5 Hacks to Save Money on Gym Clothes
1. Buy High Quality, Neutral Bottoms That Last
Unless you're one of the lucky few who looks good in everything, you may find that high-end leggings are more flattering than cheap ones. A high-quality pair of work-out leggings that makes your bottom half look good is worth its weight in gold, and can be worth spending more on as they'll last for year. Plus they aren't usually see through in the sun like some cheaper versions and usually stay put no matter how many squats you do.
But if you're paying up for a pair of high-quality leggings, go neutral to get the most from your money. A pair of leggings from the likes of Sweaty Betty or Lululemon can cost £100 full price, so if you splurge on a high-end brand you'll need them to work as hard as you do.
While that trendy floral pair splattered with pink flowers might make you daydream of running for miles with boundless energy, you're probably not going to want to wear them for every workout session for the next two years. Pick a neutral colour if you pay up for leggings so you can wear them for years and get your money's worth. If you're tired of black, you might find a neutral blue, grey or muted pattern that you can wear over and over.
2. Don't Spend a Lot on Tops
Workout clothes get smelly and tops are the worst. We admit it. So don't spend your hard-earned money on expensive workout tops—buy cheap tops that you can toss once they stink.
To make it easier on yourself don't even look at expensive tops you might fall in love with. Instead, look for economical tops from places like Tu by Sainsbury's where you can find workout vests for £10 - £12 or visiting your local TK Maxx where we have seen lots of gorgeous workout tops for £7.99.
Tops are where you can add colour and/or pattern to your look. Pick up a few bold vests to cycle through and by the time you're tired of them they'll probably be smelly anyway.
3. Tip to Remove Odor from Workout Clothes
Speaking of workout clothes and their stink... First you notice that your tops start to smell within minutes of wearing them, then after a few more wears they even smell right out of the wash. Sound familiar? High-performance fibers that are great at wicking sweat away from your body also resist detergent and water in the washing machine, so sweat, oil and bacteria linger in the clothes even after a wash.
Get more use out of your workout clothes by throwing a cup of baking soda into the washing machine along with the detergent. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and helps to remove the smells trapped by sweat and bacteria in high-performance fabric.
4. Shop the Sales
Regardless of your budget, shopping during the sales can save you 50% or more on workout clothes. If you're buying a high-quality pair of leggings, a good sale can save you £40 or more. Be on the lookup for deals from late June to early July and after Christmas to mid January.
If you've ever wondered how much you should be spending on your wardrobe, see our article Here's How Much You Should Spend on Clothing Each Month.
Within this, we want to point out that buying used might even be an okay option, especially if you can find gently-used, high-quality items from brands you know and trust. Sites like PreWorn (below) include a wide range of gym gear. It's certainly worth a browse.
5. Shop with a List
One of the easiest ways to waste money on workout clothes is buying items you don't really need. Help avoid temptation by making a list of items you need to replace before you start shopping—and stick to the list. For instance, if you need a fresh, new top don't even bother looking at the bottoms. Why tempt yourself?
To help you save money on all your clothes shopping, see our article on 7 Hacks to Save Money on Clothes.