Types of Activewear: 24 Workout Clothing Styles Explained

The underband sits around the rib cage beneath the bust and anchors a sports bra. In a shaped-cup design, separate cups surround the breasts and join the band along their lower edges. Adjustable straps change the length over the shoulders, and a back fastening allows adjustment around the ribs.

Sports bras may use band-and-cup sizing or clothing sizes such as small, medium, and large. Some letter-sized designs specify a cup range within each size. The band needs to sit securely around the ribs, with sufficient space in the cups for the bust.

Support ratings describe the intended use of the garment. High-support bras are commonly worn for running and repeated jumping. Breast size, fit, and personal comfort also influence the support required.

Fine mesh can run across the shoulders, underarms, and back of a workout T-shirt. Its small openings provide ventilation and create visible changes in texture, including on a garment made entirely in one color. Lightweight polyester-based fabrics are common, with stretch incorporated into some designs for movement through the shoulders. Bonded seams keep the joins between panels relatively thin. Where the mesh meets a solid section, the change in fabric structure remains visible across the surface of the shirt.

“Racerback” describes the back of a tank, where the fabric narrows between the shoulder blades. The armholes curve toward this central section, exposing the outer shoulders. The front can have a high neckline, a scoop neck, or narrow straps.

A tank with a shelf bra contains a separate bust lining beneath the outer fabric. The lining ends at an elastic underband, and small openings may hold removable cups. The outer body continues below this support layer, sometimes hanging loosely around the abdomen. The stated support level and cup range describe the internal bra’s fit.

Piqué gives many athletic polos their lightly textured surface. The knit often includes stretch for movement across the upper back during a golf swing. A folded collar sits above the body, with a short button placket extending down the chest. The placket reinforces the opening with additional fabric, and some designs have stays inside the collar points to maintain their shape. Athletic polos also appear in smooth performance knits, particularly in lightweight versions worn for golf and court sports.

Leggings fit closely through the hips and legs. Their fabric stretches across the seat and knees during bending, and the waistband keeps the upper edge positioned around the torso. High-rise designs extend above the hips and may use several fabric layers or concealed elastic through the waist.

A gusset forms a separate panel at the crotch, changing the arrangement of the seams between the legs. Side pockets are commonly built into thigh panels, placing their openings below the waistband.

The inseam measures the inside leg from the crotch to the hem. Length names describe an intended fit; the actual hem position also depends on the wearer’s leg length.

Yoga pants include fitted leggings and designs with wider lower legs. Flared versions follow the hips and thighs before opening below the knee. A broad waistband often continues the fitted upper section over the waist.

The position of the knee shaping affects where the flare begins. Below that point, additional fabric falls around the calf and ankle. The inseam determines how far the wider section reaches toward the floor. On a full-length pair, the hem may open over the instep and around the shoe. Soft stretch knits accommodate seated poses and deep bending at the hips.

A side split lets the outer panels of running shorts separate as the leg reaches forward. Deep splits and curved hems release fabric around the upper thigh. The lightweight shell hangs from an elastic waistband, usually secured with a drawcord.

Brief-lined shorts contain an inner brief covering the seat and crotch. Its leg openings sit high on the thighs, and the liner attaches beneath the waistband. The fabric touching the skin can differ from the woven outer shell.

In a two-in-one design, fitted inner shorts extend down the legs. Their hems may remain visible beneath the shell. Storage can be placed on the inner shorts, where a pocket holds a phone close to the thigh beneath the moving outer fabric.

Training shorts generally have room through the seat and thighs for squats, lunges, and high steps. The width at the leg opening leaves space around a bent thigh, and side vents release the lower edge further. Stretch-woven cloth and lightweight knits are both used for these loose-fitting gym styles. A drawcord secures the waistband above the fuller body of the shorts, allowing the waist fit to be adjusted independently of the room around the legs.

Ankle zippers allow tapered track pants to open around footwear. Releasing the lower seam widens the space around the foot, making the trousers easier to change before or after practice. The zipper can sit along the outer calf or near the back of the ankle.

