The Ultimate Guide to Workout Clothes: What to Wear, How to Wash, and Why Comfort Rules

Sara Sutherland • May 10, 2023

When it comes to workout gear, comfort and practicality are king — but style isn’t far behind! Recently, Caleigh and I chatted about our favorite workout outfits, shopping experiences, and the evolution of athleisure wear. Here’s a fun recap packed with tips and insights that anyone hitting the gym will appreciate.


What’s the Go-To Workout Outfit?

For me, capri pants with pockets are non-negotiable. Pockets have officially become a must-have for workout bottoms — convenience is key! On top, I rotate between five loose, comfy tops. Sports bras? I only owned two for the longest time and realized it was time to expand the collection now that I’m working out more regularly. Pro tip: If you’re short on sports bras, turning them inside out between washes is a quick fix, but fresh ones are always best — especially on gym days!


Caleigh’s style is similar — a mix of capris, biker shorts, and comfy tank tops, focusing on function and comfort rather than high-end brands. Most of our gear started from everyday stores like Walmart and Target — because fitness doesn’t have to break the bank!


The Evolution of Workout Fashion

Remember when yoga pants and leggings were strictly for the gym? Nowadays, athleisure has taken over, and stretchy jeggings look like everyday jeans. Caleigh even surprised me by wearing jeggings out one night — next-level stretchy and totally comfy!


Back in the day, I wore long basketball shorts, then transitioned to much shorter running shorts (which felt wild at first!). Tank tops came later, often DIY’d from old t-shirts. Fitness fashion has definitely come a long way!


Shopping Tips for Workout Clothes

  • You don’t need designer brands to look and feel great at the gym.
  • Stores like Target offer trendy yet affordable options, including matching workout sets if you want to step it up.
  • Invest in basics you can rotate to avoid decision fatigue — a few pairs of shorts, several tops, and a handful of sports bras will do the trick.


Care & Maintenance of Athleisure Wear

How do you wash workout clothes? Surprisingly, it’s simple:

  • Wash regularly but no special detergent is needed.
  • Air drying is recommended to keep elasticity longer, but some of us just toss them in the dryer and hope for the best.
  • Remove those annoying bra inserts ASAP — they’re more hassle than help!


Final Thoughts: Comfort > Everything

If you’re spending more time thinking about how you look than how you feel while working out, you might be missing the point. Workout clothes should be comfortable and boost your confidence, so you can focus on your fitness goals instead of your outfit.

Ready to work with Nacho Fitness Coach?

Let's connect! We’re here to help.

Send us a message and we’ll be in touch. 

Or give us a call today at 913-788-6511

Agency Contact Form

More Marketing Tips, Tricks & Tools

August 27, 2025
What supplements should you actually take? In this fun episode of Nacho Fitness Coach, we unpack caffeine, collagen, creatine, probiotics, and whether melatonin is a sleep hack or just hype.
August 20, 2025
Muscle Milk vs. whey protein isolate—what’s the difference? We break down ingredients, benefits, and who should use which in this funny yet practical episode of Nacho Fitness Coach.
August 27, 2025
If you’ve ever bought a $50 tub of “miracle” greens powder, fallen for the latest detox tea, or wondered whether pink-labeled supplements for women are actually different (spoiler: they’re not), you’re not alone. In this episode of Nacho Fitness Coach, Caleigh (the self-proclaimed beginner who thinks Bulgarian split squats should be classified as cruel and unusual punishment) and Sara (the coach who actually knows what she’s doing) dive headfirst into the wild world of fitness scams —with plenty of laughs, tangents, and questionable jokes along the way. 🚨 Why Fitness Scams Are Everywhere The fitness industry is worth billions, which means there’s always someone ready to sell you a “shortcut.” Whether it’s a supplement that promises to torch fat, a crash diet that guarantees results in 30 days, or Instagram workouts that magically target belly fat, scams thrive because people want fast fixes. The reality? Sustainable health comes from the boring stuff : consistent movement, balanced nutrition, sleep, and stress management. But that doesn’t sell as well as “drop 30 pounds in 30 days.” 🤯 Popular Fitness Scams They Call Out Here are just a few of the fads and gimmicks discussed in the episode: Body Positivity (when twisted into an excuse) – Loving yourself is great, but ignoring your health isn’t. Raw Milk – Romanticized online, but not a magic bullet for health. Athletic Greens (AG1) – Expensive powders that are basically just multivitamins in smoothie form. Electrolyte Powders – Some (like Liquid IV or LMNT) are useful, but don’t believe the “double hydration” marketing hype. “For Women” Supplements – Same formula, pink label, higher price. Colostrum & Collagen Powders – Marketed as miracle youth potions. Spoiler: your regular protein powder works just fine. Probiotics – Helpful after antibiotics, but not the cure-all they’re marketed to be. Detox Teas & Cleanses – Your liver and kidneys already handle that job for free. Keto Desserts – Sorry, Jessica. That keto cupcake is still just a cupcake. 12-3-30 Workouts – Good exercise, but it’s not a “fat-burning secret.” Crash Diets (HCG, blood type diets, etc.) – Fast weight loss? Yes. Sustainable? Nope. And of course… everyone’s favorite scammy influencer, V Shred . 💡 The Bigger Problem: Normalized Fitness Lies The scariest part? Some scams are so normalized, we don’t even question them anymore. Marketing convinces us that we’re broken and need expensive fixes—when the truth is that health isn’t about extremes. What actually works: Consistency > hacks Real food > powders Movement you enjoy > gimmicky workouts Patience > promises of “30 pounds in 30 days” 🎧 Why You’ll Love This Episode Yes, you’ll learn how to spot scams. But you’ll also laugh (a lot). From butt-joke tangents to middle-schoolers discovering their teacher has a podcast, Caleigh and Sara remind us that fitness doesn’t have to be intimidating—or boring.  If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a detox tea commercial or wondered if collagen peptides are just expensive marketing, this one’s for you. ✅ Key Takeaway Don’t waste money chasing the latest fitness trend. Stick to the basics: move your body, eat balanced meals, get sleep, and stay consistent. Everything else is just expensive hype.
August 6, 2025
Can your personality type help you stick to a workout routine? Absolutely. In this funny and insightful episode, Nacho Fitness Coach explores how brain wiring, temperament, and self-awareness can transform your fitness—and your life.
July 30, 2025
Discover PJ Glassey’s revolutionary 21-minute workout method that’s redefining fitness. Learn about tower running, time-efficient training, and how neuroscience, mindset, and movement come together at X Gym.
July 23, 2025
Think lifting makes you bulky? Still counting detox teas as nutrition? Think again. We’re debunking 10 of the biggest fitness myths the wellness world won’t stop pushing—and giving you real talk on macros, muscle, and mindset.
July 16, 2025
Discover how parenting, ADHD, and a pickle-shaped dumbbell led to strength training chaos in this fun episode with Dillbell creator Caleigh.
July 9, 2025
Exposing the rise of fake weights on TikTok and Instagram. Learn how prop dumbbells are misleading viewers and hurting real fitness progress.
July 2, 2025
Join the Nacho Fitness Coach podcast for a hilarious "Would You Rather" bonus episode! From burpees vs. running to baby pigeon conspiracies and teleportation shoes, it's the weirdest, funniest fitness chat you'll hear all week.
July 2, 2025
Coach Kirsten Schulte shares 30+ years of elite athlete training, efficient 30-min workouts for busy people, and insider tips for realistic fitness goals when time’s tight.