byBlake Bakkila
Fact-Checked by Erin Cavoto
| February 21, 2024
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
Quick Summary
The best maternity workout clothes are those that will accommodate and support your changing body during pregnancy, according to moms in the What to Expect community.
Our Top Picks
Best Maternity Workout Leggings Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant 28"
Jump to Review$98 See at Lululemon
- Jump to Review
Best Maternity Workout Shorts Beyond Yoga Spacedye Pockets Forever Maternity Biker Short
Best Maternity Sports Bra for Low-Impact Exercises Kindred Bravely Sublime Nursing Sports Bra
Jump to Review$48 See at Amazon
Best Maternity Sports Bra for High-Impact Exercises SHEFIT Ultimate Sports Bra for Women, High Impact Sports Bra
Jump to Review$69 See at Amazon
Best Maternity Workout Tank Top Old Navy Maternity UltraLite Rib-Knit Racerback Tank Top
Jump to Review$20 See at Old Navy
Best Maternity Long Sleeve Workout Shirt Lululemon Swiftly Tech Long-Sleeve Shirt 2.0
Jump to Review$78 See at Lululemon
Best Maternity Running Jacket Maternity PowerSoft Full-Zip Performance Jacket
Jump to Review$60 See at Old Navy
Best Maternity Running Sneakers Brooks Ghost 15 Women’s Road-Running Shoes
Jump to Review$140 See at Brooks
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When I was pregnant with my now 13-week-old son, I paused my Orangetheory and reformer pilates memberships at about 20 weeks. To stay active during my pregnancy, I jumped — er, carefully waded — into the pool for water aerobics with my mom and grandparents, and tried to squeeze in a walk every day. As my belly grew, I noticed that there were maternity workout clothes I constantly reached for over others, particularly because of how comfortable they were and how good they made me feel.
When it comes to finding the right maternity workout apparel, there are many questions that initially crop up: Are under- or over-the-belly bottoms better? Should you size up? How do you find the right sports bra to accommodate your new bust size?Even though the answers to these questions depend on personal preference and comfort, there’s one important factor that all of your maternity workout wear should have.
"The number one thing is just finding something that continues to make you feel confident," says Callie Gullickson, a Peloton instructor and Lululemon ambassador who is pregnant and expecting her son in March. "Our bodies go through so many changes during this time; the last thing you want to do is look in the mirror and not like what you see. Find stuff that just makes you feel confident. Rock the bump, don't rock the bump — whatever you're feeling."
No matter what your pregnancy fitness routine looks like, finding the right maternity workout clothes will help you feel your best while moving your body.
How we chose the best maternity workout clothes
Dressing for the gym or even a walk around the block looks a little bit different when you’re pregnant. I spoke to Gullickson, a fitness professional and mom-to-be, who provided professional and personal feedback on what to look for in maternity workout clothes. Based on her feedback, I made sure every piece of workout clothing selected was:
- Comfortable
- Stretchy enough to accommodate a growing bump
- Supportive
- Versatile (bonus if it can be worn postpartum, too)
I spammed my mom friend group chats, and they echoed Gullickson’s criteria for the best maternity workout clothes. They also shared what maternity activewear they relied on during their pregnancies, which helped guide my initial sections.
Taking all of this feedback into account, as well as my own experience shopping for maternity activewear, I narrowed down dozens of maternity workout clothes recommendations to the nine best mom-approved activewear that got us through pregnancy workouts.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
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Best Maternity Workout Leggings
Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant 28"
Photo credit: Lululemon
Buying Options
Pros
- Lots of stretch
- Super soft
- High-quality materials
Cons
- Pricey
Material: 81% nylon, 19% Lycra elastane
Size range: 0-20
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
In any discussion about the best maternity leggings, the Lululemon Aligns always come up — and for good reason. I’ve had mine for years, but I became especially dependent on them during my pregnancy. Though these aren’t maternity leggings, they can be worn during pregnancy, thanks to the brand’s Lycra elastane material that makes them impressively stretchy. What’s more, the high-waisted band provides plenty of comfortable support for your belly, which is especially great for low-intensity workouts and walks. It’s just the right amount of compression: tight enough to hold your belly up, but light enough to not be painful or constricting.
