The Best Activewear Brands For A Stylish Workout
It's time to upgrade your basic sports bra and leggings
Whether you dread working out or not, there’s no doubt that having chic activewear provides a little added motivation to hit the gym. With more and more activewear brands to keep up with, there’s an endless supply of sports bras, leggings, and gym essentials to choose from out there. We narrowed down the most stylish, lesser-known activewear brands that you may not have tried yet. Get ready to sweat in style…
This article originally appeared on Her World.
As one of the world’s premier sportswear brands, Under Armour is an all-encompassing, no-frills option. It’s one of those brands that you know is going to hold up throughout a high-intensity workout yet it still feels comfortable throughout your session. And while it remains one of the top sports brands in the market, Under Armour still remains fresh and delivers when it comes to style.
More recently, the brand launched its new Women’s Range in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Some of the key pieces that we love include the UA HeatGear® Armour No-Slip Waistband Ankle Leggings that wick sweat away quickly and are stretchy enough even when you engage in a HIIT workout. To pair, the brand also released the Mid Crossback Heather Sports Bra – which provides medium support and is perfect for activities like cycling, weight training and boxing.
Homegrown label Love, Bonito probably needs no introduction. Since the label was first founded as a blogshop called Bonito Chico in 2005, the brand has expanded its line in different markets abroad. More recently, the brand saw the need to support essential facets of women’s needs and has expanded its range with its very own collection of activewear pieces by merging forces with local label, butter. The activewear line, which now has rebranded as ‘Cheak’, will offer 12 styles (sports bras, leggings and biker shorts), seven inclusive sizes from XXS to XXL, and 13
colours, with eight colours available on Love, Bonito. Designed with Asian features in mind, activities, the activewear apparels are available in two fabrics, namely BaseCore® and BaseFlex®.
Here, the BaseCore® range is designed for high-intensity activities like HIIT, spinning and running, providing enhanced support and sweat-wicking properties to stay cool and dry post-workout. While the BaseFlex® collection is made with ultra-soft and silky-smooth materials, that are perfect for low-intensity activities such as yoga, pilates and barre.
Add a spring to your step with these pieces from ASICS’ latest Yozakura collection. Inspired by traditional Japanese design and nature, ASICS unveiled its new range in conjunction with International Women’s Day. Within the collection, you’ll find lots of pretty pink pieces. Some of our favourites include the rose-coloured running shoes that come in three designs (Gel-Kayano 28, Gel-Nimbus 24 and Gel-Excite 9). What we love most about ASICS running shoes is that it is innovatively designed to cradle your foot with improved rearfoot support, so it feels comfortable to walk, jog, or run in for your daily workouts.
Alternatively, for those who are looking to add a splash of colour to your workout wardrobe, then this collection might just have what you’re searching for. Bright and bold fuchsia sports bras with matching tights? Yes, please. Offering medium support, the sports bra is a great option for those who love running or intensive cardio exercises. What’s more, it also comes with adjustable straps at the back so you can customise and have a more tailored fit. To complete your look, check out the brand’s Road Balance Tight. Designed with a rubber print compression feature, these tights deliver advanced stability while you’re running, and comes with reflective details on the front and back for improved visibility, which is perfect, especially in low-light settings.
We’ve come to expect a lot more from our activewear than merely being practical workout gear. Now, more brands that outfit us for yoga and running are often the most enlightened about sustainability. Take, for instance, homegrown label Aphy Active.
Founded by two sisters Rebecca Ten and Ten Ning Zhuang, Aphy Active prides itself on its look-good-feel-good factor delivering comfortable activewear essentials that are made with sustainable fabrics. Whether you’re going for lower intensity workouts or high-intensity exercises, these pieces offer the right amount of support. and are both functional and durable enough for all activities.
Anya Active was founded by Melinda Sutikno to help women adopt an active lifestyle and embrace their body. With a range of sports bras, tanks, tees and bottoms for women, the brand recognises the different body types women have and the different activities they do, which inspired them to launch numerous designs to better cater to these differences.
Think — adjustable shoulder straps and a back clasp for a highly customisable fit, mid-compression tights made with quick-drying fabric that make them suitable for higher-impact workouts, and functional pockets for your phone which comes in handy when you’re always on the move.
