These are our favorite places to buy fashionable, functional activewear for any budget.
Here at Health, we absolutely adore activewear, but let's face it—some of the most fashion-forward, moisture-wicking, butt-enhancing pieces come at a price. And it's not just the most high-end brands that give shoppers sticker shock; performance apparel tends to get pricey across the board. Some of us can't stomach the idea of dishing out 200 bucks for an outfit we're only going to sweat in. The good news: there are tons of lower-priced but still high-quality options out there—you just have to know where to look.
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These are the 17 best places to buy cheap workout clothes in 2021:
And just because these retailers offer lower prices, doesn’t mean they skimp on quality and style. Keep reading to learn why these are some of our favorite brands for affordable activewear.
What to look for when shopping for new workout clothes:
Regardless of the price point that you're after, there are some important factors to consider when selecting the perfect activewear to suit your lifestyle. First, identify what their purpose will be and match that to the support they offer. If you're wearing them to yoga or Pilates, you'll most likely find low-impact pieces to be the most comfortable. This also rings true if you're looking for athleisure clothes for lounging or running errands. Fitness enthusiasts that find themselves doing a lot of HIIT, strength training, and cardio may want to opt for pieces that offer compression and provide medium-to-high-impact support in order to ensure that their activewear will perform as needed.
Most brands indicate the support level of each piece, but you can also get a good idea by looking at details like the materials, compression level, and garment construction. Stretchy and durable materials like polyester and polypropylene are oftentimes associated with high-impact, whereas soft-to-the-touch fabrics are ideal for yoga, meditation, and lounging at home. Compression is key if you have an intense workout planned, since it helps stabilize your body while improving flexibility and breathability as you train. And leggings featuring high waistbands, sports bras with racerback silhouettes or longline bands, and pieces boasting mesh panels are all worth considering when refreshing your workout wardrobe.
Keep scrolling for a guide to the best brands for cheap workout clothes, and shop our favorites from each collection.
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1 Target
Price point: $9 - $45
Size range: XS - 4XL
Best for: Low-impact workouts like yoga, Pilates, and barre.
Target has long been a go-to source for fashionable activewear at a discounted price, courtesy of the retailer’s exclusive brand All in Motion. In this selection, you’ll find supportive sports bras, moisture-wicking tops, and trendy biker shorts all priced under $40. Right now, we love All in Motion’s extensive leggings lineup, including this high-waisted pair of sleek running leggings. Your fellow gym-goers will assume you spent a heck of a lot more than 30 bucks.
2 Old Navy
Price point: $13 - $55
Size range: XS - 4XL, plus tall and petite sizes
Best for: high-impact sports bras, compression leggings, and matching sets.
Old Navy's line of workout apparel is inexpensive, while still being comfortable, supportive, and cute. Plus, the retailer is always treating shoppers to deals and markdowns throughout the year, providing ample opportunities to stock up on your activewear favorites. Our favorite to shop is the UltraLite Racerback Performance Tank, which blends tech and style with moisture-wicking fabric and a bold color that will motivate you through the toughest HIIT workout. In addition to Old Navy's tops, we are big fans of the brand's compression leggings, which come in a variety of colors and patterns that rival more expensive brands.
3 Amazon
Price point: from $10
Size range: XS - 3XL
Best for: Customized workout leggings and workout-specific essentials.
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: Amazon's exclusive Core 10 line is incredible. The quality of the brand's Build-Your-Own Leggings is great, and the price point—starting at $44, depending on how you style your customized leggings—is even better. After you’ve grabbed a pair, make sure to check out the online retailer’s other fan-favorite brand Baleaf, which has everything from the basics like leggings and sports bras to workout-specific pieces like padded biker shorts, athletic swimsuits, and more at a moderate under-$40 price point.
4 Zappos
Price point: $15 - $198
Size range: XXS - 3XL
Best for: Name brand activewear and running shoes.
Zappos’ vast inventory of clothes, shoes, and accessories comes from a number of popular brands, many of which are activewear labels. You’ll find workout essentials from classic names like Nike, Adidas, and Reebok, along with trendy athleisure picks from celeb-loved Alo Yoga and Koral. Zappos also has a great selection of running shoes from Asics, Brooks, Hoka One One, and more. And thanks to its frequent sales, you won’t have any trouble finding your fave brand at a lower price.
5 Macy's
Price point: $14 - $225
Size range: 00 - 22
Best for: Name brand activewear and running shoes.
Time to replace your running shoes? Don't overlook Macy's. Along with its huge selection of activewear essentials like leggings, sports bras, tanks, and socks, it also offers a variety of top shoe brands (including Nike, Adidas, Skechers, Asics, and more) for less. The low prices paired with Macy’s frequent sales, you're bound to find a pair that suits your comfort needs as well as your budget. Our pick: Adidas' Swift Run Women's Sneakers for $85.
6 Dick’s Sporting Goods
Price point: $10 - $300
Size range: XXS - 3XL
Best for: Name brand activewear for a variety of sports and workout intensities.
In addition to a robust selection of popular athletic brands like Under Armour, New Balance, and Puma, Dick’s Sporting Goods also carries its own affordable in-house activewear label, DSG. The new line consists of shorts, sports bras, leggings, and workout tops, all made with breathable performance fabrics at low prices.
7 Gap
Price point: $25 - $80
Size range: XS - 2XL
Best for: Activewear and athleisure for low-, medium-, and high-impact workouts.
Gap may be known as a trusted source for comfy basics like underwear, bras, and pajamas, but its activewear line, GapFit, is just as great. You’ll get the same soft, high-quality fabrics and affordable prices you’ve come to except from Gap, but now in the form of sweat-wicking running shorts, breathable tanks, and strappy sports bras.
