January has a funny way of turning movement into a performance review.
Suddenly everyone has opinions. About how much you should move. How hard you should push. What your goals should look like. What your body should be doing by now.
Here is what rarely gets said in all that noise. What you wear matters more than most wellness conversations want to admit.
Not in a shallow way. In a practical, lived in, day to day way.
Because when your plus size activewear fits, supports you, and stays put, showing up feels easier. Not because leggings create motivation, but because they remove resistance. No tugging. No rolling. No waistbands that feel like they are actively plotting against you.
Comfort is not a bonus feature. It is the baseline.
And that shift is happening because more brands are finally designing plus size activewear with intention instead of resizing whatever already existed and calling it inclusive.
That is the quiet revolution happening right now.
Why Fit Changes Everything
If you have ever cut a walk short because your leggings would not stay up or avoided a workout because your sports bra felt like a negotiation, you already know this truth.
You are not imagining it.
If you have ever fallen off a movement routine and quietly blamed yourself for it, you were not alone. A lot of people notice that when movement feels uncomfortable or frustrating, it becomes harder to return to it. That drop-off is not about willpower. It is about friction.
A review published in Sports Medicine connected clothing comfort to how hard movement feels and how enjoyable it is in the moment, which directly influences whether people stick with it over time. When your clothes make every step feel like work, consistency tends to disappear. That is not a personal shortcoming.
That is the system failing to meet your body where it is.
When your clothes fight you, motivation tends to disappear. That is not a personal failure.
That is friction doing what friction does.
This is why plus size activewear is not about vanity. It is about access.
Access to movement that does not punish you for having a body.
How to Shop Plus Size Activewear Like You Actually Know What You Are Doing
Shopping activewear is not about chasing trends. It is about knowing what will support you through real life.
Here is how to cut through the nonsense.
Pay Attention to Compression and Support
Compression gets a bad reputation because it is often confused with control. That is not what good compression is doing. The right fabrics create stability, not restriction, which is why they can make movement feel smoother and more supported.
If you have ever noticed that you feel more confident and less fatigued when your leggings actually hold their shape, that is not in your head. Work published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research connected compression garments to better body awareness and perceived support during exercise.
Feeling held in the right places helps your body move with intention instead of distraction.
Choose Adjustable Everything
Bodies shift. Hormones fluctuate. Life happens. Adjustable straps, functional drawstrings, and flexible waistbands acknowledge that reality instead of fighting it.
Fabric Matters More Than Branding
If you have ever noticed that some workouts feel ten times more uncomfortable than they should, fabric is usually the culprit. Heavy, non-breathable materials trap heat and sweat, which turns movement into a distraction fast.
That experience is so common it has actually been studied!
Work published in the Textile Research Journal connects moisture wicking fabrics to better temperature regulation and reduced discomfort during physical activity. In other words, staying dry helps your body focus on moving instead of managing irritation. That matters whether you are lifting, stretching, or running errands between meetings.
Color and Print Are Not Earned Privileges
Bold colors are not reserved for certain bodies or fitness levels. If a print makes you feel energized, it belongs in your rotation. Period.
Versatility Is the Real Luxury
Most of us move between workouts, errands, meetings, and social plans. Pieces that transition with you are not lazy. They are smart.
Shoes Are Part of the Outfit
No amount of cute activewear can override unhappy feet. Proper footwear reduces injury risk and improves comfort, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. Support matters whether you are training or power walking through Target.
Where to Shop Plus Size Activewear That Gets It
There has been a noticeable shift in who is doing this well.
Many of the brands leading the charge are indie or community driven companies that listened first and designed second. Instead of treating plus size shoppers as an afterthought, they built collections with us in mind from the beginning.
25+ Places to Shop for Plus Size Activewear
This list includes heritage brands, newer designers, and retailers that consistently show up for plus size shoppers and understand that movement looks different on real bodies.
In alphabetical order, here are some of our favorite places to shop:
We've rounded up the best places to snag plus size active wear! Some are often within the plus size brands you already shop. A few are with indie brands.
Here's your ultimate list of where to shop for plus size active wear!
Pennington offers sizes up to a 3X in its Active zone line. With front zip supportive sports bras, jewel-toned colored leggings, hoodies, and branded active wear, you're stacked with options.
Up to a 5X
"Let your performance speak for itself in women’s plus-size clothing. From tank tops and shorts to pants and jackets, you’ll be ready for action in gear made for confident and comfortable movement"
Up to a size 4X
"Essential sets & stylish leggings are perfect for your next workout—or when you just want to lounge in something comfy."
Up through a size 4X
The newest active wear collection from Target is one to watch and shop. Target set out resolutions to deliver a top notch active wear line with All in Motion. Plus sizes and Big & Tall options up through a size 4X!
ASOS has its own active line called ASOS 4505, where you can snag print bra and legging sets, woven shorts, and several cool mesh legging designs. With sizes 12-26 available for purchase, you can find sick geo prints, tops from Nike, and the best looks specific to gym and training.
