You want to stay healthy and active when you’re pregnant, but to do that you need proper maternity workout clothes.
Trying to squeeze yourself into pre-pregnancy clothes or choosing clothes not designed for exercise can cause uncomfortable pinching, chafing, and even result in dangerous overheating.
The good news is we’re here to help keep you as fit, healthy, and comfy as possible.
Here’s how to pick the best maternity workout clothes to keep you moving.
- Smooth woven mesh fabric
- Flexible outsole
- Air cooled memory foam insole
- Soft material
- Comfortable fit
- Great body support
- Fold-over waistband
- Luxurious look and feel
- Cropped cuffs
- Soft and breathable knit cotton
- Versatile
- Stretchy belly panel
- Solid knit yoga pant
- Wide foldover waistband
- Flared leg
- 3D cutting
- Supports belly without excess pressure
- Non see-through fabric
- Ultra soft fabric
- Non-itchy and stretchy
- Full rear coverage
- Perfect for body movements during pregnancy
- For everyday use
- Flattering strap design
- High support
- Seamless
- Moisture wicking
- Lightweight breathable material
- Perfect for sensitive skin
- Personalized fitting consultation
How to Choose the Best Maternity Workout Clothes
When buying maternity workout clothes, look for the following:
Developed for Maternity
With the only possible exception being sports bras, choose clothes that was specifically designed for athletic use during pregnancy. While your husband’s oversized t-shirts or your old pre-pregnancy yoga pants may technically fit, they won’t provide the same level of support or comfort.
Fit
Choose clothes (especially pants) that are fitted close to the body. When wearing baggy leisure pants, you run the risk of tripping which is especially dangerous in pregnancy. The same goes for shoes; though slip-ons may be comfy on your ever-expanding feet, they don’t provide the same level of support and safety as a fully-fastening shoe.
Seam Placement
Your clothes will be in direct contact with your skin, which may be getting extra sensitive — especially toward the end of pregnancy. Be aware of where they cut the seams, and if possible choose seamless or low-profile seams to prevent chafing and irritation.
Fabric
Unless you’re doing a low-intensity activity like yoga, choose synthetic fabrics. They’ll help keep you dry and cool without feeling uncomfortably restricted. Well-designed clothes will also keep your blood circulating as normal and prevent you from overheating.
Support
Choose clothes that have a good level of support for your belly, breasts, and back. Don’t expect nighttime camis to function as sports bras just because they’re stretchy, and don’t expect thin leggings to work in your step class if they don’t have a fully-functioning belly panel.
The Best Maternity Workout Clothes of 2021
Here are our favorite maternity workout clothes.
Best Maternity Workout Pants
1. Mumberry Activewear Yoga Pants
These workout pants have a belly band that not only keeps your pants from falling down, but it also provides support, compression, and upward lift. Basically, it’s a lightweight belly band built right into your yoga pants, relieving back and joint pressure and helping you maintain proper posture. It even has a pocket in the back big enough to hold your smartphone!
2. Ingrid & Isabel Active Capri Maternity Pant
These capri-length workout pants will keep you from overheating with the shortened leg, and wick sweat away from your skin with the synthetic construction. The full belly panel provides belly and lower-back support, but the cutout in back allows you to have less fabric touching your skin and causing your temp to rise.
3. C9 Champion Under the Belly Cardio Pant
These pants are polyester construction so they don’t retain moisture, and they have enough room that they won’t be constricting during your workout — but the leg openings aren’t so big that you will trip over them. They also sit under the belly, meaning you won’t have fabric rubbing on your bump and causing you to overheat while you’re working out.
Best Maternity Workout Tops
4. Movemama Maternity Workout Top
This workout tank is perfect for both yoga sessions or intense workouts. It has a built-in shelf bra with removable inserts to offer medium bust support on top of your sports bra. The strappy back ensures the top is stylish, supportive and still comfortable.
The fit is designed for any stage of pregnancy, and even postpartum. The material is high-quality, durable and not at all see through which is perfect for trips to the gym!
5. LWJ 1982 Seamless Maternity Shirt
This lycra/spandex top is soft and stretchy to cradle your bump and stay out of the way of your workout. It comes in a couple different color options, both which wick moisture away, keeping you cool and dry. And, for the more modest mama, the sleeves keep you more covered than your typical workout tank.
6. Bloom Maternity 'Workout Buddy in Progress' Tank
This tank top is made of cotton so it’s not ideal for your most intense workouts, but we just couldn’t resist the adorable “Workout Buddy in Progress” lettering over the bump. For the fitness-loving mama, it’s a great addition to her wardrobe — whether at the gym or just lounging around the house on a Saturday.
Best Maternity Workout Bras
7. Fittin Racerback Sports Bra
This ultra-supportive racerback bra isn’t developed specifically for pregnancy, but will provide the extra care and support your breasts need during this time. It has Climacool technology, which helps maintain a comfortable temperature, and it also comes with removable breast pads for you to use (or not) depending on your preference.
8. AKAMC Removable Padded Sports Bras
This bra is made of breathable and moisture-wicking fabric, while the criss-cross back makes a super style statement. It also has removable breast pads, and was developed just for moms and their unique support needs.
