The right workout set won’t change your life—but it might change how often you show up. Not because it’s a fad or a desire, but because it removes the conflict. If what you’re wearing fits well, moves easily, and doesn’t immediately feel like something you can’t wait to take off, getting dressed is easy. And simple is often what works.
I’ve noticed a clear pattern in my plans: the days I reach for worn-out leggings and an old t-shirt tend to be fewer. The days I wear a set that feels truly thoughtful—supportive, well-cut, and wearable beyond the workout—are the days I’m in for a long workout. Not out of obligation, but because I’ve already made the decision to take myself seriously.
The Best Workout Sets of 2026
That’s the evolution that defines workout sets in 2026. Functionality is still important—but so is longevity, versatility, and how the set fits into your day. These aren’t pieces designed just for a gym selfie. They are made for Pilates studios, long trips, travel days, activities, and times in between. Subsets earn their place because they wear out—usually—and because they make consistency feel like a pushover and automatic.
What makes a good workout set in 2026
In 2026, a good set of exercises is about how easily it fits into real life—and how often you reach for it. Fabric is non-negotiable. The sets to invest in hold their shape, breathe well, and provide support without feeling restrictive. They slide and move without being overly tight, and they still feel great hours after your workout wraps up.
Diversity is more important than trends. A good set should work just as well for yoga as work or for sitting down to answer emails. Clean lines, thoughtful cuts, and timeless silhouettes surpass anything cycling through an algorithm.
Fit has finally caught up to the truth. Plus size, adjustable support, and designs that accommodate many bodies—not just workout archetypes—separate sets that get worn over and over again from those that stay tucked away in the closet.
Most importantly, the best sets of exercises make the movement more accessible and consistency less dependent on motivation. When a set does that, it stops being “workout wear” and becomes part of how you go about your day. Every day.
Very Good
The best fitness trends include rewear. They’re pieces that earn their place in your rotation because they work hard, wear well, and move easily through real-life routines.
These categories reflect the way we dress now: a few new pieces, many sets that pull double (or triple) duty. Each one stands out not because it’s loud (usually, the opposite – quiet comfort still reigns supreme in this category) but because it delivers where it counts.
Best: Alo Airlift Intrigue Bra + High-Waist Airlift Legging
This is the benchmark—a set that does everything well and holds up over time. If you only invest in one, this is the set that gets it.
Inexpensive (Still Looks Expensive): Quince Ultra-Form Scoop Neck Longline Bra + Ultra-Form High-Rise Legging
Clean lines, solid fabric, no visual rendering. Proof that polish doesn’t have to come at a premium.
Best Plus Size Set: Girl’s Tommy Cropped Bra + Compressive High-Rise Legging Set
Designed in a truly inclusive size range—supportive, flattering, and made to go with you.
Best Crossback Workout Set: Formcloud Cloud Crossback Bra + Formcloud Cloud High-Rise Leggings SET
Because when you want your active clothes to feel purposeful, not accidental. High design, low effort.
Best Studio-to-Street Set (New Essentials): LSPACE Uppercut Bra + Leggings Up Legging
It’s a fixed set. It easily moves from exercise to activities to go without missing a beat.
Best Alternative to Running Leggings: Varley Assure Cerys Bra + Assure High-Rise Legging 28″
A small “gym”, sitting in it. An advanced option for low-impact movement and everyday wear that still counts as activewear.
The Best Workout Sets of 2026
Best: Airlift Intrigue Bra + High-Waist Airlift Legging
Suitable for: Drawing support, flexibility, long life
The gold standard for a reason. Alo’s Airlift fabric delivers smooth supportive compression without feeling stiff, and holds its shape well over time. The bra offers reliable support with clean, modern lines, while high-waisted leggings are a constant for all classes. That’s right: no rolling.
If you’re investing in one workout set that works for all disciplines and seasons, this is it.
Inexpensive (Still Looks Expensive): Quince Ultra-Form Scoop Neck Longline Bra + Ultra-Form High-Rise Legging
Suitable for: Polished basics, daily workouts, budget-friendly upgrades
Quince’s Ultra-Form fabric offers smoothness, moderate compression and a surprisingly high-quality look—clean lines, a flattering scoop neckline, and a high leg that feel secure without digging in.
