What I Wear to Workout

I put together a review of my current favorite workout tops and bottoms. The last couple years I’ve tried a lot of brands and styles and all the items below are ones I would buy again (and many of them I have).  As I find new favorites I will add reviews here and let you know. 

Photo by LMB Photography

Workout Tops

For a workout top, it is all about the support. If the workout top is a bra and top in one then I need it to be very supportive. My main workout is indoor spin so I need my girls fully supportive and not moving anywhere. Several of the tops I review below are crop. In full disclosure I have a short torso so a crop shirt matched with a high waisted
legging shows very little stomach on me. I know that can be very different for everyone.

Athleta Conscious Crop – I will admit I have this top in 4 colors. I started with the black and just keep acquiring more and more. This one has a built in shelf bra under the top layer. Combined, the 2 layers are supportive enough for me that I don’t need to wear a bra with it. Thick straps help lift as well and the back is a traditional athletic racer back. The bottom of the crop is fitted but not tight so it doesn’t dig in and moves with you. (True to size. I wear a medium.)

Athleta Aurora Crop Rib Tank – A recent find, this one might replace the Conscious crop as my favorite. The thick rib material is supportive but not lifting. You could wear a bra with this one but I don’t usually. I love that the back is full coverage because it is more flattering on me. The more coverage makes me fell more comfortable since the front is lower cut. The length is also a little longer than other crops I’ve worn.  (True to size, I wear a medium but could possible wear a small for more support.)

IVL Collective Chi Chi Foil Animal Print Top – This top isn’t my typical go to but when I bought the leggings in this print, I wanted to at least give it a shot so I would have the set. It can be worn as either a top or a bra. I love how supportive it is. I can do an intense cardio workout and the girls aren’t moving. It is a scoop neck so it is a bit revealing but I don’t mind that every once in awhile. You can also wear this as just a bra and put a top over it. What I really love is the back. The wide stripes and scoop is super flattering on. I typically wear a black crop shirt over it and then take off the shirt while I’m actually working out. (Runs slightly small. I wear an 8)

Boa Basic Crop Tank Tops – Another whim purchase, I love these tops. They are a shirt and don’t have any support so you definitely have to wear a bra with them. With a good supportive bra, I find them really flattering and a mid crop length. They don’t stretch so they’ll keep their shape very well. I like having them as an alternative to my more expensive tops. They also make a great undershirt under sweaters or other items.

Workout Bottoms

I am pretty picky when it comes to leggings. I want a lot of things out of them and they need to last. A couple years ago when I started to get back into working out, I ordered 10+ pairs to try on and the Salutation Stash Pocket Tight is my favorite. Since then I have tried several but nothing beats these.

 Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket Tight – This workout leggings has everything I look for: compression, high waist, pocket and right thickness. In my opinion they are the best workout legging. The leg has a medium compression but the thick high waistband has slightly more compression. The ultra high waistband comes up over your belly button. If you have a short waist like I do, the waistband comes up pretty high. The butter soft fabric is thick enough that it isn’t see through but it won’t make you hot. I have several pairs of these leggings and they really do last. I wear them at least weekly and they are going on a year and a half. The full length pant has enough length for even longer legs. The side pockets are handy but don’t add any bulk. (These fit true to size. I wear a medium.)

 IVL Collective Chi Chi Foil Animal Print Legging – I will admit I bought these based solely on the print and just hoped I would like everything else about them. The compression on these is pretty high but you can still move easily. The waistband and material are thick and really suck you in but can also border on too much compression. The holographic gold print makes quite a statement! Especially for someone like me that wears (These fit true to size. I wear a 6.)

 CRZ Yoga High Waisted Workout Legging – I was very skeptical when these were recommended to me. With such a low price I just knew they would be see thru or have no compression but I tried them anyways. I was pleasantly surprised that they do have a bit of compression and flattering high rise. They are soft and passed the see through test. If you want high or medium compression you won’t like these. What I’m not sure on is how long they will last. But for under $30, they are worth a chance. My only major complaint is that the leggings are closer to a capri length and I like
full length leggings. (These fit true to size. I wear a medium.)

Spanx Look at Me Now Bike Short– The bike short trend can be a bit polarizing. The key to this trend is finding the length of short that works best on you. If you want to wear them, I think any body can. To try out the trend I bough an inexpensive pair to try out and loved the shape but they didn’t hold up so I invested in the Spanx bike shorts. I like bike shorts that are on the longer side and go past the widest part of my leg. Like any Spanx product these bike shorts are figure flattering and have great compression. I’d also recommend this pair.
 

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