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The best activewear brands aren't just on speed dial for Hyrox Queens and marathon runners. For a sports brand to be the best, they've got to do the job for the ones who only dip their toe into a fitness class once every full moon, too. Y'know – offer comfortable leisure-wear that serves you just as well on your morning coffee run as it does when you're breaking a heavy sweat.
If you're not sure where to start, our guide to the best activewear brands is a good place. We've been busy squatting, lunging and running around central London in bestsellers by the likes of Lululemon, Adanola and New Balance. All to put the pieces offered by these brands through their paces.
Our findings? Each sports brand seems to have its own strengths. Lululemon has, in my opinion, the very best leggings, while Adanola nails that minimalist, just-came-from-Pilates aesthetic. On Running is our to go for (you guessed it) running trainers, as well as its surprising Loewe collab, while Nike and Adidas cover pretty much all bases. From tennis to golf, trail-running and yoga.
Whether you're training – with the rest of London – for your next half mara, or you're simply on the hunt for some gear for your first Pilates class, we've got you covered with our edit of the best activewear brands of 2025.
Best activewear brands for women at a glance:
- Best For Athleisure: Adanola
- Best For Sports Bras: Under Armour
- Best For Leggings: Lululemon
- Best For Running: New Balance
- Best For Low Impact: FP Movement
1. ADANOLA
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past, let's say, three years, you'll have spotted Adanola making many-an appearance on your Instagram feed. And even if you hadn't, the launch of the brand's recent collaboration with Kendall Jenner will undoubtedly have changed that.
The reason for Adanola's rise to sports stardom is simple. Every single item in their (now extensive) collection matches the next. A capsule wardrobe for your workout and leisure time, if you will. Their brunch-to-leg-day pieces are tonal – chocolate brown, black, beige, navy – pushing us in the sartorial direction of a wardrobe filled entirely with clothes we'll actually wear. And they're built for performance, too. Take the Ultimate Leggings, for example. They launched back in 2020 and have sold over one million units since, scoring highly in our squat and sweat tests. You know what to do.
2. UNDER ARMOUR
I will wax lyrical about Under Armour sports bras to anyone who will listen. Not only incredibly flattering, they're built for serious performance, and make me feel confident and supported even in the bounciest of HIIT classes. (My favourite is the white, medium-support Infinity 2.0 Mid Sports Bra which is seriously sweat-wicking, has breathable side panels and adjustable straps – but I've tried and loved many). You can shop by the support-level you desire on their website, and there's a plethora of colours and cuts available.
Outside of the realm of sports bras, Under Armour impressed us in so many categories: base layers, leggings, sports accessories and fleeces. You can shop by sport or by technology (CoolGear and HotGear are worth particular note), and delivery is super speedy.
3. New Balance
New Balance needs little introduction – ICYMI, not just a destination for fashion trainers (the 530 hype lives on) but for actual sports gear, too. Among their bestsellers sit joggers, sweatshirts, long-sleeve running tops and gym leggings with pockets, where running gear is designed for performance – but stylish enough to wear to brunch. In 2025, I'm bookmarking their sports bra which has a phone pocket built-in (!) and this cosy hooded jacket. Just perfect for cold-weather runs.
4. FP Movement
The dark horse of the activewear world – particularly when it comes to yoga and pilates – Free People's activewear line injects feminine, bohemian influences into its sportswear. Countless pieces have garnered the influencer stamp of approval over the past year, including the cross-back Righteous Runsie (go to a London run-club in the summer and you'll spot it) – and the floaty, flirty run shorts pictured below. It may be expensive, but the quality matches.
5. ALO YOGA
Founded on the philosophy of ‘mindful movement’ and the belief in the transformative power of yoga, Alo Yoga's collections are thoughtfully designed according to current trends – but are also made with practice in mind. Their pieces have been spotted on the likes of Gigi and Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Candice Swanepoel, which should act as proof enough for its quality.
6. TALA
British activewear brand Tala was founded by fitness entrepreneur and sports influencer Grace Beverley back in 2016, and it quickly built up a cult following. It was born to fill the missing gaps: sustainably-produced activewear that champions the female form and flatters all body shapes. Everything from its gym leggings – as tested by GLAMOUR contributor Karina Marriott – to its gym jackets and tops is made from recycled and natural materials, and available in a plethora of sizes.
7. LULULEMON
Next up, perhaps my favourite activewear brand of all time. I've tried my fair few. Lululemon Athletica is a technical athletic apparel brand known for its high-quality pieces across all fitness and exercise sectors, from yoga to running, weightlifting. And while I could write entire features dedicated to many of their lines (their Luxtreme™ Fabric is perfect for yoga, and their Wunder Train line a one-stop-shop for your sweatiest workouts), their Align range is the star of the show.
Whether I'm working from home or actually working out, I am living in the brand's industry-acclaimed Align leggings, which consistently top best-of round-ups for their buttery-soft fabric, high-waisted fit and second-skin feel. They're breathable, sweat-wicking and they never chafe or fall down. Take it from someone who has rowed, cycled, boxed and ran in them. Elsewhere, Align sports bras and tank tops are equally as soft and supportive.
