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!!

M&S or Ronhill are dependable. The matching expensive outfits in our gym are all walking on the treadmill with phone in one hand staring at it- no breaking sweat in sight. Keep imagining a Ronnie Corbett fall but not seen one yet

Same here

M&S does great gym wear that doesn’t look or feel cheap but you won’t cry when it needs replacing in a smaller size.

Ive been a member of DL on and off based on where I live (closest one is over an hour away now ☹️) and nobody has ever cared or noticed what others are wearing.

For leggings, I’ve recently found Born Nouli. Vvv similar to sweaty Betty in quality and fit, for half the price.

I’m at a David Lloyd. I’m middle aged and my age group seem to wear a lot of Sweaty Betty. I actively don’t like SB, I wear M&S leggings and I do often wear a baggy Primark tshirt. But I spend a lot of time lifting weights where nobody cares. If I go to yoga I tend to wear a more fitted adidas or Next vest.

A lot of the younger women wear ABYL….think I’ve spelt that right. I see a bit of LuLuLemon but not a lot.

I am rather fond lululemon tights - not bothered about the brand of tops.

An unbranded equivalent of a chilli bottle for water is fine. If you are like me you will leave it somewhere after an especially intense workout and have to get another one!

Plain gym wear from somewhere like M&S is fair priced but good quality. Also bear in mind that if you’re new to working out, you might prefer a looser fit initially, but as you get into more intense workouts, different styles may keep you more comfortable when doing intense workouts. Save these so you can reward yourself once you pass a particular milestone, eg 30 gym visits.

sweaty Betty and Ron hill wear and wash well, but once on, no one looking at me would be able to tell that it is a particular brand, so don’t get hung up on brands. The most important things are that they are comfortable and fit well.

This is me in my DL! (Those backpacks last foreverrrrr! ⭐️)

I'm a DL member.

Literally no one cares what you are wearing. I usually look like a bag of washing when I'm working out and I haven't been asked to leave yet.

Good shout, thank you. I have a swimsuit from bravissimo and the cup size is very good, also holds everything in. Will try to find their colab with speedo

I don’t rate SB leggings at all. Yes they are good but definitely not worth the price tag. I won’t be repurchasing. I have tried loads of brands of leggings and the best are Tala SkinLuxe. High waisted and do not move. If you really want SB I would get them off Vinted/ebay.
But honestly no one cares, everyone is far too focused on what they are doing to care what others are wearing.

I am at a DL and wear any old Sports Direct bargains (USA pro and karrimor 😁😁😁)

most of it years old

never thought that I might be judged on my lack of fashion sense

i’m just there on a mission really, as are most people (I think?)

well anyway, that is my perspective 😊

At my gym ( independent but serious lifting) women wear:
Gymshark
Dfyne
Aybl

I wear Women’s Best - great colours and styles and really nice and compressive.

But also random brands, including Primark, Target

Been gym member for over 25 years, I’ve worn a mix of Matalan, Nike and Under Armour. IMO patterned leggings are ‘out’, plain sports branded gear is ‘in’, I see quite a bit of gym shark. Don’t wear a baggy t-shirt, it won’t be dri-fit and will not stay put during cardio.
Trainers wise On Cloud or New Balance. Enjoy your new regime.

Just to add, I think that people are more likely to wear nicer stuff in the classes than in the gym. And some classes will attract more well dressed people than others.

I’ve gone for:
new balance trainers, 530 blue and white because I love them and 520 v9 frosted better for running?

george Asda high impact sports bras in green and black

plain black active leggings from m and s
lighter blue new balance leggings (m and m direct)

2 Slazenger t shirts in black and white

Navy slazenger sports swimming costume. Not great for boobs but excellent bum coverage compared to the speedo

2 new balance active wear tops, one navy, one black

and a lilac coloured litre chillis bottle!

My chilli’s bottle is lilac too!

They all sound great OP! Any chance you could post some links please? I need to start doing some exercise and having nothing to wear is one of my many excuses not to

For the locker - That being said, my locker was broken into!

@TheGirlWhoLived
come and join us on the breast reduction thread on ask me anything
I know where I'd rather spend my money before starting to exercise

I love Aybl, Gymshark and Blakeley for gym wear.
I bought a pair of M&S leggings from Vinted and they discoloured when stretched, so the bum area went completely white but wasn’t see through…very odd and, needless to say, I won’t be wearing them or trying them again!
I’ve got my eye on an Adanola set. I tend to ask for gym wear for birthday and Christmas presents!

I’d recommend Sho for water bottles. Keeps water icy and can also be used for hot drinks.

Do you have flip flops for the swimming area? Most people wear them - it's very slippy otherwise. Also you will need a soap bag if you will be showering at the gym, though I know a lot of people don't. And a decent sports bag.

i just wear Gymshark things. It’s comfortable and practical. Not to pricey.

@Madagascary I like my boobs! They just don’t conveniently fit into conventional sporty swimsuits due to their voluptuous nature. I do hope you get one if it is right for you though 😊

@Lararoft mine was only £26 on Amazon so it was easy to choose the colour tbh - everything else was £40

@Arran2024 excellent suggestion! I do not have flipflops or a soap bag… towels are provided which is nice but you are absolutely right I shall look into that. I did get a backpack which again was new balance.

I can absolutely do links… I bought half in town today and half online but I’ll see what I can find!

What an odd comment. Why would you discourage people from exercising? It has massive health benefits.