"[The Aligns are] literally all I've been wearing," Gullickson says, who sized up in the Aligns for her pregnancy. "I think the worst feeling is having something dig into your hips or continue to fall down, so I really do feel like the Align fabric fits to your body and definitely makes you continue to feel confident while your bump is growing."
The only real con about these buttery-soft leggings? The price tag. But many moms, myself included, maintain that the cost is worth it because you can wear them postpartum and beyond. My Aligns grew with me through my pregnancy, but keep in mind that some moms-to-be, like Gullickson, choose to size up for even more stretch.
Community Reviews
irenesmommy
"I love lululemon align leggings. They’re not tight on my stomach, but they stay in place and can be worn before, during, and after pregnancy. I take my jean size - 8."
boygirlboy161822
"Align is the best in my opinion. You don’t have to size up as they just stretch with you then go back to normal. I wore all my Normal ones throughout my 3 pregnancies."
Best Maternity Workout Shorts
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Pockets Forever Maternity Biker Short
Photo credit: Beyond Yoga
Buying Options
Pros
- Gentle support
- Works well postpartum
Cons
- Pricey
Material: 87% polyester, 13% elastane
Size range: XS-XL
Why We
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Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
I gave birth to my son in November, and my bump really started taking shape around mid-July. During the summer and early fall months, I lived in the Spacedye Pockets Forever Maternity Biker Short, which are pregnancy shorts from Beyond Yoga’s expansive maternity line. There’s a surprising amount of stretch from the polyester-elastane blended fabric; these shorts hugged and supported my bump without feeling too restrictive or tight. (I can also attest that the Spacedye material holds even after constant wear and washing; I found that these shorts never stretched out when machine-washed and dried.)
As the name of these shorts helpfully states, the discreet yet generous pockets on the sides are perfect for holding your phone or keys on a walk. The Beyond the Bump line was made to match your pre-pregnancy size, which takes the guesswork out of determining the best option for you. You can also wear the band over the bump or fold it down for under-the-belly support.
And, to make the value of these splurge-worthy shorts better, I’ve continued to wear these shorts postpartum for a little extra belly support.
Community Reviews
mkfj2017
"So the ones I bought were pricier but I literally wear them almost every single day lol, so I feel like I’m really getting my bang for buck. The quality of them is soooooo good. It’s the beyond yoga maternity bike shorts"
Best Maternity Sports Bra for Low-Impact Exercises
Kindred Bravely Sublime Nursing Sports Bra
Photo credit: Kindred Bravely
Buying Options
Amazon
$48
Walmart
$48
Nordstrom
$48
Kindred Bravely
$48
Pros
- Versatile enough to use during pregnancy and postpartum
- Wide size range
Cons
- Sizing may be tricky
Material: 92% nylon, 8% spandex
Size range: Regular (B-D) or Busty (E-I), S-XXXL
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
Kindred Bravely is known for making the best nursing and maternity bras that What to Expect moms say are supportive and comfortable. But the Sublime Nursing Sports Bra is a particularly good investment because you'll get plenty of wear out of it during low-impact workouts like walking or prenatal yoga. The racerback style offers gentle support, while the fabric is moisture-wicking, perfect for keeping you dry when you work up a bit of a sweat. Once baby arrives, you can use it as a nursing bra; the clip-down design allows you to easily access your breast for feedings or pumping sessions.
Many reviewers say the bra is comfy and supportive enough for these gentle low-impact workouts, but would probably wear a more heavy-duty bra for running or jumping to better support their breasts. Also, it should be noted that many moms say the bra runs small, so it’s best to size up. Hand washing with gentle soap is also advised.
Community Reviews
babyEEH
"I LOVE kindred bravely bras! Honestly, I never stopped wearing them after my first. Wearing one right now : ) This is my favorite. Kindred Bravely Sublime Support Low Impact Nursing & Maternity Sports Bra … I don’t think I sized up but pregnancy is so different for everyone. Your boobs will be approx 12 different sizes between now and after you give birth/are done breast feeding (if you can/choose to). I suggest starting with your normal size."
SameeRyan
"I used the Kindred Bravely Sublime Support Low Impact Nursing & Maternity Sports Bra. I got 'busty'.. I ended up buying like 6 since last July when I had my son and I’m wearing one now. Worth it!"
