Exercise is not only beneficial for our physical health but can support our mental health too.
The act of moving our bodies has been associated with reducing anxiety, stress and depression. While burning calories and encouraging blood circulation to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, working out stimulates chemicals in the brain, encouraging us to feel relaxed, boosting our confidence and improving our self-esteem. It also gives us energy, is advantageous to our sleeping patterns and can be a fun, social experience – whether you recruit a gym buddy or join a local team.
This is not just limited to high-intensity sports either. While runner’s high is a well-documented feeling, you can get these benefits in just 15 minutes of movement.
Understandably though, some may find exercising inaccessible. Amid the cost-of-living crisis and the fact that a gym membership in the UK can set you back an average of £70 per month, some are simply unable to justify the cost.
Kit is something else to consider as it’s not only important to your enjoyment of the sport in question but can have a real impact on performance and achieving your goals. Technical activewear can keep you running faster, punching harder, stretching further and feeling cool, calm and collected while doing any of the above. But this does come at a cost and often this can be off-putting.
So, we have searched the high street and online marketplaces to find bank balance-friendly apparel that doesn’t sacrifice performance. We headed to gyms, tracks and rings across the capital to put these low-cost pieces through their paces to ensure that you’re getting bang for your buck.
We may not be able to help with the cost of a studio subscription, but we can ensure that if you’re willing to invest in your health, you can look good while doing it without going over your budget.
Shop the best cheap and cheerful gym clothes brands below
Adanola
Manchester-based activewear brand Adanola has come a long way in a short time. The Instagram-favourite label has an extensive celebrity fan base that includes the likes of Kourtney Kardashian. If you haven’t yet spotted the impeccably styled matching two-piece sets, you may have noticed the branded tote that is as popular to those in the know. The ADANOLA ATHLETICS range is on hand for your high-intensity workouts with sweat-wicking fabrics but always with the same elevated styling and cosy constructions that the brand is known for.
Buy now, Adanola
H&M
Price range: £7.99-£189.99
H&M has had a recent revamp of its activewear offering and it's more technical than ever. The H&M Move collection is composed of the brand’s own trademarked DryMove moisture-wicking technology that places cooling comfort and breathable functionality as a priority. Highlights include the ShapeMove performance leggings that have stretch, support and comfort with silhouettes that tap into the latest trends - like those with high-waisted fits and flared legs as well as the outdoor-ready Hike range.
There is even a cycling subcategory with apparel that is not only sleek and minimal in its aesthetic but highly affordable. This comprises jerseys, bibs and shorts with reflective touches and a size range that extends from XS to 2XL for both men and women.
Buy now, H&M
ASOS
Price range: £5-£315
Since it was founded in 2000, ASOS has been a digital hub for the latest fashion finds. While it is likely one of your foremost destinations when searching out wedding guest dressing, curating your holiday wardrobe or securing the latest festival gems, there is an endless selection of sports apparel too, setting brands affordable and luxe side by side.
ASOS’ own 4505 collection has the basics covered and the quality is much more premium than you’d expect for the price tag. The in-house designers create these items in line with the latest fitnesswear trends, so you’ll spot cycling shorts, square-neck sports bras and wide-leg dance trousers among the selection. The collection includes designated ranges for maternity, petite, tall and curve, as well as styles from big-name brands like Nike, Puma, Speedo, The North Face, New Balance, ASICS, On, Salomon and many more. There is even skiwear.
Buy now, ASOS
Gymshark
Price: £5-£150
With its industry-setting influencer marketing campaigns, the exponential rise of Gymshark is likely studied in business schools. But the brand wouldn’t have earned its ubiquitous presence in gyms across the country if the products weren’t fit for purpose so you can be sure that each and every item in the collection has been road-tested to see you through the most intense training sessions.
To find the apparel to suit, you can shop the collection by sports, whether you’re lifting, running, playing tennis, a yogini or looking for versatile garments for HIIT. We can’t decide what’s more covetable, the pocket-adorned cycling shorts, logo tees or the game-changing accessories (check out the tie-dye socks!).
Buy now, Gymshark
Uniqlo
Price: £7.90-£109.90
No doubt one of your first ports of call for quality basics, Uniqlo’s stellar men’s and women’s range extends to items that can double up as performance wear. The pieces are highly versatile and wouldn’t look out of place in a boutique studio or a pub on a Saturday night, which is down to their minimal aesthetics. Typically they are a neutral-toned colourway featuring just one shade but are made up of technically advanced fabrics complete with UV protection or ultra stretch that will keep you cool, calm and collected. You can even invest in the label’s tennis polos for a look that would be right at home on the set of The Challengers.
Buy now, Uniqlo
M&S
Price range: £8-£245
It may give away our age but we remember a time when M&S solely stocked its own-brand goodies. Now the supermarket’s digital marketplace is a whole different ball game as it houses brands from Adidas to Sweaty Betty, Girlfriend Collective to Beyond Yoga and Puma to Reebok. Stock up on the basics like cotton socks, no-line underwear, supportive sports bras, seam-free tees and chic quarter zips for gym time, running, walking, cycling and yoga.
Buy now, M&S
Sports Direct
Price range: all
Price-conscious parents will be all too familiar with the annual pilgrimage to Sports Direct to stock their ever-growing offspring with P.E kit for the school year. The affordable retailer has dedicated verticals for every term’s sports, from cricket to rugby, football to running. But it’s not just for little ones, this extends to adults too and even more activities like boxing, volleyball, skiing, snooker, table tennis, equestrian and dance to name but a few. Expect discounts on the RRP from brands that include Adidas, Everlast, Slazenger, Nike and Air Jordan. There’s even a section for modest dressers.
Buy now, Sports Direct
Cotton On
Price range: £3-£42
Direct from Down Under, Cotton On is ubiquitous in Oz and has been making subtle strides here in the UK. The designs are fairly minimal in their aesthetic but the skin-feel is super soft, making each piece a delight to wear. The traditional pared-back colourways are married with classic constructions to form timeless staples that you’ll wear time and time again in your sportswear rotation. Honourable mention goes to the puffer jackets at under £50 and the matching leggings and bra sets.
Buy now, Cotton On
Hush
Price range: £10-£60
We can’t stay hush hush about this brand which doesn’t specialise in sportswear but has some notable coordinating duos that earn it its place in our roundup. Made for lower-intensity workouts like yoga or pilates, Hush provides playful patterns on soft fabrics that will encourage you to wear them far beyond the studio. Polka dots, leopard prints and zebra are among the stand-out styles.
Buy now, Hush
