My Top Activewear Picks from 2021

It’s that time that we look back and reflect on the past year, so I’d like to contribute with a little recap of my own, Fitness Finds style. I wore a heck of a lot of activewear in 2021 (as evidenced by my laundry each week which only consists of workout clothes and pajamas). I mean, isn’t it my duty now to test out all the brands and styles?! At least that’s what I tell my husband!

So here are my top 3 picks from 2021, plus a bonus pick for you at the end.

Free People Movement Square Neck Good Karma Bra and High-Rise Good Karma Leggings.

Free People boasts that the Good Karma collection is best for cycling, hot yoga and “sweaty workouts” because of its soft, “barely there feel” and its sleek, stay-put fit.

I am so glad that I gave Free People another look this year because the company really upped their activewear line, Free People Movement. The pieces are way more technical than ever before. The Good Karma collection is a customer favorite and it’s for good reason. First of all, the colors! The legging comes in 34 shades and the bra 26. The colors have a distressed look and mix well together. You can come up with some really gorgeous color combinations, especially those unexpected ones.

I also love the cut of these two pieces. The square neckline of the bra is flattering but probably best suited for smaller boobies. The leggings are super high-waisted and have a compressive thick waistband that stays in place during high impact workouts, as evidenced by the rebounder class in the picture. There are also some pretty, very subtle cut out design details along the back of the leggings.

The Good Karma collection comes in a wide variety of styles: shorts, one-pieces, long sleeves, tank tops, etc. There is something for all of your fitness fashion desires! And Free People even sells this popular collection in various bundles. I recommend sizing down in the leggings and bras for the most support during your workouts. Check out my LTK page to shop all of the styles.

Shop the Good Karma collection here.

Athleta Elation Tight.

Athleta is another brand that I revisited this year and have been more than impressed by the quality, fit and styles. I love what the company stands for: women and girl empowerment, and the highest standards of social and environmental performance of a certified B Corp. And I always look forward to visiting my friends in the Bryn Mawr store.

I didn’t realize how many versions of the Elation Tight I own until I started working on this post. It’s clearly my favorite tight.

Shop my favorite Athleta tight and other pieces here.

I love this tight because it is buttery soft but also supportive. Often leggings that are so soft are flimsy and don’t do a great job of holding in the booty or the tummy. But the Elation Tight does both. And while seamless leggings offer a clean look, the waistband often rolls because there is no elastic in the band. The Elation Tight has minimal seams throughout the legging but has a supportive, reinforced waistband that does not roll. So this tight is the best of all legging worlds. And for that reason, I would do anything in these leggings, including yoga and pilates but also my high impact workouts and runs.

Alo Yoga Airlift Legging and Alo Yoga Real Sports Bra Tank.

I’ve been wearing these leggings for a few years now. I always manage to add a new pair to my workout wardrobe every Nordstrom Anniversary Sale because Alo is pretty pricey. A bunch of these are on sale right now (and of course, I have linked them for you on my LTK Page).

Shop my Alo Yoga timeless picks here.

There is a reason why Alo Yoga is such a popular brand. First off, Alo seems to set the trends in athleisure. And while this stylish brand is a real trend setter, their performance quality is also top notch. The leggings hold up really well and don’t pull or fall apart even after a few years of sweats and washes. And they have all the stuff— compression, moisture wicking, breathability, squat proof and great fit details. So there is a good argument for the higher price tag.

I love the Airlift Leggings because they have a hint of shine and a very flattering fit, especially in the booty. Any leggings that can give the booty a lift is an A+ in my book. I also love the longer full length of the Airlift Leggings. “Full length” leggings aren’t always full length on my 5’10” frame but these are. I prefer the Airlift Leggings for more medium impact workouts like yoga or Pilates, but I also run in them.

I also pick the Airbrush Real Bra Tank. The longer lines, v-neck cut in the front, the thick straps and the racer back are simple yet flattering design details. The reinforced bra offers low to medium support. The fabric is soft and one of my most comfortable bras. I’m also over the sports bras with tons of pads and this one has no pads.

If you aren’t a sports-bra-in-public kinda gal, the Elevate Tank, which is a full length tank top, is also a top pick of mine— flattering lines, a reinforced, supportive body and a built-in bra. I love the ribbed texture. Smaller chested girls can wear the Elevate Tank without another bra but I recommend that the lucky, more endowed girls wear a sports bra under this tank. I wouldn’t run in either the Airbrush Real Sports Bra Tank or the Elevate Tank, but I do love these pieces for Pilates and yoga.

Spanx Booty Boosting Leggings: My Top Everyday Black Legging Pick.

Speaking of booty lifting leggings, my bonus pick for 2021 is the Spanx Booty Boosting Leggings. These are not part of my top 3 picks because I don’t wear them for working out that much. Instead, they are more of an everyday legging for me. There is nothing in my closet that makes my bum look better than in these guys. They really do as the name implies and give my booty the boost of a 1000 squats or erasing 20 years. These are always my go-to if they aren’t in the hamper.

Shop these BOOTY-ful leggings from Spanx here and learn more about the fit.

Predictions for the New Year.

A few brands that I am looking forward to trying more of in 2022 are Alala, The Upside and Eleven By Venus Williams. Fitness clothes can now be both fashion forward and technical. Activewear has come so far in recent years so you should expect a lot from your workout clothes. Get rid of those old leggings that roll down or aren’t squat proof. There are a lot of really great options out there now. So there is absolutely no reason that you should be wearing something that doesn’t work perfectly for your body type or your movement.

The number one fashion trend that I see for 2022 is confidence! Wear self love! It’s time to embrace your body, whatever that looks like, and rock it. As far are styles go, I am loving the bell bottom leggings (more traditional 90’s “yoga pants” are making a comeback) and mixed textures in the performance fabrics. I predict that we will see less patterned leggings but continue to embrace color. My advice is to have fun with your workout wardrobe. Use new pieces to motivate and inspire you to get moving!