There’s this sad misconception that plus-size women don’t work out, mostly because people think that the only reason you should exercise is to lose weight or gain muscle. Yet you can exercise to maintain your weight or just because it’s fun to move your body. You’re looking for plus-size activewear, but so far, you’ve come up empty-handed. Where can you find exercise gear for bigger bodies?
Here are some of our favorite places to buy plus-size activewear:
- Livi Active by Lane Bryant
- Torrid
- Target
- Fabletics
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- Dia & Co.
In this informative guide, we’ll talk more about the above brands that have a great selection of exercise clothes and gear for plus-size women. Along the way, we’ll suggest some of our favorite looks per each brand. We’ll even share some tips so you can find well-fitting, comfortable, flexible plus-size activewear.
Let’s go!
6 Great Places to Buy Plus-Size Activewear
Livi Active by Lane Bryant
Sometimes you don’t need to stray far from the plus-size brands you already love to shop great activewear for your size. Lane Bryant has a collection of workout clothes called Livi Active that you should certainly check out if you haven’t already. Most of their workout essentials are made of soft materials like terrycloth that feel great on your skin, especially once you start sweating.
You can shop leggings, shorts, swing tanks, exercise tees, sports bras, and even workout capris through the Livi Active line. Yes, workout capris! Who knew that was a thing?
The Livi capri leggings are a mix of spandex (20 percent) and polyester (80 percent) to produce a fabric that Lane Bryant calls “buttery-soft.” The leggings feature a four-inch waistband that’s less elasticized so it holds onto your midsection without leaving painful marks. The fun prints will motivate you to exercise!
The French terry tie-dye hooded sweatshirt is plush and cozy enough that you can wear it on those days when you veg on the couch watching Netflix. The longer length of the top can contain your stomach if you’re self-conscious about wearing second-skin leggings to the gym. A kangaroo pocket in the front is ideal for keeping your phone. The hooded neck has a drawstring so you can adjust the hood tightness.
If you need a new sports bra, try the Livi high-impact wicking underwire bra. Built for all your high-impact exercises, including cardio, boxing, and running, you’ll love how quickly the material dries when wet. The stretchy quality means bigger busts will feel supported. The straps are adjustable and this bra has hook and eye closures so you don’t have to worry about any wardrobe malfunctions during your spinning class.
Torrid
For women sizes 10 to 30, Torrid’s cute collection of exercise gear should be quite appealing. You can stock up on sports bras, tank tops, t-shirts, leggings, sweatshirts, sweatpants, long-sleeved shirts, and capri leggings.
Remind yourself that strong is beautiful every time you wear this active tank. This white tank top is a simple mix of modal fabric and cotton. It features a cropped back and a hi-low hem. You might love this tank so much that you wear it to brunch with the girls. We couldn’t blame you!
Torrid’s black leopard zip bra is so cute that you can ditch the shirt and hit the gym wearing just this. It’s a spandex and nylon mix with a racerback fit, a zippered front, and moisture-wicking technology throughout. You can say goodbye to boob sweat and look chic at the same time.
Your sports bra will also pair very well with these black leopard active leggings. If you’ve never worn moisture-wicking leggings before, you won’t want to go back to the old kind once you realize how free your legs will feel. The high waist of these leggings is flattering, and you even get a side pocket.
Figuring out what to wear to your yoga class in the winter is always tough. You know you’ll sweat, so you don’t want layers, but you can’t wear a tank top either. Try this cold shoulder sweatshirt from Torrid. It’s made of warm French terry knit yet has a cropped fit and wide-open shoulders so you can show off some skin.
Target
You buy a lot of your plus-size clothes at Target, so why not your activewear as well? After all, they have everything you need, from capri leggings to sports bras, woven pants, sweatpants, shorts, long-sleeved shirts, tees, and even skorts. You can fill up your whole exercise wardrobe here.
For those days when you know you’ll really work up a sweat, a pair of shorts will come in handy. Target’s All in Motion stretch woven shorts feature moisture-wicking and UPF 50+ fabric. These shorts also boast flat seams for exercising comfort, quick-drying technology, a hidden pocket, another side pocket with a zipper, and four-way stretching. Choose from sizes 1X through 4X in colors like black, light olive, or navy.
All in Motion’s high-support mesh sports bra will keep the girls contained during even your most vigorous workouts that involve kickboxing or running. This zip-front bra has padded cups, moisture-wicking material, adjustable straps, and a front hook. Select from hues like dark gray camo, black, or dark plum.
How about a workout skort? The All in Motion woven stretch skort includes the same pockets as the shorts have as well as the UPF 50+ sun protection, four-way stretch, and moisture-wicking. The next time you have a tennis match on the agenda, you’ll know just what to wear!
Fabletics
You might not have assumed you’d fit in anything from Fabletics, but that’s simply not true. This brand has a whole category of women’s plus-size exercise clothing. We love how everything comes together in a set so you never have to waste time wondering what you’ll wear to your Pilates class.