Homegrown label, Perk by Kate is widely known for its impeccable collection of lingerie. But more recently, the label has taken things up a notch with its very own capsule collection of athleisure pieces. Here, the range called “In Pursuit Of”, supports real women and the pursuit of their version of self-care and the things that bring joy to their lives.
Designed with Perk by Kate’s signature attention to detail, the collection sees a series of sports bras and leggings that are made for everyday wear — be it to your yoga class, or even for your coffee breaks with your girlfriends. More importantly, if there’s one thing we love about this range is that it was designed to combat the typical issues women faced when working out. Some of them include overly taut bands and uncomfortable fits. Here, their Desire Longline Bra provides medium to low support, so it’s great especially if you’re doing yoga or pilates.
As for their Pursuit leggings, the Perk by Kate collection offers two variations for you to choose from — one with a classic front seam and one without — as the latter would have a tendency to over-accentuate the cameltoe.
Arriving in six shades, you can easily mix and match your favourite combo and work them in seamlessly with the other pieces in your current wardrobe. Here, these colours include burgundy, burnt orange, mauve pink, sage green, dusty blue and slate grey.
If you’ve been following Jade Seah on Instagram, then you would’ve already known that the local star recently started her very own athleisure brand, JUUJAA. Offering modish athleisure wear, the pieces here strikes the right balance between comfort and style.
Take, for instance, JUUJAA’s Bellatrix Mesh Sports Bra. Perfect for your favourite barre lessons, this piece is also versatile enough to be worn even after your classes. Delivering added support but without added warmth, the bra also features a circle cut-out that boasts a flattering design that makes it simple and stylish enough to be worn on its own.
As part of the collection, you’ll also find an amazing selection of leggings that are designed for movement, control and comfort. What’s more, these leggings also come with mesh panels that reveal themselves as functional pockets, for an easy place to stash your must-haves while you’re on the go.
Related article: Get Inspired To Workout In These Stylish Activewear Must-Haves
Haven’t heard about local label Fitmonkie? It’s about time you should. Here, the homegrown athleisure brand focuses on providing functional and boldly designed activewear and equipment.
What we love most about the selection of athleisure pieces is that the sports bras provide sufficient support even for the most intense workouts. Boasting an extensive range of designs, these sports bras also come with different back straps that hug you perfectly in the lats without compromising your range of motion. For example, a hot favourite would have to be the Freedom Plaid Bra that comes with a high U-shape neckline and beautiful plaid-twist back details.
For other versatile pieces, you can also consider Fitmonkie’s line of Laid-Back-Days Biker Shorts for days when you want to wear something snug yet comfortable. Designed with a high waisted fit, these shorts are made with a thicker, velvety material that feels luxurious, lounge-worthy and comfortable. On top of that, you can also easily incorporate them into your daily outfits, so you can wear them at home, to the gym or even while you’re out running errands.
For understated colours with a touch of femininity, look to Rangoon Active. They have cute, versatile bras that come with ruffled sleeves and ruched details (perfect to double up as a cropped top), plus a set of sports bra and leggings that boasts body-contouring that lifts you in the right places (plus, it wicks away moisture and controls odour at the same time). We also love their thoughtful high-waisted, compressive leggings with a handy side pocket to hold a phone. Every girl needs that.
A hot favourite amongst yogis, gym goers and runners alike, lululemon is known for its sleek and functional designs that can take you from HIIT class to brunch date. Amongst its plentiful offerings, we love its medium-support Energy Bra that’s suitable for most workouts, Align High-Rise Pant (Asia Fit) that provides superb comfort and coverage, and Fast and Free Short that’s a godsend to runners with the right amount of compression and support at the waist, plus deep side pockets.
We have a soft spot for the long tights that come in Asia Fit – there are various length options to suit different heights and leg lengths (it’s so important for leggings to have the right length and cut for that leggy look!), as well as a snugger fit around the ankles.
Local label PINKSALT is loved for its stylish, feminine and modest swimwear and activewear that target Asian women’s concerns (think long-lined sports bras and high-waisted seamless leggings), while offering versatility. For instance, its swimsuit doubles up as a bodysuit, and its swimwear tops can be worn as cropped tops or sports bras for light activities. Besides its body-flattering cuts, placement prints are used (instead of repeating patterns) to strategically enhance the overall silhouette.
