I’m a Shopping Editor Who Worked Out During Pregnancy – 13 Pieces of Maternity Workout Gear That I Swore By

As a sustainably-minded shopping editor, when I became pregnant, I was careful to only buy maternity alternatives for the clothing that genuinely wouldn’t stretch or flow over my bump. While I was able to get away with flowy dresses, low-waisted jeans and oversized styles for most of my pregnancy, investing in some of the best maternity workout clothes was somewhat essential.

The MC UK team is constantly working hard to test and review the best gym wear - from sports bras and leggings to running shorts and workout tops - so I have curated a solid edit of athleisure in my time. Saying that, though, when I entered my third trimester of pregnancy (with my bump seemingly growing by the hour), it became necessary to find some bump-friendly alternatives for my favourite styles of workout clothing.

So naturally, I scoured my favourite athleisure brands and some newly discovered maternity brands to find the best maternity activewear for any style of workout and any budget. I’ve also included some of the non-maternity pieces I’ve been loving that still accommodate my bump, as well as some pieces I loved postpartum - because for me, the best budget-friendly and sustainable buys include those I can wear beyond the bump too.

These pieces of clothing were essential in keeping me active throughout my pregnancy, which has been proven to offer a range of physical and mental health benefits for both mother and baby (I became a huge fan of pregnancy Pilates and continued it to rebuild my strength postpartum too). So keep scrolling to shop my top picks, including leggings, unitards and more.

Best maternity workout clothes: Quick shopping links

• Best maternity leggings overall: £31 at Amazon
• Best maternity one piece: £70 at Free People
• Best maternity cycling shorts: £29 at Next
• Best flared maternity leggings: £49 at Next
• Best maternity swimming costume: £140 at Liberty
• Best maternity bikini: £19.99 at Amazon

How I tested the products in this roundup

Here at Marie Claire UK, we’re sticklers for thoroughly testing each and every product we write about - because we wouldn’t want to recommend a piece of athleisure we didn’t personally back. Every piece of clothing in this roundup has been tested by me through at least three workout sessions. While testing, I made sure to keep an eye out for the following:

• Fit - obviously these pieces had to stretch to accommodate a growing bump without rolling down or digging in, and the best styles could be worn from the first few months up until I reach full term - and beyond.
• Comfort - aside from stretching over my bump, the rest of the piece of clothing had to be comfortable. While pregnant, I was more sensitive than ever to designs that dug in and were super compressive, so I definitely gravitated towards more soft and stretchy materials while testing.
• Performance - were these pieces sweat-wicking and breathable? Did they pass the squat test? All burning questions.
• Quality - although these pieces are maternity-specific, I still wanted to be able to wear them in years to come, so I checked for bobbling, colour fading and lack of stretch over wears and washes.
• Support - when pregnant, I experienced aches and pains, swelling and, naturally, growth in more areas than just my bump. The best maternity legging and sports bra styles would offer added support.
• Extras - I added brownie points for styles that could be worn for breastfeeding and postpartum too.
• Price - were these pieces worth the money?

Best maternity workout clothes to shop in 2026

Best maternity leggings

While pregnant, I pretty much lived in leggings - especially during the colder weather - so I managed to test a few different styles - from softer styles perfect for lounging and running errands in to more high-performance styles for those all-important heart rate-increasing workouts.

1. Seraphine Black Sporty Support Maternity Leggings

Remember when I said I haven’t really procured too many maternity-specific pieces? One of the main exceptions has been Seraphine, a new brand to me, who specialises in bump-friendly outfits to be worn during pregnancy and beyond - that don’t compromise on style.

I am utterly obsessed with these maternity leggings that come complete with deep side pockets. They cater completely to supporting both my back and bump - with a super long, rounded front panel to cover my bump right up to the base of my bra and a much shorter back, which is about 3-4 times thicker, meaning it supports my lower back. Unlike the breathable, cotton-based material of other leggings I tested, these are designed with high intensity in mind, made from a stretchy, slightly compressive material that’s perfect for sweatier sessions.

2. Seraphine Black Sporty Support Bootcut Maternity Leggings

If I’m entirely honest, these are pretty similar to the leggings above in design - apart from the flared fit, of course. They have the same supportive back panel, stretchy, compressive material and side pockets, but I’ve probably been wearing them more often purely because the shape makes them so incredibly versatile. I wear these for Pilates sessions, long walks and errands alike - they’re super easy to style for more of a put-together (yet still comfy) look.

3. Seraphine Ultimate Seamless Over Bump Maternity Leggings

These seamless leggings are perfect for Pilates and lounging. They are so incredibly soft, stretchy and comfortable, I barely feel like I’m wearing anything. I’ve worn them from early on in my pregnancy and they stretch just as easily over my 8-month bump as they did in the early days when it was much smaller. The seamless design also lends itself to everyday styling as well as wearing for workouts. I'm pretty much living in these now the weather has turned cooler - paired with an oversized sweatshirt, of course.

4. CRZ YOGA Butterluxe Maternity Leggings

Buttery soft took on a new meaning when it met these leggings from CRZ YOGA. The whole Butterluxe range is incredibly highly rated on Amazon, and compared to much pricier alternatives, so naturally I had to try them out for myself. I can personally attest to their incredibly soft material. I love wearing these leggings for Pilates, yoga and stretching - they don’t dig into my bump or roll down during workouts, but do note that lighter colours might show sweat marks. I like the fact that they’re available in 25 and 28 inch lengths, so they accommodate petite frames, too.

