Workout clothes

The stylish workout clothes that help crush your training goals

Gone are the days when a sweat-soaked t-shirt was cool. The sweatiest person in the gym is no longer the one who works the hardest. They’re just the one who needs a wardrobe update the most.

A lot has changed in workout clothing in the past decades. Today’s fabrics are all about moisture management and breathability. Plus, activewear looks better than it used to. Nowadays, it’s totally fine to rock your leggings or gym shorts when hanging out with friends or running to the supermarket (even if you’re not running at all). 

But what does it take to upgrade your workout wear? We’re here to break it all down.

What to look for in workout clothing 

The best gym clothes live up to certain standards such as:

1. Stylish – Just because you’re going to sweat doesn’t mean you can’t look good doing it. 

2. Extremely comfortable fit – Exercising is hard enough without ill-fitting training clothes holding you back. From yoga to spinning, your activewear needs to fit as good as it looks. 

3. Sweat-absorbent and suitable for different types of training – No one wants to wear a sweat-soaked t-shirt. Your fitness clothes should be able to dry quickly so you’re not carrying extra weight. 

4. Breathable – The last thing you want is for your sports bra, leggings, hoodie, or t-shirt to trap heat inside. Always go with fabrics that let your skin breathe and heat escape. 

5. Quality materials – Workout clothes aren’t cheap. And they shouldn’t be! You’re going to put them under a lot of stress. Always go for durability. Shop for fitness clothes made with top-quality, long-lasting, functional materials. 

6. Can be layered – You may start a warm-up feeling cool, but you’ll finish it warmed and ready. With that in mind, choose activewear that you can layer and take off as the temperature rises or falls. Check out our selection of hoodies designed for that very purpose.

At ShapeNation, we strive for our gym clothes and exercise equipment to meet the needs of any demanding workout you throw at them. 

Why? Because when you find the perfect workout wardrobe, your performance and motivation increase. That means you’ll hit goals faster.

We’re all about hitting goals around here, and we’re excited to help you reach yours. 

Best materials for fitness and training clothes

Fabrics and materials that are lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking make the best activewear and training gear.

When it comes to choosing the best material for workout clothes, we suggest polyester. It’s the hardest working fabric of them all – durable, breathable, and wrinkle-resistant. Shop for activewear with a polyester blend. This gives you the odor resistance of wool, for example, with the superpowers of polyester. 

Here are the 5 most popular materials found in training clothes:

Cotton

Cotton holds water. That makes it great for sports and fitness classes where you might not sweat as much, not intense workouts or training. In other words, no Bikram. 

Nylon 

Nylon is breathable, stretchy, and dries quickly. Unlike cotton, nylon makes for great workout clothes because it wicks sweat away from the skin. Nylon is great for intense workouts. 

Polyester

Polyester is the hero fabric of workout wear. You’ll see it in most activewear because it’s durable, breathable, wrinkle-resistant, lightweight, and moisture-wicking. It’s not as quick-drying as nylon, but pretty close. 

Spandex

Spandex (aka Lycra) is stretchy and form-fitting. You’ll see it in workout clothes like swimwear and cycling gear. It’s very lightweight and moisture-wicking. The big drawback to spandex is that it’s not as breathable as polyester or nylon. 

Wool

Are you surprised wool made the list? This is another all-natural fabric (like cotton) that is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking. How many sweaty sheep do you see? Exactly. Wool is a great workout fabric and it’s naturally odor-resistant. 

For training, you'll most often see wool in socks, sweats, and underwear. Although t-shirts made of Merino wool are gaining popularity in the fitness world. 

Is it worth it to buy workout clothes?

Have you ever started to pack your duffle bag and realized you only have worn-out, old training clothes left in the closet? It sucks. And it’s a stumbling block. Who wants to go to the gym without looking their best? 

Now imagine your closet filled with comfortable, breathable, stylish activewear.

That motivation increases, right? We know it does. And it’s not vanity. It’s normal. 

It’s important that your workout clothes fit properly and that you feel good in them. And your t-shirt, hoodie, sports bra, or leggings must be breathable. Otherwise, you’re in for a very long, sweaty workout. 

Why are workout clothes so expensive? Is it just branding?

Your workout clothes can handle a tough workout. That's what adds to the high cost. Think about the stress you put on your activewear.

Clothing companies invest in countless rounds of product design and testing to make sure your activewear can survive a tough workout.

The good news is that we carry affordable activewear for men and women that won't break the bank. There's no need to pay outrageous prices when we've got what you want at a price your wallet will love.

Can I work out without workout clothes?

Yes, of course, you can. And it’s important to say that here for everybody to read. Training is the most important thing… not what you wear. 

But! (There’s always a but.) Wearing the best workout clothes can help you feel more comfortable and perform better.

• A pair of leggings is better than a pair of jeans when squatting.

• Yoga pants are better for yoga than sweats.

• A sports bra is more comfortable to run in than one from Victoria’s Secret.

• Performing shoulder presses in a lightweight t-shirt is way easier than in a button-down. 

What you wear matters. Discomfort can hurt your focus and performance. Always shop for top-quality training clothes to help you get the most out of each workout. 

How to wash workout clothes

When it comes to washing, read the label and follow the instructions carefully. 

For most activewear, you can wash with similar colors at 40°C (100°F) or lower, and air dry (do not tumble dry). 

We suggest that you avoid washing your training clothes with anything that has zippers. These can easily damage the fabrics. 

Is it OK to wear workout clothes outside of the gym? 

Yes, it's completely normal to wear training clothes outside of the gym. If you want to get the most from your activewear, go for neutral colors that are easy to match with your existing wardrobe.  

ShapeNation and your fitness goals – the perfect fit

Whether you’re breaking a sweat at the gym, practicing yoga in the park, or going for a run on the beach, the right clothes make the difference. Their job is to give you the comfort and support you need to focus and improve your performance. 

At ShapeNation, shop our wide range of women’s activewear and men’s fitness clothes. Explore an ever-growing collection of sports bras, leggings, t-shirts, hoodies, gym shorts, workout bottoms, workout tops, athletic sweatshirts, yoga pants, swimsuits, and more. Browse fitness clothes with features like 4-way stretch, adjustable straps, moisture-wicking, squat-proof, and more. 

For those of you training with weights, we stock training gloves that keep blisters at bay. Feel what the perfect grip feels like and see if you’re able to hit your next target. 

We stock top-quality activewear that's durable and comfortable no matter what sport or training you’re into – all at a price you'll love.

From yoga to spinning, hiking to powerlifting, we’ve got you covered – literally. 

Are you looking for more products to take your training to the next level? Our most popular categories are dumbbells, kettlebells, exercise mats, resistance bands, protein powder, workout clothes, headphones, massage guns, foam rollers, and exercise balls. Find all the best exercise equipment on ShapeNation