What Are You Wearing to Work Out?
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Here's a fun open thread for today – what are you wearing to work out? Cute matching sports-bra-and-bottom outfits like you see on social media influencers? Yoga pants? Cropped leggings? If you're a fan of graphic T-shirts when you work out, where are you favorite places to get them? (And, possibly related question: will you wear political T-shirts to the gym or if you're running outside?)
For my $.02, I'm loving the return to yoga pants, and I'm even coming around to cropped sweatshirts. (Why are the Costco ones the best? I wore this Athleta one earlier today also.) I'm not a big matchy-matchy girl (unless it's all black) — and I also generally work out at home so I don't really care about being on trend with “cute fits” like the social media influencers have.
I still really prefer pants with a full pocket for my phone, though, and that can be hard to find, at least at my former favorite spot for petite workout pants, Old Navy; these Amazon ones are great.
Some latest favorites:
With regard to graphic T-shirts – now that I think about it, I guess I haven't bought too many recently. (Although I was still in workout duds when I went to a dermotology appointment the other week, and the nurse liked my UGH, AS IF T-shirt.)
With regard to political T-shirts — I've considered them bad luck ever since I bought a Pantsuit Nation T-shirt in 2016. I actually do second guess whether my Moms Demand Action T-shirt or my RBG/”Not Fragile Like a Flower, Fragile Like a Bomb” T-shirt is going to draw irate comments from strangers, so I don't wear them often. (I have not been able to find confirmation that this is an actual RBG quote – if anyone knows I'd love more info!)
Readers, what are you wearing for workout clothes in 2025? What are your favorite things to work out in?
Psst: in the past we've talked about how to fit exercise into a busy life, the best strength training programs to do without a gym, how to hire a personal trainer, and the best streaming workouts to do at home. We've also talked about lower key exercises like hiking.
Psst: looking for a great sports bra for larger bust sizes? As of 2025, readers love Freya, Panache, Shock Absorber, Title Nine, Athleta, and Enell for higher impact. Looking for something wire-free and comfier for lower impact workouts? Check out Glamorise or Syrokan (and consider wearing a breast support band to make any bra better for higher impact workouts.)
What do we think of men we are dating who encourage us to go to the gym/try new exercise routines?
We think they are trying to change us and we leave them in the dust.
I am assuming the “encouragement” is something other than “Hey, let’s go on a pickleball date” which would probably be fine.
Together? I would assume that they like going to the gym. Apart? I would assume they think I’m out of shape.
I think it depends. We are all individuals and so are the men we are dating. In my opinion it’s where are the comments coming from. Is it because he wants you to lose weight? Is it because he thinks you’ll enjoy a new activity? Is it because he knows you’ll be in a better place mentally if you get up and go for a run? I struggle starting a workout but the physical and mental benefits are huge for me, so I appreciate my SO’s encouragement to get moving and I know it’s coming from a good place.
Agree. It depends. What’s his motivation? Is he commenting that he thinks your body isn’t enough and needs to improve? Or is he looking for an activity for you guys to do together and he thinks (based on other things you do) that you’d also enjoy the gym.
When I met DH, my only exercise was running but I enjoyed a lot of active activities. He lifted weights. When I had an injury and couldn’t run, he invited me to join him at the gym and try weight lifting. We have been lifting weights together now for a decade, and I’m glad he suggested it. He knew I liked being active and needed a new activity while my running injury healed.
If I met a man who thought I needed to join him at the gym to get less fat or because he prefers bubble buts to my flat one, I’d see that as a red flag.
