TOP of their game, get the best gym tops for women
The top you decide to wear to the gym should be based on what type of training you’re planning to do that day, but also, on what makes you feel confident in the gym environment.
With so many varieties available, gym tops for women can be anything from vests to full-sleeved, cropped tops to oversized t-shirts…to everything in between.
The fabric of the gym top is also important, lightweight and ventilated is always better for sweaty, high-impact cardio, while yoga and low-impact weight training can still be comfortable in thicker material.
Whatever style suits your workout best we’ve got you covered. Read on for our review of the best gym tops for women available in 2024.
Asics Road All Over print tank, £40 from Asics
Pros: Nice design, good ventilation, loose fit
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
This gym top for women is designed to be worn loose, which really helps with breathability when training.
The graphic print is based on Japanese dying techniques and got a fair few compliments from fellow gymgoers.
As well as a racerback design, there is ACTIBREEZE tech to help with ventilation, and the general shape of the top makes it easy to move around very fluidly during exercise.
I tested the top during an upper body weights session, hill sprints on the treadmill and a beginner’s yoga class, there was absolutely no restriction during movement and it felt really light and breathable during the sprints, it’s a really good all-rounder.
Material: 100% Recycled Polyester Sizes: XS-XL
Salomon Sense Aero women’s singlet, £55 from Salomon
Pros: Brilliant ventilation, great colours
Cons: Bit see-through, expensive
Rating: 5/5
This highly technical gym top for women is ultra-light, breathable and has anti-odour capabilities.
It’s so thin that this neon yellow colour is quite sheer, so do think about wearing a suitable bra underneath for modesty.
Despite this, I really liked the colour, and it’s also available in a neon pink and a more subtle black.
This gym top was a great all-rounder, perfect for cardio workouts such as treadmill sprints and rowing, and also performs brilliantly during weights sessions. It’s almost impossible to feel hot in this top because it’s so light, has a relaxed racer back, and has good ventilation along the side panels of the body.
You can use it for any exercise indoors or outside in good weather, but it is just a little expensive.
Material: 100% Polyester Sizes: XS-XL
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Women’s HH LIFA® Active Solen Tank, £40, from Helly Hansen
Pros: Good length, breathable, good range of movement
Cons: Didn’t love the colour
Rating: 5/5
Although designed more for outdoors (it comes complete with UPF 50+ sun protection), I decided to include the round-up because it actually performs really well indoors too.
The simple, relaxed fit features a longer length that covers the glutes for more modest wear and offers quick-dry, odour-resistant and durable fabric with moisture-wicking technology.
I wore it in a yoga, body pump and indoor cycling session and it was great in all of them; breathable, good movement range, non-sweaty and quick drying.
If I had to find a complaint – I didn’t love the colour, but that’s just personal preference.
Material: 60% Polyester (Recycled), 40% Polypropylene Sizes: XS-XL
Nike Dri-Fit ADV AeroSwift Women’s Racing Vest, £36.45, from SportsShoes
Pros: Lightweight, breathable, stylish
Cons: Better suited to a smaller chest
Rating: 5/5
This gym top for women is all about tech to keep you well-ventilated, from the lightweight fabric to the perforations across the vest to side vents that also allow for increased movement.
The neckline is equal measures flattering and something different in terms of design, one thing to note though, is that the top does feel quite tight on the chest if you wear anything larger than a B-cup bra, so it could be worth going a size up.
In terms of performance, this was one of the best items I tested in this trial, due to the breathability of the fabric, the ease of movement it allows and the stylish aesthetic.
It tested well in a stretching session, a treadmill run and a full body weight training session.
Material: 100% Polyester Sizes: XS – M
Skins Series 3 Women’s T-shirt, £19.99 from SportsShoes
Pros: Breathable, flattering, extra sweat-proof, cheap
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
The brand Skins is known for its excellent compression wear which not only looks good but improves performance and recovery while you wear their products.
This women’s gym top is from their medium compression range so fits a little looser than a lot of their tops, and the good news is that it costs half price on SportsShoes.com.
The top is designed for every aspect of the gym and it shows.
Its lightweight, stretch fabric allows for all movements, while the clever additional mesh panelling around the neck areas (back and front) and under the armpits tackles the hotspots for sweat.
It’s a flattering fit for all body shapes and sizes and performed without any complaints in weight training, pilates, kettlebell and treadmill sprints sessions.
Material: 76% Nylon 6, 24% Elastane. Sizes: XS – L
Helly Hansen Women’s HH LIFA® Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer, £40 from Helly Hansen
Pros: Modest, breathable, stylish, highly technical
Cons: Some people might feel a bit hot
Rating: 5/5
I trialled this as another option for those looking for more modest wear, and those who find the gym a bit colder when working out.
Although designed as a base layer and maybe more so for outdoor activities, this ended up being one of the favourite gym tops for women across myself and another tester.
The top is technically advanced and manages to add warmth when cold, and the aerated fabric offers breathability, ventilation and moisture control when it’s hot.
