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!!

I love M&S Goodmove range and also find all the active wear from Tu to be reliable, well fitting and affordable.
I have New Balance trainers and Zogs swimming costumes.
I desperately need new sports bras. I have lost weight and mine unhooked itself during a Pilates class last week, and I was left hanging loose 🫣🤣
Asda sounds a good shout. Thanks ☺️

@Feejoah that sounds a nice idea, although I’ll definitely turn up twice a week, the spa alone is lovely!
The padlock is for the locker, when we had a look around you just bring your own padlock. You do get a lovely fresh towel every time though!

@Chuzzle that doesn’t sound like the idyllic picture I was promised 🤣 I’m not too fussed on the classes at the moment, I just want to get into the machines, get some cardio going, fancy a turn on the stepper, something to do with weights and glutes. Also they have a lush outdoor pool area!

Why do you need to fit in? I wear the cheapest gymwear that I can buy so long as it fits and it comfortable for my workout.

Surely most people grow out of their validation issues in their 30s at latest.

The lockers

There’s nothing wrong with the good moves gym wear in M&S. I couldn’t care less what anyone wear to the gym and find it a bit sad that people need to fit in by wearing expensive ( over priced) kit.

You do sound well motivated! Have you got a goal? I would spend the first week getting used to the equipment then find a plan that works for you. If you can spare the cash to work with a PT then it would be money well spent in my opinion as it'll help you nerr your goals more effectively and teach you good form, mind muscle connection etc. People who don't follow a plan often end up spinning their wheels a bit.

I am a David Lloyd member. I wouldn’t worry too much as I think you get a fair range in the gym gear stakes. Tbh what you really need is decent trainers, socks and sports bra. The rest is down to what you feel comfortable in. I have loads of diff brands of gym leggings / tops etc. I’m on a self imposed gym legging ban, but have picked up some really nice bits on vinted that were practically brand new.

Pah I wouldn’t bother going for any particular brands. My PT rates M&S though.

H&M workout stuff is good - very similar to Sweatybetty except for the logo. Or any running brands - Nike, Underarmour, Brooks, Ronhill, all very credible “serious” brands if you don’t want to do the whole insta gym bunny thing.

I go to David Lloyd, people wear all sorts! I never pay any attention to brands to be honest and never feel self conscious.

My leggings are sweaty Betty thanks to Vinted and that’s only because I like patterned leggings, my gym tops are Amazon, I’m comfortable and adequately dressed, that’s all that matters.

I get my swimsuits from Next, they wash and wear well and are reasonably long in the body.

I’ve been a David Lloyd member for a long time; nobody minds what you wear, it’s far more important that you’re comfortable and enjoying your workout.

I have a couple of Sweaty Betty items, but also like M&S Good Move. I like the look of Lululemon; Gym+Coffee also have some nice gym clothes.

Nobody notices water bottles, any old reusable bottle will be fine.

Funkita swimsuits, but I buy them from vinted. Way better quality than speedo and what all the masters swimmers wear. You can get branded gym wear from vinted too

@RollOnSunshine i don’t necessarily need to fit in exactly the same, I just didn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb! I didn’t really have any validation issues to grow out of, so I’m ok on that front but thank you for thinking of me 😊

I go to an expensive gym. I wear any old thing, lidl, primark, decathlon, whatever. I don't look at what anyone else is wearing. Honestly, work on your self esteem, that's more the issue here I think. I don't mean that unkindly, just that how you feel about yourself is more important than what you wear.

Honestly I promise my self-esteem is a-ok, I’m going with my kids and sometimes it’s just nice to be of a level where you aren’t the most overdressed or underdressed. I presumed that David Lloyd was a bit la-di-dah and everyone would be in extravagant brand names so me turning up in my Next would look daft (and therefore attract undesirable attention and incur the wrath of the 15 yo)

Seems that’s not the case, so I shall just go with whatever I’m most comfortable in and is most opaque!

I don't use DL but my gym is at our local country club and it's comparable in terms of price etc. Tbh I really rate Sainsbury's for gym wear. I wear a mix of that and Lululemon. I'm sure nobody cares though.

Also, Stanley's are still a thing. DD has ditched hers so now I use it. It might be a bit passe but it's a bloody good water bottle so I'll be using it indefinitely.

Enjoy the gym!

I go to a chain gym now, but previously at a CrossFit gym, I like Lskd, Lululemon, but I get lots off vinted and have managed to get some super good bargains!

I have been into fitness for years and have drawers full of fitness gear . I really rate M&S good move . I don’t get the love for sweaty betty the 2 tops I have roll up on me (could be a size issue I guess ) and the bottoms slip down from the weight of my phone when I run although I do agree they are made of good quality material they just don’t seem to perform for me.
Unlike M&S where I have neither issue and I have had pairs for years which are still going strong
But ultimately I agree with all the other posters just get yourself some comfortable sports clothes which you are happy with
. The only thing I would spend decent money on is trainers

I go to a gym that’s a similar price point to DL, I’m 14 stone with big boobs unfortunately so I wear my black Next power leggings & the black Next active wear tshirt which skims rather than fits snugly. With a very supportive sports bra underneath. I don’t think anyone really looks at what label you wear?
I take a chilli’s bottle that I use for work as well, as it keeps my drink super cold.
I have a pair of black Nike cross trainers.

Some women are fairly ordinary like me but quite a lot of the women (20s - 50s) have Botox, lip fillers, obvious boob jobs, & even BBLs. They wear their hair extensions down despite working out (I can’t wear my hair down because hot flushes yuck) & basically wear the bare minimum gym wear.
Im not criticising these women - if that look works for them & makes them happy that’s fine.

The thing I don’t like is when ppl set up phone cameras to film their workouts as I’m worried I will get caught all red faced & sweaty in the background!

As for the men, even the local footballers, they just seem to throw on any old thing to work out in and don’t care about labels at all!

I am in an expensive Central London gym and the easiest way to look like anyone else is to have some sort of dark leggings and a sports bra. And exercise top - t-shirt or a racer back. M&S or Lululemon doesn’t really matter.
Brand of trainers also doesn't.
Mostly no one cares/looks. Unless - we do have a couple of women who occasionally look like they are wearing Flashback sort of getup - leotard over leggings. That is a bit strange and sticks out.
And - there are weird men, every gym would probably have them. Some wear smelly clothes; some look like 118-118 advert. And don’t get me started on tight leggings on men,
armpits and loud grunting….

Owala if you want what is currently popular/trendy.

Alo is probably the most trendy brand for matching sets right now. Aritzia’s workout gear also seems to be getting more popular.

I go to hotel gym & spa, similar cost, and anything goes. I prefer cycling shorts because I'm boiling as soon as I start, current favourites are from amazon of all places.

Unpopular opinion, but in the gym, the vast majority of people are only looking at your body. Someone who has an incredible figure could be wearing the cheapest, tattiest clothing but they'll automatically triumph over the person dressed head to toe in designer gear. Nobody will actually notice or care about the logos or brand of water bottle.

I go to DL. It’s a right mix really. I wear anything from Alo and Lululemon to Oysho and Primark. I wear what will be right for that session.

I don’t take my Stanley to the gym. They are pain in the arse size wise. I have an insulated Lululemon cup with a flip top lid.