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Whether you’re into walking, yoga, or weightlifting, having the right clothing makes an enormous difference in how you feel and your comfort levels—especially when you’re pregnant. The best maternity workout apparel prevents minor annoying and major pain points.
Every body is different, but if you’ve noticed that the exercise gear you used to wear just doesn’t feel quite right, it’s worth investing in a few items that make you feel good, adapt to your changing body, and won’t exacerbate pain.
Many of the biggest concerns, like overly tight waistbands, stiff fabric, or poorly accessible sports bras, can be alleviated with workout clothes that are built for a body with a bump.
We’ve rounded up a list of leggings, sports bras, belly bands, and more that have been tried, tested, and loved by expecting and freshly minted parents.
Swap out super uncomfortable workout clothes with these picks that work well for a variety of bodies—and some even adapt for fitness after pregnancy.
Best maternity leggings
Best leggings overall: Kindred Bravely Louisa Ultra High-Waisted Over The Bump Leggings
Why you’ll love them:
- Extra-long stomach panel
- Thick, soft, and breathable
- Can be used through every stage of pregnancy, including after
- Perfect for the gym, wearing at home, or dressing up
Kindred Bravely’s ultra-soft maternity leggings are a hidden gem. While they haven’t racked up tens of thousands of reviews, buyers who do pay their slightly higher price end up waxing poetic about their comfort. Their quality surpasses that of cheaper pairs that are typically transparent, far from breathable, and tear after a few washes. You can count on lasting color and no pilling after plenty of wear and rely on these pants to get you through countless workouts.
One reviewer was blown away by the leggings, noting that “these pants make me feel like a million bucks” and another added that they won’t roll down while exercising. What makes them even more impressive is that they can be converted to standard leggings postpartum and can be shifted and adapted with the waistband to fit a growing belly.
Best leggings with pockets: JOYSPELS maternity leggings
Why you’ll love them:
- Has deep pockets
- Soft inner lining with sleek outer
- Available in 10 different colors.
Workout leggings are great, but sans pockets? They lose a couple points from us. The ones on JOYSPEL’s maternity leggings fit the bill and happen to be satisfyingly deep—functional enough to hold phones, keys, cards, and earbuds, even with an expanding belly. Made of a Spandex and nylon combo, these stretch and gently compress for added support to a bump.
Plus, if you’re getting bored of black workout pants, you can choose from a bigger selection of cocoa brown, sky blue, teal, and more. They won’t budge during exercise either. One customer explained that they “stay up during all of my cycling and HIIT workouts” but equally you won’t have to spend a long period of time trying to shimmy them off. Another happy reviewer added that they “slip right on and off, even after a sweaty workout session.”
Best petite maternity leggings: CRZ YOGA Women’s Butterluxe Maternity Leggings
Why you’ll love them:
- High-rise panel with U-shaped seam
- Shoppers appreciate XX-small and X-small sizes
- Material is thick and not see-through (yes to squats)
- Won’t ride up or fall down
Skin irritation, sensitive stomachs, and chronic pain can all result in certain materials and clothing types feeling unbearable to wear while pregnant. CRZ Yoga is an underrated favorite, according to many expecting moms, including those who work as personal trainers. It’s a name that frequently pops up on forums and the Butterluxe maternity leggings are a go-to favorite because they won’t put a damper on workouts and last for many shoppers’ full pregnancies.
Numerous buyers were happy with how thick and opaque the material is and frequent gym goers and one noted that they undoubtedly passed the squat test. Petite reviewers were also pleased to find leggings that finally fit them, noting that the XX-small and X-small sizes don’t sag or look too loose. It doesn’t come as a surprise that these are rated so highly seeing that the brand’s Naked Feel Leggings have already racked up more than 20K five-star reviews.
Best Maternity Workout Shorts
POSHDIVAH Women’s Maternity Yoga Shorts
Why you’ll love them:
- Thick material—no see-through shorts here
- Available in two different lengths, 5” and 8”
- Soft and stretchy, but supportive
If you prefer working out in shorts, a pair from POSHDIVAH comes highly recommended. These have banished some of the most annoying problems that standard workout shorts can’t get right during pregnancy. The material is thick and opaque, so you can finally toss those see-through pairs. Still, they remain breathable and stretchy and strike the perfect balance of light compression without restricting movement
With six colors to choose from and two-packs available, they’re great to have on hand for fitness classes or simply being comfortable at home. One customer found that even as they grew into the band, they “did not have to pull them up throughout my workout,” and others noted that they don’t ride up or bunch. Oh, and they have pockets!
HOFISH Seamless Support Nursing Bra Medium Impact Maternity Sports Bras
Why you’ll love them:
- Supportive racerback style and compression with no wire
- Detachable clasp makes breastfeeding easier
- Comfortable fabric with removable cups
Sports bras are difficult enough to take off with their high compression—particularly after a tough and sweaty workout. Nursing mothers don’t need this added barrier. This sports bra from HOFISH unclasps from the shoulder strap (with many able to do so one-handed), making it easy to feed and pump pre- or post-workout.
Despite there being no wire, wearers have found this bra offers ample support with the racerback design being doubly helpful. The material is soft and thick, and it includes cups for extra coverage (though these can be removed). It ticks all the boxes for parents taking part in fitness classes and high-intensity workouts, including one customer who loved it so much during their soccer games they “went back and ordered one of every color.”
AZMED Maternity Belly Band
Why you’ll love them:
- Provides comfortable support
- Material is soft and not scratchy or rough
- Not noticeable under clothing
With over 18,500 five-star ratings and ranked as the bestseller in its category on Amazon, this belly band from AZMED is worth adding to any maternity closet. It’s simple to put on and the one-size-fits-all construction easily adapts to a wide range of bellies, no matter how early or far along you are in your journey.
Available in beige and black, the band gently takes weight off the hips, back, and pelvis, making exercising far more comfortable. One expecting reviewer deemed this band an “absolute lifesaver” while carrying twins and other customers noted it has helped reduce stomach cramping, pain, and discomfort during exercising specifically. That being said, many have loved it so much that they’ve continued wearing it during other daily activities.