Best Maternity Sports Bra for High-Impact Exercises
SHEFIT Ultimate Sports Bra for Women, High Impact Sports Bra
Photo credit: Amazon
Buying Options
Pros
- Wide size range
- Good quality
- Recommended for breastfeeding moms
Cons
- Sizing is confusing to some moms
Material: 88% nylon, 12% spandex
Size range: XS-6XL
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
If high-intensity workouts are part of your normal routine, you’ll be glad to hear that you don’t have to quit them while pregnant — you’ll just have to make a few modifications. For these types of workouts, you’ll want a bra that holds your breasts in while avoiding any spillage. And with your bust size changing during this time, that task can be a little more challenging than normal for a sports bra.
Moms in the What to Expect community who participated in high-impact exercises while pregnant praise the SHEFIT Ultimate Sports Brafor providing tons of comfortable support. The bra has a unique zippered design in the front, plus an adjustable rib band and shoulder straps, so it’s easy to customize the fit as your body changes. If you need to tighten or loosen the band or straps, the sturdy Velcro closures are easy to maneuver. Many moms say they used it postpartum, too, because of the zipper, which was convenient for breastfeeding.
Although the bra is available in a wide range of sizes —XS to 6X — some moms say that it can be hard to find the right fit because it doesn’t come in different cup and band sizes. And, because it isn’t designed specifically for maternity wear, you may need to size up.
Community Reviews
AmyJo2786
"Shefit! Works during breastfeeding too. I bought one after I had my first and it was so worth the money. It’s good quality and is still in good shape 5 years later."
arpickens
"Worth the investment because you can wear postpartum while breastfeeding"
emabBean
"SheFit! I was super discouraged after trying to get back to running and having this issue but am now able to fairly comfortably jog with this bra."
Best Maternity Workout Tank Top
Old Navy Maternity UltraLite Rib-Knit Racerback Tank Top
Photo credit: Old Navy
Buying Options
Pros
- Affordable
- Versatile
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some felt it was short
Material: 62% polyester, 33% rayon 33%, 5% spandex
Size range: XS-XXL
Why We
Love it
Community
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Why We Love It
Old Navy is a go-to for affordable workout clothes whether you’re pregnant or not, and this simple comfy tank is no exception. TheOld Navy Maternity UltraLite Rib-Knit Racerback Tank Top is lightweight and made with the brand’s special moisture-wicking fabric that will keep you dry no matter how much you sweat. The racerback style provides a little support for your breasts, while the shirred sides offer a roomier fit that will grow with your bump. The fabric has a bit of spandex which makes it stretchy, and it's long enough to fit over your bump without needing to constantly pull it down mid-exercise (although some taller moms found that it wasn’t as long as they’d hoped). Several moms also note that it was a great workout top in the summer as it helped them stay cool. What’s even better is that you can wear it as an everyday tank top, too.
Community Reviews
liscralee
"Old navy and lululemon align. I’m still in my pre-pregnancy lulus at 28 weeks because they stretch so well. Love ON maternity powersoft leggings as well as some of their ribbed workout tanks."
Best Maternity Long Sleeve Workout Shirt
Lululemon Swiftly Tech Long-Sleeve Shirt 2.0
Photo credit: Lululemon
Buying Options
Pros
- Ultra-soft
- Several length and style options
Cons
- Pricey
Material: 50% nylon, 44% recycled polyester, 3% elastane, 3% X-static nylon
Size range: 0-20
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
Most long-sleeve workout shirts aren’t designed to cover your growing belly. That said, theLululemon Swiftly Tech long sleeve shirt is long enough to cover your bump, all while keeping you cool and dry due to the breathable, sweat-wicking material. The nylon and elastane blend fabric is stretchy, so it should grow with you, too. You may want to size up on this one, however, as it has a slim-fit design. There’s also a chic long-sleeved cropped version if covering your belly isn’t a concern.
Community Reviews
misssssd
"I love the Lululemon long sleeve swiftly tech.. fits nicely over my bump."
