The 15 Best Workout Tops for Every Type of Exercise, According to Fitness Experts
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These tees, tanks, crops, and long sleeves are designed to withstand your toughest workouts.
InStyle / David Hattan
A good workout top should feel like it’s barely there—in that it doesn’t distract you from your workout. How many times have you worked out in a tank that’s too tight, an old cotton that’s too baggy or heavy, and a top with a built-in bra that’s just not supportive enough? In the wrong top, there’s no way you’re getting the most out of your workout.
We talked to a few trainers and looked back at our years of experience in the gym to put together a list of the best workout tops, tees, and tanks. These all feature performance technology like sweat-wicking materials, compression, and odor control, and are available in multiple color options, inclusive size ranges, and at reasonable prices. Upgrade your workout tops with one of these popular styles.
Best Overall: lululemon Swiftly Tech Racerback Tank Top 2.0
What We Love: The fabric is woven with anti-odor technology.
What We Don’t Love: Some reviewers say it’s a little big up top and tight on the bottom.
Honestly, it doesn’t get better than this Lululemon Swiftly Tank, which performs just as well during a marathon as it does in yoga class or as a base layer on the ski slopes. The slim fit skims your body without restricting movement in any way, with minimal seams to reduce the potential of chafing, and the mesh construction is lightweight and breathable as your body builds up heat during any workout. If you prefer a cropped silhouette, it also comes in race length (as well as short sleeve and long sleeve versions).
Price at time of publish: $58
Size: 0 to 20 | Colors: 9 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Nylon, polyester, elastane
Best Budget: Old Navy UltraLite All-Day Rib-Knit Racerback
What We Love: It easily transitions from work to workout.
What We Don’t Love: It can run a little small.
Old Navy’s lightweight ribbed tank checks all the major boxes when it comes to a workout tank: the curved hem hits at the hip for figure-hugging coverage; the soft, breathable fabric stretches with you as you move; and moisture-wicking technology keeps you dry no matter how much you sweat. It’s the kind of top that can pull double-duty at the gym and under a blazer at work.
Price at time of publish: $15
Size: XS to 4X | Colors: 7 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Polyester, rayon, spandex
Best Splurge: 108 Sportif Camille Curve Top
What We Love: It’s made from sustainable materials.
What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t pair well with a bra for larger busts.
If you’re going to splurge on a workout top, go for something that’s as eye-catching as it is high-performance. This 108 Sportif top has a sweetheart neckline that turns into a single strap around the back. There’s no built-in bra, but it has a fully lined bust and under bust binding for support, and the fabric is hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and thermo-regulating. Plus, it looks great paired with jeans.
Price at time of publish: $109
Size: XS to XL | Colors: 2 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Organic bamboo, spandex
Related: The 16 Best Leggings with Pockets for Bringing Your Necessities On-The-Go
Best Size-Inclusive: SuperFitHero Shelf Bra Tank Top
What We Love: The removable bra cups are customized for all-size wearers.
What We Don’t Love: It can be compressive, so the brand recommends sizing up for a looser fit around the belly.
Whether you’re out for a jog or moving through Pilates poses, you’ll feel super supported by SuperFitHero’s SuperHold fabric, which is equally soft and stretchy (as well as sweat-wicking and quick-drying). The built-in shelf bra features custom-made bra cups, which are removable and invisible, and the tank has a racerback design—with an airy keyhole cutout in the back—for even more support.
Price at time of publish: $75
Size: L to 7X | Colors: 5 | Built-in bra: yes | Material: Polyester, spandex
Related: The 12 Best Sports Bras for Large Breasts, As Recommended by Experts
Best for Big Busts: Beyond Yoga Spacedye Studio Cropped Tank
What We Love: Reviewers rave about the softness of the fabric.
What We Don’t Love: It may not be supportive enough for high-intensity workouts.
Beyond Yoga brings their best-selling fabric to a studio tank with a built-in bra, designed for workouts that require medium support (think: yoga, barre, pilates). It looks simple, but little details like the criss-cross back with a keyhole cutout and the cropped length that pairs well with high-waisted bottoms make it a universally appealing choice.
Price at time of publish: $68
Size: XS to 4X | Colors: 2 | Built-in bra: yes | Material: Polyester, elastane
Best Tank: lululemon Align Waist-length Racerback Tank Top
What We Love: It’s available in several different lengths.