9. Aibrou Wirefree Maternity Bra
This soft, supportive bra has built-in nursing panels so you don’t have to sacrifice functionality for support. It is wire-free so it won’t cause discomfort while you’re working out, and also has built-in removable, washable breast pads.
Best Maternity Workout Leggings
10. Beyond Yoga Maternity Capri Leggings
These polyester/spandex capri leggings are thin enough to breathe but thick enough to cover your behind. They have a full belly band to make sure they stay in place during your workout, and come in three different colors to fit your personal style.
11. Cloya Active Maternity Capri Pant
These workout pants are constructed of a four-way stretch fabric so they will comfortably hug your belly, not constrict it. The belly band can be worn up or folded down, and the innovative flat-lock stitching minimizes chafe and irritation.
12. Ingrid & Isabel Active Mesh Capri
These pants have funky style with their lower-leg mesh cutouts and the mid-weight jersey weave is supportive and offers full coverage. They have a full belly panel to keep them hoisted while you’re doing squats, and are made of nylon — which means they not only resists moisture, but also odors.
Best Maternity Workout Shorts
13. My Belly Mama Cotton Shorts
These sexy, form-fitting shorts will hug your curves and won’t restrict your movement. They’re machine washable and dryable for easy maintenance, and their super-short length will keep you cool in the hottest temps.
14. Foucome Women's Maternity Yoga Short
These yoga shorts are made from a comfy nylon and spandex blend to accommodate your growing bump. The breathable fabric will keep your cool in summer and at a very reasonable price point, they won’t break the bank either. It comes with side pockets for your convenience.
15. Motherhood Under Belly Maternity Shorts
The under-belly waistband on these shorts helps to keep you from overheating, and the cotton fabric keeps you cool by allowing your skin to breathe. The straight-leg design won’t hug your thighs like spandex, so they are a good choice for the woman who doesn’t want her workout gear to be so form-fitting.
Best Maternity Workout Capris
16. Foucome Capri Leggings
These workout capris not only increases airflow and reduces the amount of fabric that can overheat you, but the design actually helps support your belly and reduce lower back strain. And the 3D panel is engineered to help keep your pants from falling down by cradling your belly, not simply fitting over it like an oversized elastic waistband.
17. Ingrid & Isabel Active Capri Maternity Pant
The synthetic construction ensures that these pants are breathable and moisture-wicking, and their thickness ensures that your bum will stay fully covered. The belly panel offers both back and belly support, and can be worn up or down depending on your preference.
Best Maternity Workout Yoga Pants
18. Three Seasons Maternity Yoga Pants
These yoga pants with a slight flare at the leg opening will allow you free movement without hugging your body. The belly band can be worn up or down based upon your preference, and they are machine washable for ease and convenience.
19. Lamaze Maternity Yoga Pants
These comfy pants have a hint of spandex, giving them stretching properties so you don’t feel constricted. They also have a relaxed leg so they don’t show off all your imperfections, and have a mid-belly panel that won’t cause you to overheat.
Best Maternity Workout Belts
20. Cabea Baby Belly Band Sport Maternity Belt
This band was designed specifically for workouts, is latex free, and antimicrobial to prevent post-workout stink. It was designed by a female health professional to make sure it hits all the marks you need for adequate support, and is available in sizes up to XXL, meaning it will fit and function better than a “one-size-fits-all” belt.
21. Azmed Breathable Abdominal Binder
This support belt helps ease any potential back pain because it puts less pressure on your spine. Your belly will be lifted a little, which lessens discomfort on your back, and you’ll also get some reprieve from pelvic and hip pain. This size can fit a belly up to 46 inches.
Best Maternity Workout Underwear
22. Kindred Bravely Pregnancy Panties
These bikini-style briefs won’t cause you to overheat since there isn’t extra fabric covering your midsection, and the full bottoms won’t ride up and give you a wedgie. Made primarily of rayon they’ll wick sweat and moisture from your skin, which will help keep you cool and dry during your workout.
23. Kuci Bamboo Fiber Maternity Underwear
Bamboo is a great fabric choice for workouts because it’s all-natural and wicks away moisture while not trapping bacteria that can cause odor or infections. These briefs fit all the way over the belly so they won’t fall down while you’re active, and also offer a little bit of support to your belly in the process
Best Maternity Workout Shoes
24. Skechers Sport Empire Sneaker
These shoes have a bungee lace design, meaning you don’t have to be able to reach your feet to fasten them. Still, they are supportive and won’t slip off, and the fabric upper will allow your feet to breathe and allow a little “give” for feet that may swell a bit as pregnancy progresses. They also have Air Cooled memory foam so your feet don’t overheat, and a shock-absorbing midsole to help keep your joints happy.
25. Champion Women’s Gusto Cross Trainer
These comfy yet affordable shoes have a memory foam insole for good support and shock absorption, and a fabric exterior for easy cleaning and breathability. They do require you to tie them, but if you’re past the point in your pregnancy where you can comfortably tie your shoes, you can replace them with elastic ties and they become sporty slip-ons.