The Intensity two-piece set features a crop top/bra hybrid and short leggings with an inseam of six inches. The bra is medium-impact, so save it for those days where you don’t have an intense workout planned. The entire set is leopard print so it’s nice and feisty, just like you!
For the confident plus-size woman who’s not afraid to show off a little, the Elevate two-piece set is perfect for you. The navy green sports bra is styled like a bralette with a large front tie that can obscure your stomach. The bottoms are plush, high-waisted shorts so your belly button is never out. As an FYI, the bra is low-impact.
If you’d rather stay covered up, we recommend the Boundless two-piece set from Fabletics. The cropped swing top in white pairs well with high-waisted compression short leggings in bright teal blue. Plus sizing starts at XL through 4X.
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Plus-size women are also not exempt from picking up some great workout essentials from Dick’s Sporting Goods. They only have sizes up to 4X, but if you fit in their activewear, you have plenty of variety. Your options include skorts, skirts, vests, jackets, sweatshirts, hoodies, swimwear, leggings, pants, sports bras, shorts, and shirts.
This CALIA by Carrie Underwood mesh tank top will make going to the gym fun because you look so good. Its hi-low style is on-point. As if the breathable mesh wasn’t enough, the tank also features BODYFREE and BODYFREEZE technology, the former of which reduces odors and the latter which is moisture-wicking. The crew neckline keeps your chest hidden.
Show off among your yoga gal pals in these Adidas women’s Tiro 21 pants, which are available in sizes up to 4X. These fashionable high-rise pants are stretchy with an elasticized waist. Made of elastane single jersey (7 percent) and cotton (93 percent), you can choose from classic colors like black with white accents, black with gray accents, or red with pink accents.
For cooler weather, the Lady Hagen women’s zip golf pullover is a smart choice. This long-sleeved shirt made of elastane (10 percent) and polyester (90 percent) features HydroDri technology for less sweat. A 1/4th zip pocket is another nice touch. Pick from colors like Triangle Geo Peach, Painters Floral Black, Leopard Bright Purple, and Golf Icons Dark Navy.
Dia & Co.
Last but certainly not least is Dia & Co. and their vast collection of activewear for plus-size women. Their selection of sports bras is sure to impress whether you want full coverage or you don’t mind a bit of cleavage while you work out. You can also pick up sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts, long-sleeved shirts, tanks, and leggings.
The Beyond Yoga Dalary plunging sports bra is a racerback wireless sports bra. The stretchy material and pullover style make wearing this sports bra a joy, and really, how many sports bras can you say that about? Sizing begins at 1X through 4X.
These Marc NY Norna cotton blend joggers might become your new favorite pair of pants outside of the gym as well as in it. High-waisted and comfortable as all get-out, their boho and sporty meshing of styles just work. These pants are mostly comfy cotton with tie-dye print at the ankles so you’ll be the envy of the gym for sure.
Also from Marc NY is the Qiana knit hoodie, a long-sleeved pullover hoodie with a square-shaped neck. Striping throughout the woven material adds some sportiness to this sweatshirt, as does the hood and drawstring. You get your pick of colors, including pink, black, and light gray.
Tips for Finding Plus-Size Activewear That Fits
Now that you have plenty of awesome plus-size workout wear to choose from, we thought we’d wrap up with some tips for sizing and fit. When you look good, you feel good, and we want that for you! Here’s how to get there.
Don’t Go Too Loose
If you’re still working on your body acceptance, then the thought of strutting your stuff at the gym in tight clothing can be terrifying. You might try to wear loose everything when you exercise, but we caution you against going too loose. You don’t want your clothes to get caught up in the machines, which can be dangerous, or trip you up when you’re trying to get into warrior pose during yoga class.
Keep It Stretchy
It doesn’t matter if you’re buying a sports bra or leggings, stretchiness is key. Your body is going to move, so you need clothes that move right along with you. If your activewear is non-stretch, then even if it fits well when you’re standing around, you won’t want to wear it to the gym since it feels so constricting.
A Good Sports Bra Fit Is Everything
Your sports bra has to fit if you want to avoid unflattering chest lumps and bumps. Oh, and if you’d prefer not to have a wardrobe malfunction. The sports bra should be tighter than your everyday bra. That doesn’t mean the bra should be so tight that it’s digging into your skin or pushing your breasts up and over the cups though!
When you’re trying on the sports bra, lift your arms so they’re over your head. Did the band move up? Then you might need a smaller sports bra. Always buy a bra with adjustable straps, as these can also help with the fit.
Try on Your Clothes Before Buying
You hate dressing rooms enough, and now you have to combine that with activewear? We’d recommend it, yes. Under the harsh dressing room light, you can tell if your leggings are too small and creating a muffin top or if that shirt is too tight. It’s okay to size up or size down when shopping for activewear just as it is when buying everyday clothes.
Conclusion
Every single body deserves to move if that’s what someone wants to do. You need the right clothes to feel good about yourself when exercising no matter how you like to do it, be that yoga, weight-lifting, or cardio. We think the plus-size exercise clothing in this guide can be just the start you’re looking for to fill your wardrobe with chic, flattering styles!
