It can be tricky to find great gym wear, and hunting out the best women’s gym tops comes with its challenges. As well as cut and style there are other things to consider when buying a gym top, such as breathability and stretch.
It’s also important to think about what type of workout you might be wearing this top for. A racerback tank might suit a high-intensity workout involving a lot of arm movement, for example, while for a sweaty cardio session you’ll need a very lightweight and breathable top.
Whatever it is you’re after, we’ve scouted out the best women’s gym tops that will work well as the seasons change. From cheap and cheerful options to payday treats, these are the gym tops to check out right now.
We’ve also got you covered with the best women’s gym leggings and our pick of women’s shorts for the gym.
The Best Gym Tops For Women
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The Best Short-Sleeved Gym Tops
The feminine cut of this top offers a flattering fit without being skin-tight. I did find the head hole quite small, but when you’ve got your head through, all is well. The neckline is high, which would explain the struggle to actually get into it.
This tee is easy to move in, and despite being primarily a running top, it works really well as a general gym top. It’s thin and breathable with plenty of ventilation at the back from the keyhole detail so no matter what workout you do—from HIIT to weights—you’ll stay cool. And Asics says that at least 50% of the top’s main material is made with recycled content.
I liked the slightly longer sleeves on this top, but found them a little tight. You may want to go up one size if you want room to flex.
When you fancy a baggier top, then this UA Challenger tee is a good choice thanks to its loose cut. Although it’s been made for soccer, this tee works well in the gym, or for any activity, because it’s so breathable and light. It’s easy to move in; I had total arm freedom throughout my workout.
In true Under Armour style, you can expect plenty of built-in tech such as a mesh back and sleeve panels to allow air to circulate, and the UA Tech fabric which is quick-drying and wicks sweat fast, so you don’t feel too damp or uncomfortable. The fabric is soft and I found it pleasant against the skin.
For sustainability credibility, UA has made this top with at least 90% recycled polyester. The bright coral shade really stands out, though you can also buy this top in black or white if you don’t want anything too loud.
Gym + Coffee is a brand that I’ve seen growing in popularity recently. However, it’s hard to trust a brand you're totally unfamiliar with—it’s sometimes a case of just biting the bullet, investing in a piece and seeing how it goes. Well, I’m glad I tried this gym top from Gym + Coffee. The bright pink color of this top is uplifting and I know it will keep me motivated on a gray winter’s day.
The crop fit is flattering and it’s cut in a baggy style, which helps with airflow. I wore this while weightlifting in the gym and found it easy to move in. The fabric also has a decent amount of stretch in it, which means you can move your arms comfortably. While it’s a cropped style, it’s a fairly long crop, so you won’t be flashing much flesh in the gym.
With its stylish boxy shape and good amount of coverage, I found this tee ideal for days when I need to run errands after a session at the gym.
The Best Long-Sleeved Gym Tops
If you’re keen on a crop but fancy some sleeves for warmth, MP has your back with this long-sleeved gym top. The sleeves aren’t just long, they’re extra-long, so there’s no riding up at the wrist. The raglan cut of the sleeves means you can reach further without having to adjust your top.
Although easy to move in, the top is quite tight, especially around the arms. You may want to go up a size or two if you like a looser fit. The crop style is attractive and goes well with high waisted gym leggings—I liked the elasticated hem that keeps the top clinging close to the body rather than flapping around. Breathable panels under the arms help keep you cool when your workout heats up.
Although this long-sleeved tee is designed for running, it works well as a general workout top thanks to its athletic cut and breathability. The fit is flattering without being too tight and I found it easy to move in. The lightweight polyester and spandex construction helps it fit well and the jacquard knit allows for airflow, keeping it breathable.
I liked the reflective trims that are useful for any outdoor exercise in low light, plus the sleeves have thumb holes so there’s no chance of them rising up. It is on the pricier side for a gym top but it’s versatile and will definitely help keep you warm on cooler days.
When the weather cools and gym air con leaves you shivering, a top like this Reebok cropped sweater might be just the thing. Thanks to the baggy, cropped fit, it allows air to circulate, but the long sleeves add some warmth. There’s also plenty of room under the armpits so sweat doesn’t linger inside.
I like the cuffs because they keep the sleeves in place, and the fabric itself is pretty stretchy so there’s plenty of scope for movement, despite the long sleeves. I actually tested this during a heatwave, and naturally it was sweltering, but it does bode well for colder weather.
All in all, this is a practical, comfortable top that will carry you through those chilly gym workouts, and that can be worn on top of tanks or tees for an extra layer of warmth.
The Best Tanks
If it’s a really basic gym vest you’re after, this is a good option. This WIT tank is super-comfortable and the fabric is soft with a decent amount of stretch, meaning I could move comfortably, but at no point did it restrict my movement—constrictive clothing is no good when you’re exercising. WIT is primarily a CrossFit brand, so it makes sense that their clothing is functional.
This vest also has a high neckline that keeps things covered; there’s no chance of accidentally exposing yourself during a workout. I loved the low underarms that help keep things cool and allow for a good range of movement. Although the price might seem steep for a plain black vest, it does wash well and maintains its shape, and it works well as a non-gym vest too.
For sweatier, warmer workouts, this little tank is really ideal. Columbia has a great rep for reliable kit so you know that you’re investing in a decent piece of gym wear.
This top is flattering thanks to a medium-to-low neckline and thick straps. It sits at bellybutton height, which is ideal if you’re wearing high-waisted leggings because the two meet in the middle.
The tank is made with sweat-wicking fabric and I felt nice and dry during a HIIT workout, and it’s also partly made from recycled polyester so it’s not too bad for the planet either.
Overall it’s a simple little top that keeps you cool without showing too much skin. After all, sometimes we don’t want to bare it all at the gym.
Aussie-born brand Lorna Jane tends to produce good-quality kit. It’s undoubtedly expensive and probably best saved for a payday treat, but I’ve never been let down by Lorna Jane’s range of gym wear and athleisure clothing. This bra/tank combo fits well, offers great support (no jiggling) and the fabric is really thick and of excellent quality, without being too warm.
Those with smaller busts will also appreciate the padding—it’s flattering without being too much. However, if you do have a bigger bust, you may not need this level of padding. This was an easy top to move in, there was zero chafing under the arms, and the high neckline meant that there was no chance of any accidental boob slips. It also works well outside of the gym, but be aware that it is tight, and you’ll need a good fit for proper support so it’s worth trying a few sizes to see which is best for you.
The Lululemon Align top is seriously flattering. It’s designed with a built-in bra and is primarily made for low-impact exercise, such as yoga, cycling, weightlifting or walking, although those with larger boobs might not find it so comfortable to wear even for low-impact exercise. The padding is flattering, but removable should you wish to get rid of them (and they don’t come out or move around in the wash, by the way).
This top is great to move in, and I experienced zero chafing. The cropped length didn’t ride up as I exercised and the fabric is super-soft, as is always the case with Lululemon. It’s helpful to know that sizes 0-14 fit A/B cups while sizes 16-20 fit C/D cups—factor this in before making a purchase.
Stand out from the crowd in this bright racerback vest, which is 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.
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) colors, 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.
