How high end to go for gym wear to fit in?

[TheGirlWhoLived]

Hi, I’ve just joined our local David Lloyd gym - for a small fortune - and want advice on gym wear! Currently I wear next power leggings and an old baggy top but I only do walking and home workouts.

I would like to ‘fit in’ but just blend in ideally. I’m not a take-pictures-in-the-mirror gym goer, but I don’t want to look scraggy either!

I’m going to need 2 x leggings, a high impact sports bra, a good pair of trainers, socks and 2 x t shirts. Also a gym bag, water bottle and probably a padlock 😁 is Stanley still a thing?

Which brands do I go for? Colours? Budget isn’t a huge consideration but I do have a mortgage to pay for. I don’t really want to be paying sweaty betty prices, but if that’s what i need to do 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’ll also need some sort of costume that says swim, not beach!

Currently 5”3 and a size 14-16, although this is definitely going down rather than up! And I’m 37, but fairly young looking.

please help!!

Hi. I used David Lloyd - only the teens/youngsters wear top of the range fitness gear at my club. Everyone elsexwears whatever. But it might not be representative - it's one of the smaller ones.

Try Brand Alley for discounted Sweaty Betty stuff.

I would be more concerned with getting a quality workout in. Where what you find comfortable and practical and don't worry about what other people think of your outfit.

I am a member of a club that would give DL more than a run for its money and I promise you no one cares.

if you still care, then consider

Lulu lemon
Sweaty Betty
Vuori
Alo
Tala

Tala is the only place recently where I have found a tight fitting, non cropped, non racer back vest which is my obsession.

If you're not looking to pay Sweaty Betty or similar prices, go plain. Asda's Gym Locker leggings are good quality, stay up, wash/wear well and have good deep pockets for things like locker keys. They do some of the best sports bras I've had as well. Their t-shirts, jackets and bags come in different colours, and you can get lightweight yoga towels from them too.

Padlocks you can pick up in Poundland (hardware), Superdrug, Boots, or anywhere else with a travel section.

I like adanola. Leggings are amazing, I get long sleeve tops as I feel better but they have a range. If you feel confident that's half the battle. Book your induction, maybe a couple of 1:1 sessions and get your music ready before. Noone will be looking at you, but I get that you want to feel good about it too.

I'm also a DL member. I have some Sweaty Betty but also some cheaper stuff like Under Armour. M&S also do good gym gear. For swimsuits you need Speedo.

No one will be looking at you unless you look conspicuously awful, but I get that you want to fit in and feel good.

I wear Sweaty Betty. I notice that loads of other women at my gym do too. However, there’s absolutely no requirement to wear ‘brand’ names. I wouldn’t scrimp on quality as that’s a false economy, but M&S do perfectly decent gym wear at reasonable prices. I’m sure other high street retailers do too. I’d avoid a baggy top as that’s not going to be comfortable, practical or suitable.

Literally noone will notice

I used David Lloyd and I wore primark

No to the Stanley thing

I wear Sweaty Betty, specifically the Power leggings, but not because they are branded, but because they are really really good and do not fall down!

I go around in freebie race t-shirts dating back to 2010s, use a cheapy decathlon rucksack and water bottle. Everyone is too busy thinking of their own arse to look at me. Spend your money on a good sports bra and suitable trainers and don't worry about the rest of it.

Literally nobody cares what you wear. I've beena David Lloyd member for 5 years and always just wear whatever I feel comfortable in

I go to DL. I wear mainly Primark

Honestly no one will notice! I have loads of leggings including varley & sweaty betty as a regular gym goer, however persue fitness are my absolute favaurites they are flattering not see through, move well and dont fall down. They are half the price of SB too! For trainers it depends on what you are doing, weight training requires something flat and sturdy like nike metcons

@DancingNotDrowning please could you link me the vest if you have time?

Thanks all! Yeah I totally agree, it’s about the workout I do I just wanted to blend in nicely in the middle ground really! Sounds like a blend of high street, potentially a pair of sweaty betty if they really are that good! And something tighter fitting and comfy will work well 💪🏼
And I can leave the Stanley at home 🤣
Would you just take a plain disposable water then? That does seem a bit wasteful.

Trainers wise I’ve got a choice between sage green puma ones and white adidas which should cover most bases, they are high impact ones. Tempted by some new balance.

Adanola looks fantastic, I shall definitely indulge in their workout bits, I have a fab hoody from there and it washes so well

@TheGirlWhoLivedbuy a reusable drinking bottle

I would love to do my workout in a vintage mud runner/ iron woman t shirt ideally- however I have never taken part so that shall have to wait. Unless I vinted one to look extra cool 👌🏼 🤣

Oh but @BiscoffCheesecakes , the choice! At the moment I get to use whatever the kids don’t take to school but now I am faced with a world of reusable water bottles that I can choose from!

We go to David Lloyd. Don't get too excited. They are crap at mending broken machines, the toilets are often out of order, you can never book a tennis court or get in a class.
Half the people who use the gym (and do the posing and pouting nonsense) don't re-rack their weights and don't wipe stuff down.
If you're going to the gym to be healthy and improve your strength then who cares what you're wearing?

But also they do DL logo water bottles, gym bags, towels and padlocks, so if you're so inclined, knock yourself out! 😍

What's the padlock for?

Why don't you start with some cheap basics, and reward yourself with some higher end gear for reaching specific gym goals? I would start with just turning up consistently at least twice a week for a month. That's worth new shoes, right?