Didn’t you say this man was a red flag yesterday? Girl you’re in too deep, extract yourself.
the lore is building 😭
When I first started dating my BF 2.5 years ago, I was working out doing strength training several times a week and he was starting CrossFit. (He’s not one of THOSE CFers, that is not where this is going.) I was not small, I haven’t been in many years, but my body reflected my work in the gym. Then a bunch of things happened, I stopped going, and my life became pretty sedentary for more than a year, with momentum moving more and more in that direction. My body is soft and bigger for sure, and while I am not one to watch every pound at all, I am very aware of it and would like it to change. In the same time, my BF has gotten fit but nothing crazy, which I do appreciate. He’s just consistent and it shows. We no longer talk about our workouts, when we used to compare notes. It bothers him and he has gently suggested I need to go back to the gym. He is right, I totally agree for multiple reasons, and while in the abstract I thought this would be unacceptable, objectionable behavior, in reality it is not at all for me. He’s never said I am no longer attractive, just said I should be working out. It’s fine. He is correct.
As someone who was married with small children, I would have loved it if my husband had said, “hey, can I watch the kids while you exercise?”
Insert whatever else you’d like to delegate in for “watch the kids”. Is there anything he can do for you to free up time for exercise?
He would, but it is more of a motivation and lack of energy issue than a limited time issue. And both of those who improve when I am going to the gym. It’s a negative cycle.
He’s telling you your not good enough. Good luck with that.
For actual yoga, the spacedye midi leggings from Beyond Yoga are my favorites. I like a matched set but it would be out of place at my low key studio and anyway Beyond Yoga tanks are built for less endowed women. I look for high-neck but fitted tanks but they’re not always easy to find.
I wear Athleta Elation or Salutation leggings for everything else.
I love these leggings. so comfortable they’ve become my everywhere – loungewear, barre class, etc. – leggings. I stock up at my barre studio’s end of season sale and was able to get several NWT pairs for $40 :)
Good headsup on the tops. They look that they were not for me, but you confirmed it.
I wouldn’t wear a graphic t-shirt; I work out in technical fabrics. Usually, they are race shirts, but I splurged on a few tank tops for very sweaty workouts.
Shorts: Oiselle or Rabbit. Style depends on workout; long runs are usually bike short style with lots of pockets, and shorter runs or elliptical, I lean towards more traditional shorts.
I have an army of sports bras for every occasion: high impact and cool, high impact and warm, gym, walking….
Huge fan of Feetures socks.
I do pilates, yoga, and strength training. Used to do endurance training as well (spin/running) but that doesn’t jive with my fitness goals anymore. It’s important to me to look good when I work out. I used to be strictly utilitarian with my fashion and have since shifted into a more style-conscious era.
Pilates – typically a black sports bra cut in a cute style, black high-waisted leggings, black ankle grippy socks or tall grippy socks with a decorative patch (eg, peach, strawberry). Usually wear minimalist necklaces and earrings. Lately have been shifting away from the all-black getup and into blues, greens, and pinks, but still like to pair it all with minimalist jewelry. Hair in a large claw clip. Change into normal clothes after.
Yoga – more colorful bra/leggings combinations. No jewelry except for cartilage piercings. Still use my grippy socks, again aiming for more color. Hair in a messy bun, held by a silk scrunchy. Cover it all with a super oversized comfy taupe hoodie that goes mid-way down my thighs. I prefer restorative, not super sweaty yoga, so I can wear the fit after class with my birks during spring/summer/fall.
Strength training (weightlifting) – Still figuring this one out. I don’t really like the beige look, so am thinking of going with a sky blue sweatsuit for the warm-up, flat white sneakers, and co-opting my barbie pink pilates wear for the actual workout. Jewelry optional, hair in a ponytail.
I get most of my athleticwear from Athleta and Alo.
I lift multiple times at week but at work and frequently with Military leaders who outrank me three times over (Generals, all men) and I commute in my PT gear (and change into my uniform at the office) so during the winter it’s Lululemon align tights and a cotton tee shirt, usually some kind of race or club merch (I don’t like technical fabrics) or a modest tank. In summer it’s often Lululemon short and the same. At home it’s sports bra on top. I have a large chest so matchy matchy doesn’t work for me because I can’t wear any Lulu tops or generally available sets.