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# What Workout Is Right for You, and What Should You Wear?
- URL: https://www.tawnymagazine.com/what-workout-is-right-for-you-and-what-should-you-wear/
- Published: 2026-10-19T06:15:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-19T19:23:35.000Z
- Description: From the gym rat to the Pilates princess to the 10k step loyalists, we all deserve to feel strong and confident while exercising. Here's how to pick the best work out, and work out-fit, to best fuel your fitness goals.
- Author: Kate Orlando
- Tags: Fitness, Health, Body Image, Fashion, All Lifestyle

There are two kinds of people at the gym: the woman who lays out her workout outfit the night before, and the woman standing in front of her closet, wondering if leggings count as “business casual” because she has about seven minutes to get out the door.

I have been both.

After years of working in fitness, I have learned that finding a workout you actually enjoy is only half the battle. The other half is finding clothes, and occasionally shoes, that make sense for what you're asking your body to do.

My approach to fitness comes from a few different places. I'm a NASM-certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, and I've also completed Mat Pilates Levels 1 and 2 and a Madd Dogg cycle certification. In other words, I've spent a lot of time learning how the body moves, how it fuels itself, and why the right workout can look completely different from one person to the next.

And after all of that education, experience, and time spent in workout clothes, there is one thing I believe most:

**You work out because you love your body, not because you hate it.**

That distinction matters.

Movement should not be a punishment for what you ate last night. It should not be something you use to earn dinner or make yourself smaller. Your body deserves to be challenged, cared for, and celebrated exactly as it is.

Because here's the thing: there is no universally “best” workout. There is only the workout you're most likely to actually do.

You might be happiest in the weight room, chasing a new personal best, or on a yoga mat, slowing things down and stretching it out. Maybe a dark spin studio and a great playlist are more your speed, or perhaps your favorite form of movement is a long neighborhood walk with a podcast in your ears. There is no wrong answer, as long as you actually enjoy doing it.

So consider this your workout personality test, with a shopping list attached.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/7f/5d7fd442-71ad-4570-8922-dc1cc32e7d8e/content/images/2026/10/Working-out-in-the-morning.webp)

Image courtesy of Calm

## If You Like to Feel Long, Lean and Put-Together: Try Pilates

Pilates has a reputation for being gentle, but anyone who has spent an hour doing tiny movements that somehow make their entire core shake knows better. Focused on stability, control, body awareness, and classic core strength, Pilates is an intentional, not chaotic, workout.

For Pilates, you’ll need a supportive, not overly restrictive sports bra and fitted leggings so your instructor can see your posture and help with modifications. In Pilates, you are lying down, arching your spine, and moving through various positions where excessive zippers, loose fabrics, and bulky seams can quickly become annoying.

### Brand match: lululemon

lululemon is expensive, but worth it for Pilates workouts. The leggings offer great support, stretch, and a sleek look that matches beautifully for mat and reformer-based workouts.

## If You Like to Lift, Progress, and Feel Strong: Try Weight Training

Weight training is for the woman who likes a little proof that all this sweating is paying off. You know the type. She remembers exactly how much she lifted last time, gets a small thrill from adding another five pounds, and takes genuine pride when a weight that once felt impossible suddenly becomes her warm-up. There is something incredibly satisfying about watching your strength build right in front of you.

Strength training is a favorite form of exercise since it helps build muscle and bone density. And no, I promise that lifting weights doesn't automatically mean you'll become “bulky.” Building significant muscle requires intentional training, nutrition, and time.

When it comes to clothing, pieces like supportive sports bras, tanks, and shorts that don’t ride up during deadlifts, squats, or overhead presses are your new besties. This is the workout where you want to focus more on moving than looking cute.

### Brand match: Gymshark

Gymshark is great for heavy lifters, with breathable and supportive clothing that says “I came here to work out hard,” and features bright colors and neutrals, so you can go bold or keep it classic.

## If Your Ideal Workout Feels Like Therapy: Try Yoga

Depending on the practice, yoga can be totally different from day to day. Hot vinyasa classes can leave you sweating and ready for the shower, and a yin class might take a moment to pause and check in on balance and muscle release. But if you want a mix of movement and mental decompression, yoga is hard to beat.

Yoga can be especially appealing to people who don't love the competitive feeling of traditional gym workouts. There is no leaderboard. Nobody cares how much weight you're lifting. And ideally, nobody is watching you while you try to figure out which leg is supposed to be where.

### Brand match: Beyond Yoga

Perfectly stretchy, comfortable, and super soft, Beyond Yoga's flattering silhouettes will carry you through each held pose. Their Spacedye fabric is polished, wicks sweat with ease, and takes you from downward dog to a post-workout matcha without skipping a beat.

## If You Like a Goal, a Playlist and a Little Bit of Suffering: Try Running

Running people are a special breed. Some run because they genuinely love it, some run for the mental clarity that comes afterward, and some run because they signed up for a race six months ago and are now contractually obligated to become runners. Whatever your motivation, running is wonderfully simple: lace up your shoes and go.

It's also a workout where your clothing choices matter because repetitive movement, sweat, and weather can turn a seemingly innocent outfit into a very personal form of punishment.

