We focus a lot on ‘regular’ clothing on 40+Style. However, for many of us, sport and fitness is an important part of our daily routine. Style shouldn’t step as soon as you enter the fitness room so today we will look at some great fitness clothes for women over 40.
If you feel good about what you’re wearing before you hit the gym, take to the courts, hop on your bike, go for a hike, or whatever your exercise of choice is, you’re much more likely to feel motivated once you start your workout.
What is the best clothing to workout in?
Workout clothes need to work hard. You need clothes that stretch, dry quickly, are comfortable, and that look great. Read on for our tips for choosing your next workout outfit.
Which clothing is better for exercise?
This will depend on your own style and where you are exercising. You can choose tank tops or t-shirts, long-sleeved tops, leggings, track pants, shorts, and skorts to suit your activity, the weather and whether you are working out in or outdoors.
similar top, leggings and shoes
What is important in fitness clothes for women?
Below you will see what we find important in fitness clothes.
1. Fitness clothes need to be comfortable
This is very important as fitness clothes have a clear function. It’s hard to focus on your workout or yoga session when your clothes are too tight. Many inbuilt bras are too tight and uncomfortable. comfortable. So for tops with inbuilt bras think about going up a size or two. This will still give enough support while not being so tight that they prevent you from breathing properly.
Zella Twirl Crossover Back Tank
2. Light fabrics that are specially created for sports are often better
Although we generally dislike synthetic fabrics, fabrics especially created for sports often perform better than cotton. They do a better job at keeping you cool. You want fabrics that wick moisture away from than becoming wet and heavy when you sweat.
ICTIVE Cross Backless Workout Top
3. Choose tops that match your climate
In warmer climates, you’ll want more open tops that allow air to circulate. In colder climates, choose more coverage.
For tennis clothes and other outdoor workouts, choose covered tops during the day to protect you from the sun, but you could choose tank tops when the sun goes down.
The Mippo workout top (below) is made from modal to keep you cool, with a bit of spandex to ensure it keeps its shape. The mesh back should keep you cool. It comes in a huge choice of colors, and reviewers say they love the fit and overall style. One said she has this top in three different shades.
Erica @ericabunker above (read her style interview here) opts for a black workout set with a subtle print.
Check out this similar top, leggings, shoes, smartwatch and earbuds.
If it’s very sunny where you are, choose a shirt that offers the same level of sun protection you get from your sun cream. The TACVASEN T-Shirt (below) features moisture-wicking fabric to keep you cool, it comes in lots of colors and has a UPF 50+.
TACVASEN Sun Protection T-Shirt
If it’s cold and you’re working out outdoors, then thermals are your answer. The BALEAF shirt (below) will keep you cozy while you exercise. Reviewers say it is perfect for adding warmth without extra bulk.
4. Mix and match as much with fitness clothes as your other clothes
Although we sometimes buy ‘sets’, we find it a lot more fun to buy tops and bottoms that we can mix and match with each other. Even if we do buy a set, we will often wear the top or bottom with something else.
If you’re just starting out, or getting back into, your fitness journey, you could always start by buying two or three full outfits. Then you will be able to create different combinations.
5. Pay special attention to your underwear!
Hugely important! If you wear pants in stretchy fabrics you can clearly see the outline of your panties. Choose super thin seamless underpants that are invisible and select some of the items we featured in this article on no show underwear. Although you can wear g-strings too, they often create very defined buttocks and I personally don’t like the look of that.
The Wealurre seamless underwear (below) promises a seamless look, even under leggings.
Wealurre Seamless No Show Underwear
You’ll also need a good, supportive sports bra. The Heathyoga sports bras (below)are designed for high-impact sports and exercises.
Heathyoga High Impact Sports Bras
6. Think about the type of workout you’ll be doing.
You will need, for example, tightly-fitting clothes if you are doing yoga so that your top doesn’t ride up while doing the downward dog! But, you will have greater flexibility in what you wear if you are heading for a run or a brisk walk.
Pinspark Open Back Athletic Shirt
You could also choose a dress like Claudia @beafitmom.nl above. Look out for one with inbuilt shorts, or wear a pair of short cycle shorts underneath.