8 Kohl's
Price point: $13 - $100
Size range: XS - 4XL in addition to wide, petite, short, and tall sizes.
Best for: Activewear for low-, medium-, and high-impact workouts, plus hidden gems from big-name brands.
In addition to Nike, Adidas, and other big-name brands, Kohl's has a huge assortment of fitness clothes from Tek Gear. Stock up on basic wicking tees, sports bras, and much more—at these prices, you may be able to afford a few of each. Tek Gear offers more than just basics, though; these high-waisted shapewear leggings from the label are right on trend.
9 Marika
Price point: $45 - $75
Size range: S - 3XL
Best for: Trendy low-impact sports bras, tummy control leggings, and sweat-wicking tops that make great athleisure.
Marika is a little pricier than Old Navy and Target, with leggings and sports bras in the $50 to $75 range and tops starting at around $45. Still, that's more than reasonable when you consider many brands of similar quality and style start at double that. This low-impact sports bra includes optional cup inserts that add extra support to your chest, while the thick straps add the support you need for any type of workout. Not to mention, the seamless construction and moisture-wicking fabric mean extra comfort.
10 Danskin
Price point: $24 - $40
Size range: XS - 3XL
Best for: Low-impact workouts like barre, yoga, and pilates.
If you took dance classes as a kid, then you probably remember Danskin. Danskin makes more than leotards, though—it also sells high-quality workout clothes (sports bras, leggings, racerback tanks, you name it!) at reasonable prices. Looking for a cute pair of printed leggings? The brand’s Camo 7/8 Leggings are ones that you’ll want to wear to every barre or yoga class. They’re made from a buttery-soft jersey blend and provide the perfect amount of stretch and support.
11 Aerie
Price point: $16 - $60
Size range: XXS - 2XL
Best for: Low- and medium-impact workout sets with a viral following.
Aerie is already our favorite spot for bras, underwear, and swim, and thanks to its Offline loungewear/activewear brand, it’s now one of the best places to score moderately-priced workout pieces The collection has everything from light support leggings to longline sports bras so you can build your own athleisure set. But if our editors had to decide, they’d say the Offline bike shorts are where it’s at. Available in a variety of colors, lengths, and fabrics, they’re always lightweight and breathable for comfort, plus they have a supportive high-waisted band so you feel secure while breaking a sweat.
12 Gymshark
Price point: $15 - $70
Size range: XS - 2XL
Best for: Social media-ready pieces for a variety of workout types and intensities.
Priced slightly higher than its affordable activewear counterparts but still budget-friendly, Gymshark is home to some of social media’s favorite workout sets. The U.K.-based brand is known for its butt-lifting seamless leggings and bike shorts, which have also landed on our list for the best workout leggings in the past. Pair them with a cropped workout top or a breezy racerback tank, and you’re ready for strength training, cycling, cardio, and whatever else is on the agenda.
13 Marshalls
Price point: $13 - $100
Size range: XXS - 4XL
Best for: Hidden name brand activewear gems on sale.
Marshalls is a great place to shop discounted items from name brand activewear and footwear brands like Reebok, Champion, New Balance, Under Armour, Free People Movement, and more. You can also find tons of trend-inspired leggings, shorts, tanks, sweatshirts, joggers, and sports bras starting as low as $13.
14 Everlane
Price point: $35 - $68
Size range: XXS - 2XL
Best for: Sustainably-made workout essentials in smart color palettes.
Taking a more ethical approach to activewear by using recycled materials, Everlane offers high-quality pieces at a moderate price point. Its growing collection of workout clothes features a variety of leggings, shorts, sports bras, and tops, along with sweatsuits, unitards, tote bags, and more. Fans of the brand have left glowing reviews for the Perform Tank and Leggings set, which are both made from recycled nylon and are great for low-to-medium activities. And, make sure to check out the Perform Bra while you’re browsing.
15 PrettyLittleThing
Price point: $20 - $55
Size range: 00 - 26
Best for: Trend-inspired athleisure sets for low-impact workouts, or just lounging around.
You’ve probably seen PrettyLittleThing pop up on your social media feeds, and for good reason. The Instagram-famous brand has earned quite the following among fashionistas and celebrities alike for its trendy collection of clothing and accessories. The same goes for its activewear, which is priced between $20 and $55 and features everything from cropped workout tops to butt-lifting ruched leggings. Each piece is categorized by color and there’s something to suit every budget and style.
16 Zella
Price point: $25 - $169
Size range: XXS - 4XL, plus wide, petite, and maternity sizes
Best for: Low- and medium-impact workouts, or trendy athleisure moments.
Zella’s mission is to create activewear that not only delivers innovation in comfort, but performance. The Nordstrom-exclusive brand offers pieces for a variety of workout intensities, each designed with sweat-wicking and supportive materials. You can also rock Zella outside of the gym thanks to the line’s athleisure pieces, which include mesh tops, sporty dresses, sleek windbreakers, and other athletic-inspired items.
17 H&M
Price point: $10 - $50
Size range: XXS - 3XL
Best for: Activewear pieces that are both functional and fashionable, regardless of your workout.
Whether you’re headed to yoga or want to crank out a HIIT workout, H&M’s activewear selection will help you break a sweat with their functional pieces. It’s stocked with sculpting leggings, supportive sports bras, trendy tops, and cycling shorts in a variety of materials and fits to best suit your workout style, all without breaking the bank. The brand has even expanded its Conscious line into the activewear space to provide more eco-friendly options.