I Test Workout Clothes For A Living, And This Brand Is By Far The Most Versatile

Posted by author January 29, 2025 Shopping

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I’m a shopping writer who tests activewear for a living, and I’ve tried every major workout brand—think Lululemon, Athleta, Beyond Yoga, and more. The label that dominates my closet is Alo, which says a lot about how much I love it. That’s because the Los Angeles-based brand offers a huge variety of workout clothes, and everyday clothing that are comfortable, functional, and easy to mix and match with just about everything in my wardrobe. The quality of its clothing is consistently top-notch, its sizing is inclusive, and its pieces hold up through all kinds of activities.

In fact, I’ve been exercising in Alo clothes for over six years, and I also wear them during errands, couch rot days (we all have ‘em!), and even at the office. In terms of workouts, the brand has pieces for both high and low-intensity gym sessions, which I can’t say for all brands. For example, Beyond Yoga makes some of my all-time favorite yoga and Pilates wear, but its bras are not padded or thick enough for HIIT or running. Alo, on the other hand, has clothing that feels supportive, soft, and looks adorable to boot. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s one of the most stylish athleisure brands.

Want to keep learning about why Alo is one of my favorite brands? Keep reading to see how I test clothing and what makes Alo pieces worth the investment.

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How I Tested Alo Yoga Clothes

I’ve been passionate about fitness for 13 years, with a focus on strength training, HIIT, Pilates, and running. As someone who writes about activewear, I make it a point to thoroughly test every piece to see how it performs across different workouts. While no single item works perfectly for every activity, I’ve found standout pieces from Alo that handle high-intensity sessions and others that are perfect for low-impact workouts like yoga, walking, barre, and Pilates. Plus, Alo’s versatile designs make it easy to take its pieces beyond the gym—whether I’m heading to the office, a nice dinner, or anything in-between. Its aesthetic is trendy clothing that you can easily wear from the studio to the street and pair with casual, non-workout clothes. Unlike most activewear brands, which focus solely on gym-ready pieces, this line is designed for both workouts and real life.

Me wearing my favorite Alo bomber jacket during a hike in upstate New York.

Specifically, I’ve tested Alo’s workout clothes—think sports bras, compression leggings, and moisture-wicking tops—at the gym across all my favorite exercises. I rated each piece on moisture-wicking abilities, range of motion, support, feel, comfort, and style. With its other pieces—sweatshirts, sweaters, dresses, pants, and more—I rated styles on comfort, materials, durability through many washes, versatility, price, and more. However, since Alo is a workout brand at its core, I’ve tested mostly its activewear.

Here’s why Alo should be a go-to shopping destination, plus some bits and pieces I think the brand can improve on (because it’s not a well-rounded review without mentioning the cons, too!).

Its Materials Are High Quality

Alo’s signature fabrics, all of which I’ve tested, are some of the most supportive and softest in the athleisure game. All of them can be worn in the studio, but they look adorable paired with outerwear when you’re out and about. Plus, every time I wash any of my Alo clothes, I find that the materials never tear or look worn down.

Since Alo offers a wide range of clothing made from various materials, I’m focusing specifically on the fabrics used in its activewear, where things really get interesting. The brand uses three proprietary fabrics: Airlift (82% polyester, 18% elastane), Airbrush (87% nylon, 13% elastane), and Alosoft (87% polyester, 13% elastane). Each material offers a different purpose. For example, Airlift is higher compression, meaning it’s great for intense workouts. However, I would recommend sizing up in this fabric because it’s on the tighter side and lacks stretch.