Recreate her outfit with this similar tank top, skort, shoes and gym bag.
7. Make sure your pants are not sheer!
Leggings can be quite sheer and in clear light you can see everything. Be sure to choose a fabric that is not sheer to avoid this. The Satina leggings (below) have good reviews from women who say they are thin and lightweight, yet not see-through.
8. Durability
You may wish to spend more than you would on a pair of leggings for your workouts as your fitness clothing needs to retain its shape and have durability. You will be putting it through its paces as you bend, stretch or run, and you’ll also be washing it after every workout. So choose clothes you’re confident will wash well. The ODODOS tummy control leggings (below) are well-reviewed for their longevity.
similar top, leggings and shoes
You can opt for a looser style in pants or a choose a leggings style. In the past, I personally always opted for wider options until I recently embraced close-fitted leggings. Now I prefer the look of those and they are super practical for both yoga and fitness classes.
I like my neutrals just as much as brighter colors. If you normally don’t choose a bright color for your clothes, you may want to give it a go for your fitness class and have some fun with color!
similar top, leggings and shoes
I never really match my shoes to my outfits as may be clear from these photos. I’m actually due for a new pair of trainers as I tend to use these for everything, both fitness and tennis which is a bit silly.
If you’re looking for sneakers for everyday casual wear rather than sportswear, you may also want to take a look at this piece on sneaker styles.
But I always make sure I feel good in the fitness clothes I wear and will mix and match as much as with my regular clothes. I suggest you do too!
What is the best brand of activewear?
Here are some of our favorite brands for workouts – chosen because they combine style with comfort and functionality. Don’t forget to tell us your own favorite brands in the comments below.
fitness clothes
Now, let’s look at some of our favorite fitness clothes in stores now, and how you can mix and match them all to create workout outfits for all your exercise sessions.
What top to wear to the gym?
If you have a pair of black leggings, you can change up your outfits by investing in a few fitness tops. So, let’s start our fitness capsule with your tops.
tops
Choose classic t-shirts and tank tops, as well as looking out for tops that feature interesting detailing like twists, drapes and mesh.
Zella Studio Luxe Asymmetric Support Tank – Zella Perforated Crewneck T-Shirt – Vindery Quick-Dry Shirt – Zella Ruched Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Shauna @chicover50 above (read her style interview here) opts for a knotted top and leggings for her workout. A bright red shade is a great option for workouts as it’s a very motivational color.
Get her look with this similar tank top, leggings and shoes.
sports bras
No matter what kind of workout you’re doing, it’s vital you have a supportive bra. Look out for bras that offer high, low or medium impact support to suit the exercise you are doing.
Zella Reset Reflective Longline Sports Bra – Glamorise No-Bounce Camisole Sports Bra – Wacoal Simone Seamless Underwire Sports Bra – Beyond Yoga Fresh Cutout Rib Crop Top
Zella Reset Reflective Jacket – Beyond Yoga Fresh Cutout Rib Crop Top – Zella Getaway Wrap Pocket Skort – ASICS GEL-Excite® 10 Running Shoes – Bellroy Lite Duffle – Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker
Fitness jackets, hoodies & sweatshirts
Depending on the weather where you are, you’ll want a warmer top or jacket for exercising outside, or just getting to and from the gym.
Beyond Yoga Heather Rib Take a Hike Pullover – Zella Reset Reflective Jacket – Zella Interval Hooded Utility Jacket – Aviator Nation Ninja Hoodie
Aviator Nation Ninja Hoodie – Zella Perforated Crewneck T-Shirt – Beyond Yoga High Waist Biker Shorts – Newton Running Kismet 9 Shoes – KARRESLY Duffle Bag
Fitness pants, leggings and shorts
Your workout bottoms will depend on the sport you’re doing. Choose shorts or a skort for tennis or running, leggings for the gym and wider pants for yoga. Opt for plain shades or add a fun print.
