The Best Maternity Workout Clothes To Sweat With You - Forbes

There are so many benefits to moving your body while pregnant. Finding quality clothes that fit properly and are made to move and grow with you can be hard though, especially when you hit the second trimester. The best maternity workout clothes are comfortable, supportive, stylish, breathable and adjustable to accommodate an expanding belly and body.

"Regardless of the workout, pregnant women should look for stretchy, high-waisted leggings along with a supportive sports bra," says Heidi Loiacono, a women's fitness specialist with Gymguyz, a personal trainer service. "Also, as women progress through their pregnancy, they may want to consider compression shorts or leggings. This type of fitness apparel offers just the right amount of compression for the abdominal, back and pelvic floor muscles, allowing for more support as those muscles become overstretched." When it comes to workout tops, she recommends opting for something loose and long. "If you prefer a more fitted look, be sure it's not too tight and allows for ease of movement."

Just remember that every pregnancy and every pregnant body is different. "What's comfortable for one mom might be incredibly uncomfortable for another," points out Kim Perry, a fit pregnancy coach who is currently expecting. We interviewed an impressive roster of fitness expert moms to find the best places to buy maternity workout clothes, and to learn about the workout pieces they loved during pregnancy and beyond.

• Best Maternity Workout Leggings And Yoga Pants: Beyond Yoga, Girlfriend Collective, Lululemon
• Best Maternity Sports Bras: Vuori, Love And Fit, Sweat & Milk
• Best Maternity Athletic Shorts: Bao Bei, Lululemon, Born Primitive, PHNX
• Best Maternity Workout Tops: Fitglam, Beyond Yoga, Nike

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

While pregnancy may be uncomfortable, as parents ourselves, we strongly believe your maternity clothes shouldn't. Our team is composed of many moms who have not only tested the best maternity workout clothes firsthand, but have extensively researched all the top brands, collected countless recommendations from fellow pregnant parents, and read through hundreds of reviews to gauge what activewear is worth investing in and what's not.

For a story like this, we consult multiple fitness professionals specializing in pre and postnatal fitness to learn what types of clothes pregnant women should be working out in from a comfort, quality and health/safety perspective. We asked our experts about the activewear brands they know and love and the pieces they can't live without.

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How We Chose The Best Maternity Workout Clothes

While we used our own personal experience owning and wearing many of the brands included on this list, we leaned in to the expertise and product suggestions of seven highly-respected fitness professionals, many of whom are either currently expecting or moms themselves, to curate our list. These experts include the founder of leading pre and postnatal fitness app The Bloom Method, the former CEO of fan-fave women's activewear brand Beyond Yoga, and a fit pregnancy coach with a sizable following on Instagram, and a deep core exercise specialist just to name a few.

All of these women live in workout wear (literally) and have tried countless maternity activewear tops, sports bras, compression shorts and over and under-the-bump leggings.

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What To Look For In The Best Maternity Workout Clothes

There's no one brand or style fits all when it comes to the best maternity workout clothes. "Choosing workout wear is such an individualized experience and is usually based not only on the activity being done but also the desired fit and feel of each individual," says Cates. Whether you're hitting the treadmill or the yoga mat, here are some key factors to consider prior to stocking up.

Fit And Feel

Newly-postpartum mom Hannah Eden, a certified Girls Gone Strong pre and postnatal coach, iFIT and Nordictrack trainer, recommends opting for maternity workout clothes that feel comfy, but not too tight. "From personal experience, the changes in our bodies can often affect our self-esteem, so it's important to feel confident in the clothes you choose," she says. "Don't try to fit into pre-pregnancy clothing; this can leave us feeling pretty low."

Michelle Wahler Adams, co-founder and former CEO of Beyond Yoga, agrees. "Treat yourself to quality clothing that celebrates your body during your new chapter. Paying attention to fit and fabrics you like and enjoy being in is key."

Adjustability

While you don't want to be constantly adjusting leggings or pulling up your pants, workout wear that can adjust to grow with you is important. "Get gear with elastic waistbands and drawstrings," advises Eden.

Fabric

Do you prefer a buttery-soft organic legging you can rock around the clock, something loose, lightweight and breathable, or compression apparel for running? "Moisture-wicking materials like polyester or nylon will help keep you feeling cool and dry, while lycra, spandex and elastane blends offer a softer material," explains Perry.

To limit exposure to PFAS (forever chemicals), found in many sweat-wicking, water-repellent pieces like leggings and sports bras, always check labels and shop sustainably-made styles in organic and natural fabrics where possible.

"Most workout wear is not PFAS free but it is becoming more common," says Cates. "I also tell women that while wearing intentionally-made clothing that isn't full of harmful chemicals is important, you don't have to throw away all your favorite leggings that might not be that 'clean.'" Instead, she recommends prioritizing underwear with natural fabrics, because they have the most contact with your most intimate parts.

Cates says there are some amazing companies making really clean and innovative underwear for women, "some even fused with zinc that can help to prevent yeast infections and UTI's." Esme, Pact and Huha are her top favorites in this category. We also recommend the Bodily All-In Panty, which tops our list of the best postpartum underwear.

Support Vs. Stretch

"Higher impact exercises like running and crossfit will require more support, while activities like yoga, pilates and barre will need more stretch," says Perry.

Cates adds that a higher waist band is ideal for expecting women to help to create a "holding the belly" type of sensation. "While some women love maternity leggings with higher waist bands designed specifically for pregnant women, some non-maternity designs also prove to support women throughout pregnancy and beyond." A belly band can offer extra support for pregnant women who need it too.

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