll up, and well, some aren't supportive at all.
We've rounded up the best running shorts and the best cycling shorts so you can choose a pair depending on what workouts you tend to do. It goes without saying that running shorts are best for running, whereas cycling shorts can be worn for all sorts of sweat sessions such as running, cycling, gym sessions and more.
11. Best investment shorts
What we thought when testing? Brighton loves these gym shorts because they're super supportive and great for taller girls, too. "I'm 5'6 so find it so difficult to find a pair of cycling shorts which are long enough and not too revealing. While the 5-inch was a bit too short for me, the 8-inch was a perfect fit and length to squat in the gym and feel comfortable."
Other pros: They're sweat-wicking and squat-proof, too.
12. Best baggy running shorts
What we thought when testing? If a classic running short is what you're after, say hello to this pair from Nike. Head, MC UK's Senior Health Editor, 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 lots of flexibility, not to mention come with sweat-wicking technology to keep you cool. All that for just under £40... bargain.
13. Most versatile cycling shorts
What we thought when testing? Another of our favourite cycling shorts are the Power Shorts by Sweaty Betty. Much like the brand's Power Leggings, these shorts are supportive, sweat-wicking and look great on (if we do say so ourselves). We've worn them for various gym sessions and they have never chafed or moved around, which is a huge plus. If you don't like taking a bag to the gym, they also come with lots of pockets to store your belongings.
They're one of Bleasdale's top picks for the same reasons - "they're one of my all-time favourites as they offer the right amount of compression and support. I wear them on repeat."
14. Best fitted running shorts
What we thought when testing: If you're a runner who needs pocket options for your mid or long runs, these shorts are for you. A firm favourite of both Head and Bleasdale, these cycling-style shorts sweat-wick well, dry quickly, and are more affordable than other similar options on the market.
The best unitards
One step ahead of matching gym sets, the humble unitard is, in our opinion, wholly underrated in the gymwear world. These one-and-done pieces of kit make packing and dressing for workouts that much easier, and there are plenty of options, whether you’re dressing for low or high-impact exercise.
15. Best short unitard
What we thought when testing? This unitard is Bakolli’s go-to option for Pilates and yoga - no sliding down or bunching up here. The Flexa bodysuit from BAM is the ideal option for summer thanks to its shorter length and lightweight, super stretchy fabric. According to Bakolli, it’s both comfortable and flattering. It hugs the waist, doesn’t dig into the thighs and has a sleek feel thanks to the seamless design.
16. Best long unitard
What we thought when testing? Another of Bakolli’s favourites, this yoga unitard features a beautiful criss-cross detail on the back as well as a buttery soft, breathable material which makes it perfect for lighter workouts. The neckline isn’t too low, and the waistband hugs you in comfortably, plus it’s made using BAM’s innovative nature-based fabric that’s made from - you guessed it - bamboo.
The best socks
Another underrated element of gym kit is your footwear, and we’re not talking about running trainers (although these are also very important to get right). No, we’re talking socks. From running to Pilates socks, here are our top picks.
17. Best Pilates socks
What we thought when testing? This is Lindsay's go-to pair of Pilates socks, which she rates for their grippy soles and central panel which provides extra support. They might be on the pricier side, but they really do give unparalleled grip when practicing yoga, Pilates and barre.
18. Best running socks
What we thought when testing? These lululemon socks are simply ideal for running. The 3D knit PerformaHeel™ design ensures a comfortable and super secure fit, causing minimal friction with your feet. While running long distances, it's truly the little things such as this that matter - as multi marathon runner Head can attest to.
19. Best gym socks
What we thought when testing? Last but by no means least, these high-ankle socks from FP Movement. Yes, they're a little pricey, but they come in loads of colours, are of an incredibly high quality and genuinely don't slide down during your workout. According to Head, they're 100% worth the higher price point.
Don't miss our guides to the best running shoes, the best tennis skirts and even the best sustainable sports brands , while you're here.
What clothing is best for the gym?
One of the most important things to look for when it comes to gym clothes is sweat-wicking material that'll keep you cool, not to mention a supportive style. Depending on the workout, Senior Health Editor Ally Head is a fan of a supportive sports bra, butter-soft yet compressing leggings or shorts, and a cropped tee or later.
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