If I cast my mind back and think about what I wore to the gym back in the day, it’d be tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt I didn’t mind getting smelly. I’d hazard a guess that you, dear reader, would say much the same. It’s a far cry from how things stand now with activewear getting as much consideration as the clothes we wear to work and formal events.
Indeed there’s been a bleed from ‘exercise only’ clothing into ‘off duty’ clothing meaning the same clothes we wear for the gym are also our uniform for running errands, grabbing a coffee with a friend, popping to the shops and the like - and they have to make a statement. Wearing the ‘in’ fitness brand carries as much style caché these days as was afforded designer handbags not so long ago, but not every brand is worth the investment.
I’ve worn and trained in pretty much every fitness brand out there and I’ve done so at a variety of weights and sizes so I feel as though I have a good measure of what’s worth your money and what isn’t. Here are my top five picks…
SWEATY BETTY
I can remember when the first Sweaty Betty boutique opened and how I’d scour the rails of workout vests to choose my two favourite colours in the ‘2 for £25’ offer. That was 25 years ago and Sweaty Betty is now so much more than colourful co-ords - and I’ve just realised how old I am.
Stylistically, they cater for everyone whether you love print or whether, like me, you like your gym kit in solid colours. The look is just a tiny part of the Sweaty Betty story though as their fabrics, engineering and design feel as though they help you over the finish line, support you as you lower yourself into that final goblet squat and anchor you as you go for a PB on the chest press.
It means their clothes, and I’m talking about their leggings specifically here, are incredibly flattering because the engineered panels and fabrics squeeze and shape your legs so everything looks toned.
My gym wardrobe is packed with Sweaty Betty and it’s the thing I reach for when I mean business. If I have a killer lower body session planned then only the Power 7/8 Leggings, £88, in black camo (my only concession to print) will do. Anything high impact then the Stamina Seamless Sports Bra, £35, is the only option. I’ve never been a short-wearer but the Power 6’ Cycling Shorts, £60, don’t ride up, hold you in and cup your butt in the best way and I’ve been wearing them for most of my sessions recently.
I also buy an Athlete Seamless Gym Long Sleeve Top, £55, and wear it to death before I replace it. My current one has lasted four years and though definitely a well-loved and well-worn item, is still in very good condition for something that’s likely been sweated in and washed upwards of 200 times.
Sweaty Betty’s website is thorough and they have a representative range of models showcasing the fits and, of course, their boutiques are a feature on most high streets.
VUORI
This is in no way inexpensive, but the few pieces I have from Vuori are of a quality that doesn’t make me wince at the price. I’ve had a pair of the AllTheFeels Leggings, £110, for well over a year, wear and wash them at least once a week and they still look and feel like new. The same is true of the Long-Sleeve Halo Crew, £105, which is incredibly thin but an absolutely brilliant light layer. I’ve worn it tied around my waist as much as I’ve thrown it on over vests on hikes or just out and about and it comes out of the washing machine as new every time.
In my experience, the gym kit - as in the stuff you’d actually work out in - is well made, engineered to offer support and breathability while also being extremely stylish, but there’s a whole other layer to the brand with their outerwear and apparel. I recently got the Coastline Vest, £85, and Pant Co-ord, £140, and it benefits from the same quality and engineering but is elevated to be the kind of thing you could wear to the office, to travel in or in your every day wardrobe.
Vuori has an extremely well presented and comprehensive website, as well as free returns and free shipping for orders over £150, but if you’re the kind of person who likes to touch and feel the fabrics their boutique on Long Acre is well worth a visit.
ADANOLA
This is the ‘it’ fitness brand of the moment. I see Adanola everywhere and I, too, have succumbed and bought a few sets but the truth is, this is a brand to be seen in not to work out in. This is what you wear to meet your friend for a green juice and a walk or for a pilates class because it just doesn’t cut it if you want something to see you through some HIIT training or a sweaty cardio session.
Though it’s not a cheap brand, I haven’t felt the kind of engineering or support from any of the garments that would suggest the cost is reflected in the design. However, the colourways, styles, shapes and cuts are some of the best-looking you’ll find. I bought the Ultimate Wrap Bra, £29.99, and the Ultimate Wrap Over Leggings, £39.99, as a co-ord in Coffee Bean and there’s no denying it’s an attractive set. I also have the Rib Racer Vest Top, £24.99, in grey and black, that I wear with the Ultimate Leggings, £39.99 in black, not to work out in but to run to the shops, for long drives or for a walk around the park.
At the time of writing, it’s 32 degrees and offensive to even think about sweatshirts, but the Adanola ones are oversized, comfortable and somehow effortlessly chic.
