Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Workout clothes - brand suggestions?

29 replies

Allatsea1980s · 26/10/2026 21:37

I am trying to do more exercise, but find I don’t have enough clothes. Could really do wirh a couple of t shirts (yoga, tennis, a jog) and also a sweatshirt/quarter zip/fleece etc. maybe some new leggings too. I love sweaty betty but I really can’t justify £50 on a t shirt and I’d rather not use Vinted for a used sports top. Any other brands out there people use that look ok and are decent quality but don’t cost as much?

OP posts:
LivingDeadGirlUK · 26/10/2026 21:38

M&S goodmoves range is, um, well good :D

MozzieFreeZone · 26/10/2026 21:38

Decathlon.

Carockin · 26/10/2026 21:40

I’ve bought a few decathlon bits and bobs this year as I’ve started a fitness campaign and they’ve been really good value and also good quality.

CortieTat · 26/10/2026 21:46

I train regularly, several times a week and I have been doing this for years. My workout clothes are an old t-shirt and ancient leggings. The most important bits, imo are a good quality sports bra (I have Shock Absorber) and if you are heavy and plan to run - a decent pair of running shoes. The rest is mainly marketing. I got my leggings from vinted and they have been working great for me for the last five years - I wanted a pair with a pocket to put my phone in as I always run out in the woods and want to have a way of getting help if something happens to me.

HubertLaneIsMyNemesis · 26/10/2026 21:55

My H&M leggings are better than my Sweaty Betty ones.

Daisymay2 · 26/10/2026 21:59

M&S Good Move and Sainsbury’s TU are my go to

RancidRuby · 26/10/2026 22:36

H&M and M&S are good usually. I also recently bought some leggings in Primark which I was impressed with, lovely soft material.

Lleys · 27/10/2026 00:27

Matalan have a great activewear selection and if you download the app; 20% off

CopeNorth · 27/10/2026 00:30

LivingDeadGirlUK · 26/10/2026 21:38

M&S goodmoves range is, um, well good :D

Came here to say this. It’s on Sports Edit too with good discounts sometimes.

Britpopbaby · 27/10/2026 08:06

i have H&M which I got from a charity shop and they are really good.

TroysMammy · 27/10/2026 08:16

I have Matalan which are great. Primark has a good range but large sizes are rare. I have big boobs for my frame so their large sized tops are a tight fit.

HaventYouAlwaysWantedAMonkey · 27/10/2026 08:21

Amazon CRZ or IUGA leggings are brilliant and have pockets.

I do have a range of charity shop sports tops as mine has a £1 pot of them. I've also got Primark, Lidl and Matalan ones. I find the Primark fitted ones have really odd sizing though.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 27/10/2026 08:25

They are very utilitarian compared to some, but Ron Hill leggings are excellent, and you can usually find them reduced in Amazon.

M&S Goodmove is great.

The Sports Direct “2 for £18” tops are fine.

Invest money in a high impact bra and gym shoes.

CortieTat · 27/10/2026 08:29

I had H&M training leggings years ago and they wouldn’t stay in place which was annoying, you don’t want to pull your clothes up constantly when exercising. I’m slim with a small bum so it wasn’t a matter of trying to squeeze my fat arse into a smaller size.

I know it won’t be a popular opinion but why not wait with buying gear until you establish a regular exercise habit? There’s nothing more demotivating than having a whole wardrobe exploding with exercise clothes and not exercising. It only creates guilt and takes up precious space.

Nothungrycat · 27/10/2026 08:31

Another shout-out for M&S Good Moves, but if you are happy with plain leggings, I also really rate Uniqlo's - they have pockets and also wear really well.

BobbleBear · 27/10/2026 08:32

I bought several pairs of leggings and tops from Lidl for €2.99 each and they’re excellent value.

Divebar2021 · 27/10/2026 09:29

I have really good mixture of Sweaty Betty and mix in with other brands. It slightly depends on what exercise you’re doing. Uniqlo and M&S I’ve got and I like. H&M I have their bras and some shorts but I didn’t get on with the leggings (but that was only one pair ). I picked up a pair of New look leggings from a friend and firstly I did not know they had an active range. They’re quite soft with not much compression so I prefer them in yoga rather than the gym. Ive also
looked at the Tu active range in the past and have tried a bra and a top which were both good but have no experience of the leggings. For outside running / exercise I have some warm leggings and top from Decathlon.

Divebar2021 · 27/10/2026 09:34

I actually think looking well presented is an important aspect for me and exercise. I know it doesn’t matter in the whole scheme of things. When I was larger I had some nice t shirts from H&M that I wore over cycle shorts or leggings in winter. Just something that looked fresh / modern gave me a little boost in an environment that I did not feel that confident in.

MsAlignement · 27/10/2026 12:54

I feel the same, @Divebar2021, and have become somewhat obsessive about my fitness wear. But I’m a spendthrift so have so far only looked at and bought from more expensive brands. I have absolutely no idea how my things might compare with any of the brands on this thread. Blush

Amsylou · 27/10/2026 12:56

CRZ yoga on Amazon- really good Lulu lemon dupes (and actually more comfortable)

Divebar2021 · 27/10/2026 18:37

MsAlignement · 27/10/2026 12:54

I feel the same, @Divebar2021, and have become somewhat obsessive about my fitness wear. But I’m a spendthrift so have so far only looked at and bought from more expensive brands. I have absolutely no idea how my things might compare with any of the brands on this thread. Blush

I’m lucky that I can access some bouji charity shops. WAGS clearly change their fitness wear pretty regularly so I’ve picked up a lot of Sweaty Betty leggings. The pairs I have a lot more compression than some of the cheaper brands but I don’t actually know what difference makes in reality. I also found some leggings by Adanola that fit really nicely. I’m never going to buy Lululemon because I feel the items I already have are good enough. I can appreciate not everyone wants to wear second hand fitness wear though. Sweaty Betty do have really good sales and they are a British brand so it’s good to champion them.

ButtonNoseBunny · Yesterday 08:07

M & S Good Move range
Decathlon
Primark

Sweat- wicking fabrics make a world of difference if you do vigorous exercise! Much lighter and cooler than cotton (quicker to dry after washing too).

Fieldday26 · Yesterday 08:10

I’ve got quite a bit of gym king which regularly have sales on making it similar priced to the super markets.

Shoes232 · Yesterday 14:49

I train daily and wear Adanola, Alo, Gymshark, JLuxe (brilliant if you have a bigger bust) and M&S good move.

Swipe left for the next trending thread