If you’re on a budget, you may believe that attractive workout clothes are not something you can afford.
I promise you that this is not true. Just because you buy cheap, doesn’t mean you look cheap! Trust me, I’m a self-proclaimed cheapskate, yet I’m constantly getting compliments on my workout clothes.
How to Score High Quality, Inexpensive Workout Gear
It is so easy to integrate high quality, inexpensive workout clothes into your wardrobe. My rule is to shop with price guidelines that I rarely exceed:
- $12 for an exercise top
- $15 for exercise shorts
- $20 for exercise pants/capris
- $25 for a sports bra
Keeping within these price ranges is a piece of cake! You just have to know where to look.
Where to Find Affordable Exercise Clothing:
- Target- Their C9 brand made by Champion is awesome! The clothes are colorful, stylish, made from wicking fabrics, and fit well. Be sure to look on the sale rack. That’s where you’ll find the treasures!
- TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls- At these places you will find good deals on Nike, Champion, Reebok, and Under Armour apparel. These stores tend to be hit or miss, so you may need to check back frequently in order to find some goodies.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods- ONLY shop here if you have a Dick’s Scorecard, and ONLY go here when they are having a sale. Otherwise, don’t waste your time trying to find deals at Dick’s.
- Wal-mart- This is where I shop for sports bras. More about that below.
What Can You Buy For Under $10?
Here are some bargains that I’ve picked up in the past few months:
This is the Danskin High Impact Active Sport Bra. It is my absolute favorite sports bra in existence today. Guess what it costs? $9.88 at Wal-mart
Nike shorts. $6.99 at TJ Maxx
C9 by Champion shorts. $9.99 at Target
C9 by Champion top with built-in bra. $2.99 at Target
Nike singlet. $8.50 at Dick’s Sporting Goods
*Tip for keeping your exercise clothes looking pretty- After washing, put your clothes in the dyer just long enough to de-wrinkle (about 3 minutes). Then hang your clothes up to air dry. The dryer kills delicate exercise apparel! Follow this tip and your clothes will stay pretty for many workouts to come.
Shoes
Shoes are the most expensive part of any exercise ensemble. However, shoes are worth the cost because wearing the right pair is important for preventing injuries.
Although it is a given that running shoes will cost anywhere between $70- $130, I do have a tip for lengthening shoe life, which over time, will save you some big bucks.
Own multiple pairs of shoes!
- Left- These are my running shoes. I only wear them when I’m running!
- Middle- This is an old pair of running shoes. If I’m going to the gym to do low-impact exercise, like weight lifting or ellipticalling, I wear the old pair. This saves my running shoes from unnecessary wear.
- Right- These are my cross-training shoes. Cross trainers are typically less expensive than running shoes. (I found this pair on sale at Ross for $25 dollars.) I wear these shoes when I will be doing a lot of jumping or lateral movements. When I lived in Charleston, these were pretty much my Body Attack shoes, but now I wear them when I’m doing plyometric workouts.
Do you have any tips on how to find inexpensive workout clothes? I’d love to hear them!
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Hi Lily!
I’m so impressed with your savy tips and shopping skills!
Sadly, we don’t have most of the stores you listed in Canada, but there is a Walmart – so I will be sure to check out their gear next time I’m in.
My tip for buying workout gear, applies to all wardrobe shopping, which is to shop during “low” periods like January (post-Christmas) when retailers are anxious to move product and will cut prices substantially. Recently, I scored some sweet Under Armour (which never goes on sale here) running layers for just over 25% off!
Jean, that is an awesome tip that I failed to mention!
FYI- I’m not sure about the quality of Walmart exercise clothing, but I know that sports bra is stellar!
I’m not gonna lie, I’ve spent a ton of unnecessary money on workout apparel
I love target though! Their c9 stuff is so cute 
I think the only thing I should be splurging on is a good sports bra. Nothing is worse than chaffing
great post!! you can certainly find affordable workout wear all around!! even at some pricey places, just look on the clearence rack and BOOM! great deals right under your nose! I love marshalls and TJs and Target! i also should get myself a pair of trainer!
OMG. i TOTALLY agree with you on buying things at a discount! Especially things that get sweaty! I frequent those stores all the time! I leave with a happy full wallet!
Some great tips on buying health gear. Terrific stuff!
Your site provides me (and others) a plethora of money-saving, healthy life-style ideas. Thanks.
One word – Ebay!
Great post girl!! Im in love Target at the moment. I think they have some great workout clothes at awesome prices. And TJMaxx too. Those are usually my two places I go to for some new stuff. I keep an eye out for sales too. Old Navy sometimes has cheap yoga pants depending on when you hit it up. I love to bargain shop! Have a super day!
It’s soo easy to over spend on work out gear. Just go to lululemon or sport chek, and it’s easy to spend over 100$ on just a couple things.
I like to go to outlet stores when I can. You can get name brand things discounted significantly. I’ve been to nike and adidas ones and was able to find great buys.
grea tinfo- i have such a hard time with this stuff.. i can easily spend way too much money on it!
I’ve gotten some cheap stuff at the outlet stores.
I am so with you on getting good deals on workout gear. I also shop at those place and am usually able to score a deal. Old Navy is another place where you can get some cute and inexpensive workout clothes. I recently got an adorable top for the gym there for $12 that I get so many compliments on.
My big tip though is to look into “joining” a running club at a local specialty running store. If you join the store’s running club there will be a small membership fee but you get big discounts! And you don’t actually have to run for them. My running club gives me 20% off everything in the store: clothes, sneakers, even Garmins! That right there is worth the $30 membership fee!
thank you for the tips! I love c9 apparel. I won’t lie, I’ve often bought things at Dick’s, if just for the fact that I know the stuff will be there or I’m in a rush to find something. I’ve never thought to look at TJ Max! I can’t wait to check it out
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