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Polyester: Alosoft, found in the Alosoft High-Waist Legging, has the highest polyester content, making it the brand’s softest fabric—ideal for low-impact activities like heated yoga, Pilates, walking, or lounging. While polyester is strong and water-resistant, it’s less breathable than elastane and nylon, making it better suited for low-impact workouts.
Nylon: The Airbrush fabric has the most nylon, which means it’s best for medium-intensity workouts like runs, hikes, lifting, and walks. While nylon is soft and stretchy, it’s one of the most moisture-wicking materials out there, perfect for when you want to stay dry and keep sweat stains at bay during your workout.
Elastane: Elastane, which is in all three of the brand’s proprietary fabrics, givies leggings that elastic, snappy feel. So, for example, although the Alosoft fabric is made from 87 percent polyester, the addition of that 13 percent elastane adds juuust the right amount of compression and tightness that you want in a legging. After all, you want them to be flattering, right?

You Can Wear The Clothes Across Many Different Workouts And Activities.

With Alo, I can always find something for any activity. Its elevated basics don’t look like gym wear, making them perfect for everything from workouts to the office—and even a nice dinner—without needing a brand switch. For example, last week I wore the Airbrush High-Waist Bootcut Legging to a barre class, then threw on the Snuggle Up Sweater with some simple boots and a leather jacket to head into the office. The best part? The leggings are stretchy but also sculpting, plus they’re moisture-wicking and odor-resistant, so I didn’t feel like I was sitting in my sweat all day (major win!). And the sweater is super lightweight, which I love because it doesn’t feel heavy or constricting after a workout. I even got compliments on my outfit at the office, but little did they know, it was all thrown together post-sweat session.

Need something for a nice dinner, a party, the pool, or apres ski? Alo has expanded its clothing to far beyond just athleisure. Trust me, I go to the brand’s quarterly press previews so I can see what’s coming down the pipeline for the next season. Fun launches include a faux leather bomber in a charcoal green color (so fun!), a fleece corset, my favorite Alo Runner in a new Sweet Pink color, long sleeve dresses, bikinis, fur hats, and the list goes on.

Alo Yoga Faux Leather Premier Bomber

Alo Yoga Winterfun Zhivago Hat

My one con about Alo yoga is that while it does offer high-quality clothes that range across tons of different styles, it’s def pricey. I mean, for some of its leggings we’re talkin’ upwards of $168, which is expensive given the materials used. You can find the same concentration of materials in a pair of leggings from Amazon for under $30. If you’re on a budget but still want to shop Alo clothing, you can shop through its sale section, which has tons of cult-favorites from the brand including the Airbrush Leggings, a wide range of puffers, and adorable tennis dresses.

There Are Tons Of Styles And Fits.

Beyond the variety of Alo’s clothing, the brand also offers a wide size range. Take the bestselling Airlift Intrigue Bra—it’s available in sizes XXS (00–0) to L (12–14). Most of Alo’s pieces follow this sizing consistency, though some items, like the High Waist Alosoft Lounge Legging, go up to XL, and my personal favorite sweats, the Accolade Straight Leg Sweatpant, is available in sizes XXS–2XL—which is such a win. In my experience, Alo’s workout clothes are true to size. For reference, I’m typically a size six to eight, and a medium always fits just right—not too tight, not too loose.

Alo Yoga Airlift Intrigue Bra

Alo Yoga High-Waist Alosoft Lounge Legging

Alo Accolade Straight Leg Sweatpant

Final Verdict: Should You Shop Alo Yoga’s Clothing?

If you’ve got the budget, I highly recommend shopping at Alo for pretty much anything you need, whether it’s athleisure or everyday clothing. The quality is definitely worth the price—super durable and long-lasting, with tons of cute styles. Plus, it works for everyone, whether you’re a gym regular or a city slicker like me. Having tried countless brands myself, I can confidently say this one is definitely worth checking out.

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Shop More Workout Clothes We Love

Lily Wohlner is the associate style & commerce editor at Women’s Health. A sneakerhead, shopping enthusiast, and beauty expert, she’s mastered the art of testing, reviewing, and recommending standout products across every style category. Lily started her career as a freelance makeup artist before diving into the editorial and copywriting world, creating content for brands like Oribe, NewBeauty, and Dermstore. When she’s not training for her next half marathon, you’ll find her in the Lower East Side whipping up high-protein recipes with her roommate or thrifting for the ultimate pair of low-rise jeans.