It’s the kind of set you reach for when you want to feel put together at the gym (or on a long trip) without overthinking it. And at this price point, it’s easy to justify grabbing more than one color.
Best Plus Size Set: Brand Compressive Collective Girl + Compressive High-Rise Legging
Suitable for: Full size range, supportive compression, everyday wear
Girlfriend Collective continues to set the standard for inclusive activewear—and this set stands out for a reason. Available in an extended size range, the compression fabric provides a firm, supportive grip that feels secure without being restrictive, making it a favorite for… everything.
The bra offers reliable support with a streamlined silhouette, while the high-waisted leggings keep you moving. Add the brand’s commitment to sustainable materials, and this is a set that feels as good ethically as it does every time you slide it on.
Best Crossback Workout Set: Formcloud Cloud Crossback Bra + Formcloud Cloud High-Rise Leggings SET
Suitable for: Studio workout, casual style, high running
SET practical nails at the intersection of fashion and function with this Formcloud set. The Cloud Crossback Bra brings the studio a sculpted, design-forward feel, while still providing medium-to-medium support that works well for low-impact exercises like Pilates and barre.
Formcloud leggings live up to their name—soft, sleek, and lightweight with enough grip to feel polished. This is the kind of set that looks purposeful even when worn straight from class to coffee, making it a go-to for anyone who wants their workout wear to work a little harder in the style department.
Best Studio-to-Street Set (New Essentials): LSPACE Uppercut Bra + Leggings Up Legging
Suitable for: Pilates, activities, travel dates, daily wear
The LSPACE Uppercut Bra and Level Up Legging strike that rare balance between functionality and casual wearability. Designed with clean lines and a flattering, comfortable fit, this set offers medium-to-medium support that’s perfect for studio workouts—while still looking polished enough to carry throughout your day.
The fabric feels smooth and supportive without being overly technical, making it easy to style beyond the gym. Throw on a knit, a trench, or a blazer, and you have a look that’s meaningful, not extreme. This is exactly what we want in activewear: pieces that go with us—without requiring a change of clothes.
Best Alternative to Running Leggings: Varley Assure Cerys Bra + Assure High-Rise Legging 28″
Suitable for: Low-impact exercise, walking, walking, polished non-work wear
The Varley Assure Cerys Bra and Assure High-Rise Legging offer functional clothing—built for movement, but tall enough to live above it. The bra delivers soft shape and support without constriction, while the leggings provide a smooth, refined feel that’s flattering without feeling restrictive.
What sets this apart is its flexibility. The fabric feels strong but breathable, with a clean edge that doesn’t lean like a sport. I’ll wear it for everything from a morning workout to a long flight to a casual meeting—no outfit changes required. This is a great sport for running: support, orientation, and easy to wear.
Extra Exercise Sets We Love
These sets may not sit in our top tiers, but they’re in heavy rotation for a reason. Each one brings something different to the table—whether it’s great basics, superior design, or a fresh take on what to expect from our workout wear.
Best Elevated Basic (“Uniform” Set): Adanola
If your go-to workout look is clean, minimal, and quietly cool, Adanola is hard to beat. This is the set you reach for when you’re looking for zero fuss and high polish—the kind that look just as good grabbing a post-class matcha as they do during a low-impact workout. Consider your off-duty uniform: reliable, flattering, and always the right choice.
Best of Low Impact, High Design: Port De Bras
Port De Bras exists at the intersection of movement and art. With sculptural silhouettes and deliberate lines, these sets feel designed, not just made. They’re perfect for Pilates, low-impact workouts, and slow studio routines—but they also happen to turn heads on morning walks. If you like practical clothes that are functional and unexpected, this is the set for you.
Best Ballet-Core Influence: Splits59
With its nod to classic dancewear and ballet silhouettes, Splits59 is entering one of the biggest style crossovers of 2026. Think stirrup leggings, wrap details, and soft layering pieces that feel feminine and functional. This is a set that makes even a quick stretch feel like a vibe—and looks just as good styled with loafers or a sleek jacket.
This post was last updated on January 9, 2026, to include new information.