8. NIKE
You can't go shopping for the best women's gym brands without coming across Nike (or its subsidiary label, Converse). Nike is worn by NFL players and NBA players alike – as well as everyone else on the streets (activewear or real clothes?) – making them the most coveted sports brand around. Its bestsellers? Air Jordans, slogan hoodies and its retro sports apparel are all worth noting, as well as its compression leggings and anything featuring their own DRI-Fit tech.
Save when you shop for the best activewear brands for women with these Nike discount codes.
9. GYMSHARK
The Gymshark legacy began all the way back in 2012 from a tiny garage in Birmingham. Today, the brand – whose flagship store is located on London's Regent Street – creates tools that aim to help everyone become their personal best: the clothing you'll sweat in, the content you'll find inspiration in, and the community you'll become your best in.
Co-signed by influencers and athletes alike, it's a not-too-expensive favourite for many-a fitness fanatic, and one you're sure to fall in love with too.
10. ADIDAS
Adidas nails that sweet spot between real clothes and high-performance activewear. One glance at the multiple staffers rocking Firebird track pants in the GLAMOUR office will act as proof. Of late, the brand has collaborated with the likes of Stella McCartney and Wales Bonner, while their Originals line has blown up (and gained approval from GLAMOUR Associate Visuals Editor Louisa Bryant). Those looking for actual gym-wear won't be disappointed, of course. Shop for the best-of-the-best in swimwear, tennis skirts, football gear, hiking attire and more.
Save when you shop for the best workout clothes for women with these Adidas discount codes.
11. SWEATY BETTY
Sweaty Betty is a global activewear and lifestyle brand for women, but it's also a community that believes fitness is a flip-the-switch trigger for becoming the woman you want to be. “Leggings and sports bras won't change the world on their own. But with a grab-my-hand, let's-go-for-it-now spirit, the women who wear them can” says the label. Preach.
Their activewear feels luxe and of the highest quality, and all of the styles we've tried have scored highly in testing. “It's true what they say about Sweaty Betty, it's worth the investment,” GLAMOUR's Georgia Trodd said. "I never spend much when it comes to my gymwear, but now I've tried SB I definitely will be – you can feel the quality before you even put anything on.
“The leggings I tested were not only squat proof (I checked), but they were also compressive which made me feel super secure. It meant that they didn't roll down, either, which is a huge pet peeve of mine.”
Elsewhere, Sophie Donovan – who notes that “sports bras are the one item in my gym wear wardrobe that I’ll always splurge on,” adored the Zero Gravity running bra. “I’ve invested in far too many that either lose their support within a few washes or don’t offer any at all,” she said.
“The Zero Gravity Bra is the most supportive one I’ve tried to date, with almost a suction-cup style design. I also love the two separate clasps at the back meaning no more struggling to pull my sweaty support over my head post-run. I currently live in the midnight cherry purple colourway - a nice alternative to bog-standard black.”
12. H&M Move
If it's not already, H&M should be on your radar for way more than just designer collabs with Rokh, Mugler and Simone Rocha. It designs some of the best activewear on the high-street, too, which is really rather affordable to boot. Is there anything the Scandi-stalwart can't do?
Save when you shop for the best sports brands with these H&M discount codes.
13. M&S Good Move
In 2024, M&S reported that over 1.3million customers searched for sportswear on M&S.com, with the #1 search term being ‘Sports Bras’ (200K searches) followed by ‘Goodmove’ (160K searches). That's a lot of people A) wanting to get fit, and B) wanting to get fit wearing M&S.
The entire collection is amazing and vast – affordable, but underpinned by quality and innovation. Think: dynamic, moisture wicking and Cool Comfort™ fabrics, that will keep you cool and comfortable whilst working out, to Stormwear™ technology that will protect you from the elements, whilst outdoors.
It's also worth noting that M&S stocks many other activewear brands, too – including Adidas, Girlfriend Collective, and Under Armour.
14. ON RUNNING
On Running was born in the Swiss alps with one goal: to revolutionise the sensation of running. It has a focus on trainers, but has recently branched out to offer an array of activewear for all pursuits, too. On our wishlist this season? The Studio Open Back Crop, and a pair of the Loewe X On Running Cloudlit trainers.
15. Varley
“Varley is a fashion-centric brand that is designed with movement in mind,” Kay Barron, Net-A-Porter's Buying Director, told GLAMOUR's fashion editor Rosie Lai.
“Its collection of elevated knits, outerwear, sweats and refined basics allow for an effortless transition from a workout class to a social occasion, or of course, you can skip the workout class! Over the past three months alone, we have seen a remarkable 967% increase in customer searches on the site for ‘Varley DoubleSoft’ alongside a 500% rise in customer searches in the same time period for ‘Varley jumper’, which shows the growing interest in these styles."
More fitness and exercise content:
- Best gym trainers, tried and tested by editors
- The best yoga pants for low-intensity workouts
- The best protein powders for women, including the best vegan protein powder and the best whey protein powder
- The best sports swimsuits according to wild swimmers
- The best yoga mats for training indoors
For more from GLAMOUR UK's Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.