Athleta carries extended sizes 1X-3X in sporty hoodies, loose-fitted sweatshirts, sherpa jackets, compression shorts, cardigans and other pieces that are made for the gym or a casual day out on the town. Plus, prices range from $30-$100.
"Every body is beautiful. So we make the softest yoga activewear for plus sizes and extended sizes to give everyone the comfort they deserve. Shop 1X-4X activewear and athleisure, uniquely designed to flatter all body types, with the best fit in the game."
Up to a size 4X
Dia & Co has been championing the options in plus size fashion and most recently in plus size active wear as well. with both exclusive collections and ranges, you can now shop directly up through a size 32!
Kate Hudson's popular brand has been killing it with its athletic wear design. Perfect for the runner, yogi, or otherwise, Fabletics offers iconic bra and legging sets, tops, outerwear, shorts and more with pretty prints and designs up to a 3X. And if you're in NYC, you can shop the brand's SoHo store.
Girlfriend Collective is a rising athleisure brand that came onto the scene in 2019. The brand is best known for its sustainable leggings that are made from recycled water bottles. Plus, the sizes in the line go up to a 6XL.
This brand exudes badass energy and with a focus on the shape rather than size, you will be feeling amped and geeked after visiting their site.
Up to a size 4X
Hine offers athletic wear for the sporty cool girl. The brand sells sets that you can alternate no matter the color. You can rock the monochromatic trend with legging and bra sets, sweat sets, short sets and more. Plus, sizes range from XS-6XL.
Hyba offers sizes up to a 3X and is a mix of comfort wear and athleisure. Easy, breezy, and versatile, this line of active wear makes dressing up effortless.
Juno has been one of the leading destinations in the ultimate plus size active wear since 1995. The brand offers everything for the hardcore plus size athlete. With everything from casual comfort wear and bra tops, bodysuits, and even swimwear and intimates.
Bold colors, high style, and all the function that you need you'll find at Katie K Active. With sizes available up through a size 24, you can find your active wear essentials with this indie brand.
Lane Bryant's Livi serves as a destination for all things sporty and comfortable. The Livi collection gives you everything from maxi dresses to graphic tees for the everyday rounds. Plus, there are more active color-blocked leggings sweatshirt dresses with sizes 10 to 28.
This plus size active wear company packs both high style and function into their collections. Available up through a size 26/28, this made in LA brand is here to deliver you the active wear pieces that fit your lifestyle.
Nike has a plethora of plus size options for fun printed sweat sets, windbreakers, sports bras, and more. Anything you want that's casual or cool and brunch-ready, you'll be sure to find it here. Sizes in the plus size line for Nike range from 16-26.
"Nordstrom sells a broad selection of the best plus size workout clothes from many different brands. Whether you're in the market for yoga apparel, hiking gear or garments for barre, spin class or kickboxing, you'll find many clothing options both online and in-stores that help you feel and look great."
Up to a size 4X in select brands/styles
When you plan on going hard at the gym, Old Navy hones in more on function than style. Old Navy carries lightweight jackets, tanks and tees, leggings, shorts and more with sizes ranging from 1X to 4X.
Up to a size 4X
Shefit is best known for their sports bras. The brand has some of the most structured sports bras to lock down your girls so you can hit the ground running with your workout. When it comes to ultimate plus size active wear, this one definitely makes our list. Not to mention, these super bras go up to a 6XL.
Besides the fact that the Superfit Hero uses body diverse models in its product photography, the brand has a sick lineup of plus size athletic wear. From pocketed compression shorts and leggings to fitted sports bras —all up to a size 7X.
tomboyx builds silky-soft and long-lasting premium underwear and activewear for all bodies. We're committed to designing inclusive and sustainable products that help our customers feel comfortable in their own skin.
Up to a size 6X
Torrid's active wear line is just about as cute as its regular apparel lineup. The plus size brand is known for offering up sizes 10-30. And you can count on this brand for fitted sports bras, control top leggings, active pullovers, tees, hoodies, and more active pieces.
These brands offer leggings that breathe, sports bras that support without suffocating, and pieces that move with you through real days. Not fantasy workouts. Not aspirational bodies. Real life.
Many of these styles transition seamlessly from movement to whatever comes next. Coffee. Errands. Brunch. Meetings. That flexibility is not accidental. It is design doing its job.
The Takeaway That Matters Most
Finding plus size activewear does not need to feel like a chore or a compromise.
Think of it as choosing tools that support you instead of distract you. A few well-chosen pieces can change how movement fits into your life. Not louder. Not harder. Just smoother.
Explore the list. Pay attention to how things feel, not just how they look. And trust that ease is not a shortcut. It is the goal.
If you have a brand you swear by, share it. Pass this along to a friend who is tired of wrestling their clothes just to move through the day.
More style. Less squeeze. That is the standard now.
Please don’t leave out JCPENNEY! They always have affordable prices for us plus size ladies with their sales and coupons. They are my go to.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh! Good call! Completely off our radar! We will take a look!
Too bad that we didn’t include Sportive Plus! 🙁
If we knew about them, or if they sent us details, we would have included!
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