Beyond Yoga Street Rib Joggers – Zella Reset Reflective Pocket Leggings – Beyond Yoga High Waist Biker Shorts – Vouri Clementine 2.0 Shorts –
Dorrie @seniorstylebible above (read her style interview here)
Steal her look with this similar jacket, leggings and shoes.
dresses and skirts
You may usually opt for shorts or leggings, but dresses and skorts are great options for tennis or runnning. Look for built in shorts so you don’t show more than you want to while exercising.
Nike Bliss Dri-FIT Training Dress – adidas Future Icons 3-Stripes Sleeveless Dress – Zella Love All Polo Dress – Zella Getaway Wrap Pocket Skort
Zella Interval Hooded Utility Jacket – Nike Bliss Dri-FIT Training Dress – SOREL Out N About™ III City Sneakers – Herschel Supply Co. Strand Duffle Bag – Madewell Broken In Organic Cotton Twill Baseball Cap – Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker
shoes
Your shoe choice is always important. But it’s more important than ever that your shoes are comfortable when exercising. Choose sneakers especially designed for your sport of choice. Look out for arch support, cushioned insoles and soles that reduce impact.
SOREL Out N About™ III City Sneakers – New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Running Shoes – Newton Running Kismet 9 Shoes – ASICS GEL-Excite® 10 Running Shoes
Alison @wardrobe_oxygen above (read her style interview here) opts for a stylish golfing outfit of teal and white.
Recreate her outfit with this similar zip top, skort, shoes and visor.
Fitness accessories to go with your fitness clothes for women
Of course, if you’re heading out for a run, you won’t want to be carrying too much with you. But, a fitness tracker to monitor how far you’ve gone and a cap to keep the sun off your face will be good ideas. If you tend to go to the gym after work, you’ll want a gym bag to keep your exercise clothes, towel and shower gel in.
Take a look at these bags that will go perfectly with your fitness clothes for women. They all come in lots of different colors so you’re sure to find one that matches.
Bellroy Lite Duffle – Herschel Supply Co. Strand Duffle Bag – KARRESLY Duffle Bag – Madewell Broken In Organic Cotton Twill Baseball Cap – Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker
Beyond Yoga Heather Rib Take a Hike Pullover – Zella Studio Luxe Asymmetric Support Tank – Zella Reset Reflective Pocket Leggings – ASICS GEL-Excite® 10 Running Shoes – KARRESLY Duffle Bag – Madewell Broken In Organic Cotton Twill Baseball Cap – Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker
Your fitness clothes together in one capsule
Below, you can see the clothes and sneakers from above together in one capsule. You can put together many different combinations so your workout outfits look different each day.
shop the fitness clothes above here:
Below is a past season workout capsule, but it may still give you inspiration if you are planning your workout outfits.
Do you pay attention to your fitness clothes? What do you like to wear? What are your favorite brands for fitness clothes for women?
Continue reading:
- Stylish Workout Clothes For Women: How To Look Stylish While Getting Fit And Healthy In 2023
- What To Wear For Yoga: All The Best Yoga Outfits For Your Next Class
- Stylish Hiking Outfits For Women To Keep You Comfy On A Casual Stroll Or Longer Trek
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Feature image by Claudia @beafitmom.nl
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This is great, but I’d like to add a couple comments:
– A good bra is essential and you should get fitted – running shops are great for this (if you can, look for a woman owned one for that more knowledge and attention).
–It can be spendy, but will save your back, and make your workout that much more comfortable. Nothing like a making a workout worse, especially if you are just starting or getting back into it, than the gals getting in the way or getting sore.
–I’ve heard that your bra shouldn’t have a birthday, especially if it gets lots of wear and you do medium to high impact activities.
-Good shoes are imparative and you should get fitted.
–If your shoes don’t have the proper support, or are wearing out, you can cause other injury, and again ruin an otherwise good workout, or make a hard one worse.
-The right clothes, those that are comfortable and wick away sweat, don’t hold stink, and don’t cause chafing, can make a huge difference in enjoying/survivng a workout and keeping you at your chosen exercice.
-Look for flat lock seams that won’t chafe, or added layers that can help, such as an athletic skirt with built in shorts (skort) to deal with thigh rub.
-BodyGlide and the like can help problem chafing areas – I haven’t used this kind of thing, but know a lot of women that do and swear by it.