Best Maternity Running Jacket
Maternity PowerSoft Full-Zip Performance Jacket
Photo credit: Old Navy
Buying Options
Pros
- Super stretchy
- Lots of room for the bump
Cons
- Only comes in one color
Material: 77% polyester, 23% spandex
Size range: XS-XXL
Why We Love It
Whether you’re going for a run or just running out the door, the light compression and four-way stretch from this Maternity PowerSoft Full-Zip Performance Jacket gives you gentle support along with lots of room for your bump to grow. The gentle compression of this jacket is especially great for running because it will hold in your bump and breasts when zipped without feeling overly constricting. Plus, the polyester and spandex blend offers four-way stretch, while the curved hem actually offers more fabric to cover your belly. It also has a partial mesh lining for extra breathability and zip-up pockets to hold your phone or other on-the-go essentials.
Some moms say this jacket runs small, so it might be best to size up. Old Navy also recommends washing this jacket on a cold, gentle cycle and hanging it to dry.
Best Maternity Workout Sneakers
Hoka Women’s Clifton 9
Photo credit: Hoka
Buying Options
Pros
- Good arch support
- Surprisingly lightweight
Cons
- Some prefer previous versions of the shoe
Size range: 5-12
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
If you’re hitting the gym or need a comfy everyday pregnancy shoe, What to Expect moms are obsessed with the Hoka Cliftons. They might look heavy-duty at first, but reviewers say they’re shockingly lightweight; one mom-to-be even shared that these sneakers grew with her feet during her pregnancy. Cliftons are at the top of moms’ recommendations list because of the incredible arch support, which is crucial during pregnancy when your feet may swell or flatten. Another mom shared that she finds these sneakers supportive enough to wear walking, running and hiking. Hokas generally have a lower heel-to-toe drop compared to other shoes, which tends to put less pressure on the hips and knees — a big plus for expecting moms with extra pressure on those joints.
Some loyal Cliftons customers did share that the latest version, the Clifton 9, is less comfortable than previous models.
Community Reviews
sheba92054
"…those bad boys are so comfortable and offer a ton of support. They fit me right out of the box!"
brei2
"Another Hoka mom here! I’ve had Bondi and Clifton. Love them both"
Moresparkles
"I was reading that while pregnant you need good arch support and less of a heel drop in your shoes like 4 or less. Most walking and running shoes are 6 or higher. The higher heel drop tilts your pelvis forward and creates that extra pressure. I bought a pair of Hoka Clifton’s and have not had that feeling again. I mean I still get tired and am relatively out of shape but I have not gotten that pelvic ache from walking again so I can walk longer now."
amrobertson5
"I have worn hokas for a couple years now. They are my favorites for walking, running, and hiking. My mom has had feet issues for years. I literally forced her to try on and get the hokas. All of her issues were totally gone."
Best Maternity Running Sneakers
Brooks Ghost 15 Women’s Road-Running Shoes
Photo credit: Brooks
Buying Options
Pros
- Several width options
- Cushioning offers extra support
Cons
- Some say they were a little stiff
Size range: 5-13, and Narrow, Medium, Wide or Extra Wide
Why We
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Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
It’s no secret that your feet can go through some changes during pregnancy, too, with many moms experiencing edema, which is swelling of the ankles and feet. Studies have also shown that pregnancy can lead to lasting changes in foot length, width and volume. Runners and joggers in the What to Expect community, however, are constantly raving about Brooks sneakers. The heel-to-toe drop onthe Ghosts is higher, which is associated with less pressure on the foot and ankle, making it a reasonable pick for moms-to-be who want to go for a heart-pumping run or jog. The Ghosts are one of the most popular styles for pregnant runners, due to their plush cushioning and the option to get them in different widths. They also come in 40 different colors, but some styles are not available for all sizes.
Community Reviews
sagethecat
"for the gym or days that I know I'll be on my feet a lot I wear my Brooks Ghost 14s the best overall athletic shoe that I have found for myself"
nm91
"I just got the Brooks Ghost sneakers and love them. They are super wide and supportive."
View Sources
- WhatToExpect.com, Edema (Swelling of the Ankles and Feet) During Pregnancy, October 2022.
- WhatToExpect.com, Your Guide to Swimming While Pregnant, August 2022.
- WhatToExpect.com, The Best Pregnancy Workouts and Exercises You Can Do While Expecting, July 2021.
- National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Pregnancy Leads to Lasting Changes in Foot Structure, March 2014.