Best Gym Tops for Women 2024

The gym top you opt for should not only depend on the type of workout you plan to do but also on what makes you feel confident in the gym.

With an array of options available, women’s gym tops range from vests to long sleeves, cropped tops to oversized t-shirts, and everything in between.

Consider the Fabric

Fabric choice is crucial. Lightweight and ventilated materials are ideal for sweaty, high-intensity cardio sessions, while thicker materials can be comfortable for yoga and low-impact weight training.

No matter your workout style, we have recommendations for you. Continue reading for our review of the best gym tops for women in 2024.

Best Gym Tops for Women at a Glance

Asics Road All-Over Print Tank

• Pros: Attractive design, excellent ventilation, loose fit
  
  
• Cons: None
  
  
• Rating: 5/5
  
  

This tank top offers a loose fit, enhancing breathability during workouts.

The graphic print, inspired by Japanese dyeing techniques, received many compliments from fellow gym-goers.

Its racerback design and ACTIBREEZE technology improve ventilation, allowing for fluid movement during exercise.

During tests, it performed well across upper body weight sessions, hill sprints, and beginner yoga, offering unrestricted movement and a lightweight, breathable feel.

• Material: 100% Recycled Polyester
  
  
• Sizes: XS-XL
  
  

Salomon Sense Aero Women’s Singlet

• Pros: Excellent ventilation, vibrant colors
  
  
• Cons: Slightly see-through, pricey
  
  
• Rating: 5/5
  
  

This highly technical singlet is ultra-light, breathable, and features anti-odor capabilities. The neon yellow color is quite sheer, so consider a suitable bra for modesty.

Despite this, the colors (neon yellow, neon pink, and black) are appealing.

Ideal for cardio workouts like treadmill sprints and rowing, as well as weight sessions, it keeps you cool with its light material, relaxed racerback, and well-ventilated side panels.

Perfect for both indoor and outdoor exercises, though it's on the expensive side.

• Material: 100% Polyester
  
  
• Sizes: XS-XL
  
  

Helly Hansen Women's HH LIFA® Active Solen Tank

• Pros: Good length, breathable, excellent movement range
  
  
• Cons: Unfavorable color
  
  
• Rating: 5/5
  
  

Designed for outdoor activities with UPF 50+ sun protection, this tank works well indoors too.

Its relaxed fit features a longer length that covers the glutes, offering modest wear. The fabric is quick-drying, odor-resistant, and durable with moisture-wicking technology.

In yoga, body pump, and indoor cycling sessions, it performed well, providing breathability, good movement range, and quick drying.

The only downside is the color, which is a matter of personal preference.

• Material: 60% Recycled Polyester, 40% Polypropylene
  
  
• Sizes: XS-XL
  
  

Nike Dri-Fit ADV AeroSwift Women’s Racing Vest

• Pros: Lightweight, breathable, stylish
  
  
• Cons: May feel tight on larger chests
  
  
• Rating: 5/5
  
  

This vest focuses on technology to keep you well-ventilated, with lightweight fabric, perforations across the vest, and side vents for increased movement.

The neckline adds a flattering and unique design element.

However, it may feel tight if you wear a bra larger than a B-cup, so consider sizing up.

In terms of performance, it excelled due to its breathability, ease of movement, and stylish look. It tested well in stretching sessions, treadmill runs, and full-body weight training.

• Material: 100% Polyester
  
  
• Sizes: XS-M

 

Skins Series 3 Women's T-shirt

Pros: Breathable, flattering, extra sweat-proof, affordable

Cons: None

Rating: 5/5

Skins is renowned for its top-notch compression wear that not only looks great but also boosts performance and recovery.

This women's gym top is from their medium compression range, offering a slightly looser fit than many of their other tops.

Designed for all gym activities, this top features lightweight stretch fabric that allows for full movement.

Clever mesh panelling around the neck and under the arms addresses high-sweat areas, ensuring you stay comfortable.

Its flattering fit suits all body shapes and sizes, performing admirably in weight training, Pilates, kettlebell sessions, and treadmill sprints.

Material: 76% Nylon 6, 24% Elastane

Sizes: XS – L

Helly Hansen Women’s HH LIFA® Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer

Pros: Modest, breathable, stylish, highly technical

Cons: Some people might find it a bit warm

Rating: 5/5

I tested this top as an option for those seeking modest wear or who find the gym a bit chilly.

Although designed as a base layer for outdoor activities, it became a favorite gym top for me and another tester.

Technically advanced, this top provides warmth when cold and breathability when hot, thanks to its aerated fabric. Its stretchy fit and cute design make it a versatile gym piece.

I tested it during a full-body kettlebell session, an upper body heavy weights day, and a treadmill run.

My only complaint is that it felt a bit warm towards the end of the treadmill run, but it never felt overly sweaty.

This is an excellent all-rounder for those seeking a long-sleeved gym top.

Material: 100% Polypropylene

Sizes: XS – XL

Gymshark Vital Seamless 2.0 Crop Top

Pros: Physique hugging, stylish, comfortable

Cons: Felt too thick for cardio

Rating: 4.4/5

This crop top is perfect for gym-goers who want to look stylish while getting a solid workout.

The cropped design is flattering, sitting softly on the midriff with good coverage on the back.

The full sleeves with finger loops are more of a design feature than a workout necessity but they did provide some cushioning during yoga poses like downward-facing dog and full plank.

