The Best activewear for women (tips from the Paseo Club instructors)

Have you ever been in the process of performing weighted squats in class and felt your leggings slip down your waist? Or did you need to tug your skort to the side right before your serve? What about the tank straps that keep slipping every time you downward dog?

Nothing is more frustrating than being in the middle of a workout or a game and having to stop and adjust your clothing.

The Paseo Club is a social club in the Santa Clarita Valley that has over 60 fitness classes available each week, plus pickleball and tennis drills, games, and tournaments. 

Our instructors know that having the right clothes helps you be comfortable and able to focus on your movements at hand.

In this article, you will learn what the Paseo Club’s fitness, yoga, and court instructors recommend for the best activewear for women. 

What are the best clothes to exercise in? 

There are many really great brands that make activewear — it all comes down to cost, quality, function, and brand loyalty. 

Exercise clothing must handle hard work and sweat. It needs to be well-crafted so you can wash and wear it over and over again with minimal deterioration. 

Women in their 40s and 50s tend to steer closer to familiar brands that cover more of their bodies and are modest in design. Favorite brands are Lululemon, Vuori, Athleta, Alo, and Carbon 38. 

Younger athletes like bottoms and bra tops that match. Many teens and twenty-somethings wear Gym Shark and off-brands from Amazon and TikTok. 

Best clothes for the gym

When you get dressed for the gym, what you need is versatility. Whether you attend a class or train solo, you will want to implement several different movements, such as cycling, weight lifting, bodyweight movements, and more. You need to wear clothes that move with you, are resilient, and do not show signs of sweat.

Gym Tank

Lululemon Love Tank or Sculpt Tank are favorites of the Paseo Club staff. They are short enough to feel flowy and light without showing too much tummy. Vuori’s Elevation Square Neck Tank and Sunrise High Neck Tank are also perfect for any type of workout.

Gym Shorts

Lululemon’s Speed Up Low Rise 2.5” shorts can make your legs feel long and strong. The material holds up and continues to look new, time after time. Speed Up and Hotty Hot shorts from Lululemon have built-in liners and come in longer lengths. The Clementine shorts from Vuori are also a reliable choice. 

If you want biker shorts, go to the dependable Lululemon or the Alo 3” high waist Airlift Short.

Gym Leggings

You can continue to wear shorts for most of the winter in the SCV, but when it’s cold enough to warrant leggings, you can check out the Spacedye Caught In The Midi High-Waisted Legging by Beyond Yoga. These leggings are soft and comfortable for daily wear, but they also withstand loaded squats, box jumps, jumping rope, or burpees without missing a beat! 

Other Paseo Club favorites are the Lululemon Align leggings with pockets. They are soft and not as see through as other brands. The Vuori Clean Elevation legging is also a good choice. 

Gym Shoes

For lifting and cross-training, the NoBull training shoes are the best! They are constructed with a larger toe box to prevent you from jamming your toes while you move. It is supportive, so you feel safe in lifting weights. 

Gym Outerwear

Lululemon’s long-sleeved tops, Define Jackets, and Scuba Hoodies are awesome for layering. Check out Vuori’s Sherpa Jacket and Sycamore Shirt Jacket for a couple more great choices.

What are the best court clothes?

Whether it is pickleball, tennis, or another court game, you need clothes that move with you while you lunge, pivot, and swing. Luckily, tennis and pickleball wear is becoming more fashionable each year, helping you look great while being fierce on the courts!

Court Tank

Lanethix Tie Back Tank is a little more snug without ever feeling tight. It moves with you on the court but is as light as can be.

Court Skirt

Lululemon's Pace Rival and Court Rival tennis skorts, the v-neck racerback tennis dress, and Align Dress are all solid options for your next matches. 

The Vuori Volley Skirt is super cute on and off the court. The material is soft and comfortable, and you can leave the court and head to coffee without needing to change. 

The Vuori Topspin and One Shot tennis dresses are cute and functional. In fact, one of our instructors wore one of those tennis dresses out to a nightclub  — which tells you how great it looks. 

Court Shorts

You can wear the same shorts as mentioned above in the fitness section. 

Court Outerwear

It can get chilly on the courts. Lululemon’s Down For It All or Pack it Down vest gives you a great extra layer. 

Court Shoes

Nike Vapor Lites 2 are stable, lightweight, and sturdy for quick changes of direction and quick stops on the court to avoid the kitchen! They are comfortable too.

