Workout clothes for women over 50 that look great and won’t break the bank

These AFITNE Bootcut Yoga pants have all we look for in a good pair of exercise leggings. Reviewers praised the 75% Polyester and 25% Spandex mix, saying “The material is great; thick but feels light when on and so comfortable.”

We love a high waist on leggings – there’s nothing worse than a waistband that’s going to roll down and expose your tummy. But on these, the waistband sits flat against your skin and won’t dig in, giving you a more streamlined look. And best of all, as one reviewer said, “They sit lovely on the body with a high waist, so no rising up.”

The bootcut style also allows for more freedom of movement, so they’re perfect for Pilates or yoga, as well as being arguably more flattering than leggings. In our opinion, you could finish your yoga class and go and run errands in these without looking like you’ve actually come straight from the gym.

Over the years, we’ve tried tight vest tops, baggy t-shirts, and we’ve even braved a crop top. In the end, we’ve come to the realisation that when we’re wanting the best workout top, we want something that’s light, breathable, and covers the tops of our arms. The Goodmove Scoop Neck Short Sleeve T-shirt ticks all those boxes. 

One reviewer felt: “It’s a bit more of a snug fit than I'd have liked but it's not a tight fit. I like that the hem dips at the back.” But we feel that’s personal choice – we prefer something that’s not very loose, whereas others might like flowy tops. The longer hem at the back is great, though: if you’ve ever done a downward dog and felt a breeze across your back, you’ll know why we love the idea! 

The top is made with lightweight, breathable fabric and reviews noted, “It washes well and dries quickly.” As well as wearing it for exercise, we think this top would be great for wearing out and about with casual trousers on a springtime walk.

If you’re after a workout vest, this comfy Sweaty Betty Athlete Seamless Vest is ideal for jogging and power walking, thanks to its special material that's designed to wick sweat away from your body, keeping you nice and dry.

It’s a tighter fit than the Goodmove Scoop Neck Short Sleeve T-shirt, which makes it ideal for more intense exercise, like lifting weights or a circuits class, where you might not want a more relaxed fit. It’s stretchy, too, moving with your body to avoid riding up, and seamless to avoid chafing. 

Reviewers praised the fit, with one stating: “"I love the tight fit of this top and because it has mesh, my skin could breathe through it so I didn’t overheat. Absolutely love the colour."

This super-soft Goodmove Cotton Rich Relaxed Zip Up Hoodie is made from sustainable cotton, perfect for keeping you comfy over a t-shirt when warming up or cooling down. 

There’s four colour options (we love the lavender), and reviewers have praised the fact that it’s “not thick and bulky but still warm,” which makes ideal for popping in a rucksack on a spring hike. 

Our favourite review praised the facf that this hoodis has “big pockets,” which can be really hard to come by in women’s clothing! 

If you're working up a sweat, we doubt this will stay on long, but it's a great gym-going companion with a touch of stretch for easy movement, breathable fabric and thumbholes for cosy wear.

The M&S Goodmove range is excellent value for money and has a wide offering. As well as the Goodmove t-shirt and hoodie, these leggings are a great workout wardrobe staple. 

Reviewers have praised them for their high waist and washability – they don’t bobble or go see-through, which is so important. The breathable fabric wicks moisture away and also dries quickly, so you stay fresh, and they also have a secure back pocket for your phone or locker key. 

They’re a best seller for M&S and it’s easy to see why – the quality is standout for a bargain price. However, reviewers have felt they run small, so bear that in mind. One said “I am a size 14 and a 12 in some brands but I bought these in a size 16 as I didn’t want them too tight. They are too tight and I would say that the sizing is definitely on the small side.” While another noted “A tight fit, especially around the lower legs/ankles and the legs are not really long enough for me as a tall person.”

As one Sweaty Betty customer said, this long sleeve top “fits well, is easy to move in, good to pop on when the gym gets chilly!"

Long sleeves might not be everyone’s cup of tea for a workout, but equally we know some people feel self-conscious over their arms. This seamless top from Sweaty Betty is great quality and comes in a range of colours, too. It’s very stretchy, so allows for freedom of movement, and we love that it has thumb holes to keep your hands warm

Gymshark sportswear is very popular and with good reason. These joggers are soft and stylish, but also lightweight, so you’re not going to sweat in them as much as you would in a fleece-lined pair. 

They’ve got an adjustable drawcord waist and decent sized pockets. They also come in a range of colours. You might not think of a pair of joggers for exercise, but they’re perfect if you’re attending a relaxing yoga session, or a slower, movement based class such as tai-chi.

Mountain Warehouse is great for essentials, and this jacket is no exception. I have it in two colours because it’s so versatile. I often exercise outside, whether that’s running, hiking or bootcamp. When it gets chilly, I want something to put on that keeps me warm but isn’t too heavy, and this jacket is perfect for that. 

It’s a flattering fit – it is tight but not overly so, and it’s very stretchy. It also has pockets (of which I am a big fan). I would really recommend this as it’s a great spring jacket but can also be work under a thicker fleece for winter walks.

This Freya Sonic Sports bra, from John Lewis, is designed to reduce stress on the delicate breast tissue during exercise, making it perfect for more high-impact activities such as Zumba or running. 

It is underwired, and some people might find that uncomfortable in a sports bra, However, it’s our experience that if you have larger breasts then underwired can actually provide better support and ultimately comfort, so might be worth giving it a try, as this reviewer said: “"I have been searching for a really supportive bra for women with large breasts. This is it!! This one is so comfortable and supportive that I now wear it every day - not just for sports. I will be purchasing more."

H&M is a favourite for their gym wear that's comfy, well-fitting good value. These ankle-length H&M SoftMove™ Sports Tights are great for shorter people, and reviewers have also praised the fact that they don’t go see-through: “So glad I found these leggings!! I don't wear them for sports, just general wear. They are amazing. They don't fade, don't go white at the knee, they aren't see-through at all and they are so comfy. I'm 5 ft3 and struggle with the length of some leggings but these are perfect."

Reviews also mention that these leggings are ture to size – sadly a rarity in a lot of stores these days! So you should be safe to buy your normal size and know they’ll fit well.

The Shock Absorber Multi Sports Support Bra is our top pick for those with large chests. They really do what they say – absorb shock form high-impact exercise, thereby protecting your breast tissue, back and shoulders. 

One reviewer said: “I found out about shock absorber bras around 20 years ago when i was training to be an aerobics instructor. They are the only sports bra to wear if you have a large chest. 34H. Gone are the days of two sports bras and being unable to breathe. Everyone should have one,” and honestly, we agree. 

It’s padded, moisture wicking and breathable, meaning you’re less likely to get that awful feeling f sweat pooling under your breasts. It also has a softer, wider underband than most sports bras meaning it offers greater support and comfort

Not only is this Gymshark Everyday Holdall a pretty, pastel pink workout addition, but it's also a handy big bag for your towel, water bottle, and gym kit. We think that'll make your trip to the gym or local park easier, and made of polyester and PVC, it won't stay sweaty post-workout.

Waterproof, breathable and comfy, what more could you want from a walking trainer? Reviews have praised the comfort and grip of these shoes, with one saying they were “So comfortable from day one.”

It’s also been noted they’re “Waterproof and breathable so your feet stay cool,” thanks to the a seam-sealed Isotex fabric that will keep rainfall and splashes at bay and keep your feet as fresh as can be.

You can wear these for miles and miles, across all sorts of terrain, and people rave about them: “I can honestly say they are the best walking shoes I’ve ever had.” 


Excellent grip, have walked miles in them on all types of terrain and can honestly say they are the best walking shoes I have ever had."