Best Buys at Nike: The Gym Pieces That Are Actually Worth It

ACTIVEWEAR · GYM STYLE · BEST BUYS

Nike makes a lot of things — some of them genuinely brilliant, some of them overpriced and overhyped. After years of buying, testing, sweating in, and occasionally being disappointed by their pieces, I can tell you exactly which Nike gym clothes are worth every penny and which ones you can comfortably skip. Because when a sports bra costs £55 and a pair of leggings can hit £100, knowing what's actually good matters.

The short version: Nike's technical performance pieces are outstanding. Their lifestyle-adjacent basics are more hit and miss. Here's the full breakdown.

The Nike Pieces I Genuinely Swear By

Let me start with the items that have earned a permanent place in my gym bag — through actual use, not just wishful thinking.

The Nike Dri-FIT One Leggings are, in my opinion, the best all-round legging Nike makes. They sit high at the waist, have a gusset that actually moves with you, and the fabric — a mid-weight Dri-FIT — is opaque, smooth, and doesn't bag at the knees after an hour of squats. I've had my current pair for almost two years and they still look new. The 7/8 length hits just above the ankle and is flattering on most heights. If you're buying one pair of Nike leggings, these are the ones.

The Nike Pro Training bra (medium support) has been a constant in my kit for years. It's compressive without being restrictive, lies completely flat under a fitted top, and doesn't roll up or dig in during a full workout. The neckline sits perfectly and the racerback design keeps straps out of the way. For HIIT, weights, and yoga, it's flawless. For running, you'll want to go up to the Swoosh high-support version.

The Nike Dri-FIT Get Fit Training Trousers — not the leggings, the proper training trousers — are something I didn't expect to love as much as I do. A tapered leg, a proper drawstring waist, and pockets that actually fit a phone. I wear these for strength training days when I want a bit more ease of movement than a tight legging gives. The fabric weight is perfect and they don't wrinkle or bunch.

The Sports Bra Question: Which Nike Bra for Which Workout?

This is one of the most common questions I get, and Nike's range is genuinely broad enough that it's worth mapping it out properly:

• Low impact (yoga, pilates, walking): The Nike Indy bra is the one. Minimal structure, beautiful drape, and it comes in the most gorgeous colourways. It's as much a fashion piece as a sports bra at this level of impact.

• Medium impact (weights, barre, cycling, HIIT): The Nike Pro medium-support bra. Compressive, secure, and flattering. This is the everyday gym bra for most women.

• High impact (running, bootcamp, CrossFit): The Nike Swoosh high-support bra, or for larger cup sizes, the Nike Alpha. Both offer serious hold. The Alpha in particular is one of the best high-impact bras I've tried from any brand — underwire option available for D cup and above, which is rare and genuinely useful.

Nike Leggings: The Full Honest Ranking

Not all Nike leggings are created equal. I've worn most of them. Here's the real ranking:

• Nike Dri-FIT One — best all-rounder. Squat-proof, comfortable waistband, great length options. Buy these.

• Nike Go Firm-Support — these have a double-layer waistband that smooths and holds without compression discomfort. Really flattering. Slightly more structured feel than the Dri-FIT One, which some people prefer.

• Nike Pro 365 Leggings — a tighter, more compressive fit. Great for running or HIIT where you want everything locked in. Less comfortable for a long stretch session.

• Nike Zenvy — Nike's answer to the Lululemon Align. Buttery soft, minimal compression, and beautiful to wear for yoga or low-key movement. They are genuinely that soft. They are also genuinely not squat-proof in pale colours, so stick to darker shades or prints.

• Nike One Luxe — a softer, more lifestyle-orientated legging. Nice for the studio-to-street look, but not my first choice for a serious workout.

Nike vs The Competition: Where Does It Stand?

Being honest here matters, because Nike is not the only — or always the best — option for every category. Here's how it stacks up against the brands I'd also send you to:

• Lululemon — for leggings and sports bras at a similar or higher price point, Lululemon is genuinely hard to beat. Their Align legging and Define jacket are two of the best activewear pieces ever made. If budget allows, it's worth comparing directly.

• Sweaty Betty — a British brand that makes exceptional gym kit with a very strong aesthetic. Their Power Legging rivals the Nike Go for structure and flattery, and their studio pieces have a distinctly European polish that Nike's don't quite match.

