Workout clothes

[Mugglywuggly]

I am about to start going to a hiit group next week, and have no idea what to wear!!

The group are all pretty fit (and stylish) But I am a slightly tubby 37 year old with a mum tum.

I am a size 12 so not huge, but just have not idea what to wear!!

I want to feel good about myself so no baggy crap! Where should I be looking? I think I want sporty leggings and t shirts.

Thanks!!

H&M is my favourite for comfy, affordable gym clothes and is pretty popular so if you pick anything from there you'll blend right in. (I'm guessing from experience that that's the look you're aiming for). Decathlon (if you have one nearby) is also very good. Black leggings are a safe and flattering bet with either a t shirt or vest top. Most important bits are comfy trainers and sports bra. And your water bottle!

Tikiboo for interesting bottoms?

£££ Sweaty Betty

££ TK Maxx, M&S, Next, JD Sports

£ Decathlon, Tesco/Sainsbury/Asda, Sports Direct

The majority of my circuit training class this morning appeared to have been dressed by Nike. And only Nike. Must admit that Nike is always my first choice as their gym gear lasts so well despite the constant washing, and it stays in place when you're jumping about. Nothing wore than a kit fail / fashion crisis halfway through a session.

Here’s what people are wearing in gyms:

Full length leggings (go for black as the safe option)

Black trainers but worn with trainer liners rather than socks, so visible ankle between trainers and leggings.

Coloured racer back top.

Sports bra with racer back.

You don’t HAVE to wear this stuff, but you’d fit in perfectly if that is what you want.

I’m a Nike girl but I’m broke so I got the stuff primark are promoting right now I haven’t washed them yet but omg the leggings feel great on

Definitely Nike when it comes to trainers. Nike free trainers are the comfiest invention ever.

Yes to the Nike trainers; so comfortable. Everything else comes from TK Maxx. A motley collection of USA Pro, Nike, some odd bits of yoga gear.

Thanks everyone.

I will have a look at all the suggestions.

I think what I was trying tonsay is I don’t want to look like the fat old one in a group of women at least 10 years younger than me. I am trying to not get to caught up with what I look like but it’s so hard when they all look so perfect.

Maybe I should just embrace it and go in baggy joggers, my scabby old trainers and dh’s tshirt

IMO, people aren't wearing that 'special' workout gear to show off their bodies, it's because it tends to be flattering, but more importantly, it's technical stuff that makes your workout more comfortable. I can't imagine running in jogging bottoms and a cotton T now - eek the chafing! But high waisted sweat wicking, compression leggings, are so comfy, and a top that takes the sweat off your body without leaving you both hot and freezing at the same time is amazeballs.

I love Sweaty Betty stuff, but that's after years of wearing all sorts and just liking how it wears and washes, plus I like the stupid patterns, and how everything always seems to go together so I can mix and match. Before SB, I wore a lot of Gap, which I also really rate.

My first test in every pair of leggings is the squat test - make sure you're wearing a light coloured pair of pants, stand with your back to a mirror, bend over and look between your legs. Can you see your pants through your stretched leggings? I do this in changing rooms 😂, and price does not seem to be a factor on whether they've see through or not, so a necessary check.

Oh and the most important is decent, fit for purpose trainers.

And a rock solid sports bra

I love Queenie Ke leggings from Amazon. I'm a size 10, 5 ft 6 and buy a size small. I like them quite tight as it feels nicer when you're working out if everything is kept in place!

YY to a sturdy, high-support sports bra. I also like Primark and Decathlon's own vest tops.

And NB or Nike trainers are fab. Enjoy!

Also a big fan of Queenie Ke high waisted leggings. They're super supportive and don't go see-through. And yes, go a size down - I got them in a medium but they were a bit loose so ordered a small which fit perfectly (size 10).

I like Bam clothing. The bamboo is naturally wicking and feels soft. I do hot yoga and get very sweaty and it’s perfect.

Second the advice to do a squat test in leggings before purchase - was appalled to realise too late that my most expensive leggings were indecent.

I too rate H&M, Matalan and TK Maxx for cheap gym wear - - I go several times a week so need quite a few sets.

Also Kyodan in Tk Maxx at the moment is very soft & flattering. The bras are really comfy and there’s lots online.

I think you’d be fine in leggings and a vest as others have suggested. Find something that you feel good in and more importantly that will be comfortable because if you’re already feeling a little self conscious you don’t want to have to worry about your leggings falling down etc!

I rate Sweaty Betty. I do spin, run and circuits and so have quite a lot of gym stuff and haven’t bought anything but SB for a while. Leggings fit great and don’t fall down when running, materials are all super soft (no seams digging in etc) lots of the stuff is in similar colour schemes so can be mixed and matched and it all looks nice enough to be out and about before/after a workout.

I just wear whatever leggings and soft strap or racer back tops are clean with a decent sports bra (shock absorber) and Nike trainers (which are only for exercise and really light; don't remember which ones beyond that)

I do think running or gym specialist clothes are probably better though as they don't show up the sweat patches, but I don't really care that much and in general nor does anybody else

It doesn’t really matter what you look like although it’s a nice incentive to have new clobber. You don’t need expensive kit just trousers that stay up, decent sports bra and trainers which support your feet. I exercise regularly and only spend a lot on trainers - and brand is pretty irrelevant - try on before you buy and check with the sales assistant what the shoe is for, runners are built very differently and therefore offer different support to court shoes, and ‘trainers’/gym shoes different again. It should say on the box but it helps to ask/research before shelling out. The Sainsbury’s/Tesco sale rail has provided me with most of my sport kit inc sports bras for years now, totalus bargainous

I love gymshark leggings-and I’m not in their target age range either. They are comfortable, flattering and don’t fall down. In terms of tops the more fitted the better so they don’t gape or flap when you get into a plank position etc. I have been known to put on one of my dd’s tops to go to the gym 😂

I like H&M too, as they’re cheap! Agree with squat test, and also don’t get light grey - it shows sweat badly, especially on leggings!

Incidentally OP, at 37 and size 12 you are neither old nor fat!