Workout wardrobe essentials

It may be a bit cliché, but it really is Healthy Season. The start of a new year means setting goals, getting organised and – for a lot of people – improving your health. Whether you’re a dedicated gym bunny looking to try a new exercise routine or just starting out with Couch to 5k, there’s a way to move your body that suits your interests and lifestyle and right now is the perfect time to find it. 

You might think that getting into fitness means you need a whole new wardrobe of workout gear… but you’d be wrong. Although new gym clothes can be really motivating in getting you out of the house and onto the treadmill, you don’t need to go overboard and buy every celebrity fitness range going. 

Similarly, if you’re already well into your fitness journey and you find yourself with a glut of leggings, vests and sports bras – could now be time for a gym capsule wardrobe? Do you really need a different workout outfit for every day of the week? 

Take a look at our tips below for finding your gym wardrobe essentials and creating the workout capsule wardrobe of your dreams. 

Ok, we’ll admit it – we have a bit of a leggings problem. Is 13 pairs really too many? Actually yes, it is. Especially because – and you’ll know this if you too have a leggings problem – we reach for the same few pairs every time because they’re our favourite. Pointless!

To keep your leggings collection under control, try sticking to three or four pairs – two block colour basics and two jazzier styles for when you need that extra motivation. These black Nike leggings are a bestseller, while this red floral Adidas pair will brighten up any early spin class. 

A good sports bra is a real workout essential – a bra that fits well and is supportive will make exercising so much more comfortable. We recommend having two sports bras in your workout clothing collection to keep rotating through the week. 

If you need full support, a traditional style sports bra is your best option – we love this sleek black style which sits seamlessly under vests and t-shirts. For a lighter support version, this cute pastel sports bra can be worn on its own, and it’s reversible – two looks in one!

When it comes to choosing sports tops for your workout wardrobe, you might want to have a few options to suit the different types of exercise you enjoy. 

A looser cotton vest is soft and comfy for yoga, while a form-fitting t-shirt in a wicking fabric is better for running. Think about how you move your body and which pieces are most functional, then clear out anything that doesn’t serve a purpose. 

Having a pair of sports shorts in your workout wardrobe will give you a useful alternative to leggings – particularly good for very sweaty exercising sessions or spin classes, when it helps to have a bit of breeze on your legs! This second-skin style by Puma is a good option. 

Shorts are also helpful in colder weather if you want some extra coverage over leggings for your walk to the gym. This grey marl pair can be slipped off before you hit the cross trainer. 

Don’t make the mistake of wearing your regular socks for the gym – sports socks serve a real purpose, and they’re definitely worth having in your workout wardrobe! 

These trainer socks are cut slightly higher above the ankle to ensure your feet are covered and there’s no chance of blisters, but they don’t come too high up the leg – no sweaty calves here!

Finding the perfect trainers is essential for any gym goer or exercise fan, whether you’re new to the game or an old hand. There are trainers made to support your feet in different sport settings – running trainers will cushion your soles, absorb impact and support your ankles, whereas tennis trainers will be more light and springy. 

If you’re doing a mix of sports in a gym setting, a multipurpose pair of trainers like this Nike pair will be suitable for moving between things like treadmill running and weight lifting. 

If you’re running outside on pavements, it’s worth going to a specialist running shop to have your gait measured and a pair of trainers chosen specifically for your feet. Pounding the pavements is hard on your joints and can cause issues like shin splints, so you need ultimate support and impact absorption to keep you fit and healthy. 

Exercising at this time of year can be tricky, temperature-wise – that walk to the gym or the first 10 minutes of an outdoor run can be excruciatingly cold if you’re braving the elements in a sports vest and thin leggings. The answer, of course, is layering!

A lightweight jacket like this one is the perfect layering piece – it can be worn while working out and is made of wicking fabric to keep sweat at bay. When you start warming up, whip it off and tie it round your waist. Sorted!

For a bit more coverage, a windbreaker jacket like this one by North Face will keep you cosy while being compact enough to fold up and stick in your locker during your workout. 

Finish off your layering with a hat to keep the heat in – a fine knit is really warm but so easy to whip off when you get going. 

The last thing you need in your workout wardrobe essentials collection – a bag to put everything in! 

 

It’s worth investing in a dedicated bag for your gym kit or running gear, rather than just sticking it in alongside your laptop for an after-work session. That way, you’ll always have a bag packed ready to go and won’t have to dig around past your sweaty sports socks to retrieve your work notepad. 

 

If you’re doing a sport that requires equipment, a bigger duffle bag like this is a good option to ensure you can fit everything you need in. For workouts that only need a change of clothing, we love this checked Vans backpack – perfect if you’re heading to the gym straight from the office, as it’ll go with any outfit. 

 

And finally, if you’re exercising outside and need to carry your phone/keys/AirPods/etc with you, you need a bumbag! They’re much more secure and comfortable to wear than armbands or pouches, and if worn high on the waist they won’t get in the way of your workout, either. This black version by Nike is a classic. 

 

So, now you have a sleek and chic workout wardrobe that’s easy to navigate and has all your exercising essentials ready to go – all that’s left to do is go get active! If you’re feeling a bit anxious about getting back to the gym, why not try a home workout instead? In this post we look at new workout tech and how it’s helping many people exercise within the comfort of their own home. You got this!