• Gymshark — significantly cheaper than Nike, and for basic gym kit — leggings, training shorts, crop tops — genuinely very good quality. If budget is a consideration, Gymshark competes well.

• Adidas (via their own site or ASOS) — for sports bras specifically, Adidas's Don't Rest and Powerreact styles are worth comparing with Nike's equivalent. Different construction, different feel — worth trying both if you're investing.

• ASOS — a useful place to compare Nike pieces with own-brand and other activewear brands side by side. Their Nike edits are often well curated and they run sales more frequently than Nike's own site.

The Nike Pieces Worth Skipping

In the spirit of genuine honesty — because I've wasted money on these so you don't have to:

• Very cheap Nike basics (vests and T-shirts under £25) — the fabric quality at this price point is noticeably thin and the fit is boxy in a way that doesn't look particularly good on anyone. Spend a little more or look at Gymshark for comparable basics at better value.

• Nike lifestyle leggings (the non-Dri-FIT range) — these are marketed as gym leggings but are really streetwear pieces. The fabric doesn't perform the way a workout legging should and they tend to lose their shape quickly.

• Nike training jackets at full price — they go on sale regularly and significantly. Never buy one full price.

How to Get the Most Out of Nike's Range

A few practical notes from someone who has navigated their site more times than is probably healthy:

• Nike sizing runs small on the waistband for leggings — if you're between sizes, size up. You'll thank yourself during a floor session.

• The Nike Members programme is free to join and gives you access to exclusive colourways, early releases, and occasional members-only discounts. Worth doing before you buy anything.

• Nike's sale section is genuinely good. Previous-season colourways at 30–50% off are often identical in construction to the current season — the colour is the only thing that's changed.

• For bras, always check the return policy before buying online — sizing varies considerably between styles and fit really does need to be tried.

Two Independent Activewear Brands Worth Discovering

• Varley — a London-founded activewear brand that has built a devoted following for their beautifully designed studio and gym pieces. Their leggings and sports bras have a luxurious feel and aesthetic that genuinely rivals Lululemon, and they're a far less ubiquitous choice. Their Berkeley bra and Bound leggings in particular are exceptional.

• Nagnata — an Australian brand that blends merino wool with performance fabrics to create gym and studio pieces that are unlike anything else on the market. Their technical knit pieces are breathable, temperature-regulating, and stunningly designed. If you want activewear that looks as good for a Saturday morning coffee as it does in a yoga class, Nagnata is the brand to know.

Stop Guessing Your Gym Kit Size — Use Tellar

If you've ever ordered gym leggings online and received something that fits nothing like you expected, you're not imagining things. Nike, Lululemon, Sweaty Betty, and Gymshark all size differently — and getting activewear wrong is particularly frustrating because the fit really matters for both performance and comfort.

Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading independent sizing tool, completely free and covering 1,500+ brands. Measure once — using your bust, waist, and hip measurements, or an existing size you know works — and it instantly tells you your precise size across every brand you want to shop. No guessing, no unnecessary returns.

• Use the Store Size Lookup Tool to check your exact size in Nike, Lululemon, Sweaty Betty, Gymshark and hundreds more.

• Always free. No account needed. Works instantly in-browser.

The Tellar Fashion Hub also has a growing library of free, independently written fashion and style guides — no brand influence, ever. A few worth reading:

• The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide — the definitive guide to understanding sizing across brands

• Jeans Trends 2026 — the denim styles worth knowing about right now

• The Ultimate Guide to Dresses — styles, shapes, and the best brands in one place

• The Ultimate Guide to Jackets & Blazers — finding the right fit, every time

The Bottom Line on Nike

Nike is at its best when it leans into genuine technical performance — the Dri-FIT One leggings, the Pro and Alpha sports bras, and the Go Firm-Support range are all genuinely excellent products that justify their price. Where it falls down is in the lifestyle-adjacent pieces that look the part but don't perform it.

Shop Nike for its performance heroes, compare with Sweaty Betty and Lululemon before making a final decision, and always size up on the leggings. Do that and you'll build a gym kit you'll actually want to wear — which, if you've ever stood in front of your wardrobe at 6am trying to motivate yourself to train, you'll know is half the battle.