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Fact: The best motivator for working out is a good outfit. There’s something about a matching yoga set or a new pair of sneakers that brings us the confidence needed to make it to the gym. There’s no denying that your ripped-up college T-shirt doesn’t work just fine on a run, but there’s something special about putting on a fresh new uniform—that isn’t also worn to bed…or the grocery store if it’s late enough—when it’s time to work out. That said, wearing the right activewear for your workout is crucial—opting for a pair of leggings rather than shorts on your run, for example, could slow you down or cause you to chafe. When getting dressed for your yoga class, offerings from Alo and Beyond Yoga have you covered. On your way to a trail run? Opt for gear from Nike and Tracksmith. Whatever your workout may be, keep reading to see The Quality Edit’s guide to the perfect workout clothes, organized by occasion.
Our Top Picks
Best Workout Clothes For Yoga & Pilates
The best part about yoga and pilates wear? You can style your matching set to go to the grocery store, run errands, and everything in between. Quality yoga clothes start with quality leggings: Offerings from Athleta are structured yet soft and will stay put throughout your workout. This ribbed tank from Alo could double as an everyday top, and can this lightweight tee from Beyond Yoga.
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Best Workout Clothes For Cardio
Whether you’re hitting the 12-3-30 challenge on the treadmill (IYKYK) or heading out for trail runs, feeling comfortable in clothes that are non-constricting is the key. Dress appropriately with a skirt from 437 on your daily walk that’s just as cute as it is workout-approved. For the marathoner, if you haven’t already tried TrackSmith consider this a sign to do so. The brand blends luxury silhouettes with high-performance running gear. And, of course, you could never go wrong with a Nike sports bra, or compression leggings from Girlfriend Collective.
Best Workout Clothes For Hiking
When heading out for a 10-mile hike, you’ll need lots of pockets to store all your gear but won’t weigh you down. Halfday’s Nylon Cargo Pants have all the versatility to wear while boasting functional cargo pockets throughout. Not to mention they’re extremely stylish. Throw over a Lululemon belt bag across your shoulders to store your essentials like lip balm and your wallet. Free People makes a similar pair of functional cargos in a shorts option. For another layer, depending on the weather opt for a warm and fuzzy fleece or a lightweight offering from Neiwai.
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Best Workout Clothes For HIIT
Headed to Barrys? HIIT requires a ton of movement so when shopping for workout attire it’s best to find tighter-fitting options with sweat-proof abilities. This onesie from Adanola is undeniably chic but will get you through a set of burpees with ease. You can’t go wrong with Lululemon’s Swiftly Tech tops which are an easy throw-on-and-go option that’s equally as functional. Set Active’s styles are the epitome of practical style—their sets will hold you in tight through sculpting workouts.
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Inevitably, finding what styles and fabrics work for you will come down to trial and error. Maybe you prefer a workout set that can be worn outside the gym. Or maybe, you need your athleisure to be strictly performance-based. Over time, however, you’ll curate a list of tried-and-true brands that work best for you and your workout goals. For more curated fashion edits explore all our tested and vetted fashion products for more.