5. Vuori AllTheFeels Straight Leg Leggings

I know these flared leggings are pretty pricey, but I can personally attest that they are 100% worth the price. They might not technically be a maternity piece, but the four-way stretch on these leggings is unreal - I wore them in the earlier days of my pregnancy (before my bump became a bit too big) and postpartum too: they made my stomach feel supported as it slowly shrunk back to my usual size. They are sweat-wicking, unbelievably soft, comfy and versatile - being suitable for Pilates and long-distance runs alike - and I still wear them all the time one year on.

Best maternity cycle shorts

We had a pretty hot summer this year, and when it’s warm I've been gravitating towards cycle shorts for my workouts so I don’t overheat, and certain styles are definitely a cut above the rest.

6. Seraphine Over Bump Maternity Cycling Shorts

These are, hands down, the best maternity cycle shorts I’ve tried - they’re super stretchy, have a versatile seamless design and don’t dig into my thighs. I love to wear these with vests and oversized shirts as well as during exercise. One thing to note - I’ve worn and washed these shorts so much that they have started bobbling between the thighs. But they’re so incredibly comfortable that I’m willing to overlook this.

Best maternity unitards

When all you're seeking is comfort and convenience, a throw-on-and-go piece can be a real life saver. Whether I wore them for pregnancy Pilates sessions or lounging at home postpartum, onesies proved a cut above the rest.

7. FP Hot Shot Onesie

This jumpsuit is probably more of a loungewear piece than activewear, but it’s so breathable and flowy that I’ve found myself gravitating towards it more and more for yoga and stretching sessions. It has deep side pockets and adjustable straps to suit different heights and sizes. It’s quite low on the sides, so you’ll have to wear a bra or top underneath, and the drop-crotch style might not be for everyone, but I personally love the super flowy design. If I want to wear something that doesn’t cling to my body whatsoever but still makes me feel somewhat put-together, this is what I reach for.

The special maternity version of this jumpsuit is now out of stock, but the regular design is extremely roomy with enough space for a bump if you go up a size.

Best maternity sports dress

Sports dresses are a great activewear option for summer, and the appeal is clear to see - they combine the practicality of a unitard (thanks to their built-in shorts) with the chicness of a dress. As far as maternity workout styles go, it wasn't one I thought I'd fall in love with as much as I did.

8. FP Movement x Hatch Hot Shot Maternity Mini

As you can probably tell by now, heatwave-friendly maternity clothes have been essential for me towards the end of my pregnancy, and this sports dress is arguably my favourite of the lot. It’s made from a stretchy cotton material and features adjustable straps, plenty of pockets and built-in shorts so you won’t have to worry about flashing your pants, despite the short length. Do note that (like the jumpsuit) the maternity version has sold out, but the regular fit has a loose silhouette that will still work brilliantly if you size up.

Best maternity workout top

While the majority of my pregnancy workouts were conducted in extremely oversized T-shirts, when the occasion required a more fitted style, a great stretch was essential, and the below fit the bill.

9. Vuori AllTheFeels Crew Tank

Another winning piece from Vuori, again, this technically isn't a workout top, but the incredibly stretchy material fits over small-to-medium-sized bumps very well. Not only does it stretch over the body easily, but it also stays in place like no other material I've ever encountered. Read: this top simply refuses to ride up or slide down during Pilates and yoga sessions. Yes please.

Best maternity sports bras

During pregnancy and postpartum, I went up about four bra sizes, so investing in a few new sports bras was a must. Again, these aren't technically maternity-specific pieces, but they accommodate a growing bump and fluctuating chest size very well.

10. M&S Goodmove Ultimate Support Custom Fit Non Wired Sports Bra

Once I became pregnant, my tolerance for putting on tight-fitting sports bras instantly shot down to zero. Enter: this M&S number, which is adjustable from almost every angle, making it easy to put on and remove. It's non wired, has high support and a great price point - it's been my go-to for postpartum running.

11. Alo Yoga Wild Thing Bra

The fact that I'm a huge fan of longline sports bras is no secret, and that didn't change during pregnancy. This low-support bra from Alo Yoga is a bestseller for good reason: it's incredibly comfortable, doesn't dig in and is easy to put on and remove. It might not be the best for high impact workouts, but it's perfect for Pilates and walking, plus the stretchy material makes it great for a fluctuating bra size.

Best maternity swimwear

I was a huge fan of swimming as a low-impact exercise during pregnancy, and I've found some brilliant non-maternity swimsuit options that would still accommodate a bump.

12. Hunza G Square Neck Swimsuit

Okay, the iconic Hunza G swimsuit isn’t *technically* a maternity piece, but it’s so stretchy that it accommodates a bump beautifully. This is just about the most flattering and comfortable swimsuit I’ve worn. Thanks to the signature super stretchy crinkle material, it doesn’t move around at all while swimming. It’s also great worn as a bodysuit and the best thing is I can wear this for years to come after I’m pregnant too.

13. Reebok Two Piece Bikini Set

If you’re more a fan of bikinis, high-waisted styles simply won’t cut it - personally, I wasn’t swimming enough to justify purchasing a maternity-specific style, so enjoyed the low-waisted design of this Reebok bikini that could be worn under the bump. The adjustable straps were great for adjusting to my body as it changed shape through pregnancy, and it’s pretty affordable to boot.