Track pants also include straight-leg and relaxed warm-up styles. They are often sold with a matching track jacket. Smooth synthetic fabrics, contrasting side panels, and stripes are familiar features.

Brushed fleece gives many sweatpants their fuzzy inner surface. Fibers are raised from the knitted fabric during finishing, producing the soft face worn against the legs. Cotton-and-polyester blends are common, and the cloth often has a relatively smooth exterior.

Relaxed sweatpants leave room through the seat and thighs. Open hems fall loosely around the ankles and toward the shoes. Cuffed versions gather the fabric at the bottom of the leg, giving them a jogger shape. An elastic waistband usually contains a drawcord for adjustment.

The phone pocket on a tennis skort may sit on the shorts hidden beneath the skirt. It is reached from below the outer hem, keeping the contents close to the thigh.

The fitted shorts cover the seat and upper legs and join the skirt at the waist. A lightweight woven outer layer can move over stretch-knit shorts. Pleats or a flared cut add width around the hips, allowing the skirt to open during a step. The inner shorts provide coverage through that movement. Tennis versions may also include a pocket arranged for carrying a ball.

Torso length is a central part of unitard fit. The garment connects the shoulders and crotch through a continuous body, and that distance affects where the neckline, armholes, and seat sit. Stretch accommodates movement through the back and abdomen, with the cut supplying the underlying proportions.

Short unitards have the outline of a fitted tank continuing into thigh-length legs. Full-length versions extend toward the ankles. Seams may shape the torso along the sides or beneath the bust, and an internal bra can be attached within the upper section.

Base layers are worn directly against the skin beneath outdoor clothing. Long-sleeve tops and fitted bottoms are common forms. Moisture-managing fabrics collect and spread perspiration during activity, with close contact helping transfer moisture into the material.

Polyester, merino wool, and blended yarns are widely used. Elastane may be included for movement at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Compact cuffs and ankle openings help the garments sit beneath jackets and trousers.

Lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight labels describe different levels of fabric bulk. Weather, activity level, and the clothing worn over the base layer determine the suitable weight.

French terry has small loops on the inside of the fabric and a smooth outer surface. It is used for sweatshirt layers with room through the body and sleeves. Brushed fleece has a fuzzy interior and is common in warmer garments.

A crewneck sweatshirt finishes with a round neck opening. Ribbing usually forms the neckband, cuffs, and lower edge, gathering the surrounding fabric where the bands attach.

On a pullover hoodie, the hood joins around the back and sides of the neckline. Its front edges may overlap beneath the chin, and a kangaroo pocket can span the lower front. Zip-through hoodies open from hem to neckline, often with a separate hand pocket on each side of the fastening.

Curved seams shape a fitted training jacket through the waist. A narrow side panel between two seams brings the fabric closer around the middle, and stretch in the main material accommodates reaching and rotation.

Pocket openings may follow those shaping seams, with the pocket bags concealed inside the body. A full-length front zipper runs from the hem into a standing collar. Hip-length versions extend below the waistband of the clothing underneath.

A packable windbreaker can fold into one of its own pockets. The pocket turns into a pouch around the sleeves, body, and hood, with a zipper closing the bundle. The packed garment can be carried during an outdoor session and taken out for exposed sections of the route.

Thin nylon ripstop is one common fabric. Reinforcing yarns form a fine grid through the cloth, and the lightweight shell compresses into a small space. Wind-resistant construction limits airflow through the garment. Some versions also have a water-repellent finish for light moisture.

The padded insert inside cycling shorts is called a chamois. It follows the crotch and seat, placing cushioning between the rider and saddle. Modern inserts use shaped foam beneath a soft fabric surface, with thickness and density varying across the pad.

Bib shorts extend upward into shoulder straps. The straps hold the shorts in position around the torso, including when the rider leans forward. Their length affects the fit through the body. The legs remain close-fitting and commonly finish with grippers around the hems.

The chamois is designed to sit directly against the skin. Some manufacturers use different pad dimensions across garment sizes.