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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

The cost of gym clothes!

55 replies

Summerbay23 · 13/10/2025 14:38

Aibu to ask where do you buy your gym gear if you’re a gym bunny?

My DD is 20 and goes to the gym or runs most days. It’s her birthday soon and amongst other things I was going to get her leggings, sports bra etc but all the brands seem so expensive (gymshark, lulumon etc).

Is there anything that’s still cool for a young person but won’t break the bank?

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 13/10/2025 16:20

RoseAlone · 13/10/2025 15:03

A pair of joggers from Asda and a Tshirt is more than good enough. There's no need to spend money on stuff for the sake of going to the gym.

It’s a gift. For her 20 year old daughter. Do you just buy the very basic, ugliest stuff you can find for your loved one’s birthday?

Personally I enjoy putting my gym outfits together (and I’m not young) and I don’t want to sweat my arse off in a pair of joggers.

I was going to suggest H&M as well @Summerbay23 Thats where my 25yo dd goes.

GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin · 13/10/2025 16:13

RoseAlone · 13/10/2025 15:03

A pair of joggers from Asda and a Tshirt is more than good enough. There's no need to spend money on stuff for the sake of going to the gym.

Yeah, because that's what a teenager/20-something will want to wear, isn't it? Hmm

Cosyblankets · 13/10/2025 16:08

Happyher · 13/10/2025 15:00

I use M&S gym wear - might not be your daughters choice but it pretty much the same as the expensive ones

I came on to say this but I'm in my 50s. I love their sports gear

Tagliateriroa · 13/10/2025 16:06

RoseAlone · 13/10/2025 15:03

A pair of joggers from Asda and a Tshirt is more than good enough. There's no need to spend money on stuff for the sake of going to the gym.

It’s really not. Apart from the fact she’d stand out like a sore thumb gym wear is much more comfortable and suitable.

Tagliateriroa · 13/10/2025 16:04

Not for a birthday but some of the Primark stuff is amazing. They do some of the softest most comfortable high waist leggings I have ever worn for about £11

ClearFruit · 13/10/2025 15:29

I buy all of mine on Vinted, except for the sports bras. Those I get from MyProtein.

SomeLikeitSnot · 13/10/2025 15:25

CRZ yoga is there best place to look. Really nice and meant to be SB/lululemon dupes but much cheaper. I wear them as do my young (and much cooler) nieces!

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 13/10/2025 15:22

Hi OP I go to a gym with lots of students and would say GymShark is the most common brand, along with some Adanola, Oner, and Nike Pro. Hoka or UnderArmour shoes.

Contrary to what some say, SweatyBetty is def aimed at middle aged mums but there are a number of women 19-22 wearing the crop tops and sports bras. Might be presents from Mum, though.

I would say GymShark is "safe". I personally wearing one of their leotards or skorts most weeks at the gym, and one of their Ts to do a 10k this last weekend. Perfectly good sports gear, not just fashion IMO.

SpaceRaccoon · 13/10/2025 15:15

If it's a birthday, I think a couple of expensive items are a great present - Primark certainly isn't!

Comefromaway · 13/10/2025 15:14

Dd is an ex dancer and now sports studies student and she still rates Nike Pro for actual sportswear. SHe has tried Gymshark but doesn't like the quality. For a special present she would like Lululemon. She would not thank you for Adanola or Alo, she regards it as fashion sports wear not actual sportswear.

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 13/10/2025 15:11

LuluLemon and Sweaty Betty is for middle aged mums
Sports Direct - younger kids who like Nike / Addidas
Alo, Adanola, Girlfriend Collective, Free People, Gym shark... all good.
I would avoid primark / H&M it's not going to last for actual work outs. It's like fashion gym stuff.

augustusglupe · 13/10/2025 15:09

I’ve bought Sweaty Betty since the early years. They did some lovely things and the quality was good.
I’d only ever buy now in the sale and tbh there’s never anything I like anymore. They stopped doing the Mantra vests which were great and a bestseller. Overpriced, very strange sizing too, definately geared to a younger crowd, even though they use a token older model, they’re definately not geared to older women.

runwithme · 13/10/2025 15:07

Sweaty Betty do 50% off codes on your birthday

PrettyPretenderNegligentVendor · 13/10/2025 15:07

My 21 year old DD is kitted in Primark, CRZ leggings from Amazon, and charity shop stuff - she got some nice Sweaty Betty and Reebok stuff there for £2 each.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 13/10/2025 15:04

Don’t get Lululemon or Sweaty Betty… definitely aimed at an older crowd.

RoseAlone · 13/10/2025 15:03

A pair of joggers from Asda and a Tshirt is more than good enough. There's no need to spend money on stuff for the sake of going to the gym.

Ladymuffins · 13/10/2025 15:01

Decathlon. Not cool, but ok quality and budget friendly options (it has a very wide range)

Starlight1984 · 13/10/2025 15:01

AYBL and Adanola - both fab and far more affordable than Lululemon or SB.

Happyher · 13/10/2025 15:00

I use M&S gym wear - might not be your daughters choice but it pretty much the same as the expensive ones

TigerRag · 13/10/2025 15:00

Primark isn't too bad for gym clothes. I do mostly get mine in Sports Direct

Summerbay23 · 13/10/2025 14:57

@mrwwhite just looked at Alo 😱, she won’t be wearing those at over £100 for a pair of leggings.

OP posts:
Summerbay23 · 13/10/2025 14:51

mrwwhite · 13/10/2025 14:45

They’re all wearing Anadola, Alo and others aren’t they sweaty betty/lululemon are pretty much ‘mumwear’ now

Thanks, I’d not even heard of these brands so I’ll take a look.

@SpinandSing im not 100% sure, she’s had gymshark before but not sure what other brands.

OP posts:
GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin · 13/10/2025 14:50

H&M's MOVE range is great, the fabric is lovely and soft.

StasisMom · 13/10/2025 14:49

I would look at H&M - their stuff is cool and fit for purpose, et doesn’t fall down etc etc.

mamagogo1 · 13/10/2025 14:48

My dd buys from outlets or tkmax even sports direct. She exercises a lot up to very high standard (proud mama here, on the bench for an international)

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