Working out outside can be really refreshing—you get that fresh air, those endorphins going, the vitamin D exposure… It's nice to take your exercise outdoors. This is especially true if you spend most of your time working out in a gym, fitness studio, or at home. I know for me, as a person who exclusively works out at home, it's always a literal breath of fresh air to do a hike or go for a walk around my neighborhood as a form of exercise.
But outdoor workouts can get a little tricky come summer. The heat can really take a toll on your body, and if you don't prepare and take care of yourself, it could also lead to dehydration or heat exhaustion. Drinking lots of water is the first step. But you'll also want to make sure you have the right gear on that won't make you overheat. That means opting for lighter-weight pieces and activewear that's designed to be breathable and sweat-wicking.
And you can still benefit from cooling activewear even if you're strictly an indoor-workout type of person. Because who wants to overheat during a class or gym session?
With summer here, take a look at some of the best warm-weather workout clothes below.
Leggings
These sculpting leggings are designed for running and feature perforated details for breathability. There are also two pockets—one on the side and one on the back waistband.
Athleta's tights are great for year-round outdoor activities. They feature details for more visibility and have zip pockets so you can securely store the essentials.
You can't go wrong with cropped leggings when it's hot out. These are the cropped version of Zella's fan-favorite Live In leggings.
These slightly cropped leggings have breathable pinhole details down the sides.
Lululemon's capri leggings will definitely keep you cool during your summer workouts. Designed for running, they're made of the brand's smooth and lightweight Nulux fabric.
Tops
The cutout design here adds extra breathability.
A classic silhouette gets an update with this tank—it's sheer, so consider it ultra lightweight.
This tee is designed for medium- to high-impact workouts and features mesh ventilation all over.
The shorter length on this tank ensures it won't ride up when you're working out. It's quick-drying and sweat-wicking and has extra ventilation.
This might look like an average tank top, but look again—it has handy pockets at the sides.
Sports Bras
Wear this sports bra to medium-impact workouts—it wicks away sweat and has lightweight mesh details.
Alo's sports bra has cooling features like cutout details, mesh netting, and a criss-cross back (which provides extra comfort, too).
The strappy back design here makes this bra super breathable.
I mean, just look at all the mesh details here. You can't tell me that this bra isn't optimized for airflow.
This running sports bra is ultra supportive. It features a honeycomb pattern of injected foam to lift and rebalance support across the whole bra. It's also breathable, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying.
Shorts
A great pair of activewear shorts can keep you cool during workouts. Girlfriend Collective's shorts are compressive, squat-proof, and sweat-wicking.
These running shorts have breathable pinhole details and come equipped with SPF 30 UV protection.
Zella's classic sporty shorts feature a hidden zip pocket at the back for your keys and other essentials.
These shorts fit close to the body so you don't have to worry about any extra fabric getting in the way during your workouts. Plus, they have five (yes, five) pockets, a built-in mesh belt, and reflective trim.
Lululemon's mid-rise running shorts have a little bit of extra room at the opening so you don't have to feel too constricted.
Dresses/Skirts
Madewell's exercise miniskirt features built-in bike shorts and three pockets (one for your phone, one for a tennis ball, and one for your ID or keys).
You might even want to wear this tennis skirt outside of your workouts—it's that cute. It has an inner short that comes equipped with a hidden pocket.
There's a reason this skort is called Float—it's airy and lightweight. Inside there's a compressive lining with pockets.
Made with Outdoor Voices' LightSpeed fabric, this workout dress is breathable and so easy to move in. It features a built-in shorts liner with two pockets.
This exercise dress is made of lightweight jersey, so it's soft and so comfortable. It has shorts underneath so you can move with ease.
Next, 20 Dresses You Can Actually Work Out In (Yes, Really)
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.