Quick Guide: The Best Workout Clothes for Women Over 50

A quick guide to the best workout clothes for women over 50

If you are going for an active lifestyle, it comes as no secret that finding the right clothes is key to feeling comfortable and motivated to get out and exercise.  Workout clothing can be super tricky for older women but is not an impossible task.   In this post, we are going to focus on building out our workout wardrobe along with some tips and a few of my favorite styles of workout wear.  Choosing workout wear is highly personal, and based on one’s personal fitness journey.  Don’t be afraid to try on several pieces to ensure a perfect fit, and don’t be afraid to shop at TJ Maxx for workout and athleisure wear as I have found many great pieces at a great price.

The good news is that there are many great workout brands that cater to a variety of body types and price points.  Fabric has come a long way as well, there are many natural and high-tech options.  I always look for moisture-wicking fabrics, especially since it is very hot and humid here in Florida.  In the winter I love a lightweight fleece with a relaxed fit jacket to throw over my outfit to stay warm and chic.  

1.  Sports Bras.  While sports bras are highly personal, and based on the type of exercise, I always look for sports bras that provide extra support or compression when I am going to do aerobic exercise, tennis, or pickleball.  Here are a few of my favorite sports bras such as The Sweaty Betty Power Pro Running Bra shown above which is a fan favorite because its light weight but still holds everything in place.

2. Workout Tops:  While we can easily wear just a plain t-shirt, tank tops with built-in bras made of breathable fabrics are a great way to kill two birds with one stone, as many mature women prefer to wear something with a little more coverage than just a sports bra and will often bring along a t-shirt or tank to throw over their workout clothing if they have to run to the grocery store after their workout.  In the winter months look for long sleeve shirts made of Merino wool to wick away moisture and regulate body temperature. While we all have basic workout tops, I love this top from L’Etoile Sport with a little extra interest in the lace detailing.

3.  Leggings:  I am a fan of full-length leggings, and go for black yoga pants for my daily workouts. While brands such as Jonny Was have beautiful patterns, and sometimes patterns can “confuse the eye” making us look slimmer because of an interesting print, I often shy away from loud prints on the bottom. Here are my favorite leggings from Beyond Yoga

4.  Workout  Shorts.  I tend to wear leggings when working out in the gym, as I am not a huge fan of bike shorts. Instead, I like running shorts. When looking for bike shorts,  I look for a soft fabric that doesn’t roll–nothing is worse than bike shorts that roll at the legs or around the waist.  This pair from Spanx works like a charm, they fit well, hold you in the right places, and have interesting detail at the legs.

I hope this helps you find the best women’s workout clothes, but also pieces that reflect your unique style so that your fitness clothes suit you and your activities. For a deeper dive into workout clothes, you might like this post and if you are looking for pickleball outfits, I wrote this post about pickleball.