I found the top comfortable and accommodating for various weight sessions, allowing plenty of movement during exercises like shoulder and chest press.

Although the material is quite breathable, its thickness made me sweat more during cardio.

This top is probably best suited for low-impact activities like yoga and light weights.

Material: 96% Nylon, 4% Elastane

Sizes: XS – XXL

Castore Women’s Apex Lightweight Panelled Tank Top

Pros: Lightweight, stays in place

Cons: Held a bit of sweat on the back

Rating: 4/5

I received this top in a size larger than ordered, but it worked well as an oversized option—though a bit baggy on the back.

I'd recommend sticking to your usual size for a more accurate fit.

The gym top is lightweight with aero-mesh panels for breathability, making it ideal for cardio sessions like treadmill running and stepper machine workouts.

However, the material felt wet and sticky on the back after an intense session, likely due to the workout’s intensity.

This top also performed well in yoga, thanks to the thin elastic around the base that kept it in place.

It allowed a good range of movement during pull-ups and stayed in place during weight training.

Material: 93% Polyester, 7% Elastane

Sizes: XS - 2XL

 

Tu Active Mauve Animal Wrap Hem Cropped Top

Pros: Affordable, stylish

Cons: Lacks technical features

Rating: 4/5

I was pleasantly surprised by how great this gym top looked on me, especially considering its very affordable price.

The folded band along the lower hem adds a flattering touch to this cropped top.

The fabric is lightweight but lacks breathability and sweat-wicking technology, so it can get a bit sweaty.

For better performance, I recommend going up a size and wearing a good sports bra underneath. This allows the top to work well for most types of workouts.

I tested it during a full-body weights session, yoga, and a hill walk, and it performed well.

However, it did get sweaty during a high-impact CrossFit-style session, although it stayed in place nicely.

Material: 55% Polyester, 25% Elastane, 20% Recycled Polyester

Sizes: S – XXL

Under Armour Meridian Rib Crop Tank

Pros: Good ventilation, attractive design

Cons: Expensive, may ride up

Rating: 4/5

This gym top is not only cute but versatile enough to wear at social events and festivals.

It fits accurately, so stick to your usual size. Going up a size can cause it to fit poorly around the neck.

Consider if you're comfortable with your bra showing, as the rounder neck doesn't always cover sports bras completely. Personally, I don't mind a bra peeking out.

The fabric is very soft, wicks sweat, and dries quickly.

I wore it during a barre class, a weighted HIIT session, and a sweaty cross-trainer workout.

It provided good movement and ventilation but did ride up a bit during the treadmill run.

Material: 79% Polyester, 21% Elastane

Sizes: XS – XXL

DOMYOS Women's Long-Sleeved Fitness T-Shirt 100

Pros: Good for modest training, lightweight, very affordable

Cons: Lacks ventilation technology

Rating: 3.5/5

This gym top is a great option for those who prefer more modest gym wear. It covers the arms, sits below the waist, and has an oversized fit.

It's quite breathable despite the extensive coverage, and the stretchy fabric allows for plenty of movement.

However, it can be tight around the armpits for those with broader shoulders or larger arms, so consider sizing up.

The top performed best during yoga and weight training sessions and didn't get as hot or sweaty as expected due to its lightweight material.

However, it struggled with cardio because it lacks specific ventilation technology. It works well over vests while warming up and as a base layer on colder days.

Overall, it's a good modest option for weight training and low-impact workouts at a great price.

Material: 100% Cotton

Sizes: XS - 3XL

Just Flex Women's Performance T-Shirt

Pros: Lightweight, fun, versatile, affordable

Cons: Not quick-drying

Rating: 3/5

If you're looking for something affordable and cheerful outside the big brands, Just Flex is a new fitness option from a female entrepreneur focused on inclusive sportswear.

Featuring bright colors and a bold logo, this top adds a fun touch to your workout gear. We even received compliments during a yoga session.

The material feels a bit cheap but is lightweight and has moisture-wicking capabilities.

The fabric is also quite stretchy, so it can be worn either oversized or fitted, depending on the size you choose (go a size smaller for a fitted look).

I tested it during a heavy upper body weights session, and it allowed a good range of movement.

It performed well for stretching and cardio sessions too, although sweat marks were very visible and took a while to dry.

Material: 100% Polyester

Sizes: XS – XL

How Much Do Gym Tops for Women Cost?

The price of gym tops can vary greatly depending on style and quality. They can be as cheap as around £10 and go up to about £75.

The cheapest top in our round-up was the DOMYOS women's fitness shirt at just £8.99, while the priciest item we tested was from Lululemon at £58.

Where to Buy Gym Tops for Women in the UK

Gym tops for women are available from most sports brands, retailers, and even some supermarkets.

If you're looking to make a purchase now, we recommend the following places:

• Amazon
  
  
• Asics
  
  
• Castore
  
  
• Decathlon
  
  
• Gymshark
  
  
• Lululemon
  
  
• MP/My Protein
  
  
• Sainsbury’s
  
  
• Salomon
  
  
• com
  
  
• Under Armour
  
  

How We Tested

The different gym tops for women were tested over three weeks by two testers in various gyms.

Both testers are qualified personal trainers.

They wore the tops during a variety of exercises including weightlifting, kettlebell strength training, treadmill running, HIIT, yoga, and more.

They assessed comfort, design, and technical features like sweat-wicking ability and quality.

 

Source: thesun

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.