What We Don’t Love: The fabric can pill after a few wears.
Lululemon is known for their high-quality products and ultra-smooth fabrics, which fit like a second skin. This yoga tank—which shouldn’t just be reserved for asanas—is made from a nearly weightless material that stretches in four directions and still retains its shape. Even better: It’s also available in a hip-length cut for more coverage or a shorter cut with a built-in bra.
Price at time of publish: $58
Size: 0 to 20 | Colors: 9 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Nylon, Lycra elastane
Best Cropped Tank: ARRIVE GUIDE Crop Top Athletic Shirt
What We Love: It’s affordable enough to justify buying in multiple colors.
What We Don’t Love: The band at the bottom tends to ride up.
With cap sleeves and a cinched waist, this crop is the kind you want to cozy up in—but it also allows for full range of motion, and uses stretchy, sweat-wicking fabric to take you from daily life to the gym. “It pairs so nicely with high waisted leggings, and it’s also extremely comfortable,” says Stephanie Thomas, an ACE-certified personal trainer. Bonus: “You can wear any bra under it without it being seen.”
Price at time of publish: $20
Size: XS to XL | Colors: 25 | Built-in bra: no | Material: cotton, spandex
Best Short Sleeve: Athleta Momentum Seamless Sport Length Tee
What We Love: Grippers at the bottom hem prevent this tee from riding up.
What We Don’t Love: Nylon fabrics can hold on to odor-causing bacteria.
It doesn’t get any more classic than a crisp fitted tee—except Athleta’s is made with odor-controlling yarns to keep it from getting too stinky after HIIT or bootcamp workouts. The hem hits right at the waist, so you don’t have to wear it with high-waisted bottoms (unless you want to!), but if that’s still too short for you, you can opt for the longer length. This is the go-to tee for lifting sessions or throwing on after hot yoga.
Price at time of publish: $59
Size: XXS to XL | Colors: 5 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Nylon
Best Cropped Short Sleeve: Alo Yoga AloSoft Crop Finesse Short Sleeve
What We Love: The silhouette is very on-trend.
What We Don’t Love: Some people may prefer a more relaxed fit.
Baby tees are in again, and Alo put an athleisure spin on this one, made from the brand’s “velvety soft fabric.” It’s so comfy you could wear it all day, but it’s also lightweight and breathable enough for most workouts. And even when you’re sweaty, the structured fit will retain its shape. White and black are classic but we love that this also comes in bold highlighter pink and green.
Price at time of publish: $58
Size: XS to L | Colors: 5 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Performance jersey
Best Long Sleeve: Vuori Daydream Crew
What We Love: Reviewers raved about the lightweight softness of the fabric.
What We Don’t Love: Fit may feel too short for some wearers.
“This long sleeve is so lightweight, it’s perfect for seasonal transition,” says Carrie Hall, a NASM-certified personal trainer—no matter the weather, you’ll be protected with built-in UPF 30+ and a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric. “I order in a size up and use it to layer over a tank top for outdoor workouts that get warmer once the blood starts pumping.”
Price at time of publish: $64
Size: XS to XL | Colors: 6 | Built-in bra: no | Material: polyester, elastane
Best Cropped Long Sleeve: Gymshark Vital Seamless 2.0 Long Sleeve Crop Top
What We Love: The technology to make this shirt uses less water, energy, and chemicals.
What We Don’t Love: The scenarios that call for a long sleeve cropped top are kind of limited.
A long sleeve crop top keeps your arms warm while allowing you to show off your waistline. With a snug, almost compressive fit and figure-contouring details, it will make you feel confident to throw around some weights. And if you start to break a sweat, the moisture-wicking fabric will pull any perspiration from your skin before anyone can tell.
Price at time of publish: $38
Size: XS to XXL | Colors: 16 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Nylon, elastane
Best Loose-Fitting: Free People Movement Inspire Tee
What We Love: It’s a perfect layering piece.
What We Don’t Love: Cotton absorbs moisture, so this isn’t great for high-intensity workouts.
Free People reimagines the cotton tee with a boxier, cropped fit. It’s not so cropped you’ll be showing midriff with high-waisted bottoms, but the fabric kind of floats around you, adding the illusion of more coverage. Dropped shoulders up the comfort factor, keeping the raw-edged seams from distracting or chafing you mid-workout.
