• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
  • The Cut Shop
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • The State of the Uterus
  • Parenting
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Horoscopes
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
  • Curbed
move it
January 8, 2016

The 20 Best Pieces of Cheap Workout Gear

By the Cut

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet

The Cut’s guide to self-improvement without spending a million dollars. 

So you’re super inspired to invest smartly in your wellness. You have your smoothie recipes down, you know the best sites to stream yoga classes, and you discovered a creative way to boost your workout performance. But what about your clothes? The downside to all of this newfound healthy behavior is the sheer amount of exercise gear you need. Unless you’re committed to doing your laundry every few days, you’re going to have to get a few new things.

You could go the fancy route, but if you’re looking to get the most for your money, there are plenty of inexpensive options, too. From Old Navy to Target to Forever 21, you could easily assemble an exercise outfit that looks like it cost way more than it actually does. And to really sell it, just invest in a good pair of sneakers. Click ahead to see the best in cheap but still good-looking workout gear.

View
1 / 20 Photos
Target is a great place to get inexpensive workout clothes, especially its C9 Champion line. This strappy bra looks exactly like the kind of fancy thi... Target is a great place to get inexpensive workout clothes, especially its C9 Champion line. This strappy bra looks exactly like the kind of fancy thing you'd see in a hot yoga class.
Slip the previous bra under this tank, and you have a chic combo for under $30.
Another great cheapo resource: Old Navy. The trick is to stick to the muted colors that look much more expensive. This tank has the same hipster-activ... Another great cheapo resource: Old Navy. The trick is to stick to the muted colors that look much more expensive. This tank has the same hipster-active aesthetic seen in pricier brands.
The Fabletics subscription program has its faults, but the clothes themselves are on par with all of the super-trendy workout pieces. If you're w... The Fabletics subscription program has its faults, but the clothes themselves are on par with all of the super-trendy workout pieces. If you're wary about committing to monthly outfits, just uncheck the box and pay a few bucks extra to buy items à la carte — they're still very affordable.
You can never have enough bras, and if you're looking for a fun, printed style, this one is a good bet.
The budget-friendly Canadian brand also carries active pieces. They lean mostly toward yoga, but this is a great tank for extra-sweaty gym sessions.
If the thought of shelling out a ton for a high-support sports bra turns you off, Old Navy has one for under $25.
Add high-waisted workout pants an the requisite green juice, and you have the perfect Instagram-ready outfit.
If you're label-conscious and absolutely have to wear something branded, this Nike tank is your best bet. It's inexpensive (for Nike), flashy, an... If you're label-conscious and absolutely have to wear something branded, this Nike tank is your best bet. It's inexpensive (for Nike), flashy, and great at wicking away sweat.
Because running outside is free, you'll need good layers to keep you warm.
$25 will get you in on that mesh-paneled fitness-legging trend.
In case you want something flashier for those free outdoor runs.
At $15 a bra, you can get enough to last until your next load of laundry.
Gap's workout collection is solid — these leggings make your butt look good even if you're not doing a thousand squats.
For days when it's extra cold outside, this is another lightweight layer to add on for warmth.
You can't layer up without a good long-sleeve tee, and this one is affordable enough to buy multiple.
Made with natural silver salts, the fabric is supposed to be antimicrobial, and therefore stink less. So you could technically wear this a few da... Made with natural silver salts, the fabric is supposed to be antimicrobial, and therefore stink less. So you could technically wear this a few days in a row, and no one will be the wiser.
This bra is also made with silver salts, so it's a two-for-one combo in laundry savings.
Supportive, sexy, and under $50.
Under $100, and the exact color combo nearly everyone wears at all of those pricey boutique-fitness classes.
1 / 20

Tags:

  • wellthy
  • move it
  • workout gear
  • goods
  • exercise
  • More

More Galleries

met gala 2023 May 2, 2023
Met Gala 2023: All the Looks  See all the dresses, some on-theme and some, well, not so much — honoring Karl Lagerfeld at the Met Gala. 
By Brooke LaMantia
oscars 2023 Mar. 12, 2023
Oscars Red Carpet 2023: Every Look  Rihanna! Florence Pugh! Michelle Yeoh! They’re all here. 
celebrity Feb. 19, 2023
All the Best Looks From the 2023 BAFTAs Red Carpet  Florence Pugh, Barry Keoghan, and Angela Bassett brought color to the red carpet. 
grammys 2023 Feb. 5, 2023
Every Look From the 2023 Grammys Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Lizzo, Bad Bunny, Adele, Doja Cat, Jack Harlow, Mary J. Blige, Sam Smith, and more.
By Brooke LaMantia
Jan. 10, 2023
All the Looks From the 2023 Golden Globes  Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jenna Ortega, Jessica Chastain, Julia Garner, Jeremy Allen White, Angela Bassett, and more. 
parties! Sept. 23, 2022
Katie Holmes, Chloë Sevigny, and More of the Bestest Party Pics This Week  Chanel, Mejuri, and more celebrate. 
parties! Sept. 16, 2022
Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, and More of the Bestest Party Pics This Week  Fendi, Frame, and Coach all celebrated NYFW. 
emmys 2022 Sept. 12, 2022
Emmys 2022: All the Red Carpet Looks  Updating: What Hollywood is wearing to the 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards. 
By Olivia Luppino
nyfw spring 2023 Sept. 9, 2022
Gigi Hadid, Chlöe Bailey, and More of the Bestest Party Pics of the Week  Saks Fifth Avenue, Longchamp, and more celebrate the beginning of NYFW. 
rip Sept. 9, 2022
The Queen Sure Did Love to Color-Coordinate  Monochrome for decades. 
red carpet Sept. 6, 2022
The Venice Film Festival Is a Major Fashion Event  Valentino and Gucci and Armani, oh my. 
red carpet June 5, 2022
All the Best Looks at the 2022 MTV Movie and TV Awards  Sydney Sweeney, Vanessa Hudgens, Jay Ellis, and more! 
parties! May 20, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  Harry Styles > everyone! 
parties! May 13, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  Bury me in Dove Cameron’s Saint Sintra skirt. 
parties! May 6, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  Cue the Met Gala after-party FOMO. 
met gala 2022 May 2, 2022
Met Gala 2022: All the Looks [Photos]  Billie Eilish, Kim Kardashian, Michelle Yeoh, Hailey Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, Blake Lively, and more. 
parties! Apr. 29, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  This one goes to Olivia Rodrigo and her sweater vest. 
parties! Apr. 22, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  “Fuck those Zoom tops.” 
celebrity style Apr. 18, 2022
The Best Looks From Coachella 2022  From Harry Styles’s sparkling Gucci set to Megan Thee Stallion’s metallic bodysuit. 
style Apr. 13, 2022
A Look Inside the New Museum’s Spring Gala  Featuring all the best looks. 
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • About The Cut
  • About New York Magazine
  • Newsletters
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • We’re Hiring
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2023 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.