What clothes to buy to get the perfect honed gym bod without even breaking a sweat
FROM slimming sports bras to BBL leggings, Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend shops for gear on the high street.
And we reveal which item is loved by stars like Zara McDermott and J-Lo.
Tummy and thigh flattering shorts
Shorts, £19.90, Uniqlo
WHETHER you’re jumping on a spin bike, cycling to work, or want a pair of shorts to banish the dreaded chub rub, cycling shorts are a life-saver.
In eight different colours, including black and beige, Uniqlo’s Ultra Stretch AIRism Active Shorts flatter your thighs and stomach.
The fit is comfortable, stretchy and quick-drying.
Aside from being great for exercise, a lot of shoppers say they wear them under their normal daywear because of their “slimming” benefits.
“I bought these shorts to wear under skirts or dresses,” one said.
“Great purchase because they are high-waisted, the legs are long enough but also to ensure the thighs do not rub.”
So if you’re looking for a “do-everything” short, make these a go-to.
Waist-creating top
Top, £12.50, F&F at Tesco
NEED a quick fix after overindulging at Christmas? F&F’s waist-cinching top works wonders for all occasions.
Part of the retailer’s latest Active range, edited by Kate Ferdinand, the long-sleeved top has a clever gathered middle.
It means the eye is drawn into its centre, while pleats create the illusion of a more defined waist. And who doesn’t want that?
Better still, it isn’t made from the usual stretchy nylon you see on most gymwear, but from a soft, cotton-like fabric, so it is far more versatile than your average workout top.
Plus the neutral colour and soft material mean you can wear it with your work trousers or skirt, at home with jeans, or at the gym.
Bingo wing banisher
Top, £12.99, H&M
WHEN it comes to women’s figures, our bingo wings can become an obsession as we age.
If you want to tone your arms without lifting weights – or cans of beans – for months, this could be the answer.
Brands like Skims have bingo wing-banishing tops that have “strong targeted compression” to smooth your arms for £64.
Although H&M’s DryMove sports top doesn’t offer compression, it is restricting and tight, holding everything in place, so your wings don’t flap.
Made from recycled polyester, it feels supportive without being too tight.
Coming in five colours, fans love this brilliantly versatile top and are leaving five-star reviews on the retailer’s website.
One gushed: “I ordered medium because my (post-mastectomy) boob implants are very full and round and it’s a spot-on fit for me.”
BBL leggings
Riojoy leggings, £19.99, at Amazon
WHETHER you’re trying to boost – or minimise – your bum, one thing we all chase after is that elusive lift.
Bum-sculpting leggings, or “bum scrunch” ones – made from scrunched or ruched together fabric – are designed to lift and shape you in all the right places and are loved by stars like Zara McDermott and J-Lo.
If you want a rounder, peachier looking posterior without spending days doing squats, these game-changers from Riojoy do just that.
They give you the look of a Brazilian butt lift but without the cost – or the dangers.
One shopper said: “They make my glutes look amazing”, while another added: “As much as I love them, my husband loves them more.”
Many customers say they are even better than Gymshark’s pricier £50 version.
Curve-enhancing jacket
Jacket, £16, Primark
DURING the current cold weather, layers are a real life-saver.
Sports jackets are lightweight and created to maintain your body temperature – ideal for layering so you don’t overheat.
Primark’s latest range of activewear features its Butter Performance jacket, £16, in khaki and classic black.
Sleek and snug, with a soft texture, it gives you a smooth and defined silhouette with stitched panels that contour your figure and nip in your waist.
Since the store’s new fitness range launched on December 30, TikTok fans have flooded social media, urging followers to hotfoot it to Primark for these viral gym jackets.
Some even say it’s a double of the pricey Lululemon Define jacket that retails for a whopping £138.
Belly-disguising vest
Vest, £12, Tu at Sainsbury’s
IN fashion, we like to stick to reliable classics to keep our wardrobe looking good – and the same goes for our activewear.
Take this vest . . . it’s a must-have for when you are exercising, but so much more than a gym top.
Not only is the animal-print bang on trend, it’s also brilliant for disguising your tummy.
Busy prints are a trusty favourite in fashion as they camouflage any telltale lumps and bumps.
In the case of this versatile vest, it works wonders on your midriff.
Slip a tonal blazer over the top and pair with billowing wide-leg trousers for an on-trend office look, or wear with a pair of leggings and sweatshirt for the gym.
The top also has a racer back, which means the straps are really flattering for those with a fuller bust.
Boob-job sports bra
Sports bra, £26, Goodmove at Marks & Spencer
WHEN it comes to bras, M&S knows what it’s doing – and this sports bra is no exception.
According to the high street giant, one in three of us owns a bra from its lingerie department and in 2024, more than 1.3million customers searched for sportswear on its website.
One of its bestsellers is this Freedom To Move Ultimate Support Sports bra from its in-house activewear Goodmove collection.
Shoppers have left rave reviews about the flattering silhouette it gives.
One delighted customer wrote: “Having practically given up on underwired bras, these bras are fantastically supportive every day as well as for jogging etc.”
Another praised its “lift and separate” action, meaning breasts aren’t squashed flat as with a lot of sports bras.
Another bonus – it is shaped like a bra, as opposed to the crop-top design, giving better lift and making it more wearable outside the gym.