It’s also a great, stretchy fit and cute design. I tested it during a full body kettlebells session, an upper body heavy weights day and a treadmill run, and I really can’t complain about anything, other than it felt a bit hot on the treadmill towards the end of the run, but it never felt too sweaty.
This is an excellent all-rounder for those who are looking for a long-sleeved gym top for women.
Material: 100% Polypropylene Sizes: XS-XL
Gymshark Vital Seamless 2.0 crop top, £35
Pros: Physique hugging, stylish, comfortable
Cons: Felt too thick for cardio
Rating: 4.4/5
This is a cute style for gym-goers who want to look stylish and also get a good workout done.
The cropped design is flattering and sits softly on the midriff, and a little lower on the back for good coverage.
The full sleeve and finger loops to cover half of the hands are more of a design touch than for workout benefits, but did come in handy for a bit of cushioning during downward facing dog and full plank poses in the yoga session.
I trialled the top during several weights sessions with both free weights and resistance machines and it was comfortable and allowed for plenty of movement during exercises such as shoulder and chest press.
The material is more breathable than it looks, as it’s quite a thick mesh however, I did get quite sweaty during cardio exercises due to the extensive coverage around the arms.
It might be best for low-impact training such as yoga and light weights.
Material: 96% Nylon, 4% Elastane Sizes: XS – XXL
Castore Women’s Apex Lightweight Panelled Tank Top, £42
Pros: Lightweight, stays in place
Cons: Held a bit of sweat on the back
Rating: 4/5
This arrived in a size bigger than ordered but actually made a good oversized option which was a tiny bit too baggy on the back, so I’d recommend sticking to your usual sizing if you prefer a more accurate fit.
The gym top is lightweight and covered in aero-mesh panels for breathability, which made it ideal for cardio sessions including treadmill running and a session on the stepper machine – although the material did feel quite wet and sticky around the back after a particularly sweaty session – this could be down to the intensity of the workout.
The gym top performed well in a yoga session because the thin elastic around the base of the top kept it in place throughout poses. There were absolutely no issues during weight training either, it stayed in place and allowed a good range of movement during pull-ups.
Material: 93% Polyester 7% Elastane Size: XS – 2XL
Lululemon Wunder Train Sweetheart Tank Top, £58
Pros: Good technical material, great design
Cons: Not for high impact, expensive
Rating: 4/5
I really liked this gym top for women, it’s sweetheart neckline feels very chic and the fact it comes with a fitted bra, means that’s one less thing to think about.
In fact, it’s so comfortable and has such a nice design, it’s the perfect top if you have a social commitment right before your gym session as it can double up as something to wear for both.
I tested the gym top during a variety of light and medium-impact workouts ( which is what it’s designed for) and it provided good support in everything from weight training and yoga to treadmill walking.
The material is fast drying, breathable, sweat-wicking and felt soft on the skin.
It’s not ideal for high-impact exercises, especially for bigger busted women, but I took out the removable bra padding and wore the top over a more sturdy sports bra and it tested well on a 5K run.
Material: 90% Recycled Polyester, 10% Lycra Elastane Sizes: UK 4 – UK 24
MP Women’s Tempo Seamless Crop Top, £32
Pros: Looks great, fits well, stays in place
Cons: Can feel restrictive around arms
Rating: 4/5
This gym top is a good fit and sits quite low for a crop top and stays put due to a wide elasticated band around the bottom of the top and also thinner bands around the arms.
It’s a flattering design, just covering the top of the arms but it can be a little restrictive during certain exercises that involve the arms being lifted high above the head, such as shoulder press, pullups and kettlebell clean and press.
It performed well for most other arm and shoulder exercises. I also tested it during a treadmill hill walk and yoga, and it perfumed really well.
Although there was some tightness around the armpits on poses which requires stretching arms overhead, this could be combatted by going up a size.
The sweat-wicking tech and quick-drying material mean it works well for high-impact training but did start to feel a bit hot during a HIIT class. I really liked the look of this top, so would buy it despite the few issues.
I would recommend for non-shoulders weight training, legs day and medium sweat cardio workouts.
Material: 74% Polyamide 26% Elastane Sizes: XS – XXL
Gymshark Vital Seamless 2.0 Light Tank, £28
Pros: Good fit, good ventilation
Cons: High neck a little hot
Rating: 4/5
This is a really soft and comfortable gym top for women, and a flattering fit that looked good on testers of different shapes and sizes – and going up a size gives a nice oversized look.
The loose cut around the arms and the breathable mesh material means there is good airflow, making this top a good all-rounder when it comes to staying ventilated in all types of training.
I tested it during an upper body weights session, and the top allowed ease of movement to carry out each back and arms exercise precisely, and during an indoor cycle session it was breathable and sweat-wicking – especially along the side panels with their mesh dots.
It did however collect a little bit of sweat around the high neck – but it didn’t show up too badly on the dark grey colour.
Material: 100% Nylon Sizes: XS – XXL
lululemon Swiftly Tech Racerback Tank Top 2.0 Waist Length, £45 £34
Pros: Good fit, great all-rounder, nice colours available, in the sale
Cons: Bit of sweat showing up
Rating: 4/5
This is a well-thought-out technical top, and much like the Salomon Sense Aero, it is incredibly lightweight and leans into tech for breathability and inhibiting odour.
