I’m going to be totally honest: Shopping for workout clothes when you’re pregnant kinda sucks. Determined to stay active, I started looking for options when I was about five months in, and my normal activewear started feeling snug. Somehow, it was even more frustrating than searching for normal maternity wear (also not fun!).
For one thing, very few brands make maternity workout clothes. And those that do often offer limited options—or clothing that’s made with lower-quality fabric and that doesn’t stand up to the same fit standards as non-maternity wear.
I worked out in 20 different maternity activewear options to find the best picks. A lot of chafing and legging slippage occurred—but some pieces definitely stood apart from the rest.
Gap
Maternity GapFit Eclipse GFast Full Panel 7/8 Leggings
Gap
gap.com
$45.00
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The first thing I noticed about these leggings: They’re made with a high-quality performance fabric—similar material to my non-maternity favorites (you’d be surprised how often the fabric feels like a cheaper version when you buy something specifically made for expecting moms). One thing worth noting: All of the Gap options I tried ran large, so take that into account.
Gap
Maternity Breathe Strappy Shelf Tank
Gap
gap.com
$24.99
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When pregnancy bloat makes you feel anything but cute, this strappy-back tank is the perfect antidote. Same caveat as with the Gap leggings, though: This tends to run big.
Maternity Fitted Herringbone Performance Zip Jacket
Maternity Fitted Herringbone Performance Zip Jacket
Old Navy
oldnavy.gap.com
$32.99
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If you’re taking your workouts outside (or just want to do errands while wearing athleisure), this zip-up is the perfect layering staple. I especially love that it has room for an expanding belly without going overboard on the ruching.
Old Navy
Maternity Semi-Fitted Performance Tee
Old Navy
oldnavy.gap.com
$20.99
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You can’t beat the under-$25 price tag—and it’ll be even less if you can snag it on sale, which it often is.
Beyond Yoga
Travel Lightweight Racerback Maternity Tank
Beyond Yoga
beyondyoga.com
$68.00
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All you need to know about this top: It. Is. The. Softest. And that is so, so key when you’re pretty much in a perpetual state of discomfort.
Beyond Yoga
Lift Your Spirits Maternity Bra
Beyond Yoga
beyondyoga.com
$60.00
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Real talk: Maternity sports bras are the same as regular sports bras. But since you might need a bigger size these days, the racerback design helps give you extra support. Plus, Beyond Yoga’s Supplex fabric is ideal for avoiding chafing (a real issue when your nipples are a little more…present…than usual).
ASOS
Maternity Legging With Linear Glo Print
ASOS 4505
us.asos.com
$27.00
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Maternity wear doesn’t tend to come in fun designs, but the graphic detailing on these made me feel sleek—even seven and a half months pregnant.
Bonus: ASOS leggings also stayed up during runs and other high-intensity workouts better than any of the other maternity bottoms I tried.
ASOS
ASOS 4505 Maternity training t-shirt in slim fit
Asos 4505
us.asos.com
$16.00
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So many of the pregnancy workout tops I tested felt like the activewear equivalent of ponchos, but not this fitted, sweat-wicking top.
Lululemon
Align Pant Full Length 28
Lululemon
lululemon.com
$98.00
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These aren’t specifically maternity wear, but they are hands-down my favorite leggings to wear while preggo. (Just order a size or two up from your normal—something you can do with basically any workout wear that’s just fitting more snugly than usual.)
The material these leggings are made from is stretchy but lightweight, so it doesn’t feel like it’s constraining your stomach area. So comfy, whether you’re doing an indoor cycling class or throwing on something for casual Friday.
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