If you’re like most of us, you probably have a couple of nice expensive leggings and sports bras from Lululemon and Alo sitting in your closet right now. You reserve those for light workouts, running errands, and even casual outings. But when it comes down to the real heavy lifting, you probably don’t want to keep throwing those expensive pieces in the washer at the risk of ruining them.
And because we can never have enough cute workout clothes, you keep browsing the internet for more. The problem is, unless you’re well-off, shopping at those expensive stores each time you feel the urge to get more clothes — because you know they do keep us motivated — can get expensive quickly. That’s why going for more affordable brands it’s not only smarter but also much healthier for your wallet.
We can all agree that the activewear world is full of affordable options. Sorting through so many can take time. Sure, the usual suspects come to mind: Nike, Adidas, Dicks Sporting Goods are all recognizable names. And while they do have affordable prices, not everything will be cheap there. On the other hand, less recognizable names might be cheaper, while the quality might not be up to par.
I’ve been active most of my life, so it’s safe to say I’ve tried quite a few brands to date. Some really impressed me for the quality while others felt like a waste of money.
Because I did quite a bit of shopping, I decided to put my experience to good use, and make a list of the brands I truly think are great deals but don’t skimp on quality either. I hope this will help you in your fitness journey.
Take it from me, I did the leg work, so you won’t have to.
1. Danskin
I have been using Danskin clothes for many years now since I first discovered them on a clearance rack at a TJ Maxx store. You may also be familiar with this brand if you took dance classes growing up.
The quality of their activewear is amazing and it’s such an affordable brand. Most leggings and shorts are under $30. I especially love their sports bra (I own quite a few). You can find them online and at discount stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls.
Leggings:
Tops:
2. 90 Degree by Reflex
This brand is relatively unknown to most, but the quality of their clothes is up to par with some of the biggest brand names out there.
The price point for leggings — in the $30 range — it’s hard to beat.
They have very cute and fashion-forward designs for all intensity levels of workouts. You can find this brand in places like Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, and online. They also have thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon.
If you want to score an even greater deal it’s worth taking a trip to your local TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack. I recently got two sports bras for the price of one at a clearance rack at TJ Maxx.
Tops:
Leggings:
3. Zella
You may have heard of Zella, especially if you’re an avid Nordstrom shopper like me. But if you’re not, here’s the scoop: Zella is a brand of activewear created by Nordstrom. I know… you’ve probably could have guessed, right?
It’s not the cheapest on our list but still falls in the affordable category with leggings in the $50 range and sports bras in the $30 range.
Their line is full of cute and good-quality activewear. Many times, you can catch them at a 30% even 40% discount at the Anniversary sale and other sale events Nordstrom holds a few times a year. Alternatively, you can get Zella at their sister store Nordstrom Rack deeply discounted as well.
Zella is a great alternative to Lululemon lovers because the quality is comparable, and the design is very similar. I also like that their color options tend to fall on the neutral spectrum. Although you might find an eventual neon, every now and then.
Tops:
Bottoms:
4. Colorfulkoala
This is an Amazon brand that is relatively new but deserves a spot on this list. Not only because their leggings are all under $40, but the quality is amazing for such a price point. It checks out all the boxes for me: price, quality, and design.
They seem to focus more on leggings and shorts with a wide variety of color options to choose from. If you’re on the fence, you can find thousands of five-star reviews all over Amazon to put you at ease. And some of them even say their leggings are great Lululemon dupes.
Leggings:
5. Aerie
Aerie is known mostly for its loungewear and casual clothing, but they also have an amazing activewear collection that is affordable and cute. I don’t get Aerie activewear very often but when I do, I’m always pleasantly surprised by the quality especially at the price point, which makes it a real bargain. Most of their leggings are under $35 and the design is always on point. I also like the color options for their activewear.
Sports Bras + Tops
Leggings:
6. Yogalicious
This is another affordable brand that has a great design – their high-waisted leggings are great Lulumenon Align dupes – and the price point is just under $30.
You can find Yogalicious on Amazon, but if you prefer to try them in person, you can easily find them at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.
Their clothes and sports bra are more suitable for light workouts and/or lounging. So have that in mind when shopping for this brand.
Leggings:
Tops:
7. Target
Who doesn’t love a trip to Target? I feel like they really stepped up their game in the fashion department lately, and some of my best workout clothes are from there. I love the quality of their activewear, and at a price point of $40 makes it hard to beat. They also have a wide range of sizes from petite to extra-large and for all workout intensity levels. I’m sure you can find something that will fit your needs there.
Sports Bra:
Bottoms:
8. Old Navy
Old Navy is also a great place to shop for quality workout clothes on a budget. They have very cute and comfortable activewear but also offer them in special sizes that range from petite to tall.
What makes it even better is that they’re always running special sales throughout the year, which means if you keep your eyes peeled, you might score an even greater deal. I was able to get very good quality leggings for half off on more than one occasion.
Bottoms:
*** Bonus Brand: Under Armour
Under Armour was a brand that always fell under my radar for some reason. Finally, I came across it when researching affordable options just recently and I was pleasantly surprised but what I found.
The brand has a great selection of products that are high quality but won’t cost you a fortune.
Whether you’re looking for leggings, tanks, shorts, or sports bras you’ll find most of their products will fall under $50. Even the more expensive pieces are still under $100. When compared to other brands, it’s still a pretty good deal.
Hope these tips help you save money and stay motivated in your fitness journey along the way.
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