What you wear at the gym can help your workout, but wearing the wrong thing to exercise in can lead to all kinds of problems. Chafing under the armpits, a hem that rides up, sleeves that get in the way, fabric that makes you feel like you’re working out in a furnace… the list is endless.
So how do you know which one is a winner and which will just let you down? Well, you’re in luck, because we’ve tried and tested a bunch of them. Get set to upgrade your workout with our favourite gym T-shirts, tanks and tops.
And if you’re in the mood for shopping, peruse our picks of the best sports bras, then browse the best women’s gym wear, casting your eyes over the best gym shorts for women, flicking through the best gym leggings, before finally bagging one of the best gym bags for women.
The Best Gym Tops For Women
Stand out from the crowd in this bright racerback vest, which has already become a firm favourite in my gym wear rotation. The fit is baggy but still flattering, and the low underarms mean minimal sweat patches. The relaxed fit allows for easy movement and extra ventilation, and it’s made with moisture-wicking and antimicrobial FEEL360/FreshTek, so there’s less of that post-gym stink. The tank seemed to dry pretty fast after my sweaty gym HIIT workout, which meant I wasn’t left hanging around in damp kit feeling chilly. The only downside to this tank is that it’s fairly expensive – perhaps best saved for a payday treat.
This lightweight Nike race vest isn’t just ideal for running – thanks to the sweat-wicking fabric and airy mesh sections it’s extremely breathable and I found it kept me cool throughout all gym-based workouts. I also liked how it fitted: it sat at the right length and didn’t ride up at any point. Plus, it looks good tucked into shorts or simply hanging loose.
Fabletics materials never fail to create comfortable, useful workout clothes. And this Dry-Flex T-shirt is no different. It’s a boxy short-sleeved tee that’s loose-fitting and non-clingy—ideal if tight tops aren’t your cup of tea. It also has a flattering longline fit and moisture-wicking fabric made up of 45% recycled polyester. However, the material is slightly thicker than in most gym tops, so it might not be the best option for hotter days.
Fabletics works on a “VIP” subscription model that charges members $59.95/£54.99 a month. This amount can be used against any outfit worth up to £80, and members will benefit from lower prices on items. There is the option to skip the payment each month, which also skips your option to buy for this price.—Lois MacKenzie
The high neck of this long vest is great for women who want extra coverage since it completely covers the chest area. It’s also very stretchy without being too tight, so I felt comfortable moving throughout my resistance-based workout. What’s more, it doesn’t feel like most other gym tops: it’s super-soft and comfortable, as well as light and breathable. I’d wear this outside or inside – it’s a brilliant all-rounder. Another big plus is that the tank comes in several other (slightly more muted) colours, and if you fancy being a little matchy-matchy, there are also shorts that go with the tank.
Sustainability is the name of the game with this tank top, which is made using a blend of organically grown bamboo. This is seen as an eco-friendly fabric because bamboo grows faster, doesn’t require fertiliser, and needs less water to grow. In fact, Boody says that its bamboo uses 66% less water than conventional cotton.
In the case of this tank top, bamboo helps to create a pleasantly soft fabric that I found has just the right amount of stretch without being clingy. It’s a classic tank that goes with everything and feels airy thanks to the racerback style. The length is great too – tuck it into shorts or leggings, or wear out for a more relaxed fit.
This is one of those tops that you’ll want to buy in every colour because it’s such a good ’un. I liked the way it’s cropped in style without being too short. The hem sits at a really nice height on the body and isn’t too revealing – it’s perfect paired with high-waisted shorts or leggings. You can feel the high quality of the lightweight, breathable ribbed fabric, which is soft and pretty stretchy, so I found I could move comfortably, with a low underarm that helps avoid huge sweat patches forming. You might want to choose a darker colour if you’re a big sweater, but luckily there’s a huge range of colours to choose from.
If you want something simple that ticks the boxes for comfort and practicality, then this tee is the one. It’s flattering, falling in the sweet spot between baggy and tight, with a perfect length that doesn’t continuously ride up. I wore this for a weights-based workout and found it really comfortable. When I got sweaty the tee felt quite warm, but the black colour disguises all signs of sweat patches. A really useful staple tee to have in your gym wardrobe, this one goes with everything, offers a nice amount of coverage and dries fast, so there’s less damp sweat drama.
Are you in the mood for a plain gym top? Or maybe something patterned? You can have both options in one with this long-sleeved cropped gym top from MP. It’s reversible so you can choose what to wear for one workout, and then switch things up for your next gym sesh.
I found the long sleeves provided a little extra warmth (useful in air conditioned gyms), but the light purple colour does show sweat patches pretty severely. Opt for one of the darker colours if that’s a dealbreaker for you.
The sweat-wicking fabric is made with 83% Repreve fibres produced from recycled plastic bottles, so there’s some sustainability points ticked off too. Although it’s a snug fit – go up a size if you want something a little looser – this top didn’t feel too restrictive and I found I could move comfortably throughout my workout.
When the weather warms up, you might want a top that will keep you cooler. This sports bra-gym top hybrid is ideal for gym workouts because it offers the support of a bra with removable cups, while also giving a little extra coverage thanks to the longer crop length. I wore this for a HIIT and weights-based workout and found that it kept me pretty cool and didn’t stick to me when sweaty.
Often, this style of top can be difficult to get on and off – sometimes a workout in itself – but Pokita’s crop top is easy to wriggle in and out of and the fabric is super-soft. It’s also made primarily from recycled polyester.
Although its name suggests it’s solely for running, this vest is ideal for the gym thanks to its lightweight feel. The mesh back helps keep things airy, and the fabric used for the rest of the vest has inbuilt odour management, so sweaty summer workouts needn’t be smelly ones. It washed well, retaining its shape and not shrinking. Available in a range of bright colours and usually discounted in all of them, this top is ideal for that end-of-the-month feeling when we’re holding the purse strings a little tighter.
This gym top’s sunshine yellow colour just screams summer, and the crop style and mesh back allow for extra breathability when it’s warm. Although it’s a snug fit it doesn’t feel too tight or restrictive, while the racerback allows your arms to move freely. It works well for bigger busts, with a high neckline that offers extra coverage. New Balance says that this top uses an innovative dye method that reduces water consumption by at least 80% compared with traditional dyeing methods.
MyProtein rarely disappoints with its gym kit, and this cute black cropped tee is no exception. Although I found getting my head through the neck hole a little tough, once it’s on, the top allows for plenty of movement while still feeling quite supportive around the chest. It’s thick, which is welcome because sometimes a cropped top will leave you shivering, but it also felt breathable during a gym workout. The small sleeves don’t chafe, which is a relief, and the length isn’t too revealing, pairing perfectly with a pair of high-waisted shorts or leggings.
If you’re after something breathable and lightweight, this Nike vest fits the bill. The pretty pastel colour is ideal for summer, and the slightly cropped length stops you from feeling too restricted. The beauty of this vest is that it can quite easily convert into a carry pack: the bungee cord hem of the vest tightens to make a chic little tote-style bag, ideal for a few small items. Fashionable and practical – that’s what we love! If you’re packing this for your travels, be sure to roll instead of folding it because the fabric creases easily.