For running, prioritize moisture-wicking fabrics, supportive sports bras, lightweight layers, and shorts or leggings that stay put. If you're running outside, think about visibility and weather, too. A cute outfit is great. A cute outfit that leaves you freezing, soaked, or chafed is less great.

### Brand match: Tracksmith

Perfectly elevated with nostalgic appeal, Tracksmith is perfect for those who want to throw on a thoughtfully designed piece no matter the weather. Its technical fabrics make it easy to build a running wardrobe that works whether you're heading out for an early morning run or layering up for a rainy day.

## If You Like Loud Music, Dark Rooms and Questionable Decisions: Try Spin

Strap into a cycling class as the lights dim and the music begins, turning an ordinary Tuesday night into a full-blown event. Suddenly, you are adding resistance, doing choreography, and dancing on the bike, and then you get to leave feeling fantastic. Sure, you can rent shoes, but investing in a pair will make the ride more efficient and comfortable.

Indoor cycling is about much more than pedaling as fast as humanly possible. Proper bike setup, resistance, cadence, form, and technique all matter. But let's talk about the fashion elephant in the room: cycling shoes.

### Brand match: TIEM

These are the features you want in a dedicated cycling shoe: a cleat-built-in sole that works like every other athletic sneaker. Fun colors exude comfort, and they're perfect for indoor and outdoor cycling. And once your ride is over, you can hop off and walk out without changing your shoes.

Just make sure you check cleat compatibility with your studio's bikes before buying. The cutest cycling shoe in the world won't do you much good if you can't clip into the bike.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/7f/5d7fd442-71ad-4570-8922-dc1cc32e7d8e/content/images/2026/10/ambitious-studio-rick-barrett-tVAmu_inwTE-unsplash.jpg)

Photo by Rick Barrett / Unsplash

## If You Want to Sweat Without Taking Yourself Too Seriously: Try HIIT

HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, suits people who get bored easily.

Short bursts of work followed by recovery can make a workout feel fast-moving, and classes often mix movements, from strength exercises to cardio and bodyweight work.

The tradeoff? You need clothing that can keep up.

Look for breathable fabrics, supportive sports bras, secure waistbands, and shoes that can handle multidirectional movement. Unlike running, where you're generally moving forward, HIIT may have you jumping, squatting, shuffling, and changing direction.

### Brand match: Nike

Nike. easy. They're suitable for most training, and they're functional without being so overhyped that you can find pieces that last for years. Plus, if you hit their sales, you can get quality pieces without paying designer prices.

## If Your Favorite Workout Is Technically “Just a Walk”: Walking and Low-Impact Movement

I would like to formally defend walking as a workout.

Walking can be an excellent way to increase daily movement, get outside, and build consistency without turning every workout into an Olympic trial. It's also one of the easiest forms of movement to fit into a busy schedule.

### Brand match: Vuori

Vuori has mastered the art of looking put-together while essentially wearing the athletic equivalent of pajamas. Its pieces are particularly appealing for walking, errands, and lower-intensity workouts where you want performance but also want to transition directly into the rest of your day.

This is another place to save money. A comfortable pair of leggings, walking shoes, a lightweight jacket, and a good sports bra can take you surprisingly far.

And if you're walking for fitness, don't underestimate your shoes. Your feet do the work, even if your outfit does all the Instagram posing.

## If You're Just Getting Started and Don't Want to Drop the Cash: Budget-Friendly Activewear

You don't need to spend $100 on leggings to prove you're serious about working out.

If you're trying a new class, getting back into a routine, or just not ready to commit financially to your new fitness personality, start with the basics. There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeing if you actually like Pilates before investing in the Pilates wardrobe of your dreams.

Brands like Aerie, Target’s athletic line, and Amazon have solid options that can get you through a workout without making your bank account need a recovery day.

Look for the same things you'd look for at a higher price point: comfortable fabrics, a waistband that stays put, enough support for your activity, and pieces that let you move without constant adjusting.

The point is, buy for the workout you actually do, not the workout fantasy version of yourself. 

Your activewear should make movement more enjoyable, not make you wonder why you just spent $300 to sweat.

---

## The Best Workout Is the One You'll Actually Do

Admittedly, the matching sets are pretty cute, but wear what makes you comfortable. 

I promise, *no one is looking at you*. 

Your workout should fit your life. If you need stress relief, yoga might be your answer. If you crave measurable progress, strength training could be your thing. If you want music and community, try spin. If you like getting outside, run or walk. If you want to build control, mobility, and core strength, Pilates may be exactly what you're looking for.

**Most importantly, let your reason for moving come from care, not criticism.**

You move because you want to feel strong carrying your groceries. You run because you love the feeling of finishing a mile you once thought you couldn't. You lift because you want to see what your body can do. You stretch because your shoulders feel better afterward. You take Pilates because you like feeling connected to your body. You cycle because blasting music in a dark room for 45 minutes is apparently your idea of a good time.

And if all else fails, wear the leggings that make your butt look fantastic.

**Fitness is supposed to make you feel stronger, healthier, and more at home in your body. It was never supposed to be another reason to be at war with it.**