New to gym life no idea so need urgent outfit

[Sounbelievablydull]

Just that I'm a fat menopausal lump who has randomly joined a gym to try and make sure I live s little longer.
I need to know where to get cheapest stuff to wear and what that stuff should be? Any advice lots of midriffs on show when I joined up but that would be out of the question fir me

I wear loose cotton t-shirts, sports bra and DD's old Adidas lycra leggings and a hoody to start and end with as Aircon can be fierce. I do have nice new clean trainers though, kept for gym only.
A small towel for wiping down equipment and swimsuit for the sauna/steam area.
Not really noticed what others wear.

Good for you for joining the gym Sounbelievablydull I am working up to that myself and just pounding the streets for now.
I personally find H&M have become relatively expensive; same with M&S (at least the new sculpt range...£35 for running leggings?!!). But that's probably because I'm at the stage where I don't feel like throwing a load of money at my gym clothes, at least until i am less of a hot mess. I've find some good bargains in TKMaxx. Also Dunnes if you have one (maybe Ireland only).

Although I love cotton and other natural fibres in "real life" clothes, I tend to avoid it for gym gear in favour of technical fabrics that wick away moisture.
Also, i would never skimp on a decent sports bra. If you are big of boob I highly recommend the Shock Absorber Max range (cheaper on ebay/Amazon if you know your size)

Decathlon are cheap. Quality is okay-ish, but I'm happy with them just now - once I've lost a bit, I'll be happier to wear more fitted, but at the moment, I just want to hide in something shapeless. They have some shops, but their online service is good in my experience.

Sports bra is one I wont buy cheap though - Shock Absorber are my favourite.

The very cheapest is probably Sports Direct, but you might not want to shop there because of the publicity about employment practices.

Decathlon is also cheap, and their own label Capri length running tights are extremely good and suitable for all sorts of exercise. They also do vest,, tshirt and long sleeve running tops. Plus an own label sports bra that I've seen getting positive reviews on here.

Shock Aborber and Panache are two other good types of sports bra. Panache sizing round true, but Shock Absorber is weird, try that brand before you buy or if online make sure there's a good returns policy.

TKMAxx usually have good sports gear.

Primark have a gym range. I have a pair of their stretchy leggings and a tshirt

Second H&M - and don't think you need to worry about midriffs on show, nobody in my exercise classes would dream of showing off their tummies! Patterned leggings (some people wear baggy short shorts over theirs), sports bra, loose racer back vest or sports t-shirt. If you're doing yoga, get a tight long line vest that won't roll up when you do downward dog and wear it under your t-shirt. Just bend over in the changing rooms and check the leggings don't go see-through, and don't get grey marl leggings as they show crotch sweat!

My sports wear is from decathlon- it's cheap and stretchy and the leggings don't inch their way down under my tummy like my h&m ones do! Sports bra is from bravissimo and is great- do not skimp on this, it's so important to get a good one that hold everything in!

Only thing I'd like to say is that don't go for the biggest, floppiest t-shirt you can find. Any kind of bending over or mat work, and it will be over your head and you will be half-naked.

Actually with all sportswear, it's important to jump around a bit before you go out in public. As I've learned. I have a lovely top that looks defent for the first 2 minutes, but then stretches so the cleavage is around your bellybutton. And you also don't want leggings that quitely roll down.

Thanks so much fir the advice I got some ok stuff in Sainsbury's !
So if I get on with this new element of my life I'll be heading to the places mentioned .

Well done on the gym👍I think primark do great gym gear & h & m. Lululemon for when you want to splash out

Nike has quite a lot of stuff at sale prices. Can't go too wrong. Sports Direct for plain basics. Sweaty Betty does cute if pricey leggings.

Interesting someone above said Lulumelon. I toyed with getting some of their stuff but every single pair of leggings that I looked at had a rating of 3stars or below and full or reviews about seams coming apart etc and it's just as pricey as SB.

Lots of mentions of budget options - also worth looking at sites such as wiggle, can have the odd bargain. SB is definitely investment gym wear. It is fab, looks great and washes brilliantly.

I used to buy primark and H&M sports stuff, but decathlon is only a bit more expensive and much nicer. They're running tops are about £7 and the large sizes are nice and loose fitting on my not very small frame. Leggings are about £10 I think and very stretchy.