Looking and feeling better in activewear is a proven way to motivate yourself. Want to find the best affordable clothing for your style and budget?
Do you prioritize exercise and aim to work up a sweat at some point in your day or week? Well, researchers have shown that extrinsic motivators like finding workout partners and listening to good music can help you work harder to reach your goals faster. One item that can really help you lift those extra 10 pounds or run that extra mile is activewear that makes you feel good. So, before your next gym session, make sure you dress up in the most stylish clothes.
Affordable Activewear Brands That Are Also Funky
There’s nothing better than showing up to the gym feeling your best. It may sound silly, but feeling good can really motivate you to push yourself. But the struggle for many gym rats is that activewear tends to be expensive, and unlike a good pair of jeans, you need more than one pair.
If you’re looking to update your activewear wardrobe to impress your gym buddies on a budget, visit your local Old Navy, Target, or Gap. And if you don’t have time, don’t worry because all the stores have fantastic online stores.
Old Navy
Old Navy has its own line dedicated to activewear called Old Navy Active. You can search by category, such as “Sportswear by Style”, “Sportswear Tops” and “Sportswear Pants”. It also has categories like Jackets & Hats and Sports Bras for women. Old Navy Active has 2 types of clothing, one for working out and one for relaxing. Their high-performance workout and sweat apparel is made with compression fabric designed to keep you in shape during workouts and sweat-wicking Go-Dry technology. Their comfort wear is made from a soft, breathable cotton blend to keep you comfortable for hours. Old Navy’s athletic leggings range from $15 to $30, offer 20% off your first order, and have frequent sales.
Target/C9 Champion
Target also offers clothing comparable in quality, appearance and price to Old Navy. Its two main sportswear brands are C9 Champion and its newest, Joy Lab. C9 Champion offers quality running gear made from reflective and breathable fabrics, while Joy Lab offers athletic wear and comfortable going out clothing. Target has incredibly competitive prices, great customer service and return policies, and offers free 2-day shipping on eligible items on orders over $35. Both Old Navy and Target’s workout lines are not only high quality, but also affordable.
Forever 21
Forever 21 is known for their stylish clothing, and they don’t hold back when it comes to activewear. Think fishnet, mesh and cutout leggings for girls, and funky tank tops and sweatpants for men.
Kohl’s
Kohl’s also has a similar style, except their clothing mainly appeals to a younger audience. Both Forever 21 and Kohl’s offer clothing at extremely low prices, $15 for women’s shirts and $20 for men’s sweatpants.
Top High-End Activewear Brands
If you’re a modern shopper and love the style of Forever 21 clothing, but prefer to stick to high-end brands that last, Nordstrom Rack won’t disappoint.
Nordstrom Rack
Nordstrom Rack features all the best brands Nordstrom has to offer for half price only. Because Nordstrom Rack is a secondary market store, meaning it sells clothing that isn’t sold at Nordstrom, it offers deep discounts on all of its clothing. People who work out especially like the Zella line, which sells clothing for men, women and children. It markets its apparel as premium quality and designed with maximum comfort, innovation and maximum performance technology to enhance your workouts. Zella is not the cheapest. women’s leggings cost an average of $50 and men’s pants around $80.
Lululemon
If price is not your concern, Lululemon is for you. It’s the brand that celebrities trust, the brand that probably wears your sneakers, and the one that you won’t be able to live without once you’ve experienced the comfort. Lululemon is one of the most popular high-end activewear brands, offering everything from yoga mats and branded water bottles to windbreakers and sports bras. It has equally appealing pieces for men and women, and even hosts weekly yoga sessions at some of its brick-and-mortar locations. Lululemon is a brand that encompasses sleek, chic and contemporary. You can expect to pay around $118 for a men’s windbreaker and around $98 for women’s leggings.
Quality and Practical Activewear Brands
Between funky low-end brands and modern high-end brands, there are brands that shine with quality and practicality.
Nike
Think of brands like Nike and Athleta, which, unlike other sportswear brands, started out as athletic brands. So instead of selling clothes, shoes, and accessories, these brands have the sole purpose of providing their customers with the best clothing for their workouts. This means they do their research to find out which fabrics are the best at absorbing sweat, which soles are best for frequent running, and which socks are sure to keep you blister-free, even post-marathon.
Outdoor Voices
A really good place to find quality activewear is Outdoor Voices, whose motto is ‘technical clothing for recreation’. The brand makes and sells activewear for everyday activities like walking the dog, going for a run or doing yoga. You can look for men’s or women’s clothing or activities like spinning, hiking or running. The brand has been featured in Bazaar, Refinery29 and The New York Times and offers free shipping and returns in the US.
Sweat On
Whether you’re into cool and fun or classic and trendy, you’ll be sure to kick your butt and smash your weight loss goals wearing the trendiest activewear.