The Most Affordable Places To Buy New Clothes For Your Fitness Journey

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With so many fitness trends and workout options, it can get overwhelming to know where to start. Should you opt for the treadmill? Or maybe Pilates should be on your radar. But what about weight-lifting? Should you take classes or do your own solo thing? There are many paths you can take when it comes to fitness and many areas of concern to consider. One aspect of your fitness journey that shouldn't be complicated is your attire.

Now there was a period when an oversized t-shirt and a pair of leggings you've had since middle school was all the attire you needed to hit the gym. While this remains the case and can certainly do the trick, not everyone can rely on decade-old workout pants that may or may not rip if a squat is performed in just the wrong form. If you're looking to get into a workout routine, you're likely exploring different attire options. After all, who doesn't want to look put together while getting a sweat on?

Of course, the kicker comes at the price tag. Popular brands like Lululemon and Lorna Jane have made the arena of workout attire exclusive, if not impossible, to adopt, leaving many of us feeling out of the popular loop. But don't fret — there are many affordable options that may have slipped under your radar, and we have the best workout attire roundup that money can buy.

If there is one store with everything you need, it's Target. From amazing home decor to seasonal items to beauty and food to clothes (and cute clothes), Target has everything you could want. So, if you're determined to get back into the gym — but want some cute new workout clothes to spark a bit more inspiration without breaking the bank — turn your attention to everyone's favorite store, Target.

Whether you're shopping in-person or online, Target has some great options sourced from their own brands, All in Motion being one of them. A pair of leggings — the high-rise ribbed leggings in the case of this example — will only set you back $35 as opposed to the triple-digit price tag that is often associated with workout gear. The leggings are ideal for running, cardio, and resistance training and feature quick-dry fabric that wicks away moisture as soon as it arrives. Not sold? All in Motion leggings have UPF 50+ incorporated into the fabric and have a solid waistband that won't roll down while you're getting your lunges going. Other All in Motion options include the classic bike shorts, which go for $16, and seamless cami sports bras that also run around $16.

Not only can Target provide the cute, functional, and affordable workout gear you need, but you can also pick up a reusable water bottle and a pair of headphones while you're there to outfit your gym run fully. How great is that?

One of the reasons why stores such as Lululemon and Lorna Jane stand out is that they feel more like a boutique shopping experience. Curated racks and neatly organized workout pants leave you feeling taken care of as a shopper, not to mention perks like complimentary hemming if needed. But that three-figure price tag that'll likely come with even the smallest of purchases can leave even the most financially free among us feeling a little woozy, so we suggest turning your attention to a department store like Macy's. You may not get the same kind of shopping experience, and you might have to dig through the much less organized racks of clothes to find what you're looking for, but the savings will be well worth it.

At Macy's, you'll find a huge selection in-store and online regarding activewear, spanning many brands and various sizes. Looking for a sweatshirt to throw on after you've hit the gym? Macy's has a super cute option from Champion that'll cost you about $35. Trendy sweatpants from Puma will only run you about $35, and a pair of leggings from ID Ideology are on sale for $11 as of publication. Sure, you likely won't get the curated, specialized activewear department that a Lululemon could offer you, but if you're looking to save a buck and capitalize on some great deals, Macy's is the place — or website — to go.

If you've walked through the activewear section in Nordstrom, you noticed some amazing designers, name-brand workout gear, and a plethora of envy-building attire. Nordstrom — and the brands the store carries — is out of many people's price ranges, but that's where Nordstrom Rack comes in. The fun little sister to the sophisticated eldest sibling, Nordstrom Rack, has all the brands that the department store carries at a fraction of the cost. The shopping experience might not be as glamorous — and the racks might require some digging — but your efforts will be worth it to save some serious cash.

Nordstrom carries its own workout brand, Zella, and the designs create some serious gym envy. But before you drop nearly triple digits, take a look at Nordstrom Rack. A pair of high-waisted gym leggings — as part of the Z By Zella label — will only cost you about $20 at Nordstrom Rack. The Z By Zella crossback sports bralette has a price tag of just $10 or so, and the fleece joggers on our wishlist are about $25. These prices may seem too good to be true, but that's the beauty of Nordstrom Rack — you get the brands you love at a fraction of the price, so it's a win-win. While you're at it, look at the plethora of sneakers and gym-appropriate shoes Nordstrom Rack sells — a pair of Nike sneakers, once $160, is a much more affordable $90 at this bargain destination.

This is for workout enthusiasts who want to splurge a little on gym attire. The saying goes that you get what you pay for, and while more boutique clothing stores and hyped-up brands will charge you an arm and a leg for a sports bra, Athleta is a bang for your buck. Sure, their prices aren't exactly Amazon-level affordable, but if you'd like to treat yourself to a nice pair of leggings that will maintain their elasticity and look stylish, Athleta is a brand to consider.

Let's talk price: bike shorts start at around $50, and constant sales mean that you can snag a quality pair of leggings for about $70. While that price tag is a little more than some of our other examples, a purchase from Athleta will likely have you feeling pretty good about your investment — not only is the quality great but in the case of the Elation Train Leggings, for example, the material is sourced from recycled plastic bottles. The leggings feature compression material, moisture-wicking fabric, and the quick drying component, which will help out the sweatier gym-goers among us. Sports bras will set you back about $30 at Athleta, and we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the additional puffers, jackets, and swimwear that the brand also features. It might not be Amazon prices, but Athleta is good quality for money — its sustainable practices will certainly leave you feeling fulfilled, and their designs will have you looking fearless on that treadmill.

When you think about the Gap, the iconic scene from "Crazy, Stupid, Love" might come to mind. "Be better than the Gap," a dapper Ryan Gosling says to Steve Carell, and while the leading Hollywood men were in search of designer everything, we're here to tell you that when it comes to workout gear, GapFIT is where it's at. The designs featured from the brand are exciting, trendy, and stylish — not to mention they're also pretty affordable. Constant sales and online deals will ensure you get even more bang for your buck, so maybe Gosling should redirect his ire in this case.

Let's start with leggings, as a good pair is a workout staple. A quality pair — made from sustainable material — will set you back about $60. Fun boat-necked shirts, tennis skirts, and joggers make up the additional workout attire available through the retailer, and trendy puffers are a dime a dozen. If you're looking for some sports bra support for your gym needs, you're looking at a $40 price tag. Did we mention that the TikTok trendy Gap jersey onesie is still available? Run, don't walk — you'll thank us later.