All in all, though it might seem harsh, this brand is style over substance but the style is pretty fabulous. While some brands will suck you in a bit, there’s none of that with Adanola, so it can appear a little unforgiving.
The brand’s website is thorough, easy to navigate and they have excellent delivery options - my orders have all arrived within 48 hours of ordering.
WAT THE BRAND
Though it’d be easy to look at this brand online and think this was work out gear to be seen in, not to work out in, you’d actually be wrong. I’ve had the Ultimate Ribbed Leggings, £45, and Active Ribbed Vest, £40, in Navy, for over a year and it’s some of my favourite kit.
For my low impact strength workouts, it’s my go-to but it’s also tied with Adanola for the co-ord I pick for classes, walk ‘n’ talks with friends in the park or just general errand-running. There’s some support and structure, which makes the fit flattering and the fabrics are durable and wash incredibly well.
The activewear from WAT also features plenty of pieces that could be dressed up or dressed down. Their Cropped Open Neck Zip Sweatshirt, £55, is a great wear-over-anything and their Cropped Boxy Tee, £32 and Ultimate Hoodie, £60 are the kind of items you’d get tonnes of wear from and not just if you had some exercise planned.
Beware the website thought, Sarah and Philippa are brilliant stylists who model the brand themselves and make you want everything…
FREE PEOPLE MOVEMENT
I can’t believe I’m saying this after I so publicly denounced them in this piece but I can’t talk about the best fitness brands and not talk about Free People Movement. Not least because I’ve just been through my gym closet and there’s so much of it there and I wear it all the time.
However, I stand by my analysis that a lot of Free People isn’t worth the money because the quality isn’t there and that holds true for their fitness apparel. If you need support, particularly for your boobs, or if you’re looking for the kind of kit that won’t roll down, need be tugged at, pulled up or adjusted mid-set then look away. Free People Movement haven’t taken the practicalities into account, but damn is their kit nice to look at.
I can tell you this for nothing, their leggings aren’t worth your money and their bodysuits might look good but the poppers on the gussets unpop if you blink, let alone lunge. However, at last count, I have three of their Happiness Runs Long Crop Tank, £38, in black, white and pink that I wear constantly. Admittedly, since my breast reduction, I no longer need the support of a sports bra so I don’t require much from a tank like this, but all three of these were bought on Vinted for under £10, which is what I’d recommend you do.
Something else I wear all the time is the Love Tank, £34, especially in the summer when it provides the perfect light layer. It’s a muscle tank with dropped armholes and I originally bought one from the website a few years ago and, you guessed it, have bought two more since, one for £6 and one for £8 both ‘brand new with tags’ on Vinted.
You’re probably realising what I did a few months ago, that I love Free People, I just don’t think it’s worth the money, which is why my final pick is also something I picked up on Vinted for less than half the price. The Singin’ In The Rain Packable Jacket, £188, is a rare find for being stylish and incredibly practical. It has weathered some wet and windy hikes and has zippable pockets, pouches, drawstrings and velcro cuffs so you’re staying dry once you’re zipped up inside.
If you want great kit then FPM shouldn’t be your first choice, but if you’re in the market for something colourful, with a flattering cut or shape or something that Cher Horowitz would wear to her tennis lesson, then go wild.
They have a great website, not least because the reviews are incredibly honest, and sometimes hilarious, and disgruntled customers will help you steer yourself away from a duff purchase.
QUO
I didn’t lie to you, these are my top five fitness apparel brands but I can’t leave without sharing the gift of Quo, so let’s call this 5 1/2 because Quo has you covered, but minimally so.
To be clear, I have never been a thong-wearer because it all seemed a bit unnecessary but life changed when I went to the In Goop Health Summit in London in 2019 and received a goody bag that I have to assume Gwyneth herself personally packed.
Inside was an individually vacuum-packed Quo Active Thong, £50 for 5, and for months I ignored it until one day I thought, ‘Why not?’ They are active underwear that move with you, have a firm waistband that doesn’t roll or dig and the antimicrobial material has 4-way stretch and is moisture-wicking. All this is to say, I haven’t looked back and have bought many of them since.
They don’t compete with the waistband on your leggings, they don’t move and you don’t have any visible lines. I don’t work out without them. You’re welcome.
Oooooh, I’m curious about the things and never thought I’d say that ever again! X
Love this article! I’ve taken my love of activewear brands even further as I use Sweaty Betty & Lululemon constantly for my work clothes. The Explorer range at Sweaty Betty and the City Sleek trousers at Lululemon are brilliant for my job (I work in motorsport so am outside in hot countries a lot). Another brilliant find; the Lululemon men’s New Venture shirts are great for that tailored oversized look but are sweat-wicking, quick dry and don’t need ironing. THE DREAM. 😂