What are the best yoga clothes? 

People are happiest in yoga clothes that fit snugly and don't have layers or pockets. You also want to be comfortable and warm. The Beyond Yoga line is by far a favorite for yoga classes, with the softest materials that keep you warm for restorative class while it also moves with you in Vinyasa.

Yoga Tank

Spiritual Gangster’s Dream Tech Eco-Jersey Crop Tank has built-in support, so you have support in your poses.

Yoga Shorts

The Lorna Jane Lotus No Chafe Bike Shorts are snug enough to feel safe in your down dog but light enough to handle a hot yoga class!

Yoga Leggings

The Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out of Pocket High Waisted Midi Legging is tight in all the right places without ever feeling uncomfortable. 

Yoga Outerwear

For a quick layer before and after class, a fave is the Aviator Nation’s zip-up hoodies.  

Unitards 

If you feel confident enough to rock a one-piece, there are several on the market that are not only comfortable but also functional and fun for yoga! Two recent faves are the Spiritual Gangster’s Flaunt Dream Tech Bodysuit and Carly Jean’s Essential Romper — for when you prefer shorts to a full bodysuit. 

What are the best running clothes?

Runner’s greatest nemesis is chafing. You need clothes that give you the coverage you need while protecting your skin from rubbing. Clothes that protect you from too much sun exposure and wick sweat are also important. 

Running Tank

Lululemon Swiftly Tech Racerback Tank has gotten Paseo Club’s squad through many a race with little to no chafing under the arms, and the rainbow of colors available still looks bright season after season. 

Running Shorts

Lululemon Speed Up Low Rise 2.5” is an excellent choice. Some runners prefer the 4” length to avoid chafing on long runs. Either way, the material holds up and continues to look new. 

Running Leggings

The Lululemon Fast and Free leggings with pockets are great for short jaunts and marathons alike.

Running Outerwear

Free People’s Live Your Life Pullover has a side zip to help block the chill after a hard run.

Running Shoes

Running shoes can be deeply personal to the runner. You also need to factor in if your runs are primarily on road, short distance, long distance, or trail running. Paseo Club’s personal favorites are:

• Jen: Asics Kayano 30
• Jason: Hoka Arahi 7
• Jodi: Asics Nimbus 
• Maddy: Asics GT 2000
• Cezanne: Hoka Bondi 8 and Hoka Cliftons
• Melanie: Topo Runners
• Lynette: Asics Kayano 30
• Nicola: Nike Air Zoom Alphafly
• Mark: Nike Pegasus 
• Shannon: Saucony Endorphins
• Mike: Hoka Clifton 9
• Jenny: Asics GT 2000

What are the best athleisure clothes?

When you want to hit the gym, the cafe, the mountains, the grocery store, and the couch all in one day, look to these cute and functional athleisure options. 

Pants

Vuori Boyfriend Joggers are great for days when you want to look a little more put together but still feel like you can jump into any physical activity that comes your way! 

Tank

Vuori Lux Performance tanks are long enough to feel covered, and snug enough to not feel sloppy!

Complete Outfit

For a complete outfit, check out Spiritual Gangster’s Warm Core Jogger and Zip jacket. You are totally put together to run errands but also comfy enough for a nap! Pair it with any of the SG muscle tanks to complete the look.

Looking and feeling great while you train

Finding the clothes that look and feel great on you is half the battle to exercising. Every woman’s body is shaped differently and it is essential you get the activewear that fits you best and performs just as you need it to. 

In this article, you heard from the instructors at the Paseo Club (aka the people who live in activewear). They made their top clothing recommendations for the gym, the courts, yoga classes, and running.

If you would like to check out some of the clothing mentioned in this article, you are in luck! Vuori will be making an appearance this Saturday, December 16th at the Dink for Cause Pickleball Fundraiser. They will be there from 9 am to 4 pm with dozens of new, cute items for you to see. 

The Paseo Club has been in operation for twenty years. We have members of all ages and abilities who enjoy our dozens of fitness choices. People can exercise on their own, join a class, or get personalized attention in small groups or private training. There is something for everyone!

The club is outfitted with a cafe, clubhouse, and full-service spa. So, grab a drink, eat a meal, and stay a while. The Paseo Club is your home away from home.

If you want to learn more about the club, schedule a tour. You can see all eight acres of our facilities and meet instructors and members.