Had enough of solid colours and geometric prints? Freshen up your workout outfits with the cheery colours and batik motifs on NINJA by YeoMama activewear. YeoMama is a Singaporean brand that’s known for modern batikwear, using traditional handmade batik sourced from Indonesia. The activewear is designed with versatility in mind, and is suitable for most workouts ranging from yoga to swimming, pole dancing and HIIT.
For instance, the Pool Party top (left) wouldn’t look out of place at the beach, pool, gym or a hike, with its modest front coverage and high support.
Outfyt carries sexy yet supportive pieces that are made with ethical manufacturing practices, using sustainably sourced materials such as abandoned fishing nets and fabric scraps. The result is a regenerated nylon fabric that provides a long-lasting fit and high resistance against heat, sunscreen and chlorinated water, so you can wear the pieces from dance to hot yoga to wakeboarding.
We love that the Sage Leggings come with a specially designed gusset that eliminates the dreaded camel toe, and how they end just above the ankle to make you look leggier.
Related article: Work Up A Sweat And Feel Good In These Sustainable Activewear Labels
If you love floral and dreamy prints, check out this homegrown label, which has a showroom at level 2, 364 Joo Chiat Road. The collections are inspired by Asian culture and oriental designs – think cherry blossoms and kebaya prints. The capris are made from silky smooth four-way stretch fabric with moisture-wicking properties to ensure you stay cool and dry. The antimicrobial finish prevents bacteria build-up, while the anti-piling texture means you won’t have to deal with ugly fuzz on the fabric after multiple washes.
Founded in Myanmar, up and coming online activewear brand Sparks Active aims to bridge the gap between “affordable” and “quality”, by offering soft-luxe, four-way-stretchable and sweat-wicking fabric at a fraction of high-end activewear’s cost. Bras are priced under $50 and leggings under $70. (Yes, they have leggings with deep pockets too.) Sizes up to XXL are available for certain pieces. To help you feel better about your purchase, (and in line with the founders’ backgrounds in working for charities and social enterprises), 5% of net proceeds go to a charity of your choice.
Founded in 2016, this Singaporean brand prides itself on using the latest activewear technology that strikes an optimal balance between breathability, durability and moisture-wicking. Signature pieces such as their Alexa Mesh Leggings, as well as Thalia Bra (shown), have been field-tested and approved by athletes, so you can be sure of the quality. The brand now has a physical store in Takashimaya, so you can head down to the store to ensure you get the perfect fit!
They may be known for their luxe resort-style swimwear, but K.Blu also has an equally legit range of activewear that’s designed to make you look effortlessly chic no matter where you go. Take the Nonya Leggings, for example. They are so on point for shopping or brunch dates after yoga class.
Need motivation to exercise? Wear a Lorna Jane tank top that says “Today’s good mood sponsored by yoga” or ‘Begin with a goal in mind”. Who needs personal trainers?
Touting trendy cuts with pocket-friendly prices, Singaporean label Vivre Activewear proves that it doesn’t take much to look good in exercise clothes. It has two stores: #02-56 Vivo City (Singapore flagship store which carries premium designs) and #B1-04 Wisma Atria.
Also known as CK Performance, this lingerie brand has built a name for itself in the sportswear department as well. Their sports bras are one of the softest and most comfortable we’ve tried. We love how put-together the outfits look. Sleek, and so chic.
Related article: The Dos And Don’ts Of Washing Your Gym Gear
Shop highly coveted looks from Omgoing, which carries brands such as Alo Yoga, Flexi Lexi, Glyder Apparel and Liquido Active.
Also available at Pure Yoga studios in Asia Square Tower 2, Republic Plaza, Ngee Ann City and Suntec City, the apparel comes in muted, pleasing tones for an elegant look. The fabric feels smooth and stretchy, like second skin.
This local site carries popular brands like Mula from Korea and Spiritual Gangster, which features catchy slogans on tank tops. There’s a range for men too.
Celebrating #strongisthenewsexy, homegrown brand Tough Cookie Apparel offers fun and sassy designs that are suitable for yoga, aerial arts and pole dance. Some of the items even feature hand-braided straps!