I’ve had some success with clothes from the GAP brands: Old Navy, Gap, and Athleta, Champion’s C9 at Target, and Fabletics, I’m also a Runningskirts devotee, and one or two Skirt Sports skirts. I used to only wear Champion JogBras, and now am sold on Brooks/Moving Comfort bras – their Fiona is a good basic in lots of sizes.
I love your look. You have a great body and you’ve earned the right to show it off. (I don’t want to see anymore loose baggy clothes on you, ha! ha!) I also like how you kept your look simple, minimal make up and no jewellry. One of my pet peeves is women who work out as if they are going to a club.
P.S. Yes, your shoes are “well worn” but that proves you’re exercising!!!
I like what the Accidental Icon has to say about the effects of wearing exercise clothing. Whenever I’ve worn it in the past I always feel I am one of “those” women who is always active, healthy, and puts great importance on a fitness regime. I am NOT one of those women in real life! But I do like the feeling whenever I wear anything remotely “sporty”. I love all the gorgeous sporty styles out there, especially the lounge-wear range – I would love to wear this style all the time, even tho’ I’m not sporty in any way. Now that I’m living in a slightly cooler climate, perhaps I could fit this type of gear into my wardrobe and see what happens 🙂 Would love to read more about this (hint hint)!!!
I love wearing T- shirts, especially the ones that have broad neck, but for the last 4/5 years I have put on weight around my waist, due to menopause and its side effects. No amount of exercising , eating healthy( both of which I have been doing for years) has any effect on me.
I have lots of beautiful leggings/ tights, but no proper exercise tops to wear which can hide my tummy. I feel very conscious, because I am a fitness instructor. I end up choosing some slightly loose daudy cotton tops to wear.
And another thing I hate with these T-shirts is that they look okay as long as they are new, once they have been washed they lose their fitting, they look nice only on thin people like you.
Do you have some ideas to help me?
Thank you.
Hi Rama. Sport tops can be tough. Ruched tops would be best but they are not easy to find. The yellow top above is not clingy at all. It fits around the bust and kind of drapes over the tummy area. Something like that may be good too. I usually buy good brands like Adidas and Nike and have found my tops keep their shape well. I think it pays to buy good quality. What also helps is to have leggings that cover your tummy That way your tops will fit and drape nicer. Hope that helps a bit… Good luck finding some great tops!
I love the yellow top. My fitness wardrobe is almost entirely black. In terms of your tip of dressing for your climate that is not exactly ideal in a Sydney Summer so I will be trying to introduce a few lighter colours this season to beat the heat. You mentioned above you need new shoes (don’t we all … always!). I love Mizuno sneakers. I have never found anything that fits my narrow foot better. I’m currently on the hunt for a new pair 🙂
http://www.sydneyfashionhunter.com/
Thanks for the tip Allison!
Never anything I would wear. Something that would hide my flaws like a little dress or a little flared skirt.
Love the purple here Silvia. And great advice though I still go for comfy when doing yoga. But I will be doing that at home. When running definitely tight. And layers!
I love the light green/yellow paired with the brown.
I must admit I hate buying workout clothes. Hard to believe that I hate shopping for any clothes but I really dislike it. I workout at home and no one sees it so I find it a bit of a chore. I have at one time run on the treadmill in just a bra and panties. LOL
bisous
Suzanne
lol That is what I would wear if I exercized at home!
There is an interesting article in the Atlantic about the effects of wearing exercise clothes on your desire to work out and how the company Luleumon has used this research in their brand. In my post “Grey Matters” I write more about the effect clothing has on how you think, feel and act. Do you feel different (e.g.more fit) when you wear your fitness clothes? I do! Paying attention to what you wear to exercise is more important than you think! Thanks for bringing our attention to it Sylvia.
Accidental Icon
http://www.accidentalicon.com
Yes, I can imagine that. It does have a positive effect on me too!
Nice choices, you look great in exercise clothes too! Top with the tie in back is cool. Have not seen anything like this before. Good tips.
blue hue wonderland
Thanks Ann. Looking at these pictures I feel I could definitely improve on it though. I need to get new shoes!