Price at time of publish: $38
Size: XS to XL | Colors: 19 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Cotton
Best with Built-In Bra: CRZ YOGA Seamless Workout Tank Top
What We Love: It comes in 22 different colors.
What We Don’t Love: Sizing runs small.
“This is my favorite built-in bra top—I wear it several times a week for my lifting and running workouts,” says Thomas. It features lightweight, stretchy compression and a seamless ribbed fabric in a racerback design. “I prefer built-in bra tops because they simplify your workout outfit; this one in particular has lasted me over two years and I’ve since bought several colors,” Thomas adds.
Price at time of publish: $24
Size: XXS to XL | Colors: 22 | Built-in bra: yes | Material: Polyamide, spandex
Best Maternity: GapFit Maternity Breathe Side Shirring T-Shirt
What We Love: The design accommodates your belly throughout pregnancy.
What We Don’t Love: The fit may feel a little short.
Maternity wear doesn’t need to scream “I’m pregnant!,” you know? This simple tee has subtle shirring along the sides to allow for more belly room as you grow. And multiple factors keep you comfortable even as temperatures heat up (in the gym or outside): the breathable jersey knit uses moisture-wicking technology, and flat-locked seams prevent chafing. Win-win.
Price at time of publish: $37
Size: XS to XXL | Colors: 5 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Spandex, lyocell, polyester
Best for Cardio: Nike Dri-FIT ADV AeroSwift Women's Racing Singlet
What We Love: It’s made with at least 75 percent recycled polyester.
What We Don’t Love: The tailored fit can be a little too narrow.
Nike’s AeroSwift singlet—as the name implies—was made to feel fast. The streamlined silhouette is loose enough not to feel restrictive, but the tailored fit stays close to your body so as to not create any drag. And with strategically placed perforations to maximize breathability, you’ll feel nice and breezy no matter how hard you’re racing towards the finish line. It’s also available as a crop.
Price at time of publish: $72
Size: XS to 2XL | Colors: 4 | Built-in bra: no | Material: Polyester
What to Keep in Mind
Fabric
While there are fabrics that are better suited for working out, two of the biggest factors to look for are sweat-wicking and odor control. Look for mesh construction and labels that say moisture-wicking or breathable. Many synthetic fabrics are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water rather than let it soak in, so polyester and rayon are popular choices for workout tops. The budget-friendly Old Navy UltraLite All-Day Rib-Knit Racerback has a polyester and nylon blend, whereas Athleta Momentum Seamless Sport Length Tee relies primarily on nylon and Beyond Yoga Spacedye Studio Cropped Tank on polyester.
Fit
Even when you find your correct size, there are still some considerations to make. Do you want your workout top to be fitted or flowy? Long sleeve or tank top? Cropped or full length? Each of those may depend on what workout you are doing, your comfort level or style, as well as the season. Our best overall pick, lululemon Swiftly Tech Racerback Tank Top 2.0, comes in tank and long sleeve as well as cropped versions to satisfy most of these requirements. If you’re looking for a tank with built-in bra cups, then CRZ YOGA Seamless Workout Tank Top or SuperFitHero Shelf Bra Tank Top are both great and span XXS-7X between the two. If you’re looking for a post-yoga layering piece or workout in cold temps, there’s nothing better than Vuori Daydream Crew.
Your Questions, Answered
Should a workout top be fitted or loose?
There’s no right answer to this question: You should work out in the kind of top that you feel most comfortable in. Generally, tighter tops are recommended when you don’t want the fabric to get in the way (whether you’re using a machine at the gym or doing certain workouts like yoga or pilates). However, you may feel like it’s easier to move in a looser workout top, and less form-fitting fabric can also be a more modest option if that feels more comfortable. It’s totally up to you—no one is going to judge your workout top choice.
Why Shop With Us
Ashley Mateo is an award-winning journalist and editor who currently works as a freelance editorial consultant. She was previously the site director of Redbook and the deputy digital editor at Shape. Not only is she a running coach and marathon runner, making her a particularly well-suited person to report on this topic. Ashley also interviewed several fitness trainers to get their recommendations for the best workout tops.
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