Where they differ is that this Lululemon top is fitted rather than a baggy style, and it’s shorter – sitting on the waist.
This means it stays put from top to bottom during all exercises including running and yoga. It’s a flattering cut, great vibrant colour, and did a good job of staying dry during sweaty weights and cardio sessions.
But on a very sweaty sprint session, I did pick up darker green patches which showed where excessive sweat was still drying.
It wasn’t something that bothered me in the gym but something to bear in mind if you’re self-conscious of such things.
This gym top for women is now in the sale – which makes it an even more inviting buy.
Material: 54% Nylon, 40% Recycled Polyester, 3% Elastane, 3% X-Static Nylon Sizes: UK 4 – UK 24
Tu Active Mauve Animal Wrap Hem Cropped Top, £10.50 from Sainsbury’s
Pros: Very cheap, looks good on
Cons: Not technical
Rating: 4/5
I was quite surprised at how great this gym top for women looked on, considering its super cheap price.
The folded band along the lower hem of the cropped top is a particularly flattering touch.
The fabric feels pretty light but doesn’t have any tech aiding breathability or sweat-wicking so it can get a little sweaty.
In terms of performance, I’d advise going up a size and wearing a good sports bra underneath, and then it can actually work for most disciplines.
I tested it during a full-body weights session, a yoga session and a hill walk – and it was absolutely fine, it did get a bit sweaty during a high-impact CrossFit-style session though – but did stay in place well.
Material: 55% Polyester; 25% Elastane; 20% Recycled Polyester Sizes: S – XXL
Under Armour Meridian Rib Crop Tank, £55
Pros: Good ventilation, nice aesthetic
Cons: Expensive, rides up a little
Rating: 4/5
This is a really cute little gym top for women and would be just as at home at social events and festivals as it is during workouts!
This is a good accurate fit, so stick to your size with this one, because going up a size doesn’t sit well around the neck.
Have a think about whether your bra showing bothers you – and choose accordingly, as the rounder neck does mean it doesn’t sit directly on most sports bars I trialled it with – but I generally don’t mind a bra peeking out.
The fabric is very soft to the touch, wicks sweat and is quick drying too.
I wore the top during a barre class, a weighted HIIT class and a sweaty cross-trainer session, and it offered a good range of movement and ventilation, it did ride up a little during the treadmill run.
Material: 79% Polyester, 21% Elastane Sizes: XS – XXL
DOMYOS Women’s Long-Sleeved Fitness T-Shirt 100, £8.99
Pros: Good for modest training, lightweight, very cheap
Cons: No ventilation tech
Rating: 3.5/5
This gym top for women is a good option for those who want their gym wear to be a bit more modest, it covers the arms, sits below the waist and is an oversized fit.
It’s pretty breathable considering the extensive coverage and also the stretchy fabric allows for plenty of movement, although one thing to note, is that it does sit tighter around the armpits for gym goers with broader shoulders or larger arms – so you might want to size up.
The gym top performed best for yoga and weight training sessions and didn’t get as hot or sweaty as expected because the material is pretty lightweight.
But it struggled a bit with cardio because there’s no specific tech that aids ventilation. It works well over vests while you warm up and also as a base layer on colder days.
Overall, it’s actually a pretty good modest option for weight training and low-impact workouts, and it’s a great price.
Material: 100% Cotton Sizes: XS – 3XL
Just Flex Women’s Performance T-Shirt, £22.99 from Amazon
Pros: Lightweight, fun, all-rounder, cheap
Cons: Not quick dry
Rating: 3/5
If you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful and away from the big brands, Just Flex is a new fitness option from a female entrepreneur looking to make more inclusive sportswear.
Think bright colours, with a bold logo – just something a bit fun, we even got a compliment in our yoga session for it. The material feels a little cheap to touch, although it is very lightweight and does have moisture-wicking capabilities.
The fabric is also quite stretchy so can work as oversized or fitted depending on the sizing you choose (go a size smaller for fitted).
I tested the top during a heavy upper body weights session and it allows a good range of movement, the same goes for stretching and cardio sessions – although sweat marks were very visible during training and did take quite a while to dry.
Material: 100% Polyester Size: XS-XL
The prices can really vary and it all depends on what style and quality of gym top you want. But they can be as cheap as around £10 and they go up to around £75.
The cheapest top in our round-up was the DOMYOS women’s fitness shirt at just £8.99, while the priciest item tested from Lululemon at £58.
Gym tops for women are readily available from most sports brands and sports retailers, and even in some supermarkets. If you’re keen to buy now, we’d recommend the following places:
The different gym tops for women were tested over three weeks by two testers, in a variety of gyms.
Both testers are qualified personal trainers.
The testers wore the tops during a variety of gym exercises including weightlifting, kettlebell strength training, treadmill running, HIIT, yoga and more.
They assessed the comfort, design, and technical features like the sweat-wicking ability and quality.
