Most gym clothing is bought on the assumption that the wearer is doing high-intensity training. Most people are lifting moderately, walking, or doing classes twice a week. The right kit is different for each.
Fabric: it depends what you do
Cotton is comfortable, breathable and absorbs sweat rather than moving it. Fine for weights, walking and anything where you are not soaked. It holds damp, so it is poor for long cardio and cold-weather running.
Synthetic blends wick moisture away and dry fast, which matters when you are genuinely sweating. They also hold odour more stubbornly.
If your training is mostly resistance work with rest between sets, cotton is not the compromise the industry suggests it is.
Fit by movement, not by look
Test in the changing room by doing the movement, not by standing still. Overhead reach for anything with sleeves — if the hem lifts past your waistband, it will do that every rep. Deep squat for anything on the legs.
Seam placement matters more than fabric for chafing. Check where seams sit under a bag strap or against inner thighs.
Claims worth ignoring
- "Compression" without a stated pressure rating is a marketing word for "tight".
- "Antibacterial" treatments wash out, usually within a season.
- "Breathable" is unmeasured and applied to almost everything.
What actually matters
That you will put it on. Kit that is uncomfortable, unflattering or needs a specific wash cycle reduces the chance you train, and the health benefit of training vastly outweighs any fabric decision.
Our range
The Gym Wear collection and joggers cover the basics. Fabric composition is listed under Materials on each product page, so you can check the cotton-to-synthetic ratio before buying rather than guessing.
Related: layering for British autumn, relevant if you train outdoors.
Further reading: NHS: Physical activity guidelines