The Ultimate Guide to Women’s Exercise Apparel

Generally, high-impact sports bras will have thicker straps to distribute the weight a little more evenly on your shoulders. They often have a racer back, meaning the straps come together in a T shape, freeing your shoulder blades to move more easily.

For more support, you’ll probably want a sports bra with a closure rather than one that just pulls over your head. This allows more compression and, by extension, more support.

This Champion high-impact sports bra is an outstanding example.

Let’s talk about panties. Many people wear thongs and G-strings to the gym to avoid panty lines, to feel more comfortable, or to get a better range of movement.

It’s okay if you prefer to work out in a G-string, but you should know it can be risky.

Wearing thongs generally makes it easier to develop UTIs because your underwear pushes bacteria toward your urethra. The risk becomes even higher when you’re working out because all the sweat and moisture gets trapped down there, introducing the potential for vaginal infections alongside UTIs.

Your best bet is cotton, non-thong underwear that allows the area to breathe.

These Fruit of the Loom sets are specially designed to allow airflow.

Just like shoes, socks significantly impact how your feet feel during and after your workout.

The ideal gym socks should have additional padding, especially in the spots where your feet are prone to blisters. If you’ve got plantar fasciitis, you should look for socks with extra support in the arches.

Your socks should be breathable, so look for options made of nylon or a cotton-poly blend.

These Saucony socks make a smart option.

Tank tops are popular for most indoor workouts because they keep the wearer cooler and allow for plenty of arm and shoulder mobility. For additional mobility, spring for a racerback like this one.

If you’re uncomfortable going bare-shouldered or want more coverage, a short-sleeved tee can still give you a wide range of motion. While any t-shirt will work, finding something lightweight and moisture-wicking is a good idea so your shirt doesn’t get heavier as you sweat.

Long-sleeve shirts are often worn for outside workouts in cooler weather, but they can also be worn on sunny days. The extra coverage helps protect your skin from sunburn.

If you plan on pushing your sleeves up, you may want them to have flatlock seams to prevent chafing.

Say what you will about high-waisted shorts, they have 2 substantial advantages: there’s no risk of bum crack when you bend over, and the waistband usually gives you some tummy control.

These shorts from THE GYM PEOPLE are a top-notch example of a high-waisted bike/ yoga short.

Capri-length pants are very popular for yoga and some kinds of martial arts because they offer more coverage (and often a more relaxed fit) but don’t create a risk of impeding stance strength or footwork.

These sweat-style capris are a cozy option for warming up, cooling down, and everything in-between.

Generally speaking, the elements you should look for in long pants are the same as those in shorts and capris: flatlock seams and stretchy fabric that’s thick enough to pass the squat test.

One extra feature to look for is a crotch gusset: an additional piece of fabric in the crotch to prevent “camel toe.”

These yoga pants are a trendy take on full-length activewear pants.

Suitable footwear is crucial for your safety and enjoyment when hiking. Your hiking boots or shoes should feature plenty of support and flexibility but enough rigidity to keep you from rolling an ankle.

Ideally, hiking boots should be as light as possible so walking doesn’t exhaust you. And, of course, the tread on your boots should be rugged and textured, with a prominent heel.

The Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Boot is a versatile, lightweight boot, making it a perfect example.

Running shoes are typically designed to absorb the most impact in the heel, as most people strike the ground with their heels first when they run. Then, the shoe helps the foot roll through the step for a smoother transition.

When buying running shoes, you should look for something lightweight with quite a bit of cushion. If you run indoors or on paved surfaces, it’s best to get a thicker sole. For trail running, you may want something slightly thinner.

While running shoes are designed to move in one direction (heel to toe), training shoes are made for more dynamic movements. They can facilitate side-to-side movements more effectively than running shoes and usually feature a flatter, more flexible sole.

Like running shoes, you’ll want to look for something lightweight. The soles may have less give or shock absorption, so it’s best only to wear training shoes inside.

The Ryka Influence training shoe gives you the flexibility you need without sacrificing support.